Class 3A - [/URL]Substate 1[/URL]
Here is a look at how all the current teams in
Substate One
Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City
Denison-Schleswig
LeMars
MOC-Floyd Valley
Sergeant Bluff-Luton
Spencer
Spirit Lake
Storm Lake
How
did Substate 1 do at the State tournament?
MOC-Floyd Valley
Defeated Cedar Rapids Xavier in the quarterfinals (65-62)
Defeated Grinnell in the semifinals (72-57)
Lost to Harlan in the championship game (86-79, OT)
Quick Overview:
With two currently top ten rated teams in Sioux City Heelan and LeMars plus
one squad that has played in the last two title games (MOC-Floyd Valley), this
district definitely has a lot of talented teams.
Team Breakdowns:
*Coming into the season, Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City had a very known
commodity in wing guard Clint Sargent. This standout is in his third year
at the varsity level and signed a Letter of Intent with South Dakota State in
the fall. But the player who has really stepped up his game this year is
sophomore bigman Brennan Cougill. At 6-foot-9, 260 pounds, few players in
Iowa can matchup with him and that is obvious as he has been pouring in over
seventeen points per game.
*Denison-Schleswig has had some major struggles on the basketball court this
year and that has a lot to do with their inability to score. In three of
their victories, they have been able to score around sixty points per game.
Their losses have been another story as the Monarchs have been not hitting the
shots they need to win games. Unless they can change that, it doesn't bode
well for the team in the playoffs.
*LeMars was able to beat Heelan in the season opener and have been led all year
by a deep and athletic senior class. Jared Clement, who also doubles as
one of the top runners in track, is putting up nearly twenty five points per
game and scoring in just about every way imaginable. The Bulldogs also
other boast others who can put points on the board but have spent most of the
year deferring to Clement.
*It doesn't matter if Dale DeJong is at point guard for the team,
MOC-Floyd Valley is a basketball powerhouse who really could shock many and make
it back to State. The Dutchmen have won eight of their last nine games
after playing inconsistent early and have shown they can play with the big boys
in this substate. The team has been in more big games than any team in
Class 3A over the past two years and that could help their case.
*Sergeant Bluff-Luton has been having a solid year on the basketball court but
have been stuck in the same district with three of the top teams in this class.
Senior Derek Moore has made a case this year for All State honors as he has been
consistently pouring in around twenty points per game. He has been an
important force for the Warriors and will need to continue his play as in the
season finale this weekend.
*Spencer is yet another team in this district that you cannot sleep on.
They are a young team that unlike many of their counterparts in this substate
are very balanced in scoring. The Tigers have five players who have proven
they can step up when needed and that could help them surprise some people in
the playoffs. With only one senior among their top five, they may be one
year away.
*Spirit Lake guard Syd Bergquist has not been putting up quite the scoring
numbers he did as a junior but he is working hard to become a complete player.
That means he has been looking for open teammates and doing a nice job
distributing the ball. So far, it looks like it has paid off for the
Indians as their record is much improved over last winter and they are playing
more consistent basketball.
*After a quick 2-0 start on the year,
Storm Lake has had their struggles winning games this season. A big part
of their struggles has been their defense. They have been giving up over
seventy points per game quite frequently and that has hurt them in the long run.
The Tornadoes have a tough game to end the regular season as well as they play
host to LeMars.
Sleeper Team:
MOC-Floyd Valley
I really think that few people are looking at this team to make State and that
could help them in a major way.
Substate Champions: Sioux City Heelan
Now that Sargent is finally a senior, he will want nothing more than to play in
Des Moines. It will not be an easy road getting there.
Predictions:
1.)
Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City
2.)
LeMars
3.)
MOC-Floyd Valley
4.)
Spencer
5.)
Sergeant Bluff-Luton
6.)
Spirit Lake
7.)
Denison-Schleswig
8.)
Storm Lake
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
Class 3A - [/URL]Substate 2
Here is a look at how all the current teams in Substate Two
Algona
Ballard, Huxley
Carroll
Clear Lake
Forest City
Humboldt
Nevada
Webster City
How did Substate 2 do at the State tournament?
N/A
Quick Overview:
This is a substate that when you look at all the top teams in this group,
you shake your head because of the pairings. This substate may be one of
the deepest from top to bottom and has many teams capable of capturing the berth
to State.
Team Breakdowns:
*Despite being 8-11, Algona will be going to the playoffs with the worst
record in this substate. That really shows how deep the other teams are
but is unfortunate for the Bulldogs. After starting the year 4-1 and
winning four straight early, this team has failed to find the type of consistent
play that they showed early. The Algona offense has been balanced all year
but players need to step up once the playoffs get underway.
*Ballard, Huxley is a team that started the year off quick at 9-2, which
included being ranked, but seems to have faded down the stretch. Part of
that may be because two of their top players, Patrick Truby and Alex Spielman,
have missed time this year and that has made an impact. One athlete who
has really stepped up this year is Brice Petersen. This talented junior
has made the most of his time and is averaging over sixteen points per game.
*If there is one thing that an early season loss did for
Carroll is to allow them to refocus and take things one game at a time.
All Stater Kirby Pettitt put a lot of time in during the off-season to improve
and that has been very evident this winter. He is scoring eighteen points
per game and has taken over a leadership role that someone needed to step into.
The Tigers have a big test with the talented teams in this substate.
*Clear Lake has been an interesting team to follow this year. They started
the season stronger than many thought they would after a long football season.
Then the Lions struggled during most of the month of Januauary but have worked
hard to turn things around this month. Bobby Hayes and a strong senior
class have been doing a lot of the scoring. They will need to come to play
this weekend as they take on #1 Humboldt.
*Forest City is nearing the postseason and comes in with an outstanding record.
They have had a lot of success on the court over the last few years but have
been unable to carry that success over into the playoffs. Brett and Tyler
Putz are putting up around forty points together but the problem is that few
other teammates have shown that they can consistently score. Having to
rely on two options in the playoffs will be tough, but it has been done before.
*Humboldt did not let their State title on the football field have any effect on
the basketball season as they are undefeated and ranked as the #2 in the state.
The Class of 2007 for the Wildcats had been hyped up for sometime and they took
care of business on the football field this fall. Will they do the same on
the basketball court? This is a team that has played in a lot of big games
over the past few years. That will help their cause.
*Another team that is loaded with seniors is
Nevada. Forward Tyson Handsaker has been having the type of year that many
expected him to have. He is averaging over seventeen points per game while
showing his ability to spread the ball around. The Cubs have been the only
team to beat Carroll this year and have been playing some great basketball.
The problem is that with this substate so loaded, it will be a handful to get
past Humboldt and Carroll.
*At 9-10 overall,
Webster City has the second worst record in this substate. The team has
been led by senior Caleb Luckow and they have had some big games this year.
Recently the Lynx played undefeated Humboldt to their tightest game of the year
in a one point loss. Does that mean that the team will play that well in
the postseason or was Humboldt sleep walking through the game? We will
find out the real answer to that in the playoffs.
Sleeper Team: Everyone but Humboldt and Carroll
One of those top two teams is expected to get to State. So everyone else
can be considered the sleepers in here.
Substate Champions: Humboldt
Yes, their one point wins against Webster City and Iowa Falls do scare me.
But if the Wildcats can take it one game at a time, their big game experience
and athleticism can help them to the State tournament.
Predictions:
1.)
Humboldt
2.)
Carroll
3.)
Nevada
4.)
Clear Lake
5.)
Forest City
6.)
Ballard, Huxley
7.)
Webster City
8.)
