Class 4A Substate Semifinal Preview
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Friday night will see the Class 4A field get cut in half, as we’ll trim it down to the Sweet 16. Below we preview each of the 16 substate semifinal games and make our picks to advance to Tuesday’s substate…
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Continue ReadingFriday night will see the Class 4A field get cut in half, as we’ll trim it down to the Sweet 16. Below we preview each of the 16 substate semifinal games and make our picks to advance to Tuesday’s substate finals.
Class 4A postseason picks record: 15-1
Substate 1
#4 Des Moines North (15-8) at #1 Sioux City East (20-2)
East is red-hot entering postseason play, winners of 14 straight and they are one of three 4A teams to rank within the top 10 in both scoring offense (2nd, 76.9) and defense (7th, 49.0).
Fitzgerald Grant
Fitzgerald
Grant
6'2" | SG
Sioux City East | 2024
State
IA
(15.2, 65.8 FG%), a highly efficient guard who thrives playing downhill and getting to the rim, is the leading scorer for the Black Raiders, but this is a deep, balanced, and athletic team that can get up-and-down and turn teams over in bunches. The Yusuf twins,
Bilal Yusuf
Bilal
Yusuf
6'2" | SG
Sioux City East | 2026
State
IA
(11.7, 52.8 FG%) and
Naef Yusuf
Naef
Yusuf
6'2" | SG
Sioux City East | 2026
State
IA
(7.9), have given them a ton of length and athleticism on the wing, and Manasse Kasongo-Malu (10.1, 8.5 rebounds, 68.2 FG%) is a bouncy rim protector and rim-runner who gives them another dimension in the paint. North has a quick backcourt in juniors
Wisdom Fode
Wisdom
Fode
6'2" | PG
Des Moines North | 2025
State
IA
(15.0) and Da’corion White (13.0), and senior
Amos Poe
Amos
Poe
6'0" | PG
Des Moines North | 2024
State
IA
(9.4), a trio that can get to the rim off the dribble. The Polar Bears don’t shoot it well (26.2 3P%) and have struggled with turnovers (14.6 a game), two areas that could get them into trouble in a hurry in this one.
Our pick: Sioux City East
#3 Ames (17-6) at #2 Johnston (12-9)
Points will be at a premium in this one, with two of the best defensive coaches in the state matching up here in Vance Downs (Ames) and Courtney Henderson (Johnston). Ames is allowing just 41.7 points a game, 2nd in the class, and they’re led by senior guard
Jack Wynter
Jack
Wynter
6'3" | SG
Ames | 2024
State
IA
(15.0, 38.9 3P%) and
Jamison Poe
Jamison
Poe
5'8" | PG
Ames | 2025
State
IA
(11.8, 3.7 assists). Wynter is a skilled lefty with a pure stroke, and he’ll need to knock down whatever semi-open looks he gets against an athletic, long Dragons defense. Johnston is led by senior guard
Trovary Cavil
Trovary
Cavil
5'11" | PG
Johnston | 2024
State
IA
(14.9, 48.7 FG%), a quick guard who is having his most efficient season, creating off the dribble for himself and his teammates.
Jalen Richardson
Jalen
Richardson
6'4" | SF
Johnston | 2025
State
IA
(10.2, 40.4 3P%) is a potential matchup problem for Ames here, a long and athletic 6-5 wing, and the Dragons have gotten good production out of three more really athletic players – senior forward
Dalen Huston
Dalen
Huston
6'3" | SF
Johnston | 2024
State
IA
(8.6, 59.2 FG%), sophomore guard
Tino Daye Jr
Tino
Daye Jr
6'0" | PG
Johnston | 2026
State
IA
(7.1, 39.5 3P%), and junior guard
Prestige Taylor
Prestige
Taylor
5'11" | PG
Johnston | 2025
State
IA
(5.4, 55.4 FG%). This group has a lot of defensive versatility and a number of players they can throw at Wynter. Playing at home, and with a bit more firepower on the offensive end, Johnston is the pick here.
