Class 4A Substate Final Preview
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Substate 1: Sioux City East (21-2) vs. Johnston (13-9) [at Fort Dodge] Despite being a pretty heavy favorite, East had to escape with a 73-68 win over Des Moines North in the substate semifinals, while Johnston squeaked past Ames, 48-44.…
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Continue ReadingSubstate 1: Sioux City East (21-2) vs. Johnston (13-9) [at Fort Dodge]
Despite being a pretty heavy favorite, East had to escape with a 73-68 win over Des Moines North in the substate semifinals, while Johnston squeaked past Ames, 48-44. The high-powered Black Raiders are averaging 73.6 points per game behind a deep rotation of long, athletic players who fly around on the defensive end and look to push the tempo whenever they can. They’re led by senior guard
Fitzgerald Grant
Fitzgerald
Grant
6'2" | SG
Sioux City East | 2024
State
IA
(15.6, 66.4 FG%), a highly efficient guard who thrives attacking off the dribble and getting to the rim.
Bilal Yusuf
Bilal
Yusuf
6'2" | SG
Sioux City East | 2026
State
IA
(11.3) and
Naef Yusuf
Naef
Yusuf
6'2" | SG
Sioux City East | 2026
State
IA
(7.9) are a pair of talented, athletic sophomore wings, and Manasse Kasongo-Malu (10.1, 8.4 rebounds) has given East some size, rebounding, and rim protection in the paint. Nine players average at least 3.1 points a game, so Ras Vanderloo can comfortably go deep into his bench. Johnston counters with their own stable of long, athletic wing defenders to combat the East offensive attack.
Jalen Richardson
Jalen
Richardson
6'4" | SF
Johnston | 2025
State
IA
(10.5, 5.9 rebounds, 42.6 3P%) is a 6-5 wing who can defend multiple positions, score from all three levels, and create for his teammates. His versatility on the defensive end will be a major asset in this matchup.
Dalen Huston
Dalen
Huston
6'3" | SF
Johnston | 2024
State
IA
(8.4, 56.8 FG%) and
Prestige Taylor
Prestige
Taylor
5'11" | PG
Johnston | 2025
State
IA
(5.6, 55.1 FG%) are also athletic defenders who can guard multiple players, while
Tino Daye Jr
Tino
Daye Jr
6'0" | PG
Johnston | 2026
State
IA
(7.0) is a quick guard who can defend well on the ball. The best offensive player for the Dragons is
Trovary Cavil
Trovary
Cavil
5'11" | PG
Johnston | 2024
State
IA
(14.8), who is having by far his most efficient season, posting 48-42-91 shooting splits, and he’s the type of dynamic playmaking guard who can take over a game as a scorer and facilitator. East has been the more consistent team throughout the year, and should be considered the favorite, but it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if Johnston picked up the win here.
The pick: Sioux City East
Substate 2: Valley (17-5) vs. Norwalk (18-5) [at Des Moines Lincoln]
These teams played twice in 2023 – once at the state tournament and once during this regular season – both Valley wins. And in both of those wins, the Tigers did an excellent job defensively against Norwalk star guard
Redek Born
Redek
Born
6'3" | PG
Norwalk | 2024
State
IA
(22.7, 53.4 FG%). Born averaged just 13 points on 10-39 shooting in those two games, and with the overwhelming athleticism and length of the defenders that Valley can throw at him, it’s hard to see the Warriors finding enough offense to upset the defending champion Tigers here. He’s the do-it-all guard who initiates the offense and is the primary scorer, and if Norwalk had one more creator who could allow Born to operate off the ball a bit more, they may have a chance to spring the upset here. But as constructed, they’ll need Born to have a fantastic game and off-ball guards
Aidan Harder
Aidan
Harder
6'3" | SG
Norwalk | 2024
State
IA
(10.3, 40.2 3P%) and Timothy Koerselman (7.1, 35.6 3P%) to knock down nearly every open look they get. Valley has dealt with injuries to their top two players –
Curtis Stinson Jr
Curtis
Stinson Jr
6'5" | PG
Valley | 2025
State
#157
Nation
IA
(19.7, 6.9 rebounds, 52.5 FG%) and
Xzavion Robinson
Xzavion
Robinson
6'1" | PG
Valley | 2025
State
#342
Nation
IA
(16.7, 50.0 FG%) – throughout the year, and the two haven’t played in many games together this season. They’re both healthy and back in the lineup now, and this is right around when the Tigers took off last season, steamrolling their way through the postseason and winning a state title led by a ton of sophomores.
