Class 3A Substate Semifinal Preview

Thursday night will see 16 games played around the state, all Class 3A substate semifinals. There are a number of outstanding games around the state, and we've previewed and picked a winner for each game below. Get out and enjoy some excellent hoops on Thursday night!   Class 3A postseason picks record: 27-5   Substate 1   #5 Glenwood (13-8) at #1 MOC-Floyd Valley (19-3)   MOC-Floyd Valley's potent offensive attack, which ranks 7th in the class at 68.0 points per game, should be too much for Glenwood to overcome here. The Dutchmen are led by senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1376686' first='Jesse' last='Van Kalsbeek'] (25.0, 10.8 rebounds), an athletic wing who loves to play downhill and get to the rim. He's having a sensational senior season, scoring efficiently (60.1 FG%), controlling the glass, and creating for his teammates. A trio of juniors - [player_tooltip player_id='2398061' first='Blake' last='Aalbers'] (14.5), [player_tooltip player_id='1523401' first='Ahman' last='Langton'] (9.5), and [player_tooltip player_id='1951793' first='Owen' last='Vander Pol'] (8.2) - have been really good alongside Van Kalsbeek, giving them a number of scorers and playmakers. Glenwood was outrebounded by Lewis Central, 39-32, and committed 17 turnovers in their win over Lewis Central, and those areas will need be addressed here if they want to hang with MOC-FV. The Rams are led by Kayden Anderson (15.5), Ayden Gibson (10.9), and Casey Godbout (10.3), a trio of talented scorers, but this is a team that only averages about 5 made 3-pointers per game, and if they want to keep pace with the potent Dutchmen, they'll need to get hot from deep. Our pick: MOC-Floyd Valley   #3 Sergeant Bluff-Luton (12-10) at #2 Heelan (13-9)   Heelan swept the season series between these teams, but neither was easy. The Crusaders won 50-45 at home on December 12, and 47-43 in Sergeant Bluff on January 26. They're also coming off a closer-than-expected win over Sioux Center in the quarterfinals, so this is a team that could be vulnerable heading into this one. [player_tooltip player_id='1171695' first='Matthew' last='Noll'] (21.9, 10.8 rebounds) has been one of the best players in the state this season for Heelan, leading the team in scoring and rebounding, and he has been dominant on both ends of the floor. He averaged 24.5 points on 17-31 shooting in the two meetings, and will be leaned upon heavily again here. [player_tooltip player_id='2325373' first='Quinn' last='Olson'] (11.9, 3.7 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='2325363' first='Sean' last='Schaefer'] (6.8, 2.4 assists) have given them some playmaking, and [player_tooltip player_id='1288898' first='Beau' last='Chamberlain'] (7.1) is a solid role player. Heelan doesn't shoot it well from deep (29.4 3P%), but they'll have the most dynamic player on the floor, which could be a major difference maker. Coach Adam Vander Schaaf once again has Sergeant Bluff-Luton playing well down the stretch, winners of eight straight games. Always a well-coached team, especially on the defensive end, points are hard to come by when you're playing the Warriors, allowing just 49.9 points a game this season, 7th in the class. Seniors Scott Dickson (13.5) and Emiliano Gonzalez (11.7), and sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1978139' first='Isaiah' last='Jervik'] (8.8), are the leaders of the group, but this is a deep, balanced, and physical team that won't let Heelan get anything easy here. It certainly wouldn't surprise anyone to see SBL win this one, but in a tight game, we'll side with the home team and the best player on the floor. Our pick: Heelan   Substate 2   #5 North Polk (11-12) at #1 Clear Lake (21-1)   North Polk went up to Algona and beat the Bulldogs to set up this date with Clear Lake, a team that spent a significant portion of the season ranked #1 in the class. The Comets survived an ugly game that featured 44 fouls and 48 free throw attempts and shot just 2-15 from behind the arc. That number will need to be much better if they are going to go to Clear Lake and upset the Lions. