Substate Preview: 1A-4

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/1A-7.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/1A-7.png?w=611" alt="" class="wp-image-2341959" /></a></figure>   District 7   The favorite: Until a loss last week to North Linn, Marquette Catholic was the top-ranked team in the class, and deservedly so. The Defenders have been dominant this season, winning games by an average of 30.2 points a game, pairing an explosive and balanced offense with a smothering and athletic defense. Junior combo forward [player_tooltip player_id='1759939' first='Spencer' last='Roeder'] (16.0, 7.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists) has been a leader on both ends of the floor. A 6-5 forward who can post up smaller defenders or stretch the floor, he also provides versatility on the defensive end. [player_tooltip player_id='2511527' first='Eli' last='Scott'] (11.9, 5.0 assists) is a quick guard who puts constant pressure on opposing teams with his speed, and [player_tooltip player_id='1338777' first='Caden' last='Kettmann'] (11.6) is one of the most versatile defensive players in the class. [player_tooltip player_id='2204880' first='Kannon' last='Still'] (10.8, 36.1 3P%) is capable of getting scorching hot from the arc, while [player_tooltip player_id='2721446' first='Jacob' last='Litterer'] (9.5) and Isaac Brinker (8.5) provide additional depth, scoring, and toughness. This group probably only goes about six deep, but those six are good, and have a ton of experience playing with each other. They swept possible semifinal opponent Prince of Peace by 36 and 9 points, and beat their other possible opponent Springville by 36.   The biggest threat: According to BC Moore's power rankings system, no team in 1A has played a tougher schedule than Bellevue. A young but talented team, the Comets are just 9-8 at time of writing, but their losses have come to 2A Monticello (twice), 2A Northeast (twice), 3A Maquoketa, 2A Cascade (twice), and Marquette Catholic. The worst records of that bunch are Maquoketa (11-6) and Northeast (12-7), and Monticello has spent a majority of the year ranked within the top 5 in 2A. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1751111' first='Hunter' last='Putman'] (15.9, 37.6 3P%) is the team's leading scorer, a versatile wing who can score from all three levels. Three sophomores play significant roles in point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765510' first='Cameron' last='Casel'] (12.4, 4.7 assists), forward [player_tooltip player_id='2413480' first='KeShawn' last='DeShaw'] (11.7, 7.4 rebounds), and combo forward [player_tooltip player_id='2413487' first='Spencer' last='Abbott'] (10.6). This team can score in bunches, has been tested on pretty much a nightly basis, and knows that they can play with Marquette losing by just seven a few weeks ago after holding a halftime lead.   The dark horse: Calamus-Wheatland heads into postseason play hot, winning eight of their last nine games as of time of writing. The Warriors are a high-scoring team, ranking 10th in the class in scoring at 69.6 points per game, and that type of firepower can make them dangerous. Three players average in double figures in seniors Pedar Rohling (17.8) and Luke Rohling (14.4), and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2887794' first='Chase' last='Klatt'] (12.6), with two other viable scoring threats - James Prachar (9.2) and Isaac Wilhelm (8.2) - on the roster. Turnovers have been a huge issue for this group this season, giving it away over 20 times a game, but if they can protect the ball, they can score on anyone.   Players to watch 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2204880' first='Kannon' last='Still'], Marquette Catholic 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759939' first='Spencer' last='Roeder'], Marquette Catholic 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1338777' first='Caden' last='Kettmann'], Marquette Catholic 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751111' first='Hunter' last='Putman'], Bellevue 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765510' first='Cameron' last='Casel'], Bellevue 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413480' first='KeShawn' last='DeShaw'], Bellevue 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413487' first='Spencer' last='Abbott'], Bellevue 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759934' first='Hakeal' last='Powell'], Prince of Peace 2024 Pedar Rohling, Calamus-Wheatland 2024 Luke Rohling, Calamus-Wheatland 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2887794' first='Chase' last='Klatt'], Calamus-Wheatland 2024 Cale Crist, Midland 2024 Matt Sauer, Midland 2025 Jayce Ernzen, Springville 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721744' first='Evan' last='Haefner'], Springville 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2377311' first='Johny' last='Amina'], North Cedar   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/1A-8.