STATE TOURNAMENT: Class 1A Tournament Preview
No. 1 seed: Grand View Christian (23-1) About the Thunder: The two-time defending champions are paced by a front line that no team in the state, regardless of class, can match in terms of size, athleticism and skill in…
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No. 1 seed: Grand View Christian (23-1)
About the Thunder: The two-time defending champions are paced by a front line that no team in the state, regardless of class, can match in terms of size, athleticism and skill in 6-7 Issa Samake (15.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 94 blocks), 6-4 Arturo Montes (16.2) and 6-7 Harouna Sissoko (15.5). Samake is the focal point of the team, with his highlight reel dunks and blocks garnering the most attention, but it’s probably Montes who is the most important player, with his ability to score from anywhere on the floor. Sissoko, a transfer from Lincoln Academy (GA), gives them another long, athletic forward who can stretch the floor and get his own shot whenever. Throw in athletic guards Kong Neyail (7.3) and Bryce Crabb (9.3), and this is one of the best starting fives in the state. They’ve only lost once this year, to 4A powerhouse Iowa City West, and they hold quality wins over bigger schools, including 4A Sioux City West, a 17-5 team that they beat by 15. Against 1A competition this year, the Thunder have won all 12 games by an average of 36.8 a night. They are the heavy, heavy favorite.
Why they can win it all: In addition to having the most talented roster, by far, in the field, the Thunder also have the most experience. This is the fourth state tournament for Arturo Montes and Bryce Crabb, and the second for Samake and Neyail. Talent plus experience equals heavy favorite to complete the 3-peat.
Chances they win it all: 96%. Nothing in life is a guarantee, but it’s hard to see anyone else in this field staying competitive for 32 minutes with GVC. It’s the state tournament, and crazy things can happen, but this is as heavy a favorite to win any class as I can remember in a long, long time.
No. 2 seed: Sioux Central (22-2)
About the Rebels: Making their first ever State trip, the Rebels only two losses this year came to larger schools (3A Spencer, 2A South Central Calhoun) who spent a decent part of the year ranked in our top 10s. The headliner here is Hunter Decker (18.6), an explosive scoring guard who has knocked down 60 3s (42.9%) on the year, but he’s far from alone, as five others average between 5.0 and 11.2 points a game. Prestan Samson (11.2) gives them some physicality in the paint, as despite being listed at just 6-2, he averages 7.3 rebounds a night. Logan Grote (7.8) is the team’s primary ball handler, and he’ll need to limit mistakes to keep this efficient offense (50.7 FG%) humming in Des Moines.
Why they can win it all: The bottom half of the bracket looks significantly easier than the top half, and they have to be considered one of the favorites to make it to Championship Friday, where anything could happen. Decker is one of the best scorers in the field, and he could go on a Joe Smoldt-esque run to lead this group.
Chances they win it all: 1%. Any other year, this team may be a real contender, but with their biggest regular being just 6-2, they would get dominated on the glass by GVC.
No. 3 seed: Prince of Peace (20-3)
About the Irish: The Irish are making their first State appearance as Prince of Peace (they’ve made it previously as Mater Dei), one of three Tri-Rivers Conference schools to make the trip to Des Moines this year. They’re headlined by quick guard Kaidion Larson (19.7), a speedy ball handler who thrives on getting into the teeth of the defense and finishing or distributing. Nathan Moeller (15.6) is another big-time scorer who does most of his damage around the rim, but can also stretch out and knock down an occasional 3. They avenged a regular season loss to Easton Valley in the district final with a 60-49 win, then held off Dunkerton, 63-60, to punch their State ticket. They allow just 46.4 points a game and have shown the ability to beat bigger, much more athletic schools with a win over 4A Davenport North this year.
Why they can win it all: Guard play and defense wins at State, and the Irish have some good guards and they play solid defense.
Chances they win it all: 1%. Like Sioux Central, any other year, this may be a potential title team. But good luck against GVC.
No. 4 seed: Montezuma (21-1)
About the Braves: Montezuma has the best scoring defense in the 1A field, allowing just 44.4 points a game on the strength of their 2-3 zone. The Braves also have the most dangerous non-GVC player in the 1A field in sophomore guard Trey Shearer (23.0, 63 3PM), a highly skilled and creative guard capable of dropping 35 on any given night. He’s a great ball handler and passer with in the gym range, and if anyone in 1A is going to go on a Joe Smoldt-esque run, it’d be Shearer. He’s far from alone, however, as big man Hunter Ray (15.3) is a rim protector and stretch big man who can knock down 3s, while Cole Watts (11.5) is back after missing a majority of the season, and he’s one of the most dangerous shooters in the class. The big concern for the Braves is the strength of schedule, which BC Moore’s power rating system ranks 113th in 1A.
Why they can win it all: They have the single best player in the 1A field in Shearer, and he’s capable of lighting teams up at any point in time. Additionally, they can put some more perimeter shooting around him, and their 2-3 zone can be difficult to figure out at times.
Chances they win it all: 0.5%. Call it the Shearer factor.