Algona
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
Class 3A - Substate 3[/URL]
Here is a look at how all the current teams in Substate Three
Charles City
Crestwood, Cresco
Decorah
New Hampton
Oelwein
Waukon
Waverly-Shell Rock
West Delaware, Manchester
How did Substate 3 do at the State tournament?
Waverly-Shell Rock
Lost to Harlan in the quarterfinals (53-45)
Cresco-Crestwood
Lost to Grinnell in the quarterfinals (72-54)
Quick Overview:
With Waverly-Shell Rock having made the State tournament and bringing back
the best player in this substate, the Go Hawks will be tough to beat.
Team Breakdowns:
*After losing their top two scorers last year, Charles City has done a nice
job reloading the guard core and has continued to stay successful this year.
Corey Hoeft and future South Dakota State football player Erich Feller has been
averaging over twenty five points per contest but after that, the Comets have
had struggles putting points on the board. They are currently six games
over the .500 and could be a darkhorse in this substate race.
*Yes, Crestwood, Cresco has only won five games this year but two have been
among the biggest upsets this year in Class 3A. Despite that 5-14 record,
the Cadets have come to play in their upsets wins against Waverly-Shell Rock and
Waukon. That shows that this team can play with anyone and really is a
scary playoff matchup. It is tough to predict them doing much damage in
the playoffs but whoever they play will have their hands full.
*With a new coach at the helm and a lot of inexperienced players, Decorah has
been taking their lumps on the basketball court this season. Sophomore
Brett Van Sloten, who is also an excellent football player, has been scoring
fifteen points per game and has the size and strength that is tough to defend
inside. The Vikings have won their last two games but have a tough test
this weekend against Waverly-Shell Rock.
*New Hampton is another team that has struggled at times during the season but
have won their last two and that includes a victory against Charles City.
Jordan Moore, despite only being a sophomore, has shined this year for the team
and has been the only consistent scorer for the Chickasaws. He has been
scoring sixteen points per game but will really need to step up his production
if the team wants to make a playoff run.
*A big part of the struggles that Oelwein is going through this year is growing
pains. The top five scorers on the team are sophomores and juniors, most
of whom did not come into the season which much varsity experience under their
belts. The Huskies two wins this year have come against Decorah and New
Hampton, both teams in this substate. But the team needs to step up their
game offensively.
*After winning five games in a row, Waukon did not come to play against Cresco
and fell for the fourth time of the year. That was a shocking loss and
shows that if this team does not come ready to play, they will be fall early in
the playoffs. One thing that is a positive for the Indians is that they
are a senior laden team. Ryan Jones, who has is now a varsity veteran, is
a tough matchup and has been scoring the most on a nightly basis.
*Everyone reading this should know about Waverly-Shell Rock already. In
Tom Bardal's first year at the helm, the Go Hawks made a run to State that
eventually ended in the first round to Harlan (Who did take home the title).
Bardal said in an interview last winter that he felt that this was the year the
team could do damage in Des Moines. And with Clayton Vette finally a
senior, don't be shocked if this team proves difficult to slow down in the
postseason. They are experienced and talented.
*West Delaware, Manchester will be a team to watch just because of B.J. Hermsen.
This talented junior forward is a tough matchup for the opposition and is easily
among the top athletes in the Class of 2008. But Hermsen and the Hawks
will need to pick up their play and be more consistent down the stretch if they
hope to play with the top dogs in this substate.
Sleeper Team: Crestwood, Cresco
Considering their success in the past few years and that they have surprised the
top two predicted teams in this substate, this could be a sleeper.
Substate Champions: Waverly-Shell Rock
Vette and company will be too motivated to fall short of spending the week in
Des Moines at State.
Predictions:
1.)
Waverly-Shell Rock
2.)
Waukon
3.)
West Delaware, Manchester
4.)
Charles City
5.)
Decorah
6.)
Crestwood, Cresco
7.)
New Hampton
8.)
Oelwein
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
Class 3A - Substate 4[/URL]
Here is a look at how all the current teams in Substate Four
Anamosa
Dewitt
Western Dubuque
Maquoketa
Marion
Mount Vernon
Dubuque Wahlert
Cedar Rapids Xavier
How did Substate 4 do at the State tournament?
Cedar Rapids Xavier
Lost to MOC-Floyd Valley in the quarterfinals (65-62)
Quick Overview:
In a substate with three teams at or around the .500 level, four with
outstanding records, and one without a win, anything could happen in this
substate.
Team Breakdowns:
*After a four game win streak, Anamosa has lost three straight and have some
brutal games to finish the schedule. Their record currently sits at 8-8
but they need to start playing how they were in January. The Blue Raiders
are a tough pick for the postseason because they have been inconsistent for most
of the year. They have been on some nice winning streaks but coming to
play every night will help you earn a berth at State.
*Dewitt has continued to build a basketball top basketball program and that
means the team can reload year to year. This season is no different as the
Sabers sit among the top teams in their conference and hope to top that off with
a run to the State tournament. Brett Mangan and Kramer Steffens have
combined to average over twenty five points per game and have led this team
throughout the year. Their play will be vital to see how far Dewitt can
get in the postseason.
*Western Dubuque is the perfect example that schools can through stretches of
having the best in the state and then just a few years later they struggle.
At most high schools, this type of thing happens. In 2001, the Bobcats
took home the Class 3A State basketball title. I 2007, the team has yet to
win their first game. Most programs have to take lumps at times and
hopefully this team can bounce back.
*After starting the year 0-4, Maquoketa has bounced back and has been playing
solid team basketball. The Cardinals are once again led by a deep senior
class. Luke Patterson has been leading the team in scoring but Brad Cook
and Reid Keeney have also been averaging double digits. They have beaten
Marion, Dewitt, and Benton at times, three teams with very good records.
If they can come to play like they did in those games, this team could be a
darkhorse.
*Marion is a tough team to predict because I for one thought they would be able
to run away with the conference title. Led by a talented group of seniors,
the Indians have been very balanced in the scoring column all year and have
consistently had four players putting points on the board. The Indians are
playing their best basketball of the year and have won six straight games
heading into their final regular season games.
*With a new coach and few players returning from a .500 team, few expected Mount Vernon
to be above .500. The Mustangs have proven myself and other experts wrong
as they sport a 15-4 record and have been the only team that has beaten Solon
this year. The team had a rough stretch during the middle of the year but
has reeled off seven straight victories. What makes this run even more
impressive is how young this team is. The future is bright for the
Mustangs.
*Dubuque Wahlert has really done a nice job replacing a strong senior class from
last year and that team may be even better this time around. Junior bigman
Drew Davis and a host of other talented athletes have raised their game this
year and done an outstanding job competing in the MVC. The team has won
eight of nine games and their only loss was a one point defeat at Waterloo East.
This team will be tough to beat if they stay focused in the playoffs.
*Cedar Rapids Xavier has made the State tournament the last few years and it
seems like they get there the exact same way. They finish the season
around the .500 mark and really pick up their play in the playoffs. Along
the way the past few years they have beaten Dewitt, Marion, and a Wahlert team
that always seems to have a better record than they do. Jay Teply has been
a load to stop inside and this team is athletic as well.
Sleeper Team: Cedar Rapids Xavier
Yes, their prediction is probably too low but they are a team that I would not
want to see in the first round.
Substate Champions: Dubuque Wahlert
Is this finally the year that Wahlert gets back to the State tournament?
They appear headed that way right now.
Predictions:
1.)
Dubuque Wahlert
2.)
Dewitt
3.)
Marion
4.)
Mount Vernon
5.)
Cedar Rapids Xavier
6.)
Anamosa
7.)
Western Dubuque
8.)
