5 Up, 5 Down (Week 4)
Up Ankeny It’s Ankeny’s second appearance on this list so far this season. And though we like to spread the love, the Hawks’ dominance of late has been undeniable. After a 79-27 dismantling of Southeast Polk, they went ahead and…
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Ankeny
It’s Ankeny’s second appearance on this list so far this season. And though we like to spread the love, the Hawks’ dominance of late has been undeniable. After a 79-27 dismantling of Southeast Polk, they went ahead and throttled Urbandale 69-38. The Hawks are rolling right now behind leading scorers Drew Maschoff and Trystan Cummins. They’ll have an interesting showdown with Hoover on Jan. 8th.
Muscatine
Last season was tough for the Muskies, and after a 7-15 season, they’ve started this one 6-1. It certainly helps to have the best sophomore prospect in the state at the helm; Hawkeye commit Joe Wieskamp is averaging 21.7 points per game. The Muskies’ one hiccup was to 4A’s surprise team of the season, Davenport Central.
Spirit Lake
The Indians are the first team this season to show up on both the “down” side, and the “up” side of this list. They were 2-2 through four games this season, with two tough losses, to 4A school Cedar Rapids Kennedy and 2A power Western Christian. Since then Ryan Kriener, Billy Brown and Co. have won four straight, by an average of 35 points.
Glenwood
Last season’s surprise state tournament qualifier, the Rams were in the 3A field after finishing with a 9-12 regular season record. Super sophomore tandem Nate Mohr and Andrew Blum are back, and the team is seemingly stronger than last season’s state squad. Boasting a 6-1 record, including wins over two 4A clubs (Lewis Central, CB Jefferson), it seems the Rams are a formidable 3A contender.
North Linn
Jake Hilmer has been devastatingly good. The freshman is averaging 16 points, 8.8 assists, 4.9 steals, and 4 rebounds per game this season. He’s a big reason why the Lynx are off to an 8-0 start, and winning by an average of 33 points. Expectations are sky high in Troy Mills, IA.
Down
CR Kennedy
The Cougars were in the state tournament last season, but have dropped off considerably in the early goings this winter. They were 2-1 with impressive wins over Spirit Lake and Xavier, but have since lost three of four, the only win during that stretch; a shellacking of 3A Solon just before the break.
North Tama
A promising 2-1 start to the season has now given way to seven straight losses, including two losses just before the break by 18, and 19 points. The Redhawks will try and get back on track after the break with a winnable game against 2-5 GMC, Garwin.
Nishnabotna
From 3-0 to 3-4 it’s been a tale of two seasons to start the 2015-16 campaign for the Blue Devils. The combined record of the first three opponents is 7-17. The combined record of the last four opponents, 22-7.
Davenport Assumption
Assumption started the season with what we’ll call a moral victory, keeping a game with 3A power Dubuque, Wahlert competitive – losing 61-52. But since, the Knights have continued to find themselves in the loss column, and are now 0-7. It’s been a brutal schedule so far, look for them to get into the win column after the break when they face an 0-6 Burlington team.
Solon
Like many others on this list, the Spartans started the season great, racing out to a 4-0 start. And since, they’ve dropped three straight, two of those losses to 2A schools. Now, the Spartans have a much-needed break, and it’ll be interesting to see how they react to the losing streak come January when play resumes.