State Tournament: Tuesday Preview

3A Quarterfinal: #2 Knoxville (24-0) vs. #7 Xavier (15-9), 10:30 am   Analysis: Making their first trip to the state tournament since 2000, Knoxville is going to bring a massive crowd of people and have a decided advantage in that aspect against Xavier. The Panthers rank within the top 5 in both scoring offense (71.5, 5th) and defense (43.7, 2nd) in 3A and have been pretty dominant all year long behind the Norris brothers, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1668669' first='Landen' last='Norris'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2231637' first='Lincoln' last='Norris']. Landen is a creative playmaker with good size as a lead guard, while Lincoln is one of the top shooters in the state. They have a nice group of complementary players alongside the Norris boys, most notably the defensive wizards [player_tooltip player_id='2511505' first='Kaiden' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2811942' first='Koby' last='Higginbotham'], who give them some real versatility and toughness on that end of the floor. There are real concerns about the strength of schedule difference between these teams, with Knoxville's ranking 60th out of 64 teams in 3A (last in the field) and Xavier's ranking 2nd (best in the field).   Xavier may have nine losses, but five of them came to teams who qualified for the 4A state tournament (Kennedy twice, Linn-Mar, Senior, Cedar Falls), and two more came to teams that played in 4A substate finals (Dowling Catholic, Prairie). Needless to say, the Saints are a battle-tested group that came back from 17 points down against #2 Decorah to get here. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1978144' first='Zander' last='Murray'] is the team's top offensive weapon, a talented shooter who has really improved as a playmaker over the last year. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2204878' first='Kaleb' last='Wilgenbusch'] has had a great senior season, shooting it at a high clip and giving the Saints some senior leadership and toughness on both ends of the floor. The X-factor for Xavier will be junior big man [player_tooltip player_id='1765554' first='AJ' last='Evans'], an at-times-dominant two-way player who, if he can stay out of foul trouble, is a major difference-maker on both ends of the floor.   Players to watch Knoxville: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1668669' first='Landen' last='Norris'] (20.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 59.6 FG%); 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2231637' first='Lincoln' last='Norris'] (17.2 points, 2.5 assists, 2.7 steals, 43.9 3P%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511505' first='Kaiden' last='Smith'] (9.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 70.7 FG%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731843' first='Drake' last='Larson'] (8.0 points, 4.2 assists) Xavier: 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978144' first='Zander' last='Murray'] (14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 37.2 3P%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2204878' first='Kaleb' last='Wilgenbusch'] (13.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 55.6 FG%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765554' first='AJ' last='Evans'] (11.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 56.5 FG%)   Our pick: Xavier 62, Knoxville 58   3A Quarterfinal: #3 Ballard (21-2) vs. #6 MOC-Floyd Valley, 12:15 pm   Analysis: A pair of teams who reached last year's state tournament link up in the last 3A quarterfinal. Ballard has been playing good ball since the stunning loss to North Polk, winners of 10 of their last 11 games, including a 26-point postseason drubbing of the Comets as revenge. The Bombers are led by junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'], one of the quickest players in the state with the ball in his hands. He puts constant pressure on opposing defenses with his ability to create off the dribble and get up into you defensively. [player_tooltip player_id='2397342' first='Jackson' last='Brown'] is the team's top perimeter shooting threat, taking advantage of the open looks that Gibson is able to get him, and [player_tooltip player_id='2419750' first='Parker' last='Miller'], a bouncy sophomore forward, has been good on both ends of the floor this season. The Bombers like to put a lot of pressure on teams defensively, often picking up full-court and using their speed and athleticism to their advantage. That will be an area to watch, as MOC turns it over nearly 15 times per game.   