Maquoketa
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
Class 3A - Substate 5[/URL]
Here is a look at how all the current teams in Substate Five
Benton, Van Horne
Clear Creek-Amana
Grinnell
Independence
South Tama County, Tama
Vinton-Shellsburg
West Liberty
Williamsburg
How did Substate 5 do at the State tournament?
Grinnell
Defeated Cresco-Crestwood in the quarterfinals (72-54)
Lost to MOC-Floyd Valley in the semifinals (72-57)
Defeated Creston in the consolation game (45-44)
Quick Overview:
When the top two teams in the substate have seven losses, anything is up for
grabs. I know if I was a team in Substate 4, I wouldn't be thrilled seeing
these pairings.
Team Breakdowns:
*After starting the year in impressive fashion at 9-2, Benton, Van Horne has
limped down the stretch and has only won twice in their last seven games.
The good news for the Bobcats is that they were just able to beat a good West
Delaware team and have three games down the stretch that are very winnable.
If they can take care of business in those games, Benton could go into the
playoffs with a four game winning streak and momentum to do some damage.
*All five of the games that Clear Creek-Amana has won have been against Wilton,
West Liberty, and West Branch. Obviously there is a theme there but the
Clippers need to be able to play more consistent against other opponents.
Kyle Schumacher has been tough to stop and sophomore Alex Novak has really
stepped up this year. But those around them need to step up if this team
wants to pull off any upsets in the playoffs.
*Coming off of a 25-2 season that saw them finish as the third best team in 3A, Grinnell
appeared to have all the pieces to make another run at the State title.
The Tigers were ranked among the top five teams and had big game experience from
the football season as well. But things have not worked out as planned for
the team. They have lost seven games on the year, including their last
three. But with a substate with so many question marks, they are still the
favorites.
*The one thing that Independence has on their side is senior Brad Arnold.
This outstanding scorer is one of the leading scorers in Iowa and has been
putting up over twenty two points per game. Along the way, Arnold has
helped his team to a better record this season as well. There have been
some big wins along the way for the Mustangs but they need to break out of their
recent slump.
*In the Little Hawkeye conference, things have not been going as well as hoped
this year for South Tama County, Tama. The Trojans have only been able to
win two games and have been blown out in many others. The team gets a
chance to play Benton this weekend so they can prove if they are ready to be one
and done in the playoffs or shock some teams and send them home early.
*Vinton-Shellsburg changed coaches in the off-season and graduated one of the
best players in school history. And despite all of that, the team has won
three of their last four and that includes a win against Benton. The
Vikings may have finally turned the corner and that does not bode well for the
opposition. If they can win out against Waterloo Columbus and Clear
Creek-Amana, they can go into the playoffs with some confidence.
*West Liberty has been having their problems down the stretch this season and
has been getting beaten badly by the opposition. Clear Creek-Amana, who
only has five wins on the year, recently beat them by twenty eight points.
A big part of their struggles is the younger players having to play early.
Justin Meyers, despite only being a sophomore, has been scoring more than
thirteen points a game and has a bright future. The Comets may take their
lumps now but watch out in the future.
*Williamsburg was a slow starter this year but is working hard to finish strong.
The team started the year 1-8 but has won three of their last four and avenging
losses that happened earlier in the year. Michael O'Rourke has been the
leading scorer for the Raiders team that has also played a lot of inexperienced
players. Time will tell if that helps them now that they are familiar
to the varsity level.
Sleeper Team: Benton
This substate has so many question marks around it that Benton is the sleeper.
If they can get past Grinnell, they may be able to get to State.
Substate Champions: Grinnell
The Tigers can thank their season last year for this substate pairing.
Much more was expected out of the team but they have not been able to play as
well as hoped. But if they can get to State, watch out. The talent
is still there.
Predictions:
1.)
Grinnell
2.)
Benton, Van Horne
3.)
Williamsburg
4.)
Independence
5.)
Vinton-Shellsburg
6.)
Clear Creek-Amana
7.)
West Liberty
8.)
South Tama County, Tama
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
Class 3A - Substate 6[/URL]
Here is a look at how all the current teams in Substate Six
Albia
Centerville
Davis County
Fairfield
Fort Madison
Keokuk
Mount Pleasant
Washington
How did Substate 6 do at the State tournament?
Washington
Lost to Creston in the quarterfinals (63-48)
Quick Overview:
Many expected Washington to be the favorite considering the talent and
experience they had returning. Now that the playoffs are almost here,
there are a lot of question marks surrounding all of the teams, including the
Demons.
Team Breakdowns:
*Albia has done a really nice job in conference and that has shown in their
7-2 record. But the team has struggled against other opponents that they
are not as familar with. Mike Strasko and Jason Crall have been leading
the team in scoring but they must show prove they can put points up against all
opponents. And with so many solid teams in this substate, it could be
difficult.
*Throughout the entire 2006-2007 season, Centerville has only been on two
winning streaks and two losing streaks. Considering there were nineteen
games played during so far, that is quite impressive. The Big Reds have
been struggling as of late and have lost seven straight. The team finishes
the regular season against Class 4A opponent Ottumwa in a game that will not be
easy to get any momentum back.
*They may not have been playing with the consistency that Centerville has had, Davis County
has been inconsistent throughout the year. They have only won back to back
games once and that was by a combined nine points. But the Mustangs were
able to beat Albia so they may have what it takes to advance in the postseason.
The problem is that they must prove they can stop the opposition if that is the
case.
*With Woody Orne in the final stages of what seems like a decade long high
school basketball career, Fairfield will finally try to get to Des Moines and
play at State. They have won three straight and end the season against
defeated Fort Madison, which should provide them with some playoff momentum.
But the team is 10-10 overall and has not been able to play consistent over a
long stretch of time. The Trojans have the talent to do it but it won't be
easy.
*Fort Madison had a coaching change over the off-season and was hit hard by
graduation last year and it has shown this year. The team is winless and
has played only one game closer than ten points. But the postseason is
where records are not supposed to matter. The Bloodhounds do have a chance
to pull off one of the biggest surprises in 3A if they can win a game.
*Keokuk, like just about every team in this district, is loaded with athletes
but has been wildly inconsistent on the basketball court. The Chiefs
currently sit at 10-10 on the year but their games against Fairfield show how
different this team is at times in the year. In the first matchup, they
won 84-49 in a blowout. Their most recent game, which was last week, was
lost 74-54. But considering they lost their leading scorer before the
season got underway, the team has done a nice job having players step up.
*With two sophomores and two seniors leading the way scoring wise, Mount Pleasant
has an interesting mix of players making an impact at the varsity level.
Jordan Cotton, Jacob Rhode, and a number of other standouts have been doing most
of the scoring. The Panthers have a tough schedule down the stretch with
Burlington and Washington. They may see the Demons in the playoffs once
again but these will be two tough tests for the team.
*After an impressive run last year that saw Washington make it to State and
return most of their players, many were expecting this team to stay ranked all
season. But with some inconsistent play early on that may have been caused
by the late end to football, the team appears to have gotten past that.
Since the end of January, the Demons have won six straight heading into their
final two games against Pella and Mount Pleasant. While neither game will
be easy, there is a lot on the line in both games.
Sleeper Team: Mount Pleasant
With such a young team, Mount Pleasant could pay Washington back for last year.
Substate Champions: Washington
The Demons are athletic, experienced, and talented. This substate is very
open for them to take.
Predictions:
1.)
Washington
2.)
Fairfield
3.)
Mount Pleasant
4.)
Keokuk
5.)
Albia
6.)
Centerville
7.)
Davis County
8.)
Fort Madison
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
Class 3A - Substate 7[/URL]
Here is a look at how all the current teams in Substate Seven
Carlisle
Chariton
Clarke, Osceola
Knoxville
Norwalk
Pella
Saydel
Winterset
How did Substate 7 do at the State tournament?
