The Matchups

No. 2 Regina (23-1) vs. No. 8 Maquoketa Valley (23-2)

Regina is back at the state tournament for the 10^th time in program history and the third time in four seasons.

The Regals lost in the quarterfinal in each of their previous two state tournament appearances and are seeking their first state tournament win since a 67-54 victory over Logan-Magnolia in the 2A quarterfinals in 2017.

Regina has a resume as impressive as any team in the 2A field this week.

The Regals have won 14 consecutive games following their only loss of the season at 3A top-ranked Mount Vernon on January 4.

Regina has had just one game decided by fewer than 10 points during its current 14-game winning streak and won three regional games by a combined 100 points.

The Regals are led by its dynamic backcourt duo of senior Morgan Miller and freshman Addie McLaughlin.

Miller leads Regina with 20.3 points while McLaughlin is averaging 17.2 points, a team-high 5.7 assists and 4.1 steals and 4.1 rebounds per game.

Five Regals average at least 6.2 points per game.

Senior Ella McLaughlin averages 10.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while senior Caitlin Martin is averaging 9.5 points and a team-high 5.7 rebounds per game.

Maquoketa Valley is making its seventh all-time state tournament appearance and first trip to Des Moines since a runner-up finish in 2021.

The Wildcats won 16 consecutive games to open the season, a stretch that included wins over 1A state qualifiers North Linn, Montezuma and Springville.

Maquoketa Valley is unbeaten against 2A competition with its losses coming to North Linn and Class 3A Monticello.

The Wildcats are balanced offensively with three players averaging in double digits led by senior Bianka Ronnebaum with 13.5 points per game.

Freshman Audra Burbridge averages 13 points, 4.5 steals, 4.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game while junior Grace Richter is averaging 11.3 points per game.

No. 1 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (24-0) vs. No. 10 Treynor (21-3)

Top-seeded Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont makes its third consecutive state tournament appearance seeking its first ever win at the state tournament.

The Rockets have done just about everything except win a game over the past three seasons.

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont is 70-3 over the past three seasons and has lost Class 2A quarterfinals the past two seasons to Pocahontas in 2023 and Sioux Central last season.

This season the Rockets have been among the most impressive teams in Class 2A outscoring teams by an average of 32.8 points per game, the second highest margin of victory in 2A.

The Rockets have had just three games decided by single digits this season and have won 13 consecutive games by at least 16 points.

Senior Molly Shafer leads Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont and ranks third in 2A with 22.3 points per game while senior Ava Eastlick averages 17.8 points per game and has a 2A-best 90 3-pointers.

Kaylee Helm averages 9 points per game while senior Kate Shafer averages 8.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 3.7 steals and 2.1 blocked shots per game.

Treynor is making its first state tournament appearance since 2021 following a 45-44 win over Exira-EHK in the regional title game.

The Cardinals are unbeaten against Class 2A competition this season with their losses coming to Nebraska state tournament qualifier Lincoln Pius X, Class 3A No. 14 Atlantic and Class 1A top-ranked Council Bluffs St. Albert.

One of the youngest teams in the 2A field, Treynor doesn’t have a senior in its regular rotation and is led by junior Nora Konz with 14.9 points per game.

Freshman Addison Mauer averages 10.1 points and junior Ella Thornton averages 8.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

No. 4 North Mahaska (22-2) vs. No. 5 Central Lyon (19-4)

Central Lyon is making its fourth consecutive state tournament appearance and sixth all-time, all coming after 2012.

The Lions are 87-12 during its four-year state tournament run that features runner-up finishes in 2022 and 2023.

Central Lyon lost in the 2A quarterfinals last season to Westwood and needs a quarterfinal win on Tuesday for a fifth consecutive 20-win season.

All four losses for Central Lyon this season have come to state qualifiers, including single-digit setbacks to 3A qualifier Estherville Lincoln Central and 4A qualifier Sioux Center.

Central Lyon has won seven straight games entering the state tournament, a stretch that includes wins over 2A qualifier Rock Valley and a 69-53 win over No. 14 West Fork in the regional title game.

Northwestern College recruit Aubrey Metzger leads Central Lyon with 18.3 points and 11.3 rebounds per game while Danika Hoogendoorn averages 11.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

North Mahaska is making its fifth appearance at the state tournament and first since reaching the 1A tournament in 2022.

The only two losses for the Warhawks this season have come to state tournament qualifiers Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont and Montezuma.

North Mahaska brings an eight-game winning streak into the state tournament after a 48-39 win over Hudson in the regional title game.

Three players average between 10.1 points and 13.4 points per game for North Mahaska led by senior Breckyn Schilling with 13.4 points per game.