MOC-Floyd Valley brought back four starters - [player_tooltip player_id='2398061' first='Blake' last='Aalbers'], [player_tooltip player_id='1523401' first='Ahman' last='Langton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1951793' first='Owen' last='Vander Pol'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1978131' first='Draeden' last='Punt'] - from last year's state semifinalist team and have shown that as good as 2024 Mr. Basketball Jesse Van Kalsbeek was, this wasn't just his team last season. The Dutchmen may play in a primarily 2A league, but it's the best 2A league in the state, and they hold four wins over state tournament teams, and their only losses have come to state tournament teams. Aalbers is the headliner of the attack, a nearly 46% 3-point shooter, but this is a balanced group that can beat you in a variety of different ways. The X-factor for MOC will be junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1978131' first='Draeden' last='Punt'], an athletic, versatile defender with great size and lateral quickness. He's a bit of a Swiss Army knife for Loren De Jong to use, throwing him at a number of different players. This may end up being the best 3A quarterfinal game.   Players to watch Ballard: 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'] (15.6 points, 3.2 assists, 2.3 steals); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397342' first='Jackson' last='Brown'] (12.1 points, 39.3 3P%); 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419750' first='Parker' last='Miller'] (10.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.2 steals) MOC-Floyd Valley: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2398061' first='Blake' last='Aalbers'] (20.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 steals, 45.9 3P%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1523401' first='Ahman' last='Langton'] (11.5 points, 3.8 assists, 2.2 steals); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951793' first='Owen' last='Vander Pol'] (10.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 55.8 FG%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978131' first='Draeden' last='Punt'] (10.3 points, 51.5 FG%)   Our pick: Ballard 59, MOC-Floyd Valley 56   2A Quarterfinal: #1 Western Christian (22-3) vs. #8 Jesup (16-9), 2:00 pm   Analysis: Western Christian enters the 2025 state tournament not only as the defending champions, but as a pretty heavy favorite to continue to add to their record haul of state titles. The Wolfpack have won a state-record 11 championships, all since 1985, and have taken home eight titles since 2007. Their three losses this season have come at the hands of Papillion-La Visa South, Norris, and Waukee. Those former two are large-school teams from Nebraska, and Waukee was a Class 4A state qualifier. Playing as an independent, they've been able to test themselves all year against some high-level out-of-state competition and will be well prepared for state tournament play. Seniors Kaden Van Reenmorter and [player_tooltip player_id='1484412' first='Karsten' last='Moret'] lead a potent attack that averages 72 points per game, and the Pack have a number of different weapons who can really shoot it from the 3-point line. As a team they average more than 10 made 3s a game, and they shoot it at a 41.2% clip. If Jesup isn't careful, this one could snowball in a hurry.   Speaking of Jesup, the J-Hawks upset Cascade and North Fayette Valley to get here, marking the school's fifth state tournament appearance. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1839807' first='Ryan' last='Treptow'] is a ton of fun to watch and has good size as a lead guard at 6-3. He's able to do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor and is a really good athlete who competes hard on the glass on both ends of the floor. If the J-Hawks want to stick around in this one, he, [player_tooltip player_id='2820112' first='Landon' last='Vogel'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2906478' first='Parker' last='Masteller'] will all need to be great. This is nothing against Jesup, who has had a really nice season, but Western Christian is just on another level.   Players to watch Western Christian: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1436462' first='Kaden' last='Van Regenmorter'] (19.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 42.4 3P%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484412' first='Karsten' last='Moret'] (14.9 points, 54.6 FG%, 15.8 3P%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413626' first='Landon' last='De Stigter'] (11.6 points, 37.9 3P%); 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2772345' first='Tayden' last='Moret'] (7.4 points, 51.5 FG%, 39.0 3P%) Jesup: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1839807' first='Ryan' last='Treptow'] (20.