4A Substate Semifinal Preview

<h3>Substate 1</h3> [caption id="attachment_1068445" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Lio-Aguirre.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-1068445 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Lio-Aguirre-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1171676" first="Lio" last="Aguirre"][/caption] Sioux City West (7-14) at Ankeny (17-4) One of the state's most potent and balanced offensive attacks in Ankeny shouldn't face too much resistance in this one, as Sioux City West ranks 45th (out of 48 4A teams) in scoring defense, allowing 67.2 points a game. The Hawks are averaging 66.8 points a game behind three double-figure scorers in senior [player_tooltip player_id="962614" first="Ryan" last="Crandall"] (11.3, 8.5 rebounds), sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1171676" first="Lio" last="Aguirre"] (10.7), and junior [player_tooltip player_id="1167709" first="JJ" last="Kohl"] (10.6). Four others average between 6.2 and 9.9 points a game, giving the Hawks seven players they can comfortably look towards to score. Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1167668" first="Keavian" last="Hayes"] (17.1) is the catalyst for West, an athletic and quick guard who is efficient from all three levels, while Lamarion Mothershead (11.7) gives them some additional punch on the wing. The Wolverines are athletic enough to stick around for a while, but eventually the overcoming depth and number of options that Ankeny possesses will overtake West as the Hawks cruise into the substate final. Our pick: Ankeny [caption id="attachment_1070408" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Van-Dyke-e1619112082793.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1070408 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Van-Dyke-e1619112082793-300x236.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="236" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1167750" first="Brandt" last="Van Dyke"][/caption] Waukee (13-10) at Sioux City East (16-5) Sioux City East is one of the best offensive teams in 4A, averaging 71.0 points a game, led by senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1158432" first="Bie" last="Ruei"] (13.9) and juniors [player_tooltip player_id="1196279" first="Preston" last="Dobbs"] (12.3) and [player_tooltip player_id="1367396" first="Cole" last="Ritchie"] (10.6). Fellow junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1167750" first="Brandt" last="Van Dyke"] (9.9) leads the team in assists, and the Black Raiders really like to get out and play with some tempo. They'll look to force turnovers against a young Waukee team that lacks much postseason experience, but they've done a good job limiting turnovers throughout the season, giving it away under 11 times a game. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1167685" first="Vance" last="Peiffer"] (11.5, 6.7 rebounds) is a mobile big man who could give the Raiders some trouble in the paint, and [player_tooltip player_id="1288872" first="Cade" last="Littlefield"] (10.8, 48.8 3P%) is a heady, high IQ guard who can really shoot it. The Warriors are young, with only one senior on the roster, but they're deep, athletic, and talented. Playing on the road in a hostile environment in a game of this magnitude will be tough, and should give the edge to East, but this figures to be one of the best games of the night. Our pick: Sioux City East <h3>Substate 2</h3> Mason City (6-16) at Ames (18-3) Ames swept the season series, 60-38 and 66-48. The biggest question in 4A right now is what is going on with [player_tooltip player_id="682279" first="Tamin" last="Lipsey"]'s hamstring? Lipsey (16.5, 6.1 assists) has missed the last six games, and while the Little Cyclones won't need him to get by the Mohawks in this one, they will certainly need him on Tuesday night and if they reach the state tournament. Senior forwards [player_tooltip player_id="682277" first="Trevion" last="Labeaux"] (15.0, 6.5 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id="682286" first="Corey" last="Phillips"] (11.6, 5.7 rebounds) have played well in Lipsey's absence, and Ames' fantastic defense should be enough to carry them through this one. Mason City is led by their senior tandem of [player_tooltip player_id="784975" first="Corey" last="Miner"] (14.5) and [player_tooltip player_id="1352884" first="Isaiah" last="Washington"] (12.1). Miner hasn't shot it well from the arc this season, but he's a capable shooter who could get hot and keep the Mohawks around for a while. But at the end of the day, there is a significant talent gap here and Ames shouldn't have too many issues in advancing to the substate final. Our pick: Ames [caption id="attachment_1066742" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Chase-Henderson.