State Tournament: Wednesday’s Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1484418' first='Mason' last='Bechen'] (North Linn)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing in his final high school game, Bechen did everything he could to try and will North Linn to a win over Gladbrook-Reinbeck but came up just short. The second all-time leading scorer at North Linn concluded his career with a 27-point performance in which he showcased his ability to create quality looks off the dribble for himself and his teammates. He'll play college baseball at Northwest Missouri State, hanging up the sneaker for the cleats. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PF [player_tooltip player_id='2397276' first='Drew' last='Eilers'] (Gladbrook-Reinbeck)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eilers, a 6-3 big man, was fantastic in the fourth quarter for the Rebels in their win over North Linn. In the fourth quarter he had 15 of his team-high 21 points, including going 11-12 from the free-throw line to help ice the game away. Going 11-for-12 is impressive enough, but it's even more impressive when you consider that he was a 58% free throw shooter in the regular season. He has impressive footwork, soft touch, and showed good patience on his limited post touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PF [player_tooltip player_id='2397981' first='Michael' last='Boyd'] (Gladbrook-Reinbeck)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-5 big man was a game-changer when he was on the floor. He sat for a good chunk of the first half with foul trouble, but still finished with 17 points and 9 rebounds on 7-9 shooting, including going 3-4 from the arc. With his size, he's able to shoot over any defender at the 1A level, and he has a really good looking stroke from the 3-point line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PF [player_tooltip player_id='1759937' first='Collin' last='Homan'] (St. Mary's, Remsen)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-5 big man showed really impressive range throughout St. Mary's loss to Marquette Catholic, going 3-8 from behind the arc. He's at his best when he's operating on the block, where he displays good footwork, patience, and touch around the rim with either hand. He's a physical force in the paint with good timing as a shot blocker. He finished his high school career with a 23-point effort against the top-seeded Defenders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1759939' first='Spencer' last='Roeder'] (Marquette Catholic)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-5 combo forward was really good in the Defenders quarterfinal win over St. Mary's, scoring a game-high 28 points on 9-19 shooting (4-11 3P, 6-10 FT) with 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 5 steals. He's a good athlete who can score inside and out and defend multiple positions, as he showed throughout. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1174816' first='Toryn' last='Severson'] (Madrid)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-4 wing who can create quality looks off the dribble for himself and his teammates, Severson was in constant attack mode throughout Madrid's win over Boyden-Hull, dropping 30 points on 11-23 shooting with 6 rebounds, 2 assists, a block, and a steal. He's a crafty offensive player with good footwork and vision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 PF [player_tooltip player_id='2439640' first='Jevyn' last='Severson'] (Madrid)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physically imposing freshman forward, Severson had 14 points on 4-5 shooting (6-6 FT) with 9 rebounds in his state tournament debut. He's an impressive scorer with great footwork and touch around the rim, and he can step out and space the floor a bit with range out to the high school line. He's a strong, physical athlete who rebounds well on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='2397210' first='Brody' last='Buck'] (Madrid)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A skilled, tough lefty who was excellent playing downhill and attacking the rim and finishing at tough angles, Buck was really good in the second half against Boyden-Hull. He was able to turn the corner on a number of occasions and get into the paint for tough finishes through contact. He had 14 points on 6-8 shooting with 6 rebounds in the Tigers win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 SG [player_tooltip player_id='2412735' first='Jakob' last='Pottebaum'] (Boyden-Hull)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-1 sophomore guard, Pottebaum was a real bright spot in the Comets loss to Madrid, scoring an efficient 17 points on 7-10 shooting. He's a really good athlete who can play downhill and attack the rim off the dribble, and he does a nice job hitting the offensive glass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2887801' first='Jakob' last='Koopman'] (St. Edmond)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physical 6-1 wing playing with a bulky knee brace, Koopman was stellar off the bench for the Gaels in their narrow win over Woodbine, finishing with 18 points on 8-11 shooting (1-1 3P, 1-1 FT), 6 rebounds, and an assist. He's extremely active on both ends of the floor and was really good on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 SG [player_tooltip player_id='2419793' first='Mack' last='Heitland'] (Waukee Northwest)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore sharpshooter knocked down several huge shots in the Wolves semifinal win over Cedar Falls, going 4-8 from behind the arc en route to 14 points. He's a confident shooter with a quick release and plenty of range who moves really well without the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 PF [player_tooltip player_id='1643192' first='Landon' last='Davis'] (Waukee Northwest)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-8 big man was once again really good on both ends of the floor for the Wolves, continuing his superlative week at the state tournament. He had 11 points on 5-7 shooting (1-1 3P) with 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 steals. His length and physicality in the paint has given Northwest some real toughness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2204894' first='Tyler' last='Hilton'] (Linn-Mar)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hilton has had a fantastic week of play at the state tournament, and he was great against Valley. He has improved so much over the course of the year, and I'm really excited to see how he plays this summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2246861' first='Murray' last='Elite']. A lanky 6-6 wing who has been excellent on the glass, he was a force against the Tigers, finishing with 14 points on 5-9 shooting (1-1 3P, 3-3 FT) and 11 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1381427' first='Trey' last='Wright'] (Linn-Mar)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wright played arguably his best game as a Lion, and saved it for the best time. He used a lightning-quick first step to blow by defenders and get to the bucket for a number of tough finishes, and he was his usual strong self on the defensive end. He's one of the best on-ball defenders in the state, and he was good against the athletic Tiger guards. He finished with 13 points on 5-10 shooting (0-1 3P, 3-4 FT) and 4 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PF [player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'] (Linn-Mar)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a great battle against Jirak, Kern was really good, scoring 16 points on 6-15 shooting (3-4 3P, 1-4 FT) with 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks. The physical battle between those two all night was a ton of fun to watch, going blow-for-blow with each other. Kern's ability to step out and stretch the floor has been huge for the Lions over the last four years, and he delivered another great performance in his final high school game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] (Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McGregory's explosive athleticism was on full display in Valley's overtime win over Linn-Mar, routinely exploding to the rim for tough finishes. He finishes through contact at the bucket and flashed a really nice floater game, which was what he used for the game-winning bucket. He had 23 points on 9-17 shooting (2-6 3P, 3-4 FT) and 2 rebounds in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PF [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As mentioned with Kern, the battle between those two was worth the price of admission alone. The future Northern Iowa big man battled some foul trouble and still produced at a high rate, finishing with 15 points on 6-12 shooting (0-1 3P, 3-4 FT), 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, and a steal. His IQ is really impressive, seeing the floor incredibly well and finding open teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->