Playoff Preview: 3A-6

<p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/3A-6.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1130420" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/3A-6.png" alt="" width="798" height="717" /></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1059539" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Noah-Allen.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1059539 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Noah-Allen-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Allen[/caption] <p><strong>The favorite:</strong> High-powered <strong>Pella</strong> shouldn’t have too many difficulties getting through the top of the bracket. The Dutch have swept Newton (73-35 and 69-64) and just recently beat Knoxville (86-60), and they’ll have no issues with Centerville. They’re one of four 3A teams to reach the #1 spot this year, and they have to be considered the favorite to come out of this substate. [player_tooltip player_id="796167" first="Grant" last="Nelson"] (17.5) leads an explosive attack that features two other double-figure scorers in juniors [player_tooltip player_id="682282" first="Karl" last="Miller"] (15.6, 42.2 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id="962617" first="Noah" last="Allen"] (12.6, 43.2 3P%). Allen, a Newton transfer, has really given the Dutch an additional boost since becoming eligible, giving them another knockdown shooter to put alongside Miller on the perimeter. This group loves to play up-tempo and create chaos on the defensive end, and they share the ball extremely well, assisting on over 71% of their made field goals. </p> [caption id="attachment_1078601" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Christian-Withrow.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1078601" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Christian-Withrow-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Withrow[/caption] <p><strong>The biggest threat:</strong> Another high-powered team lurks at the bottom of the bracket in <strong>Clear Creek-Amana</strong>. The Clippers got off to a slow 1-2 start while breaking in some new pieces from last year’s state semifinalist group, but they caught fire after, winning 12 straight from December 11 to January 29. The second-highest scoring offense in 3A at 70.1 points a game, they’re extremely efficient, posting 51-39-74 shooting splits as a team. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="796141" first="Christian" last="Withrow"] (19.2) leads the attack, with junior <strong>Kyle Schrepfer</strong> (11.1, 43.4 3P%) and senior Ryan Navara (10.9, 38.2 3P%) also averaging in double-figures. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="964923" first="Mike" last="Potter"] (9.9, 7.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists) is a critical piece who has plenty of experience as a starter with Withrow on last year’s team, and <strong>Brock Reade</strong> (9.3) and <strong>Ben Swails</strong> (7.5) give even more scoring. This team really embraces modern basketball, spreading the floor with talented shooters, and they’re a threat to beat anyone in 3A on a given night.</p> <p><strong>The dark horse: Washington</strong> actually holds a win over likely semifinal opponent Clear Creek-Amana, 64-58, just a few weeks ago. The Demons held the Clippers to 36.8% from the floor in that game, and while it’s unlikely that happens again, they know that they can beat them. They’re led by a talented backcourt of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="956888" first="Ethan" last="Patterson"] (16.4) and junior [player_tooltip player_id="962644" first="Kasen" last="Bailey"] (13.6). Patterson is a great 3-point shooter, while Bailey is better at putting the ball on the floor and getting to the bucket. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="964869" first="Trashaun" last="Willis"] (10.6, 6.9 rebounds) is not only a great story but is a solid player as well - athletic and long.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Players to watch</span><br /> 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="796167" first="Grant" last="Nelson"], Pella<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682282" first="Karl" last="Miller"], Pella<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962617" first="Noah" last="Allen"], Pella<br /> 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="796141" first="Christian" last="Withrow"], Clear Creek-Amana<br /> 2022 Kyle Schrepfer, Clear Creek-Amana<br /> 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="964923" first="Mike" last="Potter"], Clear Creek-Amana<br /> 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956888" first="Ethan" last="Patterson"], Washington<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962644" first="Kasen" last="Bailey"], Washington<br /> 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="964869" first="Trashaun" last="Willis"], Washington<br /> 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="796123" first="Kieren" last="Nichols"], Knoxville<br /> 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="964804" first="Spencer" last="Hixson"], Knoxville<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682281" first="Adam" last="Mattes"], Newton<br /> 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="796150" first="AJ" last="Wilkins"], Grinnell</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;">SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</h3> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Pella vs. Clear Creek-Amana</em></p> <p>Two of the highest-powered offenses in the state, and a pair of teams that play modern basketball and love to chuck up 3s. This one would be a load of fun, and it probably comes down to which team hits more 3s and turns the ball over less. In what may be considered an upset, we'll take <strong>Clear Creek-Amana</strong> to get back to State in a fantastic basketball game. </p>