Games of the Week (Week 3)
MONDAY (Dec. 16) Game of the night: South Central Calhoun at Southeast Valley This is a key early season conference game in the Twin Lakes, as neither team can afford to fall too far behind an East Sac County team…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingMONDAY (Dec. 16)
Game of the night: South Central Calhoun at Southeast Valley
This is a key early season conference game in the Twin Lakes, as neither team can afford to fall too far behind an East Sac County team that is rolling to open the season. South Central Calhoun has been playing without star big man Zane Neubaum for the last three games, and that could be a key loss against a Southeast Valley team led by sophomore big man Aaron Graves, an Iowa football commit. Graves’ ability to score inside and out has been key for the Jaguars. The Jags have gotten strong production out of Kolson Kruse and Carter Lane on the perimeter. Each of them are 7-14 from the arc to open the year, and that type of shooting will win a lot of games for this group, especially when you put them around Graves and Lincoln Miller. Without Neubaum in the paint to control the glass, Southeast Valley should be able to control the game through rebounding and if Lane and Kruse are making shots, they should win here to keep pace with East Sac.
Our pick: Southeast Valley 58, South Central Calhoun 52
Others to monitor
Jesup at Denver
Knoxville at Grinnell
West Branch at Solon
Belle Plaine at Don Bosco
Gehlen Catholic at Trinity Christian
TUESDAY (Dec. 17)
Game of the night: Senior at 4A #1 Iowa City West
Even BraunsThese two schools have developed quite the rivalry over the last 5-10 years, with Senior annually being a thorn in the Trojans’ side, ending a few huge winning streaks over the years. This is an entirely different looking Senior team than previous years, using their athleticism and quickness to play much faster than previous iterations. They’ll look to press and create turnovers, and should provide a stiff test for the West backcourt of Nick Pepin, Marcus Morgan and Joey Goodman. Turnovers have been an issue early on for West, committing 49 of them in the first three games, and they’ll need to take significantly better care of the ball if they want to hold off the Rams here. If they can handle the pressure and get the ball up the floor and into halfcourt sets, they should be able to have some success with Even Brauns on the block. Senior doesn’t have the type of body who can slow him down for 32 minutes and he should control the glass. Tate Crane has also been great on the glass so far for West, pulling down 10 offensive rebounds. Those extra possessions can help wear down a Senior team that will be much smaller. As long as the Trojans take better care of the ball, they should take care of business. But if not, Senior could come into Iowa City and hand the Trojans another upset loss.
Our pick: West 56, Senior 50
Others to monitor
1A #5 Easton Valley at Alburnett
Southeast Polk at 4A #9 Ankeny
Murray at Ankeny Christian Academy
3A #6 Dallas Center-Grimes at Ballard
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura at 1A #3 Bishop Garrigan
Webster City at Clear Lake
3A #2 Sergeant Bluff-Luton at Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln
Xavier at 4A #8 Hempstead
2A #4 West Sioux at Gehlen Catholic
Des Moines Christian at 1A #10 Madrid
Lynnville-Sully at 1A #2 Montezuma
Des Moines North at Valley
2A #6 Boyden-Hull at West Lyon
THURSDAY (Dec. 19)
Game of the night: 2A #6 Boyden-Hull at Rock Valley
Tanner Te SlaaBoth of these teams enter the week with 3-1 records and are playing some really good, entertaining basketball. Boyden-Hull has rebounded in a big way following a season opening loss to MOC-Floyd Valley, winning their next three games by an average score of 75-44. Rock Valley is among the most explosive offensive teams in the state, averaging 82 points a game, so expect a lot of scoring in this one. The Comets have three players averaging in double figures in Tanner Te Slaa (16.5), Marcus Kelderman (15.3) and Keyton Moser (10.3), while Spencer Te Slaa (8.8) has made a team-high 7 3-pointers so far. This is a typical B-H team, one that shares the ball really well and is versatile across the board. Rock Valley has been bombing away from the arc, making 10 3-pointers a game and they’ve been one of the most efficient offensive teams in the state so far, shooting 56.2% from the field and 45.5% from deep. Alex Godfredson (19.3) and Jaxon Rus (19.3) have combined to make 22 3-pointers already, while Sam Remmerde (13.5) and Bryson Van Grootheest (13.3) are also capable shooting threats. If the Rockets are knocking down shots, they can certainly push the Comets here. Boyden-Hull is the better defensive team, and we think they’ll make just enough stops to come out victorious in what promising to be an up-tempo, exciting game to watch.