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-1066742 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Chase-Henderson-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="956876" first="Chase" last="Henderson"][/caption] Hoover (15-8) at Centennial (12-9) Centennial won the regular-season meeting, 50-41, back on January 18, but Hoover was playing without star guard [player_tooltip player_id="956876" first="Chase" last="Henderson"] (23.1, 4.1 assists) in that one, who was out for a handful of games after an appendectomy. The Huskies turned it over 15 times (to just 6 Jaguars turnovers) in that loss, nearly double their season average. That number should improve with Henderson back on the floor. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="956869" first="Elijah" last="Vos"] (15.4) is a difficult matchup with his big 6-6 frame and ability to score from all three levels, and Centennial will really need to focus on that tandem. Centennial is led by a trio of senior guards - [player_tooltip player_id="1158483" first="Chris" last="Louis"] (12.3), [player_tooltip player_id="1158502" first="Jackson" last="Snyder"] (11.3), and [player_tooltip player_id="1158433" first="Caden" last="Kelling"] (10.7, 4.2 assists) - as well as a pair of younger bigs in sophomores [player_tooltip player_id="1491436" first="Reece" last="Robinson"] (10.0, 6.7 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id="1256299" first="Chase" last="Schutty"] (4.0, 4.5 rebounds). The Jags are able to comfortably go deep into their bench with scoring options, and they have the quickness and athleticism to defend Henderson on the perimeter. They'll need to keep Hoover, and [player_tooltip player_id="1352888" first="Chevelle" last="Ruchti"] (7.1, 8.7 rebounds) in particular, off of the offensive glass and make the Huskies beat them with one shot. Our pick: Hoover <h3>Substate 3</h3> Cedar Rapids Jefferson (8-14) at Valley (19-3) Jefferson was one of the most pleasant surprises of the early season this year, getting off to a 5-1 start that included wins over Davenport North, Cedar Falls, and Cedar Rapids Washington, but the magic rubbed off following the holiday break. The J-Hawks have won just three games since the calendar turned, with two of them coming against Waterloo West. They have a talented trio of guards in seniors [player_tooltip player_id="962659" first="Andreas" last="Williams"] (16.2), [player_tooltip player_id="1352882" first="Ayrondus" last="Hodges"] (15.7), and [player_tooltip player_id="1158495" first="Caden" last="Schroeder"] (10.0) who can get to the rim, but they'll have their work cut out for them against the big, physical, athletic guards that Valley possesses, and they'll have no answer for Valley big man [player_tooltip player_id="1158260" first="Ruot" last="Bijiek"] (17.3, 7.0 rebounds). Perhaps no team in the state is playing at a higher level than the Tigers right now, winning 13 straight games and one of just three teams (Council Bluffs Lincoln, Cedar Falls) to rank within the top-10 in scoring offense and defense. Bijiek has taken his game up another level since the injury to [player_tooltip player_id="962490" first="Eli" last="Raridon"], and the 6-8/6-9 big is the type of athletic, rangy big who is a matchup problem for anyone at this level. [player_tooltip player_id="1381422" first="Curtis" last="Stinson Jr"] (9.8) and [player_tooltip player_id="1381407" first="Kiki" last="Deng"] (6.8) are key pieces of a very talented 2025 class at Valley, and they're able to put a number of talented athletes on the floor who will defend and play their roles. This should be one of the most lopsided games of the evening. Our pick: Valley [caption id="attachment_1177345" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Dallas-Bear.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1177345 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Dallas-Bear-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="956870" first="Dallas" last="Bear"][/caption] Marshalltown (11-11) at Cedar Falls (18-2) Marshalltown is the team that played Waukee the toughest in their march to the state title last year, losing to the Warriors by just six points in the postseason, the only team to stay within single-digits. Many of those pieces are back this year, led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="682291" first="Armonniey" last="Thomas"] (21.8, 4.0 assists), a hyper-athletic and quick guard who is one of the top unsigned 2022s in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="1167669" first="Prince" last="Jallah"] (12.7) is an athletic wing who can get to the