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1751215' first='Reggie' last='Postel'] (18.8, 3.0 assists) is the headliner for the Comets, a quick, athletic guard who can score from all three levels and create off the bounce for his teammates. Graedan Sullivan (9.7, 6.7 rebounds) has been a solid contributor in the paint and on the glass, and Charlie Bunkers (7.4) and [player_tooltip player_id='1938209' first='Brady' last='Schulz'] (6.0) provide a little extra scoring. Clear Lake will be without standout forward [player_tooltip player_id='1381416' first='Thomas' last='Meyer'] in this one, an athletic forward who would've been a huge difference maker, but they got back guard [player_tooltip player_id='1759906' first='Titan' last='Schmitt'] (11.1, 4.0 assists, 47.7 3P%) in the quarterfinals, a huge boost to the backcourt. Schmitt is a fantastic shooter both off the dribble and the catch, and gives them a veteran presence in the backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id='2325311' first='Cael' last='Stephany'] (10.2, 37.1 3P%) is another good shooter, while [player_tooltip player_id='2389820' first='Trevor' last='Theobald'] (6.7, 5.8 assists) has been really good as a sophomore playmaker. [player_tooltip player_id='2325304' first='Dylan' last='Litzel'] (10.0) and Gavin Anderson (8.5) are reliable scorers as well, and with the multitude of options that Clear Lake can put on the floor, North Polk could struggle to keep pace. Our pick: Clear Lake   #3 Humboldt (15-7) at #2 Ballard (14-8)   Few teams in the state launch 3s at the same volume as Humboldt, who put up 28.5 3-pointers a game. That type of shooting can be a game-changer if the shots are falling, and with three players who have made at least 42 3s on the season in [player_tooltip player_id='1938208' first='Evan' last='Hatcher'] (20.3, 42 3PM, 37.2 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='2511501' first='Coen' last='Matson'] (12.2, 53 3PM, 44.9 3P%), and Elliot Carlson (18.7, 54 3PM, 35.1 3P%), they can put up points in a hurry. Ballard counters with sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'] (17.4, 5.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists), [player_tooltip player_id='2397342' first='Jackson' last='Brown'] (14.3, 44.0 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='2398123' first='Mason' last='Gatchel'] (6.1, 39.5 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='1256298' first='Nolan' last='Cogdill'] (10.1, 38.5 3P%). Gibson is the most dynamic player on the floor in this one, a lightning-quick guard who can create looks for himself and his teammates off the bounce, and the Bombers are able to put a lot of shooting around him. Getting this semifinal at home, with the best player on the floor, gives Ballard the edge, but the volatility of Humboldt's style could certainly lead to an upset. Our pick: Ballard   Substate 3   #4 Wahlert Catholic (10-12) at #1 Decorah (20-2)   These teams met very early in the season, a 67-57 Decorah win in Dubuque on December 5. Both teams have improved since then. Decorah has spent a chunk of the season ranked #1, including in the final poll of the season, and for good reason. The Vikings are explosive offensively, averaging 78.3 points a game behind a quartet of double-figure scorers: [player_tooltip player_id='1256304' first='Ben' last='Bockman'] (20.0, 50.7 3P%), Cael LaFrentz (16.3, 10.6 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 68.4 FG%), [player_tooltip player_id='1171655' first='Treyton' last='McCain'] (12.0, 7.3 assists, 54.4 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='1381408' first='Zach' last='Driscoll'] (10.1, 4.7 assists, 51.8 3P%). [player_tooltip player_id='1587745' first='Matthew' last='Bockman'] (9.3) provides even more scoring, and [player_tooltip player_id='2377280' first='Kaiden' last='Quandahl'] (4.1, 5.5 rebounds) is the glue guy, a do-it-all wing who can defend multiple positions, rebound on both ends of the floor, and occasionally create off the dribble. A balanced, explosive team that shares the ball exceptionally well (22.6 assists a game), the Vikings can be having a slow offensive start and then all of a sudden rattle off 20 points in four minutes. Wahlert was very inexperienced heading into this season, and they've taken their lumps in the MVC, but playing in a 4A league has prepared them well for postseason play and they'll be ready for what the Vikings can throw at them. The Golden Eagles are led by a pair of junior wings in [player_tooltip player_id='2721792' first='Owen' last='McCleary'] (11.6) and [player_tooltip player_id='1288882' first='Ethan' last='Meyer'] (10.3, 37.7 3P%), while four other average between 5.0 and 8.9 points a game, giving them six reliable scorers. They have struggled at times to protect the ball (13.4 turnovers a game), and if they commit live-ball turnovers against the Vikings, they'll pay in a hurry. But if they can protect the ball, they have a chance to keep this one really interesting. Our pick: Decorah   #3 Hampton-Dumont-CAL (13-9) at #2 Charles City (14-8)   Exactly a week ago, Charles City beat Hampton-Dumont-CAL 54-46 at home, and now they'll run it back with bigger stakes. In that game, the Comets outscored the Bulldogs 23-9 in the fourth quarter to win by eight after going into the final frame down by six. