Substate Preview: 1A-4

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/District-7.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/District-7.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1785807" /></a></figure>   District 7   The favorite: WACO's lone loss during the regular season came against a really good 2A West Burlington team, but the Warriors were done no favors with this draw, with five teams ranked within the top 24 at BC Moore in this district. They're a dominant defensive team, allowing just 35.6 points a game, using their size, strength, physicality, and athleticism to suffocate opposing teams on that end of the floor. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1476982' first='Hunter' last='Hughes'] (16.5) leads the team in scoring and assists, and is the focal point of their defensive attack as well, averaging 3.5 steals a game. Eight other players average at least 3.7 points a game, and this is a group that absolutely pounds the offensive glass, pulling down 12 offensive rebounds a game, which helps grab more possessions every game. A dominant rebounding and defensive team with a number of scorers make WACO a dangerous team.   The biggest threat: Take your pick from any number of teams in the district here, as this isn't going to be smooth sailing for WACO. We'll side with Notre Dame as the biggest threat to the Warriors, though. The Nikes lost to likely semifinal opponent Winfield-Mt. Union in the SEISC Shootout last week, but that loss came by a point in which WMU shot about 5% better than their season averages. Senior forward Carsen Jones (13.8), an efficient 6-8 big man, is the anchor for this group on both ends of the floor, while Liam Delaney (13.2) is the top perimeter scoring threat. This group has been excellent on the offensive glass (14.0 offensive rebounds a game), which helps offset their perimeter shooting. An athletic, deep team that plays strong defense, this is our pick to avenge their loss to WMU and reach the district final.   The dark horse(s): As we mentioned before, there are three other teams ranked within the top 24 at BC Moore in this district - New London, Danville, and Winfield-Mt. Union - each capable of making a run to a district championship. The most talented player in the district resides in New London, senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='956871' first='Blaise' last='Porter'] (25.0, 5.0 assists), a lightning-quick guard who is headed to play his college ball at Truman State. He's the type of player who can absolutely take over a game on both ends of the floor and carry the Tigers to multiple wins. If [player_tooltip player_id='956872' first='Kade' last='Benjamin'] (19.5, 3.3 blocks) returns from an injury (he's missed their last six games), New London could certainly make a run through this district. Danville was swept by New London this season, losing by 11 and 16 points, but the Bears will get a third shot at the Tigers and have a pair of double-figure scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='1288859' first='Caiden' last='Gourley'] (16.4) and [player_tooltip player_id='1288905' first='Spencer' last='Nelson'] (14.6) who can get hot and carry this group. Winfield-Mt. Union is another tremendous defensive team, allowing 39.4 points a game, that could make a run if they're able to turn games into a slower tempo, using their size, athleticism, and physicality to control both ends. [player_tooltip player_id='1171697' first='Cam' last='Buffington'] (18.6, 9.2 rebounds), an Iowa football commit, is a powerful forward who can score at will around the bucket, and [player_tooltip player_id='1171698' first='Abram' last='Edwards'] (11.4, 9.2 rebounds) provides more size and playmaking.   Players to watch 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476982' first='Hunter' last='Hughes'], WACO 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1587378' first='Colton' last='Leichty'], WACO 2023 Cody Graber, WACO 2023 Carsen Jones, Notre Dame 2024 Liam Delaney, Notre Dame 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956871' first='Blaise' last='Porter'], New London 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956872' first='Kade' last='Benjamin'], New London 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1288859' first='Caiden' last='Gourley'], Danville 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1288905' first='Spencer' last='Nelson'], Danville 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171697' first='Cam' last='Buffington'], Winfield-Mt. Union 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171698' first='Abram' last='Edwards'], Winfield-Mt. Union 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751220' first='Jackson' last='Lanz'], Wapello 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1622174' first='Luke' last='Hellige'], Holy Trinity   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/District-8.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/District-8.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1785813" /></a></figure>   District 8   The favorite: Marquette Catholic earned the district's top seed on the strength of their head-to-head win over Bellevue, which also gives them an easier path to the district final and makes them the favorite to come out of the district. The Mohawks are in the midst of a breakthrough year, racking up 19 wins in the regular season on the strength of a balanced offensive attack and strong defense. Evan Scott (12.8) is the team's leading scorer, the lone senior among the top five, but eight other players average at least 3.8 points a game, giving them a deep stable of scoring threats. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1759939' first='Spencer' last='Roeder'] (11.8, 6.8 rebounds) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1338777' first='Caden' last='Kettmann'] (8.0, 8.3 rebounds) are excellent on the glass, part of a group that pulls down over 14 offensive rebounds a game. They swept both possible semifinal opponents, Easton Valley (15, 19 points) and Midland (20, 15 points), setting themselves up for a good run here.   The biggest threat: The biggest threat to Marquette is the school a mile down the road, Bellevue, who has spent a good chunk of the season ranked within the top 10 of the class. The Comets have a number of impressive wins on their resume, including a sweep of Monticello and Camanche, and wins over Cascade and Maquoketa. Playing in the 2A-heavy River Valley Conference prepares them well for postseason play, as we saw last year when they made a surprising run to the state tournament. In senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1469587' first='Jensen' last='Wedeking'] (22.2, 4.1 assists), the Comets have the best individual player in the district. A talented three-level scorer who can also dominate games when he isn't scoring with his passing and defense, he's a difficult player to defend at this level. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1738620' first='Robert' last='Paulsen'] (14.3, 10.3 rebounds) is among the most improved players in the state, a big, physical forward who finishes at a high level around the rim and protects the paint, and [player_tooltip player_id='1751111' first='Hunter' last='Putman'] (14.0) gives them some additional perimeter scoring. Bellevue plays hard, defends at a high level, and has experienced going through postseason play and making a deep run, which could be beneficial here. And they'll certainly be looking to get some revenge on Marquette in a district final after giving up a 20-3 third quarter in their 10-point regular season loss.   The dark horse: Four players average in double-figures for Prince of Peace, a team that owns a win over Marquette Catholic (they split the season series). The Irish are led by sophomore wing Hakael Powell (16.7), an athletic wing who can get to the bucket routinely. Jhikeith McGraw (12.2), Marcus Blount (11.9), and [player_tooltip player_id='1874776' first='Eric' last='Berry'] (10.6) are the other headlining scorers here, and that type of balance will make them a difficult out in postseason play. If they get by Bellevue in the semifinals, they'll have plenty of confidence heading into the district final against (likely) Marquette.   Players to watch 2023 Evan Scott, Marquette Catholic 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759939' first='Spencer' last='Roeder'], Marquette Catholic 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1338777' first='Caden' last='Kettmann'], Marquette Catholic 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469587' first='Jensen' last='Wedeking'], Bellevue 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1738620' first='Robert' last='Paulsen'], Bellevue 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751111' first='Hunter' last='Putman'], Bellevue 2025 Hakael Powell, Prince of Peace 2024 Jhikeith McGraw, Prince of Peace 2023 Marcus Blount, Prince of Peace 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167740' first='Carson' last='Fuegen'], Easton Valley 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1639903' first='Cade' last='Sheda'], Springville 2024 Pedar Rohling, Calamus-Wheatland     SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   WACO vs. Bellevue   We think that Bellevue will get their revenge on Marquette in the District 8 final, and if this matchup were to materialize, it would be a fascinating battle. WACO has the size and strength in the paint to limit Paulsen's effectiveness around the rim, but the experience that Bellevue gained last season in their state tournament run could prove to be huge in this one. Behind a big game from [player_tooltip player_id='1469587' first='Jensen' last='Wedeking'], as both a scorer and facilitator, the Comets make a return trip to Des Moines.