Taking a Quick Look at the Class 2A Boys State Basketball Tournament
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
The Matchups
Regina (17-6) vs. No. 1 Western Christian (20-3)
Regina has been one of the best turnaround stories in the state this season going from nine wins last season to 17 victories and a state tournament in the first season under new head coach Paul Rundquist.
The Regals were 22-41 in the three previous seasons before posting their first winning record since 2019-2020 and their first state tournament appearance since 2019 this season.
After back-to-back losses to 3A opponents Maquoketa and Benton Community to open the season Regina rattled off 13 wins in a row before dropping four of five to close the regular season.
The Regals regrouped quickly in the postseason avenging a loss to Wilton in the regular season finale with a 68-57 win over the Beavers in its substate opener.
Regina added a win over Alburnett before downing fifth-ranked Pella Christian 64-59 in the substate final.
Senior Michael Martin leads a balanced Regina team with 17.9 points per game while freshman Tate Wallace is averaging 11.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
Senior point guard Eddie Petersen is averaging 8.4 points, 5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals and freshman Will Litton is averaging 8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Western Christian is one of the best programs in the state in any class and is making its 24th appearance at the state tournament seeking to add to its state-record 10 titles.
Last year’s 2A runner-up, Western Christian has won seven of the last 17 Class 2A titles and reached the title game eight times during that span.
The lone loss to an in-state opponent for Western Christian this season was a 77-55 loss to 4A third-ranked Sioux City East on February 3.
Western Christian won three substate games by an average of 22 points defeating Estherville-Lincoln Central 62-55 in the substate title game.
Junior Kaden Van Regenmorter leads a list of three players averaging at least 9.5 points per game with a team-high 19.4 per game.
Junior Karsten Moret averages 12.8 points and 4.2 rebounds and senior Tyler Mantel is averaging 9.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
No. 6 West Burlington (22-0) vs. No. 8 Treynor (21-3)
One of only three unbeaten teams remaining in the state West Burlington will make its first ever appearance at the state tournament after defeating tenth-ranked Cascade 56-51 in the substate final.
The Falcons downed Central Lee 76-59 in their postseason opener and knocked off West Branch 61-44 in the semifinals before its win over Cascade secured the first state tournament appearance in program history.
West Burlington has three players averaging better than 13 points per game led by junior Mason Watkins at 21.9 per game.
Senior Brady Martin averages 15.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists and junior Quincy Collins is averaging 13.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
Treynor is making its 16th state tournament appearance and first since 2020 after defeating defending 1A champion Grand View Christian 71-63 in the substate title game.
The three losses this season for the Cardinals have come to 2A unbeaten state qualifier Underwood and Class 3A Sioux City Heelan.
Treynor isn’t afraid to push the pace. The Cardinals rank fifth in 2A in scoring at 70.4 points per game and have four players averaging at least 9.4 points per game.
Senior Jace Tams leads the way with 19.4 points per game while senior Ethan Konz averages 14.8 points and 4.3 rebounds.
Sophomore Alec Lovely averages 10.1 points and 5.3 assists and senior Karson Elwood averages 9.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
No. 2 Hudson (23-2) vs. Grundy Center (20-3)
A couple of teams that snapped long state tournament droughts meet in the opening round as Hudson and Grundy Center meet in a rematch of a regular season game won by the Pirates back on December 1.
Hudson is making its sixth trip to the state tournament and first since 1994 while Grundy Center is appearing at state for the ninth time but the first since 2003.
The Pirates have been impressive all season going unbeaten against in-class competition and ranking second in 2A in points per game (73.4), fourth in points allowed (45.2) and first in point differential (28.2).
The two losses for Hudson this season have come to 3A top-ranked Decorah (67-59) and to 4A top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy (76-46).
Four players are scoring in double digits for Hudson led by senior Camden Davis who averages a double-double with 19.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
Senior Culin Ugrin is averaging 13.4 points while senior Lyle Olsen is averaging 10.6 points and 5.6 assists and senior Tanner Michael Is averaging 10.3 points per game.
