Game Report: Dowling Catholic vs. Linn-Mar (4A Substate Final)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MARION -- For the first time since 2012, Linn-Mar is headed to the state tournament. With a 62-50 win over a young but talented and physical Dowling Catholic team, the Lions ended a 13-year drought with a dominant fourth quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The physicality of Dowling Catholic really shined through in the second quarter, a frame that the Maroons dominated to the tune of 20-9, taking a 33-25 lead into the half. They were constantly looking to attack the rim and put pressure on the Linn-Mar guards by playing downhill and finishing through contact. After the break, it was Linn-Mar that was the aggressor, winning the second half 37-17 to punch their ticket to Des Moines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'] led the Lions with a game-high 29 points. At the half, he had 17 of the Lions' 25 points, but in the second half they got good production out of [player_tooltip player_id='2204894' first='Tyler' last='Hilton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1514455' first='Mason' last='Matson'], who each scored all 9 of their points in the second half. Dowling Catholic was led by [player_tooltip player_id='2731790' first='Noah' last='Martens'], who had 15 points. Lucas Paoli chipped in 13 and [player_tooltip player_id='1978098' first='Nathan' last='Jenkins'] had 11. The Maroons will bring back four starters and their top two bench players from this year's team and will be a beast next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Team</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>1Q</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>2Q</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>3Q</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>4Q</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Final</strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Dowling Catholic</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">13</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">20</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">7</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">10</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">50</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Linn-Mar</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">16</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">9</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">15</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">22</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">62</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dowling Catholic: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2731790' first='Noah' last='Martens'] 15, Lucas Paoli 13, [player_tooltip player_id='1978098' first='Nathan' last='Jenkins'] 11, [player_tooltip player_id='2204869' first='Giovanny' last='Quiles'] 5, Charlie Crane 2, [player_tooltip player_id='1383390' first='Maddox' last='Coppola'] 2, [player_tooltip player_id='2443978' first='Alfred' last='Kolee'] 2<br><strong>Linn-Mar: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'] 29, [player_tooltip player_id='2204894' first='Tyler' last='Hilton'] 9, [player_tooltip player_id='1514455' first='Mason' last='Matson'] 9, [player_tooltip player_id='1484413' first='Payson' last='Nietert'] 6, Max Robertson 5, Eric Wright 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1381412"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7b75ed03e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The future South Dakota State big man was dominant, as he usually is, scoring 17 first-half points to keep Linn-Mar afloat and finishing with 29 points and 10 rebounds. One of the most skilled all-around offensive players in the state, he scored on post touches, off the dribble, from the arc, and by getting to the free-throw line consistently. He'll finally get a chance to showcase his talents to the rest of the state next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2204894"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7b75ed043d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hilton was a difference-maker on the defensive end, using his great length to contest shots on the perimeter and around the rim. He blocked at least two shots at the 3-point line, and he provides a lot of versatility on that end of the floor with his ability to move against smaller ball-handlers or bang around against bigger bodies. Offensively he was assertive in the second half, looking to attack the rim for finishes and to get to the free-throw line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1514455"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7b75ed0485"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Matson is another player who had a pretty quiet first half, but he knocked down a huge 3 in the fourth quarter to extend Linn-Mar's lead to 8 with just under 2 minutes to play. A quick, athletic guard who can score from all three levels, he did a nice job not forcing anything and letting the game come to him, and then he delivered in a big moment. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1484413"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7b75ed04c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nietert also hit a big 3 in the fourth quarter for the Lions to help gain some distance. A sharpshooting 6-6 wing with great size, length, and a pure stroke from the arc, he can get to his shot pretty much whenever he wants to, but to his credit, like Matson, he didn't force anything in this one. Instead, he found other ways to contribute, pulling down 8 rebounds and making some timely plays on the defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2731790"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7b75ed050c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Martens had a team-high 15 points for the Maroons in the loss, and the 5-11 guard showcased his toughness throughout. He had three different and-one finishes, showing that he can power through contact at the rim and finish. He loves to attack the rim off the dribble and goes either direction. He knocked down his first look from the 3-point line and used the threat of his shot to aggressively attack hard closeouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1978098"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7b75ed0550"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another Maroon who likes to play downhill and get to the bucket, Jenkins had 11 points and did a majority of his damage around the rim. He contributes on the glass, moves his feet on the defensive end, and is a talented playmaker who sees the floor well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Lucas Paoli","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Dowling Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7b75ed05e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Paoli was the most dangerous shooter for the Maroons, knocking down a few catch-and-shoot 3s and using his jumper to help space the floor for his teammates who look to attack the bucket routinely. He shoots it well off the catch, can attack off the dribble, and is really good as a rebounder out of his perimeter spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->