rim and defend multiple positions, and the duo of [player_tooltip player_id="1167711" first="Drake" last="Kapayou"] (11.0, 38.5 3P%) and Jaxson Eisenbarth (6.1, 50.0 3P%) can really shoot it alongside that tandem. Kapayou turned his ankle in the Bobcats' quarterfinal game, and his status is in question, which would be a significant blow. Cedar Falls has won 14 straight games behind the ridiculous play of senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="682265" first="Trey" last="Campbell"] (24.4, 4.3 assists), a future Northern Iowa guard who is posting 56-41-85 shooting splits and dominating games on both ends of the floor on a nightly basis. [player_tooltip player_id="956870" first="Dallas" last="Bear"] (15.0) is a sharpshooting junior wing with length, and the new faces who took a little while to get acclimated to varsity run have really played well down the stretch. Campbell is a dominant player, and the matchup between him and Thomas will be a ton of fun to watch. Our pick: Cedar Falls <h3>Substate 4</h3> [caption id="attachment_1116187" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/11-Kenzie-Reed-crop-2173x1427-1610657914.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1116187 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/11-Kenzie-Reed-crop-2173x1427-1610657914-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="956877" first="Kenzie" last="Reed"][/caption] Linn-Mar (12-10) at Kennedy (18-3) One of the best rivalries in 4A will add another chapter on Friday night. These teams split their regular-season meetings, with Linn-Mar winning 70-63 on December 17 and Kennedy taking the rematch 58-54 on January 21. Linn-Mar has had an up-and-down season, but they'll always get up to play Kennedy, especially if it means a chance to end the Cougars' season. The Lions are led by athletic senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="962642" first="Jaxson" last="Young"] (15.2), a 6-2 guard who can get to the rim and who is armed with a dynamic mid-range game. Freshman big [player_tooltip player_id="1381412" first="Davis" last="Kern"] (10.0, 42.4 3P%) is a high-upside stretch-4 who can protect the rim, and the Lions have a slew of solid role players who understand their roles and play them well. Kennedy is led by a quartet of talented guards in [player_tooltip player_id="1167718" first="Colby" last="Dolphin"] (14.2, 42.0 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id="956877" first="Kenzie" last="Reed"] (12.7, 7.2 assists), [player_tooltip player_id="1158435" first="Carson" last="Blietz"] (9.3, 42.2 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id="1171687" first="Cyrus" last="Courtney"] (7.5, 2.6 steals), each of whom gives the Cougars a little something different. Senior big men [player_tooltip player_id="1158434" first="Jackson" last="Bowman"] (10.8) and [player_tooltip player_id="784983" first="Craig" last="Mills"] (7.9, 7.1 rebounds) provide some size and physicality in the paint as well. The Cougars are the deeper and more talented team, but expect another tight one between these rivals that will be decided late. Our pick: Kennedy [caption id="attachment_1115610" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/117-Traijen-Sain-crop-2004x1316-1610572845.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1115610 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/117-Traijen-Sain-crop-2004x1316-1610572845-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="956880" first="Traijan" last="Sain"][/caption] Liberty (10-12) at Cedar Rapids Washington (12-9) Washington won the regular-season meeting 57-47 two weeks ago by forcing 22 Lightning turnovers, and if Liberty doesn't get that under control, they'll face a similar fate against the Warriors. Washington has a young but super athletic team that flies all over the court on both ends. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="956880" first="Traijan" last="Sain"] (17.2, 6.5 rebounds) leads the team in scoring and rebounding, while the backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id="1167702" first="Jesse" last="Sellers"] (11.3), [player_tooltip player_id="1167699" first="Jaden" last="Harris"] (6.9, 3.7 assists), and [player_tooltip player_id="1171663" first="Willie" last="Hodges"] (4.2, 3.0 assists) provides a ton of quickness on the perimeter, and [player_tooltip player_id="1376684" first="JJ" last="Willis"] (6.6, 53.9 FG%) has been solid in the paint despite being undersized. Like Washington, Liberty is young and athletic, led by junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1288867" first="Da'Shon" last="Fisher"] (16.9), a walking highlight-reel who loves to dunk on people. The Lightning go deep into their bench and have a lot of quickness and athleticism alongside Fisher, but they'll need to protect the ball (14.8 turnovers a game) if they want to pull off the upset and move onto the substate final. Our pick: Cedar Rapids Washington <h3>Substate 5</h3> [caption id="attachment_1241252" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Ryan-Dolphin2.