Substate Preview: 4A-3

<!-- wp:image {"id":1797492,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/4A-3.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/4A-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1797492" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The favorite: Senior</strong> is the #1 defensive team in 4A, allowing just 42.9 points a game this season. A deep team filled with athleticism, they use a variety of different defensive looks to frustrate opposing teams, forcing them into tough, contested shots and a bevy of turnovers. They're long, athletic, and disciplined on that end of the floor. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1376678' first='Jacob' last='Williams'] (12.3) leads a balanced scoring attack, leading the team in scoring and rebounding. A bouncy lefty who scores around the rim efficiently, he also pounds the glass relentlessly on both ends. Freshman big man [player_tooltip player_id='1172887' first='Tevin' last='Schultz'] (10.0) is a skilled low-post scorer who can also stretch the floor, and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1239872' first='Hayden' last='Jacobsmeier'] (10.3, 3.1 assists) is a shifty guard who can get to the bucket. Four others average between 6.0 and 9.4 points a game, and Wendell Eimers is one of the best coaches in the state. He'll have this group ready to go, and while they can get bogged down at times on the offensive end, they'll bring it every night on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The biggest threats: Bettendorf </strong>swept likely semifinal opponent Pleasant Valley this year, winning a pair of low-scoring slugfests, 45-41 and 41-35. The Bulldogs are led by junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1171682' first='Caden' last='Wilkins'] (19.3, 10.4 rebounds), the top-ranked player in Iowa's 2024 class. A 6-6/6-7 wing who can score from all three levels, defend multiple positions, and rebound at a high level on both ends, he can dominate games on both ends of the floor. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1738619' first='Taydem' last='Arguello'] (11.4) is an athletic lead guard who puts pressure on opposing defenses, and junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1476936' first='Asher' last='Wade'] (9.2, 6.9 rebounds) is one of the best interior defenders in the state, a skill that will come in handy against a PV team that has a few big bodies. The Bulldogs have the best individual player in the substate, play good defense, and have already beaten their semifinal opponent twice. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasant Valley </strong>would love to get a third shot at Bettendorf after losing their two regular-season meetings by a combined 10 points. The Spartans are always strong defensively, and that remains true this season, allowing 47 points a game. A disciplined defensive team with length everywhere, they make things really difficult for opposing teams on that end. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1367437' first='Connor' last='Borbeck'] (12.3, 39.3 3P%) is a big wing who can really shoot it, and the junior backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='1256306' first='Caden' last='Rubel'] (9.6, 38.6 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1376711' first='Coy' last='Kipper'] (7.4, 6.8 assists) has been solid this year. A balanced team with a number of players who can beat you, the Spartans have eight players averaging at least 3.7 points a game. They pound the glass hard on both ends, and are comfortable playing at the slower style that postseason games tend to become. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The dark horses: </strong>Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1751096' first='Jamarion' last='Readus'] (19.3) is one of the best scorers in the substate, which makes <strong>Davenport Central </strong>dangerous. Readus is a skilled guard who can break down a defense and get to the bucket seemingly at will, and his ability to put constant pressure on opposing defenses with his dribble penetration is rivaled by few. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1171691' first='Anthony' last='Gott'] (8.5, 2.6 blocks) is a talented rim-protector with good size and instincts on the defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to watch</span><br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376678' first='Jacob' last='Williams'], Senior<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1239872' first='Hayden' last='Jacobsmeier'], Senior<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1172887' first='Tevin' last='Schultz'], Senior<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171682' first='Caden' last='Wilkins'], Bettendorf<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1738619' first='Taydem' last='Arguello'], Bettendorf<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367437' first='Connor' last='Borbeck'], Pleasant Valley<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1256306' first='Caden' last='Rubel'], Pleasant Valley<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751096' first='Jamarion' last='Readus'], Davenport Central<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171691' first='Anthony' last='Gott'], Davenport Central<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759932' first='Reed' last='Strohmeyer'], Hempstead<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381426' first='Luke' last='Wieskamp'], Muscatine<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759902' first='Kayvion' last='Hodges'], Muscatine</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior vs. Bettendorf</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Bettendorf has the best player in the substate, <strong>Senior</strong> has been far and away the best team this year. The Rams have a number of different defenders and defensive looks they can throw at Wilkins, and they find just enough offense to punch their ticket to the state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->