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1476943' first='Keenen' last='Wiley'] (16.3, 8.8 rebounds) is the headliner, while [player_tooltip player_id='1288892' first='Jack' last='Hanson'] (12.9, 4.3 assists) and Jeb Wandro (10.6, 38.5 3P%) provide some perimeter scoring. The Comets struggled with Hampton-Dumont big man [player_tooltip player_id='1171692' first='Scott' last='Harr'] (19.8, 13.5 rebounds) in that game last week, with the 6-4/6-5 big going for 22 points on 8-13 shooting and 17 rebounds. He's the type of tough, physical big man who can, obviously, give Charles City some problems. While Harr can have another big game, Charles City has more weapons and sneaks out with another tight win to advance to the substate final. Our pick: Charles City   Substate 4   #4 Maquoketa (14-8) at #1 Marion (17-5)   It'll be offense vs. defense on Thursday night in Marion, as the #5 scoring offense in 3A, Maquoketa, travels down to the #12 scoring defense, Marion. Maquoketa is paced by a trio of double-figure scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='1376691' first='Tye' last='Hardin'] (20.4, 8.4 rebounds, 56.7 FG%), [player_tooltip player_id='1751093' first='Tyler' last='Hinz'] (14.8, 5.3 assists, 39.4 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='1376709' first='Carter' last='Meyer'] (12.8). Hardin is a combo guard who can play on or off the ball, knocking down shots off the catch or getting to the rim off the bounce. Hinz is a quick, hyper-athletic guard who can create looks for himself and his teammates at a high level, knock down shots, and get his teammates involved, and Meyer is a physical wing who gets to the bucket. The Cardinals are small, but quick and athletic. This is a game that Marion senior forward Kyler Whitman (11.9, 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 blocks) could control. A mobile 6-6 big man with good touch around the rim, a tenacity on the glass on both ends of the floor, and the ability to control the paint defensively, he's a player that Maquoketa could struggle to contain. [player_tooltip player_id='1402185' first='Austin' last='Goodrich'] (12.3, 39.0 3P%) is the team's top perimeter scorer, and [player_tooltip player_id='2325432' first='Jordan' last='Fischer'] (9.1, 3.6 assists) has been solid as a playmaker. If Maquoketa is able to dictate the pace, they'll win. If it's Marion who is able to get it to a little slower tempo, the Wolves will win. Playing at home, and with a potential difference-maker in the middle, Marion gets a slight, slight edge in what may be the tightest game of the night. Our pick: Marion   #3 Mount Vernon (15-8) at #2 Assumption (14-8)   Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1171688' first='Jackson' last='Kutcher'] (16.1) exploded for 36 points in Mount Vernon's quarterfinal win over Central DeWitt, and he'll need to be fantastic again for the Mustangs if they're going to go over to Davenport and upset the Knights. He's certainly capable of doing so, a streaky shooter who can get red hot when he has it rolling. Unfortunately for Mount Vernon, Assumption has a number of athletic defenders that they can throw at Kutcher. The Knights are led by sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1660062' first='Navon' last='Shabazz'] (15.5, 3.4 assists), the top-ranked player in the 2026 class. Shabazz is a fantastic athlete who, at 6-4, can take over games on either end of the floor. He recently added an offer from Iowa to his growing list of Power 5 suitors. [player_tooltip player_id='1759900' first='Damyen' last='Jackson'] 915.1) is a quick guard who creates off the dribble at a high level, and [player_tooltip player_id='1759902' first='Kayvion' last='Hodges'] (9.1, 7.0 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='1759943' first='Braylon' last='Thomsen'] (9.0), and [player_tooltip player_id='2397362' first='Joey' last='Funderburk'] (7.7) are all solid role players who complement the Shabazz-Jackson tandem well. Expect Hodges, Thomsen, Shabazz, and Jackson to all get cracks at Kutcher on the defensive end. Consistent play has been a bit of an issue for Assumption this season, but when the Knights are locked in and have things rolling, they may just be the best team in the class. Our pick: Assumption   Substate 5   #4 Keokuk (16-6) at #1 Solon (21-1)   These teams met in the postseason last year, a 63-54 Solon quarterfinal win, and they'll