Our pick: Johnston
Substate 2
#4 Urbandale (9-13) at #1 Valley (16-5)
Despite playing shorthanded in both meetings, Valley swept the season series, winning 71-62 on December 5 without
Xzavion Robinson
Xzavion
Robinson
6'1" | PG
Valley | 2025
State
#342
Nation
IA
(17.3, 50.0 FG%), and 80-69 on January 19 without
Curtis Stinson Jr
Curtis
Stinson Jr
6'5" | PG
Valley | 2025
State
#157
Nation
IA
(19.4, 51.7 FG%). The Tigers are finally fully healthy and they shouldn’t have too many issues getting by the J-Hawks here. Stinson and Robinson are the two headliners for the defending champions, but
Jayden McGregory
Jayden
McGregory
6'1" | PG
Valley | 2026
State
IA
(10.3),
Trevin Jirak
Trevin
Jirak
6'9" | C
Valley | 2025
State
#349
Nation
IA
(10.3, 7.7 rebounds),
Kyle Cason
Kyle
Cason
6'0" | SG
Valley | 2025
State
IA
(9.8), and
Kiki Deng
Kiki
Deng
6'4" | SG
Valley | 2025
State
IA
(9.8) are all high-level players as well. If Urbandale is going to pull off a huge upset, they’ll need to get a superlative game from senior guard
Grant Uecker
Grant
Uecker
6'3" | PG
Urbandale | 2024
State
IA
(15.7, 41.0 3P%) and forward
Brevin Phillips
Brevin
Phillips
6'5" | PF
Urbandale | 2024
State
IA
(13.4, 7.0 rebounds). Uecker is certainly capable of having explosive scoring nights, but against the athleticism and length of the Valley guards and wings, open looks won’t be easy to come by.
Our pick: Valley
#3 Norwalk (17-5) at #2 Council Bluffs Jefferson (18-3)
This is the biggest game that has been played at Council Bluffs Jefferson in a long, long time, and the atmosphere should be incredible. The Yellow Jackets’ 18 wins this season are more than they had in the previous five years combined (15), and a senior-heavy team will be looking to keep the good times rolling for a few more days.
Jayden Calabro
Jayden
Calabro
5'9" | PG
Council Bluffs Jefferson | 2024
State
IA
(20.9) and
Jordan Dewaele
Jordan
Dewaele
6'6" | PF
Council Bluffs Jefferson | 2024
State
IA
(17.4, 8.0 rebounds) are the headliners for a CBTJ team that plays with a chip on their shoulder. They are going to be looking to play physical defense against Norwalk and use their toughness and athleticism to get to the rim on the offensive end. Norwalk will have the best player on the floor in this game in senior guard
Redek Born
Redek
Born
6'3" | PG
Norwalk | 2024
State
IA
(22.5, 54.1 FG%), who has taken his game to another level during the last month of the year. The future Northern Iowa guard has been incredibly efficient and is in complete control of the game at all times on that end of the floor.
Aidan Harder
Aidan
Harder
6'3" | SG
Norwalk | 2024
State
IA
(10.1, 38.9 3P%) complements Born well, and the Warriors have a pretty deep stable of role players alongside those two that they can rely on. The atmosphere should be incredible, and if this game is called loosely, CBTJ can certainly win here. If it’s called tighter, advantage Norwalk. Tight game, edge to the best player.
Our pick: Norwalk
Substate 3
#4 Davenport North (12-10) at #1 Iowa City West (18-3)
Outside of a late-season win against North Scott, North has struggled against the top competition on their schedule, with just that win against a team above .500 this season. The Wildcats are small, but athletic and fast, and they’ll look to create some chaos on the defensive end with their speed. Chris Moss (10.2) leads the team in scoring, while five others average between 5.0 and 9.6 points a game. Junior wing
Jack McCaffery
Jack
McCaffery
6'8" | SF
Iowa City West | 2025
State
#70
Nation
IA
(15.9, 1.8 blocks) is a 6-8 nationally-ranked prospect who leads West, and with his combination of size, length, and talent, he’ll be tough for North to match up with.
