1A Title Game Talk - Gladbrook-Reinbeck (26-2) vs. Grand View Christian (26-1)
- Thread starter LukeFeddersen
- Start date
Luke, you must have accidentally made a typo or something. Where is the NW Iowa team that is going to win the championship this year??? Please correct ASAP!
Yeah, I'm surprised there's no thread-derailing posts, based on perceptions/outlandish assumptions, about how these two teams would have at least 8-9 losses if they were in the Siouxland Conference.
Guess it's proof that unless you've seen the teams play, it's very difficult to truly know how good these 1A teams are. I'm pretty certain, NW IA folks likely had not seen either of these teams throughout the year. And by the same token, I know I couldn't adequately comment on NW IA teams either.
Here's to a great game tonight! It's been fun watching this 1A bracket play out.
Guess it's proof that unless you've seen the teams play, it's very difficult to truly know how good these 1A teams are. I'm pretty certain, NW IA folks likely had not seen either of these teams throughout the year. And by the same token, I know I couldn't adequately comment on NW IA teams either.
Here's to a great game tonight! It's been fun watching this 1A bracket play out.
on to the game
What should I expect from GVC? what are they going to show GR that they haven't already seen?
What should I expect from GVC? what are they going to show GR that they haven't already seen?
It's hard to tell what GVC will bring. GVC seemed to full court press quite a bit during the regular season and even the districts, but hardly any pressing during the two games at state. I'm curious to see who they match up with Smoldt and if they go man or their typical 1-3-1.
I hadn't seen Smoldt until state and have been very impressed. Can break you down from long range, yet handles the ball really well and drives. Tough to defend. Seemed like GR has a good inside presence and a couple of good long range shooters that get the dish if Smoldt doesn't have something.
Given their recent defense, if GVC can hold GR to 45 or under (even if Smoldt gets his 30), then I'd take GVC. If GR can get the score into the 50's-60's, then Iikely GR wins it. Fouls could be a factor in this too.
edit comment -- GR seemed to be a fairly high scoring team throughout the year. Just my opinion, I think the outcome depends a great deal on how their offensive output does against the GVC defense.
I hadn't seen Smoldt until state and have been very impressed. Can break you down from long range, yet handles the ball really well and drives. Tough to defend. Seemed like GR has a good inside presence and a couple of good long range shooters that get the dish if Smoldt doesn't have something.
Given their recent defense, if GVC can hold GR to 45 or under (even if Smoldt gets his 30), then I'd take GVC. If GR can get the score into the 50's-60's, then Iikely GR wins it. Fouls could be a factor in this too.
edit comment -- GR seemed to be a fairly high scoring team throughout the year. Just my opinion, I think the outcome depends a great deal on how their offensive output does against the GVC defense.
I really like what I have seen out of GVC this tournament. Bringing some great D to go along with their stellar group of shooters. But this will clearly be their biggest test of the year. Smoldt is the best player in 1A and has been for years. G-R is a veteran team who just knows how to win the big games. I think this will be a higher scoring game then we have seen so far from these teams. I look for Smoldt to finish his high school career with a huge game and lead G-R to the win, but GVC will keep it close.
I was impressed with GR's size and toughness inside. Was under the impression it was just a Smoldt show. Not the case...
I think GR wins easily. Still don't believe GVC is outstanding by any stretch of the imagination, BUT the record and the bracket tells a different story.
GR by 10-15. Smoldt by far the best guard I've seen over his career at the 1A level. He'll get Captain for a 3rd year? Impressive.
I think GR wins easily. Still don't believe GVC is outstanding by any stretch of the imagination, BUT the record and the bracket tells a different story.
GR by 10-15. Smoldt by far the best guard I've seen over his career at the 1A level. He'll get Captain for a 3rd year? Impressive.
It is tough to full court press a team that has strong guards.
I will find it interesting to see how GVC guards Smoldt. He is top player and scorer in 1A. No one has shut him down yet, although a few teams like Lynnville-Sully sure made him work for the points.
With that, I fully expect this game to include a lot of scoring and a faster pace than other games we have seen.....or at least I hope it turns out that way.
