State Tournament: Thursday Game Recaps

3A Semifinal: #1 Clear Lake 66, #5 ADM 57

For the first time in school history, Clear Lake will play for a boys state basketball championship. The top-ranked Lions beat ADM, 66-57, to advance to tomorrow’ afternoon Class 3A state championship, where they’ll face either Xavier or MOC-Floyd Valley.

This was a heavyweight matchup, with absolutely beautiful basketball played on both sides. The first half was filled with gorgeous offensive execution and shotmaking, with ADM taking a 38-30 lead into the break. Each team shot 12-21 (57.1%) from the floor in the first 16 minutes, with the Tigers edge coming from the 3-point line (5 made to 2 for Clear Lake) and the free-throw line (9 to 4). ADM pushed their lead out to as many as 12 in the third quarter, and led by 10, 49-39, after three.

After Clear Lake started the final quarter on a 12-5 run to close within 3, Hudson Shull Hudson Shull 5'11" | SG ADM | 2026 State IA buried a big 3-pointer with 4:26 left, giving ADM a 57-51 lead. Those were the last points the Tigers would score.

Clear Lake closed the game with a 15-0 run, buckling down on the defensive end and applying heavy pressure, which ADM didn’t handle particularly well. The size, toughness, and athleticism of Clear Lake won out in the final four minutes, forcing ADM into difficult, contested shots, and dominating the glass.

The Lions undefeated season lives on for one more day, improving to 26-0. They were led by Thomas Meyer Thomas Meyer 6'4" | PF Clear Lake | 2025 State IA , who had 31 points on 13-17 shooting. He was an absolute force on both ends of the floor. Jaxson McIntire Jaxson McIntire 6'2" | SF Clear Lake | 2027 State IA added 15 points in the win. Clear Lake shot 56.3% from the floor in the win and outscored ADM 42-20 in the paint.

ADM’s season ends with a 22-5 record. The Tigers were led by Hudson Lorensen Hudson Lorensen 5'11" | SG ADM | 2026 State IA , who had 22 points. Trey Bryte Trey Bryte 6'5" | PG ADM | 2026 State IA chipped in 17 in the loss. ADM will return their top three scorers and a majority of their bench, so expect to see the Tigers back in contention in 3A again next season.

Team stats
ADM: 19-41 FG (46.3%), 8-19 3P (42.1%), 11-17 FT (64.7%); 24 rebounds (7 offensive); 12 assists, 12 turnovers
Clear Lake: 27-48 FG (56.3%), 4-13 3P (30.8%), 8-12 FT (66.7%); 25 rebounds (7 offensive); 11 assists, 9 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Thomas Meyer Thomas Meyer 6'4" | PF Clear Lake | 2025 State IA (Clear Lake) — 31 points (13-17 FG, 0-1 3P, 5-7 FT), 8 rebounds, 4 assists

The future Iowa tight end was absolutely dominant in this one, taking over the game in the fourth quarter as part of the Lions’ dominant final period. He had 14 of his 31 points and 5 of his 8 rebounds in the last 8 minutes of action, and ADM simply had no answer for his combination of size, athleticism, and strength.

3A Semifinal: #6 MOC-Floyd Valley 44, #7 Xavier 41

For the first time in 19 years, MOC-Floyd Valley will play for a boys state basketball title following their thrilling 44-41 win over Xavier on Thursday afternoon. The Dutchmen will take on top-ranked and undefeated Clear Lake at 3:00 tomorrow afternoon for the Class 3A championship.

This was a game that MOC-Floyd Valley largely controlled, leading for 22:10 of the allotted 32 minutes of action, but it was a slugfest. Xavier held a 19-18 lead at the half, extended it to 22-18 on the first possession of the third quarter, but MOC-Floyd Valley responded with a 9-0 run to take a 27-22 lead. The Dutchmen led 32-30 after three quarters.

