Iowa Playoffs: Class 2A, Substate 6 Preview
The favorite: Albeit both in close games, Pekin does hold a season sweep over West Burlington, making them the favorite in this district. The Panthers are led by double-double machine Keaton Winn (15.4 points, 11.2 rebounds), with Brady Donovan (11.7)…
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Continue ReadingThe favorite: Albeit both in close games, Pekin does hold a season sweep over West Burlington, making them the favorite in this district. The Panthers are led by double-double machine Keaton Winn (15.4 points, 11.2 rebounds), with Brady Donovan (11.7) and Ryan Swanson (11.5) also contributing double-figure points. In what figures to be a fairly tight district, we’ll take the best player on the floor as the difference maker.
The biggest threat: West Burlington was swept by Pekin, but those two losses were by a combined 11 points. Three double-figure scorers pace the Falcons attack in Tate Snodgrass (14.9), Rooks Derosear (12.1) and Darius Redd (12.5). They’ll need to take better care of the ball if they want to get through this district (243-284 assist-to-turnover ratio).
The dark horse: Wapello was the only other team near .500 before the postseason began. They’ve got a guard in Trenton Massner (13.7 points) who can get hot from the perimeter and carry them to an upset. He’s shooting 42.6% from the arc this season.
Players to watch
Keaton Winn, Pekin, 2016
Brady Donovan, Pekin, 2016
Ryan Swanson, Pekin, 2016
Tate Snodgrass, West Burlington, 2017
Darius Redd, West Burlington, 2016
Trenton Massner, Wapello, 2018
The favorite: Pella Christian was the darling of the state tournament last year, knocking off the 2A favorite, Western Christian, in the first round. The biggest piece of that group, Levi Jungling (20.9), is back for another run at it, and they should be a fairly heavy favorite here. Playing in the Little Hawkeye against all 3A (and one 4A) schools, they’re more tested than any other team in the district. They should get through this district without too many problems.
The biggest threat: Albia won’t run into PC until the district final, and they’ve got a talented trio of guards that could potentially get hot from the arc and cause some problems (Blake Bayer, 17.1; Lee Curran, 15.1; Cade Crall, 10.6). If they can find a way to slow down Jungling in the final, they could pull the upset.
The dark horse: Hosting the district semi-final against Pella Christian will be a benefit for Pleasantville. Brady Elder (23.0) is capable of taking over a game on the offensive end, and Zeb Adreon can control the paint and glass. The Trojans may need to throw some sort of defensive wrinkle at Jungling to slow him down, but a big night from Elder could carry them.
Players to watch
Levi Jungling, Pella Christian, 2017
Brady Elder, Pleasantville, 2017
Blake Bayer, Albia, 2016
Lee Curran, Albia, 2016
SUBSTATE PREDICTION
Pekin vs. Pella Christian
Playing in the Little Hawkeye, and having the best player on the floor in Levi Jungling, gives Pella Christian the edge here. They may struggle to keep Keaton Winn off the glass, but they’re used to playing bigger, more physical teams. The Eagles return to the state tournament.