Jacob Koch
Jacob
Koch
6'1" | PG
Iowa City West | 2024
State
IA
(12.5, 39.0 3P%) is a skilled shooter, as is
TaeVeon Stevens
TaeVeon
Stevens
6'1" | PG
Iowa City West | 2024
State
IA
(8.7, 42.4 3P%), while
Kareem Earl
Kareem
Earl
6'5" | SF
Iowa City West | 2024
State
IA
(9.0, 54.8 FG%) and
Julian Manson
Julian
Manson
6'3" | SF
Iowa City West | 2026
State
IA
(9.0, 52.6 FG%) are efficient scorers who can create for their teammates. West has been much better defensively this season, especially since the holiday break, looking more like an old-school Trojan team, and their effort on that end of the floor should smother North here.
Our pick: Iowa City West
#3 Davenport West (16-6) at #2 Bettendorf (15-6)
Bettendorf swept the season series, winning their home meeting 71-45 on January 27, and going to Davenport and winning 59-48 a week ago. The Bulldogs have won eight in a row, and 10 of their last 11, so the Bulldogs are playing really good basketball heading into this one. Senior wing
Caden Wilkins
Caden
Wilkins
6'7" | SF
Bettendorf | 2024
State
#196
Nation
IA
(17.8) is the headliner for the ‘Dogs, a 6-6 three-level scorer who can take over games as a scorer.
Ben Kerkhoff
Ben
Kerkhoff
6'5" | SF
Bettendorf | 2025
State
IA
(10.0, 42.4 3P%) is a sharpshooting wing who complements Wilkins and Tre’Von Coney (8.5, 4.7 assists) well, and
Asher Wade
Asher
Wade
6'7" | C
Bettendorf | 2024
State
IA
(7.9, 65.7 FG%) gives them some size and toughness in the paint. Senior wing
Idris Thomas
Idris
Thomas
6'4" | SF
Davenport West | 2024
State
IA
(19.0, 53.5 FG%) and guard
Davante Bradford
Davante
Bradford
6'3" | SF
Davenport West | 2024
State
IA
(13.0, 4.7 assists) have been really good for West this season, giving them a pair of big-time scorers. Thomas, at 6-6, is armed with a really good mid-range game and can stretch all the way out to the arc, while Bradford is a big, powerful guard who uses his strength to bully his way to the rim. He sees the floor well and is a willing passer.
Elijah Reid-Scott
Elijah
Reid-Scott
6'1" | PG
Davenport West | 2025
State
IA
(10.0) gives them some additional playmaking in the backcourt. The Falcons can score, but will they get enough stops against the Bulldogs?
Our pick: Bettendorf
Substate 4
#5 Waterloo East (10-12) at #1 Kennedy (21-0)
There won’t be much drama here, as Kennedy is blasting teams by 36.7 points a game and shouldn’t have any issues doing something similar here. Their constant on-ball pressure on the defensive end is not a good matchup here for East, who turns it over nearly 15 times a game. Junior guard
Trey McKowen
Trey
McKowen
5'11" | PG
Kennedy | 2025
State
IA
(13.6, 41.4 3P%) and seniors
Joseph Bean
Joseph
Bean
6'3" | PG
Kennedy | 2024
State
IA
(12.4, 53.6 FG%),
Micah Schlaak
Micah
Schlaak
6'6" | PF
Kennedy | 2024
State
IA
(10.5, 62.1 FG%),
Trevan Krumrei
Trevan
Krumrei
6'5" | SF
Kennedy | 2024
State
IA
910.3, 45.3 3P%), and
Cyrus Courtney
Cyrus
Courtney
6'1" | SG
Kennedy | 2024
State
IA
(9.2, 4.8 assists) lead a potent Cougars attack that is averaging 78.0 points a game, and a ton of Cougars should see playing time in this one.
Our pick: Kennedy
#3 Linn-Mar (15-7) at #2 North Scott (15-6)
This may be the best game of the night, and it’ll be played at one of the best gyms in the state, The Pit. Linn-Mar put on an offensive clinic in their quarterfinal win over Clinton, putting up 107 points. But the 107 points weren’t the biggest story of that game, it was the 40 points that
Payson Nietert
Payson
Nietert
6'6" | SF
Linn-Mar | 2025
State
IA
(10.5, 38.6 3P%) dropped, including going 9-10 from 3. Nietert, a 6-6 wing, has struggled with his shot for a majority of the season, but that showing is an intriguing development. His ability to stretch the floor, and shoot over the defense, would allow junior forward
Davis Kern
Davis
Kern
6'8" | PF
Linn-Mar | 2025
State
#244
Nation
IA
(22.8, 8.9 rebounds, 2.4 blocks) some more room to operate. Kern, a 6-8 forward who can score inside and out, is putting up 57-48-80 shooting splits, protecting the rim, and controlling the glass on both ends of the floor.