Senior Regan Grewe is averaging 10.7 points per game and senior Sydney Andersen averages 10.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

No. 3 Hinton (23-0) vs. No. 6 Rock Valley (20-3)

One of only three unbeaten teams at the state tournament this week Hinton is making its first appearance since 2009.

The Blackhawks won the War Eagle Conference for the first time since 2014 and advanced to the state tournament with a 49-35 win over 2024 semifinalist Westwood in the regional title game.

During its unbeaten regular season Hinton posted wins over state qualifier Central Lyon and 3A qualifier Cherokee while outscoring opponents by a Class 2A-leading 32.9 points per game.

The 23 wins for Hinton are the most since the Blackhawks went 25-1 in their most recent state tournament appearance in 2009.

Six Hinton players average at least 6.2 points per game led by junior Sydney Doeschot with a team-high 20 points per game.

Sophomore Addison Glass averages 12.1 points and 3.5 assists per game while freshman Raelyn Kempema averages 8.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Junior Karlyn Kovarna is averaging 7.6 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds per game.

Rock Valley is making its sixth ever trip to the state tournament and first since 2021.

The Rockets lost their season opener to 4A qualifier Sioux Center and dropped back-to-back games to 2A qualifier Central Lyon and West Lyon.

Between those three losses Rock Valley won all 19 games and rebounded to win three consecutive regional games capped by a 65-51 win over Pocahontas Area in the regional title game.

Rock Valley has six players averaging at least 5.7 points per game led by junior Hudsyn Ranschau who averages a team-high 19.3 points per contest.

Senior Miylie Zomer averages 13.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game while shooting 51 percent from the floor.

Junior Haevyn Ranschau is averaging 11.7 points, 2.9 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game.

The Players

Regina: Morgan Miller 5-6, Sr. – A Truman State recruit and the all-time leading scorer at Regina, Miller is one the best all-around players in Class 2A averaging 20.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 4.5 steals per game.

Maquoketa Valley: Bianka Ronnebaum 5-9, Sr. – Ronnebaum leads a balanced Maquoketa Valley offense with 13.5 points per game but does it all for the Wildcats averaging 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 3.6 assists per game.

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont: Molly Shafer 6-0, Sr. – A Northern Iowa volleyball recruit, Shafer ranks third in Class 2A in scoring (22.6) and second in field goal percentage (65%) while averaging 5.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.2 steals and 2.1 blocked shots per game.

Treynor: Nora Konz 5-7, Jr. – Konz has emerged as the go-to player for the Cardinals leading Treynor in scoring for the second consecutive season putting up 14.9 points per game on 43 percent shooting from the floor.

North Mahaska: Breckyn Schilling 6-0, Sr. – Schillinger is a Western Colorado recruit and 1,000-point scorer that averages 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game.

Central Lyon: Aubrey Metzger 6-2, Sr. – A Northwestern College recruit, Metzger has been one of the most efficient players in the state this season averaging 18.3 points per game while shooting a Class 2A-best 72 percent from the floor. Metzger also averages 11.3 rebounds and ranks third in 2A with 3.6 blocked shots per game.

Hinton: Sydney Doeschot 5-7, Jr. – Already a 1,000-point career scorer, Doeschot has emerged as one of the top all-around players in Class 2A averaging 20 points, 5.8 assists, 4.3 steals and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting 49 percent from the field including 33 percent from 3-point range.

Rock Valley: Hudsyn Ranschau Jr. – Rock Valley likes to shoot the 3 and few players in the state have been more accurate from beyond the arc than Ranschau who leads 2A in 3-point percentage at 47 percent and has a team-high 86 triples while leading the Rockets with 19.3 points per game.

The Storylines

The Favorite

In a balanced Class 2A field there is no obvious favorite but based on record, ranking and seeding the nod goes to Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont.

The Rockets certainly are worthy of entering as the favorites.

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont is making third consecutive state tournament appearance, has been dominant all season ranking second in 2A in point differential (32.8) and has a legit star in senior Molly Shafer.

This field is balanced but after quarterfinal losses at state the past two seasons the Rockets enter as the favorite to hoist the 2A trophy.

The Underdog

No team in the 2A field has more than three losses or is ranked outside the top 10 so just as there isn’t a clear favorite there is no major underdog.

However, Treynor fills that role by drawing the opening-round matchup with unbeaten and top-ranked Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont.

The Cardinals are certainly capable of making a run.

Treynor knocked off ninth-ranked Shenandoah in the regional semifinals and before edging Exira-EHK 45-44 in the regional title game.

