State Tournament: Tuesday Preview

2A Quarterfinal: #2 Roland-Story (24-1) vs. #7 Kuemper Catholic (18-6), 10:30 am   Analysis: Roland-Story comes into the quarterfinals riding a 14-game winning streak, with their lone loss this year coming to 1A #1 Grand View Christian. The Norsemen made it to the state quarterfinals last season, and have been eager to get back to this spot. Six of those 14 straight wins, however, have come by single digits, so they've been playing with fire lately and the task doesn't get much easier with a really good Kuemper team. The Norsemen are led by a trio of double figure scorers in senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1367392' first='Isaiah' last='Naylor'] (18.0), junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1171681' first='Jonovan' last='Wilkinson'] (16.3), and senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1239871' first='Luke' last='Patton'] (10.1, 13.2 rebounds). Naylor is a skilled shot creator who can get his own looks off the bounce whenever he wants. Wilkinson is a dynamic two-way player who is among the best and most versatile defenders in the state, and Patton has been a beast on the boards all year. Roland-Story has a number of quality role players who can shoot it and help space the floor, and this group will get after you defensively.   Kuemper can come at you in waves, with nine players averaging at least 3.0 points a game. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1288927' first='Michael' last='Kasperbauer'] (13.5, 38.2 3P%) leads a balanced attack. He's primarily an off-ball guard who moves well without the ball in his hands, but he has shown some secondary playmaking ability. [player_tooltip player_id='1288884' first='Dawson' last='Gifford'] (11.0, 42.1 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1765503' first='Brock' last='Badding'] (8.5, 38.0 3P%) are good shooters as well, while point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1759944' first='Carson' last='Kanne'] (7.6, 4.0 assists) has emerged as a reliable ball-handler and decision-maker who values possessions. Junior forward DJ Vonnahme (9.1, 6.6 rebounds) missed nine games earlier in the year after suffering a seizure on the court following a terrifying fall, but he's back in the lineup and will match up with Patton in an effort to control the glass. The Knights have a number of shooters to place around Vonnahme, but this is a team that lacks state tournament experience, which could play in Roland-Story's favor here.   Players to watch Roland-Story: 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367392' first='Isaiah' last='Naylor'] (18.0 points, 2.4 assists); 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171681' first='Jonovan' last='Wilkinson'] (16.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.3 steals); 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1239871' first='Luke' last='Patton'] (10.1 points, 13.2 rebounds) Kuemper Catholic: 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288927' first='Michael' last='Kasperbauer'] (13.5 points, 38.2 3P%); 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1288884' first='Dawson' last='Gifford'] (11.0 points, 42.1 3P%); 2024 DJ Vonnahme (9.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists)   Our pick: Roland-Story 66, Kuemper Catholic 60   2A Quarterfinal: #3 Western Christian (20-3) vs. #6 Monticello (17-6), 12:15 pm   Analysis: Western Christian is back at the state tournament for the 23rd time in school history, and the Wolfpack have a legitimate chance to add to their state record 10 state championships. They're a little lucky to be here, however, having trailed by 16 points with four minutes to go in their substate final before a furious rally got them to this point. [player_tooltip player_id='1462778' first='Tate' last='Van Regenmorter'] (14.4, 38.1 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1436462' first='Kaden' last='Van Regenmorter'] (13.0, 4.0 assists) lead the team in scoring. They're a pair of high IQ wings with good size and playmaking ability. The Wolfpack have a number of skilled shooters with the Van Regenmorter brothers joined by Chandler Pollema (10.3, 39.4 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1484412' first='Karsten' last='Moret'] (7.4, 42.5 3P%) as the primary scorers. Veteran point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1167724' first='Ashtin' last='Van't Hul'] (7.3, 4.1 assists) is a calming presence in the backcourt. He was a key contributor on Western Christian's 2021 title team.   