Mason Matson
Mason
Matson
6'1" | PG
Linn Mar | 2025
State
IA
(9.1, 3.4 assists) and
Owen Havlik
Owen
Havlik
6'4" | SG
Linn-Mar | 2024
State
IA
(9.0, 4.1 assists) are solid playmakers in the backcourt, and Matthew Darbounze (6.5, 52.2 3P%) is the consummate glue guy for the Lions, a versatile defender who shoots when open and keeps the ball moving. North Scott is limping into the playoffs, losing two straight to close the year, and four of their last six. The Lancers are led by the senior tandem of
Brennan Reid
Brennan
Reid
6'7" | SF
North Scott | 2024
State
IA
(13.6, 7.0 rebounds, 46.8 3P%), a 6-6 shooter, and
Jamarion Readus
Jamarion
Readus
6'3" | SG
North Scott | 2024
State
IA
(13.2), a slashing guard who loves to play downhill. Freshman wing
Josiah Harrington
Josiah
Harrington
6'4" | SG
North Scott | 2027
State
IA
(12.8, 46.5 3P%) is an elite shooter, and
Kavon Phillips
Kavon
Phillips
6'7" | SF
North Scott | 2024
State
IA
(9.3) and
Kyler Gerardy
Kyler
Gerardy
6'0" | PG
North Scott | 2024
State
IA
(7.0) are experienced players who contribute at a high level on both ends of the floor. Kern is a difference-maker here, and with the Lancers stumbling down the stretch, Linn-Mar goes into Eldridge and comes away with a road win.
Our pick: Linn-Mar
Substate 5
#4 Davenport Central (10-12) at #1 Senior (19-2)
These teams met in their season openers, a 59-50 Senior win, despite Central knocking down 11 3-pointers and shooting 44% from behind the arc. For a team that shoots 32% from deep on the year, it’s hard to imagine the Blue Devils replicating that success here against an athletic and talented Senior defense. The Blue Devils are led by sophomore guard
Carter Light
Carter
Light
6'0" | SF
Davenport Central | 2026
State
IA
(11.7) and junior
Elias Vargas
Elias
Vargas
5'9" | PG
Davenport Central | 2025
State
IA
(10.4), a pair of quick guards who can break down a defense and get into the teeth of it.
Jordan Smith
Jordan
Smith
5'9" | PG
Davenport Central | 2025
State
IA
(8.2, 35.2 3P%) is their best perimeter shooting threat, and Maddox Sullivan (9.6, 6.7 rebounds) has been a solid piece in the paint for them. Central will probably struggle to keep pace with Senior’s standout forward tandem of senior
Jacob Williams
Jacob
Williams
6'4" | PF
Senior | 2024
State
IA
(17.2, 8.7 rebounds, 64.6 FG%) and sophomore
Tevin Schultz
Tevin
Schultz
6'7" | PF
Dubuque Senior | 2026
State
IA
(14.1, 58.1 FG%), a pair of talented big men who can score inside and out, control the glass, and protect the paint defensively. They have too much size for Central here, and the Rams are able to comfortably go seven or eight deep into their rotation with athletic players who contribute on both ends of the floor.
