Playoff Preview: 3A-6
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Allen The favorite: High-powered Pella 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…
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The favorite: High-powered Pella 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. Grant Nelson Grant Nelson 6'1" | SF Pella | 2021 State IA (17.5) leads an explosive attack that features two other double-figure scorers in juniors Karl Miller Karl Miller 6'4" | SF Pella | 2022 State IA (15.6, 42.2 3P%) and Noah Allen Noah Allen 5'11" | PG Pella | 2022 State IA (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.
The biggest threat: Another high-powered team lurks at the bottom of the bracket in Clear Creek-Amana. 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 Christian Withrow Christian Withrow 6'1" | CG Clear Creek-Amana | 2021 State IA (19.2) leads the attack, with junior Kyle Schrepfer (11.1, 43.4 3P%) and senior Ryan Navara (10.9, 38.2 3P%) also averaging in double-figures. Senior forward Mike Potter Mike Potter 6'2" | SG Clear Creek-Amana | 2021 State IA (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 Brock Reade (9.3) and Ben Swails (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.
The dark horse: Washington 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 Ethan Patterson Ethan Patterson 5'11" | SG Washington | 2023 State IA (16.4) and junior Kasen Bailey Kasen Bailey 6'3" | SG Washington | 2022 State IA (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 Trashaun Willis Trashaun Willis 6'7" | SF Washington | 2021 State IA (10.6, 6.9 rebounds) is not only a great story but is a solid player as well – athletic and long.
Players to watch
2021
Grant Nelson
Grant
Nelson
6'1" | SF
Pella | 2021
State
IA
, Pella
2022
Karl Miller
Karl
Miller
6'4" | SF
Pella | 2022
State
IA
, Pella
2022
Noah Allen
Noah
Allen
5'11" | PG
Pella | 2022
State
IA
, Pella
2021
Christian Withrow
Christian
Withrow
6'1" | CG
Clear Creek-Amana | 2021
State
IA
, Clear Creek-Amana
2022 Kyle Schrepfer, Clear Creek-Amana
2021
Mike Potter
Mike
Potter
6'2" | SG
Clear Creek-Amana | 2021
State
IA
, Clear Creek-Amana
2023
Ethan Patterson
Ethan
Patterson
5'11" | SG
Washington | 2023
State
IA
, Washington
2022
Kasen Bailey
Kasen
Bailey
6'3" | SG
Washington | 2022
State
IA
, Washington
2021
Trashaun Willis
Trashaun
Willis
6'7" | SF
Washington | 2021
State
IA
, Washington
2021
Kieren Nichols
Kieren
Nichols
5'11" | PG
Knoxville | 2021
State
IA
, Knoxville
2021
Spencer Hixson
Spencer
Hixson
6'5" | SF
Knoxville | 2021
State
IA
, Knoxville
2022
Adam Mattes
Adam
Mattes
6'3" | SG
Newton | 2022
State
IA
, Newton
2021
AJ Wilkins
AJ
Wilkins
6'1" | CG
Grinnell | 2021
State
IA
, Grinnell
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Pella vs. Clear Creek-Amana
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 Clear Creek-Amana to get back to State in a fantastic basketball game.