Substate Preview: 1A-5

<!-- wp:image {"id":2341965,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/1A-9.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/1A-9.png?w=617" alt="" class="wp-image-2341965" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>District 9</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The favorite: Winfield-Mt. Union</strong> has been absolutely dominant on the defensive end of the floor this season, allowing just 33.2 points a game, the best number in 1A. Their two losses have come to Illini Bluffs, a team that has been ranked within the top three in Illinois' Class 1A for most of the season, and West Burlington, a team currently ranked #8 in 2A and undefeated. The Wolves are led by a pair of Division I football players in [player_tooltip player_id='1171697' first='Cam' last='Buffington'] (17.9, 7.3 rebounds; Iowa) and [player_tooltip player_id='1171698' first='Abram' last='Edwards'] (14.8, 11.6 rebounds; Army), giving them a pair of dynamic athletes with great size, length, and toughness. Those two have been outstanding this season on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='1381409' first='Jake' last='Edwards'] (10.7, 38.9 3P%) is the team's top shooter and a solid third scorer, while Carter Loyd (9.9) has played a lot of good basketball for WMU over the last few years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The biggest threat: </strong>Playing in the South Division of the SEISC, <strong>Notre Dame</strong> hasn't played many of the teams in this district, which could be an advantage for a Nikes team that has been pretty darn good this season. Senior wing Liam Delaney (16.9, 3.2 assists) leads a balanced group of offensive weapons, with three other players averaging between 9.0 and 9.9 points a game in sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1978106' first='Shay' last='Stephens'] (9.9, 3.4 assists) and seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2325465' first='Gedi' last='Boal'] (9.3) and Spencer Brent (9.0). A strong program that always has good athletes, plays solid defense, and knows how to win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The dark horse: </strong>In senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1476982' first='Hunter' last='Hughes'] (16.2, 6.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 3.7 steals), <strong>WACO</strong> has one of the best two-way players in 1A basketball, which makes the Warriors dangerous in this district. Hughes is a versatile guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands, and he leads a strong defensive team that puts a lot of pressure on opposing teams. [player_tooltip player_id='1587302' first='Colton' last='Leichty'] (13.2, 8.2 rebounds) is an efficient interior presence, and Chase Waterhouse (10.2) has emerged as a reliable third scorer. This is a program that has had a lot of success in recent years and never quite gotten over the hump. Perhaps being the hunter instead of the hunted could be good for them here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to watch<br></span>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171697' first='Cam' last='Buffington'], Winfield-Mt. Union<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171698' first='Abram' last='Edwards'], Winfield-Mt. Union<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381409' first='Jake' last='Edwards'], Winfield-Mt. Union<br>2024 Liam Delaney, Notre Dame<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978106' first='Shay' last='Stephens'], Notre Dame<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325465' first='Gedi' last='Boal'], Notre Dame<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476982' first='Hunter' last='Hughes'], WACO<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1587302' first='Colton' last='Leichty'], WACO<br>2024 Chase Waterhouse, WACO<br>2024 Titus Svoboda, Danville<br>2025 Jaden Bauer, Danville<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476970' first='Carson' last='Ourth'], Danville<br>2024 Brendan Richey, New London<br>2026 London Franklin, New London<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751220' first='Jackson' last='Lanz'], Wapello<br>2024 Carson Belzer, Wapello<br>2024 Sven Dahlstrom, Pekin<br>2024 JaeDon Wolver, Pekin<br>2025 Isaac Bruns, Sigourney<br>2026 Solon Yates, Sigourney<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476995' first='Timothy' last='Hills']-Carrier, Columbus</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2341966,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/1A-10.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/1A-10.png?w=616" alt="" class="wp-image-2341966" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>District 10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The favorite:</strong> For the first time since 2016-17, <strong>Holy Trinity Catholic</strong> has clinched a winning season (12-10), and for the first time since 2014-15, they will win at least 16 games in a season. Of their four losses, two have come to 2A West Burlington, an undefeated team, and another came to Winfield-Mt. Union, their possible substate final opponent. the Crusaders have been strong on the defensive end this season, allowing just 44.8 points a game, while riding standout junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1622174' first='Luke' last='Hellige'] (23.0, 8.1 rebounds, 52.8 FG%, 43.5 3P%) on the offensive end. Hellige, a talented 6-4 guard who can score from all three levels, create off the dribble, and provide some versatility defensively, has been fantastic this season and with his size and talent, he'll be a major matchup problem within this district. Senior forward Conner Gehling (15.4, 2.0 blocks) is a strong rim protector who can limit interior scoring, and the backcourt of Maddox Rung (6.0, 5.3 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='2397192' first='Adam' last='Sobczak'] (5.0, 8.1 assists) give them two really good playmakers. With the best player in the district, a solid defensive team around him, and a strong resume, Holy Trinity has a chance to make history and reach the state tournament for the first time in school history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The biggest threat: North Mahaska </strong>has played really well since the holiday break, going 7-2, with their two losses coming to Keota and Lynnville-Sully, teams with a combined 38-1 record (and that loss was to each other). Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2721760' first='Asher' last='DeBoef'] (15.5) leads a trio of double-figure scorers, joined by junior guard Gabe Hora (14.8, 38.8 3P%) and senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2221633' first='Nolan' last='Andersen'] (11.4). Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1587747' first='Nate' last='Sampson'] (9.6, 4.8 assists) is another capable scorer and playmaker in the backcourt, and this team is averaging nearly 70 points a game, so they can put up points in bunches. They split with likely semifinal opponent Montezuma during the regular season, with each team winning on the road, but getting a third, playoff meeting, at home gives North Mahaska a slight edge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The dark horse: Montezuma</strong> split with North Mahaska, so the Braves are obviously capable of beating the Warhawks again and reaching the district final. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765506' first='Brady' last='Boulton'] (24.2, 3.8 assists) has been scoring in bunches this year, routinely putting up huge numbers and showing that he can also create for his teammates off the dribble. Garrett Watts (13.4, 7.4 rebounds) is an undersized but athletic forward, and Max Anderson (10.2, 37.8 3P%) gives them some additional shooting. If Boulton has it rolling, Montezuma could certainly make some noise here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to watch<br></span>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1622174' first='Luke' last='Hellige'], Holy Trinity<br>2024 Conner Gehling, Holy Trinity<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397192' first='Adam' last='Sobczak'], Holy Trinity<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765506' first='Brady' last='Boulton'], Montezuma<br>2024 Garrett Watts, Montezuma<br>2024 Wyatt Throckmorton, Moravia<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325457' first='Shane' last='Helmick'], Moravia<br>2024 Jackson McDanel, Moravia<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721760' first='Asher' last='DeBoef'], North Mahaska<br>2025 Gabe Hora, North Mahaska<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2221633' first='Nolan' last='Andersen'], North Mahaska<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751217' first='Rayce' last='Snyder'], Wayne<br>2024 Connor Pruiett, Wayne<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2520036' first='Cameron' last='Swarts'], Moulton-Udell<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765540' first='Holden' last='Roberts'], Twin Cedars</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winfield-Mt. Union vs. Holy Trinity Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winfield-Mt. Union hasn't made it to the state tournament since going five straight times from 1992-96 and Holy Trinity has never qualified. The Wolves boast 1A's best defense and hold a strong head-to-head win over the Crusaders, giving them the edge here again in the rematch. Someone call Jess Settles, <strong>Winfield-Mt. Union </strong>heads back to Des Moines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->