Our pick: Senior
#3 Prairie (11-11) at #2 Pleasant Valley (16-5)
Prairie’s offense has started to really click down the stretch this season, finally getting a full grasp of Todd Kuntz’s offensive attack. The Hawks are averaging 68.4 points a game in their last 11, which includes 44-point outings against both Centennial and Senior. Unfortunately for the Hawks, Pleasant Valley more closely resembles Senior than any of the other teams they’ve played during that stretch on the defensive end, with the Spartans ranking 6th in scoring defense, allowing just 47.8 points per game. If Prairie is going to pull off the upset, they’ll need big games from
Reid Burkle
Reid
Burkle
6'5" | PF
Prairie | 2024
State
IA
(15.8, 57.3 FG%) operating within the mid-range, and
Jace McDermott
Jace
McDermott
6'2" | SF
Prairie | 2025
State
IA
(12.0, 38.5 3P%) and Austin Joens (7.2, 35.7 3P%) knocking down shots from 3. Pleasant Valley got off to a slow 2-3 start this season after reaching the state semifinals last year, but hte Spartans have been really good since the holiday break. Coach Steve Hillman always has this group playing great defense, and this year is no exception. A tough, physical team that uses those attributes to wear down their opponents on both ends of the floor, they’re balanced offensively with three players averaging around 11 points a game in
Coy Kipper
Coy
Kipper
5'8" | PG
Pleasant Valley | 2024
State
IA
(11.5, 6.0 assists),
Max Muszalski
Max
Muszalski
6'5" | PF
Pleasant Valley | 2024
State
IA
(11.5, 6.1 rebounds), and
Caden Rubel
Caden
Rubel
6'0" | PG
Pleasant Valley | 2024
State
IA
(11.4, 37.6 3P%).
David Gorsline
David
Gorsline
6'2" | SG
Pleasant Valley | 2024
State
IA
(9.8, 40.6 3P%) is the other headliner of the group, an athletic and physical combo forward who can defend multiple positions. Going to Bettendorf and beating PV is always tough, and with the way they defend, it’s hard to see Prairie going there and knocking the Spartans off unless they make 12 3-pointers.
Our pick: Pleasant Valley
Substate 6
#4 Ottumwa (13-8) at #1 Cedar Falls (18-3)
Like the Waterloo East-Kennedy game up in Substate 4, this one probably won’t be competitive for long. Cedar Falls has been fantastic this season, with their three losses coming to Kennedy, Iowa City West, and Assumption by a combined 12 points. The Tigers are deep (10 players averaging at least 3.1 points a game), talented, and long. Sophomore forward
William Gerdes
William
Gerdes
6'8" | PF
Cedar Falls | 2026
State
IA
(12.1, 70.9 FG%) leads the team in scoring, one of three averaging double-digits, joined by junior guard
Anthony Galvin
Anthony
Galvin
6'0" | PG
Cedar Falls | 2025
State
IA
(11.9, 38.3 3P%) and senior forward
Cade Courbat
Cade
Courbat
6'8" | PF
Cedar Falls | 2024
State
IA
(10.5, 1.6 blocks). Ottumwa is led by junior wing
Trae Brown
Trae
Brown
6'4" | SF
Ottumwa | 2025
State
IA
(18.1, 8.3 rebounds), who has been really good this season, and with his combination of size, strength, athleticism, and three-level scoring (53-41-75 shooting splits), he’s a difficult matchup, but unfortunately for him and the Bulldogs, the Tigers have some options to throw at him. Ottumwa will need massive, efficient games from Brown and
Rahsha Pope
Rahsha
Pope
6'0" | PG
Ottumwa | 2024
State
IA
(13.1) if they want to stick around here, but over 32 minutes, Cedar Falls’ depth and multitude of scoring options takes over in a big way.
Our pick: Cedar Falls
#3 Dowling Catholic (12-11) at #2 Waukee Northwest (14-8)
These teams split during the regular season, with Dowling winning 56-51 on January 5 at home, and Northwest taking the rematch in a blowout, 81-61, on February 6. With each team winning on their home floor, and the Northwest blowout coming more recently, edge Wolves.
Ridik Meton
Ridik
Meton
6'2" | SF
Dowling Catholic | 2024
State
IA
(14.0) leads the Maroons in scoring, a slashing wing who loves to play downhill and get to the rim.
Joey Coppola
Joey
Coppola
5'11" | PG
Dowling Catholic | 2024
State
IA
(13.3, 3.8 assists) is a versatile offensive weapon who can create off the bounce and get to his own shot, and
Joe Broderick
Joe
Broderick
6'4" | PF
Dowling Catholic | 2024
State
IA
(11.8, 11.1 rebounds) has provided some physicality in the paint as well as the ability to step out and stretch the floor. A tough team with really good athletes, nothing comes easy against Dowling. Northwest is 10-2 in their last 12 games, allowing just 46.8 points a game during that stretch. The catalyst of that defensive effort has been sophomore forward
Landon Davis
Landon
Davis
6'8" | PF
Waukee Northwest | 2026
State
IA
(6.6, 3.5 blocks), who has been one of the best rim protectors in the state this season. An athletic 6-7/6-8 big who can switch and provide versatility on that end of the floor, his emergence has unlocked a lot of things for the Wolves.
