Iowa Playoffs: Class 1A, Substate 2 Preview
The favorite: Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire has rolled through their schedule, winning by an average of 23 points a game. Do-everything point guard Andy Geelan (16.8 points) paces the attack, leading the Titans in every major category outside of steals. He’s joined in double…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe favorite: Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire has rolled through their schedule, winning by an average of 23 points a game. Do-everything point guard Andy Geelan (16.8 points) paces the attack, leading the Titans in every major category outside of steals. He’s joined in double figures by Michael Girres (11.9) and Noah Stukey (10.2), and this group has the ability to lock down teams on the defensive end.
The biggest threat: While St. Edmond, Fort Dodge hasn’t compiled quite the gaudy record that G-T/R-A has, they play almost strictly 2A teams with one 1A and a handful of 3A teams mixed in, meaning they’ve been battle tested against a tough schedule. The Gaels don’t score a ton (52.3 points a game), but they’ve got an efficient offensive attack, shooting 51.5% from the floor and 46.3% from the arc. This is a disciplined group that would give G-T/R-A fits in a district final.
The dark horse(s): Bishop Garrigan, Algona gets to play a potential district semifinal at home, which would be an advantage against a better St. Edmond team. The duo of Michael Condoeon and Zach Boelter take a ton of threes, so if they’re able to get hot, they could make things interesting. Another team to consider is St. Mary’s, Storm Lake, led by the 25-point scorer, Michael Demers. With Eric Broich averaging 15.6 a game as well, they could make a run. That said, it certainly looks like this district is shaping up for a G-T/R-A vs. St. Edmond district final.
Players to watch
Andy Geelan, Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire, 2016
Michael Girres, Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire, 2016
Noah Stukey, Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire, 2016
Michael Demers, St. Mary’s, Storm Lake, 2017
Eric Broich, St. Mary’s, Storm Lake, 2016
Harrison Mayer, St. Edmond, Fort Dodge, 2016
Charlie Doyle, St. Edmond, Fort Dodge, 2017
Michael Condoeon, Bishop Garrigan, Algona, 2016
Zach Boelter, Bishop Garrigan, Algona, 2016
The favorite: Connor Sonius (20.0 points, 8.5 assists), Nate Paulus (20.7 points, 64 3PM) and Dylan Eckels (13.3 points) pace West Hancock, the third highest scoring offense in 1A. They’ve also got an enforcer in the paint in Seth Wieland (9.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 104 blocks). The Eagles score 77.4 points a game and their losses are to 2A Garner-Hayfield-Ventura and the No. 1 team in 1A, West Fork, a team they wouldn’t see again until they get to Des Moines. They’ve already beaten (arguably) their biggest threat in this district, Mason City Newman, by 39 earlier in the season.
The biggest threat: A pair of teams at the bottom of the bracket could pose some issues in AGWSR, Ackley and Mason City Newman. One of the two will likely meet West Hancock in the district final. AGWSR is led by 6’7″ junior forward Nathan Karsjens, a big body who can score from anywhere on the floor. If he gets it rolling, they could test the Eagles. Newman features a balanced attack, with eight players averaging four or more points. If Justin Fausnaugh could get it rolling from the arc, Newman could keep it close.
The dark horse: Northwood-Kensett features the best scorer in the district not wearing a West Hancock uniform in Josh Einertson (18.4 points). Tom Fick adds 16.2 as well, giving the Vikings a pair of scorers who are capable of getting hot and taking over a game. Unfortunately for them, their game against West Hancock would come in Britt, a tall task for them.
Players to watch
Nate Paulus, West Hancock, 2016
Seth Weiland, West Hancock, 2017
Dylan Eckels, West Hancock, 2017
Connor Sonius, West Hancock, 2016
Josh Einertson, Northwood-Kensett, 2016
Tom Fick, Northwood-Kensett, 2017
Justin Fausnaugh, Mason City Newman, 2018
Nathan Karsjens, AGWSR, Ackley, 2017
SUBSTATE PREDICTION
Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire vs. West Hancock
In what would be one of the better substate finals, we like West Hancock’s group of talented guards to outscore G-T/R-A. The Eagles are too explosive offensively with too many weapons, and a big night from Connor Sonius gets them back to Des Moines for another stab at a state title.