Trevin Jirak
Trevin
Jirak
6'9" | C
Valley | 2025
State
#349
Nation
IA
(10.1, 1.8 blocks, 7.7 rebounds),
Kiki Deng
Kiki
Deng
6'4" | SG
Valley | 2025
State
IA
(9.9), and
Kyle Cason
Kyle
Cason
6'0" | SG
Valley | 2025
State
IA
(9.6) were all huge contributors for that state title winning team, and they’ve added another long, athletic defender in
Jayden McGregory
Jayden
McGregory
6'1" | PG
Valley | 2026
State
IA
(10.3), who helps raise the ceiling of this team even higher. Too much length, too much athleticism, too much talent.
The pick: Valley
Substate 3: Iowa City West (19-3) vs. Bettendorf (16-6) [at Alliant Energy PowerHouse]
The first tournament ticket will be punched in this one, as the table setter of a good doubleheader in downtown Cedar Rapids will start at 6:30, and it will feature two of the best college prospects in the state will meet up in this one in Iowa City West junior
Jack McCaffery
Jack
McCaffery
6'8" | SF
Iowa City West | 2025
State
#70
Nation
IA
(15.9, 3.3 assists, 1.8 blocks) and Bettendorf senior
Caden Wilkins
Caden
Wilkins
6'7" | SF
Bettendorf | 2024
State
#196
Nation
IA
(18.6, 3.0 assists, 1.2 blocks). West has been more of a traditional Trojans team this season, showing improvement on the defensive end and a balanced offensive attack to complement McCaffery.
Jacob Koch
Jacob
Koch
6'1" | PG
Iowa City West | 2024
State
IA
(12.5, 39.0 3P%),
Kareem Earl
Kareem
Earl
6'5" | SF
Iowa City West | 2024
State
IA
(9.0, 54.8 FG%),
Julian Manson
Julian
Manson
6'3" | SF
Iowa City West | 2026
State
IA
(9.0, 52.6 FG%), and
TaeVeon Stevens
TaeVeon
Stevens
6'1" | PG
Iowa City West | 2024
State
IA
(8.7, 50.9 FG%) are all capable scorers alongside McCaffery who move the ball well and knock down open looks. Ball security has been an issue at times this season for West, turning it over 17.3 times a game in their three losses, and that will need to be addressed against an athletic Bettendorf defense. Wilkins is one of the most explosive scorers in the state, a 6-6 wing who can take over the game in a hurry with his ability to score from all three levels, and junior wing
Ben Kerkhoff
Ben
Kerkhoff
6'5" | SF
Bettendorf | 2025
State
IA
(10.3, 44.4 3P%) has emerged as a reliable shooting threat alongside Wilkins and slashing lead guard Tre’Von Coney (8.2, 4.9 assists). Whichever team gets better production out of the role players will win, slight advantage West. This one is tight throughout.
