State Tournament: Wednesday Preview

1A Quarterfinal: #4 Gladbrook-Reinbeck (22-3) vs. #5 North Linn (23-2), 10:30 am   Analysis: These are a pair of state tournament veterans, programs who are accustomed to success. Gladbrook-Reinbeck is looking to make some more noise this season after bowing out in the quarterfinals last year. The Rebels have played one of the most difficult schedules in 1A, with their three losses coming to 2A qualifier Grundy Center (twice) and 2A Aplington-Parkersburg. They're led by a quartet of seniors - [player_tooltip player_id='2397276' first='Drew' last='Eilers'], [player_tooltip player_id='2397981' first='Michael' last='Boyd'], [player_tooltip player_id='2204862' first='Brandon' last='Mathern'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2820164' first='Austen' last='Mathern'] - and they shoot it really well from the 3-point line, with the latter three all shooting at least 40.9% from deep. The tandem of Eilers and Boyd will be really difficult for North Linn to contain on the glass in this one and could be the difference maker.   North Linn is making their ninth straight state tournament appearance, but this is not the typical Lynx team that you're used to seeing. They still play the same style under Travis Griffith as they did under Mike Hilmer, but the amount of talent isn't quite the same. That said, they still have the best player in the class, [player_tooltip player_id='1484418' first='Mason' last='Bechen'], on their side, which will give them a chance here. Bechen is a big-time scorer and playmaker from the lead guard spot, able to get to the rim or his spots in the mid-range whenever he wants. The Lynx will need to get plenty of production out of [player_tooltip player_id='2398044' first='Cole' last='Griffith'], Drew Ries, and the rest of the crew, as you can expect the Rebels to do everything in their power to take Bechen out of the game and make the supporting cast beat them. Gladbrook-Reinbeck is top-to-bottom the better team here, and is a team capable of winning the state title, but bet against [player_tooltip player_id='1484418' first='Mason' last='Bechen'] at your own risk.   Players to watch Gladbrook-Reinbeck: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397276' first='Drew' last='Eilers'] (15.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 59.7 FG%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397981' first='Michael' last='Boyd'] (15.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 43.3 3P%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2204862' first='Brandon' last='Mathern'] (12.8 points, 4.2 assists, 40.9 3P%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2820164' first='Austen' last='Mathern'] (12.7 points, 41.5 3P%) North Linn: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484418' first='Mason' last='Bechen'] (30.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.2 steals, 57.0 FG%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2398044' first='Cole' last='Griffith'] (12.6 points, 7.0 assists, 1.8 steals); 2025 Drew Ries (9.9 points, 7.6 rebounds)   Our pick: North Linn 55, Gladbrook-Reinbeck 54   1A Quarterfinal: #1 Marquette Catholic (25-1) vs. #8 St. Mary's, Remsen (21-4), 12:15 pm   Analysis: This is a fascinating matchup between the highest scoring offense in the state, Marquette Catholic, and the top defensive team. Knowing they were going to have another really good team after their runner-up finish last season, the Defenders went out and schedule three 4A schools, beating two of them. [player_tooltip player_id='1759939' first='Spencer' last='Roeder'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2721446' first='Jacob' last='Litterer'] are a pair of athletic, versatile wing scorers who can fill it up in bunches from anywhere on the floor. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='2511527' first='Eli' last='Scott'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2820184' first='Eli' last='Lemke'] give them a pair of reliable ball-handlers and playmakers in the backcourt, and this is one of the deeper teams in the class. The Defenders are averaging 79.8 points per game, and they love to use their pressure to speed things up and get out in transition.   The Hawks are no stranger to state tournament play either, making their eighth trip since 2017 in the last nine years. They're allowing just 37.5 points per game, and have always been one of the state's elite defensive teams. [player_tooltip player_id='1759937' first='Collin' last='Homan'] is the focal point of their attack on both ends of the floor, a physical presence in the paint who scores efficiently, can step out and stretch the floor, and is a great rim protector who they are able to funnel things towards. [player_tooltip player_id='1568264' first='Sam' last='Schmillen'] gives them some more length and toughness, and LeMars transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2617521' first='Jeshua' last='Phillips'] has been a really nice addition for them on both ends of the floor. He's long, athletic, and has given them another dimension on both sides of the ball with his shotmaking and athleticism defensively. St. Mary's is going to do their best to slow this one down and force Marquette to beat them in the halfcourt.   