Iowa Playoffs: Class 3A, Substate 4 Preview
The favorite: This is an extremely balanced district, with a pair of 15-6 teams and a pair of 14-7 teams. Center Point-Urbana split with Vinton-Shellsburg, beat Mount Vernon and swept Benton Community, so we’ll make them the slight favorite in…
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Continue ReadingThe favorite: This is an extremely balanced district, with a pair of 15-6 teams and a pair of 14-7 teams. Center Point-Urbana split with Vinton-Shellsburg, beat Mount Vernon and swept Benton Community, so we’ll make them the slight favorite in a district anyone can win. The Stormin’ Pointers are led by sophomore forward Grant Dirks (15.3, 62.0 FG%) and Jace Jirak (12.8). They go deep and have a number of scoring options, with five more players averaging between 5.2 and 8.9 points.
The biggest threat: Mount Vernon has a trio of 15-point a game scorers in Tommy Hook, Connor Herrmann and Austin Ash. The Mustangs get to play their opener against Vinton-Shellsburg at home, which will help. They’ve got an efficient offensive attack with players that can score at all three levels and they’re sound defensively.
The dark horse: After losing to CPU to end the season, Benton Community gets another crack at the Pointers in the opening round. The Bobcats have a talented starting five with a number of scoring options in Lathan Cooper (14.0), Tucker Schroeder (11.5), Spencer Touro (11.4), Hunter Semelroth (9.8) and Tyler Eggert (9.6). If they’re able to get by CPU, they can certainly beat either Mount Vernon or Vinton-Shellsburg in the district final.
Players to watch
Tommy Hook, Mount Vernon, 2016
Connor Herrmann, Mount Vernon, 2016
Austin Ash, Mount Vernon, 2017
Grant Dirks, Center Point-Urbana, 2018
Jace Jirak, Center Point-Urbana, 2016
Lathan Cooper, Benton Community, 2016
Tucker Schroeder, Benton Community, 2016
Spencer Touro, Benton Community, 2018
The favorite: Maquoketa got back on the winning side in the regular season finale after dropping three straight before. The Cardinals have a trio of double-figure scorers in Jon Ernst (18.9), Abe Kinrade (14.8) and Skyler Bronson (11.2). They’ll need to get some more production from their role players if they want to make a run.
The biggest threat: Despite being just 4-17, Davenport Assumption might be the most dangerous team in this district. The Knights play in a 4A conference and have faced some heavy competition, so they won’t be intimidated by anyone they see here. Cam Sturtevant, Trenton Wallace and Trent Fitzpatrick form a solid perimeter trio that could make things interesting.
The dark horse: Solon has a trio of double-figure scorers in Streeter McIlravy (16.3), Jacob Coons (10.0) and Brevin Hill (10.2). McIlravy is the best player in the district not wearing a Maquoketa uniform, and he could take over a few games and carry them to a district title. The Spartans have already beaten Maquoketa once – they can do it again.
Players to watch
Jon Ernst, Maquoketa, 2016
Abe Kinrade, Maquoketa, 2017
Skyler Bronson, Maquoketa, 2016
Trent Fitzpatrick, Davenport Assumption, 2018
Trenton Wallace, Davenport Assumption, 2017
Cam Sturtevant, Davenport Assumption, 2016
Streeter McIlravy, Solon, 2016
Jacob Coons, Solon, 2017
Brevin Hill, Solon, 2016
SUBSTATE PREDICTION
Center Point-Urbana vs. Maquoketa
Center Point-Urbana gets through their difficult district and gets to face a fellow WaMaC team in the substate final. A high-scoring game goes the way of the Stormin’ Pointers, who are playing some great basketball right now.