The Darkhorse

Can a second-ranked two seed really be considered a darkhorse title contender?

Maybe not the best description of Regina (23-1) but if Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont is the favorite based on ranking and seeding then the Regals are right behind in the title chase.

Regina has experience and a dynamic back court that is capable of causing problems for any opponent.

Keep an eye on fifth-seeded Central Lyon (19-4) which has a 2A field-high four losses but has played in the 2A title game twice in the past three seasons.

The Focus

With four-time defending champion Dike-New Hartford not in the field there will be a new champion in Class 2A for the first time since 2020.

So, who takes over the top spot in a 2A field as open as any at the 2025 tournament.

Four of the teams in the field have won state titles with Treynor the most recent state champion winning the 2A crown in 2019.

Top-seeded Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont and third-seeded Hinton are both unbeaten this season and second-ranked Regina could be a factor as well.

Central Lyon played in 2A title games in 2022 and 2023 and has plenty of experience at Wells Fargo Arena.

The Numbers

Scoring Leaders

1, Molly Shafer, Sr., Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont – 22.3

2. Morgan Miller, Sr., Regina – 20.3
3. Sydney Doeschot, Jr., Hinton – 20
4. Hudsyn Ranschau, Jr., Rock Valley – 19.3
5. Aubrey Metzger, Sr., Central Lyon – 18.3

Rebounding Leaders

1. Aubrey Metzger, Sr., Central Lyon – 11.3
2. Miylie Zomer, Sr., Rock Valley – 9.4
3. Kate Shafer, Sr., Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont – 8.9
4. Karlyn Kovama, Jr., Hinton – 6.9
5. Ella Thornton, Jr., Treynor – 6.1

Assist Leaders

1. Kate Shafer, Sr., Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont – 5.9
2. Sydney Doeschot, Jr., Hinton – 5.8
3. Addie McLaughlin, Fr., Regina – 5.7
4. Morgan Miller, Sr., Regina – 4.6
5. Alexis Austin, Sr., Central Lyon – 4.6

3-point Leaders

1. Ava Eastlick, Sr., Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont – 3.8
2. Hudsyn Ranschau, Jr., Rock Valley – 3.7
3. Haevyn Ranshau, Jr., Rock Valley – 2.7
4. Addison Glass, Soph., Hinton – 2.3
5. Morgan Miller, Sr., Regina – 2.3

Steal Leaders

1. Audra Burbidge, Fr., Maquoketa Valley – 4.5
2. Morgan Miller, Sr., Regina – 4.5
3. Sydney Doeschot, Jr., Hinton – 4.3
4. Addie McLaughlin, Fr., Regina – 4.1
5. Bianka Ronnebaum, Sr., Maquoketa Valley – 3.8

Five Fast Facts

*- Only two teams in the Class 2A field (Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont and Central Lyon) were at the state tournament last season, the fewest returning qualifiers of any of the five classes.

*- With 81 blocked shots this season Central Lyon senior Aubrey Metzger has more blocked shots than half of the teams in the Class 2A field and more than 23 of the 40 teams at the state tournament this week.

*- There are three unbeaten teams at the state tournament this week and two of them (Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont and Hinton) are in the Class 2A field.

*- The quarterfinal between Regina and Maquoketa Valley could be a battle of pace and contrasting styles. Regina leads Class 2A averaging 69.6 points per game while Maquoketa Valley ranks third in 2A in points allowed surrendering just 32.1 points per game.

*- Rock Valley leads Class 2A with 205 made 3-pointers this season (8.9 per game) and averages better than 2 more 3-pointers per game than any team in the 2A field.

The History

Last 5 Champions

2024 – Dike-New Hartford

2023 – Dike-New Hartford

2022 – Dike-New Hartford

2021 – Dike-New Hartford

2020 – North Linn

Last Year’s Qualifiers

Dike-New Hartford; Cascade; Sioux Central; Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont; Panorama; Grundy Center; Westwood; Central Lyon

The Schedule

Tuesday’s Quarterfinals

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (24-0) vs. Treynor (21-3), 6:45 p.m.

North Mahaska (22-2) vs. Central Lyon (19-4), 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday’s Quarterfinals

Regina (23-1) vs. Maquoketa Valley (23-2), 10 a.m.

Hinton (23-0) vs. Rock Valley (20-3), 11:45 a.m.

Friday’s Semifinals

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont/Treynor winner vs. North Mahaska/Central Lyon winner, 10 a.m.

Regina/Maquoketa Valley winner vs. Hinton/Rock Valley winner, 11:45 a.m.

Saturday’s Championship

Semifinal winners, 4:45 p.m.

Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating.