Class 4A Substate Semifinal Preview

Friday night will see 16 games played around the state, all Class 4A substate semifinals. There are a number of outstanding games around the state, and we've previewed and picked a winner for each game below. Get out and enjoy some excellent hoops on Friday night!   Class 4A postseason picks record: 14-2   Substate 1   #4 Des Moines Lincoln (11-11) at #1 Waukee (16-6)   Lincoln played well in a quarterfinal win over Indianola, but this is a whole different animal that they're about to walk into. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765524' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'] (18.6, 9.0 rebounds, 44.6 3P%), a 6-7/6-8 forward who can score inside and out, is a tremendous athlete with a multitude of high-major offers for football. [player_tooltip player_id='1978110' first='Jaishon' last='White'] (14.9, 40.0 3P%) is a lightning-quick guard who can score from anywhere, [player_tooltip player_id='1951798' first='Maverick' last='Inman'] (9.5, 50.6 3P%) is an elite shooter, and [player_tooltip player_id='1765539' first='Max' last='Roach'] (8.3, 3.6 assists) is a really skilled playmaker. The Warriors are deep, long, athletic, and deep with shooting threats. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1587303' first='Desmon' last='Campbell'] (14.8) has had a really nice season for the Railsplitters, but it very likely ends here. The pick: Waukee   #3 Norwalk (11-11) at #2 Council Bluffs Lincoln (18-2)   Lincoln got off to a 17-0 start to the season before dropping two of their last three, so the Lynx will be looking to get back on track in this one. In senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1381403' first='Creighton' last='Bracker'] (16.6, 11.0 rebounds), they have a matchup problem for Norwalk. Bracker is a big, physical forward who is outstanding on the glass on both ends of the floor, and his size and toughness will be difficult for the Warriors. [player_tooltip player_id='2366206' first='Jeremiah' last='Slaughter'] (11.2, 44.8 3P%) is a talented three-level scorer, and [player_tooltip player_id='1759908' first='Etienne' last='Higgins'] (9.7), Aiden Sandbothe (8.7), [player_tooltip player_id='2886791' first='Jake' last='Babbitt'] (7.0), [player_tooltip player_id='2419843' first='Braylin' last='DeJager'] (5.8), and [player_tooltip player_id='1978104' first='Easton' last='Klement'] (4.7, 4.5 assists) have all been really good this season. For Norwalk, it's a quintet of seniors leading the way, headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='2721768' first='Grady' last='Sigrist'] (14.1) and [player_tooltip player_id='1587373' first='Cameron' last='Thomas'] (10.3). The Warriors are a bit undersized to try and compete with the Lynx on the glass, but they do have quite a bit of shooting, so if they get hot early and get a lead, they could put some pressure on CBAL. The pick: Council Bluffs Lincoln   Substate 2   #4 Urbandale (11-11) at #1 Ames (19-2)   These teams met back on January 6, a 64-44 Ames win. The Little Cyclones are the #1 scoring defense in 4A, giving up just 38.2 points per game, and when the game slows down even more in the postseason, good luck trying to crack them. [player_tooltip player_id='1381424' first='Abe' last='Vos'] (10.2) leads a really balanced offensive attack that sees six players averaging at least 6.8 points per game. [player_tooltip player_id='1381418' first='Jamison' last='Poe'] (9.8, 3.4 assists) is a skilled playmaker in the backcourt, [player_tooltip player_id='1951821' first='Manny' last='Lueth'] (9.1) has the size and shotmaking on the wing that has been a big addition to the roster, and [player_tooltip player_id='1765516' first='Marach' last='Dau'] (8.2, 1.8 blocks) is an eraser in the paint. The Little Cyclones don't force a ton of turnovers, but they play really stout defense and force you into a lot of bad, late-shot clock shots. Urbandale has played well of late, winners of five straight heading into this game, behind the strong play of junior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1950542' first='Davis' last='Hardersen'] (14.5) and [player_tooltip player_id='1978111' first='Jake' last='Pargeon'] (10.1). The J-Hawks will need to make some tough, contested shots late in the shot clock if they want to pull off the upset. The pick: Ames   #3 Des Moines North (15-6) at #2 Johnston (13-8)   An up-tempo, high-powered attack from North heads out to the suburbs to take on a dominant, athletic defense in this one. The Polar Bears rank 8th in the class in scoring offense at 68.2 points per game, while the Dragons are 3rd in scoring defense, allowing just 45.5 a night. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='2398133' first='Da'corion' last='White'] (17.4), Tarian McNeley (12.3), [player_tooltip player_id='2511630' first='Naszir' last='Lamar'] (10.0), and [player_tooltip player_id='1951820' first='Aaron' last='Poe'] (8.3) are all capable of playing downhill and attacking the rim for North, but they'll find that difficult against the length and quickness of the Dragons perimeter defenders. Johnston is led by junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765517' first='Tino' last='Daye Jr'] (16.3) leads the team in scoring, while [player_tooltip player_id='1381420' first='Jalen' last='Richardson'] (10.9, 38.3 3P%) is one of the most versatile defenders in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='2419846' first='Nicare' last='Cavil'] (7.1), [player_tooltip player_id='1592892' first='Prestige' last='Taylor'] (6.5), and [player_tooltip player_id='2384619' first='Ahvyance' last='Taylor'] (3.0) are all really good on-ball defenders who make life hell for opposing ball-handlers. North has played CIML teams three times this season, with two ending in blowouts. While Johnston isn't as explosive offensively as Waukee or Waukee Northwest, they should be able to stifle North. The pick: Johnston   Substate 3   #4 City High (10-13) at #1 Cedar Falls (19-2)   Cedar Falls blew out City in the regular season meeting, winning 78-34 on January 10th. The Tigers have been the best team in 4A for a large majority of the season, using an explosive offensive attack and a smothering defense to routinely blow teams out. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes'] (16.3, 67.2 FG%) is a versatile offensive weapon who can also protect the rim defensively. [player_tooltip player_id='1777914' first='Jaydon' last='Kimbrough'] (13.1, 41.9 3P%) is an elite shotmaker on the wing, and senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1199979' first='Anthony' last='Galvin'] (12.8, 41.9 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1759953' first='Keegan' last='Steege'] (9.3, 41.3 3P%) are both great on both ends of the floor. The Tigers have been incredibly efficient, posting 53-37-73 shooting splits this season, and they force a ton of turnovers. City does have some size and athleticism in the form of [player_tooltip player_id='2731768' first='Christopher' last='Watkins'] (14.3, 6.9 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='2721435' first='Jaxton' last='Schroeder'] (13.4, 9.5 rebounds), and [player_tooltip player_id='1433121' first='Parker' last='Sutherland'] (5.7, 6.2 rebounds) to throw at the Tigers, but this is a pretty big mismatch. The pick: Cedar Falls   #3 Iowa City West (15-7) at #2 Davenport Central (15-7)   There may not be a worse way to head into the postseason than what Central had, losing to Clinton 62-53 in the regular season finale, snapping what was a 66-game losing streak for the River Kings. The Blue Devils have had a full week off to prepare for this matchup and hopefully get things straightened back out. They have a dynamic backcourt in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1978112' first='Carter' last='Light'] (17.3), [player_tooltip player_id='1951794' first='Elias' last='Vargas'] (14.1, 5.9 assists), and [player_tooltip player_id='1484414' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] (7.3), each of whom can create plays off the dribble, and they try to put pressure on the West backcourt with their quickness. West has played really well in February, with five blowout wins and two narrow losses to Cedar Falls and Kennedy. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1381414' first='Jack' last='McCaffery'] (21.4, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists), a Butler signee, is one of the most dynamic offensive players in the state, and with his size at 6-8, he can get to his shot whenever he wants. [player_tooltip player_id='1765527' first='Julian' last='Manson'] (12.3, 7.2 rebounds) is a really good athlete who can create offensively, and the Trojans have a ton of big, physical, athletic players on the rest of the roster. They're good on the glass on both ends, have a star in McCaffery, and seem to be peaking at the right time. The pick: Iowa City West   Substate 4   #5 Marshalltown (7-14) at #1 Linn-Mar (19-2)   BC Moore makes Linn-Mar a 41-point favorite in this one, making this by far the biggest mismatch of any of these substate semifinals. The Lions have been fantastic since an upset loss to Ankeny on January 4, posting big wins over Cedar Falls, Xavier, Iowa City West, Kennedy, Prairie, and Senior, among several others. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'] (22.5, 9.6 rebounds, 3.3 blocks) is one of the best players in the state, while senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1484413' first='Payson' last='Nietert'] (11.1, 41.0 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1514455' first='Mason' last='Matson'] (11.1, 52.7 3P%), and Eric Wright (7.8, 3.9 assists) have all been great, as has junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2204894' first='Tyler' last='Hilton'] (11.4, 63.4 FG%). If the Bobcats want to stay competitive in this one, they'll need [player_tooltip player_id='2413554' first='Kyle' last='Smith'] (17.6) and [player_tooltip player_id='2381208' first='Drake' last='Gersema'] (9.4) to knock down a lot of shots. The pick: Linn-Mar   #3 Waterloo West (15-8) at #2 Dowling Catholic (14-7)   Waterloo West survived a scare against the #6 seed in the substate, Cedar Rapids Washington, advancing 70-67 in overtime. The Wahawks will need to play a cleaner game against Dowling Catholic if they want to keep their run going. They have some real weapons and athleticism on the perimeter with [player_tooltip player_id='1765505' first='Parker' last='Berns'] (16.4), [player_tooltip player_id='1381413' first='Jahlil' last='Manago'] (15.1, 7.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists), [player_tooltip player_id='2420800' first='Zion' last='Cook-Berns'] (7.2), and [player_tooltip player_id='2125122' first='Derrick' last='Akines'] Jr (4.9), while [player_tooltip player_id='1440839' first='Joseph' last='Hudson'] (12.5, 8.2 rebounds) has been really good as their big. West could struggle against the size and physicality of Dowling Catholic, in particular 6-9 junior Charlie Crane (12.0, 8.2 rebounds, 3.4 blocks), who has been a revelation this season. He's a great athlete with bounce, length, and impeccable timing as a shot blocker, and he'll make life difficult for a West team that likes to play downhill and attack, unless they're able to get him into foul trouble. [player_tooltip player_id='2731790' first='Noah' last='Martens'] (12.1, 4.1 assists) is a good athlete on the perimeter, and the Maroons have six players averaging between 7.0 and 12.1 points per game, giving them some real balance. This is a long road trip for West, and while they certainly have the talent to come away with the win, they'll need to bring consistent effort for all 32 minutes. The pick: Dowling Catholic   Substate 5   #4 North Scott (12-10) at #1 Senior (15-6)   Senior is stumbling into this game, losing four straight heading into the postseason, but it's hard to find a more difficult stretch than what they faced over the last two weeks of the season - #2 Linn-Mar, #1 Cedar Falls, #8 Prairie, and #3 Valley. The Rams have been one of the best defensive teams in the state this season, allowing 51.9 points per game, using their size, length, and athleticism to put constant pressure on opposing teams on that end. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1172887' first='Tevin' last='Schultz'] (18.6, 7.0 rebounds) is a physical, but graceful, 6-7/6-8 big man who can score inside and out, posting 59-42-76 shooting splits on the season. [player_tooltip player_id='1765555' first='Drake' last='Medinger'] (13.2, 50.0 3P%) has been fantastic as the primary perimeter scoring threat, and the Rams can pretty comfortably go 8 deep into their bench. This is a team that does a great job putting pressure on opposing teams defensively and pounding the glass, an area that will need to be emphasized by North Scott if they want to stick around and pull off an upset here. A young North Scott team has had an up-and-down