Grant Tigges
Grant
Tigges
6'4" | SG
Waukee Northwest | 2024
State
IA
(14.3, 51.3 FG%) and
Luke Hart
Luke
Hart
5'11" | PG
Waukee Northwest | 2024
State
IA
(9.8, 4.0 assists, 39.1 3P%) are the offensive headliners, and the Wolves are a deep team with eight players averaging at least 3.2 points a game.
Our pick: Waukee Northwest
Substate 7
#4 Southeast Polk (7-16) at #1 Waukee (15-7)
Waukee steamrolled the Rams in both regular season meetings, winning 86-63 on December 1 and 91-53 on February 10. A combined 61-point margin of victory in those games would seem to suggest that the Warriors should roll again here, and it makes sense. Southeast Polk is led by
Bode Goodman
Bode
Goodman
6'2" | PG
Waukee Northwest | 2025
State
IA
(21.0), a talented junior guard who has averaged 25 points in the two games against Waukee, but the Rams simply haven’t gotten much production out of anyone else in those games. Waukee seems to be content letting Goodman get his, and then taking away the rest of the Rams with the immense number of long, athletic wing defenders they can throw at you.
Mason Costello
Mason
Costello
6'3" | SG
Waukee | 2024
State
IA
(17.9) leads an explosive Waukee offensive attack, a 6-3 wing who can score from all three levels and create for his teammates.
Evan Jacobson
Evan
Jacobson
6'7" | C
Waukee | 2026
State
IA
(13.2, 9.7 rebounds) and
Owen Schipper
Owen
Schipper
6'6" | PF
Waukee | 2024
State
IA
(9.5, 7.0 rebounds) have the size to give the Rams some serious problems, and then
Jaden Rogers
Jaden
Rogers
6'4" | SF
Waukee | 2024
State
IA
(8.4, 1.7 blocks),
Deion Kinnetz-Jenkins
Deion
Kinnetz-Jenkins
6'0" | PG
Waukee | 2024
State
IA
(7.9, 3.4 assists), JaiShon White (6.2), and
Keysean Moore
Keysean
Moore
6'0" | PG
Waukee | 2024
State
IA
(3.5) are the aforementioned athletic wing defenders. This is just a bad matchup for SEP.
Our pick: Waukee
#3 Council Bluffs Lincoln (16-6) at #2 Dallas Center-Grimes (18-3)
Senior wing
Cole Arnold
Cole
Arnold
6'3" | SF
Council Bluffs Lincoln | 2024
State
IA
(21.4, 53.6 FG%, 43.0 3P%) has been really good this season for Council Bluffs Lincoln, a big, physical wing who can score from all three levels in bunches.
Etienne Higgins
Etienne
Higgins
6'3" | SG
Council Bluffs Lincoln | 2025
State
IA
(11.6, 39.1 3P%) gives them some additional scoring on the perimeter, and the tandem of
Easton Klement
Easton
Klement
5'11" | PG
Council Bluffs Lincoln | 2026
State
IA
(5.1, 3.5 assists) and Will Costello (3.5, 3.7 assists) are solid playmakers in the backcourt. Unfortunately for the Lynx, they lost
Creighton Bracker
Creighton
Bracker
6'6" | PF
Council Bluffs Lincoln | 2025
State
IA
, their interior presence, to injury, and that will be a significant loss against
Calix Cahill
Calix
Cahill
6'5" | PF
Dallas Center-Grimes | 2024
State
IA
(15.9, 8.1 rebounds) and the Mustangs. Cahill is a big, bouncy 6-7 forward who scores efficiently around the rim, is a good passer, and a really good rebounder, and he should be able to control the paint on both ends of the floor with Bracker sidelined.