N/A
Quick Overview:
Despite having a team that has a 17-2 record overall in this substate, it is
still a question if Clarke Osceola is the favorite to get to State.
Team Breakdowns:
*Despite having to play a lot of younger athletes, Carlisle is only four
games under .500 and has some nice victories on the year. The team has had
five players step up as consistent scorers and that group includes two juniors,
two sophomores, and one freshman. If the Wildcats can find other players
who can put points on the board, they will be tough in the future. The
problem is that they have to take their lumps now.
*When considering the postseason chances of Chariton, what makes it tough is
that they have spent most of the year playing against teams that are smaller in
size. That has helped the Chargers to a solid 13-6 record, which is one of
the best in this substate, but there are a lot of questions surrounding that
mark. Riley Westman, Michael Lahart, Daniel Knust, and Kyle Carpenter all
must step up their game if Chariton wants to be a real player against these
teams.
*Clarke, Osceola is another team that has a lot of controversy surrounding their
schedule. The most important thing to note is that the Indians have taken
care of business in most of their games and currently sport a 17-2 record.
Senior Brad Burgus has been putting up monster numbers and is one of the leading
scorers in the state. But will their schedule that faces a lot of 2A and
lower 3A teams help them against teams like Pella and Norwalk? Time will
tell but it should be interesting to follow.
*Knoxville has had some struggles on the basketball court this year and a lot of
that has to do with scoring. Their highest point total of the year is 59
in a win against Newton but the team has routinely been held in the forties most
games. Jimmy Goff has been leading the Panthers in scoring at around
twelve points per game. One advantage that the team does have is momentum
with wins in their final three of four regular season games.
*Considering the high amounts of youth in the Norwalk lineup, it is no wonder
that this team is playing their best basketball of the year now. The
Warriors have had four consistent scorers on the year in Alex Dorr, Jacob
Petersen, Isaiah Roth, and Matt Dermody. The scary thing about that is
three of those four are sophomores and really starting to come on this year.
They have swept Pella and handed Clarke one of their two losses on the year.
*After being among my top ten in the IowaPreps.com preseason poll, Pella started
the year 4-5 and did not look like a team with any chance of making the State
tournament. And although Norwalk has been the only team to beat the Dutch
in their last ten games, they are playing some outstanding basketball.
Future Creighton Bluejay Kaleb Korver has been leading a balanced attack in
scoring at eleven points per game and has the team headed in the right
direction.
*The positive for Saydel is that they did just get their first win over the
season against West Central. The problem is the team lost nineteen
straight before this past weekend. Jeff Schlegel has been leading a
team that is laden with youth. The Eagles have been forced to play a
number of younger athletes and that has hurt their win total. It may help
in the long run but they are taking their lumps now.
*With Andy Pickering in his first year as head coach, Winterset is likely headed
in the right direction. The problem is that his North Mahaska teams of the
past have not lost thirteen games in quite sometime and were at four straight
State tournaments. But this is a new team and a new challenge.
Junior Josh Henry has been the go to scorer all year long and has been pouring
in over twenty points per game. That scoring will be needed if this team
wants to advance in the playoffs.
Sleeper Team: Clarke/Norwalk
Clarke because few considers them a State title contender and Norwalk because
they are so young.
Substate Champions: Pella
I see the third time being the charm for Pella to beat Norwalk and the way they
are playing shows they want to get to State.
Predictions:
1.)
Pella
2.)
Norwalk
3.)
Clarke, Osceola
4.)
Chariton
5.)
Winterset
6.)
Knoxville
7.)
Carlisle
8.)
Saydel
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
Class 3A - Substate 8[/URL]
Here is a look at how all the current teams in Substate Eight
ADM-Adel
Atlantic
Clarinda
Creston
Dallas Center-Grimes
Glenwood
Harlan
Perry
How did Substate 2 do at the State tournament?
Harlan
Defeated Waverly-Shell Rock in the quarterfinals (53-45)
Defeated Creston in the semifinals (42-41)
Defeated MOC-Floyd Valley in the championship game (86-79, OT)
Quick Overview:
When you have a team that is undefeated and defending the State title, my
guess is that they would be the favorite.
Team Breakdowns:
*After starting the year 2-3, ADM-Adel has won thirteen of fourteen games
and that loss was to a highly rated Carroll team. And although they were
lumped into the worst substate possible considering some of the competition,
this team has a very bright future. The Tigers currently have four players
averaging in double digits and all are juniors or sophomores. That type of
youth will only get better with the more games they get under their belt and it
has been showing this year.
*Atlantic has a solid record on the year that is above .500 but their longest
winning streak of the winter has only been three games. Considering they
have won double digit games, that is somewhat of a surprise. If they are
serious about playing the role of dark horse in the postseason, the Trojans must
prove they can put points on the board every night.
*Although they have struggled this year, Clarinda has won three of their last
five games but will have their hands full in the season finale this weekend
against Harlan. This may not be their year but the next top scorer for the
Cardinals may be Cy Williams. This talented sophomore has been putting up
around fifteen points per game and that is impressive considering his age.
He will need players to step up around him as well if this team wants to compete
in the future.
*With how hard Creston was hit by graduation, head coach Jim Calkins should get
a lot of credit for the job he has done this year. The team has lost only
four games this year. Two were in the first four games of the year and the
other two were against #1 rated Harlan. The Panthers fell short to the
Cyclones in each of their recent games but will be hoping that the third time is
the charm if they face off once again with a trip to State on the line.
*Dallas Center-Grimes has been the type of team that has been fighting to
distant themselves from the .500 mark but has not been able to quite do it.
The team has been somewhat inconsistent while following wins up with losses and
vice versa. Tyler Halcomb, Brock Yossi, and Bryan Griffith have combined
to average nearly thirty five points per game. This trio has had a major
impact on the team this winter.
*Glenwood started the year losing straight and then followed that up by
winning their next four games. That shows that the Rams have not been able
to play with the consistency over the entire season that they had hoped coming
in. One thing that this team must prove in the postseason is that they can
play with the big boys like Harlan and Creston. That will determine how
far they can advance.
*If Harlan head coach Mitch Osborn continues to stay in the high school game an
extended period of time, he may end up breaking a lot of coaching records in
Iowa. He has already won a number of State titles, including two of the
last three with the Cyclones. And once again, they are the favorites.
Neil Gross, Brad Blum, Daniel Hoch, and Kyle Haacke have been the top four
scorers all year for the team. Others have stepped up outside of them but
they have been the most consistent scorers all year.
*With a senior laden team, Perry has not been able to achieve the type of season
that they had hoped. But the postseason is where records are erased and
the Bluejays have a chance to make up for the regular season. Alex Hoffman
and Jackson Whiton have been the leaders of this team for the past few years and
they will get as far as they can take this squad.
Sleeper Team: ADM-Adel
With their youth and the way they have been playing, this team could shock
people.
Substate Champions: Harlan
The Cyclones are too talented, too well coached, and too athletic. Is it
another title for the team?
Predictions:
1.)
Harlan
2.)
Creston
3.)
ADM-Adel
4.)
Dallas Center-Grimes
5.)
Perry
6.)
Glenwood
7.)
Atlantic
8.)
Clarinda
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
If these predictions turn out to be true, here are the eight State
tournament teams:
Sioux City Heelan
Humboldt
Waverly-Shell Rock
Dubuque Wahlert
Grinnell
Washington
Pella
Harlan
Agree/disagree with the picks? Talk about it now!
