Iowa boys’ state basketball 2023: A closer look at Monday’s games

DES MOINES — Capsules for Monday’s games involving area teams at the Iowa high school boys' state basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

Class 1A quarterfinals

No. 2 North Linn (24-0) vs. No. 9 Madrid (22-2)

Time: 2 p.m.

Top players: Tate Haughenbury is North Linn’s top guy, a 6-foot-5 senior headed to Kirkwood Community College who averages 16.3 points per game, 7.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists. The Lynx have four players who average between 14.8 and 16.9 points per game: Haughenbury, forward Ty Pflughaupt (16.9) and guards Ben Wheatley and Mason Bechen (14.8 each). Madrid is led by 6-4 sophomore Toryn Severson, who averages 20.8 points per game and 6.4 rebounds. His 6-4 senior brother Kadyn averages 13.4 points. A 6-8 senior, Jackson Newell is an inside presence averaging 11.7 points, 12.8 rebounds and 6.3 blocked shots.

The teams and their seasons: North Linn beat its opponents by an average of 47.3 points this season. Its closest game was 58-56 over Alburnett in December. North Linn is in the state tournament for a seventh consecutive year. The Lynx won the 1A championship last year and the 2A title in 2019. They have been in a title game five straight years. Meanwhile, this is Madrid’s first trip to state. The Tigers are on a 19-game heater, their losses coming by a point to Ankeny Christian in late November and by three to Van Meter in mid-December.

Biggest question: Madrid has the size advantage, but can it handle North Linn’s pressure defense? It is difficult for teams who aren’t used to facing it.

Other games

10:30 a.m. — No. 1 Grand View Christian (24-0) vs. New London (19-6)

12:15 p.m. — No. 4 West Harrison (23-1) vs. No. 6 Dunkerton (24-1)

3:45 p.m. — No. 3 Gladbrook-Reinbeck (23-2) vs. No. 7 Remsen St. Mary’s (22-2)

Class 2A quarterfinals

MFL MarMac (24-1) vs. Pella Christian (15-9)

Time: 7:15 p.m.

Top players: MFL MarMac has been led in scoring all season by 6-foot-1 sophomore guard Zach Driscoll. He’s averaging 20.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. Junior Carver Blietz-Bentien is next at 13.8 points. He shoots 53.2 percent from the field. Pella Christian is a balanced team offensively whose leading scorer is guard Tyson DeVries (12.5 ppg). The only other double-figures scorer is guard Dane Geetings (10.3 ppg).

The teams and their seasons: MFL MarMac swept through the Upper Iowa Conference this season, its only loss to 3A Decorah, 64-50. The Bulldogs averaged 75.7 points per game, beating opponents by an average of 30.9. They also shoot free throws at a 70.4-percent clip, which could be important late. As usual, don’t pay much attention to Pella Christian’s overall record. The Eagles play in a powerful Little Hawkeye Conference that features Class 3A and 4A schools. Pella Christian’s losses were to 4A ranked teams Indianola and Norwalk (twice each), 4A Dallas Center-Grimes, 3A state tournament qualifier Newton (twice), 3A Pella and 2A Eddyville EBF.

Biggest question: Two of them, actually. MFL MarMac wants to play fast and pressure you defensively, leading 2A in steals at 17.5 per game. Will it be able to turn over its opponent? MFL MarMac played a largely 1A schedule, Pella Christian a schedule filled with 3A and 4A competition. Will that matter?

Other games

5:30 p.m. — No. 1 Central Lyon (21-1) vs. Des Moines Christian (18-6)

Comments: jeff.johnson@thegazette.com