run it back a year and two days later with a trip to the substate finals on the line. The Spartans have been great on the defensive end this season, allowing just 47.4 points a game, 3rd in the class, behind a deep stable of long, athletic, and versatile wings. The Spartans have also been a bit more dynamic offensively this season, led by senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1376687' first='Jake' last='Benzing'] (17.3, 37.2 3P%), an efficient three-level scorer with a pure stroke from deep. Speaking of efficiency, [player_tooltip player_id='2325525' first='Vince' last='Steinbrech'] (14.4, 61.2 FG%) has been excellent in that regard, getting to the rim for finishes routinely both in the halfcourt off of good off-ball movement and in transition. [player_tooltip player_id='2325516' first='Rylen' last='Stiegelmeyer'] (11.2, 35.8 3P%) and Gehrig Turner (10.5) have been solid contributors on the offensive end as well, and Austin Knight (3.0, 4.2 rebounds), while not a big scorer, is arguably their most important defensive piece. Solon may struggle with the size of Keokuk sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1978100' first='Jaxon' last='Clark'] (20.0, 11.5 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 65.5 FG%), a 6-8 big man with soft hands, good feet, and a huge frame. Expect to see Solon throw some different zone looks at the Chiefs in an effort to limit Clark's effectiveness. If that is the case, [player_tooltip player_id='1476968' first='Diego' last='Garcia'] (13.1), [player_tooltip player_id='1720208' first='Brenton' last='Hoard'] (11.9), and [player_tooltip player_id='2398015' first='Tramell' last='Smith'] (7.2, 41.7 3P%) will need to play at a high level. Our pick: Solon   #3 Williamsburg (14-8) at #2 Clear Creek Amana (16-6)   Clear Creek Amana swept the regular season series, winning 70-63 on January 19 in Williamsburg, and then getting a last-second shot to win 56-55 on February 6 to capture the WaMaC West crown. The Clippers are led by a pair of guards whose games complement each other well in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1759949' first='Andrew' last='Rotzoll'] (15.8, 42.6 3P%) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1938206' first='Haiden' last='Hardy'] (14.3, 4.7 assists). Rotzoll is a great shooter off the catch, and Hardy is able to break down a defense and get to the rim. The Clippers are able to put five solid scorers around those two, with those five averaging between 5.7 and 9.3 points a game. Williamsburg will have the size edge here with the tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='1171685' first='Derek' last='Weisskopf'] (20.2, 8.1 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='1751226' first='Kellen' last='Cockrell'] (10.0, 8.0 rebounds). Weisskopf averaged 21.5 points and 6.5 rebounds on 16-36 shooting in the two meetings, while Cockrell averaged 18.0 points and 12.0 rebounds on 13-20 shooting. Weisskopf, a future Iowa linebacker, is the type of bouncy, athletic wing who can take over a game on both ends of the floor, while Cockrell, headed to Ellsworth CC to play quarterback, is a 6-6, bouncy rim protector with great hands and touch. If the Raiders can get some good play out of [player_tooltip player_id='2397303' first='Grant' last='Hocker'] (10.5) and Braden Plotz (6.3) alongside Weisskopf and Cockrell, they can pull off this upset. Weisskopf is the best player on the floor, and the Raiders have been close twice. Our pick: Williamsburg   Substate 6   #4 Gilbert (13-9) at #1 Waverly-Shell Rock (18-3)   There should be points galore in this one, with two of the top six scoring offenses in the class meeting up. Gilbert, 6th in scoring at 69.6 points a game, will not shy away from getting up-and-down with Waverly-Shell Rock, putting up 76.3 a night, 2nd in the class. The Tigers have won six straight games, all but one by double digits, eclipsing 76 points in all but one of those games, so needless to say, the offense is clicking right now. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2325344' first='Truman' last='Kruckenberg'] (16.3, 56.9 FG%) leads the offensive attack, but he's far from the only option. Brody Hague (12.6, 35.0 3P%) and Dylan Terry (6.5, 39.5 3P%) are the team's top perimeter shooters, while the sophomore tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='1765542' first='Preston' last='Stensland'] (9.2, 3.2 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='1765544' first='William' last='Terrones'] (5.7, 4.4 assists) give them some playmaking and scoring in the backcourt. No team in the state has been as potent from the arc as Waverly-Shell Rock this season. The Go-Hawks are shooting 43.8% from behind the arc as a team, with the quartet of [player_tooltip player_id='1751097' first='Benny' last='Ramker'] (12.7, 33 3PM, 47.1 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1751095' first='Noah' last='Frazell'] (16.5, 71 3PM, 51.8 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1376675' first='Cole' last='Marsh'] (16.2, 52. 