After pushing their advantage out to six points, 38-32, with 3:06 to play, it looked like the Dutchmen were in the drivers seat, but Zander Murray Zander Murray 6'1" | SG Xavier | 2026 State IA and Kaleb Wilgenbusch Kaleb Wilgenbusch 6'0" | SG Cedar Rapids Xavier | 2025 State IA 3s sandwiched a pair of Blake Aalbers Blake Aalbers 6'0" | PG MOC-Floyd Valley | 2025 State IA free throws to cut the deficit down to 2 with 1:10 to play. After Aalbers split a pair at the line with 38 seconds left, Murray hit a tough, off-balance 3 to tie the game up with 24 seconds left (video will be posted below). On the Dutchmen’s final possession, Blake Aalbers Blake Aalbers 6'0" | PG MOC-Floyd Valley | 2025 State IA confidently stepped into a 3, and for good reason, he is a 45.5% shooter, after all, and drilled it to put MOC up by 3 with 2.4 seconds to play. Xavier got a decent look from halfcourt but it was no good, sending the Dutchmen into the title game.

The Dutchmen did a tremendous job in this game using their physicality to their advantage, particularly in the second half. They were able to completely take Xavier forward AJ Evans AJ Evans 6'8" | PF Xavier | 2026 State IA out of the game, limiting him to just one shot attempt after he had 21 points and 13 rebounds in the quarterfinals.

MOC-Floyd Valley improves to 22-4 with the win and will make their fourth ever state title game appearance. They last won a title in 2005. The Dutchmen were led by Blake Aalbers Blake Aalbers 6'0" | PG MOC-Floyd Valley | 2025 State IA , who had 23 points, including the game-winner. He was the only Dutchmen to score in double figures.

Xavier’s season ends with a 16-10 record, heartbreak, and the school’s ninth state tournament appearance. The Saints were led by Zander Murray Zander Murray 6'1" | SG Xavier | 2026 State IA with 19 points, and Kaleb Wilgenbusch Kaleb Wilgenbusch 6'0" | SG Cedar Rapids Xavier | 2025 State IA had 16 in the loss. They will return three starters – Murray, Lorenzo Pino Lorenzo Pino 5'11" | PG/CG Cedar Rapids Xavier | 2026 State IA , and AJ Evans AJ Evans 6'8" | PF Xavier | 2026 State IA – and will be considered one of the top teams in 3A heading into next season.

Team stats
Xavier: 14-43 FG (32.6%), 7-23 3P (30.4%), 6-7 FT (85.7%); 21 rebounds (8 offensive); 7 assists, 11 turnovers
MOC-Floyd Valley: 13-34 FG (38.2%), 7-18 3P (38.9%), 11-14 FT (78.6%); 29 rebounds (9 offensive); 5 assists, 17 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Blake Aalbers Blake Aalbers 6'0" | PG MOC-Floyd Valley | 2025 State IA (MOC-Floyd Valley) — 23 points (7-14 FG, 5-10 3P, 4-6 FT), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals

The 6-0 sharpshooter was fantastic throughout the game for the Dutchmen and delivered the biggest shot of their season to send them to the 3A title game. Easy choice here.

2A Semifinal: #1 Western Christian 52, #4 Grand View Christian 44

For a state-record 14th time in their history, the Western Christian Wolfpack will play for a state championship following their 53-46 win over Grand View Christian.

Grand View Christian, with their overwhelming size, is a difficult matchup for anyone, and that held true in the first half as 6-9 Emiliano Barrantes Emiliano Barrantes 6'9" | PF Grand View Christian | 2025 State IA and 6-5 Brayden Hoben Brayden Hoben 6'5" | SF Grand View Christian | 2026 State IA controlled the first 16 minutes for the Thunder. Barrantes was dominant as a rim protector throughout the game, finishing with 7 blocks, but Western Christian was able to do a better job in the second half neutralizing him on that end of the floor.

The momentum changer may have come at the end of the first half, when Grand View Christian went too early on the last possession, allowing Western Christian’s Landon De Stigter Landon De Stigter 6'3" | SG Western Christian | 2026 State IA to drill a 3 in transition at the horn, giving the Wolfpack a 28-27 halftime advantage. The Wolfpack then outscored the Thunder 14-6 in the third quarter to completely take control of the game. The lead got as large as 11 in the fourth quarter.

