Substate Preview: 4A-5

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/4A-5.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/4A-5.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1797484" /></a></figure>   The favorite: The best 2025 class in the state paces a Valley team that has firmly established themselves as a top-4 team in the state and a very worthy favorite in this substate. The Tigers are led by point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1381422' first='Curtis' last='Stinson Jr']. (14.1, 6.1 rebounds), one of five sophomores among the top six in scoring. A versatile three-level scorer, playmaker, and defender, he's among the top point guard prospects in the Midwest in the 2025 class. He rolled his ankle late in the season, so his health is in question, but it will have been two full weeks since the injury by the time Valley plays their semifinal game, so he should be good to go. [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'] (11.4) is an elite athlete on the perimeter, a dribble-penetrating guard who can break down the defense and get to the rim routinely, while [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'] (9.9) is an athletic wing who is a terror in transition. [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (8.9, 6.9 rebounds) provides size and skill in the paint, and [player_tooltip player_id='1759897' first='Kyle' last='Cason'] (7.5, 43.3 3P%) is an elite shooter off the catch who is a really nice complement to the other pieces the Tigers possess. [player_tooltip player_id='1288925' first='Trevian' last='Carson'] (9.8, 3.3 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='1240073' first='Chuck' last='Epperly'] (2.5) are the lone seniors in the rotation, and both play their roles well. One of the most talented teams in the state, the only question for them is whether or not their youth will be an impediment.   The biggest threats: Cedar Rapids Washington came into the season with pretty lofty expectations and got off to a really slow start, going just 2-6 in their first eight games. They've rebounded nicely, going 10-3 down the stretch and are finally starting to play at the level that we expected them to play at coming into the season. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='956880' first='Traijan' last='Sain'] (15.9) is the team's best player, a long, athletic 6-6 wing who can score from all three levels, impact the game defensively, and create for his teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='1167702' first='Jesse' last='Sellers'] (14.7) and [player_tooltip player_id='1167699' first='Jaden' last='Harris'] (6.1) give them a veteran presence in the backcourt, and [player_tooltip player_id='1738645' first='Noah' last='Johnson'] (9.4), a Linn-Mar transfer, has provided an additional scoring spark on the wing. This is a veteran team, with seniors comprising their top six scorers, and in Sain, they have a high-level player.   One of the most pleasant surprises this year has been Waterloo West, who earned the #2 seed in this substate behind an impressive 16-5 record. The Wahawks are led by a pair of dynamic senior wing scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='1367438' first='Keishaun' last='Pendleton'] (16.0) and [player_tooltip player_id='1288869' first='Si'Marion' last='Anderson'] (14.0). Both are capable of taking over games as three-level scorers as well as creating plays for their teammates. Four others average between 5.3 and 8.6 points a game, giving them six reliable scoring options, and this is an athletic group that defends at a high level. They beat Washington, their likely semifinal opponent, by 14 back on January 10.   The dark horse: Waterloo East has won six of their last seven games heading into postseason play, including a quality win over Ames, and have gone 10-3 since the holiday break. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1167741' first='Kewone' last='Jones'] (19.3, 7.1 rebounds) has been outstanding this season, posting 55-51-77 shooting splits and using his size, strength, and physicality to dominate games as a scorer, playmaker, and rebounder. [player_tooltip player_id='1469837' first='Jameel' last='Montgomery'] (14.9, 8.7 rebounds) is a fantastic athlete who plays above the rim and dominates the offensive glass, and [player_tooltip player_id='1240087' first='Jamauryus' last='Bradford-Gates'] (13.7, 3.9 assists) is a cat-quick guard who can blow by defenders and get to the bucket at will. The Trojans are quick, athletic, and in Jones, they have a player who can take over games as a scorer. They scored more points on Ames (70) than any other team this season, and if you can score on Ames, you can pretty much score on anyone.   Players to watch 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381422' first='Curtis' last='Stinson Jr'], Valley 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'], Valley 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'], Valley 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1288925' first='Trevian' last='Carson'], Valley 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'], Valley 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759897' first='Kyle' last='Cason'], Valley 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367438' first='Keishaun' last='Pendleton'], Waterloo West 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1288869' first='Si'Marion' last='Anderson'], Waterloo West 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167741' first='Kewone' last='Jones'], Waterloo East 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469837' first='Jameel' last='Montgomery'], Waterloo East 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956880' first='Traijan' last='Sain'], Cedar Rapids Washington 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167702' first='Jesse' last='Sellers'], Cedar Rapids Washington 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240089' first='Shamar' last='Benton'], City   SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   Valley vs. Waterloo West   The CIML has been worlds better than the MVC this season, and that comes into play here as Valley's hyper-talented 2025 class leads the Tigers to the state tournament, where nobody will want to see them.