Grundy Center opened the season 1-2 with losses to Hudson and North Mahaska but has won 19 of 20 since including a 12-point win over ninth-ranked Carroll Kuemper in the substate title game.
Junior Kalen Kirkpatrick leads Grundy Center with 15.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while junior Tiernan Vokes is averaging 10.5 points and 5 rebounds per game.
The Spartans lead 2A with 20.2 assists per game and have five players that average at least two assists per game led by junior Brayden Wallis with 3.7 assists per contest.
No. 4 Underwood (24-0) vs. Unity Christian (20-4)
Underwood reached the state tournament for the first time in program history and has done so in dominating fashion.
The Eagles are among just three unbeaten teams remaining in the state, rank third in 2A in points per game (71.9) and points allowed (44.8) and are second in point differential (27.1) and coming off an 81-50 substate final win over South Hamilton.
Among the most balanced teams in 2A, Underwood starts five seniors that all average at least 9.9 points per game.
Mason Boothby leads the way with 13.8 points, 3.8 assists and 3.1 steals while Josh Ravlin averages 12.5 points and 3.1 rebounds.
Owen Larsen is averaging 10.9 points and 6.8 rebounds and Jack Vanfossan averages 10.6 points 10.1 rebounds per game. Luke Seidler averages 9.9 points per game.
Unity Christian returns to state for the first time since 2005 following a 55-50 win over third-ranked West Lyon in the substate title game.
The four losses for the Knights this season have come to 3A state qualifier MOC-Floyd Valley (twice), 2A qualifier Western Christian and third-ranked West Lyon.
Unity Christian has three players averaging at least 12 points per game led by sophomore Dylan Bosma who is averaging a team-high 13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.5 steals per game.
Junior Braeden Bosma is averaging 13.4 points and 4.2 rebounds and sophomore Austin Wieringa is averaging 12 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
The Players
Regina: Michael Martin, 6-2, Sr. – A three-year starter Martin emerged as one of the top scoring guards in 2A as a senior averaging a team-high 17.9 points while shooting 48 percent from the field, 44 percent from 3-point range and 85 percent from the free throw line.
Western Christian: Kaden Van Regenmorter, 6-3, Sr. – A second-team all-state selection as a sophomore Van Regenmorter is among the best players in Class 2A leading the Wolfpack in scoring (19.4), rebounds (5.9), assists (3.7) and steals (1.5).
West Burlington: Mason Watkins, 6-3, Jr. – The top scorer in the 2A state tournament field Watkins ranks 14th in 2A this season with 21.9 points per game to go with 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.3 steals per contest.
Treynor: Jace Tams, 6-0, Sr. – A double figure scorer each of the last three seasons Tams has been at his best as a senior averaging a team-high 19.4 points per game while shooting 35 percent from 3-point range and 82 percent from the free throw line.
Hudson: Camden Davis, 6-5, Sr. – A third-team all-state selection last season Davis is one the best in 2A averaging a double-double with 19.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game while shooting 59 percent from the floor.
Grundy Center: Jalen Kirkpatrick, 6-6, Sr. – Kirkpatrick leads the Spartans with 15.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game and is shooting 54 percent from the floor.
Underwood: Mason Boothby, 6-1, Sr. – Boothby does it all in a balanced Underwood lineup leading the Eagles in scoring (13.8) and steals (3.1) while ranking second on the team in assists (3.8) and fifth in rebounds (3.5).
Unity Christian: Dylan Bosma, 6-1, Soph. – One of the top young guards in 2A Bosma leads the Knights in scoring (13.7), assists (2.9) and steals (2.5) to go with 5.3 rebounds per game.
The Storylines
The Favorite
Any time Western Christian is at the state tournament the Wolfpack is a threat to hoist the trophy.
Western Christian has a state-record 10 state titles, including seven in the last 17 years, is 19-4 all-time in quarterfinal games and owns a 45-16 record in state tournament games.
This season the Wolfpack enter top-ranked, top-seeded and unbeaten against in-Class competition with two losses to out-of-state teams and a loss to 4A third-ranked Sioux City East.
