Tuesday Games to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>4A #1 Kennedy (17-0) at 4A #2 Iowa City West (15-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top two ranked teams in Class 4A square off in Iowa City tonight, with the dominant Cougars taking a trip down I-380. Kennedy is winning games by an average of 38.4 points this season, with just one game decided by single digits (a 51-47 win over Cedar Falls in the third game of the year). Using a deep, balanced rotation and a revolving door of defensive looks, the Cougars come at you in waves on both ends of the floor. A highly efficient offensive attack is paced by junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1381415' first='Trey' last='McKowen'] (13.4, 44.2 3P%, 4.5 assists) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1171687' first='Cyrus' last='Courtney'] (7.6, 4.6 assists), both high-level playmakers who can get their own shot or create for their teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='1171667' first='Joseph' last='Bean'] (11.8, 40.0 3P%) has provided additional playmaking and shotmaking in the backcourt, and the tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='1288851' first='Trevan' last='Krumrei'] (10.5, 46.1 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1171679' first='Micah' last='Schlaak'] (10.5, 63.7 FG%) is really tough to contend with given their size and ability to stretch the floor. In all, ten players are averaging at least 4.3 points a game for Kennedy, and their swarming defense will be looking to put constant pressure on the West guards, who have struggled at times with turnovers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since a loss to Linn-Mar back on December 15, the Trojans have won 11 straight, and it has been an emphasis on the defensive end of the floor that has spurred the streak. They've held teams to 47.7 points a game during that 11-game winning streak, and while the competition will be much stiffer tonight, their commitment to that end of the floor should keep them competitive here. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1381414' first='Jack' last='McCaffery'] (15.8, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 blocks) has been strong on both ends of the floor for the Trojans, showcasing improved passing and playmaking to go with his ability to score from anywhere. [player_tooltip player_id='1376672' first='Jacob' last='Koch'] (12.8, 40.3 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1171670' first='Kareem' last='Earl'] (10.4, 53.8 FGG%), and [player_tooltip player_id='1256297' first='TaeVeon' last='Stevens'] (6.4, 41.7 3P%), a trio of seniors who can score from anywhere, have taken some of the scoring pressure off of McCaffery, and sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765527' first='Julian' last='Manson'] (9.7, 51.6 FG%) is an athletic, versatile defender. West will need to get a big night from McCaffery, Earl, and Koch if they want to notch the upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>4A #7 Waukee (13-6) at 4A #3 Valley (13-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rematch of the infamous [player_tooltip player_id='1171683' first='Mason' last='Costello'] double-OT winner should be a ton of fun. Costello (17.4, 5.9 rebounds) has been great this season for the Warriors, stepping into the primary scoring and playmaking role, and he has thrived. A bouncy, long combo guard, he can knock down shots playing without the ball, or create looks for himself and his teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='1765524' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'] (12.9, 9.6 rebounds) has been really good on both ends of the floor, protecting the paint, controlling the glass, and finishing around the rim. The sophomore big has an extremely high upside and is playing at a really high level. [player_tooltip player_id='1476969' first='Owen' last='Schipper'] (9.4, 7.1 rebounds) provides some additional size and rebounding, needed attributes against a big, athletic Valley team, and the tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='1476990' first='Jaden' last='Rogers'] (8.5) and [player_tooltip player_id='1476941' first='Deion' last='Kinnetz-Jenkins'] (8.1) provides a lot of athleticism and versatility on the defensive end, particularly on the perimeter, more needed attributes against the quick guards of Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After missing a handful of games, [player_tooltip player_id='1381422' first='Curtis' last='Stinson Jr'] (19.2, 7.2 rebounds) is back in the lineup for the Tigers, which means for just the fourth time this season, they'll be at full strength. The first time they were at full strength was the first meeting between these teams, but that was [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson']'s (16.9, 3.9 assists) first game back following his own injury, and it will be interesting to see how Waukee is able to matchup with this group that is now starting to gel. [player_tooltip