Postseason Preview: Class 1A, Substate 2
The favorite: Bishop Garrigan has to be pretty happy about the draw they got here. The Golden Bears have played ten games against teams in this district, and they’ve won each of them by double digits, winning by an…
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The favorite: Bishop Garrigan has to be pretty happy about the draw they got here. The Golden Bears have played ten games against teams in this district, and they’ve won each of them by double digits, winning by an average of 32 points a game. That includes wins over Newman Catholic (82-48) and St. Edmond (62-50), the two biggest threats to Bishop Garrigan in the district. Headlined by the big duo of TJ Schnurr (16.9) and Angelo Winkel (16.9), the Golden Bears have the type of size that few teams, and none in this district, can match, going 6-6, 6-6, 6-9, 6-4 and 6-2 across their starting lineup, with 6-4 also coming off the bench. Teams are going to struggle to score inside the paint against Bishop Garrigan in this district, so they are going to need to make a lot of jumpers, which generally doesn’t bode well.
The biggest threat: Three double figure scorers pace Mason City Newman in Josh Fitzgerald (17.5), Merritt McCardle (14.5) and Brady Gatton (11.6). Fitzgerald does most of his scoring around the rim, which may not be great given the matchup looming against Bishop Garrigan, but his efficiency around the rim should help get them to the district final. McCardle is a high-level shooter from the arc, while Gatton and Jacob Schutt (9.4) control the glass.
The dark horse: Playing in a 2A/3A league means that St. Edmond isn’t going to be intimidated by anyone in this district. They’re headlined by one of the state’s best scorers in Andrew Gibb (28.9), who is a deadly free throw shooter (89.3%) should the Gaels have a late lead against Newman Catholic (or Bishop Garrigan in a district final). Jackson Kochendorfer (12.5) gives them some additional perimeter shooting. The unfortunate thing for St. Edmond is that they’re going to be one of the simpler teams in the district to gameplan for – limit Gibb, win the game. Easier said than done, however.
Players to watch
2019 TJ Schnutt, Bishop Garrigan
2021 Angelo Winkel, Bishop Garrigan
2019 Andrew Gibb, St. Edmond
2019 Josh Fitzgerald, Mason City Newman
2019 Merritt McCardle, Mason City Newman
2019 Lucas Weiland, West Hancock
2021 Dominyk Price, North Iowa
The favorite: Strong arguments could be made for any of the top three teams in this district, but we’re giving the nod to Janesville, who will have the best player on the floor in each game they play throughout this postseason run (at least until a substate final against Bishop Garrigan) in Codey Hicks (22.5 points, 81.2 FG%). Yes, you read that right, the Janesville big man is shooting 81.2% from the floor. The Wildcats have two other solid pieces in Caden Conrad (13.0) and Spencer Hoff (11.0). Conrad gives them another interior scoring threat and rim protector, while Hoff is the team’s primary perimeter option. While the ‘Cats have played the weakest schedule (according to BC Moore’s ranking system) of the three top contenders, they are the most potent offensive team with the best player on the floor, and have to be considered the slightest favorite in this district.
The biggest threat: Rockford has pretty much taken care of business all year, rolling to a 14-4 record (as of 2/4), with their losses coming to 2A Osage, and a pair of 1A teams that have been ranked or near the rankings all season in West Fork and Mason City Newman (twice). The Warriors have three double figure scorers in Jared Marth (12.7), Max Rooney (11.2) and Jake Staudt (10.0), with Rooney and Staudt having combined to make 69 3s on the season. Staudt also carries a nearly 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. This group struggles at the free throw line (57.1%), which could hurt them come district semifinal or final time.
The dark horse: Of the top three teams in the district, Saint Ansgar has played the most difficult schedule. They’re led by a pair of big scorers in Collin Kramer (14.8) and Ethan Kirchgatter (14.5), with the 6-4 Kramer serving as a major rim protector as well. The Saints were swept by Rockford, 61-57 and 71-52, during the regular season, but they’ll have to go through Janesville to set up a Round 3.
Players to watch
2019 Codey Hicks, Janesville
2019 Caden Conrad, Janesville
2019 Spencer Hoff, Janesville
2019 Jared Marth, Rockford
2019 Jake Staudt, Rockford
2019 Max Rooney, Rockford
2019 Ethan Kirchgatter, Saint Ansgar
2019 Collin Kramer, Saint Ansgar
2021 Austin Bienemann, Nashua-Plainfield
2020 Ethan Schmidt, Clarksville
2020 Ethan Leibold, Turkey Valley
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Bishop Garrigan vs. Janesville
Codey Hicks is a monster, but unfortunately for him and Janesville, Bishop Garrigan has plenty of size to contend with him in TJ Schnurr, Angelo Winkel and Cade Winkel. After come close calls in previous years, this is the year the Golden Bears get over the hump and punch their ticket to Des Moines for the first time since 2010.