Substate Preview: 3A-2

[player_tooltip player_id="1171655" first="Treyton" last="McCain"] The favorite: Decorah has been the most impressive team in 3A this year, and they were rewarded with a very manageable draw in the substate. The Vikings lead 3A in scoring offense (72.4 points a game)…

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[player_tooltip player_id="1171655" first="Treyton" last="McCain"]

The favorite: Decorah has been the most impressive team in 3A this year, and they were rewarded with a very manageable draw in the substate. The Vikings lead 3A in scoring offense (72.4 points a game) and are second in scoring defense (45.0), with their lone loss coming to Western Dubuque by 3 early in the year. An undersized but physical, quick, and athletic team, they like to apply pressure on opposing ball-handlers and force them to make difficult decisions. Three players average in double-figures in sophomores Ben Bockman Ben Bockman 6'4" | SF Decorah | 2024 State IA (13.4) and Treyton McCain Treyton McCain 6'1" | PG Decorah | 2024 State IA (11.6) and senior Joseph Bockman Joseph Bockman 5'10" | PG Decorah | 2022 State IA (13.4), while three others average between 8.3 and 9.9 points, giving them six really good scoring options. The backcourt of McCain, Joseph Bockman Joseph Bockman 5'10" | PG Decorah | 2022 State IA , and Carson Wemark (9.6) has been excellent, combining to dish out 13.3 assists a game against just 4.2 turnovers a night, and this is a team that loves to pound the offensive glass, pulling down over 15 offensive rebounds a game, a 46.8% offensive rebounding rate. They make up for their lack of traditional size by being quicker and more physical than their opponents, and they’ll use that quickness, their depth, and their balance to frustrate opposing teams in this substate.

[player_tooltip player_id="682292" first="Carson" last="Toebe"]

The biggest threat: Clear Lake has gone 10-3 since the holiday break behind the strong play of senior guard Carson Toebe Carson Toebe 6'3" | PG Clear Lake | 2022 State IA (19.6), who is the best individual player in this substate. A tough shotmaker who can fill it up from all three levels, Toebe is certainly capable of leading the Lions back to the substate final, where anything can happen. Freshman forward Thomas Meyer Thomas Meyer 6'4" | SF Clear Lake | 2025 State IA (11.5, 6.3 rebounds) has been a strong presence in the paint, an efficient scorer who can occasionally step out and stretch the floor, and point guard Travaughn Luyobya Travaughn Luyobya 5'10" | PG Clear Lake | 2023 State IA (10.3, 7.2 assists) has turned into one of the best pure point guards in the class. The Lions are athletic and have a strong backcourt that can handle the pressure that Decorah is going to throw at teams.

The dark horses: Waverly-Shell Rock got off to a strong 7-2 start before stumbling a bit down the stretch. The Go-Hawks have a strong backcourt led by sophomore Cole Marsh Cole Marsh 6'6" | SG Waverly-Shell Rock | 2024 State IA (13.5) and senior Keaton Farmer Keaton Farmer 6'2" | CG Waverly-Shell Rock | 2022 State IA (13.4). Marsh is a 6-4 wing who can score from all three levels, while Farmer is a solid off-ball guard with a quick release on his shot. Point guard Hogan Hansen Hogan Hansen 6'3" | SF Waverly-Shell Rock | 2022 State IA (4.4, 3.7 assists) isn’t much of a scorer, but he puts his teammates in positions to score. Coach Nate Steege always has his teams ready to play late in the season, especially on the defensive end, and they’ll have a real chance to come out of the bottom of the bracket and reach the substate final.

The other team with a chance to make some noise in this substate is Webster City. The Lynx have knocked off Clear Lake and Humboldt in back-to-back games and are led by an elite shooting threat in junior wing Jaime Grossoehme Jaime Grossoehme 6'1" | SG Webster City | 2023 State IA (15.5, 49.6 3P%). He’s a lanky off-ball wing who can really shoot it, and he’s capable of getting scorching hot and carrying this team to a few wins. Junior lead guard Ty McKinney Ty McKinney 6'0" | PG Webster City | 2023 State IA (13.5, 3.0 assists) is a tough, physical guard who is solid on both ends of the floor, and senior forward Jamin Stuhr (10.2, 7.1 rebounds) is undersized but physical in the paint. They’ve proven they can beat some of the top teams in 3A, but they’ll need to play with more consistency if they want to make a run.

SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION

Decorah vs. Clear Lake

Decorah has to be considered one of the biggest favorites in any substate in 3A this season, and for good reason, as they’ve been the most consistent team in the class on both ends of the floor throughout the year. For the first time since 1977, Decorah is headed to the state tournament, with their quick, athletic guards frustrating Clear Lake and forcing turnovers, and a balanced scoring attack propelling the Vikings to Des Moines.