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/1A-8.png?w=616" alt="" class="wp-image-2341961" /></a></figure>   District 8   The favorite: The top two seeds in this district aren't separated by much, but we'll side with Dunkerton as the favorite here, given the fact that they have the best player in the district on their side in junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1436496' first='Dylan' last='Marquart'] (18.7, 41.0 3P%). Marquart is capable of having explosive scoring nights with his ability to shoot it from deep, and the Raiders have really started to gel of late as some inexperienced pieces have gotten more accustomed to major varsity roles. [player_tooltip player_id='1759946' first='Noah' last='Fuelling'] (17.8, 3.3 assists), another junior, has been really good alongside Marquart in the backcourt, giving the Raiders a floor general and three-level scoring threat, while senior [player_tooltip player_id='2325334' first='Jacob' last='Snyder'] (12.8, 9.2 rebounds) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1834827' first='Dalton' last='Weepie'] (10.3, 4.6 rebounds) give them a pair of good, physical forwards who can control the glass. The Raiders aren't tested much in the Iowa Star, but they've got three non-conference games this week against Newman Catholic, Hudson, and North Linn that will help prepare them for postseason play.   The biggest threat: Maquoketa Valley is actually ranked slightly higher at BC Moore than Dunkerton (by about half a point), and an argument could certainly be made to make the Wildcats the district favorite. Of their four losses, three have come to North Linn (17-1, twice) and Alburnett (17-3). As opposed to Dunkerton, Maquoketa Valley prefers to play at a bit more deliberate pace, using their athleticism and discipline to play strong defense, allowing just 43.3 points a game. They're led by a pair of senior forwards - 6-3 Lance McShane (18.3, 9.1 rebounds) and 6-5 Kody Hoeger (12.9). Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2731675' first='Brady' last='Wall'] (12.1) pairs with senior Toby Grimm (7.7, 4.6 assists) to give them a few reliable ball-handlers in the backcourt as well. A district final against Dunkerton would be a fascinating meeting to break down.   The dark horse: Another high-powered offensive team that can fill it up in a hurry, Lisbon has a trio of double-figure scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='1476988' first='Michael' last='Gadberry'] (16.9), [player_tooltip player_id='1951795' first='Grayson' last='Wollum'] (16.8, 8.1 rebounds), and Daylin Schaefer (13.2), making them a tough team to prepare for. Playing in the Tri-Rivers has tested them more than what Dunkerton has gotten from the Iowa Star, and they've also tested themselves in non-conference play with games against Regina and West Branch. Going to Dunkerton and trying to hold down the Raiders is no easy task, but the Lions can score with Dunkerton and that makes them dangerous.   Players to watch 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1436496' first='Dylan' last='Marquart'], Dunkerton 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759946' first='Noah' last='Fuelling'], Dunkerton 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325334' first='Jacob' last='Snyder'], Dunkerton 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1834827' first='Dalton' last='Weepie'], Dunkerton 2024 Lance McShane, Maquoketa Valley 2024 Kody Hoeger, Maquoketa Valley 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731675' first='Brady' last='Wall'], Maquoketa Valley 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476988' first='Michael' last='Gadberry'], Lisbon 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951795' first='Grayson' last='Wollum'], Lisbon 2025 Daylin Schaefer, Lisbon 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511490' first='Seth' last='Ours'], Hillcrest Academy 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2519950' first='Rowan' last='Miller'], Hillcrest Academy 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376721' first='Mekhi' last='Benton'], Central City 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759950' first='Matthew' last='Klostermann'], Central City 2024 Trystin Russell, East Buchanan 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2519981' first='Briggs' last='Boehme'], Wapsie Valley 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1884756' first='Tanner' last='Bergmann'], Wapsie Valley 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2103624' first='Emmett' last='Burke'], Lone Tree 2024 Ethan Bockelman, Lone Tree   SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   Marquette Catholic vs. Dunkerton   After qualifying for five state tournaments in a six-year stretch from 2000-2006, Marquette Catholic has endured an 18-year drought from Des Moines. That drought ends this year, as the Defenders, an aptly named team, locks down a high-powered Dunkerton attack and punches their ticket.