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1241252 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Ryan-Dolphin2-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="682267" first="Ryan" last="Dolphin"][/caption] Davenport West (11-12) at Pleasant Valley (21-0) Pleasant Valley is the only undefeated team left in 4A, so they obviously swept this season's series, but the games were close - 48-40 and 40-38. The Spartans play at one of the more methodical paces in the state, relying on their strength, athleticism, and skill on the defensive end to suffocate teams, but that slower style can make them vulnerable to upsets. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="682267" first="Ryan" last="Dolphin"] (16.8, 45.2 3P%) has emerged as one of the top perimeter shooting threats in the state, and the tandem of [player_tooltip player_id="1367437" first="Connor" last="Borbeck"] (14.0, 38.9 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id="1158499" first="Joel" last="Lawlor"] (9.8, 42.6 3P%) give the Spartans even more 3-point shooting. This is a group that limits turnovers and plays excellent defense. In the two regular-season meetings, West turned the ball over an average of 17.5 times a game, and that number has to improve against this staunch defense if they want to pull off the upset. The backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id="962634" first="Jermaine" last="Gardner"] (13.7, 3.2 assists), [player_tooltip player_id="962640" first="NaZion" last="Caruthers"] (10.9, 5.0 rebounds), and [player_tooltip player_id="1376725" first="Jermilyn" last="Gardner"] (8.9) will have a lot on their plate against the length and athleticism of PV. If they can protect the ball, the Spartans could be ripe for an upset. Our pick: Pleasant Valley Burlington (15-7) at Iowa City West (14-8) West got off to a strong 7-0 start before going just 7-8 in their last 15 games, which coincides with an injury sustained by junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1167705" first="Savion" last="Taylor"], who was the team's best shooter and a really good perimeter defender. They are limping into the postseason, losing five of their last six games, but in senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1158261" first="Peter" last="Moe"] (21.7, 9.1 rebounds), the Trojans have a player that Burlington will really struggle to defend. These teams met at the beginning of the year, and Moe had 28 points on 12-17 shooting with 14 rebounds. The smaller Grayhounds simply don't have an answer for his size and ability to score inside and out. [player_tooltip player_id="1381414" first="Jack" last="McCaffery"] (9.6, 5.1 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id="1376672" first="Jacob" last="Koch"] (8.9, 42.3 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id="1171670" first="Kareem" last="Earl"] (8.3), and [player_tooltip player_id="682262" first="Christian" last="Barnes"] (7.9, 4.1 assists) round out a balanced attack for the Trojans. Burlington is led by a pair of athletic, slashing wings in [player_tooltip player_id="962667" first="Amarion" last="Davis"] (14.7) and Merquiche Lewis Jr (12.8). They like to play downhill and get to the rim, and keeping them out of the paint will be key for the Trojans in this one. Our pick: Iowa City West <h3>Substate 6</h3> [caption id="attachment_1166763" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Jake-Walter1.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1166763 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Jake-Walter1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="962635" first="Jake" last="Walter"][/caption] Senior (12-10) at Prairie (15-6) Prairie won the regular-season meeting 67-54 during the last week of the season, despite Senior shooting 55.3% from the floor. In that game, the Rams were just 8-23 (34.8%) from the free-throw line, and they turned it over 15 times. A young team with a ton of athleticism, they have the type of length and quickness that could make this game interesting if they can cut down on the turnovers and knock down some free throws. [player_tooltip player_id="1376678" first="Jacob" last="Williams"] (10.8), an athletic, rim-running sophomore, leads the team in scoring and rebounding, but this is a balanced team with nine other players averaging between 3.3 and 7.0 points a game. Prairie has a bigger, more