STATE TOURNAMENT: Monday Preview
1A Quarterfinal: #4 Montezuma (23-2) vs. #5 Martensdale-St. Mary’s (23-3), 9:30 am
Analysis: This is an excellent way to start the 2020 tournament, a matchup between a pair of teams who can each fill it up. Both teams average 70+ points a game, so don’t expect to see a pair of teams sleepwalking through an early opener.
Montezuma put on a show in their quarterfinal win over Bishop Garrigan last season, beating the Golden Bears by 13 in a game that really wasn’t even that close. The Braves have the best backcourt in 1A basketball with Trey Shearer Trey Shearer 5'10" | PG Montezuma | 2021 State IA , Cole Watts Cole Watts 5'10" | SG Montezuma | 2021 State IA and Masin Shearer. Their 200 made 3s is the most in the 1A field, and Shearer is the most dynamic player in the 1A tournament. Martensdale-St. Mary’s will have their hands full with him and Watts. The Blue Devils have four double figure scorers of their own in Trey Baker, Isaac Gavin Isaac Gavin 6'10" | C Martensdale-St Marys | 2020 State IA , Jack Franey Jack Franey 5'7" | PG Martensdale-St. Marys | 2021 State IA and Carson Elbert Carson Elbert 6'3" | SF Martensdale-St. Marys | 2021 State IA , and they’ve done a good job testing themselves in the non-conference portion of their schedule this year, knowing that this group had a chance to be special.
In what should be an up-tempo, exciting game, we give the edge to the team with more state tournament experience, which is Montezuma. Nerves could come into play early on, and if the Braves are able to get out of the gates quick and build a lead on MStM, they’ll be tough to come back against.
Players to watch
Montezuma:
Trey Shearer
Trey
Shearer
5'10" | PG
Montezuma | 2021
State
IA
(25.5 points, 45.3 3P%, 133 assists),
Cole Watts
Cole
Watts
5'10" | SG
Montezuma | 2021
State
IA
(18.4 points, 71 3PM), Eddie Burgess (11.0 points, 10.3 rebounds), Masin Shearer (8.4 points, 47 3PM)
Martensdale-St. Mary’s: Trey Baker (17.2 points, 7.9 rebounds),
Isaac Gavin
Isaac
Gavin
6'10" | C
Martensdale-St Marys | 2020
State
IA
(13.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 47 blocks),
Jack Franey
Jack
Franey
5'7" | PG
Martensdale-St. Marys | 2021
State
IA
(10.5 points, 174 assists),
Carson Elbert
Carson
Elbert
6'3" | SF
Martensdale-St. Marys | 2021
State
IA
(11.8 points)
Our pick: Montezuma 69, Martensdale-St. Mary’s 62
Helming
1A Quarterfinal: #1 Lake Mills (23-2) vs. #8 Wapsie Valley (18-7), 11:15 am
Analysis: Lake Mills entered the season as our #1 ranked team in 1A, and they earned the top seed at State. The Bulldogs are the highest scoring team in the 1A field, averaging 72.9 points a game, and they’re beating teams by an average of 27.8 points a game. The dynamic duo of Dashawn Linnen and Chett Helming Chett Helming 6'4" | SF Lake Mills | 2020 State IA have been great on the wings for the ‘Dogs, combined to average 39 points a game with efficiency. Colby Groe has dished out 142 assists against just 23 turnovers to pace the attack, and this team can go deeper than most 1A teams.
Wapsie Valley has a difference maker in the middle in Kiks Rosengarten, a 6-7 forward who has blocked 65 shots and is averaging a double-double. The Warriors have a strong backcourt duo in Blayde Bellis and Kobe Risse, juniors who have combined to dish out 264 assists on the season. They’ll need to protect the ball against the long, athletic wing defenders that Lake Mills can throw at them.
Look for Lake Mills to look to attack Rosengarten early in this one. If they’re able to get him into foul trouble, it could get ugly, as that would really open up the paint for the ‘Dogs. If he can stay on the floor, Wapsie has a shot.
