Substate Preview: 3A-3

<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/3A-3.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1384052" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/3A-3.png" alt="" width="748" height="439" /></a> The favorite: Since Croatian exchange student Ivan Prug (12.9, 6.5 rebounds) became eligible, Assumption has gone 8-2, including quality wins over Central DeWitt and Davenport North. Prug is a skilled 6-9 stretch-4 who is knocking down 45.2% of his 3-point attempts, has provided some size and rebounding in the paint, and is a matchup problem with his ability to space the floor. The Knights had been solid before Prug became eligible, but he has taken them up a notch. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="962602" first="Noah" last="Mack"] (16.1, 4.7 assists, 47.7 3P%) is another knockdown shooter who leads the team in scoring and assists. He has good length and was a key contributor on last year’s state semifinal team, as were [player_tooltip player_id="1158462" first="JJ" last="Stratman"] (8.7, 36.8 3P%) and Jay Costello (6.4, 40.6 3P%). Junior guard Rico Byrd (7.9) and forward Luke Klostermann (5.9) are the other key contributors for this group that has been really solid on the defensive end, allowing just 50.3 points a game. Prug’s ability to stretch the floor, and the Knights’ perimeter shooting as a team, make them a dangerous team. [caption id="attachment_1071971" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Duke-Faley.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-1071971 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Duke-Faley-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1167700" first="Duke" last="Faley"][/caption] The biggest threat: Wahlert Catholic is the top seed in this substate, and for good reason. The Golden Eagles play in the MVC against 4A schools and have compiled a 12-6 record that includes quality wins over Senior, Cedar Rapids Washington, Hempstead, and Prairie, as well as a season-opening win over Assumption. They have a trio of double-figure scorers in junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1167700" first="Duke" last="Faley"] (16.4, 7.2 rebounds) and senior guards Ben Freed (15.1) and Carson Cummer (13.3), while juniors Seamus Crahan (9.2) and Nolan Berendes (8.1) round out a starting five filled with scoring options. This is another team, like Assumption, that shoots it well from the arc, and they have a good big man in Faley who can control the painted area. They have struggled a bit with turnovers at times (13.8 a game), which could be a deciding factor if they were to meet up with Assumption in the substate final. [caption id="attachment_1188315" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Nick-Bryant-e1620497468947.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1188315 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Nick-Bryant-e1620497468947-300x243.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="243" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="784989" first="Nick" last="Bryant"][/caption] The dark horses: Don’t let the 6-13 record fool you, Western Dubuque has a strong team again this year. The Bobcats are the only team to hand Decorah a loss this season, and 10 of their 13 losses have come by single digits against a schedule that BC Moore’s power rankings system has deemed the toughest in 3A. The guard trio of [player_tooltip player_id="784989" first="Nick" last="Bryant"] (14.1, 3.5 assists), [player_tooltip player_id="1352937" first="Carson" last="Schute"] (12.9, 39.8 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id="1367404" first="Daviyon" last="Gaston"] (12.1) is arguably the best in the substate and could make things interesting for the top dogs in the group. They’ve lost both meetings with Wahlert by a combined five points, so they’ll have plenty of confidence if they’re able to upset Assumption in the semifinals. Anamosa has played a significantly weaker schedule than the rest of the teams in the substate, but the Blue Raiders have one of the group’s best players in senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="682294" first="Sam" last="Wilt"] (18.6, 10.8 rebounds), a dynamic two-way player who is also averaging 2.3 steals and 2.5 blocks a game. He’s an athletic, physical power wing who can score from all three levels and is a threat to take over a game at any point in time. Four others average between 6.6 and 7.7 points a game, giving them some balanced options behind Wilt. Players to watch 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962602" first="Noah" last="Mack"], Assumption 2022 Ivan Prug, Assumption 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167700" first="Duke" last="Faley"], Wahlert Catholic 2022 Ben Freed, Wahlert Catholic 2022 Carson Cummer, Wahlert Catholic 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="784989" first="Nick" last="Bryant"], Western Dubuque 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1352937" first="Carson" last="Schute"], Western Dubuque 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1367404" first="Daviyon" last="Gaston"], Western Dubuque 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682294" first="Sam" last="Wilt"], Anamosa 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1234982" first="Michael" last="Kascel"], Independence 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="784988" first="Blake" last="DeMoss"], West Delaware 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1376691" first="Tye" last="Hardin"], Maquoketa   <h3 style="text-align: center;">SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</h3> Wahlert Catholic vs. Assumption In the battle between a pair of parochial powers, we’re going to side with Assumption by a narrow margin. The Knights have several players who are experienced in substate and state tournament settings, which will be a benefit against a team that is prone to turn the ball over. Both of these teams are state tournament caliber and capable of making plenty of noise in Des Moines.