Class 3A, Substate 4 Preview
The favorite: The district’s top seeded team is Davenport Assumption, and for good reason. While the Knights have just a 12-9 record, they’ve played the 3rd most difficult schedule in 3A, playing almost exclusively against 4A teams as part of…
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Continue ReadingThe favorite: The district’s top seeded team is Davenport Assumption, and for good reason. While the Knights have just a 12-9 record, they’ve played the 3rd most difficult schedule in 3A, playing almost exclusively against 4A teams as part of the MAC. They’re led by Trenton Wallace (14.8) and Trent Fitzpatrick (12.0), a dynamic duo of scoring guards who are capable of scoring from anywhere. 6-11 big man Liam Robbins (9.8) adds another dimension to this group on both ends of the floor, provided he can stay out of foul trouble, and they’ve got three other nice role players in Dylan Peeters (7.5), Ray Thrapp (6.8) and Luke Fennelly (6.7). Going through their gauntlet of a schedule will benefit them greatly in this district, and they’re one of the state’s best free throw shooting teams at 79.4% as a group.
The biggest threat: It’s been a rough year for Dubuque Wahlert, after the Golden Eagles lost just about everyone from last year’s team to graduation. And while they’ve compiled just a 5-15 record, they own wins over top-10 4A teams Dubuque Hempstead and Cedar Falls. They’ve played 3A’s most difficult schedule and have been competitive in just about every game. Seven players average between 4.1 and 12.2 points a game, led by Austin Savary. They’ve got a number of shooters, and most definitely won’t be intimidated by anyone in this district given the schedule they’ve played.
The other two: Iowa football commit Jacob Coons leads a balanced Solon team that has five players averaging between 7.9 and 12.8 points a game. The Spartans haven’t played the same level of competition as Wahlert has, but they’ve certainly seen some good teams this season and for the most part have been very competitive in those games. Coons is the type of physical, athletic big man who could present some issues in the paint and on the glass, and this group is capable of winning a few in a row and getting themselves to the substate final…West Liberty has a nice scorer in Noah Feldman, who is averaging 16.8 points a game to go with his 9.9 rebounds. However, Assumption has the size to limit him, and the rest of the team struggles to score, as this is a group averaging just 48.4 points a night.
Players to watch
Trenton Wallace, Davenport Assumption, 2017
Trent Fitzpatrick, Davenport Assumption, 2018
Liam Robbins, Davenport Assumption, 2017
Austin Savary, Dubuque Wahlert, 2017
Jacob Coons, Solon, 2017
Noah Feldman, West Liberty, 2017
The favorite: Like Assumption and Wahlert in the other district, Cedar Rapids Xavier has the added benefit of playing in a 4A league that tests them greatly throughout the season. The defending champions in 3A, the Saints struggled to get going this year, missing Mitchell Burger and Ryan Stulken more than expected. They’re coming on strong late, however, as winners of six of their last eight games, including wins over Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids Prairie. (The two losses came to 16-5 Kennedy and 18-3 Iowa City West.) Armed with one of the state’s best trios in Matt Mims (15.3), Max Techau (12.5) and Jackson Joens (11.0), the Saints are starting to play their best basketball of the season, and should be considered the favorite here. Nolan Butkowski (9.4) took a while to get into the swing of things after a long, successful football season, and is playing some top-notch perimeter defense for this group, which will be key in a (possible) district final matchup against Austin Ash and Mount Vernon.
The biggest threat: Future Iowa preferred walk-on Austin Ash (23.0) is one of the state’s most deadly shooters and all-around scorers. Armed with “in the gym” range, he’s certainly capable of putting up a few huge games and carrying his Mount Vernon team to the substate final, especially considering they get to play both district games at home. If he’s able to get some help from Drew Adams, Nick Leopold and company, the Mustangs can push Xavier. We’re just not quite sure they can count on getting that production against a team with the size, length and athleticism that the Saints possess.
The other two: After a strong season last year, Maquoketa has struggled to a 6-15 record this season, including a pair of non-competitive losses to semifinal opponent Mount Vernon. The Cardinals do have a Division I wing in Abe Kinrade (Air Force), who averages just under 18 points a game and could have a big night, but there hasn’t been much else to suggest that this group is capable of making noise in this district…Central DeWitt limps into the postseason have lost nine straight games. Matt Burke (16.1) is a capable scorer who can get hot from the arc, but the Sabers will have their work cut out for them against a Xavier team that is peaking late.
Players to watch
Matt Mims, Cedar Rapids Xavier, 2018
Max Techau, Cedar Rapids Xavier, 2017
Jackson Joens, Cedar Rapids Xavier, 2018
Nolan Butkowski, Cedar Rapids Xavier, 2017
Austin Ash, Mount Vernon, 2017
Abe Kinrade, Maquoketa, 2017
Matt Burke, Central DeWitt, 2017
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Davenport Assumption vs. Cedar Rapids Xavier
This is a rematch of an early season game in which Assumption won by two at home, 62-60. We expect to see the tables turn here, with Cedar Rapids Xavier taking the second meeting in a similar fashion. The Saints are playing their best basketball of the season right now, and they’ll have a chance to defend their title with a tight win here in what should be one of the best substate finals in any class.