Players to watch
Lake Mills: Dashawn Linnen (19.6 points, 60.6 FG%),
Chett Helming
Chett
Helming
6'4" | SF
Lake Mills | 2020
State
IA
(19.4 points, 5.8 rebounds), Caleb Bacon (10.6 points, 8.9 rebounds), Colby Groe (6.5 points, 142 assists)
Wapsie Valley: Kiks Rosengarten (19.2 points, 12.4 rebounds), Blayde Bellis (10.6 points, 112 assists), Kobe Risse (9.8 points, 152 assists)
Our pick: Lake Mills 76, Wapsie Valley 62
A. Winkel
1A Quarterfinal: #2 Bishop Garrigan (22-2) vs. #7 Springville (20-5), 1:00 pm
Analysis: This is an interesting game because of the complete contrast in size. Bishop Garrigan has a starting lineup that goes 6-4, 6-2, 6-0, 6-9 and 6-4, while Springville’s biggest player is listed at 6-2.
The Golden Bears have lost just twice this season, a 2-point loss to 3A Algona, and an 18-point loss to Lake Mills, who they split the season series with. They’ve been dominant on the offensive end of the floor, putting up 72.6 points a game, and they hold teams to 47.2 a night. They’re led by potential Division I big man Angelo Winkel Angelo Winkel 6'9" | C Bishop Garrigan | 2021 State IA , an athletic 6-9 forward who can control the game on both ends of the floor. Older brother Cade Winkel Cade Winkel 6'4" | PF Bishop Garrigan | 2020 State IA provides more scoring, and John Joyce John Joyce 6'3" | PG Bishop Garrigan | 2020 State IA and Cameron Baade have been really strong on the perimeter for this group. Springville will look to use their quickness and a variety of different pressing looks to force the Garrigan big men to make decisions with the ball. The Orioles are the best 3-point shooting team in the 1A field, shooting 39.3% form the arc as a team, led by Alex Koppes and Rhenden Wagaman.
The 3-point line is the ultimate equalizer in basketball, but Bishop Garrigan just has entirely too much size and length for Springville. I really like this Orioles team, and if they’d gotten a different draw, I would’ve considered them making a run. But it’s hard to see it happening against the Garrigan giants.
Players to watch
Bishop Garrigan:
Angelo Winkel
Angelo
Winkel
6'9" | C
Bishop Garrigan | 2021
State
IA
(18.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 58.0 FG%),
Cade Winkel
Cade
Winkel
6'4" | PF
Bishop Garrigan | 2020
State
IA
(16.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 62.1 FG%),
John Joyce
John
Joyce
6'3" | PG
Bishop Garrigan | 2020
State
IA
(13.9 points, 84 assists), Marcus Plathe (9.3 points, 8.2 rebounds), Cameron Baade (5.8 points, 40.8 3P%)
Springville: Alex Koppes (19.7 points, 44.7 3P%, 86 steals), Rhendan Wagaman (14.5 points, 43.0 3P%, 5.9 rebounds), Luke Menster (12.1 points, 103 assists, 82 steals), Kyle Koppes (10.6 points, 105 assists)
Our pick: Bishop Garrigan 68, Springville 58
Schorg
1A Quarterfinal: #3 St. Mary’s (22-3) vs. #6 West Fork (23-2), 2:45 pm
Analysis: While the opening game could be the most entertaining 1A game, this one might be the tightest. St. Mary’s of Remsen is making their fourth straight state tournament trip, and they’re looking to improve on their third place finish from last year. The Hawks are led by experienced guard Spencer Schorg Spencer Schorg 6'1" | PG St. Mary's, Remsen | 2020 State IA , who has been a four-year contributor for state qualifying teams, and that type of experience could be a major key in this game. Schorg, Skyler Waldschmitt and Brayden Ricke were all key contributors on last year’s team.
West Fork has been one of the most consistent 1A programs over the last decade-plus, and the Warhawks have a lot of scoring options they can come at St. Mary’s with. Kayden Ames leads the team with 68 made 3s, while Ian Latham Ian Latham 5'11" | PG West Fork | 2020 State IA is making 44.3% of his 3-point attempts. Jakob Washington has been a dominant force in the paint, an undersized but physical 6-2 forward who controls the glass on both ends of the floor. Neither team is blessed with great size, but both rebound well.
We expect this game to be tight throughout. These teams are fairly similar to each other, but one has significantly more big game experience, which is why we give the edge to St. Mary’s.