Players to watch Marquette Catholic: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759939' first='Spencer' last='Roeder'] (20.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 52.0 FG%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721446' first='Jacob' last='Litterer'] (19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 57.2 FG%, 43.0 3P%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511527' first='Eli' last='Scott'] (12.3 points, 5.5 assists, 3.2 steals, 57.0 FG%) St. Mary's, Remsen: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759937' first='Collin' last='Homan'] (14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.4 blocks); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1568264' first='Sam' last='Schmillen'] (12.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 56.9 FG%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2617521' first='Jeshua' last='Phillips'] (9.3 points, 58.6 FG%)   Our pick: Marquette Catholic 48, St. Mary's, Remsen 44   1A Quarterfinal: #2 Madrid (25-0) vs. #7 Boyden-Hull (18-8), 2:00 pm   Analysis: This is another really fascinating game in Class 1A. Madrid has been arguably the most dominant team in the class all year long, going undefeated and winning games by an average of 36 points per game. They rank 2nd in scoring offense (79.6) and 8th in defense (43.1). Their starting five - [player_tooltip player_id='1174816' first='Toryn' last='Severson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2397210' first='Brody' last='Buck'], [player_tooltip player_id='2398087' first='Fabian' last='Ortiz-Alaniz'], [player_tooltip player_id='2439640' first='Jevyn' last='Severson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2420789' first='Emerson' last='Bridgewater'] - is the most talented starting five in the class. All of them are capable of knocking down 3s in bunches, each can create looks off the dribble, and they're all good athletes. They're able to spread teams out and get downhill routinely, but doing so against Boyden-Hull could be difficult.   The Comets have eight losses this season, sure, but six of those losses have come to teams playing in the Final Four of Class 3A (MOC-Floyd Valley) and Class 2A (West Lyon, Unity Christian). They've rolled through any game against 1A competition this season and are going to be ready for whatever Madrid throws at them. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765526' first='Carter' last='Kleinwolterink'] and forward [player_tooltip player_id='2731754' first='Garret' last='Van Es'] have been fantastic this season on both ends of the floor, and role players [player_tooltip player_id='2412735' first='Jakob' last='Pottebaum'] and Brent Zylstra are capable scorers as well. Pre-tournament, Madrid was my pick to come out of the bottom of the bracket, but after watching the majority of the teams that Boyden-Hull has lost to, and seeing just how good those teams are, it's hard to pick against the Siouxland. Comets in an upset.   Players to watch Madrid: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1174816' first='Toryn' last='Severson'] (23.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.2 steals, 54.5 FG%); 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2439640' first='Jevyn' last='Severson'] (16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 66.1 FG%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397210' first='Brody' last='Buck'] (14.0 points, 4.4 assists, 33. steals, 40.2 3P%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2398087' first='Fabian' last='Ortiz-Alaniz'] (13.4 points, 4.4 assists, 2.3 steals, 47.9 3P%); 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420789' first='Emerson' last='Bridgewater'] (8.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 54.3 FG%) Boyden-Hull: 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765526' first='Carter' last='Kleinwolterink'] (17.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731754' first='Garret' last='Van Es'] (12.