This post was edited on 2/20 11:45 AM by LukeFeddersenif(GetAdminCookie() != 0) {document.write(' (Revisions[/URL])');}
Here is a look at how all the current teams in
Substate One
Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City
Denison-Schleswig
LeMars
MOC-Floyd Valley
Sergeant Bluff-Luton
Spencer
Spirit Lake
Storm Lake
How
did Substate 1 do at the State tournament?
MOC-Floyd Valley
Defeated Cedar Rapids Xavier in the quarterfinals (65-62)
Defeated Grinnell in the semifinals (72-57)
Lost to Harlan in the championship game (86-79, OT)
Quick Overview:
With two currently top ten rated teams in Sioux City Heelan and LeMars plus
one squad that has played in the last two title games (MOC-Floyd Valley), this
district definitely has a lot of talented teams.
Team Breakdowns:
*Coming into the season, Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City had a very known
commodity in wing guard Clint Sargent. This standout is in his third year
at the varsity level and signed a Letter of Intent with South Dakota State in
the fall. But the player who has really stepped up his game this year is
sophomore bigman Brennan Cougill. At 6-foot-9, 260 pounds, few players in
Iowa can matchup with him and that is obvious as he has been pouring in over
seventeen points per game.
*Denison-Schleswig has had some major struggles on the basketball court this
year and that has a lot to do with their inability to score. In three of
their victories, they have been able to score around sixty points per game.
Their losses have been another story as the Monarchs have been not hitting the
shots they need to win games. Unless they can change that, it doesn't bode
well for the team in the playoffs.
*LeMars was able to beat Heelan in the season opener and have been led all year
by a deep and athletic senior class. Jared Clement, who also doubles as
one of the top runners in track, is putting up nearly twenty five points per
game and scoring in just about every way imaginable. The Bulldogs also
other boast others who can put points on the board but have spent most of the
year deferring to Clement.
*It doesn't matter if Dale DeJong is at point guard for the team,
MOC-Floyd Valley is a basketball powerhouse who really could shock many and make
it back to State. The Dutchmen have won eight of their last nine games
after playing inconsistent early and have shown they can play with the big boys
in this substate. The team has been in more big games than any team in
Class 3A over the past two years and that could help their case.
*Sergeant Bluff-Luton has been having a solid year on the basketball court but
have been stuck in the same district with three of the top teams in this class.
Senior Derek Moore has made a case this year for All State honors as he has been
consistently pouring in around twenty points per game. He has been an
important force for the Warriors and will need to continue his play as in the
season finale this weekend.
*Spencer is yet another team in this district that you cannot sleep on.
They are a young team that unlike many of their counterparts in this substate
are very balanced in scoring. The Tigers have five players who have proven
they can step up when needed and that could help them surprise some people in
the playoffs. With only one senior among their top five, they may be one
year away.
*Spirit Lake guard Syd Bergquist has not been putting up quite the scoring
numbers he did as a junior but he is working hard to become a complete player.
That means he has been looking for open teammates and doing a nice job
distributing the ball. So far, it looks like it has paid off for the
Indians as their record is much improved over last winter and they are playing
more consistent basketball.
*After a quick 2-0 start on the year,
Storm Lake has had their struggles winning games this season. A big part
of their struggles has been their defense. They have been giving up over
seventy points per game quite frequently and that has hurt them in the long run.
The Tornadoes have a tough game to end the regular season as well as they play
host to LeMars.
Sleeper Team:
MOC-Floyd Valley
I really think that few people are looking at this team to make State and that
could help them in a major way.
Substate Champions: Sioux City Heelan
Now that Sargent is finally a senior, he will want nothing more than to play in
Des Moines. It will not be an easy road getting there.
Predictions:
1.)
Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City
2.)
LeMars
3.)
MOC-Floyd Valley
4.)
Spencer
5.)
Sergeant Bluff-Luton
6.)
Spirit Lake
7.)
Denison-Schleswig
8.)
Storm Lake
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
Class 3A - [/URL]Substate 2
Here is a look at how all the current teams in Substate Two
Algona
Ballard, Huxley
Carroll
Clear Lake
Forest City
Humboldt
Nevada
Webster City
How did Substate 2 do at the State tournament?
N/A
Quick Overview:
This is a substate that when you look at all the top teams in this group,
you shake your head because of the pairings. This substate may be one of
the deepest from top to bottom and has many teams capable of capturing the berth
to State.
Team Breakdowns:
*Despite being 8-11, Algona will be going to the playoffs with the worst
record in this substate. That really shows how deep the other teams are
but is unfortunate for the Bulldogs. After starting the year 4-1 and
winning four straight early, this team has failed to find the type of consistent
play that they showed early. The Algona offense has been balanced all year
but players need to step up once the playoffs get underway.
*Ballard, Huxley is a team that started the year off quick at 9-2, which
included being ranked, but seems to have faded down the stretch. Part of
that may be because two of their top players, Patrick Truby and Alex Spielman,
have missed time this year and that has made an impact. One athlete who
has really stepped up this year is Brice Petersen. This talented junior
has made the most of his time and is averaging over sixteen points per game.
*If there is one thing that an early season loss did for
Carroll is to allow them to refocus and take things one game at a time.
All Stater Kirby Pettitt put a lot of time in during the off-season to improve
and that has been very evident this winter. He is scoring eighteen points
per game and has taken over a leadership role that someone needed to step into.
The Tigers have a big test with the talented teams in this substate.
*Clear Lake has been an interesting team to follow this year. They started
the season stronger than many thought they would after a long football season.
Then the Lions struggled during most of the month of Januauary but have worked
hard to turn things around this month. Bobby Hayes and a strong senior
class have been doing a lot of the scoring. They will need to come to play
this weekend as they take on #1 Humboldt.
*Forest City is nearing the postseason and comes in with an outstanding record.
They have had a lot of success on the court over the last few years but have
been unable to carry that success over into the playoffs. Brett and Tyler
Putz are putting up around forty points together but the problem is that few
other teammates have shown that they can consistently score. Having to
rely on two options in the playoffs will be tough, but it has been done before.
*Humboldt did not let their State title on the football field have any effect on
the basketball season as they are undefeated and ranked as the #2 in the state.
The Class of 2007 for the Wildcats had been hyped up for sometime and they took
care of business on the football field this fall. Will they do the same on
the basketball court? This is a team that has played in a lot of big games
over the past few years. That will help their cause.
*Another team that is loaded with seniors is
Nevada. Forward Tyson Handsaker has been having the type of year that many
expected him to have. He is averaging over seventeen points per game while
showing his ability to spread the ball around. The Cubs have been the only
team to beat Carroll this year and have been playing some great basketball.
The problem is that with this substate so loaded, it will be a handful to get
past Humboldt and Carroll.
*At 9-10 overall,
Webster City has the second worst record in this substate. The team has
been led by senior Caleb Luckow and they have had some big games this year.
Recently the Lynx played undefeated Humboldt to their tightest game of the year
in a one point loss. Does that mean that the team will play that well in
the postseason or was Humboldt sleep walking through the game? We will
find out the real answer to that in the playoffs.
Sleeper Team: Everyone but Humboldt and Carroll
One of those top two teams is expected to get to State. So everyone else
can be considered the sleepers in here.
Substate Champions: Humboldt
Yes, their one point wins against Webster City and Iowa Falls do scare me.
But if the Wildcats can take it one game at a time, their big game experience
and athleticism can help them to the State tournament.
Predictions:
1.)
Humboldt
2.)
Carroll
3.)
Nevada
4.)
Clear Lake
5.)
Forest City
6.)
Ballard, Huxley
7.)
Webster City
8.)
Algona
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
Class 3A - Substate 3[/URL]
Here is a look at how all the current teams in Substate Three
Charles City
Crestwood, Cresco
Decorah
New Hampton
Oelwein
Waukon
Waverly-Shell Rock
West Delaware, Manchester
How did Substate 3 do at the State tournament?
