Substate Preview: 4A-3
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The favorite: Senior 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,…
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Continue ReadingThe favorite: Senior 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 Jacob Williams Jacob Williams 6'4" | PF Senior | 2024 State IA (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 Tevin Schultz Tevin Schultz 6'7" | PF Dubuque Senior | 2026 State IA (10.0) is a skilled low-post scorer who can also stretch the floor, and senior guard Hayden Jacobsmeier Hayden Jacobsmeier 6'0" | SG Senior | 2023 State IA (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.
The biggest threats: Bettendorf 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 Caden Wilkins Caden Wilkins 6'7" | SF Bettendorf | 2024 State #196 Nation IA (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 Taydem Arguello Taydem Arguello 5'11" | PG Bettendorf | 2023 State IA (11.4) is an athletic lead guard who puts pressure on opposing defenses, and junior forward Asher Wade Asher Wade 6'7" | C Bettendorf | 2024 State IA (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.
Pleasant Valley 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 Connor Borbeck Connor Borbeck 6'2" | SG Pleasant Valley | 2023 State IA (12.3, 39.3 3P%) is a big wing who can really shoot it, and the junior backcourt of Caden Rubel Caden Rubel 6'0" | PG Pleasant Valley | 2024 State IA (9.6, 38.6 3P%) and Coy Kipper Coy Kipper 5'8" | PG Pleasant Valley | 2024 State IA (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.
The dark horses: Junior guard Jamarion Readus Jamarion Readus 6'3" | SG North Scott | 2024 State IA (19.3) is one of the best scorers in the substate, which makes Davenport Central 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 Anthony Gott Anthony Gott 6'8" | C North Scott | 2024 State IA (8.5, 2.6 blocks) is a talented rim-protector with good size and instincts on the defensive end.
Players to watch
2024
Jacob Williams
Jacob
Williams
6'4" | PF
Senior | 2024
State
IA
, Senior
2023
Hayden Jacobsmeier
Hayden
Jacobsmeier
6'0" | SG
Senior | 2023
State
IA
, Senior
2026
Tevin Schultz
Tevin
Schultz
6'7" | PF
Dubuque Senior | 2026
State
IA
, Senior
2024
Caden Wilkins
Caden
Wilkins
6'7" | SF
Bettendorf | 2024
State
#196
Nation
IA
, Bettendorf
2023
Taydem Arguello
Taydem
Arguello
5'11" | PG
Bettendorf | 2023
State
IA
, Bettendorf
2023
Connor Borbeck
Connor
Borbeck
6'2" | SG
Pleasant Valley | 2023
State
IA
, Pleasant Valley
2024
Caden Rubel
Caden
Rubel
6'0" | PG
Pleasant Valley | 2024
State
IA
, Pleasant Valley
2024
Jamarion Readus
Jamarion
Readus
6'3" | SG
North Scott | 2024
State
IA
, Davenport Central
2024
Anthony Gott
Anthony
Gott
6'8" | C
North Scott | 2024
State
IA
, Davenport Central
2025
Reed Strohmeyer
Reed
Strohmeyer
6'2" | SG
Hempstead | 2025
State
IA
, Hempstead
2025
Luke Wieskamp
Luke
Wieskamp
6'6" | SF
Brophy Prep | 2025
State
AZ
, Muscatine
2025
Kayvion Hodges
Kayvion
Hodges
6'3" | SF
Assumption | 2025
State
IA
, Muscatine
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Senior vs. Bettendorf
While Bettendorf has the best player in the substate, Senior 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.