State Tournament: Tuesday’s Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 PF [player_tooltip player_id='1765554' first='AJ' last='Evans'] (Xavier)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evans has battled through multiple different injuries and illnesses this season, but the 6-8 big man played his best all-around game of the season in the Saints quarterfinal win over Knoxville. He had 21 points, 13 rebounds (8 on the offensive end), and 4 blocks. At times, the Saints best offense was to toss up a shot and let Evans go get it. He has continued to improve over the last year and is the type of game-changing two-way big man who can lead Xavier on a run this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1668669' first='Landen' last='Norris'] (Knoxville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing in his final game as a Panther, the 6-4 lead guard led the team in scoring with 14 points on 6-12 shooting. He has good size, handles it well, and is able to finish through contact around the rim. He also stood out as a vocal leader, encouraging his teammates who were hanging their heads as seemingly nothing was going right for the Panthers. He'll be a nice addition to a small school looking for a lead guard, and a leader, with good size and playmaking on the perimeter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='2398061' first='Blake' last='Aalbers'] (MOC-Floyd Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-0 senior guard was a source of offense in a game that lacked it for long stretches. He's a good finisher around the rim, and he was able to constantly get to the rim both in the halfcourt and in transition, helping him get to the free-throw line a ton as well. An active defender with good length, he has a knack for jumping passing lanes and turning defense into offense. Aalbers finished with 24 points on 5-12 shooting (2-6 3P, 12-14 FT) with 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1484412' first='Karsten' last='Moret'] (Western Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick-twitch athlete who is a terror in transition with his speed and penchant for jumping passing lanes, Moret had 23 points on 10-13 shooting (3-4 3P) and 4 steals in just 19 minutes of action in the blowout of Jesup. He's an exceptional shooter off the catch who moves really well without the ball in his hands, and he's playing at a ridiculously high level right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1436462' first='Kaden' last='Van Regenmorter'] (Western Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If it had been a more competitive game, Van Regenmorter would've had a real chance at a state tournament triple-double. In just 14 minutes of action, the 6-3 senior had 15 points on 6-7 shooting (3-3 3P) with 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. A strong wing who controls the game on nearly every possession on both ends of the floor, he has great vision, an elite basketball IQ, and is a pure shooter with unlimited range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2287857' first='Brayden' last='Hoben'] (Grand View Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoben was the best player on the floor in the Thunder's win over Treynor, scoring an efficient 26 points on 10-16 shooting (2-3 3P, 4-5 FT) with 7 rebounds, 2 assists, a block, and a steal. The 6-5 wing has really improved the ability to create his own shot over the last year, turning himself into a really valuable all-around offensive weapon with the size to get his shot off against just about anyone at this level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PF [player_tooltip player_id='1381402' first='Emiliano' last='Barrantes'] (Grand View Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barrantes didn't have a huge offensive game, but his presence in the paint was massive on the glass and as a defender against Treynor, preventing the Cardinals from getting much going around the rim. He had 13 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks in the Thunder's win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2731896' first='Jared' last='Ciesielski'] (West Lyon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of several Wildcats to have huge games in their dominant win over Union, Ciesielski impressed with his athleticism on the glass and around the rim. He finished with 15 points on 6-8 shooting (3-3 FT), 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 PF [player_tooltip player_id='2887823' first='Ben' last='Meyer'] (West Lyon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-2 forward came off the bench and played just 8 minutes, but he was incredibly productive in those minutes, finishing with 14 points on 7-9 shooting, 4 rebounds, and an assist. He showcased some really impressive footwork and patience on his post moves as well as explosive athleticism and soft touch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 SG Jorden Meyer (West Lyon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meyer's athleticism jumped out almost immediately, as early in the game he drove the lane and nearly threw down a powerful dunk over a defender at just 6-1. He's a quick-twitch, explosive athlete with a great first step and a pure stroke out to the 3-point line. He had 25 points on 11-14 shooting (3-5 3P), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals in the blowout win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1951824' first='Braeden' last='Bosma'] (Unity Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An extremely athletic 6-1 senior guard, Bosma made some absolutely massive defensive plays down the stretch for the Knights in their frantic come-from-behind win over Grundy Center, including the game-sealing block as time expired. He had 12 points on 5-11 shooting (1-4 3P, 1-1 FT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, a block, and 3 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1874781' first='Jackson' last='Vogel'] (Unity Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vogel was the most consistent offensive player for the Knights on Tuesday night, leading the team with 14 points on 6-7 shooting (1-1 3P, 1-2 FT) with 8 rebounds and an assist. A 6-3 combo forward who can score on the block or step out and stretch the floor, he kept the Knights afloat while not much was going right.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2820148' first='Ryker' last='Thoren'] (Grundy Center)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough, physical combo forward, Thoren delivered some big shots for the Spartans throughout their heartbreaking loss. He's really good operating in the high-post area, where he's a threat to knock down jumpers, drive to the rim, or find open teammates. Thoren had 14 points on 6-9 shooting (2-2 FT) with 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and a block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->