Players to watch
St. Mary’s:
Spencer Schorg
Spencer
Schorg
6'1" | PG
St. Mary's, Remsen | 2020
State
IA
(16.5 points, 40.7 3P%, 80 assists), Skyler Waldschmitt (10.6 points, 40.9 3P%), Brayden Ricke (8.0 points)
West Fork: Kayden Ames (14.5 points, 68 3PM), Jakob Washington (12.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 77 assists),
Ian Latham
Ian
Latham
5'11" | PG
West Fork | 2020
State
IA
(10.0 points, 44.3 3P%), Brayden Vold (9.1 points, 62.4 FG%)
Our pick: St. Mary’s 52, West Fork 49
Hilmer
2A Quarterfinal: #3 North Linn (24-0) vs. #6 West Sioux (22-2), 4:30 pm
Analysis: Don’t take a restroom break during this game, because you might miss 20 points going up on the board. It may sound like an exaggeration, but these two teams are capable of putting up a combined 200 points on Monday afternoon. North Linn has 2A’s highest scoring offense at 85.3 points a game, while West Sioux puts up 82.0 of their own.
The defending champion Lynx haven’t been tested much in the Tri-Rivers Conference this year, but they just know how to win. They’re 105-2 in their last 107 games, and their constant pressing style can frustrate teams in a hurry. They’re led by point guard Austin Hilmer Austin Hilmer 5'10" | PG North Linn | 2022 State IA , who leads the state with 206 assists, and who plays a lot like older brother Jake, at 100 mph on both ends of the floor. Hyper-efficient forward Austin Miller Austin Miller 6'2" | PF North Linn | 2020 State IA , a 6-2 forward who is often the beneficiary of the turnovers the Lynx create, is shooting 70.3% from the floor and leads the team in scoring and rebounding. He has worked to expand his offensive game, and can step out and knock down an occasional 3 now as well. Dylan Kurt and Gunner Vanourney have combined to make 111 3s on the season, giving them more perimeter scoring punch.
West Sioux has a pair of dynamic guards in Bryce Coppock Bryce Coppock 5'10" | SG West Sioux | 2020 State IA and Hunter Dekkers Hunter Dekkers 6'1" | PG West Sioux | 2020 State IA , who have combined to average 47 points a game for the Falcons, as well as dish out 223 assists. The Falcons were the #1 team in 2A for a while this season before a shocking loss to Hinton and a loss to St. Mary’s, but both losses came without a pair of starters, and were each by three points. If Coppock and Dekkers, a future Iowa State quarterback, can handle the constant pressure without turning it over, West Sioux will be able to score against the Lynx. This one should be a blast to watch.
Players to watch
North Linn:
Austin Miller
Austin
Miller
6'2" | PF
North Linn | 2020
State
IA
(22.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 73 steals, 70.3 FG%),
Austin Hilmer
Austin
Hilmer
5'10" | PG
North Linn | 2022
State
IA
(18.1 points, 206 assists, 95 steals), Dylan Kurt (12.8 points, 64 3PM), Gunner Vanourney (8.0 points, 45.6 3P%)
West Sioux:
Bryce Coppock
Bryce
Coppock
5'10" | SG
West Sioux | 2020
State
IA
(25.1 points, 54 3PM, 109 assists, 68 steals),
Hunter Dekkers
Hunter
Dekkers
6'1" | PG
West Sioux | 2020
State
IA
(21.9 points, 61 3PM, 8.4 rebounds, 114 assists),
Baxter Walsh
Baxter
Walsh
6'2" | SF
West Sioux | 2020
State
IA
(11.9 points, 6.6 rebounds), Mason Coppock (8.6 points, 43.4 3P%)
Our pick: North Linn 83, West Sioux 80
Schwarte
2A Quarterfinal: #2 Treynor (24-1) vs. #7 Pella Christian (13-10), 6:30 pm
Analysis: These two programs have combined to make 31 trips to the state tournament (make that 33 now), and have established themselves as two of the top programs in 2A for years now.
Treynor has lost just once this season, to a 6A powerhouse from Kansas, Blue Valley Northwest. The Cardinals have rolled through the rest of their schedule, with just four games decided by 10 or fewer points this season. They won their three postseason games by an average of 34.3 points a game and have a lot of experience on this roster. Jack Tiarks Jack Tiarks 6'4" | PF Treynor | 2020 State IA , Jack Stogdill Jack Stogdill 6'2" | PG Treynor | 2020 State IA and Jon Schwarte Jon Schwarte 6'10" | C Treynor | 2020 State IA all saw playing time when the Cardinals played for the 2A championship in 2018, with Stogdill and Schwarte starters on that team. In Tiarks and Schwarte, they have a lot of size and athleticism in the paint, which will be key against Pella Christian big man Josh Van Gorp Josh Van Gorp 6'9" | C Pella Christian | 2020 State IA , who has had an outstanding season.