Jackson Green
Jackson
Green
6'3" | SG
Dallas Center-Grimes | 2024
State
IA
(16.2, 41.4 3P%) has had a great year for DCG as a three-level scorer, and
Jonathan Howard
Jonathan
Howard
6'1" | SG
Dallas Center-Grimes | 2024
State
IA
(12.6) is a skilled shooter. An experienced team (led by five seniors and a junior) that shares the ball extremely well (21.4 assists, 8.9 turnovers), DCG has a number of weapons who can beat teams from anywhere on the floor, and with the way they play together, they’re going to be really tough to beat here. If Bracker was healthy, this one would be interesting. With him sidelined, Cahill should feast.
Our pick: Dallas Center-Grimes
Substate 8
#4 Liberty (11-11) at #1 Ankeny (15-6)
Liberty is playing better basketball down the stretch, winning five of their last six, but the Lightning have struggled in three games against CIML competition this season, losing by 22 against Centennial, 38 against Waukee Northwest, and 13 against Johnston. Will the fourth time be the charm for the Lightning? If it’s going to be, they’ll need a big-time night from
Trey Hughes
Trey
Hughes
6'2" | SG
Liberty | 2024
State
IA
(12.0, 35.4 3P%), a streaky shooter who can get scorching hot and carry the team for stretches. Freshman guard
Jerimiah Washpun
Jerimiah
Washpun
5'10" | PG
Liberty | 2027
State
IA
(7.3) can create off the dribble, and the length of
Cooper Webb
Cooper
Webb
6'7" | SF
Iowa City Liberty | 2024
State
IA
(7.9) and
Gage Kampman
Gage
Kampman
6'7" | PF
Iowa City Liberty | 2024
State
IA
(7.1, 2.8 blocks) can create some problems on the defensive end. That said, they’ll have their hands full with Ankeny senior guard
Carson Johnson
Carson
Johnson
5'11" | PG
Ankeny | 2024
State
IA
(23.1, 46.2 3P%), who has been one of the most electric scorers in the state all season. His ability to create his own shot and shoot off the dribble is rivaled by few, and he can absolutely take over a game in the blink of an eye.
Rio Aguirre
Rio
Aguirre
6'1" | PG
Ankeny | 2026
State
IA
(14.0, 43.7 3P%) gives them more perimeter scoring, and
Lio Aguirre
Lio
Aguirre
6'3" | SF
Ankeny | 2024
State
IA
(12.1, 6.4 rebounds) is a physical wing who thrives playing downhill. The Hawks put a number of good athletic role players alongside those three, giving them a balanced, talented team taht should overwhelm Liberty here.
Our pick: Ankeny
#3 Roosevelt (7-16)* at #2 Centennial (16-6)
Roosevelt had to forfeit several games due to the use of an ineligible player, but said player wasn’t a major contributor so a majority of the roster that won 16 games is in tact. Freshman wing
Charlie King
Charlie
King
6'4" | CG
Roosevelt | 2027
State
IA
(11.0, 6.4 rebounds, 38.2 3P%) has had some big scoring nights and will need to have another one if the Roughriders are going to pull off an upset here. Brayden Page (8.1), Jecari Patton (6.9), and
Jayden Davison
Jayden
Davison
5'9" | PG
Roosevelt | 2025
State
IA
(6.1) are quick guards, and
Tyron Wright
Tyron
Wright
6'6" | PF
Roosevelt | 2024
State
IA
(7.8, 7.6 rebounds) gives them some size and athleticism in the paint. The ‘Riders will have their hands full with Centennial guard
Luke Winkel
Luke
Winkel
6'1" | PG
Ankeny Centennial | 2024
State
IA
(22.1, 4.9 assists, 41.5 3P%), a hyper-talented three-level scoring guard who can take over games as a scorer and playmaker.
Chase Schutty
Chase
Schutty
6'4" | PF
Centennial | 2024
State
IA
(9.7, 8.9 rebounds, 41.7 3P%) is a tough matchup because of his strength, rebounding, and floor stretching, and
Nick Vaske
Nick
Vaske
6'3" | SG
Ankeny Centennial | 2024
State
IA
(8.4) and
Connor Welsch
Connor
Welsch
6'2" | SF
Centennial | 2024
State
IA
(7.5, 40.0 3P%) are high-quality role players alongside that tandem. Winkel is far and away the best player on the floor and the Jaguars should win this one fairly comfortably, setting up an all-Ankeny substate final.
Our pick: Centennial