No. 5 seed: Bishop Garrigan (19-6)
About the Golden Bears: It’s been a bit of an odd year for the Golden Bears, who entered the season ranked #2 by us. And it got more odd when they parted ways with their coach on February 15, right before postseason play started. This is the only team in 1A that has the size to match up with Grand View Christian, with a starting lineup that goes 6-4, 6-3, 6-6, 6-9 and 6-2, with 6-6 coming off the bench. 6-9 sophomore forward Angelo Winkel (16.5) and 6-6 senior forward TJ Schnurr (16.6) are the headliners, combining to average over 19 rebounds a game. This group doesn’t have a lot of shooting, but their size and competitiveness on the glass will make them dangerous.
Why they can win it all: They have elite size at the 1A level, and Angelo Winkel is one of the most talented players in the 1A field. They’ve only lost one game against 1A competition this year, to a really good West Fork team.
Chances they win it all: 1%. As we’ve said with a few other teams already, if this were a different year, maybe Bishop Garrigan would be one of the teams to beat here. And while they have the size to match up with GVC, the overwhelming athleticism that the Thunder possess will be difficult for Bishop Garrigan to match.
No. 6 seed: St. Mary’s, Remsen (19-6)
About the Hawks: Making their third straight trip to State, St. Mary’s has a bunch of new faces this year, but they’ve just kept winning. Riding their always strong defense, which ranks second in the field allowing just 44.6 points a game, this is a group that knows how to grind out wins in tournament play. Spencer Schorg (16.0) is the team’s leading scorer, and he has some State experience. A versatile scoring threat who can also distribute the ball, he’ll be called upon to have some big games for the Hawks. Skyler Waldschmitt (10.7, 20 3PM) and Brayden Ricke (9.1, 28 3PM) are also quality scoring options on the perimeter.
Why they can win it all: Games tend to slow down at State, and that plays into St. Mary’s hands. This group grinds out games, relying on their strong defense to suffocate teams, and they can do that here.
Chances they win it all: 0.1%. Defense is great, sure, but even if they can navigate the bottom of the bracket, they can’t match up with GVC’s size.
No. 7 seed: Alburnett (18-5)
About the Pirates: Making their first ever State appearance, Alburnett won back-to-back overtime games in the district and substate finals to reach Des Moines, beating Calamus-Wheatland and WACO in extra periods. One of three Tri-Rivers Conference schools to qualify for State this year (Prince of Peace, North Linn 2A), the Pirates are led by a trio of double figure scorers. The headliner is forward Izic Mackey (17.6, 8.7 rebounds), who missed 10 games this season but is back healthy and playing high-level basketball in the paint. Sharpshooter Austin Huber (10.9, 69 3PM) leads the field in 3-pointers made and attempted and shoots a very respectable 43.4% from deep. Hunter Caves (13.9) is the other standout for Alburnett, the team’s leader in rebounds, assists and steals.
Why they can win it all: Mackey is a big-time player who can get opposing big men in foul trouble, and Huber is arguably the most dangerous shooter in the 1A field. All five starters are scoring threats, with each averaging at least 8.2 points a game, giving them one of the most balanced units in 1A.
Chances they win it all: 0.1%. It’s been a storybook season for Alburnett, but it’s not going to end in a state title.
No. 8 seed: St. Albert (12-13)
About the Falcons: St. Albert plays in the 3A Hawkeye Ten Conference, so they aren’t going to be intimidated by anyone, playing much larger schools all year. They avenged a regular season loss to Ankeny Christian Academy in the substate final, beating the Eagles 58-56 to advance to State, where they’ll have the extremely difficult task of trying to slow down two-time defending champion Grand View Christian. The Falcons are led by senior big man Jared Gast (13.0), an athletic forward who runs the floor and finishes at the rim. Sam Rallis (10.0) also does a majority of his damage in the paint, while Reed Miller (7.5, 31 3PM), Lance Wright (6.9, 27 3PM) and Ryan Hughes (5.2, 17 3PM) are the top perimeter options.
Why they can win it all: They’ve gone through a gauntlet of a schedule this season, as they always do, and that schedule prepares them well for tournament play.
Chances they win it all: 0.3%. If the Falcons had drawn anyone other than GVC in the opening round, we’d probably pick them to at least make it through to the semifinals, because they’re always very competitive when they make it to Des Moines. But the task is too tall (literally).
Staff Picks
Tony
Quarterfinals: Grand View Christian, Bishop Garrigan, Sioux Central, Prince of Peace
Semifinals: Grand View Christian, Prince of Peace
Champion: Grand View Christian
TJ
Quarterfinals: Grand View Christian, Bishop Garrigan, Sioux Central, Prince of Peace
Semifinals: Grand View Christian, Prince of Peace
Champion: Grand View Christian
Travis
Quarterfinals: Grand View Christian, Montezuma, Sioux Central, Prince of Peace
Semifinals: Grand View Christian, Sioux Central
Champion: Grand View Christian
Josh
Quarterfinals: Grand View Christian, Montezuma, Sioux Central, St. Mary’s
Semifinals: Grand View Christian, Sioux Central
Champion: Grand View Christian