Our pick: Boyden-Hull 82, Rock Valley 78
Others to monitor
Newell-Fonda at Cherokee
Danville at Highland
FRIDAY (Dec. 20)
Game of the night: 4A #3 Sioux City East at 3A #2 Sergeant Bluff-Luton
Depending on what happens on Tuesday night (Sergeant Bluff-Luton plays Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln), this could be a huge game for the Warriors. Either way, expect an up-and-down affair with plenty of shots being hoisted. Those three teams are all unbeaten in the Missouri River heading into the week, so this is going to be a big week early on in the conference slate. East has been led by wing Jaleque Dunson, who’s averaging over 22 points a game and shooting incredibly well from the field and the arc. Sayvion Armstrong and Danny Callahn have both emerged as solid secondary scorers to compliment Dunson, who should present some issues with his length, athleticism and shooting ability. SB-L will counter Dunson with wing Jake Layman, who has the size at 6-7 to limit Dunson on the wing. The real key to this game will be whether or not Warriors big man Daniel Wright can have his way with a smaller Black Raiders front line. The 6-6 big man is averaging 18.3 points (on 55% shooting) and 11.3 rebounds, and should have a major matchup edge here. These teams have split their meetings each of the last two seasons. This should be a tight game throughout, as most SCE/SB-L meetings are, but we’ll give the slightest edge to the home squad here in a dandy.
Our pick: Sergeant Bluff-Luton 76, Sioux City East 75
Others to monitor
Central City at Alburnett
Iowa Falls-Alden at 3A #8 Algona
Dike-New Hartford at 2A #10 Aplington-Parkersburg
Senior at 4A #8 Hempstead
Van Meter at Earlham
Wahlert at Western Dubuque
1A #5 Lake Mills at Garner-Hayfield-Ventura
3A #6 Dallas Center-Grimes at Grinnell
4A #7 Dowling Catholic at Johnston
Keota at Lynnville-Sully
Pella at 3A #3 Norwalk
Turkey Valley at South Winneshiek
1A #8 South O’Brien at Unity Christian
4A #2 Waukee at Valley
3A #5 Carroll at 3A #1 Winterset
4A #6 Cedar Falls at Xavier
SATURDAY (Dec. 21)
Game of the night: 2A #5 Beckman Catholic at Cascade
Michael KeeganThese two schools separated by about 15 miles have developed a strong rivalry over the years, as each team is generally pretty strong in 2A. That’s the case again this season, with Beckman Catholic coming into the week ranked #5, while Cascade is 2-2 but figures to be tough to deal with down the line. Led by one of the most versatile players in the state, Beckman has gotten off to a really strong start on both ends of the floor. Michael Keegan is averaging 21.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.6 steals and 3.0 blocks a game, while four other Blazers are contributing at least 6.0 a night. Cascade has struggled to score this season, averaging just 45.8 points a game so far, and per usual, they’ll need to rely on their 2-3 zone to slow the game down and try to stay within striking distance come the fourth quarter. Alex Aitchison has been a valuable piece for them in the paint, blocking 11 shots so far in the middle of their zone, while Carter Green is leading the way at 11.5 points a game. Beckman has the best player on the floor, and he should be able to keep the Blazers rolling here in a rivalry game.
Our pick: Beckman Catholic 56, Cascade 46
Others to monitor
3A #1 Winterset at Atlantic
Harlan at Glenwood
Marion at Waverly-Shell Rock