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 57.2 FG%); 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2412735' first='Jakob' last='Pottebaum'] (10.2 points); 2025 Brent Zylstra (9.5 points, 5.8 rebounds)   Our pick: Boyden-Hull 62, Madrid 57   1A Quarterfinal: #3 St. Edmond (22-3) vs. #6 Woodbine (23-2), 3:45 pm   Analysis: St. Edmond is making their first trip to the state tournament since 2012, while Woodbine gained some experience here last year in a quarterfinal loss to North Linn. St. Edmond is another 1A team whose losses have come to bigger, successful competition, with two of their three losses coming to 3A semifinalist Clear Lake, and the other coming to 3A Humboldt. The Gaels are led by skilled junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1907683' first='Hunter' last='Horn'], who has been dominant as an interior and perimeter scoring threat, as well as on the glass. [player_tooltip player_id='2887801' first='Jakob' last='Koopman'] is another force as a rebounder and interior scorer, and [player_tooltip player_id='2517050' first='Carson' last='Bargfrede'] is a long, athletic wing who can impact the game on both ends with his length and athleticism.   Woodbine ranks within the top 5 in the class in both scoring offense (5th, 71.6) and defense (4th, 40.6), but the Tigers are going to have their hands full with Horn in the paint. [player_tooltip player_id='1951827' first='Carter' last='Gruver'] has been great as a lead guard, scoring in bunches and doing so at a remarkably efficient clip. His speed and handles put constant pressure on opposing defenses. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1977076' first='Landon' last='Blum'] is one of the best athletes in the state's 2027 class, a standout football player who impacts the game on both ends on the hardwood, and role players [player_tooltip player_id='2413639' first='Brody' last='Pryor'], [player_tooltip player_id='2413631' first='Jax' last='Pryor'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1951828' first='Carson' last='Kelley'] all fill in the gaps well. If Woodbine is going to upset the Gaels, they're going to need to find a way to slow down Horn, or this could snowball on them.   Players to watch St. Edmond: 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1907683' first='Hunter' last='Horn'] (24.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 59.6 FG%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2887801' first='Jakob' last='Koopman'] (11.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 59.5 FG%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2517050' first='Carson' last='Bargfrede'] (9.6 points); 2026 Jack McElroy (5.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists) Woodbine: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951827' first='Carter' last='Gruver'] (17.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.6 steals, 55.8 FG%, 49.1 3P%); 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1977076' first='Landon' last='Blum'] (14.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 53.2 FG%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413631' first='Jax' last='Pryor'] (11.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 56.2 FG%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951828' first='Carson' last='Kelley'] (9.5 points)   Our pick: St. Edmond 65, Woodbine 55   4A Semifinal: #1 Cedar Falls (22-2) vs. #4 Waukee Northwest (22-3), 5:30 pm   Analysis: Those two teams have been arguably the best in the state this season, at least that's what BC Moore would tell you. That power rankings system has these teams separated by 0.21 points, so this should be a lot of fun. Cedar Falls has been the top-ranked team all year, using their blend of size, shotmaking, and aggressive defense to frustrate teams, but that will be much more difficult to do against a Northwest team that is filled with length, shotmaking, and aggressive defense of their own. The Tigers are led by junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes'], and his matchup against junior shotblocker [player_tooltip player_id='1643192' first='Landon' last='Davis'] will be a ton of fun to watch. Then in the backcourt you've got the sharpshooters of Cedar Falls - [player_tooltip player_id='1199979' first='Anthony' last='Galvin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1759953' first='Keegan' last='Steege'] - going up against the shotmakers and playmakers of Northwest - [player_tooltip player_id='1288891' first='Bode' last='Goodman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2119115' first='Peyton' last='McCollum']. On the wing, you've got [player_tooltip player_id='1777914' first='Jaydon' last='Kimbrough'] of Cedar Falls, a big, physical wing who can really shoot it, and if he's matched up with [player_tooltip player_id='2419793' first='Mack' last='Heitland'], this may end up being the biggest edge that Cedar Falls has. Expect to see Cedar Falls throw long, athletic, physical defender [player_tooltip player_id='1765549' first='Leyton' last='Wolf'] at Northwest wing [player_tooltip player_id='1978099' first='Colin' last='Rice'], who had a sensational quarterfinal game on both ends of the floor.   