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.0 steals); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2820112' first='Landon' last='Vogel'] (11.6 points, 40.6 3P%); 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906478' first='Parker' last='Masteller'] (9.9 points, 9.2 rebounds)   Our pick: Western Christian 82, Jesup 60   2A Quarterfinal: #4 Grand View Christian (23-1) vs. #5 Treynor (22-3), 3:45 pm   Analysis: These teams have met fairly regularly in regular season play over the last handful of years, including a 61-56 overtime win for Grand View Christian right after the holiday break. In that game, the Thunder only outrebounded Treynor by a 37-34 margin, a number that is usually much more significant for a frontline that goes 6-9 [player_tooltip player_id='1381402' first='Emiliano' last='Barrantes'] and 6-5 [player_tooltip player_id='2287857' first='Brayden' last='Hoben']. Barrantes was dominant on the glass (18 rebounds) and as a rim protector (4 blocks) but had a very quiet scoring night, scoring just 8 points before fouling out. He'll need to be a bigger part of the offensive attack in this one. [player_tooltip player_id='2413533' first='Jameson' last='Scharnberg'] is a knockdown shooter who can create quality looks off the dribble for his teammates, and the aforementioned Hoben has been a great player on both ends of the floor this season. One area of concern for the Thunder is that they don't go very deep into their bench at all, usually only playing six players. So if someone gets into foul trouble, they could be pushed.   In that regular season meeting, Treynor did a great job pounding the offensive glass, pulling down 16 offensive rebounds. The Cardinals don't have the massive size that the Thunder possess with Barrantes, but they have a pretty solid lineup across the board, with the starting lineup going 6-0, 6-3, 6-2, 6-6, 6-5, and they're tough, physical, and athletic. [player_tooltip player_id='1978103' first='Alec' last='Lovely'] is the headliner of the group. He's a quick, skilled guard who can get to the rim or knock down shots from 30 feet with ease. He scored 27 points in the regular season meeting, but it did take him 28 shots. He'll need to be more efficient in this one. [player_tooltip player_id='2413619' first='Corbin' last='Thien'] will have a tall (literally) task in front of him in the paint with Barrantes, but he has the strength, as does [player_tooltip player_id='2820123' first='Jared' last='Schwarte'], to potentially push Barrantes off of his spots a bit. [player_tooltip player_id='2820130' first='Peter' last='Young'], a 6-2 guard, was fantastic on the glass in the regular season meeting, pulling down 12 boards, and checking him on the glass will need to be a focal point for Grand View Christian. This should be a fascinating chess match between a pair of coaches in Scott Rucker (Treynor) and Dave Stubbs (Grand View Christian) who have been extremely successful, combining for a 762-129 record over their careeers.   Players to watch Grand View Christian: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381402' first='Emiliano' last='Barrantes'] (21.5 points, 14.3 rebounds, 4.1 blocks, 63.4 FG%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2287857' first='Brayden' last='Hoben'] (16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.3 blocks); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413533' first='Jameson' last='Scharnberg'] (16.7 points, 5.4 assists, 2.0 steals, 39.6 3P%) Treynor: 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978103' first='Alec' last='Lovely'] (19.3 points, 4.2 assists, 3.0 steals); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2886836' first='Ethan' last='Hill'] (11.5 points, 3.0 assists); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413619' first='Corbin' last='Thien'] (9.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 64.4 FG%)   Our pick: Grand View Christian 55, Treynor 54   2A Quarterfinal: #2 West Lyon (21-3) vs. #7 Union (17-9), 5:30 pm   Analysis: Both of these schools are making just their second state tournament appearances. Union upset #2 Kuemper Catholic to get here, shooting 54% from the floor in a dominant win over the Knights. They have a number of talented playmaking guards in [player_tooltip player_id='2679273' first='Maddux' last='DeWinter'], [player_tooltip player_id='1986602' first='Cameron' last='Mullen'], [player_tooltip player_id='2678903' first='Tate' last='Van Dyke'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1726227' first='Caden' last='Sorensen'], who can spread you out and attack off the dribble, putting pressure on team's ability to close off the lane. They all also do a great job finding open shooters after getting the defense to collapse, and if 3s are falling, the Knights can beat anyone. The big area of concern that came out of the substate final win, however, was rebounding. They were out-rebounded 36-21 by Kuemper, and against a physical and highly athletic West Lyon team, that will need to be an area of focus.   West Lyon won it all in their only other state tournament appearance back in 2014, and the Wildcats have a team capable of doing so again. They aren't the typical northwest Iowa team that has huge size across the board, with their starting lineup going 5-11, 6-1, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2, but this is a supremely physical and athletic group that does a great job exerting their will against teams inside the painted area on both ends of the floor. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1759936' first='Carson' last='Hoogeveen'] is one of the top lead guards in 2A, a skilled shotmaker and facilitator, and running mate Jorden Meyer has been extremely efficient, shooting better than 54% from the floor on the season. A quick team that can force turnovers in bunches and get out in transition, ball security will need to be outstanding for Union if the Knights want to continue their run.   Players to watch West Lyon: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759936' first='Carson' last='Hoogeveen'] (17.5, 3.5 assists, 2.2 steals, 47.3 3P%); 2026 Jorden Meyer (15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals, 54.4 FG%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731896' first='Jared' last='Ciesielski'] (8.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.6 steals) Union: 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2678903' first='Tate' last='Van Dyke'] (12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 50.2 FG%, 44.9 3P%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2820139' first='Eric' last='Neipert'] (11.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 62.3 FG%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1726227' first='Caden' last='Sorensen'] (11.3 points, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1986602' first='Cameron' last='Mullen'] (10.9 points)   Our pick: West Lyon 65, Union 55   2A Quarterfinal: #3 Unity Christian (20-4) vs. #6 Grundy Center (22-2), 7:15 pm   Analysis: Both of these teams are making return trips to the state tournament, with each returning a large majority of their rosters from last year's runs. Unity Christian is a few bounces away from being an undefeated, top-seeded team. The Knights have lost four games, but those four losses came by a combined five points, with each coming to state tournament teams (West Lyon twice, Western Christian, and MOC-Floyd Valley). The Bosma boys, junior [player_tooltip player_id='2413578' first='Dylan' last='Bosma'] and senior Braden Bosma, are the headliners in the backcourt, giving them toughness, speed, and three-level scoring in the backcourt. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2419800' first='Tyce' last='Van Donge'] was a breakout player at last year's state tournament and has been one of their best players this season, and [player_tooltip player_id='1874781' first='Jackson' last='Vogel'] has been extremely efficient as well. The X-factor for the Knights if they're going to make a long run this week will be sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2407223' first='Keagen' last='Winterfeld'], who is burying 52% of his 3-point attempts and can't be left an inch of space.   Grundy Center brought back four starters and their top two bench players from last year's team that gave runner-up Hudson a tough game in the quarterfinals. The Spartans dealt with an injury to star wing [player_tooltip player_id='1478357' first='Jalen' last='Kirkpatrick'] this season and played well in his extended absence, but he's back on the floor now, giving them some size, length, and shotmaking on the perimeter. He's the leading scorer, but this is a balanced, athletic team that shares the ball extremely well, assisting on nearly 78% of their made field goals. Their ball movement is crisp, and they have six or seven different players who are threats to score 15 on you, making them a difficult team to defend. If they're going to upset Unity, Kirkpatrick and [player_tooltip player_id='2413534' first='Judd' last='Jirovsky'] will need to be headliners for Grundy.   Players to watch Unity Christian: 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413578' first='Dylan' last='Bosma'] (16.3 points, 3.1 assists, 2.3 steals, 43.0 3P%); 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419800' first='Tyce' last='Van Donge'] (12.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 55.8 FG%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951824' first='Braeden' last='Bosma'] (11.0 points, 50.0 FG%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1874781' first='Jackson' last='Vogel'] (10.0 points, 63.8 FG%); 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2407223' first='Keagen' last='Winterfeld'] (9.5 points, 52.3 3P%) Grundy Center: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1478357' first='Jalen' last='Kirkpatrick'] (16.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 53.7 FG%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759911' first='Tiernan' last='Vokes'] (13.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413534' first='Judd' last='Jirovsky'] (11.5 points, 4.9 assists, 55.2 FG%, 45.5 3P%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759941' first='Brayden' last='Wallis'] (10.2 points, 3.1 assists)   Our pick: Unity Christian 66, Grundy Center 58

3A Quarterfinal: #2 Knoxville (24-0) vs. #7 Xavier (15-9), 10:30 am