Tuesday's Top Games (12/21)

[caption id="attachment_1147251" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Austin-Hilmer-new-crop-2786x1829-1615315146-crop-536x352-1615315160.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1147251 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Austin-Hilmer-new-crop-2786x1829-1615315146-crop-536x352-1615315160-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Hilmer[/caption] 1A #1 North Linn (8-0) at 1A #10 Edgewood-Colesburg (6-0) The Vikings haven’t beaten the Lynx in the QuikStats/VarsityBound era, but they gave North Linn a pair of highly competitive games last year, losing 66-63 and 59-49. They have been dominant so far this season, winning games by an average of 18 points a game, which includes a pair of quality wins over MFL-Mar-Mac and Springville. An experienced group comprised entirely of seniors, they have a trio of double-figure scorers in Mason Ashline (13.7), Korey Putz (13.3), and Jack Wiskus (12.5). They do a great job pounding the offensive glass, pulling down 12 offensive rebounds a game, which will be key if they want to pull off the upset and break a long losing streak to North Linn. The top-ranked Lynx are blasting teams by an average of 59.5 points a game through the first month of the season, with their closest game coming against a good Spring Grove team from Minnesota in which the Lynx won by 33 points. Future Upper Iowa guard [player_tooltip player_id="682273" first="Austin" last="Hilmer"] leads the charge, averaging 25.6 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.5 steals a game, and the Lynx are averaging 92.9 points a game. A highly efficient attack, they’re shooting 56.7% from the floor and dishing out nearly 24 assists a game as a team. [player_tooltip player_id="1167704" first="Tate" last="Haughenbury"] (17.0), [player_tooltip player_id="962641" first="Dylan" last="Kurt"] (13.8), and [player_tooltip player_id="962658" first="Cade" last="Haughenbury"] (10.8) are all dangerous scoring threats alongside Hilmer, and they force turnovers left and right. Ed-Co has done a good job in the last few meetings of slowing down this potent offensive attack, but there are just too many weapons here for North Linn, who hasn’t lost a league game since a postseason setback against Alburnett on February 23, 2016. They haven’t lost a Tri-Rivers regular-season game since December 12, 2014.   [caption id="attachment_1290445" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/53-Derek-Weisskopf.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1290445 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/53-Derek-Weisskopf-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Weisskopf[/caption] Williamsburg (6-1) at 3A #6 Clear Creek Amana (6-0) This is a game that may be overlooked by some around the state, but it’s a huge one in the WaMaC West already, as both teams are 5-0 and each is at least four games clear of any other team in the division. The winner of this one will have the inside track at winning the division title. Williamsburg’s lone loss came against a Fort Madison team that is now ranked #10 in 3A, and they’ve posted solid wins over Beckman Catholic and Montezuma early on. The Raiders were swept in this series last year, losing 77-52 and 90-76, but expect this meeting to be much closer. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="1171685" first="Derek" last="Weisskopf"] (15.1) leads the team in scoring and rebounding and is the lone double-figure scorer, but five others average between 6.1 and 8.6 points a game, giving them plenty of balance. They have struggled a bit with turnovers, giving the ball away nearly 16 times a game this year, and that number will need to be cut down against a potent CCA offense. Despite losing a big chunk of production from last year’s team, the Clippers have picked up right where they left off, firing away at a high clip from the arc. As a team, they’re shooting 40.6% from 3, led by the senior tandem of Ben Swails (16.5, 45.5 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id="1158465" first="Kyle" last="Schrepfer"] (13.7, 38.2 3P%). Like Williamsburg, they have struggled a bit with turnovers, giving it away 15.7 times a game so far this season. Whoever does a better job protecting the ball in this one should have the upper hand.   [caption id="attachment_1066375" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/141-Etan-Patterson-e1618420509411.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1066375 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/141-Etan-Patterson-e1618420509411-300x192.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="192" /></a> Patterson[/caption] 3A #2 Washington (6-0) at 3A #10 Fort Madison (5-0) These teams split their meetings last year, with Washington winning 58-55 at home and Fort Madison taking the rematch 70-62 on their home floor. The winner of this one will control their own destiny in the Southeast Conference. Washington surprised people around the state a few weeks ago when they beat defending 3A champion Pella by 13, using a 32-point fourth quarter to come away with the win. An experienced team led by a junior and four seniors, the Demons have a trio of double-figure scorers in [player_tooltip player_id="956888" first="Ethan" last="Patterson"] (19.8), [player_tooltip player_id="962644" first="Kasen" last="Bailey"] (13.2), and Lance Sobaski (10.3). Patterson (45.1 3P%) and Bailey (40.0 3P%) have been excellent from behind the arc, as has senior guard Travis Leyden (7.5, 40.9 3P%). Being able to put that type of shooting on the floor is huge for the Demons’ offensive attack, and they have a pair of undersized but physical forwards in Sobaski and Lucas Kroll who pound the offensive glass hard. The Bloodhounds have a trio of double-figure scorers of their own in seniors [player_tooltip player_id="962688" first="Dayton" last="Davis"] (18.0, 12.0 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id="1155945" first="Miles" last="Dear"] (14.2), and Reiburn Turnbull (12.5). Davis is a physical forward who pounds the offensive glass hard, pulling down 5.7 offensive boards a game, and Washington will need to keep him off the boards if they want to keep their record unblemished. This is an interesting contrast in styles, as Washington is filled with shooters who will be looking to play a bit more up-tempo and fill it up from 3, while Fort Madison is going to be looking to let Davis go to work in the paint and use his physicality to wear the Demons down.   [caption id="attachment_1290512" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/107-Kareem-Earl.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1290512 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/107-Kareem-Earl-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Earl[/caption] 4A #10 Linn-Mar (3-1) at 4A #4 Iowa City West (5-0) A pair of big-time scorers meet up here in Linn-Mar guard [player_tooltip player_id="962642" first="Jaxson" last="Young"] (18.5) and West combo forward [player_tooltip player_id="1158261" first="Peter" last="Moe"] (24.0). Young has led the Lions to three straight wins following a season-opening loss to Bettendorf, including quality wins over Jefferson and Kennedy. Linn-Mar has gotten strong production out of junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1167731" first="Jackson" last="Severson"] (9.8), junior bigs [player_tooltip player_id="1240071" first="Ian" last="Mindrup"] (6.8) and Ian Bettis (5.8), senior wing Jayden Hill (9.0), and freshman big Davis Kern (9.8). Kern, a 6-6 forward, is also leading the team in rebounding, but he’ll have his hands full with Moe and the other Trojans in the paint. West has already surpassed their win total from last season, notching their fifth win of the year with a crosstown rivalry win over City High. The aforementioned Moe is averaging 24.0 points and 10.0 rebounds a game and shooting it at a highly efficient clip (62.1%). A dynamic three-level scorer who is a threat to go off for 35 points on any given night, he’s nearly impossible to defend at this level with his footwork and touch around the rim, and his ability to stretch the floor. Freshman wing Jack McCaffery (14.5) is off to a ridiculous start shooting the ball, knocking down 14 3-pointers in his first four games of the season and shooting it at a 61% clip from the arc. The son of Fran and younger brother of Connor and Patrick, Jack is a 6-8 wing who can score inside and out. His shooting has added another dimension to this Trojans team. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1167705" first="Savion" last="Taylor"] (11.3) is shooting it at a high level as well (55.0 3P%), and sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="1171670" first="Kareem" last="Earl"] (11.5) is an athletic, slashing wing who gets to the bucket. Sophomore lead guard Jackb Koch (6.8, 5.0 assists) has been strong in the absence of [player_tooltip player_id="682262" first="Christian" last="Barnes"], doing a great job protecting the ball and getting others involved.   Gehlen Catholic (6-1) at 1A #4 St. Mary’s, Remsen (6-0) Gehlen Catholic won both regular-season meetings between these War Eagle rivals last season, 62-46 and 68-60, but St. Mary’s won the most important game, beating the Jays 41-33 in the substate championship game. Gehlen has been led by senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="962690" first="Carter" last="DeRocher"] (23.4) and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="956881" first="Keaten" last="Bonderson"] (15.7), who are accounting for nearly 62% of the team’s scoring so far this season. They’ll have their hands full with a Hawks team that has been absolutely dominant defensively, allowing just 29.0 points a game. St. Mary’s has been led by juniors [player_tooltip player_id="1167735" first="Jaxon" last="Bunkers"] (12.2) and Cael Ortmann (10.3), with four others averaging between 6.2 and 8.7 points a game, giving them a lot of balance. A fantastic defensive team year after year, this year has been no exception. While Gehlen Catholic probably has the two best players on the floor in this one, St. Mary’s is deeper and the better defensive team. If they can turn this into a halfcourt game, advantage Hawks.   [caption id="attachment_1148899" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Steven-Kramer-1-crop-2791x1833-1615513419.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1148899 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Steven-Kramer-1-crop-2791x1833-1615513419-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Kramer[/caption] 3A #1 Dallas Center-Grimes (5-0) at 4A #5 Johnston (5-1) This is a fun non-conference tilt heading into the holiday break for both of these teams. The Mustangs were just elevated into the #1 spot in 3A, while Johnston has rebounded well following their loss to Prairie, winning three straight by an average of 13.7 points a game. Dallas Center-Grimes has been solid on the offensive end, averaging 67.2 points a game, but the real notable play has come on the defensive end of the floor, where they’re allowing just 44 points a game so far. They held a dynamic Indianola offense to 59 points in their last game, and have had two other teams to 35 points or fewer. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1172626" first="Jackson" last="Jones"] (7.0) has been a solid role player offensively, and he’ll be tasked with a lot defensively on Tuesday night against a fantastic Johnston backcourt. The ring leader for the Mustangs is [player_tooltip player_id="682270" first="Cole" last="Glasgow"] (14.4), a UMKC signee, while senior guards [player_tooltip player_id="1158421" first="Bo" last="Huston"] (12.4, 47.1 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id="682288" first="Jacob" last="Runyan"] (9.8, 4.6 assists) join him in the backcourt to provide some scoring and ball-handling. Runyan is actually a Johnston transfer who has stepped into the primary ball-handling role well, posting a 4.5-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="682278" first="Trey" last="Lewis"] (26.0) has been absolutely fantastic for the Dragons so far this season. In addition to his scoring, he’s also leading the Dragons with 8.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists a game, showing his all-around talents. A 5-11 guard with limitless range, he has taken his game to another level this year. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="784982" first="Steven" last="Kramer"] (15.7) is an athletic wing with size who will be a difficult matchup for the Mustangs, and they’ve gotten strong production out of role players [player_tooltip player_id="1234969" first="Masen" last="Ryan"] (10.5), [player_tooltip player_id="1240090" first="Nathan" last="Ruisch"] (6.2), and [player_tooltip player_id="1171674" first="Jacob" last="Simpson"] (5.8) as well. With Lewis leading the charge, Johnston is one of the most potent offensive teams in the state, and he’s playing at an absurd level right now.