Western Christian improves to 24-3 with the win and will take on either West Lyon or Unity Christian for the Class 2A championship tomorrow at 5:00. The Wolfpack were led by Kaden Van Regenmorter Kaden Van Regenmorter 6'4" | SF Hull, Western Christian | 2025 State IA , who had 18 points and 8 rebounds. Landon De Stigter Landon De Stigter 6'3" | SG Western Christian | 2026 State IA had 16, and Karsten Moret Karsten Moret 6'3" | SG Western Christian | 2025 State IA added 12. The Wolfpack shot 10-19 from the 3-point line, outscoring Grand View Christian by 24 points from the arc.

Grand View Christian’s season ends with a 24-2 record. The Thunder were led by Brayden Hoben Brayden Hoben 6'5" | SF Grand View Christian | 2026 State IA , who had 20 points and 9 rebounds. Emiliano Barrantes Emiliano Barrantes 6'9" | PF Grand View Christian | 2025 State IA added 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 7 blocks. They will lose Barrantes and Eli Fincham to graduation but bring everyone else back and should once again be a factor in 2A.

Grand View Christian: Brayden Hoben Brayden Hoben 6'5" | SF Grand View Christian | 2026 State IA 20, Emiliano Barrantes Emiliano Barrantes 6'9" | PF Grand View Christian | 2025 State IA 17, Thomas Childs 5, Jameson Scharnberg Jameson Scharnberg 6'0" | SG Grand View Christian | 2026 State IA 2, Eli Fincham 2
Western Christian: Kaden Van Regenmorter Kaden Van Regenmorter 6'4" | SF Hull, Western Christian | 2025 State IA 18, Landon De Stigter Landon De Stigter 6'3" | SG Western Christian | 2026 State IA 16, Karsten Moret Karsten Moret 6'3" | SG Western Christian | 2025 State IA 12, Noah Hilbrands 7

Team stats
Grand View Christian: 19-46 FG (41.3%), 4-13 3P (30.8%), 4-4 FT (100%); 27 rebounds (7 offensive); 7 assists, 13 turnovers
Western Christian: 18-45 FG (40.0%), 10-19 3P (52.6%), 7-12 FT (58.3%); 29 rebounds (9 offensive); 9 assists, 12 turnovers

MVP: 2026 Landon De Stigter Landon De Stigter 6'3" | SG Western Christian | 2026 State IA (Western Christian) — 16 points (5-9 FG, 5-8 3P, 1-2 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 steal

The 6-4 wing knocked down big shot after big shot from 3 for the Wolfpack, helping gain some separation in what was a tight game. He’s a pure shooter, and like all Western players, a really high IQ player who takes what is given and contributes across the board.

2A Semifinal: #2 West Lyon 69, #3 Unity Christian 55

There’s an old adage in sports that it’s hard to beat the same team three times in a season, and that proved to be prescient in this one. It was hard, but West Lyon did it, with the Wildcats prevailing over Siouxland Conference rival Unity Christian, 69-55, to advance to the Class 2A championship game tomorrow night at 5:00.

West Lyon jumped out of the gates hot, leading 18-7 after the first quarter, and Unity Christian looked a little shellshocked. But they responded in a big way in the second quarter, outscoring the Wildcats 24-11 to take a 31-29 lead into the break. The third quarter was back-and-forth throughout, with five lead changes.

West Lyon grabbed control of the game in the fourth quarter, with the final dagger coming from senior guard Carson Hoogeveen Carson Hoogeveen 5'10" | PG West Lyon | 2025 State IA , who hit a tough stepback 3 as the shot clock expired with a little over a minute left to give the ‘Cats an 8-point lead. The final score was not indicative of how competitive this game was.

West Lyon improves to 23-3 on the year, and will play in the state championship game for the first time since 2014. The Wildcats also improve to 5-0 all-time in state tournament play. They were led by Jorden Meyer, who had 15 points to lead a balanced attack. Carson Hoogeveen Carson Hoogeveen 5'10" | PG West Lyon | 2025 State IA had 13 points, and Easton Jacobson Easton Jacobson 6'1" | SG West Lyon | 2025 State IA and Jared Ciesielski Jared Ciesielski 6'3" | SF West Lyon | 2026 State IA each chipped in 11 in the win.