Pella Christian may have “just” a 13-10 record, but don’t let that record fool you. They play in the loaded 3A Little Hawkeye Conference, and they’ve posted wins over both Pella and Norwalk this season, two of the top three seeds in the 3A tournament. The aforementioned Van Gorp, a 6-9 center, has been the standout in the middle, shooting 71% from the floor, but this group has a lot of depth and talent, especially in the backcourt. That group is led by Dan Jungling Dan Jungling 5'11" | PG Pella Christian | 2020 State IA , a quick guard who can fill it up from all three levels. The Eagles are filled with versatile players who can do a bit of everything on the floor.
This isn’t your typical 2 vs. 7 game, and Treynor will really have to play well to win this. The 2A tournament is about as good as I can ever remember seeing any class, every game will be a battle.
Players to watch
Treynor:
Jack Tiarks
Jack
Tiarks
6'4" | PF
Treynor | 2020
State
IA
(16.4 points, 7.0 rebounds),
Jack Stogdill
Jack
Stogdill
6'2" | PG
Treynor | 2020
State
IA
(14.8 points, 85 assists),
Jon Schwarte
Jon
Schwarte
6'10" | C
Treynor | 2020
State
IA
(9.3 points, 59 blocks)
Pella Christian:
Josh Van Gorp
Josh
Van Gorp
6'9" | C
Pella Christian | 2020
State
IA
(16.2 points, 10.1 rebounds),
Dan Jungling
Dan
Jungling
5'11" | PG
Pella Christian | 2020
State
IA
(12.8 points, 57 3PM, 43.8 3P%), Keean Cadwell (9.1 points), Jack Vermeer (9.3 points), Ryan Vande Haar (6.3 points, 76 assists)
Our pick: Treynor 62, Pella Christian 60
Te Slaa
2A Quarterfinal: #1 Boyden-Hull (21-3) vs. #8 Woodward-Granger (22-2), 8:15 pm
Analysis: Boyden-Hull earned the top seed by playing the second most difficult schedule in the 2A field, according to BC Moore’s power rankings system, and by being highly successful against that schedule. The Comets were the runner-up in 2A last season and brought back five players who saw significant time on that team. They’re led by sophomore wing Tanner Te Slaa Tanner Te Slaa 6'5" | SF Boyden-Hull | 2022 State IA , one of the top sophomore scoring threats in the state. The 6-4 wing is the focal point of a Boyden-Hull team that is a typical B-H squad, filled with versatile players who can switch and do a bit of everything on the floor. Keyton Moser Keyton Moser 6'2" | SF Boyden-Hull | 2020 State IA is undersized at 6-1, but is a physical force on the glass, while Marcus Kelderman and Andrew Frick each also average in double figures.
Woodward-Granger is a really strong #8 seed, with their two losses coming to a 17-7 Panorama team by 2 in the first week of the season, and by 9 to a 21-1 Van Meter team, who they beat in the district final. They’re a strong defensive team, allowing just 42.7 points a game, but they’ll have their hands full with the Comets attack. Bryce Achenbach Bryce Achenbach 6'3" | PG Woodward-Granger | 2020 State IA , a 5-11 senior guard, is the top scorer, a slashing guard who gets to the rim and has dished out a team-high 123 assists. Pacey Moats gives them another solid ball handling option, while Keith Braunschweig is a good perimeter scorer. The Hawks will look to slow this game down, but that’s easier said than done against a Boyden-Hull team with so many options.
Players to watch
Boyden-Hull:
Tanner Te Slaa
Tanner
Te Slaa
6'5" | SF
Boyden-Hull | 2022
State
IA
(17.2 points, 50 3PM, 45.5 3P%),
Keyton Moser
Keyton
Moser
6'2" | SF
Boyden-Hull | 2020
State
IA
(13.5 points, 5.5 rebounds), Marcus Kelderman (11.6 points), Andrew Frick (10.1 points)
Woodward-Granger:
Bryce Achenbach
Bryce
Achenbach
6'3" | PG
Woodward-Granger | 2020
State
IA
(16.9 points, 123 assists, 57 steals, 56.7 FG%), Keith Braunschweig (11.1 points), Pacey Moats (7.8 points), Kaya Bowlsby (7.6 points)
Our pick: Boyden-Hull 67, Woodward-Granger 55