Class 1A State Tournament Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#1 seed: St. Edmond (23-2)<br></span><strong>About the Gaels: </strong>St. Edmond reached the semifinals last season, falling to eventual champion Madrid. They brought back a majority of that roster, with nearly 92% of their scoring returning. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1907683' first='Hunter' last='Horn'] (26.2, 9.3 rebounds, 1.9 blocks) is among the best players in 1A. He's a versatile 6-4/6-5 forward who can score inside and out, posting up smaller defenders and taking bigger players off the dribble. [player_tooltip player_id='2517050' first='Carson' last='Bargfrede'] (12.7) has emerged as a reliable second scoring threat, a long and athletic wing who likes to play downhill, and he has improved as a shooter. [player_tooltip player_id='2887801' first='Jakob' last='Koopman'] (9.4, 8.4 rebounds) gives them more toughness and physicality on the glass, and seniors Grant Galles (8.8, 50.3 FG%), [player_tooltip player_id='2887821' first='Jack' last='McElroy'] (4.5, 6.5 assists), and junior Ty Mericle (3.7), fill out a strong top six. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>They brought back a ton of production from a team that reached the semifinals last season, and this is the most experienced state tournament roster in the 1A field. [player_tooltip player_id='1907683' first='Hunter' last='Horn'] is a matchup problem for most teams in 1A, and they have something more to play for with coach Adolph Kochendorfer retiring at the end of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#2 seed: MMCRU (25-1)<br></span><strong>About the Royals:</strong> MMCRU is making their first state tournament appearance, punching their ticket after coming up a game short last season. They have been dominant this season, with the lone loss coming at the hands of 2A power Western Christian by four points. They're the best defensive team in the field, allowing just 39.4 points per game, and while they don't have any state basketball tournament experience, their roster is filled with players who made major impacts on their state champion football team. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='3255100' first='Kamden' last='Bork'] (15.6, 5.2 assists, 3.9 steals) leads a deep stable of highly athletic players who can create all sorts of chaos on the defensive end. The Royals are averaging an eye-popping 17 steals per game, and the constant pressure they're able to apply on teams can overwhelm them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>With a trio of reliable ball-handlers in Bork, [player_tooltip player_id='3041731' first='Wyatt' last='Alesch'] (11.9, 4.2 assists), and Michael Schmillen (10.5, 4.7 assists), the Royals do a great job protecting the ball and forcing a ton of turnovers on the other end. They're athletic, have state championship experience with all their football players, and have dominated teams all year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#3 seed: Bishop Garrigan (23-2)<br></span><strong>About the Golden Bears:</strong> Another school that is looking to complete the football-basketball double dip, the Golden Bears have rolled to an impressive 23-2 record with their losses coming to 2A schools Western Christian and Forest City. They hold a win over top-seeded St. Edmond and have only had four games against 1A competition decided by single digits this season. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2243086' first='Michael' last='Joyce'] (18.4, 3.9 assists) leads the team in scoring and is a really talented three-level scorer with length and defensive versatility. [player_tooltip player_id='2731752' first='Amaury' last='Thomas'] (15.1, 13.0 rebounds, 64.1 FG%) is one of the best rebounders in the state, regardless of class. He's physical, athletic, and has great hands. [player_tooltip player_id='1781875' first='Carter' last='Schwab'] (14.6, 6.0 assists) is the team's top playmaker, and Tate Foertsch (10.0, 3.6 assists) gives them another perimeter scorer and playmaker. They're capable of beating anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2243086' first='Michael' last='Joyce'] is one of the best players in the field, and with [player_tooltip player_id='2731752' first='Amaury' last='Thomas'] controlling the paint, the Bears are going to have an edge on the glass in every game they play. If you win the rebounding battle, you have a great chance at winning games (duh).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#4 seed: Burlington, Notre Dame (24-2)<br></span><strong>About the Nikes: </strong>The Nikes have lost twice this season, to 2A Pella Christian and 3A Keokuk, both teams that played in substate finals in their respective classes, and those losses came by a combined six points. Against 1A competition this year, they've gone 13-0 and won by an average of 26 points per game, and that mark includes a win over fellow 1A qualifier Marquette Catholic. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1978106' first='Shay' last='Stephens'] (24.5, 9.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 3.1 steals) is the best individual player in the class. A 6-5 lead guard who is long, athletic, and extremely talented, he can score from all three levels, set his teammates up, and defend one through five at this level. He has committed to play his college ball at Western Illinois. [player_tooltip player_id='3453714' first='Eli' last='Oleson'] (10.7), [player_tooltip player_id='3453701' first='Griffin' last='Kies'] (10.7, 40.0 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='3343991' first='LJ' last='Harris'] (9.5, 6.1 rebounds) provide plenty of additional scoring alongside Stephens to help take some of the pressure off of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>In each game they play, they're going to have the best player on the floor in Stephens, which will give them a chance against anyone. He's certainly not a one-man team, either, with a number of players who are capable of stepping up and being a 15-point scorer on any given night. This is a talented, athletic team that has largely rolled through teams this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#5 seed: Bellevue (22-3)<br></span><strong>About the Comets: </strong>The Comets three losses this season have come at the hands of Northeast, Cascade, and Newman Central Catholic. The former two each played in 2A substate finals, and Newman Central Catholic (Sterling, IL) finished their season 33-2 in Illinois' Class 1A. They hold good wins over Monticello (twice), Cascade, Beckman Catholic (twice), Northeast, Marquette Catholic, and East Marshall in the substate final. Needless to say, they're battle tested, and have proven they can beat just about anyone. They don't shoot it very well from the 3-point line (30.1% as a team), but they pound the offensive glass, averaging nearly 12 offensive boards a game. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2530470' first='KeShawn' last='DeShaw'] (13.2, 8.6 rebounds) is the team's leading scorer and rebounder, and they can comfortably go eight deep in their rotation, which could give them an edge against most teams in this field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>Their ability to pound the offensive glass and force turnovers (11.9 steals per game) gets them a ton of extra possessions, which is obviously huge in state tournament games where each additional possession means so much more. They've gone through a gauntlet of a schedule, have serious depth, and are one of the more athletic teams in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#6 seed: Marquette Catholic (23-2)<br></span><strong>About the Defenders: </strong>Marquette has finished runner-up in back-to-back state tournaments, so while a lot of the faces on this year's roster are new, this is a program that has become accustomed to winning, and winning at a very high level. The highest scoring team in 1A, the Defenders are averaging 75.6 points per game, using a deep rotation of athletic options to wear teams down and constantly apply pressure on the defensive end. Six players average in double figures, led by Koen Roeder (12.0). He's able to score from all three levels and attack off the bounce. [player_tooltip player_id='2828832' first='Taegin' last='Smith'] (11.3, 43.9 3P%) is a big-time shooter, as is [player_tooltip player_id='2523923' first='Tate' last='Kueter'] (10.0, 37.8 3P%), who comes off the bench to provide a real scoring spark. Senior forward Justin Severson (11.2, 10.0 rebounds, 63.2 FG%) has been fantastic in the paint for this group, giving them some size, toughness, and needed rebounding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>While many of the faces playing significant minutes are new, there are a few holdovers who have state tournament experience. This is the deepest team in the 1A field, with six double-figure scorers, and is a program that knows how to win at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#7 seed: Boyden-Hull (18-7)<br></span><strong>About the Comets:</strong> One of the most tradition rich programs in small school basketball, Boyden-Hull is making their 21st trip to the state tournament. Playing in the always loaded Siouxland Conference, against primarily bigger schools, the Comets have played the toughest schedule in 1A according to BC Moore. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765526' first='Carter' last='Kleinwolterink'] (18.3, 37.5 3P%) leads a trio of double-figure scorers, joined by junior [player_tooltip player_id='2412735' first='Jakob' last='Pottebaum'] (14.9) and senior center [player_tooltip player_id='2731754' first='Garret' last='Van Es'] (12.6, 12.6 rebounds, 1.9 blocks). Kleinwolterink is an athletic, physical guard who can score from anywhere on the floor. Pottebaum is the team's leader in assists per game, and Van Es has been a dominant force in the paint on both ends of the floor. The Comets are always physical, athletic, and they share the ball really well. With the schedule they face throughout the year, they won't be intimidated by anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>They have a trio of big scoring threats and a big man who can dominate games as a rim protector and on the glass. Having faces the likes of Unity Christian, Rock Valley, MOC-Floyd Valley, West Lyon, and Sioux Center twice each during the year, they have faced some of the best teams in the state and aren't going to be scared of anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">#8 seed: Woodbine (17-8)<br></span><strong>About the Tigers: </strong>The Tigers are making their third straight trip to the state tournament, having upset both St. Albert and Madrid to get here, but they're still looking for their first ever state tournament win (0-5 all-time). Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1977076' first='Landon' last='Blum'] (20.2, 9.1 rebounds) is one of the best athletes in the state's junior class, a standout receiver on the football field and a dynamic scorer and defender on the hardwood. He leads a trio of double-figure scorers, joined by the Pryor brothers - Brodyn Pryor (11.9) and [player_tooltip player_id='2413631' first='Jax' last='Pryor'] (11.5, 7.3 rebounds). The rest of the rotation is young, with two sophomores and a freshman joining Blum and the Pryors among the top six scorers. They're playing good basketball down the stretch, blasting St. Albert and controlling the game from start-to-finish against the defending champion Madrid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1977076' first='Landon' last='Blum'] is one of the best players in the class, an athletic 6-5 wing who can take over games on both ends of the floor. If he's able to get it rolling, Woodbine is capable of beating just about anyone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Staff Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Tony</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinals:</strong> St. Edmond, Notre Dame, MMCRU, Bishop Garrigan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinals:</strong> St. Edmond, Bishop Garrigan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Champion:</strong> St. Edmond</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Eliot</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinals: </strong>St. Edmond, Notre Dame, Boyden-Hull, Bishop Garrigan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinals:</strong> Notre Dame, Bishop Garrigan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Champion:</strong> Notre Dame</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->