Cedar Falls at Linn-Mar Standout Prospects 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MARION --&nbsp;</strong>In an early-season matchup of two state-qualifying teams from Class 4A last season, Cedar Falls fought off Linn-Mar to seal the 69-65 victory on the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1765505"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693875827afca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of my favorite guards in Class 5A on a new team, [player_tooltip player_id='1765505' first='Parker' last='Berns'] remains all the things that he showed <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/10/the-iowa-expo-eliots-first-team-all-expo/">at the Prep Hoops Expo</a> this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A never too high, never too low guard that plays with consistent effort, good defense, solid ball-handling, the ability to score from the perimeter and at the rim, and just another threat on a team full of them for Cedar Falls, the addition for Berns could be the difference between contending with the Des Moines schools for a state championship and winning one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's still early in the season and Berns is continuing to feel out what his role is with his new team after transferring from Waterloo West, but the fit doesn't feel clunky or forced at all. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1765553"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693875827b048"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previously known as a skilled, young forward that had potential, [player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes'] began to show what he could be last season for Cedar Falls, and it appears he's reached a new level this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adding weight to his frame this offseason, Gerdes looks more willing to play physical and get after rebounds. Using his height to finish over top of defenders in the paint, Gerdes' soft touch keeps him as one of the best paint scorers in the state. He's also continued to grow as a shooter, looking much more comfortable launching from three, though it's not quite his strong suit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2204894"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693875827b09b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The go-to guy for Linn-Mar, [player_tooltip player_id='2204894' first='Tyler' last='Hilton'] struggled in matching up with both Gerdes and [player_tooltip player_id='1765549' first='Leyton' last='Wolf'] -- two of the best forwards he'll face all season. At the same time, he's asked to do quite a lot to for the Lions on offense, as Chris Robertson looks like he'll only go two-deep into his bench this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tall, long small prospect that stands at 6-foot-6, Hilton is entrusted to run the offense, take it to the rim, draw fouls and fight for boards. Finishing with 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the floor, Wilton still got his, even when facing one of the more difficult matchups he'll face all season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1777914"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693875827b0e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last season, in the limited exposure I had to [player_tooltip player_id='1777914' first='Jaydon' last='Kimbrough'], he appeared like a hooper that could reach the next level and play college ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, after an outstanding summer as part of the [program_tooltip program_id='2075630' first='Martin' last='Brothers'] organization, Kimbrough looks as confident as ever in his offensive game, able to score at all three levels with the best in the state. Attacking the rim, shooting jumpers and launching from three while operating the Cedar Falls offense and showing off some bounce and athleticism, Kimbrough has the look of a guard that a low-to-mid-major program should give a chance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2114707"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693875827b136"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I hadn't heard the name [player_tooltip player_id='2114707' first='Karson' last='Rains'] prior to Monday night. I definitely know who he is now. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first quarter, the Tigers were dominating the Lions, up by double digits in the first frame and making it look like they were going to run away with a victory. Then Rains said "not so fast." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A knock down shooter from three, Rains scored back-to-back triples, getting the lead down to single digits, and from there, he made it Rain. If the junior guard had a sliver of space, he was going to shoot it from deep, and rightfully so. One of the best shooters in the state, Rain can serve as a ball-handler for Linn-Mar, but also serves as a perfect complimentary scorer to Hilton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the swagger of a Division I point guard, Rains looks like he believes the shot is going in every time he launches it, and part way through the game, everyone else begins to believe it, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->