The pick: Iowa City West
Substate 4: Kennedy (22-0) vs. North Scott (16-6) [at Alliant Energy PowerHouse]
Kennedy has absolutely blasted teams this season, winning games by an average of 37.2 points per game behind the #1 ranked scoring offense (78.6 points per game) and the #1 scoring defense (41.4). Only one game this season has been decided by single digits, and while the Cougars haven’t played against the most difficult schedule this year, there is no denying how dominant they have been. Four players average in double-figures, and seven others average between 3.6 and 9.0 points per game, giving them a ton of depth and versatility on both ends of the floor. The backcourt of
Trey McKowen
Trey
McKowen
5'11" | PG
Kennedy | 2025
State
IA
(13.7, 4.2 assists, 41.7 3P%) and
Joseph Bean
Joseph
Bean
6'3" | PG
Kennedy | 2024
State
IA
(12.7, 54.9 FG%) are reliable ball-handlers and playmakers, and senior
Cyrus Courtney
Cyrus
Courtney
6'1" | SG
Kennedy | 2024
State
IA
(9.0, 4.9 assists, 3.1 steals) hasn’t put up eye-popping numbers, but he has absolutely dominated some games this season (see: Iowa City West) with his athleticism, size, and two-way talent.
Trevan Krumrei
Trevan
Krumrei
6'5" | SF
Kennedy | 2024
State
IA
(10.5, 45.5 3P%) is a knockdown shooter, and
Micah Schlaak
Micah
Schlaak
6'6" | PF
Kennedy | 2024
State
IA
(10.3, 60.8 FG%) is a dynamic inside-out scorer. Coach Jon McKowen may be the best defensive coach in the state, and with their varied looks that they throw at teams throughout games, they frustrate teams on that end of the floor routinely. North Scott has had an up-and-down year this season, but when they’re playing well, they may be a top-5 team in the state, so this isn’t going to be a cakewalk for the Cougars.
Brennan Reid
Brennan
Reid
6'7" | SF
North Scott | 2024
State
IA
(13.5, 7.4 rebounds, 45.7 3P%) leads an athletic Lancers team that plays good defense and pounds the glass on the offensive end of the floor hard.
Jamarion Readus
Jamarion
Readus
6'3" | SG
North Scott | 2024
State
IA
(13.2) has given the Lancers an athletic, slashing guard who can create off the dribble, and freshman wing
Josiah Harrington
Josiah
Harrington
6'4" | SG
North Scott | 2027
State
IA
(12.9, 45.6 3P%) is the type of calm, poised sharpshooter who can knock down open looks and won’t be intimidated by a big game. North Scott needs to get off to a good start in this one, as Kennedy buries teams if they get out of the gates quick, but if the Lancers can hang around for the first 16 minutes, this could be interesting.
The pick: Kennedy
Substate 5: Senior (20-2) vs. Pleasant Valley (17-5) [at Hempstead]
Points will be at a premium in this one, with Senior ranking 3rd in the class in scoring defense, allowing just 45.5 points per game, and Pleasant Valley checking in right behind them, giving up 47.1. Senior will have the best player on the floor in this one in senior forward
Jacob Williams
Jacob
Williams
6'4" | PF
Senior | 2024
State
IA
(17.2, 8.7 rebounds, 64.6 FG%), who has been a highly efficient, dominant interior force this season after having one of the best summers of anyone in the state. An athletic lefty who can create off the dribble, score on post touches, and stretch the floor, he’s a really difficult matchup for anyone. Sophomore forward
Tevin Schultz
Tevin
Schultz
6'7" | PF
Dubuque Senior | 2026
State
IA
(14.1, 58.1 FG%) gives them some more size, a 6-7/6-8 forward who can stretch the floor and provide some versatility defensively, and the Rams have a number of athletic options to throw at you on both ends of the floor with games that complement Williams and Schultz well. Pleasant Valley got off to a slow 2-3 start this season but have gone 15-2 since, and cracking their defense is never an easy task. Senior guards
Coy Kipper
Coy
Kipper
5'8" | PG
Pleasant Valley | 2024
State
IA
(11.9, 6.1 assists) and
Caden Rubel
Caden
Rubel
6'0" | PG
Pleasant Valley | 2024
State
IA
(11.3, 38.2 3P%) give them a pair of reliable ball-handlers and playmakers in the backcourt, while
Max Muszalski
Max
Muszalski
6'5" | PF
Pleasant Valley | 2024
State
IA
(11.3, 6.1 rebounds),
David Gorsline
David
Gorsline
6'2" | SG
Pleasant Valley | 2024
State
IA
(9.9, 5.4 rebounds, 40.6 3P%), and
Max Schmeltzer
Max
Schmeltzer
6'4" | PF
Pleasant Valley | 2025
State
IA
(3.4, 4.0 rebounds) give them size and toughness in the paint. Two of the most underappreciated coaches in the state in Steve Hillman (PV) and Wendell Eimers (Senior) will have their teams ready to go, and expect this to be played within a possession or two for most of the night. In a tight game, we usually side with the best player on the floor, which gives Senior a slight edge, but neither result would surprise us here.
