Substate Preview: 4A-8

<p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/4A-8.png"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1384084" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/4A-8-1024x316.png" alt="" width="1024" height="316" /></a></p> [caption id="attachment_1148899" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Steven-Kramer-1-crop-2791x1833-1615513419.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1148899 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Steven-Kramer-1-crop-2791x1833-1615513419-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="784982" first="Steven" last="Kramer"][/caption] <p><strong>The favorite: Johnston</strong> has been playing like a real state title contender down the stretch, winning six straight heading into the postseason, including wins over Northwest, Hoover, and Ames. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="682278" first="Trey" last="Lewis"] (22.6, 7.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists) has been one of the top players in the state this season. He had been known for being an elite shooter with unlimited range, but he’s added so much more to his game this year, flashing his eye-popping athleticism by competing on the glass at a high level, getting others involved with his court vision, and showing the ability to score from all three levels. He paces an offense that averages just under 70 points a game, alongside wing [player_tooltip player_id="784982" first="Steven" last="Kramer"] (15.7, 7.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists). Kramer is an athletic 6-5 wing who has committed to play his college ball at South Dakota, and he provides versatility on both ends of the floor with his length and athleticism. Both Lewis and Kramer are good shooters, and the Dragons are able to surround them with excellent shooters as well in [player_tooltip player_id="1234969" first="Masen" last="Ryan"] (9.1, 46.5 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id="1240090" first="Nathan" last="Ruisch"] (7.6, 44.7 3P%), and Samuel Tornabane (4.8, 43.3 3P%). The Dragons have two stars, and a slew of talented role players, and should be considered an overwhelming favorite in this substate. </p> <p><strong>The biggest threat:</strong> When star Iowa-committed wing [player_tooltip player_id="682266" first="Josh" last="Dix"] went down with a season-ending injury, the prospects for <strong>Council Bluffs Lincoln</strong> took a major hit. But the Lynx have played pretty well since he went down, going 5-3 with a point differential of +12.3 without him on the floor. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="784974" first="Jamison" last="Gruber"] (19.4) has taken his game up another level since the Dix injury, averaging 26.5 points and 3.7 assists with 55-49-80 shooting splits in the six games that have had stats entered. He’s a high IQ guard who has really improved as a shooter over the last few years, and they’ll need him to be excellent if they want to make a run here. Senior wing Jaxson Jones (10.2, 43.8 3P%) provides some more shooting while senior big man Jake Duffey (9.1) gives them some size and rim protection. This is a senior-laden team that has a lot of pieces that have played together, and they’ll be looking to make a run for their fallen comrade. </p> <p><strong>The dark horse: Dowling Catholic</strong> played a full-strength Lincoln team to an 11-point game early in the season, and the Maroons will be licking their chops to get another crack at the now short-handed Lynx. [player_tooltip player_id="1288853" first="Andrew" last="Mauro"] (14.6) leads the team in scoring, but this is a team with a number of scoring options, with seven others averaging between 3.5 and 8.4 points a game. They’re deep, physical, and athletic, but they have the type of team that can push CBAL in the semifinals with their athleticism and ability to control the glass. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Players to watch</span><br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682278" first="Trey" last="Lewis"], Johnston<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="784982" first="Steven" last="Kramer"], Johnston<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="784974" first="Jamison" last="Gruber"], Council Bluffs Lincoln<br /> 2022 Jaxson Jones, Council Bluffs Lincoln<br /> 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1288853" first="Andrew" last="Mauro"], Dowling Catholic<br /> 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171661" first="Redek" last="Born"], Norwalk<br /> 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167710" first="Sam" last="King"], Roosevelt<br /> 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1367446" first="Kenny" last="Brooks"], North<br /> <br /> </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;">SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</h3> <p style="text-align: center;">Johnston vs. Council Bluffs Lincoln</p> <p>If this game was being played between these teams at full-strength, it would be a pleasure to watch. As it is, <strong>Johnston</strong> should be able to control this game with their bevy of scoring options and athletic defenders that they can throw at Gruber. Last year’s runner-up returns to the state tournament with their eyes on taking home the whole thing this year. </p>