Substate Preview: 4A-8
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[player_tooltip player_id="784982" first="Steven" last="Kramer"] The favorite: Johnston 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 Trey Lewis Trey Lewis 5'10"…
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Continue ReadingThe favorite: Johnston 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 Trey Lewis Trey Lewis 5'10" | PG Johnston | 2022 State IA (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 Steven Kramer Steven Kramer 6'5" | SG Johnston | 2022 State IA (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 Masen Ryan Masen Ryan 6'3" | SF Johnston | 2022 State IA (9.1, 46.5 3P%), Nathan Ruisch Nathan Ruisch 6'4" | SF Johnston | 2023 State IA (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.
The biggest threat: When star Iowa-committed wing Josh Dix Josh Dix 6'5" | SG Council Bluffs Lincoln | 2022 State #149 Nation IA went down with a season-ending injury, the prospects for Council Bluffs Lincoln 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 Jamison Gruber Jamison Gruber 6'1" | PG Council Bluffs Lincoln | 2022 State IA (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.
The dark horse: Dowling Catholic 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. Andrew Mauro Andrew Mauro 6'1" | SG Dowling Catholic | 2023 State IA (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.
Players to watch
2022
Trey Lewis
Trey
Lewis
5'10" | PG
Johnston | 2022
State
IA
, Johnston
2022
Steven Kramer
Steven
Kramer
6'5" | SG
Johnston | 2022
State
IA
, Johnston
2022
Jamison Gruber
Jamison
Gruber
6'1" | PG
Council Bluffs Lincoln | 2022
State
IA
, Council Bluffs Lincoln
2022 Jaxson Jones, Council Bluffs Lincoln
2023
Andrew Mauro
Andrew
Mauro
6'1" | SG
Dowling Catholic | 2023
State
IA
, Dowling Catholic
2024
Redek Born
Redek
Born
6'3" | PG
Norwalk | 2024
State
IA
, Norwalk
2023
Sam King
Sam
King
6'4" | SG
Roosevelt | 2023
State
IA
, Roosevelt
2023
Kenny Brooks
Kenny
Brooks
6'0" | SG
Des Moines North | 2023
State
IA
, North
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Johnston vs. Council Bluffs Lincoln
If this game was being played between these teams at full-strength, it would be a pleasure to watch. As it is, Johnston 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.