Unity Christian finishes the season with a 21-5 record, three of which came to these Wildcats, and their second straight semifinal appearance. The Knights were led by Dylan Bosma Dylan Bosma 6'1" | PG Unity Christian | 2026 State IA , who had a game-high 20 points. Braeden Bosma Braeden Bosma 6'1" | PG Unity Christian | 2025 State IA had 13, and Tyce Van Donge Tyce Van Donge 6'2" | PF Unity Christian | 2027 State IA and Jackson Vogel Jackson Vogel 6'3" | SF Unity Christian | 2025 State IA each added 11. The Knights will bring Dylan Bosma Dylan Bosma 6'1" | PG Unity Christian | 2026 State IA , Van Donge, and sharpshooter Keagen Winterfeld Keagen Winterfeld 5'11" | PG Unity Christian | 2027 State IA back, while also getting Austin Wieringa Austin Wieringa 6'0" | SG Unity Christian | 2026 State IA , a starter last season, back from injury, and should be in contention again next season.

Team stats
Unity Christian: 21-50 FG (42.0%), 6-16 3P (37.5%), 7-10 FT (70.0%); 26 rebounds (13 offensive); 11 assists, 13 turnovers
West Lyon: 23-44 FG (52.3%), 8-20 3P (40.0%), 15-20 FT (75.0%); 27 rebounds (11 offensive); 12 assists, 12 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Easton Jacobson Easton Jacobson 6'1" | SG West Lyon | 2025 State IA (West Lyon) — 11 points (3-10 FG, 2-5 3P, 3-4 FT), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block

Any of the Wildcats starters could be named here, but we’ll go with Jacobson, who delivered a few huge, unexpected 3s in the second half to help the Wildcats gain some separation. He had made 8 3-pointers all year heading into this one and knocked down a pair of massive ones.

1A Semifinal: #1 Marquette Catholic 57, #4 Gladbrook-Reinbeck 45

For the second straight year, Marquette Catholic will play for a Class 1A state title. The Defenders used a dominant fourth quarter to advance past Gladbrook-Reinbeck, 57-45.

This was a tough, physical, tightly-contested game throughout, but Marquette’s defense stole the show in the fourth quarter. The Defenders lived up to their name, winning the final period 16-2 to blow the game open. They held the Rebels to just 1-13 shooting in the last eight minutes, packing the defense in and forcing the Rebels to beat them from the perimeter, always a difficult thing to do at Wells Fargo Arena. Everything around the rim was contested by a swarm of Marquette defenders, and the Defenders did a good job of cleaning up the glass, winning the rebounding battle 13-6 in the fourth quarter.

The game featured nine lead changes and six ties, but it was ultimately the top-ranked team in the state’s ability to turn defense into offense, recording 16 fast-break points, that helped seal the win.

Marquette Catholic improves to 27-1 on the year with the win and will play in the school’s third state title game, second consecutive. They will await either Madrid or St. Edmond, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 tomorrow evening. They were led by Spencer Roeder Spencer Roeder 6'5" | PF Maquette Catholic | 2025 State IA , who continued his great senior season with 21 points. Eli Scott Eli Scott 5'8" | PG Marquette Catholic | 2025 State IA had 14 points, and Jacob Litterer Jacob Litterer 6'2" | PF Marquette Catholic | 2025 State IA added 11 in the win. As few teams have done this week in any class, the Defenders posted a positive assist-to-turnover ratio, dishing out 13 helpers against just 7 giveaways.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s season ends with a 23-4 record in Brett Bengen’s first year at the helm, and the school’s seventh state tournament appearance. The Rebels were led by Michael Boyd Michael Boyd 6'4" | PF Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2025 State IA , who had 18 points and 9 rebounds. Drew Eilers Drew Eilers 6'3" | PF Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2025 State IA added 10 in the loss. They will graduate four starters, but this has become one of the most consistent small-school programs in the state, so don’t be surprised to see them back in contention with a bunch of new faces.