The amount of talent on the floor in this one will be eye-popping, and it's going to come down to matchups, which team is able to execute better, and who makes big plays down the stretch. This could truly go either way and will be well worth the price of admission.   Players to watch Cedar Falls: 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes'] (16.9 points, 2.0 blocks, 68.1 FG%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1777914' first='Jaydon' last='Kimbrough'] (12.5 points, 40.4 3P%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1199979' first='Anthony' last='Galvin'] (12.5 points, 3.2 assists, 2.2 steals, 41.5 3P%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759953' first='Keegan' last='Steege'] (9.0 points, 3.4 assists, 2.4 steals, 40.3 3P%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765549' first='Leyton' last='Wolf'] (8.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 blocks) Waukee Northwest: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288891' first='Bode' last='Goodman'] (17.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.2 steals); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2119115' first='Peyton' last='McCollum'] (13.5 points, 5.5 assists, 54.7 FG%, 41.1 3P%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978099' first='Colin' last='Rice'] (11.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 52.9 FG%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1643192' first='Landon' last='Davis'] (10.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, 72.8 FG%); 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419793' first='Mack' last='Heitland'] (7.0 points, 50.0 3P%)   Our pick: Waukee Northwest 67, Cedar Falls 66   4A Semifinal: #2 Linn-Mar (22-2) vs. #3 Valley (21-3), 7:15 pm   Analysis: The other 4A semifinal is another fascinating matchup between arguably the hottest team in the state, Linn-Mar, and the two-time defending champion Tigers. Linn-Mar outlasted Waukee in an extremely physical game in the quarterfinals, and Valley survived a real scare against Ames. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'] of Linn-Mar going up against Valley's [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] will be the battle to watch in the paint. Kern, headed to South Dakota State, and Jirak, who will play at Northern Iowa, are both extremely skilled big men who can score inside and out, create looks for their teammates, and control the paint defensively. Expect to see Linn-Mar use Kern on the perimeter more in an attempt to draw Jirak away from the bucket to neutralize his shot blocking, and Valley could do the same on their offensive end. Let's say that this battle ends in a draw.   That means that the game comes down to the backcourts - [player_tooltip player_id='1484413' first='Payson' last='Nietert'], [player_tooltip player_id='1514455' first='Mason' last='Matson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1381427' first='Trey' last='Wright'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2204894' first='Tyler' last='Hilton'] for Linn-Mar, and [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'], [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'] for Valley. Will Linn-Mar be able to handle the athleticism that the Robinson-McGregory-Deng trio throws at them? If they do, and can stay calm under pressure, the Lions will have a real chance to win this one. The Hilton-Deng or McGregory matchup will be fun, as will the Robinson-Matson or Wright matchup. The winning pedigree of Valley gives them a slight edge here, but this is another 4A semifinal that would be worth the price of admission on its own.   Players to watch Linn-Mar: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'] (22.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.2 blocks, 55.2 FG%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484413' first='Payson' last='Nietert'] (11.0 points, 41.9 3P%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1514455' first='Mason' last='Matson'] (10.7 points, 4.3 assists, 50.8 3P%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2204894' first='Tyler' last='Hilton'] (11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 62.7 FG%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381427' first='Trey' last='Wright'] (7.8 points, 3.7 assists, 57.1 FG%) Valley: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'] (16.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.8 steals, 50.3 FG%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (16.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.0 blocks, 60.0 FG%); 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] (15.5 points, 50.4 FG%); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'] (12.0 points)   Our pick: Valley 58, Linn-Mar 56

1A Quarterfinal: #4 Gladbrook-Reinbeck (22-3) vs. #5 North Linn (23-2), 10:30 am