3PM, 44.4 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='1759905' first='Luke' last='Frazell'] (19.0, 53 3PM, 54.6 3P%) going a combined 209-421 (49.6%). That type of shooting, and the ball movement that comes with it, getting great looks on nearly every possession, is tough to keep pace with. With Gilbert bringing back six of their top eight, the future is bright for the Tigers, but they're running into a buzzsaw here. Our pick: Waverly-Shell Rock   #3 Grinnell (15-7) at #2 Nevada (19-4)   Behind a quartet of double-figure scorers, Nevada has put together a really strong season, and they enter this one hot, winners of seven straight. The Cubs are led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1751185' first='Jacob' last='Khounsourath'] (16.1, 4.6 assists, 42.9 3P%), an athletic guard who can score from all three levels and create off the bounce for his teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='1765535' first='John' last='Nelson'] (15.8, 7.2 rebounds, 2.6 blocks) is a versatile sophomore big man who can play inside and out, while [player_tooltip player_id='1758643' first='Alec' last='Higgins'] (12.1) and Easton Gray (11.6) give them some additional scoring on the perimeter. This is a really good offensive team with some athletic guards and a really good rim protector behind them. Grinnell is led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='2511568' first='Ryan' last='McIlrath'] (15.2) and senior Cole Blackford (14.2, 4.0 assists), while four others average between 6.5 and 9.7 points a game. The Tigers can score with Nevada, but will they get enough stops to go on the road and pick up a win. Our pick: Nevada   Substate 7   #4 Newton (11-11) at #1 Winterset (14-9)   Newton has been playing good basketball, winners of four of their last five, including quality wins over Van Meter, Clarke, and Bondurant-Farrar. The Cardinals are shooting 36.3% from behind the arc as a team, which will be beneficial for them against the 2-3 Winterset zone. [player_tooltip player_id='1256300' first='Caleb' last='Mattes'] (14.4, 37.2 3P%, 4.3 assists) is the team's leader in scoring and assists, while [player_tooltip player_id='2413557' first='Caden' last='Klein'] (9.9, 41.7 3P%) and Nate Lampe (9.2, 41.4 3P%) are both good shooters off the catch. Christian Lawson (11.1, 7.1 rebounds) is the lanky forward who rebounds well and can protect the paint defensively. The Cards move the ball well, and while ball security hasn't really been an issue this season (10.3 turnovers a game), moving the ball against the speed and aggressiveness of the 2-3 that Winterset plays can be tricky. Winterset counters with the Wilmes twins, [player_tooltip player_id='2325569' first='Hudson' last='Wilmes'] (15.8, 40.7 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1945653' first='Hayden' last='Wilmes'] (13.9, 31.8 3P%), a pair of electric shooters who can get scorching hot and put up points in bunches. [player_tooltip player_id='1587404' first='Sam' last='Hensley'] (14.3, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 blocks) gives the Huskies some size, floor stretching, and rim protection, and [player_tooltip player_id='2397315' first='Hank' last='Wilmes'] (5.0, 5.3 assists, 2.7 steals) gives them more speed and toughness in the backcourt. Winterset is 8-3 at home, while Newton is just 5-4 on the road. Slight advantage Winterset. Our pick: Winterset   #3 Clarke (18-5) at #2 Pella (13-9)   Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1171696' first='Jack' last='Cooley'] (23.7, 11.