season, with nine of their 10 losses coming by single digits, including five coming by two possessions or less. Led by sophomore Iowa State commit [player_tooltip player_id='2309944' first='Josiah' last='Harrington'] (18.8, 53.8 FG%), they are loaded with talent, but they're extremely young. Harrington is a versatile three-level scorer and playmaker who can do everything on the floor. Freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='2595605' first='MarQwan' last='Morgan'] (13.4), [player_tooltip player_id='2595698' first='Marcus' last='Morgan Jr'] (6.5), and [player_tooltip player_id='2523928' first='Vasaun' last='Wilmington'] (4.9) are key parts of the team, and sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2754678' first='Michael' last='Gordon'] (8.5, 43.2 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='2107245' first='Zane' last='Rus'] (8.5, 45.1 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='2419854' first='Drew' last='Fischer'] (3.3), and [player_tooltip player_id='2116035' first='Miller' last='Haedt'] (2.2) are also big pieces. Needless to say, this is a ridiculously young roster, but they certainly have the talent to pull off this upset, if they can keep Senior off the glass. The pick: Senior   #3 Bettendorf (15-7) at #2 Prairie (18-4)   Prairie has been one of the hottest teams in 4A over the last month-and-a-half, winning 10 of their last 11 games, with the lone loss coming to #2 Linn-Mar. That stretch includes wins over Decorah, Cedar Falls, Xavier, and Senior, and the Hawks also have a win over Kennedy on their season-long resume. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2419791' first='Austin' last='Joens'] (12.5, 43.1 3P%) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2023719' first='Will' last='Wehr'] (11.7, 47.4 3P%) lead a deep, balanced attack of weapons that can beat you in a variety of ways. [player_tooltip player_id='2397337' first='Jace' last='McDermott'] (9.9) is a senior shooter with good size and length on the wing, and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2419754' first='Quantae' last='Alexander'] (7.9, 3.1 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='2419840' first='Cayden' last='Larson'] (6.8) have both had some tremendous stretches of ball throughout the year. Look for junior [player_tooltip player_id='2731874' first='David' last='Fason'] (7.3, 6.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists) to play a key role in this one. He's a strong defender who can guard one through five at this level, and he'll probably get cracks at several different Bettendorf players. The Bulldogs brought back four players who played key roles for last year's state semifinalist team: [player_tooltip player_id='2397255' first='Cole' last='Odefey'] (18.2, 8.1 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='1951786' first='Ben' last='Kerkhoff'] (15.6), [player_tooltip player_id='1484416' first='Amari' last='Washington'] (12.1), and [player_tooltip player_id='2511528' first='Jackson' last='Laver'] (5.5), giving them a ton of experience, an edge they'll have on a young, talented Prairie team. Odefey is a strong three-level scorer on the wing, and Washington is a big body who isn't afraid to throw his frame around in the paint. Prairie could struggle with their physicality, but the Hawks getting this one at home, with their shooting, gets the slight edge. This should be one of the tightest games tonight. The pick: Prairie   Substate 6   #4 Pleasant Valley (13-9) at #1 Kennedy (18-4)   Despite having largely new faces surrounding star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1381415' first='Trey' last='McKowen'] (22.2, 5.0 assists, 4.0 steals, 37.7 3P%), it has pretty much been business as usual for Kennedy, rolling to 18 wins and a #1 seed in a substate. The Cougars are once again playing a defensive style that forces a ton of turnovers, and they do a great job turning those into easy buckets on the other end. When the game slows down, they have one of the state's best halfcourt players in McKowen, an elite mid-range shooter who can also bully his way to the rim for finishes or find open teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='1951791' first='Reuben' last='Schlaak'] (12.5, 46.1 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='2399474' first='Sharief' last='Thomas'] (7.2, 