Waverly-Shell Rock
Lost to Harlan in the quarterfinals (53-45)
Cresco-Crestwood
Lost to Grinnell in the quarterfinals (72-54)
Quick Overview:
With Waverly-Shell Rock having made the State tournament and bringing back
the best player in this substate, the Go Hawks will be tough to beat.
Team Breakdowns:
*After losing their top two scorers last year, Charles City has done a nice
job reloading the guard core and has continued to stay successful this year.
Corey Hoeft and future South Dakota State football player Erich Feller has been
averaging over twenty five points per contest but after that, the Comets have
had struggles putting points on the board. They are currently six games
over the .500 and could be a darkhorse in this substate race.
*Yes, Crestwood, Cresco has only won five games this year but two have been
among the biggest upsets this year in Class 3A. Despite that 5-14 record,
the Cadets have come to play in their upsets wins against Waverly-Shell Rock and
Waukon. That shows that this team can play with anyone and really is a
scary playoff matchup. It is tough to predict them doing much damage in
the playoffs but whoever they play will have their hands full.
*With a new coach at the helm and a lot of inexperienced players, Decorah has
been taking their lumps on the basketball court this season. Sophomore
Brett Van Sloten, who is also an excellent football player, has been scoring
fifteen points per game and has the size and strength that is tough to defend
inside. The Vikings have won their last two games but have a tough test
this weekend against Waverly-Shell Rock.
*New Hampton is another team that has struggled at times during the season but
have won their last two and that includes a victory against Charles City.
Jordan Moore, despite only being a sophomore, has shined this year for the team
and has been the only consistent scorer for the Chickasaws. He has been
scoring sixteen points per game but will really need to step up his production
if the team wants to make a playoff run.
*A big part of the struggles that Oelwein is going through this year is growing
pains. The top five scorers on the team are sophomores and juniors, most
of whom did not come into the season which much varsity experience under their
belts. The Huskies two wins this year have come against Decorah and New
Hampton, both teams in this substate. But the team needs to step up their
game offensively.
*After winning five games in a row, Waukon did not come to play against Cresco
and fell for the fourth time of the year. That was a shocking loss and
shows that if this team does not come ready to play, they will be fall early in
the playoffs. One thing that is a positive for the Indians is that they
are a senior laden team. Ryan Jones, who has is now a varsity veteran, is
a tough matchup and has been scoring the most on a nightly basis.
*Everyone reading this should know about Waverly-Shell Rock already. In
Tom Bardal's first year at the helm, the Go Hawks made a run to State that
eventually ended in the first round to Harlan (Who did take home the title).
Bardal said in an interview last winter that he felt that this was the year the
team could do damage in Des Moines. And with Clayton Vette finally a
senior, don't be shocked if this team proves difficult to slow down in the
postseason. They are experienced and talented.
*West Delaware, Manchester will be a team to watch just because of B.J. Hermsen.
This talented junior forward is a tough matchup for the opposition and is easily
among the top athletes in the Class of 2008. But Hermsen and the Hawks
will need to pick up their play and be more consistent down the stretch if they
hope to play with the top dogs in this substate.
Sleeper Team: Crestwood, Cresco
Considering their success in the past few years and that they have surprised the
top two predicted teams in this substate, this could be a sleeper.
Substate Champions: Waverly-Shell Rock
Vette and company will be too motivated to fall short of spending the week in
Des Moines at State.
Predictions:
1.)
Waverly-Shell Rock
2.)
Waukon
3.)
West Delaware, Manchester
4.)
Charles City
5.)
Decorah
6.)
Crestwood, Cresco
7.)
New Hampton
8.)
Oelwein
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
Class 3A - Substate 4[/URL]
Here is a look at how all the current teams in Substate Four
Anamosa
Dewitt
Western Dubuque
Maquoketa
Marion
Mount Vernon
Dubuque Wahlert
Cedar Rapids Xavier
How did Substate 4 do at the State tournament?
Cedar Rapids Xavier
Lost to MOC-Floyd Valley in the quarterfinals (65-62)
Quick Overview:
In a substate with three teams at or around the .500 level, four with
outstanding records, and one without a win, anything could happen in this
substate.
Team Breakdowns:
*After a four game win streak, Anamosa has lost three straight and have some
brutal games to finish the schedule. Their record currently sits at 8-8
but they need to start playing how they were in January. The Blue Raiders
are a tough pick for the postseason because they have been inconsistent for most
of the year. They have been on some nice winning streaks but coming to
play every night will help you earn a berth at State.
*Dewitt has continued to build a basketball top basketball program and that
means the team can reload year to year. This season is no different as the
Sabers sit among the top teams in their conference and hope to top that off with
a run to the State tournament. Brett Mangan and Kramer Steffens have
combined to average over twenty five points per game and have led this team
throughout the year. Their play will be vital to see how far Dewitt can
get in the postseason.
*Western Dubuque is the perfect example that schools can through stretches of
having the best in the state and then just a few years later they struggle.
At most high schools, this type of thing happens. In 2001, the Bobcats
took home the Class 3A State basketball title. I 2007, the team has yet to
win their first game. Most programs have to take lumps at times and
hopefully this team can bounce back.
*After starting the year 0-4, Maquoketa has bounced back and has been playing
solid team basketball. The Cardinals are once again led by a deep senior
class. Luke Patterson has been leading the team in scoring but Brad Cook
and Reid Keeney have also been averaging double digits. They have beaten
Marion, Dewitt, and Benton at times, three teams with very good records.
If they can come to play like they did in those games, this team could be a
darkhorse.
*Marion is a tough team to predict because I for one thought they would be able
to run away with the conference title. Led by a talented group of seniors,
the Indians have been very balanced in the scoring column all year and have
consistently had four players putting points on the board. The Indians are
playing their best basketball of the year and have won six straight games
heading into their final regular season games.
*With a new coach and few players returning from a .500 team, few expected Mount Vernon
to be above .500. The Mustangs have proven myself and other experts wrong
as they sport a 15-4 record and have been the only team that has beaten Solon
this year. The team had a rough stretch during the middle of the year but
has reeled off seven straight victories. What makes this run even more
impressive is how young this team is. The future is bright for the
Mustangs.
*Dubuque Wahlert has really done a nice job replacing a strong senior class from
last year and that team may be even better this time around. Junior bigman
Drew Davis and a host of other talented athletes have raised their game this
year and done an outstanding job competing in the MVC. The team has won
eight of nine games and their only loss was a one point defeat at Waterloo East.
This team will be tough to beat if they stay focused in the playoffs.
*Cedar Rapids Xavier has made the State tournament the last few years and it
seems like they get there the exact same way. They finish the season
around the .500 mark and really pick up their play in the playoffs. Along
the way the past few years they have beaten Dewitt, Marion, and a Wahlert team
that always seems to have a better record than they do. Jay Teply has been
a load to stop inside and this team is athletic as well.
Sleeper Team: Cedar Rapids Xavier
Yes, their prediction is probably too low but they are a team that I would not
want to see in the first round.
Substate Champions: Dubuque Wahlert
Is this finally the year that Wahlert gets back to the State tournament?
They appear headed that way right now.
Predictions:
1.)
Dubuque Wahlert
2.)
Dewitt
3.)
Marion
4.)
Mount Vernon
5.)
Cedar Rapids Xavier
6.)
Anamosa
7.)
Western Dubuque
8.)
Maquoketa
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
Class 3A - Substate 5[/URL]
Here is a look at how all the current teams in Substate Five
Benton, Van Horne
Clear Creek-Amana
Grinnell
Independence
South Tama County, Tama
Vinton-Shellsburg
West Liberty
Williamsburg
How did Substate 5 do at the State tournament?
