Substate Preview: 3A-7

<!-- wp:image {"id":2348310,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/3A-7.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/3A-7.png?w=611" alt="" class="wp-image-2348310" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The favorite: </strong>There isn't much separating the top two seeds in this substate, but given the fact that they'll have a slightly easier path to the substate final, we'll side with <strong>Winterset</strong> as the favorite here. The Huskies are led by the Wilmes twins - seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2325569' first='Hudson' last='Wilmes'] (16.0, 3.0 assists, 41.5 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1945653' first='Hayden' last='Wilmes'] (14.0, 3.3 assists). They're both excellent shooters off the catch who can also create for their teammates off the dribble. Younger brother [player_tooltip player_id='2397315' first='Hank' last='Wilmes'] (5.0, 5.3 assists) is a small lead guard, but he's quick, tough, and loves to get his teammates involved. [player_tooltip player_id='1587404' first='Sam' last='Hensley'] (13.9, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 blocks) is a versatile forward who can score inside, protect the rim, and occasionally step out and space the floor. The Huskies play a 2-3 zone that gives teams a lot of issues with the speed that they're able to put on the floor. Generally when you think of a zone team, you think of a team that may be trying to take advantage of their length. With Winterset, they use their speed to make it unique. If teams aren't protecting the ball, the Huskies can turn defense into offense in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The biggest threat: Pella</strong> enters postseason play limping a bit, having lost five of their last seven games, but they've played against a gauntlet of a schedule during that stretch. Two losses came to 17-3 Dallas Center-Grimes, another to 16-5 Pella Christian. One to 16-4 Norwalk, and a setback against 17-3 Waverly-Shell Rock. So, while yes, you'd like to see the Dutch get a few wins during that tough stretch to prove they're among the best in the class, the losses are all understandable. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='2120763' first='Jack' last='McGuire'] (14.3, 7.7 rebounds, 60.1 FG%) leads the team on the offensive end. He's a long, lanky wing who is at his best when he's playing downhill and getting to the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='1171672' first='Luke' last='Hardman'] (12.1, 41.2 3P%) is the team's best shooter, while [player_tooltip player_id='2325476' first='Cameron' last='Rowe'] (11.1) and [player_tooltip player_id='2398044' first='Brayden' last='Traetow'] (9.2) can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. This year's Pella team isn't quite as deep as we're accustomed to seeing, but their top six is among the best in the class, and they'll certainly be well prepared for postseason play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The dark horses:</strong> Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1171696' first='Jack' last='Cooley'] (23.8, 11.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists) leads an explosive <strong>Clarke</strong> offensive attack that is averaging 70.8 points per game, which ranks 4th in the class. Cooley, a 6-4/6-5, athletic wing, can score from all three levels, create off the dribble, defend multiple positions, and he dominates the glass on both ends of the floor. Fellow senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1376707' first='Bo' last='Otto'] (10.3, 7.1 assists) has been fantastic with the ball in his hands, setting the table for his teammates and posting a 2.91 assist-to-turnover ratio, while Ashton Giza (9.3) provides shooting, and [player_tooltip player_id='1324979' first='Cole' last='White'] (7.6, 1.4 blocks) gives them some rim protection. This is an experienced team, with their top six comprised of five seniors and a junior, and they've been building towards this season for the last four years. The question for the Indians is how tested they are throughout the season, with a strength of schedule that ranks 62nd in the class out of 64 teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Knoxville</strong> has a pair of potent scorers in the Norris brothers - junior [player_tooltip player_id='1668669' first='Landen' last='Norris'] (20.1, 8.4 rebounds) and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2231637' first='Lincoln' last='Norris'] (10.8). Both are good three-level scoring threats who can play with or without the ball in their hands. Junior combo forward [player_tooltip player_id='2511505' first='Kaiden' last='Smith'] (7.0, 2.7 blocks) is a versatile defender who can switch on the perimeter or protect the paint defensively. The Norris brothers are the standout offensive weapons, but three others Panthers - Jay Kellar (5.4, 34.7 3P%), Carson Uitermarkt (6.1), and [player_tooltip player_id='1759952' first='Gabe' last='Clark'] (4.9, 37.7 3P%) - have knocked down at least 23 3-points this season, giving them some additional shooting and floor stretching.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to watch<br></span>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325569' first='Hudson' last='Wilmes'], Winterset<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1587404' first='Sam' last='Hensley'], Winterset<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1945653' first='Hayden' last='Wilmes'], Winterset<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2120763' first='Jack' last='McGuire'], Pella<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171672' first='Luke' last='Hardman'], Pella<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325476' first='Cameron' last='Rowe'], Pella<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171696' first='Jack' last='Cooley'], Clarke<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376707' first='Bo' last='Otto'], Clarke<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1256300' first='Caleb' last='Mattes'], Newton<br>2024 Christian Lawson, Newton<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1668669' first='Landen' last='Norris'], Knoxville<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2231637' first='Lincoln' last='Norris'], Knoxville<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511505' first='Kaiden' last='Smith'], Knoxville<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476980' first='Mason' last='Smith'], Chariton<br>2025 Quinten Gruwell, Chariton<br>2024 Tate Osterhaus, Carlisle<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721719' first='Calvin' last='Frey'], Carlisle<br>2026 Wor Wor, Hoover</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winterset vs. Pella</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Does Pella shoot it well enough from the arc to expose the Winterset zone? They don't really have the traditional size that could beat the smaller Huskies on the inside of the zone, and I'm not sure they have the shooting to beat the Huskies from deep. <strong>Winterset's</strong> speed and shooting is the difference-maker, and the Huskies head off to Des Moines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->