Friday Games to Watch (12/15)

1A #8 South O'Brien (5-0) at George-Little Rock (4-1)   These two teams have been great on the defensive end to start the year, with South O'Brien allowing just 40.6 points, and George-Little Rock giving up 41.8. Points may be tough to come by here, as both are stingy defensively, and neither team shoots it particularly well from behind the arc. South O'Brien has been led by junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2721643' first='Derek' last='Paulsen'] (21.4), a highly efficient scorer who is shooting over 62% from the floor through the Wolverines' first five games. Willie Conley (14.2) is the other big-time scorer, and this is a team that has been really good at limiting turnovers (8.6 a game) this season.   The South O'Brien 2-3 zone will likely be collapsing in on G-LR star forward [player_tooltip player_id='1376715' first='Drew' last='Denekas'] (16.2, 8.6 rebounds), a skilled big man who scores effectively around the rim and controls the glass on both ends of the floor. The Mustangs' top four scorers - Denekas, Charlie Hamilton (12.6), Noah Terhark (10.2), and Isaiah Johnson (10.0) - are all players who do their damage inside the arc, which will be difficult to do against the Wolverines' zone defense. Ball movement and some role players knocking down shots will be key if the 'Stangs are going to hold down their home court and get a big early-season War Eagle win.   4A #2 Iowa City West (4-0) at 4A #8 Linn-Mar (4-0)   These two teams split their meetings last year, with each winning at home, and both are off to strong 4-0 starts to this season. West has won each of their first four comfortably (don't let the eight-point win over Davenport West fool you, they led by 16 after three quarters), posting a +20.0 average point differential. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1381414' first='Jack' last='McCaffery'] (16.8, 7.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 3.8 blocks) is the headliner of the group. McCaffery is about 6-9 now and spent the summer really improving as a ball-handler and playmaker, as evidenced by his huge increase in assist numbers this season. With his size and skill set, he's a matchup problem for just about anyone. But it's not McCaffery who leads the Trojans in scoring; that honor goes to senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1376672' first='Jacob' last='Koch'] (17.0, 54.2 3P%), who has been scorching hot from the arc in their first four games, knocking down 13 of his first 24 attempts from distance. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1171670' first='Kareem' last='Earl'] (11.5) is healthy this season and has provided additional three-level scoring, while sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765527' first='Julian' last='Manson'] (8.8) provides more scoring and playmaking.   Linn-Mar has won each of their first four games, including three straight impressive road wins (Bettendorf, Waukee, Xavier) to open the year, with each game decided by four points or less. That proficiency in close games could really come in handy in this one, and will certainly be a major benefit come postseason play for a fairly young team. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'] (18.8, 7.0 rebounds, 3.8 blocks) is one of the best two-way players in the state, and is off to a ridiculously efficient start on the offensive end of the floor. At 6-8, he can shoot it from deep, score on the block, and protect the rim, making him, like McCaffery, a really difficult matchup. [player_tooltip player_id='1514455' first='Mason' last='Matson'] (12.5) has provided a spark in the backcourt, a quick, athletic guard who can play downhill and get to the rim or knock down shots from deep, and [player_tooltip player_id='1587751' first='Owen' last='Havlik'] (11.3, 4.5 assists) provides some length on the wing and playmaking. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1484413' first='Payson' last='Nietert'] (7.5) hasn't gotten his shot going yet this season, but is finding other ways to impact the game. This one should be a lot of fun between a pair of talented traditional powers in eastern Iowa.   