Substate Preview: 4A-4

The favorite: The top-ranked team in the state got a very favorable draw here, with no other team ranked within the top 24 at BC Moore. Kennedy shouldn’t have too many issues getting through this substate. Only two of the…

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The favorite: The top-ranked team in the state got a very favorable draw here, with no other team ranked within the top 24 at BC Moore. Kennedy shouldn’t have too many issues getting through this substate. Only two of the Cougars’ 20 wins have come by single digits, and they have the highest scoring offense in 4A, putting up 76.1 points a night and the third best scoring defense at 45.7 points a game. Senior guards Colby Dolphin Colby Dolphin 5'10" | PG Kennedy | 2023 State IA (15.8, 44.4 3P%) and Kenzie Reed Kenzie Reed 5'11" | PG Kennedy | 2023 State IA (10.6, 7.0 assists) are the headliners, but this is a really deep, really talented group with 10 different players who can burn you on any given night. Reed is a fantastic lead guard who limits turnovers, gets others involved, and can score from all three levels, while Dolphin is a tough, physical guard who plays tremendous on-ball defense and knocks down open looks routinely. Micah Schlaak Micah Schlaak 6'6" | PF Kennedy | 2024 State IA (12.3, 7.0 rebounds) has really come on strong after the holiday break, a versatile 6-7 combo forward who can score inside and out, and Cyrus Courtney Cyrus Courtney 6'1" | SG Kennedy | 2024 State IA (9.4, 6.3 rebounds) is a dynamic athlete on the perimeter who impacts the game on both ends. A talented team with a veteran backcourt, the best defensive coach in the state, and a ton of depth, it would be a surprise if anyone hung within 15 points of Kennedy in this substate.

The biggest threat: North Scott earned the #2 seed in the substate, and they’ll get their semifinal game against (likely) Burlington at The Pit, which is a huge bonus for them. The Lancers are led by junior wing Kavon Phillips Kavon Phillips 6'7" | SF North Scott | 2024 State IA (14.7, 7.8 rebounds), a long, athletic 6-6/6-7 wing who can defend multiple positions and score from anywhere. Two other juniors, Kyler Gerardy Kyler Gerardy 6'0" | PG North Scott | 2024 State IA (13.2) and Brennan Reid Brennan Reid 6'3" | SF North Scott | 2024 State IA (11.4), are the other major scoring threats, and they shoot it at a high level from behind the arc (37.5 3P%). If they get really hot, anything can happen.

The dark horses: The other threat to come out of the bottom of the bracket is Burlington, a team that made a surprising run to the state tournament last year and brought back a few pieces from that group. Senior wing Merquiche Lewis Jr. (24.4, 9.5 rebounds) has been one of the elite scoring threats in the class this season, using his length and athleticism to routinely get to the rim for buckets. He has also really improved his perimeter shooting, knocking down nearly 37% of his 3-point attempts. Senior guard JJ Martin JJ Martin 5'10" | PG Burlington | 2023 State IA (13.0, 3.2 assists) is the other major scoring threat for the Grayhounds, but this group is going to go as Lewis goes.

A quick team from Davenport West could make things interesting against Kennedy. The Falcons are small, but fast and athletic, led by junior point guard Jermilyn Gardner Jermilyn Gardner 5'8" | PG Davenport West | 2024 State IA (17.0, 4.4 assists). A talented guard who can get into the teeth of the defense and finish around the rim or find open teammates, he’s the type of quick-twitch athlete who could put some pressure on Kennedy’s defense for a bit. Three other players average in double figures in Landon Winston (14.0), Kdris Thomas (11.8), and Davante Bradford Davante Bradford 6'3" | SF Davenport West | 2024 State IA (10.1). The Falcons have struggled at times this year with turnovers, but if they can protect the ball, they have the offensive weapons to stick around and make things interesting.

SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION

Kennedy vs. North Scott

There isn’t too much intrigue in this substate, it’s Kennedy all the way. The Cougars have been on a mission all year, and they shouldn’t have too many issues navigating their way through this group en route to another trip to the state tournament.