Five Iowa Class 1A Early-Season Games to Watch

Taking a look at the games in the first half of December that are going to be the most intriguing in Class 1A.   Unity Christian at Boyden-Hull, December 2   An early-season test for Boyden-Hull, the Comets return their top three scorers from a season ago, when they reached the state tournament. BH is led by a senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1765526' first='Carter' last='Kleinwolterink'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2731754' first='Garret' last='Van Es'] who combined for just over 30 points per game (PPG) last season. With 6-foot-1 guard, Kleinwolterink in the backcourt and 6-foot-4 Van Es in the front court, the one-two punch is something to be reckoned with in 1A. Don't forget 6-foot-2 junior guard, [player_tooltip player_id='2412735' first='Jakob' last='Pottebaum'], either, who averaged just over ten PPG last season.   Also a state tournament qualifier in 2A, Unity Christian handled BH early on last season, 76-51. With their top two scorers back from last season, the Knights will look to replicate their hot start from last year. [player_tooltip player_id='2413578' first='Dylan' last='Bosma'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2419800' first='Tyce' last='Van Donge'] combined for just under 30 PPG. Unity also has six players on its roster that are listed at 6-foot-4 or taller.   Western Christian at Bishop Garrigan, December 5   Coming up just short of a state tournament appearance last season, falling to Fort Dodge St. Edmond in the district final, Bishop Garrigan looks like a team to be reckoned with in 2025-26. Leading scorer, [player_tooltip player_id='2243086' first='Michael' last='Joyce'], who averaged 14.6 PPG is back. Second-leading scorer, [player_tooltip player_id='1781875' first='Carter' last='Schwab'] (14.1 PPG) and team-leader in assists (4.8 per game) and steals (2.1) per game returns. Plus, third-leading scorer (13.4 PPG) and team-leading rebounder (9.5 per game), [player_tooltip player_id='2731752' first='Amaury' last='Thomas'] is back for the Golden Bears. After an 8-man title in football, BG may be hungry for more.   Losing a lot of production from its 2A state title run last season, Western Christian will still provide an excellent early-season opponent for the Golden Bears, as the Wolfpack does bring back 6-foot-7 forward, [player_tooltip player_id='2413626' first='Landon' last='De Stigter'], who averaged 11.8 PPG and three rebounds per game while shooting nearly 40% from three.   Montezuma at Baxter, December 6   Though neither of these teams reached the state tournament, they each return two of the top scorers in all of 1A from last season.   Montezuma's [player_tooltip player_id='1765506' first='Brady' last='Boulton'], ho stands at 5-foot-10, returns after putting up 28.2 points last season for the Braves. A score-first point guard, Boulton was uber-efficient, shooting 51.1% from the field, 42.9% from three and a whopping 91.2% from the free throw line. The team leader in assists per game (4.8) and steals per game (4.4), everything starts and ends with the Grinnell commit.   For Baxter, [player_tooltip player_id='1460951' first='Eli' last='Dee'] is the top returning scorer in 1A after averaging 29 points per game. Half a foot taller than Boulton, Dee stands at 6-foot-4. Despite the difference in height, Dee is also an efficient scorer, making 52.5% of his shots from the field, 41.3% from deep and 88.7% from the free throw line.   Both listed as point guards, they surely won't matchup with one another due to the height differences, but seeing the two go back-and-forth this early in the season is pay-per-view stuff.   Woodbine at Coon Rapids-Bayard, December 19   A rematch of the District 7 Substate final from last season, state-qualifier Woodbine will travel to Coon Rapids Bayard in a few weeks to see if they can repeat the result from last year's contest.   The Tigers will be led by one of the better multi-sport athletes in the state this season, junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1977076' first='Landon' last='Blum']. The Power 4 football recruit scored 14.3 PPG last season, and with the departure of senior Carter Gruver, it shouldn't come as a surprise if Blum averages over 20 per game this season. Woodbine also has eight players that stand at 6-foot-2 or taller, not something most 1A teams can match.   Coon Rapids-Bayard will seek revenge in another season where they do their best to reach the state tournament. Bringing back their top four scorers from last season, including 6-foot-4 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1765521' first='Cal' last='Heydon'] who averaged over 22 PPG last season, the Crusaders will be a tough team to beat this season.   Madrid vs. Fort Dodge St. Edmond, December 20   Another rematch, this time between teams that faced off in the 1A state semis last season.   As we discussed in the Pleasantville vs. Madrid preview in <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/11/five-iowa-class-2a-early-season-games-to-watch/">Class 2A Games to Watch</a>, The Tigers lose "three of its top five scorers from last season, seniors who combined for 53 points per game. [player_tooltip player_id='2439640' first='Jevyn' last='Severson'], a Power 4 football recruit, was second in scoring for the Tigers last season at 15.4 PPG, along with a team-leading 8 rebounds per game." Severson also shot a ridiculous 66.5% from the field last season.   Madrid will undoubtedly be good again, but a matchup with St. Edmond will be a test.   The Gaels bring back their top five scorers from last season -- all seniors -- and have every right to believe they can pursue a state championship this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1907683' first='Hunter' last='Horn'] is the top scoring threat for St. Ed's, as he averaged 22.7 PPG last season to go with a team-leading 9.6 RPG. He also shot 58.7% from the field and 38.1% from three.

Taking a look at the games in the first half of December that are going to be the most intriguing in Class 1A.