Substate Preview: 3A-1

<!-- wp:image {"id":2348285,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/3A-1.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/3A-1.png?w=608" alt="" class="wp-image-2348285" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The favorite: MOC-Floyd Valley</strong> may not have been tested quite as much as some of the other teams in the substate playing in a largely 2A league, but the Dutchmen absolutely deserved to earn a #1 seed in a substate. A high-powered offensive team, they're averaging 68.3 points a game and are one of three 3A teams to rank within the top 10 in both scoring offense (9th) and defense (7th, 49.5). Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1376686' first='Jesse' last='Van Kalsbeek'] (23.7, 10.5 rebounds, 58.5 FG%) is the headliner, an efficient 6-4 forward who hasn't looked to stretch the floor much this season, but he's certainly capable of doing so. He missed a handful of games this season, which allowed MOC to get some younger pieces more experience, which will in turn benefit them here. A trio of juniors - [player_tooltip player_id='2398061' first='Blake' last='Aalbers'] (14.2), [player_tooltip player_id='1523401' first='Ahman' last='Langton'] (9.9, 2.2 steals), and [player_tooltip player_id='1951793' first='Owen' last='Vander Pol'] (8.6, 60.2 FG%), and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1978131' first='Draeden' last='Punt'] (7.1, 53.5 FG%) are the other key players to note here. Aalbers and Langton are both reliable ball-handlers who can create off the bounce, while Vander Pol and Punt give the Dutchmen some size and physicality in the paint. MOC isn't nearly as efficient as they have been in recent years, especially from the arc (30.9 3P%), but they have a dominant player in Van Kalsbeek, and a slightly easier road to the substate final than #2 seed Heelan has. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The biggest threat: </strong>In senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1171695' first='Matthew' last='Noll'] (22.3, 10.8 rebounds), <strong>Heelan</strong> has the best player in the substate. A dominant two-way player who can get to the rim whenever he wants, Noll showed just how great he can be in leading the Crusaders to the 3A semifinals last season, and he's hungry for more this year. It has been a bit of an up-and-down year for Heelan, but this is a team that only played two 3A teams this season (LeMars, Sergeant Bluff-Luton), and they swept both of those series. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2325373' first='Quinn' last='Olson'] (12.1, 3.8 assists) has been the leader in the backcourt, while [player_tooltip player_id='1288898' first='Beau' last='Chamberlain'] (7.2), [player_tooltip player_id='2325363' first='Sean' last='Schaefer'] (6.4), and Brady Schultz (4.5) are all seniors who have played well in stretches this season. With Noll leading the way, and having played a tougher schedule than the rest of the substate, Heelan will be dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The dark horse(s): </strong>There are two potential sleeper teams lurking in this substate, one on the top of the bracket, and one on the bottom. We'll start with <strong>Sergeant Bluff-Luton</strong>, a team that is always peaking around this time of year under coach Adam Vander Schaaf, and this year is no exception. The Warriors have won five straight games down the stretch and are a good defensive team that is comfortable playing in slower games, which postseason games tend to be. Seniors Scott Dickson 912.8) and Emiliano Gonzalez (11.7) are the top scorers, while sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1978139' first='Isaiah' last='Jervik'] (8.3, 4.5 assists) is a solid lead guard who gets his teammates involved and limits turnovers. The Warriors were swept by Heelan in the regular season, but they lost those two games by a combined nine points, so they know they can play with the Crusaders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the top of the bracket, <strong>Lewis Central</strong> is a potentially dangerous team in the 4/5 game. The Titans are led by senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1751214' first='Nash' last='Paulson'] (16.4, 43.2 3P%), an explosive scorer who can get hot from the arc and carry his team for stretches. The Titans had been playing solid basketball since the holiday break, winning eight straight before dropping back-to-back games last week to Harlan and Sergeant Bluff-Luton. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to watch<br></span>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376686' first='Jesse' last='Van Kalsbeek'], MOC-Floyd Valley<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2398061' first='Blake' last='Aalbers'], MOC-Floyd Valley<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1523401' first='Ahman' last='Langton'], MOC-Floyd Valley<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951793' first='Owen' last='Vander Pol'], MOC-Floyd Valley<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171695' first='Matthew' last='Noll'], Heelan<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325373' first='Quinn' last='Olson'], Heelan<br>2024 Scott Dickson, Sergeant Bluff-Luton<br>2024 Emiliano Gonzalez, Sergeant Bluff-Luton<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978139' first='Isaiah' last='Jervik'], Sergeant Bluff-Luton<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751214' first='Nash' last='Paulson'], Lewis Central<br>2024 Kayden Anderson, Glenwood<br>2025 Ayden Gibson, Glenwood<br>2024 Casey Godbout, Glenwood<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765515' first='Jaidyn' last='Coon'], Storm Lake<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1945657' first='Justin' last='Guynn'], Storm Lake<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765508' first='Cameron' last='Boyd'], Storm Lake<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376697' first='Carson' last='Bruhn'], Sioux Center<br>2024 Briggs Friedmann, Sioux Center<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376708' first='Cael' last='Van Beek'], Sioux Center<br>2024 Drew Galles, LeMars</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MOC-Floyd Valley vs. Heelan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MOC-Floyd Valley has been the more consistent team this season, but in a one-game setting, we'll usually side with the team that has the best player on the floor, giving <strong>Heelan</strong> the edge here. The Crusaders head back to Des Moines and will be a factor in a wide-open 3A race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->