Can Anyone Stop MMCRU From a First-Ever State Tournament Berth?

<!-- wp:image {"id":3483349,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2026-02-09-at-7.03.42-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2026-02-09-at-7.03.42-PM.png?w=608" alt="" class="wp-image-3483349" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The favorite: MMCRU</strong> is the top-ranked team in BC Moore's power rankings system, behind the 7th ranked scoring offense (71.7) and 7th ranked scoring defense (39.7). The Royals have lost just once, a four-point loss to 2A power Western Christian, and hold 38 and 31-point wins over #2 seed South O'Brien, and a 40-point win over #3 Sibley-Ocheyedan. Suffice to say, the Royals are a substantial favorite to win the district and reach the substate final. This is a deep, balanced offensive team that sees four players averaging between 9.9 and 14.1 points per game, led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='3255100' first='Kamden' last='Bork'] (14.1, 5.2 assists, 4.4 steals). They have three players averaging at least 4.5 assists per game, and they dish out nearly 22 assists per game as a team, sharing the ball incredibly well. Bork, [player_tooltip player_id='3041731' first='Wyatt' last='Alesch'] (13.2, 4.7 assists, 4.2 steals), and Michael Schmillen (10.9, 4.5 assists, 3.3 steals) are the headliners of the team on both ends of the floor. If there is one Achilles heel for this group, it's that they're shooting just 49.4% from the free-throw line as a unit, which could become a factor later in the postseason. In this district, it shouldn't matter much.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The biggest threat:</strong> A 15-point win over likely district semifinal opponent Sibley-Ocheyedan, and the fact that they'll get to host that game, makes <strong>South O'Brien </strong>the most likely team to come out of the bottom of the bracket and pose the biggest threat to MMCRU. The Wolverines are a tradition-rich program led by senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2791362' first='Jaden' last='Kreber'] (20.8, 7.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists), one of the best individual players in the substate. Kreber can take over games on both ends of the floor and if he gets it rolling, he could be the type of player who could give the Royals a scare. South O'Brien and their 2-3 zone are always stout defensively, and that's no different this season, allowing 43.7 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The dark horse: Sibley-Ocheyedan</strong> has a combo forward in junior [player_tooltip player_id='2756998' first='Alex' last='Kruger'] (15.4, 7.0 rebounds) who can score inside and out, and who is the type of player who could potentially cause some matchup problems with his combination of size and inside-out ability. The Generals have really struggled with turnovers this season (19.6 per game), but if they can limit the mistakes, they've been great on the glass on both ends of the floor, averaging 37 rebounds a game, including 12.5 on the offensive end. Grabbing extra possessions in postseason play is always vital, and this is a group who does it as well as just about anyone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to Watch<br></span>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='3255100' first='Kamden' last='Bork'] (MMCRU)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='3041731' first='Wyatt' last='Alesch'] (MMCRU)<br>2026 Michael Schmillen (MMCRU)<br>2027 Josh Peterson (MMCRU)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2791362' first='Jaden' last='Kreber'] (South O'Brien)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2756998' first='Alex' last='Kruger'] (Sibley-Ocheyedan)<br>2029 Grayson Lloyd (Woodbury Central)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754701' first='Jayden' last='Lloyd'] (Woodbury Central)<br>2026 Luke De Jong (Trinity Christian)<br>2027 Cash Sandbulte (George-Little Rock)<br>2026 Bennett Pfister (Siouxland Christian)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3344413' first='Abner' last='Zaugg'] (West Bend-Mallard)<br>2028 Kacen Flynn (West Bend-Mallard)<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3483350,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2026-02-09-at-7.09.17-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2026-02-09-at-7.09.17-PM.png?w=614" alt="" class="wp-image-3483350" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The favorite: Belmond-Klemme</strong> has been one of the most pleasant surprises in the state this season, with a 14-4 record as of time of this writing. The Broncos are an explosive offensive team paced by a pair of big-time junior scorers in forward [player_tooltip player_id='2754716' first='Brody' last='Heifner'] (20.9, 10.7 rebounds) and guard [player_tooltip player_id='2754720' first='Kysen' last='Lamb'] (16.2). Heifner has been dominant inside the painted area on both ends of the floor, while Lamb is an explosive, athletic guard who can score in bunches. Griffin Paulsen (9.7, 4.4 assists) has been a nice complement as a tertiary scoring threat and primary playmaker. The Broncos' four losses have come to Bishop Garrigan (twice), one of the best teams in 1A, and to a pair of 2A schools. They swept Lake Mills, likely semifinal opponent, and will get to host a district final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The biggest threat: </strong>Another team in this district that can put up points in a hurry, <strong>Newman Catholic</strong> is also headlined by a pair of junior scorers in forward [player_tooltip player_id='2859058' first='Westly' last='Cole'] (21.7, 8.8 rebounds) and guard [player_tooltip player_id='2420772' first='Thomas' last='McGuire'] (14.5). The Knights like to play an up-tempo style, looking to put pressure on opposing teams on both ends of the floor, and they're capable of forcing turnovers and using that to spark their offense. Brady Martin (8.9) and Lucas Nelson (8.0) have given them some additional scoring depth this season, and they'll have the horses to run with Belmond-Klemme should they meet up in the district final. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The dark horse(s):</strong> This is one of the deepest districts in 1A, with several other teams that you could make an argument for reaching the district final. We'll highlight two additional teams here, starting with <strong>North Union</strong>. The Warriors are led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2886896' first='Khael' last='Jones'] (20.7, 7.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 4.0 steals), a quick, athletic guard who stuffs the stat sheet and who can score from anywhere on the floor, posting 48-43-74 shooting splits. A team that has a player who can take over a game as a scorer and playmaker like Jones can is going to be dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other team to keep an eye on here is <strong>Lake Mills</strong>. The Bulldogs are having a bit of a down year by the lofty standards they've set over the last decade, but this is still an experienced program with a coaching staff that just knows how to win postseason games. [player_tooltip player_id='2731844' first='Nash' last='Delger'] (18.3, 5.4 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='2845971' first='Lucas' last='Helgeland'] (13.6, 42.3 3P%) give them a pair of talented guards who can control games, and the 'Dogs played Belmond-Klemme to a 6-point overtime loss earlier this season and will be anxious to get a third shot at the Broncos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to Watch<br></span>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754716' first='Brody' last='Heifner'] (Belmond-Klemme)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754720' first='Kysen' last='Lamb'] (Belmond-Klemme)<br>2026 Griffin Paulsen (Belmond-Klemme)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2859058' first='Westly' last='Cole'] (Newman Catholic)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420772' first='Thomas' last='McGuire'] (Newman Catholic)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2886896' first='Khael' last='Jones'] (North Union)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731844' first='Nash' last='Delger'] (Lake Mills)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2845971' first='Lucas' last='Helgeland'] (Lake Mills)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2838684' first='Zander' last='Hansen'] (West Fork)<br>2027 Ayden Bonner (West Fork)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731864' first='Jacksyn' last='Hogrefe'] (Newell-Fonda)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731683' first='Teagan' last='Hanson'] (GTRA)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2274770' first='Rockwell' last='Hughes'] (North Iowa)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size"><strong>SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center">MMCRU vs. Belmond-Klemme</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MMCRU has found themselves at the top of the rankings in 1A all year long, and after falling just short of a state tournament berth last season, it's time for the Royals to get to Des Moines for the first time as a consolidated school. Behind a smothering defense and balanced offense, <strong>MMCRU</strong> cruises through district play and then finds a way to slow down a potent Broncos attack in this substate final to reach the state tournament, where they'll be considered one of the favorites to win the 1A title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->