WATERTOWN – Ipswich knew it was facing a tall order on Tuesday night, and could not overcome the size and athleticism of Castlewood.

The Warriors took advantage of their size at every position and claimed a 55-19 boys’ basketball victory during the Class B SoDak 16 contest at the Watertown Civic Arena, clinching a spot in the State B tourney for the fourth straight season.

“We have some length and we’re athletic, and we can play matchups different ways,” said Castlewood coach Paul Raasch. “We went through 3 or 4 different game plans how we were going to guard them before we settled on the one that we did.”

It proved to be the right selection as Castlewood bolted out to a 17-0 lead, and held the Tigers to just eight first-half points.

“I told Coach Raasch at halftime, that’s like a machine,” said Ipswich coach Stewart Bohle. “You try to stop one thing. It’s like holes in a boat. You put gum in one hole and four more open up.”

The Warriors were intentional about getting the ball to 6-foot-9 center Bryon Laue and he responded with eight first-quarter points.

While the senior was tough to deal with on offense, he played just as big a role on defense, blocking shots and altering others, leaving the Tigers with little options on offense.

“That drive and kick look is probably the best you’re going to get from there,” said Ipswich senior Rasmus Loken.

With Laue patrolling the lane, it also allowed the Chargers to aggressive play the passing lanes, which resulted in steals and transition points.

“We’ve got so much arm length, that we could get many steals, we can help each other,” said Castlewood guard Kamden Keszler. “It’s all about defense at the end of the day. Start off good on defense, that leads to offense.”

Keszler knows he can take a chance or two on defense, because he has rim protection behind him in Laue.

“I gamble a lot because I know he’s down there,” Keszler said, “and my teammates are all helping.”

The Warriors know what the sophomore is capable of doing on defense.

“When he’s locked in, he’s a pretty good ball player, pretty good defender,” Raasch said. “He’s guarded some pretty tough guys this year. He takes that challenge on and takes a little pride in it.”

The Warriors allowed just seven total baskets on the night, focusing on one of Ipswich’s main offensive weapons.

“Their number 10 (Max Kulesa), he was kind of the key to us and Luke (Baumberger) did a terrific job on him,” Raasch said, “but we had Bryon behind to help too, and our guys did a good job of pressuring their guards.”

Put it all together, and it proved to be too much for the Tigers to overcome.

“They’re a great team,” Loken said. “They’re number one for a reason.”

Loken was one of Ipswich’s top defenders this season.

“I like to hang my hat on defense a little bit,” he said, “so I just try to do my best at that and pass on offense and get it to some better scorers and go from there.”

Castlewood ended up shooting 53 percent from the field. The Warriors found seams in the Ipswich defense as four different players accounted for at least eight points in the victory.

“It really breaks you down,” Loken said. “We were trying to take away Laue there, but they were hitting some shots outside, too.”

The contest marked the final game for Loken, who will now focus on winning a third state championship in the pole vault this spring.

The Tigers finished the season with a 14-9 record.

“I give our kids a lot of credit. It’s been a great season,” Bohle said. “To get where we’re at is an accomplishment in itself.”

Laue finished with 14 points and eight rebounds to lead the Warriors. Baumberger added nine points, while Kamden Keszler and Jamison Keszler each contributed eight.

Castlewood will enter next week’s State B tourney in Aberdeen and the top seed and face Lyman at noon in the opening round.

Kamden Keszler talked about being the top-seeded squad.

“I think there’s no pressure at all. We’ve always been the top seed,” he said. “Everyone’s coming at us as hard as they can. We’ve probably had the hardest schedule in Class B. We’ve had 10 A schools, so we’ve adapted to pressure.”

Raasch said he is just happy that the Warriors, 20-2, are back in the state tourney field.

“This year you can throw the seeds out the window after the Sweet 16. … I looked it over,” Raasch said, “there’s going to be eight really good teams in that tournament, but we’re happy to be there.”

IPSWICH (14-9): Kyle Hettich 1 0-0 2, Tucker Kadlec 1 0-0 2, Max Kulesa 1 2-6 4, Jaxon Holt 1 0-0 3, Shay Knust 2 0-0 4, Hayden Schlosser 2 0-0 4, Tate Hogie 1 0-0 2. Totals 7-34 4-8 19.

CASTLEWOOD (21-2): Kamden Keszler 4 0-0 8, Brody Bass 3 0-0 6, Jamison Keszler 4 0-0 8, Luke Baumberger 3 0-0 9, Bryon Laue 7 0-0 14, Trevor Everson 1 0-0 2, Cooper Thu 1 0-0 2, Will Aderhold 3 0-0 6. Totals 26-49 0-0 55.

Ipswich 2 8 13 19

Castlewood 19 35 47 55

3-point field goals – Holt; Baumberger 3. Total fouls – Ipswich 2; Castlewood 8. Rebounds – Ipswich 14 (Hettich 4, Kadlec 4); Castlewood 31 (Laue 8, Baumberger 6). Turnovers – Ipswich 11; Castlewood 8. Assists – Ipswich 6 (Kadlec 3); Castlewood 16 (J. Keszler 6). Blocked shots – Ipswich 2; Castlewood 5 (J. Keszler 2, Laue 2). Steals – Ipswich 4; Castlewood 8 (K. Keszler 2, Baumberger 2).