Matchups To Notice This Weekend
In this article:
Tonight tips off the official start to the 2023-2024 boys high school basketball season throughout the state of Iowa. This season is sure to be a rollercoaster. We have returning state champions that look prepared to repeat, teams coming in…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingTonight tips off the official start to the 2023-2024 boys high school basketball season throughout the state of Iowa. This season is sure to be a rollercoaster. We have returning state champions that look prepared to repeat, teams coming in with a “chip on their shoulder” after how their season ended a year ago, new faces from the 2027 class that are going to take over, and a whole lot more.
In the article below I am going to highlight and briefly cover three matchups of this weekend, that I think people should take notice in looking toward the future.
Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!
Sioux City East vs Bishop Heelan
Where: Sioux City East
When: December 1st – 7:00 PM
One of the best matchup’s to start off the month of December throughout Iowa is the contest between Sioux City East & Bishop Heelan, taking place this upcoming Friday. Both programs are prepped for major seasons ahead this winter. In this game specifically, there will be a handful of college level recruits. If everyone on each side, goes out and takes care of their specific job, we could have a heated battle. Not to mention, that this feels like a rivalry-type game. There is going to be high-level game play, intense emotions, and a lot of strategic play going on behind the scenes. It maybe early on in the season but this game has a “playoff feel” to it and that’s something you can’t fake. I can’t wait to see how these programs matchup against each other.
West Branch vs Monticello
Where: West Branch High School
When: December 1st – 7:30 PM
West Branch hosting Monticello on the starting week of the season is a real treat for the 2A/3A classes. West Branch will be tasked with protecting their home-court behind the star point guard play of Holden Arnaman Holden Arnaman 6'3" | PG West Branch | 2024 State IA . Monticello on the other hand, will look to Preston Ries Preston Ries 6'1" | SF Monticello | 2024 State IA and get on the road, attempting to bring back home an important victory to start their season off on the right foot. This is another situation where both teams will have college level players on their roster so it’s going to come down to who executes better throughout the contest. From my past experiences, I’ve noticed that Monticello is a program that likes to only play 6-7 guys, while West Branch will come in with a deeper bench. Being so early in the season, this is anyones game to win but I am going to give the slight edge to WB, solely based on their home court advantage.
Valley vs Waukee Northwest
Where: Valley High School
When: December 1st – 7:45 PM
If you want to talk about two programs that had memorable seasons last year, look to further than Valley & Waukee Northwest. These two teams had fantastic winters and ended up meeting in the 4A State Championship, where eventually the Tigers would walk away as the winners with a final score of 75-67. This season though, both teams are returning and going to look a little different. For the Tigers, they will not have their star PG to start the year but that shouldn’t be a major issue at this moment. They have plenty of other players that can step up and maybe not give you the same production but definitely help you out in the long run. As for Waukee NW, they are going to come into this season trying to find a new identity. Their major producers from the 2022-2023 season have graduated and moved on, meaning there will be a lot of opportunity for the young talent on this roster. I’m not sure how close this matchup will be in the end but it will definitely be an interesting one to watch. There is no doubt about that.