The Wolfpack enter as the favorites to add to their state title list.
The Underdog
If Western Christian is the unquestioned favorite that makes eighth-seeded Regina the underdog.
These Regals are not your typical eight seed.
Regina proved that with a 64-59 win over fifth-ranked and 2023 semifinalist Pella Christian in the substate title game.
The Regals have proved they can play with high-end competition and will need to be at their best on the state’s biggest stage to pull off another upset on Monday.
The Darkhorse
It’s not often an undefeated team enters the state tournament under the radar but that may be the case for unbeaten West Burlington.
One of only three unbeaten teams remaining state-wide West Burlington (22-0) enters the state tournament seeded fourth and ranked sixth.
West Burlington was impressive in the substate, downing West Branch by 17 in the substate semifinals before a 56-51 win over No. 10 Cascade in the substate final.
The Falcons are new to the bright lights of the state tournament but have the talent and depth to make a run in Des Moines.
The Focus
Does Western Christian add to its title count?
The Wolfpack finished runner-up to Central Lyon last season be appear poised to add state title number 11 this season.
Who can stop Western Christian?
Regina gets first crack at the Wolfpack on Monday and the winner of the West Burlington and Treynor would face Western Christian in the semifinals if they get past the Regals.
As the only returning qualifier from last season Western Christian has an experience edge on the field as it attempts to reverse it’s title game outcome from a year ago.
The Numbers
Scoring Leaders
- Mason Watkins, Jr. West Burlington – 21.9
- Camden Davis, Sr., Hudson – 19.5
- Jace Tams, Sr., Treynor – 19.4
- Kaden Van Regenmorter, Jr., Western Christian – 19.4
- Michael Martin, Sr., Regina – 17.9
Rebounding Leaders
- Jack Vanfossan, Sr., Underwood – 10.1
- Camden Davis, Sr., Hudson – 10.1
- Quincy Collins, Jr., West Burlington – 8.1
- Owen Larsen, Sr., Underwood – 6.8
- Karson Elwood, Sr., Treynor – 6.2
Assist Leaders
- Lyle Olsen, Sr., Hudson – 5.6
- Alec Lovely, Soph., Treynor – 5.3
- Eddie Petersen, Sr. Regina – 5
- Jack Vanfossan, Sr., Underwood – 4.5
- Brady Martin, Sr., West Burlington – 3.9
Five Fast Facts
*- There are three undefeated teams in the state tournament this week and two are in Class 2A as Underwood (24-0) and West Burlington (22-0) each enter unbeaten.
* – Last year’s 2A runner-up Western Christian is the only team from the 2023 2A field to return to the 2A tournament this season.
* – There are three teams across all four classes making their state tournament debuts this week including a pair of first-time qualifiers in Class 2A in West Burlington and Underwood.
* – Western Christian is 19-4 all-time in opening-round games at state and has won four straight quarterfinals and 10 of its last 11.
* – Regina senior Eddie Petersen ranks fifth in Class 2A in free throw percentage this season shooting 88 percent (15-of-17) from the free throw line.
The History
Last 5 Champions
2023 – Central Lyon
2022 – Rock Valley
2021 – Western Christian
2020 – Boyden-Hull
2019 – North Linn
Last Year’s Qualifiers
Central Lyon; Des Moines Christian; Pella Christian; MFL Mar Mac; Roland-Story; Carrol Kuemper; Western Christian; Monticello
The Schedule
Monday’s Quarterfinals
Western Christian (20-3) vs. Regina (17-6), 5:30 p.m.
West Burlington (22-0) vs. Treynor (21-3), 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday’s Quarterfinals
Hudson (23-2) vs. Grundy Center (20-3), 10:30 a.m.
Underwood (24-0) vs. Unity Christian (20-4), 12:15 p.m.
Thursday’s Semifinals
Western Christian/Regina winner vs. West Burlington/Treynor, 10:30 a.m.
Hudson/Grundy Center winner vs. Underwood/Unity Christian, 12:15 p.m.
Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating.