Aplington-Parkersburg (5-1) at 1A #5 Marquette Catholic (7-0)   As far as I can tell, this is the first ever meeting between these two schools, and it should be a fun non-conference matchup between a pair of teams with high expectations this season. Aplington-Parkersburg is off to a nice 5-1 start, with their lone loss coming to Hudson, a top-5 team in 2A. The Falcons are led by a really talented backcourt tandem, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1171686' first='Gavin' last='Thomas'] (19.7, 4.7 assists, 45.7 3P%) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1765547' first='Benny' last='Waller'] (14.2, 50.0 3P%), who give them a pair of dynamic scorers and playmakers who have the ball in their hands a ton. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2325268' first='Nick' last='Neuroth'] (9.2, 4.0 assists) is another talented ball-handler and playmaker who has been a menace on the defensive end this season. This A-P team is smaller than they've been in previous years, with no player on the roster listed taller than 6-2, but they'll look to play fast, pressure constantly, and shoot it often.   Marquette, knowing that they have a chance to be pretty darn good this year, is testing themselves in non-conference play this year, and this A-P game is part of that. Six players are averaging at least 8.0 points a game for the Mohawks, led by junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1759939' first='Spencer' last='Roeder'] (15.3, 8.0 rebounds), a long combo forward who can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and control the glass. A-P may have trouble matching up with him. Eli Scott (13.7, 4.7 assists) paces the offensive attack, a high IQ lead guard who limits turnovers, and [player_tooltip player_id='1338777' first='Caden' last='Kettmann'] (11.4) is a versatile two-way player who can score from all three levels and defend multiple positions. Marquette is deep, tough, physical, athletic, and has pretty good size for a 1A team, and if they're able to beat A-P here, they'll add another significant bulletpoint to their resume for the 1A rankings committee to consider when they meet for the first time a week from Friday.   4A #9 Waukee (5-1) at 4A #5 Centennial (4-1)   Following a loss to Dowling Catholic, Centennial has been playing really good ball, winning three straight by an average of 19 points a game, including a win over then-#1 Valley. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1288923' first='Luke' last='Winkel'] (22.8, 5.2 assists) has been sensational this season, ranking among the leaders in 4A in scoring and assists, and he has been remarkably efficient as well, posting shooting splits of 51-46-74. [player_tooltip player_id='1173129' first='Chase' last='Schutty'] (10.4, 9.6 rebounds) is a tough, physical forward who has done a great job controlling the glass, and [player_tooltip player_id='1751094' first='Nick' last='Vaske'] (9.2), [player_tooltip player_id='2325295' first='Connor' last='Welsch'] (8.8), and Joey Oakie (6.0) provide some additional perimeter scoring.   Waukee has been a bit of a surprising team to start the year, with their lone loss coming by two to Linn-Mar. After losing a ton of talent from last year's semifinal team, the Warriors were expected to take a bit of a step back this season, but they've pretty much picked up right where they left off. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1171683' first='Mason' last='Costello'] (19.5) has stepped into the primary scoring role for Waukee, filling it up efficiently from all three levels while serving as one of the best playmakers on the roster as well. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765524' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'] (12.7, 9.7 rebounds) is a mobile big with great hands, soft touch, and the ability to stretch the floor, and [player_tooltip player_id='1476990' first='Jaden' last='Rogers'] (11.2) and [player_tooltip player_id='1476941' first='Deion' last='Kinnetz-Jenkins'] (10.2) give them some quickness and athleticism on the perimeter, especially on the defensive end. [player_tooltip player_id='1476969' first='Owen' last='Schipper'] (7.0, 8.8 rebounds) has also given them really strong minutes on both ends of the floor, giving them some more size and length in the paint. This is a team that has the athletic perimeter defenders to throw at Winkel, and it should be a fascinating matchup to watch.   