Substate Preview: 3A-8

The favorite: Bondurant-Farrar is the only remaining undefeated team in 3A and a very deserving favorite in this substate. The Bluejays have been building towards this season for the last four years behind their tandem of dynamic wing scorers, Colby Collison Colby Collison 6'4" | SF Bondurant-Farrar | 2023 State IA (20.4) and Jaxson Fried Jaxson Fried 6'6" | SF Bondurant- Farrar | 2023 State IA (16.6), and they have a number of stellar role players alongside their two studs. After playing a number of close games in the middle of January, the Jays have put the pedal to the metal over the last few weeks, winning their last seven games by an average of 18.6 points a game. Reed Pfaltzgraff Reed Pfaltzgraff 6'4" Bondurant Farrar | 2024 IA (10.6, 4.7 assists) has been really impressive this season as a tertiary scoring option and a primary playmaker, while Everett White (10.3, 6.8 rebounds) has provided some efficient interior scoring and rebounding. A talented offensive team with a pair of 6-6 wings who can get their own shot whenever they want, Bondurant-Farrar looks like they’re on a mission, and it would honestly be a pretty big surprise if they didn’t get out of this substate.

The biggest threats: Glenwood earned the #2 seed in the district and will get their semifinal game at home as a result, which is a boost for the Rams. They split with both Harlan and Lewis Central, so they’re definitely not a sure-fire pick to come out of the bottom of the bracket, but home-court advantage is a plus. Risto Lappala (14.5, 56.9 FG%) leads a trio of double-figure scorers, an efficient combo forward who can score inside and out. Logyn Eckheart (12.3, 7.9 rebounds) and Caden Johnson Caden Johnson 5'10" | PG Glenwood | 2023 State IA (11.3, 7.3 assists) are the other key pieces for the Rams. This is a team that likes to get up and down, using Johnson’s ball handling and court vision to help push the tempo.

Harlan came into the year with pretty lofty expectations, and while the Cyclones have had a bit of an up-and-down season, they’re playing good basketball heading into postseason play, winners of five straight at the time of this writing. An experienced group led by seniors Jacob Birch Jacob Birch 6'1" | SF Harlan | 2023 State IA (15.3, 9.1 rebounds) and Bradley Curren Bradley Curren 5'11" | PG Harlan | 2023 State IA (12.7, 35.0 3P%), they do a great job pounding the glass on both ends of the floor and they don’t beat themselves (just 8.0 turnovers a game). Coach Mitch Osborn is one of the best, and most experienced, in the business, and he’ll have his team ready to go.

The dark horses: Clarke is one of just two 3A teams to rank within the top 10 in both scoring offense (6th, 70.8) and defense (8th, 52.0), which should make them a dangerous team. Junior do-it-all wing Jack Cooley Jack Cooley 6'5" | PF Clarke | 2024 State IA (20.1, 9.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists) is a bouncy wing who can dominate games as both a scorer and playmaker and point guard Bo Otto Bo Otto 6'0" | PG Clarke | 2024 State IA (11.7, 8.3 assists) has been dominant as a passer, and with his dribble penetration. Cole White Cole White 6'6" | C Clarke | 2024 IA (11.9, 2.4 blocks) is a strong rim protector, and this team has rolled to a solid 15-6 record. So why the #4 seed? Their schedule ranks 63rd out of 64 3A teams, according to BC Moore, with nearly three times as many games against 2A schools as 3A this season. That’s due to their conference affiliation, but when they bumped up to play Ballard this week, they lost by 21.

Lewis Central split with both Harlan and Glenwood (and beat Atlantic in their only meeting) during the regular season, so the Titans won’t be intimidated by any team in the bottom of the bracket. Junior guard Nash Paulson Nash Paulson 6'2" | SG Lewis Central | 2024 State IA (13.1) leads the team in scoring, while Colby Souther (10.4, 7.4 rebounds) is the physical force in the paint. This group doesn’t shoot it well from the arc (21.6%), but they pound the offensive glass, limit turnovers, and play really good defense, allowing 49.9 points a game.

Players to watch
2023 Colby Collison Colby Collison 6'4" | SF Bondurant-Farrar | 2023 State IA , Bondurant-Farrar
2023 Jaxson Fried Jaxson Fried 6'6" | SF Bondurant- Farrar | 2023 State IA , Bondurant-Farrar
2023 Risto Lappala, Glenwood
2023 Logyn Eckheart, Glenwood
2023 Caden Johnson Caden Johnson 5'10" | PG Glenwood | 2023 State IA , Glenwood
2023 Jacob Birch Jacob Birch 6'1" | SF Harlan | 2023 State IA , Harlan
2023 Bradley Curren Bradley Curren 5'11" | PG Harlan | 2023 State IA , Harlan
2024 Franz Reisz, Harlan
2024 Jack Cooley Jack Cooley 6'5" | PF Clarke | 2024 State IA , Clarke
2024 Cole White Cole White 6'6" | C Clarke | 2024 IA , Clarke
2024 Bo Otto Bo Otto 6'0" | PG Clarke | 2024 State IA , Clarke
2024 Cael Turner, Creston
2024 Colton Rasmussen Colton Rasmussen 6'3" | SF Atlantic | 2024 State IA , Atlantic
2023 Carter Pellett, Atlantic
2024 Nash Paulson Nash Paulson 6'2" | SG Lewis Central | 2024 State IA , Lewis Central
2023 Colby Souther, Lewis Central

SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION

Bondurant-Farrar vs. Harlan

As we mentioned earlier, Bondurant-Farrar is a pretty heavy favorite to come out of this substate, and we’ll take the Bluejays here to keep their magical season going. Colby Collison Colby Collison 6'4" | SF Bondurant-Farrar | 2023 State IA , one of the most consistent players in the state’s 2023 class over the last four years, ends his high school career with a trip to the state tournament, which will come with a #1 seed and a major target on their backs.