The pick: Senior
Substate 6: Cedar Falls (19-3) vs. Waukee Northwest (15-8) [at Marshalltown]
The competition hasn’t been great by any means, but there is no denying that Cedar Falls’ offense is clicking on all cylinders right now, averaging 93.3 points a game in their last three games. They’ve lost just three times this season – to Kennedy, Iowa City West, and Assumption – by a combined 12 points, and they’re playing their best basketball of the season now. Sophomore forward
William Gerdes
William
Gerdes
6'8" | PF
Cedar Falls | 2026
State
IA
(12.2, 71.8 FG%) leads a balanced attack of offensive weapons. Gerdes is one of the best sophomores in the state and he has the ability to dominate teams on the block with his footwork and touch.
Anthony Galvin
Anthony
Galvin
6'0" | PG
Cedar Falls | 2025
State
IA
(11.2, 38.1 3P%) and
Cade Courbat
Cade
Courbat
6'8" | PF
Cedar Falls | 2024
State
IA
(11.1, 1.5 blocks) are the other top scorers, but the Tigers are an extremely deep team that sees seven others averaging between 3.2 and 9.1 points a game, giving them a number of options to turn to. Northwest has been really good on the defensive end this season, largely because of the emergence of sophomore forward
Landon Davis
Landon
Davis
6'8" | PF
Waukee Northwest | 2026
State
IA
(6.6, 5.7 rebounds, 3.4 blocks), who has been fantastic as a rim protector. He’ll be tasked with defending Gerdes, but he’s a versatile piece who rotates well and can defend multiple positions, so Brett Watson can deploy him in a number of ways. Senior guard
Grant Tigges
Grant
Tigges
6'4" | SG
Waukee Northwest | 2024
State
IA
(14.5, 6.9 rebounds, 51.3 FG%) was the only returning starter from last year’s runner-up team, and he has been good once again on the offensive end, while
Luke Hart
Luke
Hart
5'11" | PG
Waukee Northwest | 2024
State
IA
(9.7, 4.0 assists, 39.2 3P%) has emerged as a reliable playmaker and shooter.
Maverick Inman
Maverick
Inman
6'2" | SG
Waukee Northwest | 2025
State
IA
(6.8, 37.3 3P%) and Mack Heitland (5.8, 42.4 3P%) provide more shooting, which will be beneficial against a Tigers team with some length, athleticism, and beef in the paint. This one should be a lot of fun, with two of the hottest teams in the class matching up, but we’ll give the slight edge to the Tigers and their depth of options.