I will find it interesting to see how GVC guards Smoldt. He is top player and scorer in 1A. No one has shut him down yet, although a few teams like Lynnville-Sully sure made him work for the points.
With that, I fully expect this game to include a lot of scoring and a faster pace than other games we have seen.....or at least I hope it turns out that way.
Could depend on who adapts to the way the game is called. If the refs allow contact as GR brings it up the court then GV may be able to dictate the tempo and get the ball out of Joe's hands. If the refs call it tight then GV may have to rely on a more straight up play. Should be a good game.
Hard to go against GR in a close game. Throughout Smoldt's carrer, he's put the team on his back in the 4th quarter and gets it done time after time after time. All of these kids have been on the big stage in either football, basketball, or soccer and they wont get rattled.
I agree a shot clock would have made the game a lot more fun to watch, but it would have also triggered the Mercy Rule/Running Clock. Grand View would have run them out of the gym. GR was no match for GV. Grand View was head and shoulders the best team in 1A this year. Their SOS was bad because they were so much better than everyone that they played, including Gladbrook! They dominated GR. Did Kickbush even score???
19-2 after the 1st quarter in the state championship game. NINETEEN TO TWO! That's what GV did all season to teams...usually in the 1st or the 2nd quarter, there was just an overwhelming tidal wave where GV clamped down on defense so the other team could just not score, and GV's defense led to buckets. And not just to the really bad teams, I'm also talking against decent teams (not great, but decent) like:
I posted this on another thread but it bears repeating: In the District Final, Substate Final, State Quarterfinal, and State Semifinal, GV held their opponent to their season low in points. And in the State Final, GV held Gladbrook-Reinbeck to their 2nd lowest point total of the season, 50 (only game they scored less was 47 vs. AGWSR).
I just hope some will be able to admit that GV is a good team now.
- Murray (13-1 after 1 in their gym, remember Murray was rated in the top 10 for most of the season until GV beat them by 37 and 41)
- Woodward Academy (28-12 after 1)
- Earlham (outscored them 19-3 in the 3rd qtr. in District Final)
- 1st game here at State against W. Hancock (10-1 after 1 qtr)
- Even against Pella in the 1st game of the season, without GV's best sub Mach Nyaw, they started off on a 9-0 run and led 14-9 after 1...until Pella finally woke up and steamrolled them the rest of the game because GV couldn't match Pella's depth.
I posted this on another thread but it bears repeating: In the District Final, Substate Final, State Quarterfinal, and State Semifinal, GV held their opponent to their season low in points. And in the State Final, GV held Gladbrook-Reinbeck to their 2nd lowest point total of the season, 50 (only game they scored less was 47 vs. AGWSR).
I just hope some will be able to admit that GV is a good team now.
Last edited:
“They’re probably the best defense we’ve seen,” Gladbrook-Reinbeck coach Scott Kiburis said [after the game]. “… They just got two or three guys on Joe right off the start. We knew they were going to come at him. They just did it differently than a couple other teams have.”
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...ristian-claims-class-1a-state-title/99027292/
Really too bad GR was cold to start out the game. It's been their achilles heel all year. Tip of the cap to GV. They did the best job on JS this year. GR would gain a little momentum and GV would kill it the next trip down the court. A lot of uncharacteristic mistakes for GR last night. Without a shot clock great ball handling and a 20 point lead will get you a win. Congrats to GV on a great season. You really silenced your schedule critics.
It's hard to convey the defense GVC brings to the table - very quick, athletic and still have length. Force a lot of turnovers.
I was surprised how quick of a start GVC got off to, basically took the game over right away. In other district games it seemed like they started slow and took over in the 2nd-3rd quarter.
Very classy on the GR coach's part to pull the starters with around 30 seconds left. He could've continued the whole foul-for-offense til the bitter end. Smoldt is the real deal. Simply incredible at times.
GVC and North Linn will be two very good teams again next year.
I was surprised how quick of a start GVC got off to, basically took the game over right away. In other district games it seemed like they started slow and took over in the 2nd-3rd quarter.
Very classy on the GR coach's part to pull the starters with around 30 seconds left. He could've continued the whole foul-for-offense til the bitter end. Smoldt is the real deal. Simply incredible at times.
GVC and North Linn will be two very good teams again next year.