The draw for Western Christian isn't simple, however. Monticello was our #1 team in 2A coming into the season, and while the Panthers have battled injuries throughout the season, they're healthy now and peaking at the right time. They have a pair of All-State players in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1171677' first='Preston' last='Ries'] (23.4, 10.3 rebounds) and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='956879' first='Tate' last='Petersen'] (18.1, 5.4 assists). This is Petersen's fourth straight trip to the Well, and Ries' third, so this tandem has a ton of experience playing on the bigger court and they won't be afraid of the moment. Ries, a future Iowa football player, will be a difficult matchup for Western with his athleticism and physicality. He's a dynamic three-level scorer who can completely take over games with his raw athletic ability. Petersen has battled a shoulder injury since the holiday break, and his shooting numbers took a dip as a result, but he's getting healthier and shooting it at a clip more consistent with how he has shot throughout his career. [player_tooltip player_id='1759903' first='Carson' last='Lambert'] (10.9, 38.7 3P%) is a long, lanky wing who can knock down shots and defend multiple positions, and [player_tooltip player_id='1951823' first='Jack' last='Lambert'] (4.5, 45.0 3P%) has been an X-factor defensively since being put into the starting lineup seven games ago. This team is experienced and led by a pair of All-State players who have been in this situation a ton.   Players to watch Western Christian: 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1462778' first='Tate' last='Van Regenmorter'] (14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1436462' first='Kaden' last='Van Regenmorter'] (13.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists); 2023 Chandler Pollema (10.3 points, 39.4 3P%) Monticello: 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171677' first='Preston' last='Ries'] (23.4 points, 10.3 rebounds); 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956879' first='Tate' last='Petersen'] (18.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759903' first='Carson' last='Lambert'] (10.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 38.7 3P%)   Our pick: Monticello 65, Western Christian 62   3A Quarterfinal: #1 Bondurant-Farrar (23-0) vs. #8 Algona (17-7), 2:00 pm   Analysis: Bondurant-Farrar is the only team in the 3A field with fewer than five losses. The Bluejays have been fantastic all season, but have turned their play up a notch down the stretch, winning their last 10 games by an average of 24 points a game behind the strength of their two star wings - seniors [player_tooltip player_id='956874' first='Colby' last='Collison'] (19.9, 6.6 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='1288863' first='Jaxson' last='Fried'] (16.5, 6.5 rebounds). Collison, at 6-3, and Fried, at 6-6, are a pair of long wings who can score from all three levels and impact the game defensively with their length. Both are highly efficient scoring threats with the ability to create for themselves or their teammates. But they're far from along. [player_tooltip player_id='1587752' first='Reed' last='Pfaltzgraff'] (12.0, 4.8 assists) is another big guard with length who can really pass it, and Everett White (10.1, 6.7 rebounds) has provided some additional size and length in the paint. This team is long across the board and knows how to win in a variety of different styles.   Algona likes to get out and run, averaging 69.5 points a game. At one point this season they were 9-7, but they've rattled off eight straight wins to get to this point, led by talented sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1288917' first='Ben' last='Helmers'] (18.1, 37.6 3P%). At 6-4, he can score from all three levels as well as defend multiple positions. Caden Weber (12.7) is a reliable secondary scorer, and [player_tooltip player_id='1484419' first='Alex' last='Manske'] (11.7, 9.8 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='1587471' first='Simon' last='Feucht'] (10.3, 40.0 3P%) are also capable of big scoring nights. This team is playing their best basketball of the season now, and they have a number of scorers, but they'll likely struggle to defend Bondurant-Farrar's dribble-drive attack, and may struggle with the tremendous length that the Jays can throw at you defensively.   Players to watch Bondurant-Farrar: 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956874' first='Colby' last='Collison'] (19.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 54.1 FG%); 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1288863' first='Jaxson' last='Fried'] (16.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 37.9 3P%); 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1587752' first='Reed' last='Pfaltzgraff'] (12.0 points, 4.8 assists, 2.3 steals, 40.3 3P%); 2023 Everett White (10.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 54.0 FG%) Algona: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288917' first='Ben' last='Helmers'] (18.