physical team headlined by future Iowa State football player [player_tooltip player_id="682264" first="Gabe" last="Burkle"] (15.0, 5.9 rebounds), who is not a good matchup for the leaner, quicker Rams. [player_tooltip player_id="962635" first="Jake" last="Walter"] (13.3, 3.9 assists) is a three-level scorer who can get others involved, and they've gotten strong production off the bench from [player_tooltip player_id="1240079" first="Makelle" last="Taylor"] (4.7) and [player_tooltip player_id="1376680" first="Reid" last="Burkle"] (4.1) following [player_tooltip player_id="784979" first="Elijah" last="Ward"]'s injury. Prairie is the more experienced, more physical team and they should come away with the home win here to move into the substate final. Our pick: Prairie [caption id="attachment_1290442" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/51-KJ-LaMonte.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1290442 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/51-KJ-LaMonte-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1171678" first="Kyle" last="Lamonte"][/caption] Hempstead (12-10) at Davenport North (15-6) This figures to be one of the most interesting games on Friday night, as North will struggle to contain Hempstead big man [player_tooltip player_id="1055294" first="Cameron" last="Fens"] (19.2, 11.4 rebounds, 2.2 blocks), a 6-10 forward who is playing at an incredibly high level and picking up Division I offers, while Hempstead will struggle to contain the quickness and penetration of the Wildcats perimeter options. Hempstead has gotten strong production out of senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="962654" first="Kellen" last="Strohmeyer"] (14.6), but it will be Fens, and how North is able to defend him, that decides this one for the Mustangs. North is led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1200221" first="Michael" last="Lowery Jr"] (16.5, 46.5 3P%) and sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="1171678" first="Kyle" last="Lamonte"] (13.0), who are both quick guards who can break down a defense and get to the rim, and Lowery has really developed as a shooter. A lot will be asked out of Cade Guinn (9.7, 7.8 rebounds), an undersized but physical forward who will get the first crack at Fens, and if he can hold his ground, the 'Cats can win. Our pick: Davenport North <h3>Substate 7</h3> [caption id="attachment_1356612" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/Pryce-Sandfort-crop-591x388-1640894408.png"><img class="wp-image-1356612 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/Pryce-Sandfort-crop-591x388-1640894408-300x197.png" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="956868" first="Pryce" last="Sandfort"] Photo: Sean Bock <a href="https://247sports.com/player/pryce-sandfort-46097292/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">247Sports</a>[/caption] Southeast Polk (7-15) at Northwest (18-4) Northwest rolled in the regular-season meeting early this season, 79-52, behind 27 points and 13 rebounds from [player_tooltip player_id="956868" first="Pryce" last="Sandfort"]. That should come as no surprise, as Sandfort (27.5, 10.7 rebounds, 3.0 blocks) has been the best player in the state this season, putting up ridiculous numbers while posting incredibly efficient shooting splits of 53-41-90. A 6-7 junior who has been dominant on both ends of the floor, he's an impossible matchup at this level. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="956887" first="Cade" last="Kelderman"] (16.3, 5.6 assists) has been really good initiating the offense and knocking down the open looks that Sandfort can provide, and [player_tooltip player_id="1240092" first="Henry" last="Manning"] (11.7, 38.7 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id="1376673" first="Grant" last="Tigges"] (8.0, 44.0 3P%) provide some more floor stretching. For the Rams, it's the [player_tooltip player_id="1167719" first="Riley" last="Edwards"] (19.4) show. A long 6-3/6-4 guard who can score from all three levels, he's emerged as one of the top scorers in the Des Moines area. [player_tooltip player_id="1367393" first="Kadyn" last="Proctor"] (9.8, 7.3 rebounds) provides some size and physicality, and [player_tooltip player_id="1367397" first="Lincoln" last="Cantrall"] (9.0, 44.0 3P%) is a long 6-7 shooter. Northwest has too much firepower and should win this one fairly comfortably. Our pick: Northwest [caption id="attachment_1219188" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Grant-Uecker-crop-493x324-1624125403.