Iowa Preps previews the players to watch, matchups, and predicts the winners for the Class 4A State tournament first round now!
Matchup: #1 Iowa City West vs. #8 Newton
On Iowa City West: The Trojans have been the state's most dominant program and have the playmakers needed to finish the season with a Class 4A championship.
On Newton: This club deserves all the credit in the world for slaying the CIML to get to state. Connor Gholson and Garrett Sturtz are two of the best scoring threats in the state.
Game Changer: Connor McCaffery, Iowa City West
Prediction: Iowa City West 72, Newton 57
Why: A tougher regular season schedule and more top tier playmakers give Iowa City West the edge.
Confidence in Prediction: High
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Matchup: #4 Dubuque Hempstead vs. #5 Cedar Rapids Kennedy
On Dubuque Hempstead: After a slow start, Dubuque Hempstead came together and used a balance attack offensively to avenge a previous loss to Dubuque Senior and make a run to Des Moines.
On Cedar Rapids Kennedy: The Cougars have a knack for making runs during the playoffs and it showed as their strong defense helped them slow down Cedar Falls at the perfect time.
Game Changer: Drake Brewster, Cedar Rapids Kennedy
Prediction: Cedar Rapids Kennedy 59, Dubuque Hempstead 56
Why: Revenge. Cedar Rapids Kennedy has not forgotten their 51-44 loss from earlier in the winter.
Confidence in Prediction: Low
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Matchup: #2 West Des Moines Valley vs. #7 Des Moines North
On West Des Moines Valley: The defending champions have battled through a great deal of adversity but the wins have continued. Their big game experience will make them tough at the Well.
On Des Moines North: This squad is loaded with playmakers as Tyreke Locure and Jal Bijiek have spent the year torching opponents.
Game Changer: Austin Hinkle, West Des Moines Valley
Prediction: West Des Moines Valley 66, Des Moines North 65
Why: The overall balance of West Des Moines Valley. This squad will use it to avenge one of their regular season losses.
Confidence in Prediction: Low
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Matchup: #3 Bettendorf vs. #6 Sioux City East
On Bettendorf: The Bulldogs have relied on an elite defense that is giving up just 45-points a game to dominate and helped them to a great run overall to the MAC crown.
On Sioux City East: The MRC champions have a wealth of playmakers who can hit big shots and those weapons will continue to make them difficult to slow down.
Game Changer: Van Rees, Sioux City East
Prediction: Sioux City East 51, Bettendorf 47
Why: The playmakers of Sioux City East have the firepower needed to score enough points on the Bulldogs.
Confidence in Prediction: Low
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Agree/disagree? Let us know your thoughts now!
Matchup: #1 Iowa City West vs. #8 Newton
On Iowa City West: The Trojans have been the state's most dominant program and have the playmakers needed to finish the season with a Class 4A championship.
On Newton: This club deserves all the credit in the world for slaying the CIML to get to state. Connor Gholson and Garrett Sturtz are two of the best scoring threats in the state.
Game Changer: Connor McCaffery, Iowa City West
Prediction: Iowa City West 72, Newton 57
Why: A tougher regular season schedule and more top tier playmakers give Iowa City West the edge.
Confidence in Prediction: High
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Matchup: #4 Dubuque Hempstead vs. #5 Cedar Rapids Kennedy
On Dubuque Hempstead: After a slow start, Dubuque Hempstead came together and used a balance attack offensively to avenge a previous loss to Dubuque Senior and make a run to Des Moines.
On Cedar Rapids Kennedy: The Cougars have a knack for making runs during the playoffs and it showed as their strong defense helped them slow down Cedar Falls at the perfect time.
Game Changer: Drake Brewster, Cedar Rapids Kennedy
Prediction: Cedar Rapids Kennedy 59, Dubuque Hempstead 56
Why: Revenge. Cedar Rapids Kennedy has not forgotten their 51-44 loss from earlier in the winter.
Confidence in Prediction: Low
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Matchup: #2 West Des Moines Valley vs. #7 Des Moines North
On West Des Moines Valley: The defending champions have battled through a great deal of adversity but the wins have continued. Their big game experience will make them tough at the Well.
On Des Moines North: This squad is loaded with playmakers as Tyreke Locure and Jal Bijiek have spent the year torching opponents.
Game Changer: Austin Hinkle, West Des Moines Valley
Prediction: West Des Moines Valley 66, Des Moines North 65
Why: The overall balance of West Des Moines Valley. This squad will use it to avenge one of their regular season losses.
Confidence in Prediction: Low
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Matchup: #3 Bettendorf vs. #6 Sioux City East
On Bettendorf: The Bulldogs have relied on an elite defense that is giving up just 45-points a game to dominate and helped them to a great run overall to the MAC crown.
On Sioux City East: The MRC champions have a wealth of playmakers who can hit big shots and those weapons will continue to make them difficult to slow down.
Game Changer: Van Rees, Sioux City East
Prediction: Sioux City East 51, Bettendorf 47
Why: The playmakers of Sioux City East have the firepower needed to score enough points on the Bulldogs.
Confidence in Prediction: Low
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Agree/disagree? Let us know your thoughts now!
