Substate Preview: 3A-6

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/3A-6.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/3A-6.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1797534" /></a></figure>   The favorite: Four different Little Hawkeye Conference schools have won the 3A title in the last four years. Could Newton become the fifth? The Cardinals will have a tricky substate to navigate if they want to have a chance, but behind the #5 scoring defense in the class, allowing just 49.4 points a game, they'll have a good shot at getting to Des Moines and making some noise. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1367442' first='Cole' last='Plowman'] (14.3, 7.3 rebounds, 2.8 blocks) has been a dominant force in the painted area on both ends of the floor. A mobile big with good timing as a shot blocker, his ability to protect the rim has been key for this team's strong defense throughout the year. [player_tooltip player_id='1240081' first='Brody' last='Bauer'] (12.5, 36.5 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1167723' first='Jake' last='Ingle'] (10.3, 37.4 3P%) lead a veteran backcourt, and this is a senior-laden team, with the top seven scorers all being seniors. They share the ball well, limit turnovers, and play outstanding defense. They'll be tough to beat.   The biggest threats: The bottom of this bracket has a pair of teams who could give Newton some trouble. We'll start with the #2 seed, Mount Pleasant. The Panthers have the #2 scoring defense in the class, allowing just 47.8 points a game, and they've been hot since the holiday break, winning 12 straight before dropping back-to-back games to end the regular season. They're led by a really good tandem of guards - junior [player_tooltip player_id='1376720' first='Payton' last='Hagans'] (20.7, 8.2 rebounds) and senior Aaiden Ashton (14.7, 39.3 3P%). Hagans leads the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists, and is a high IQ guard who is at his best when he's playing downhill and attacking the bucket, while Ashton is a good complement to him, a quality shooter off the catch who can also create as a secondary ball-handler. Owen Vansickel (7.0, 39.1 3P%) gives them some more perimeter shooting, and junior forward Nate Stroud (7.5, 53.3 FG%) has been an efficient interior option. The question for the Panthers lies in the difficulty of their schedule. With the exception of a split with Burlington, they've lost against all of the good competition on the schedule.   Solon has won six straight games down the stretch, including quality wins over Mount Vernon and Williamsburg. The Spartans are led by junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1376687' first='Jake' last='Benzing'] (18.3), who is enjoying a breakout junior season. The 6-3 wing is long, athletic, and highly efficient, posting shooting splits of 54-47-83. He's able to create his own looks by putting the ball on the floor, and he moves really well without the ball in his hands. The Spartans have a number of reliable ball handlers that they can turn to, with every player that they put on the floor capable of making decisions with the ball in their hands. A deep, athletic team that plays good defense and has a dominant scorer, Solon is peaking at the right time and is a real threat in this substate.   The dark horse: Washington has one of the best pure scorers in the substate on their side in senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='956888' first='Ethan' last='Patterson'] (19.3, 36.4 3P%), a dynamic shooter who is capable of getting scorching hot and carrying his team for long stretches. He has a quick release and tons of range and is the type of player that higher-seeded teams should be a bit scared of. The Six twins, [player_tooltip player_id='1738650' first='Ajay' last='Six'] (11.2) and Aden Six (10.1), are a pair of long combo forwards who can impact the game on the defensive end with their length, and both score efficiently.   Players to watch 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367442' first='Cole' last='Plowman'], Newton 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240081' first='Brody' last='Bauer'], Newton 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167723' first='Jake' last='Ingle'], Newton 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376720' first='Payton' last='Hagans'], Mount Pleasant 2023 Aaiden Ashton, Mount Pleasant 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376687' first='Jake' last='Benzing'], Solon 2024 Gehrig Turner, Solon 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325525' first='Vince' last='Steinbrech'], Solon 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956888' first='Ethan' last='Patterson'], Washington 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1738650' first='Ajay' last='Six'], Washington 2023 Aden Six, Washington 2023 Waylon Bolibaugh, Oskaloosa 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167688' first='Max' last='Weaton'], Fairfield 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167747' first='JJ' last='Lane'], Fairfield 2024 Hunter Cresswell, Fort Madison 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476968' first='Diego' last='Garcia'], Keokuk   SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   Newton vs. Solon   The dominant defensive team against the dominant scorer. Solon is among the hottest teams in 3A entering the postseason, but Newton's strong defensive team will make things difficult here. In a tight, lower-scoring game, Newton's senior guards make just enough plays on the offensive end and the Cardinals suffocate Solon en route to a trip to the state tournament.