Team stats
Gladbrook-Reinbeck: 16-45 FG (35.6%), 1-9 3P (11.1%), 12-16 FT (75.0%); 32 rebounds (10 offensive); 6 assists, 11 turnovers
Marquette Catholic: 23-55 FG (41.8%), 3-15 3P (20.0%), 8-10 FT (80.0%); 32 rebounds (11 offensive); 13 assists, 7 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Spencer Roeder Spencer Roeder 6'5" | PF Maquette Catholic | 2025 State IA (Marquette Catholic) — 21 points (8-15 FG, 2-7 3P, 3-3 FT), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal

The focal point of Marquette’s attack all year has been Roeder, and he delivered another fantastic performance on both ends of the floor to help lead the Defenders back to the title game.

1A Semifinal: #2 Madrid 71, #3 St. Edmond 58

About 30 hours after winning their first ever state tournament game, Madrid won their second, and this one sends them into the Class 1A championship game. The Tigers controlled the game throughout against a good St. Edmond team, winning 71-58, to set up a showdown with top-ranked Marquette Catholic.

There was simply too much Toryn Severson Toryn Severson 6'4" | SG Madrid | 2025 State IA here for St. Edmond to handle. The 6-4 senior wing was dominant, scoring 22 points in the first half to help the Tigers grab control of the game, and finishing with a game-high 32. He was burying 3s from NBA range with regularity and then attacking hard closeouts, getting into the paint and finishing. Madrid led for 24:26 of game time and used a 14-5 close to the first half to take a 34-26 lead into the break, and the Gaels were never able to get closer than 7 points the rest of the way.

Madrid is a really difficult team to beat once they get a lead. In Severson, Fabian Ortiz-Alaniz Fabian Ortiz-Alaniz 5'8" | PG Madrid | 2025 State IA , and Brody Buck Brody Buck 6'0" | SG Madrid | 2025 State IA , they have three fantastic ball-handlers and shot creators, which allows them to use a ton of clock and still get quality looks late in the shot clock. And if you force a missed shot, Jevyn Severson Jevyn Severson 6'5" | PF Madrid | 2028 State IA or Emerson Bridgewater Emerson Bridgewater 6'5" | PF Madrid | 2027 State IA is there to pound the offensive glass and get a putback. Their starting five is the best in the class, all complementary pieces, and it is going to take a big defensive effort to beat them.

St. Edmond’s season closes with a 23-4 record and the school’s first state tournament appearance since 2012. They were led by Hunter Horn Hunter Horn 6'5" | SF St. Edmonds | 2026 State IA , who had 23 points, and Carson Bargfrede Carson Bargfrede 6'2" | SG/CG St. Edmond Fort Dodge | 2026 State IA with 17. The Gaels will return all but one player from this group and may enter next season as the #1 team in Class 1A.

Team stats
St. Edmond: 21-51 FG (41.2%), 9-27 3P (33.3%), 7-8 FT (87.5%); 25 rebounds (12 offensive); 11 assists, 10 turnovers
Madrid: 28-55 FG (50.9%), 7-18 3P (38.9%), 8-10 FT (80.0%); 33 rebounds (14 offensive); 10 assists, 9 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Toryn Severson Toryn Severson 6'4" | SG Madrid | 2025 State IA (Madrid) — 32 points (11-22 FG, 6-10 3P, 4-6 FT), 4 rebounds, 1 block 1 steal

Severson continued his dominant week in Des Moines with a 32-point outburst to lift the Tigers into the 1A championship game. The versatile scorer was knocking down 3s from well beyond the high school line with regularity, and using his jumper to open up his dribble drive. An all-around dominant offensive performance.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
ADM	20	18	11	8	57
Clear Lake	23	7	9	27	66

State Tournament: Thursday Game Recaps

In this article:

August Rankings Update: Who moved up the rankings in Iowa’s 2028 class?

2028 Rankings Update: Stock Risers in the Top 30

Updated 2028 Iowa Rankings

Class 1A: Top 10 Returning Rebounders

Class 1A: Top 10 Returning Scorers

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Xavier	5	14	11	11	41
MOC-Floyd Valley	10	8	14	12	44

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Grand View Christian	15	12	6	13	46
Western Christian	13	15	14	11	53

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Unity Christian	7	24	15	9	55
West Lyon	18	11	18	22	69

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Gladbrook-Reinbeck	10	18	15	2	45
Marquette Catholic	15	10	16	16	57

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
St. Edmond	14	12	15	17	58
Madrid	14	20	18	19	71