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1219188 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Grant-Uecker-crop-493x324-1624125403-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1172912" first="Grant" last="Uecker"][/caption] Urbandale (12-10) at Indianola (17-4) Indianola has been one of the best offensive teams in the state this season, averaging 69.0 points a game, fifth in the class. The Indians are led by future Division I wing [player_tooltip player_id="956873" first="Drew" last="Kingery"] (18.9, 7.6 rebounds), a long 6-6 wing who can score from all three levels. [player_tooltip player_id="1167716" first="Brayden" last="Drea"] (12.2, 44.8 3P%) has provided more perimeter shooting, and [player_tooltip player_id="1158457" first="Cooper" last="Nailor"] (8.1, 5.1 assists) is an excellent ball-handler and decision-maker. The Indians are able to comfortably go eight deep on the bench with scoring options. These teams met 10 days ago, a 64-63 Indianola win in which they knocked down 14 3-pointers, but were outrebounded 34-25. Expect rebounding to be a focus for the Indians in this rematch. Urbandale has been one of the most improved teams in the state over the last month of the season, going 6-3 since January 18, with the three losses coming by 3 points (Dowling), 3 (Valley), and 1 (Indianola). The J-Hawks are led by sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1172912" first="Grant" last="Uecker"] (11.3, 46.1 3P%), an excellent shooter both off the dribble and the catch who leads the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists. Behind Uecker, the J-Hawks have a lot of experienced pieces like [player_tooltip player_id="1367409" first="Brice" last="Lange"] (10.7), Gresyn Schmitz (9.8), and [player_tooltip player_id="1067656" first="Kirby" last="Schmitz"] (6.2), which will help in this game. Urbandale knows that they can play with Indianola, and they've been playing really good ball over the last month. Don't be surprised if the J-Hawks pull off the upset here. Our pick: Urbandale <h3>Substate 8</h3> [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> [player_tooltip player_id="784982" first="Steven" last="Kramer"][/caption] Norwalk (12-10) at Johnston (17-3) Johnston has been playing some excellent basketball down the stretch, winning six straight heading into the postseason including victories over Northwest and Ames. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="682278" first="Trey" last="Lewis"] (22.6, 7.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists) has played at a level matched by few in the state this year, showing off his unlimited range and ability to get to the rim at will while also getting others involved at a high clip. Wing [player_tooltip player_id="784982" first="Steven" last="Kramer"] (15.7, 7.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists), headed to play at South Dakota, provides length and athleticism on the perimeter, and the Dragons are able to put a ton of perimeter shooting on the floor alongside that dynamic duo, as they shoot 41.9% from behind the arc as a team. A young Norwalk team has just one senior among their top seven scorers, and they're led by sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1171661" first="Redek" last="Born"] (13.6), who will emerge as one of the state's top scorers as soon as next year. [player_tooltip player_id="1239874" first="Braeden" last="Carlson"] (13.0, 7.1 rebounds) has been remarkably efficient on the interior, but Johnston is just going to have too much talent, length, and athleticism in this matchup. Our pick: Johnston Dowling Catholic (8-14) at Council Bluffs Lincoln (15-5) These teams met at the beginning of the year, a 65-54 Council Bluffs Lincoln win, and that came with a healthy [player_tooltip player_id="682266" first="Josh" last="Dix"] in the lineup, so Dowling Catholic has to feel as though they can play with the Lynx here. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="784974" first="Jamison" last="Gruber"] (19.1, 44.7 3P%) has really stepped up and played at a high level for CBAL since Dix went down, averaging 26.5 points with 55-49-80 splits since the injury. Jaxson Jones (9.7, 42.6 3P%) gives them more perimeter shooting, and Jake Duffey (8.6, 65.5 FG%) is an athletic and physical interior presence. The Maroons are a physical and athletic team that likes to apply pressure on the ball, and they'll look to get the ball out of Gruber's hands and make the other players beat them. [player_tooltip player_id="1288853" first="Andrew" last="Mauro"] (13.9) is the team's top scoring threat, and [player_tooltip player_id="1352976" first="Carson" last="Brown"] (8.5) is a fantastic athlete on the wing. The Maroons can struggle to score at times (39.0 FG%), and they'll rely on their defense to keep them in this one late, where anything can happen. Our pick: Council Bluffs Lincoln