Council Bluffs Jefferson (5-1) at Council Bluffs Lincoln (4-0)   I'm fairly confident that this is the first time that I've written about Council Bluffs Jefferson in a "top games" article, and it's a testament to the fantastic start they're off to. The Yellow Jackets' five wins equal the amount they had in the previous three seasons combined, and this is a program that hasn't won more than eight games since the 2009-10 season. They've been led by a trio of seniors in [player_tooltip player_id='1376681' first='Jayden' last='Calabro'] (18.6), [player_tooltip player_id='1938205' first='Jordan' last='Dewaele'] (16.0, 8.0 rebounds), and Devin Davis-Conti (13.0), giving them three big-time scoring threats who can each fill it up and are also skilled passers. Calabro is making his first trip back to CBAL after his transfer, so this one will be interesting.   The Lynx have won 22 straight meetings in this rivalry, the last 21 coming by double digits. They're averaging nearly 75 points a game early this season, behind a deep attack of scoring threats. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1376689' first='Cole' last='Arnold'] (19.3) has been scorching hot to start this year, with shooting splits of 52-48-87, while junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1381403' first='Creighton' last='Bracker'] (13.8, 10.0 rebounds) could be a matchup problem for CBTJ here. Bracker is a tough, physical forward who dominates the glass on both ends of the floor, but he also has a little finesse to his game, showing the ability to step out and stretch the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='1759908' first='Etienne' last='Higgins'] (12.8) gives them an athletic wing scorer, and sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1978104' first='Easton' last='Klement'] (8.3, 3.3 assists) has been really good alongside Will Costello (3.0, 5.3 assists) in the backcourt, giving them a pair of reliable ball-handlers and playmakers.   Pleasant Valley (2-1) at 4A #3 North Scott (4-0)   These teams played a pair of 59-56 games last season, both won by Pleasant Valley. The Spartans entered the season with high expectations, but a blowout loss to Bettendorf was a bit of an eyebrow-raiser, particularly in the way they got dominated on the glass in that game (31-19). Always a tough, disciplined, physical team on both ends of the floor, it appears as though they were beat at their own game in that one. They beat Davenport West by just two last time out and are heading into this one with some real questions to answer. They're led by senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1256306' first='Caden' last='Rubel'] (11.5) and [player_tooltip player_id='1376711' first='Coy' last='Kipper'] (10.5, 4.5 assists), a pair of veteran guards who can facilitate and score. [player_tooltip player_id='1751106' first='Max' last='Muszalski'] (8.5, 7.0 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='1759910' first='Max' last='Schmeltzer'] (6.5, 4.5 rebounds), and [player_tooltip player_id='1256301' first='David' last='Gorsline'] (3.5, 4.0 rebounds) will need to hold down the glass against an athletic Lancers team.   North Scott is off to a really nice 4-0 start that includes a high quality win over Assumption. [player_tooltip player_id='1751096' first='Jamarion' last='Readus'] (15.0) leads the team in scoring and assists, a quick guard who puts constant pressure on opposing teams with his handles and speed. [player_tooltip player_id='2309944' first='Josiah' last='Harrington'] (13.3, 63.6 3P%) may be the best freshman in the state, a flamethrowing 6-4 wing who plays like a senior, and [player_tooltip player_id='1256295' first='Kavon' last='Phillips'] (11.7, 8.3 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='1171656' first='Kyler' last='Gerardy'] (8.0), and [player_tooltip player_id='1476964' first='Brennan' last='Reid'] (7.7, 7.0 rebounds) are all seniors with a ton of experience playing together. It certainly wouldn't be a shock if PV is able to start righting the ship and is able to go into The Pit and come away with a win, getting right back into the MAC and 4A conversation, but it's a tall task with the athleticism and talent that North Scott is putting on the floor this season.   Other notable games Keota (7-0) at 1A #4 Lynnville-Sully (6-0) 4A #4 Cedar Falls (2-1) at 3A #8 Xavier (4-1) Omaha, Skutt Catholic (NE) vs. Grand View Christian (2-2) (game played at Tyson Event Center, Sioux City) 3A #5 Carroll (5-0) at Ballard (3-2) Earlham (5-0) at Van Meter (4-1) 2A #6 West Lyon (6-0) at Boyden-Hull (2-3) North Fayette Valley (6-1) at MFL MarMac (3-2)

1A #8 South O'Brien (5-0) at George-Little Rock (4-1)