40.7 3P%) have provided some additional scoring on the perimeter, and [player_tooltip player_id='1381406' first='Landon' last='Deiters'] (9.3, 61.1 FG%) has played his best basketball of his career this year, providing some real strength and toughness in the paint. Pleasant Valley, as they always are, is a stout defensive team that likes to play at a slower tempo. The Spartans rank 7th in 4A in scoring defense, allowing 51.0 a game, and don't have a single player averaging in double figures. They do, however, have depth and balance, with eight players averaging between 5.2 and 9.7 points per game. Coach Steve Hillman is one of the best defensive coaches in the state, and he's certainly have a gameplan drawn up to try and force the Cougars into a slog and limit possessions. The pick: Kennedy   #3 Davenport North (15-7) at #2 Muscatine (18-3)   These teams split their regular season meetings, with each winning on their home floor. North won 64-63 on January 14, with Muscatine taking the rematch 77-68 on February 14. In the Muskies' win, they shot 52.7% from the floor, dished out 17 assists (against just 4 for North), and forced 15 turnovers. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1759902' first='Kayvion' last='Hodges'] (20.0, 51.2 FG%) has been fantastic on both ends of the floor for the Muskies, and he's one of the state's best defenders. He'll get shots at several different Wildcats throughout this one. [player_tooltip player_id='2419783' first='Sam' last='Church'] (10.5, 52.4 FG%), [player_tooltip player_id='1574870' first='Spencer' last='Biah'] (10.2, 55.5 FG%), Ian Church (9.2, 59.6 FG%), [player_tooltip player_id='2605429' first='Cade' last='Daufeldt'] (7.9, 62.9 FG%), and [player_tooltip player_id='1517427' first='Talan' last='Becker'] (7.4, 52.0 FG%) are all ridiculously efficient offensive players, and this group as a whole has been great on the offensive end. If North is going to go down to Muscatine and upset the Muskies, they'll need to take better care of the ball than they did in the last meeting. [player_tooltip player_id='2511598' first='Tenerick' last='Brady'] (13.9, 48.1 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1484415' first='DeAndre' last='Smith'] (13.7, 54.0 FG%), and [player_tooltip player_id='2731773' first='Johnale' last='Johnson Jr'] (10.6, 38.6 3P%) lead a potent attack that can score in bunches when they're protecting the ball, but will they be able to slow down Muscatine's attack? The pick: Muscatine   Substate 7   #5 Centennial (5-16) at #1 Waukee Northwest (19-3)   Northwest swept Centennial in a pair of blowouts, 60-38 on December 3rd and 77-36 on January 10th. Centennial is a really young, inexperienced team that has finally started to find their footing late in the year, but they're running into an absolute buzzsaw here. The Wolves have won nine straight heading into this one, a stretch that includes a 29-point win over Kennedy. They're explosive offensively, averaging just under 72 points per game, led by senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1288891' first='Bode' last='Goodman'] (17.4, 51.9 FG%, 5.0 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='2119115' first='Peyton' last='McCollum'] (13.1, 5.5 assists), a tandem that can really distribute the ball or score from all three levels. [player_tooltip player_id='1978099' first='Colin' last='Rice'] (11.6, 38.5 3P%) is a long, athletic wing who can score from all three levels, and [player_tooltip player_id='1643192' first='Landon' last='Davis'] (9.9, 3.7 blocks) is an elite rim protector. This group is loaded offensively, versatile and athletic defensively, and will have answers for anything that a young Centennial team can throw at them. The pick: Waukee Northwest   #3 Roosevelt (15-8) at #2 Sioux City East (18-3)   Roosevelt has been one of the best defensive teams in the class this season, allowing 50.2 points per game, 5th in the class, while Sioux City East counters with the top scoring offense, putting up 76.9 points a night. East is incredibly athletic and loves to get out in transition, so transition defense will need to be a big focus for the Roughriders in their game plan. The Black Raiders are led by four double-figure scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='1540183' first='Manasse' last='Kasongo Malu'] (13.9, 10.4 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='1765550' first='Bilal' last='Yusuf'] (12.9), [player_tooltip player_id='2265812' first='Fami' last='Yusuf'] (11.6), and [player_tooltip player_id='2520031' first='Chris' last='Loggins'] (10.5, 54.1 FG%), while [player_tooltip player_id='1765551' first='Naef' last='Yusuf'] (9.7) and [player_tooltip player_id='2442409' first='Jang' last='Ruei'] (9.2, 7.1 rebounds, 2.2 blocks) are right outside of double digits. They have so many different weapons to throw at you that it's impossible to decide who to try and take away. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2204081' first='Charlie' last='King'] (17.3, 38.8 3P%) is a really talented shotmaker who leads Roosevelt, and if he gets it rolling, he's also someone who is nearly impossible to slow down. [player_tooltip player_id='1439900' first='Remi' last='Taylor'] (15.0) is a quick, downhill attacking guard, and the Roughriders are a team that is really long and athletic as well. Physically they can match up with East, but can they get back in transition? The pick: Sioux City East   Substate 8   #5 Southeast Polk (9-14) at #1 Valley (18-3)   This is another matchup between CIML teams with a pair of blowout wins on the record. Valley swept the season series, 77-37 and 63-42, and outside of a real hiccup against Johnston, they've been dominant since the winter break. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (16.7, 9.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.0 blocks) has been great on both ends of the floor for the Tigers, protecting the paint and facilitating the offense. The future Northern Iowa big man is one of the best passers in the state at 6-9, which makes them incredibly difficult to defend. [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'] (16.0) is a known commodity on the perimeter, an elite athlete, as are [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] (15.2) and [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'] (12.3). It will take a Herculean effort to dethrone the two-time defending champs, and Southeast Polk just doesn't have the horses to do so. The pick: Valley   #3 Dallas Center-Grimes (18-5) at #2 Ankeny (10-11)   Ankeny probably got the #2 seed in this substate on the strength of their head-to-head 50-48 win back on January 21. The Hawks dominated the glass (35-25), turned it over just 5 times, and held on to win despite shooting just 30.8% from the floor in that game. The Hawks are stumbling into the postseason, losing three straight. Granted, those three losses were to Dowling Catholic, Urbandale, and Northwest, but two of them were major blowouts. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1977422' first='Rio' last='Aguirre'] (19.8, 5.3 assists) is one of the most talented guards in the state as both a scorer and playmaker, and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2381210' first='Jasani' last='Campbell'] (11.9) is a good perimeter scorer as well. The role players, [player_tooltip player_id='2731746' first='Drew' last='Sorensen'] (7.6), [player_tooltip player_id='2511594' first='Luke' last='Anderson'] (7.0, 42.4 3P%), and Dylan Gloviak (3.7), will need to play at a high level in this rematch if they want to win again. DCG has won 11 straight games, led by senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1759897' first='Kyle' last='Cason'] (22.7, 8.1 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='1759907' first='Tate' last='Perrin'] (10.9, 39.2 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='2204886' first='Mateo' last='Dzolota'] (9.0, 6.2 assists). Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2772348' first='Chase' last='Perrin'] (6.1, 43.8 3P%) gives them more shooting, and [player_tooltip player_id='2754666' first='Brody' last='Burke'] (3.4) and Luke Lorenzen (3.2) give them some size in the paint. DCG is playing better ball and is anxious to get some revenge on the Hawks for the regular-season setback. The pick: Dallas Center-Grimes

Friday night will see 16 games played around the state, all Class 4A substate semifinals. There are a number of outstanding games around the state, and we've previewed and picked a winner for each game below. Get out and enjoy some excellent hoops on Friday night!