Grinnell
Defeated Cresco-Crestwood in the quarterfinals (72-54)
Lost to MOC-Floyd Valley in the semifinals (72-57)
Defeated Creston in the consolation game (45-44)
Quick Overview:
When the top two teams in the substate have seven losses, anything is up for
grabs. I know if I was a team in Substate 4, I wouldn't be thrilled seeing
these pairings.
Team Breakdowns:
*After starting the year in impressive fashion at 9-2, Benton, Van Horne has
limped down the stretch and has only won twice in their last seven games.
The good news for the Bobcats is that they were just able to beat a good West
Delaware team and have three games down the stretch that are very winnable.
If they can take care of business in those games, Benton could go into the
playoffs with a four game winning streak and momentum to do some damage.
*All five of the games that Clear Creek-Amana has won have been against Wilton,
West Liberty, and West Branch. Obviously there is a theme there but the
Clippers need to be able to play more consistent against other opponents.
Kyle Schumacher has been tough to stop and sophomore Alex Novak has really
stepped up this year. But those around them need to step up if this team
wants to pull off any upsets in the playoffs.
*Coming off of a 25-2 season that saw them finish as the third best team in 3A, Grinnell
appeared to have all the pieces to make another run at the State title.
The Tigers were ranked among the top five teams and had big game experience from
the football season as well. But things have not worked out as planned for
the team. They have lost seven games on the year, including their last
three. But with a substate with so many question marks, they are still the
favorites.
*The one thing that Independence has on their side is senior Brad Arnold.
This outstanding scorer is one of the leading scorers in Iowa and has been
putting up over twenty two points per game. Along the way, Arnold has
helped his team to a better record this season as well. There have been
some big wins along the way for the Mustangs but they need to break out of their
recent slump.
*In the Little Hawkeye conference, things have not been going as well as hoped
this year for South Tama County, Tama. The Trojans have only been able to
win two games and have been blown out in many others. The team gets a
chance to play Benton this weekend so they can prove if they are ready to be one
and done in the playoffs or shock some teams and send them home early.
*Vinton-Shellsburg changed coaches in the off-season and graduated one of the
best players in school history. And despite all of that, the team has won
three of their last four and that includes a win against Benton. The
Vikings may have finally turned the corner and that does not bode well for the
opposition. If they can win out against Waterloo Columbus and Clear
Creek-Amana, they can go into the playoffs with some confidence.
*West Liberty has been having their problems down the stretch this season and
has been getting beaten badly by the opposition. Clear Creek-Amana, who
only has five wins on the year, recently beat them by twenty eight points.
A big part of their struggles is the younger players having to play early.
Justin Meyers, despite only being a sophomore, has been scoring more than
thirteen points a game and has a bright future. The Comets may take their
lumps now but watch out in the future.
*Williamsburg was a slow starter this year but is working hard to finish strong.
The team started the year 1-8 but has won three of their last four and avenging
losses that happened earlier in the year. Michael O'Rourke has been the
leading scorer for the Raiders team that has also played a lot of inexperienced
players. Time will tell if that helps them now that they are familiar
to the varsity level.
Sleeper Team: Benton
This substate has so many question marks around it that Benton is the sleeper.
If they can get past Grinnell, they may be able to get to State.
Substate Champions: Grinnell
The Tigers can thank their season last year for this substate pairing.
Much more was expected out of the team but they have not been able to play as
well as hoped. But if they can get to State, watch out. The talent
is still there.
Predictions:
1.)
Grinnell
2.)
Benton, Van Horne
3.)
Williamsburg
4.)
Independence
5.)
Vinton-Shellsburg
6.)
Clear Creek-Amana
7.)
West Liberty
8.)
South Tama County, Tama
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
Class 3A - Substate 6[/URL]
Here is a look at how all the current teams in Substate Six
Albia
Centerville
Davis County
Fairfield
Fort Madison
Keokuk
Mount Pleasant
Washington
How did Substate 6 do at the State tournament?
Washington
Lost to Creston in the quarterfinals (63-48)
Quick Overview:
Many expected Washington to be the favorite considering the talent and
experience they had returning. Now that the playoffs are almost here,
there are a lot of question marks surrounding all of the teams, including the
Demons.
Team Breakdowns:
*Albia has done a really nice job in conference and that has shown in their
7-2 record. But the team has struggled against other opponents that they
are not as familar with. Mike Strasko and Jason Crall have been leading
the team in scoring but they must show prove they can put points up against all
opponents. And with so many solid teams in this substate, it could be
difficult.
*Throughout the entire 2006-2007 season, Centerville has only been on two
winning streaks and two losing streaks. Considering there were nineteen
games played during so far, that is quite impressive. The Big Reds have
been struggling as of late and have lost seven straight. The team finishes
the regular season against Class 4A opponent Ottumwa in a game that will not be
easy to get any momentum back.
*They may not have been playing with the consistency that Centerville has had, Davis County
has been inconsistent throughout the year. They have only won back to back
games once and that was by a combined nine points. But the Mustangs were
able to beat Albia so they may have what it takes to advance in the postseason.
The problem is that they must prove they can stop the opposition if that is the
case.
*With Woody Orne in the final stages of what seems like a decade long high
school basketball career, Fairfield will finally try to get to Des Moines and
play at State. They have won three straight and end the season against
defeated Fort Madison, which should provide them with some playoff momentum.
But the team is 10-10 overall and has not been able to play consistent over a
long stretch of time. The Trojans have the talent to do it but it won't be
easy.
*Fort Madison had a coaching change over the off-season and was hit hard by
graduation last year and it has shown this year. The team is winless and
has played only one game closer than ten points. But the postseason is
where records are not supposed to matter. The Bloodhounds do have a chance
to pull off one of the biggest surprises in 3A if they can win a game.
*Keokuk, like just about every team in this district, is loaded with athletes
but has been wildly inconsistent on the basketball court. The Chiefs
currently sit at 10-10 on the year but their games against Fairfield show how
different this team is at times in the year. In the first matchup, they
won 84-49 in a blowout. Their most recent game, which was last week, was
lost 74-54. But considering they lost their leading scorer before the
season got underway, the team has done a nice job having players step up.
*With two sophomores and two seniors leading the way scoring wise, Mount Pleasant
has an interesting mix of players making an impact at the varsity level.
Jordan Cotton, Jacob Rhode, and a number of other standouts have been doing most
of the scoring. The Panthers have a tough schedule down the stretch with
Burlington and Washington. They may see the Demons in the playoffs once
again but these will be two tough tests for the team.
*After an impressive run last year that saw Washington make it to State and
return most of their players, many were expecting this team to stay ranked all
season. But with some inconsistent play early on that may have been caused
by the late end to football, the team appears to have gotten past that.
Since the end of January, the Demons have won six straight heading into their
final two games against Pella and Mount Pleasant. While neither game will
be easy, there is a lot on the line in both games.
Sleeper Team: Mount Pleasant
With such a young team, Mount Pleasant could pay Washington back for last year.
Substate Champions: Washington
The Demons are athletic, experienced, and talented. This substate is very
open for them to take.
Predictions:
1.)
Washington
2.)
Fairfield
3.)
Mount Pleasant
4.)
Keokuk
5.)
Albia
6.)
Centerville
7.)
Davis County
8.)
Fort Madison
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
Class 3A - Substate 7[/URL]
Here is a look at how all the current teams in Substate Seven
Carlisle
Chariton
Clarke, Osceola
Knoxville
Norwalk
Pella
Saydel
Winterset
How did Substate 7 do at the State tournament?