player_id='1759897' first='Kyle' last='Cason'] (11.2) isn't having his best shooting season, but is just waiting to explode from deep, while [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'] (10.5) and [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] (9.8) are both athletic, versatile wing defenders. [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (10.1, 7.6 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='1759899' first='Marcus' last='McGregor'] (2.3) patrol the paint, giving the Tigers a lot of size to go with their overwhelming speed and athleticism on the perimeter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2A #7 Treynor (17-2) vs. 2A #4 Underwood (19-0) [at Iowa Western Community College]</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Underwood handed Treynor their only league loss, a 61-56 win on January 4, so if the Cardinals are able to get some revenge tonight, they'll split the Western Iowa crown. Treynor is led by three seniors with a load of experience in [player_tooltip player_id='1376717' first='Jace' last='Tams'] (19.5, 35.9 3P%), Ethan Konz (15.3, 36.8 3P%), and Karson Elwood (10.1, 3.9 assists), as well as sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1978103' first='Alec' last='Lovely'] (8.8, 5.4 assists). Elwood has paired well with Lovely, giving the Cards a pair of strong playmakers in the backcourt, while Tams and Konz are both good shooters and three-level scorers who can also create for their teammates. With a four-guard lineup, Treynor looks to spread you out and use their quickness to their advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Underwood has been fantastic on both ends of the floor this season, winning games by an average of 28 points a game and they are one of just four teams to rank within the top 10 in 2A in both scoring offense (4th, 71.1) and defense (2nd, 43.6). The Eagles have five players averaging in double figures, all seniors - Mason Boothby (13.5, 3.7 assists), Josh Ravlin (12.2, 3.2 assists, 42.1 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='2377360' first='Owen' last='Larsen'] (10.8, 1.4 blocks), [player_tooltip player_id='1751187' first='Jack' last='Vanfossan'] (10.8, 10.4 rebounds), and Luke Seidler (10.0, 38.1 3P%). The Larsen/Vanfossan tandem in the paint has been their anchors defensively, allowing their guards to play aggressively on the perimeter, which has been a great recipe for success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>1A #4 Lake Mills (18-1) at 1A #8 North Union (18-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back on December 19, North Union snapped a massive Lake Mills winning streak, beating the Bulldogs 47-43. Lake Mills had won 54 consecutive Top of Iowa Conference games before that loss, and you can be assured that the 'Dogs, playing for a conference title, will have some revenge on their minds tonight. In that first meeting, Lake Mills shot just 34.8% from the floor and 19.0% from 3, far cries from their usual efficiency numbers of 53.5 FG% and 37.5 3P%. Some of that can certainly be attributed to the Warriors being a strong defensive team, but look for Lake Mills to have a little more typical Bulldogs offensive showing here. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1751213' first='Lance' last='Helming'] (20.1, 54.2 FG%, 47.1 3P%) is having a fantastic senior season, leading the team in scoring and doing so in a highly efficient manner. [player_tooltip player_id='1938210' first='Eli' last='Menke'] (16.3, 42.0 3P%) is a knockdown shooter; [player_tooltip player_id='1288890' first='Aiden' last='Stensrud'] (16.3, 9.1 rebounds) is a physical force in the paint on both ends; and Crestwood transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1641849' first='Jackson' last='Gaul'] (13.2, 9.0 assists) has taken this attack to another level since becoming eligible. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Union counters with a quartet of double-figure scorers in seniors Kody Irmiter (11.8, 8.1 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='2377373' first='Aiden' last='Lofstrom'] (11.2, 7.6 rebounds), Preston Guerdet (10.8), and Danyal Fothergill (10.5), while senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2377298' first='Kyan' last='Jones'] (7.8, 5.7 assists) and junior Grady Madden (7.2) are also high-level contributors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Others to watch<br></span>Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (13-4) at 1A #7 Lynnville-Sully (19-1)<br>2A #5 Pella Christian (15-4) at Dallas Center-Grimes (14-3)<br>Williamsburg (10-6) at 3A #9 Clear Creek Amana (12-5)<br>Davenport West (13-4) at Assumption (11-7)<br>1A #2 Madrid (17-2) at ACGC (12-6)<br>2A #2 Hudson (18-1) at Dunkerton (16-2)<br>4A #5 Senior (15-1) at Madison East (WI)<br>Roland-Story (15-3) at South Hamilton (16-2)<br>3A #2 ADM (15-1) at 3A #10 Winterset (11-7)<br>3A #1 Clear Lake (17-0) at Humboldt (13-4)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->