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists) leads an explosive Clarke offense that is averaging 70.7 points, 4th in the class. Cooley, an athletic 6-5 do-it-all wing, is the headliner, but the Indians have a number of talented scoring threats alongside him, led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1376707' first='Bo' last='Otto'] (10.2, 7.0 assists), who paces the attack. Ashton Giza (9.2) is a streaky shooter but he can get hot, while Brock Watson (9.1), Jesus Vega Torres (8.3), and [player_tooltip player_id='1324979' first='Cole' last='White'] (7.4, 1.4 blocks) provide some additional balanced scoring. How much of the Indians offensive success is tied to their poor strength of schedule (63rd out of 64 3A teams)? That will be a major question to be addressed here. Pella is also really good offensively, averaging 66.9 points per game, led by sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='2120763' first='Jack' last='McGuire'] (14.4), who leads three double-figure scorers. McGuire, an athletic and lanky 6-3/6-4 wing who can do a little bit of everything on the offensive end. [player_tooltip player_id='1171672' first='Luke' last='Hardman'] (12.0, 39.6 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='2398044' first='Brayden' last='Traetow'] (9.4, 35.6 3P%) are good shooters, and [player_tooltip player_id='2325476' first='Cameron' last='Rowe'] (10.8), [player_tooltip player_id='2413561' first='Austin' last='Schulte'] (7.3), and [player_tooltip player_id='1171673' first='Romon' last='Hugan'] (6.5) are all capable of scoring 10+ on any given night. The Dutch are athletic and physical, and they'll have the athletes to compete with Clarke on the defensive end. Our pick: Pella   Substate 8   #5 Carroll (12-10) at #1 ADM (19-3)   ADM swept the season series, beating the other Tigers 66-59 on January 29 and 58-45 on February 9. The Tigers have been one of the best teams in the class all year, and while beating the Tigers for a third time in less than a month will be tough, they're simply the more dynamic team with more weapons. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1222528' first='Adam' last='Bryte'] (16.0, 7.7 rebounds, 39.3 3P%) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1978130' first='Hudson' last='Lorensen'] (16.0, 45.4 3P%) are a pair of fantastic shooters, and [player_tooltip player_id='2325258' first='Rhylan' last='Stine-Smith'] (9.9, 5.6 assists) has been the straw that stirs the drink for the offensive attack. A talented offensive team that can get scorching hot and put up points in a hurry, it's just hard to see Carroll keeping pace. So if Carroll wants to pull off the upset, what needs to happen? First, they'll need to drag the game into the mud. The more possessions there are in a game, the more opportunity for the better talent to take over. Second, get the ball to [player_tooltip player_id='1476977' first='Evan' last='Hammer'] (18.6, 10.0 rebounds). Hammer, an athletic 6-4 forward, has been held in check in the first two meetings, averaging 11 points and 8.5 rebounds, but he'll need to be dominant if they want to upset ADM. Third, they'll need to get some hot shooting from guys like Caden Lengeling (10.4, 31.8 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='2413644' first='Jared' last='Mohr'] (9.1, 32.7 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='2511542' first='Stone' last='Sibenailer'] (6.8, 38.8 3P%). Our pick: ADM   #6 Creston (10-12) at #2 Bondurant-Farrar (13-9)   Creston upset Harlan to get here, but they'll have their hands full with the defending 3A champs. Bondurant-Farrar lost a ton of production to graduation, then lost their top returnee to a knee injury during football season. But the Bluejays are still dangerous, and in a wide open 3A field, they should still be considered a threat. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1288861' first='Tanner' last='Berggren'] (21.9, 37.0 3P%) has been electric as a three-level scorer, leading the team in scoring and showcasing a feathery shooting stroke from the mid-range and the arc. [player_tooltip player_id='2397237' first='Cole' last='Miller'] (12.7, 7.5 assists), one of the breakout stars of the 3A tournament last season, has been great as a lead playmaker, and [player_tooltip player_id='2397327' first='Hudson' last='McConnell'] (11.0, 50.0 3P%) is a knockdown shooter off the catch. The Jays have a solid rotation of role players that complement those three well. For Creston, junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1874784' first='Jake' last='Hoyt'] (15.7, 7.3 rebounds) is the headliner, a long, lanky wing who can get to the rim efficiently and create off the dribble. Cael Turner (14.8, 3.1 assists) is the team's top playmaker in the backcourt, and [player_tooltip player_id='1587472' first='Tony' last='Davidson'] (12.7, 66.0 FG%) gives them some size in the paint. This is probably one of the bigger mismatches of the round, and should be a comfortable Bondurant-Farrar win. Our pick: Bondurant-Farrar

Thursday night will see 16 games played around the state, all Class 3A substate semifinals. There are a number of outstanding games around the state, and we've previewed and picked a winner for each game below. Get out and enjoy some excellent hoops on Thursday night!