Playoff Preview: 4A-3

<p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/4A-3.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1130441" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/4A-3.png" alt="" width="731" height="693" /></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The favorite: </strong><strong>Johnston </strong>played their best basketball in the middle of the season as they rallied off 7 wins in a row. They are 1-2 since said streak, and needing to find some rhythm. Led by Senior PG, and North Dakota commit [player_tooltip player_id="796107" first="Reid" last="Grant"] (13.2 ppg &amp; 3.9 apg). Grant is a PG who just makes the right play and competes on both ends for his team. After Grant, the Dragons have a pair of Juniors in [player_tooltip player_id="682278" first="Trey" last="Lewis"] (12.3) and [player_tooltip player_id="784982" first="Steven" last="Kramer"] (12.1) and are rounded out by their big man in the middle, Senior [player_tooltip player_id="796153" first="Max" last="Roquet"] (7.6 ppg &amp; 9.5 rpg). <strong>Carter Borwick</strong> is this team’s 5th starter and it is clear why he’s on the court, to use his size to guard the opposing team’s best off-ball player. Outside of Lewis, this team isn’t looking to shoot from the perimeter first and really look to get to the basket. This could be something that opponent’s cue in on in the postseason and may pack the lane in order to keep the dribble drive in check. Kramer is a solid 2022 prospect who at 6’5 is smooth with the ball and has a bevy of moves around the rim to score the ball. </p> <p><strong>The biggest threat: </strong>Arguably one of the hottest teams in the state, let alone Class 4A, <strong>Cedar Rapids Kennedy</strong>, have won 10 straight games dating back to January 19th. Senior, Truman State<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/11-Kenzie-Reed.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1066205 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/11-Kenzie-Reed-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="107" height="161" /></a> commit, [player_tooltip player_id="796111" first="Caleb" last="Schlaak"] (18.5 ppg &amp; 9.8 rpg) has been performing all season like an all-state performer, but the support wasn’t always there to start the season, but they have come around in a big way. Sophomore PG [player_tooltip player_id="956877" first="Kenzie" last="Reed"] (9.5) has been facilitating and finding teammates well and has brought some good shooting to the team as well. Senior <strong>Cole Hrubes</strong> (9.8) has emerged lately and helped guide this team to the hot streak it’s on now. The Cougars are also getting it done on the defensive side of the ball bringing in 8 steals per game and nearly 5 blocks per game. This team is starting to gel at the right time and could ride the wave to Des Monies.</p> <p><strong>The dark horse: Ottumwa </strong>supports a nice 1-2 punch with Seniors [player_tooltip player_id="727889" first="Trae" last="Swartz"] (18.9) scoring the buckets and <strong>Joe Hammer</strong> (5.8 apg) dishing out the buckets. Swartz, at 6’5, is also very strong and shoots the ball well from the perimeter (37% 3pt). Junior <strong>Adam Greiner</strong> (12.9) provides a nice burst to the offense as well. Hammer has kind of flown under the radar when it comes to perimeter players who are good at passing the rock in the state. This team averages almost 14 turnovers per game and that will be a contributor to how far they can go in this district, however they shoot the ball well from the 3pt line and the free throw line. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Players to watch</span></p> <p>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="796107" first="Reid" last="Grant"], Johnston</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="784982" first="Steven" last="Kramer"], Johnston</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682278" first="Trey" last="Lewis"], Johnston</p> <p>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="796111" first="Caleb" last="Schlaak"], Cedar Rapids Kennedy</p> <p>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956877" first="Kenzie" last="Reed"], Cedar Rapids Kennedy</p> <p>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="727889" first="Trae" last="Swartz"], Ottumwa</p> <p>2022<strong> Adam Greiner</strong>, Ottumwa</p> <p>2022 <strong>Pete Moe</strong>, Iowa City West</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962642" first="Jaxson" last="Young"], Linn-Mar</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962635" first="Jake" last="Walter"], Prairie</p> <p>2022 <strong>Eli Ward</strong>, Prairie</p> <p>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="678968" first="Caden" last="Stoffer"], Prairie</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Johnston vs Cedar Rapids Kennedy</em></p> <p>This would be a first time matchup between these two teams this season, and it would be quite the matchup if it ends up happening. The edge is going to be given to the Dragons here as Johnston has a few players that could lead the team on any given night. They will have to stop Schlaak, but I think the Kramer vs Schlaak matchup could be a good one in this game. Johnston prevails in this one and heads down the road to Wells Fargo. </p>