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 53.5 FG%); 2023 Caden Weber (12.7 points); 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484419' first='Alex' last='Manske'] (11.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 55.3 FG%); 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1587471' first='Simon' last='Feucht'] (10.3 points, 40.0 3P%)   Our pick: Bondurant-Farrar 78, Algona 60   3A Quarterfinal: #4 Newton (17-6) vs. #5 North Polk (19-5), 3:45 pm   Analysis: The top two scoring defenses in the 3A field meet up here, with Newton allowing 49.6 points a game, and North Polk allowing just 48.3. Expect this one to be a fascinating chess match, and it may be the first team to 40 wins. Newton is looking to become the fifth different Little Hawkeye Conference team to win the 3A title in the last five years, and the staggering development of [player_tooltip player_id='1367442' first='Cole' last='Plowman'] (14.8, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 blocks) is a big reason why the Cardinals have a real chance to do so. Plowman, a 6-5 big who runs the floor, can shoot it, and blocks shots, has been excellent this year as the defensive anchor for the Cardinals. [player_tooltip player_id='1167723' first='Jake' last='Ingle'] (10.6, 4.3 assists) is a small but fearless lead guard who can knock down shots and get to the bucket, and [player_tooltip player_id='1240081' first='Brody' last='Bauer'] (13.0, 37.0 3P%) is a really good shooter who moves well without the ball in his hands and has a quick release. The Cardinals have a number of other viable shooting threats who can knock down open looks that Ingle is able to get them.   Only seven teams have scored more than 49 points against North Polk this season, and while the Comets have been outstanding on that end of the floor, they've also struggled at times to score, which could be an issue against a similarly dominant defensive team. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1751215' first='Reggie' last='Postel'] (12.4) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1738652' first='Jackson' last='Nemmers'] (11.2) are the team's top scorers, but this is a team that has a number of players capable of putting the ball in the bucket, and they don't really care who's doing the scoring, as long as someone is. Both of these teams are excellent defensively, and points will be hard to come by. But we'll side with the team that has the slightly better playmakers in the backcourt.   Players to watch Newton: 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367442' first='Cole' last='Plowman'] (14.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, 61.2 FG%); 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240081' first='Brody' last='Bauer'] (13.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 37.0 3P%); 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167723' first='Jake' last='Ingle'] (10.6 points, 4.3 assists, 37.7 3P%) North Polk: 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751215' first='Reggie' last='Postel'] (12.4 points, 2.6 rebounds); 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1738652' first='Jackson' last='Nemmers'] (11.2 points, 4.2 rebounds); 2023 Jaxon Rutledge (7.0 points, 4.1 assists)   Our pick: Newton 48, North Polk 44   3A Quarterfinal: #3 Marion (19-6) vs. #6 Heelan (18-6), 5:30 pm   Analysis: Two of the most dynamic scoring threats in 3A will meet up in this one in Marion guard [player_tooltip player_id='956878' first='Brayson' last='Laube'] (22.5, 41.6 3P%) and Heelan wing [player_tooltip player_id='1171695' first='Matthew' last='Noll'] (18.0). Marion lost to Winterset in overtime in the quarterfinals last year and brought back a huge chunk of that roster, and the Wolves will be looking to make some more noise this year. Laube is an extremely talented scorer at 6-2 with great handles, unlimited range, and a lightning-quick release. He's capable of going off for 40 points, and the Wolves are able to put a number of good athletes around him. [player_tooltip player_id='1367405' first='Alex' last='Mota'] (10.2, 5.2 rebounds) is headed to Iowa for football, while [player_tooltip player_id='1476987' first='Myles' last='Davis'] (6.4, 36.9 3P%) will play baseball at Iowa in two years. Calen Claypool (9.8, 6.0 rebounds) has really come on strong this year in the paint for the Wolves, providing them with some size and athleticism. This team is quick, athletic, and they play with a bit of an edge.   When Heelan is playing well, they're capable of beating just about anyone in the class. The problem for the Crusaders has been consistency. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1171695' first='Matthew' last='Noll'] (18.0, 8.0 rebounds) is a really talented wing scorer who can create his own shot as well as get good looks with his off-ball movement. He hasn't shot the ball as well as he's capable of this year, but he can knock down shots and have explosive scoring quarters, as he showed during the summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2075630' first='Martin' last='Brothers']. The Crusaders are able to put a number of good shooters around him in [player_tooltip player_id='1288894' first='Carter' last='Kuehl'] (13.9, 40.6 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1367436' first='Sam' last='Skinner'] (8.4, 37.3 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='1288898' first='Beau' last='Chamberlain'] (5.8, 38.6 3P%). It will be interesting to see how Heelan attacks Laube defensively, and what Marion does against Noll. Whichever star is able to diagnose and get going quicker may have the edge here.   Players to watch Marion: 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956878' first='Brayson' last='Laube'] (22.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 41.6 3P%); 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367405' first='Alex' last='Mota'] (10.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists); 2023 Calen Claypool (9.8 points, 6.0 rebounds) Heelan: 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171695' first='Matthew' last='Noll'] (18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists); 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1288894' first='Carter' last='Kuehl'] (13.9 points, 3.7 assists, 40.6 3P%); 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367436' first='Sam' last='Skinner'] (8.4 points, 2.4 assists, 37.3 3P%)   Our pick: Marion 66, Heelan 60   3A Quarterfinal: #2 Xavier (18-6) vs. #7 Hoover (15-9), 7:15 pm   Analysis: Xavier has been one of the top teams in the class all year, getting off to a great 9-0 start before losing five of their next seven by a combined 13 points. They're led by one of the best tandems in the state in senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1167689' first='Aidan' last='Yamilkoski'] (17.9) and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1171667' first='Joe' last='Bean'] (14.4), a pair of versatile scoring threats who can create looks for themselves or their teammates. Yamilkoski has really taken his all-around game to another level this year and will need to be the focal point of the Hoover gameplan defensively. [player_tooltip player_id='1367451' first='Josef' last='Lemker'] (11.8, 45.6 3P%) is a fantastic shooter who moves well without the ball in his hands, and 6-8 big [player_tooltip player_id='1751083' first='Tyler' last='Netolicky'] (8.3, 6.8 rebounds) could be a difference maker here with his size and presence in the paint. The Saints shoot it as well as any team in the 3A field.   Hoover drops down to 3A for the first time this season, and the Huskies entered the year ranked #1 in the class by us. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='956876' first='Chase' last='Henderson'] (21.7, 5.0 assists) is one of the most dynamic players in the state, regardless of class. He's a lightning-quick guard with elite handles who can get to the rim pretty much whenever he wants, and he creates chaos on the defensive end with his speed and hands. [player_tooltip player_id='956869' first='Elijah' last='Vos'] (13.5, 40.1 3P%) is a big wing who can really shoot it off the catch, and he has also shown a willingness to take smaller defenders onto the block and score or create. Senior guard Malakahi Johnson-Bassey (7.5, 50.0 3P%) provides additional perimeter shooting, taking advantage of the open looks provided to him by Henderson and Vos. Hoover is always a well-coached defensive team, and this is no exception. They're athletic and fast, and Henderson's ability to control the game on both ends with his speed and talent will be tough for Xavier to deal with.   Players to watch Xavier: 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167689' first='Aidan' last='Yamilkoski'] (17.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 42.7 3P%); 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171667' first='Joe' last='Bean'] (14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists); 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367451' first='Josef' last='Lemker'] (11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 45.6 3P%); 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751083' first='Tyler' last='Netolicky'] (8.3 points, 6.8 rebounds) Hoover: 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956876' first='Chase' last='Henderson'] (21.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists); 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956869' first='Elijah' last='Vos'] (13.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 40.1 3P%); 2023 Malakai Johnson-Bassey (7.5 points, 50.0 3P%)   Our pick: Hoover 63, Xavier 59

2A Quarterfinal: #2 Roland-Story (24-1) vs. #7 Kuemper Catholic (18-6), 10:30 am