4A Substate Final Preview

<table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;" border="yes"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Game</strong></span></td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Location</strong></span></td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Our Pick</strong></span></td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Reasoning</strong></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Senior vs. Davenport North</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Clinton</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Senior</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Rams lost nearly everything from last year's runner-up, have still been outstanding with lengthy athletes, lots of presses. Wildcats have been strong under new coach Marc Polite, but need to protect the ball against aggressive defense. Depth, versatility of Rams help them get back to State.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Waukee vs. Valley</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Dallas Center-Grimes</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Waukee</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Second toughest pick to make (North Scott/Waterloo West). Teams split in the regular season, with Valley handing Warriors their first loss on Jan. 24. Warriors have won 10 straight since mid-season swoon, by an average of 21.6 a night. Valley knows Waukee well and will make this really tough, physical, but Warriors have the two best players on the floor in <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/payton-sandfort/">Payton Sandfort</a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tucker-devries/">Tucker DeVries</a>, find a way to scrape out a tough win. Should be an outstanding game.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Ankeny vs. Sioux City East</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Fort Dodge</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Ankeny</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Expect some fireworks here with a pair of explosive offenses. Ankeny's quick backcourt of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/braxton-bayless/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/braxton-bayless/">Braxton Bayless</a></a>, Jaxon Smith have been outstanding, combining to average over 37 points a game. 6-4 senior wing <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaleque-dunson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaleque-dunson/">Jaleque Dunson</a></a> of East a potential matchup problem, but Hawks have been through the meatgrinder of the CIML, are prepared for anything Black Raiders throw at them. Entertaining game decided late by most dynamic player (Bayless).</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Iowa City West vs. Pleasant Valley</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Iowa City Liberty</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Iowa City West</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Trojans have been dominant on the defensive end this season. PV will really look to limit possessions here, but easier said than done against nasty West defense that will force turnovers. Spartans have no answer inside for <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/even-brauns/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/even-brauns/">Even Brauns</a></a>, West punches State ticket for record breaking 10th consecutive year.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln vs. Dowling Catholic</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Iowa Western CC</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Dowling Catholic</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Maroons can struggle to score, but have been great defensively, have plenty of lengthy athletes to throw at <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-dix/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josh-dix/">Josh Dix</a></a> and force the role players to beat them. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ryan-riggs/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ryan-riggs/">Ryan Riggs</a></a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/drew-daniel/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/drew-daniel/">Drew Daniel</a></a> control the glass, and Maroons frustrate Lynx offense.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Centennial vs. Johnston</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Southeast Polk</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Centennial</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Jaguars swept season series by 17, 23 points, have been dominant all season, rolling to 22-1 record with high scoring offense, lockdown defense. Dragons playing better of late (10-1 last 11), but were outrebounded by 19 in two meetings. Too much size with <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cody-mccullough/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/cody-mccullough/">Cody McCullough</a></a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/micah-johnson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/micah-johnson/">Micah Johnson</a></a>. Jaguars punch first State ticket in school history.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Waterloo West vs. North Scott</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">US Cellular Center (Cedar Rapids)</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">North Scott</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Fascinating matchup, and the most difficult one for me to pick. Whichever team is able to dictate the style of game is the team that is going to win. North Scott wants to grind out long possessions, take West out of what they like to do - get out and run, press, trap, create chaos. Disciplined Lancers have the best player on the floor in <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ty-anderson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ty-anderson/">Ty Anderson</a></a>, and if they're able to dictate the tempo, they can frustrate the Wahawks, like IC West did in their meeting. These are both top 5 teams, should be meeting in Des Moines.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Cedar Falls vs. Hempstead</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">US Cellular Center (Cedar Rapids)</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Cedar Falls</td> <td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">Two-time defending champion Tigers beat Hempstead 62-50 two weeks ago. Have a number of length, versatile defenders they can throw at <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/michael-duax/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/michael-duax/">Michael Duax</a></a>, Jamari Smith, and a more balanced offensive attack.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>