The pick: Cedar Falls
Substate 7: Waukee (16-7) vs. Dallas Center-Grimes (19-3) [at Indianola]
Few teams in the state have had as many impressive wins as Waukee has had this season, posting victories against Ankeny (twice), Northwest (twice), Centennial (twice), Johnston, and Valley. That’s eight wins over teams that are playing for state tournament berths tonight, and that’s despite losing four starters from a state semifinalist. The Warriors are led by senior wing
Mason Costello
Mason
Costello
6'3" | SG
Waukee | 2024
State
IA
(18.1, 3.1 assists, 37.3 3P%), who was the lone returning starter this season. He has been dynamic as a three-level scorer and playmaker, pacing an offensive attack that is 4th in the class in scoring at 70 points per game. The Warriors have good size in the paint in forwards
Evan Jacobson
Evan
Jacobson
6'7" | C
Waukee | 2026
State
IA
(13.1, 9.8 rebounds) and
Owen Schipper
Owen
Schipper
6'6" | PF
Waukee | 2024
State
IA
(9.6, 7.0 rebounds), giving them a few different bodies that they can throw at DCG standout big
Calix Cahill
Calix
Cahill
6'5" | PF
Dallas Center-Grimes | 2024
State
IA
(15.6, 7.9 rebounds, 63.5 FG%), and they also have a slew of athletic wing defenders in
Jaden Rogers
Jaden
Rogers
6'4" | SF
Waukee | 2024
State
IA
(8.3, 4.5 rebounds),
Deion Kinnetz-Jenkins
Deion
Kinnetz-Jenkins
6'0" | PG
Waukee | 2024
State
IA
(7.7, 3.3 assists), Jai White (6.2), and
Keysean Moore
Keysean
Moore
6'0" | PG
Waukee | 2024
State
IA
(3.7). That quartet will come in handy against the Mustangs’ backcourt of
Jackson Green
Jackson
Green
6'3" | SG
Dallas Center-Grimes | 2024
State
IA
(16.3, 41.3 3P%) and
Jonathan Howard
Jonathan
Howard
6'1" | SG
Dallas Center-Grimes | 2024
State
IA
(12.6, 35.5 3P%), a pair of shooters who can get scorching hot and burn teams from deep. DCG has done a really good job protecting the ball this season, averaging under nine turnovers a game, but the athleticism and length of this Warriors team is a tough matchup for the ‘Stangs.
The pick: Waukee
Substate 8: Ankeny (16-6) vs. Ankeny Centennial (17-6) [at Southeast Polk]
Will the entire town of Ankeny make the trip down to Altoona tonight for this one? It should be an electric atmosphere with the crosstown rivals meeting with a trip to the state tournament on the line. These teams split during the regular season, with each winning at home – Centennial 64-52 on December 19, and Ankeny 76-63 on February 2. The star guards for each team were unbelievable in the February 2 meeting, with Centennial’s
Luke Winkel
Luke
Winkel
6'1" | PG
Ankeny Centennial | 2024
State
IA
(22.1, 4.8 assists, 49.9 FG%, 42.2 3P%) going for 37 points on 11-21 shooting (6-10 3P, 9-10 FT) and Ankeny’s
Carson Johnson
Carson
Johnson
5'11" | PG
Ankeny | 2024
State
IA
(23.7, 3.6 assists, 51.6 FG%, 48.1 3P%) going for 38 points on 12-17 shooting (5-7 3P, 9-10 FT). Those two have been arguably the best players in the class this season, both really good three-level scorers who can create their own shots off the dribble and take over games as scorers or facilitators. If the two meetings this season are any indication, they’re both going to get theirs, so this game will be ultimately decided by the other rotation pieces for both teams. For Centennial, that means
Chase Schutty
Chase
Schutty
6'4" | PF
Centennial | 2024
State
IA
(9.5, 8.8 rebounds, 41.3 3P%),
Nick Vaske
Nick
Vaske
6'3" | SG
Ankeny Centennial | 2024
State
IA
(8.2), and
Connor Welsch
Connor
Welsch
6'2" | SF
Centennial | 2024
State
IA
(7.5, 40.3 3P%). For Ankeny, that means
Rio Aguirre
Rio
Aguirre
6'1" | PG
Ankeny | 2026
State
IA
(13.6, 42.6 3P%),
Lio Aguirre
Lio
Aguirre
6'3" | SF
Ankeny | 2024
State
IA
(12.2, 6.4 rebounds), and
Cash Schoolen
Cash
Schoolen
6'3" | SG
Ankeny | 2024
State
IA
(7.8, 57.0 FG%). Ankeny is the better offensive team, Centennial the better defensive team. With the Ankeny win coming in the more recent matchup, slight edge Hawks in this one, but it should be fantastic.
The pick: Ankeny