N/A
Quick Overview:
Despite having a team that has a 17-2 record overall in this substate, it is
still a question if Clarke Osceola is the favorite to get to State.
Team Breakdowns:
*Despite having to play a lot of younger athletes, Carlisle is only four
games under .500 and has some nice victories on the year. The team has had
five players step up as consistent scorers and that group includes two juniors,
two sophomores, and one freshman. If the Wildcats can find other players
who can put points on the board, they will be tough in the future. The
problem is that they have to take their lumps now.
*When considering the postseason chances of Chariton, what makes it tough is
that they have spent most of the year playing against teams that are smaller in
size. That has helped the Chargers to a solid 13-6 record, which is one of
the best in this substate, but there are a lot of questions surrounding that
mark. Riley Westman, Michael Lahart, Daniel Knust, and Kyle Carpenter all
must step up their game if Chariton wants to be a real player against these
teams.
*Clarke, Osceola is another team that has a lot of controversy surrounding their
schedule. The most important thing to note is that the Indians have taken
care of business in most of their games and currently sport a 17-2 record.
Senior Brad Burgus has been putting up monster numbers and is one of the leading
scorers in the state. But will their schedule that faces a lot of 2A and
lower 3A teams help them against teams like Pella and Norwalk? Time will
tell but it should be interesting to follow.
*Knoxville has had some struggles on the basketball court this year and a lot of
that has to do with scoring. Their highest point total of the year is 59
in a win against Newton but the team has routinely been held in the forties most
games. Jimmy Goff has been leading the Panthers in scoring at around
twelve points per game. One advantage that the team does have is momentum
with wins in their final three of four regular season games.
*Considering the high amounts of youth in the Norwalk lineup, it is no wonder
that this team is playing their best basketball of the year now. The
Warriors have had four consistent scorers on the year in Alex Dorr, Jacob
Petersen, Isaiah Roth, and Matt Dermody. The scary thing about that is
three of those four are sophomores and really starting to come on this year.
They have swept Pella and handed Clarke one of their two losses on the year.
*After being among my top ten in the IowaPreps.com preseason poll, Pella started
the year 4-5 and did not look like a team with any chance of making the State
tournament. And although Norwalk has been the only team to beat the Dutch
in their last ten games, they are playing some outstanding basketball.
Future Creighton Bluejay Kaleb Korver has been leading a balanced attack in
scoring at eleven points per game and has the team headed in the right
direction.
*The positive for Saydel is that they did just get their first win over the
season against West Central. The problem is the team lost nineteen
straight before this past weekend. Jeff Schlegel has been leading a
team that is laden with youth. The Eagles have been forced to play a
number of younger athletes and that has hurt their win total. It may help
in the long run but they are taking their lumps now.
*With Andy Pickering in his first year as head coach, Winterset is likely headed
in the right direction. The problem is that his North Mahaska teams of the
past have not lost thirteen games in quite sometime and were at four straight
State tournaments. But this is a new team and a new challenge.
Junior Josh Henry has been the go to scorer all year long and has been pouring
in over twenty points per game. That scoring will be needed if this team
wants to advance in the playoffs.
Sleeper Team: Clarke/Norwalk
Clarke because few considers them a State title contender and Norwalk because
they are so young.
Substate Champions: Pella
I see the third time being the charm for Pella to beat Norwalk and the way they
are playing shows they want to get to State.
Predictions:
1.)
Pella
2.)
Norwalk
3.)
Clarke, Osceola
4.)
Chariton
5.)
Winterset
6.)
Knoxville
7.)
Carlisle
8.)
Saydel
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
Class 3A - Substate 8[/URL]
Here is a look at how all the current teams in Substate Eight
ADM-Adel
Atlantic
Clarinda
Creston
Dallas Center-Grimes
Glenwood
Harlan
Perry
How did Substate 2 do at the State tournament?
Harlan
Defeated Waverly-Shell Rock in the quarterfinals (53-45)
Defeated Creston in the semifinals (42-41)
Defeated MOC-Floyd Valley in the championship game (86-79, OT)
Quick Overview:
When you have a team that is undefeated and defending the State title, my
guess is that they would be the favorite.
Team Breakdowns:
*After starting the year 2-3, ADM-Adel has won thirteen of fourteen games
and that loss was to a highly rated Carroll team. And although they were
lumped into the worst substate possible considering some of the competition,
this team has a very bright future. The Tigers currently have four players
averaging in double digits and all are juniors or sophomores. That type of
youth will only get better with the more games they get under their belt and it
has been showing this year.
*Atlantic has a solid record on the year that is above .500 but their longest
winning streak of the winter has only been three games. Considering they
have won double digit games, that is somewhat of a surprise. If they are
serious about playing the role of dark horse in the postseason, the Trojans must
prove they can put points on the board every night.
*Although they have struggled this year, Clarinda has won three of their last
five games but will have their hands full in the season finale this weekend
against Harlan. This may not be their year but the next top scorer for the
Cardinals may be Cy Williams. This talented sophomore has been putting up
around fifteen points per game and that is impressive considering his age.
He will need players to step up around him as well if this team wants to compete
in the future.
*With how hard Creston was hit by graduation, head coach Jim Calkins should get
a lot of credit for the job he has done this year. The team has lost only
four games this year. Two were in the first four games of the year and the
other two were against #1 rated Harlan. The Panthers fell short to the
Cyclones in each of their recent games but will be hoping that the third time is
the charm if they face off once again with a trip to State on the line.
*Dallas Center-Grimes has been the type of team that has been fighting to
distant themselves from the .500 mark but has not been able to quite do it.
The team has been somewhat inconsistent while following wins up with losses and
vice versa. Tyler Halcomb, Brock Yossi, and Bryan Griffith have combined
to average nearly thirty five points per game. This trio has had a major
impact on the team this winter.
*Glenwood started the year losing straight and then followed that up by
winning their next four games. That shows that the Rams have not been able
to play with the consistency over the entire season that they had hoped coming
in. One thing that this team must prove in the postseason is that they can
play with the big boys like Harlan and Creston. That will determine how
far they can advance.
*If Harlan head coach Mitch Osborn continues to stay in the high school game an
extended period of time, he may end up breaking a lot of coaching records in
Iowa. He has already won a number of State titles, including two of the
last three with the Cyclones. And once again, they are the favorites.
Neil Gross, Brad Blum, Daniel Hoch, and Kyle Haacke have been the top four
scorers all year for the team. Others have stepped up outside of them but
they have been the most consistent scorers all year.
*With a senior laden team, Perry has not been able to achieve the type of season
that they had hoped. But the postseason is where records are erased and
the Bluejays have a chance to make up for the regular season. Alex Hoffman
and Jackson Whiton have been the leaders of this team for the past few years and
they will get as far as they can take this squad.
Sleeper Team: ADM-Adel
With their youth and the way they have been playing, this team could shock
people.
Substate Champions: Harlan
The Cyclones are too talented, too well coached, and too athletic. Is it
another title for the team?
Predictions:
1.)
Harlan
2.)
Creston
3.)
ADM-Adel
4.)
Dallas Center-Grimes
5.)
Perry
6.)
Glenwood
7.)
Atlantic
8.)
Clarinda
Agree/disagree? Talk about it now!
If these predictions turn out to be true, here are the eight State
tournament teams:
Sioux City Heelan
Humboldt
Waverly-Shell Rock
Dubuque Wahlert
Grinnell
Washington
Pella
Harlan
Agree/disagree with the picks? Talk about it now!
This post was edited on 2/20 11:45 AM by LukeFeddersenif(GetAdminCookie() != 0) {document.write(' (Revisions[/URL])');}
