Substate Preview: 4A-8

<!-- wp:image {"id":2348307,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/4A-8.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/4A-8.png?w=615" alt="" class="wp-image-2348307" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The favorite:</strong> This substate is going to be a ton of fun with both Ankeny schools slated to meet up in the substate final. With the #1 seed in hand, and probably a slightly easier semifinal game coming with it, <strong>Ankeny</strong> is the favorite here. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1171660' first='Carson' last='Johnson'] (23.1, 46.2 3P%) has been one of the most dynamic players in the state this season, scoring in bunches from all three levels on a nightly basis, and doing so at a remarkably efficient clip, posting 51-46-89 shooting splits. But he's far from alone, as sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1977422' first='Rio' last='Aguirre'] (14.0, 43.7 3P%) has been excellent, and long-time running mate [player_tooltip player_id='1171676' first='Lio' last='Aguirre'] (12.1, 6.4 rebounds) has been his usual self, getting to the rim for finishes and getting his teammates involved off the dribble. [player_tooltip player_id='1751178' first='Cash' last='Schoolen'] (7.8), [player_tooltip player_id='2377397' first='Cade' last='Pederson'] (4.9), and [player_tooltip player_id='2511594' first='Luke' last='Anderson'] (3.8) have been solid role players alongside the Hawks' big three, but this team is going to go as Johnson goes, and that's usually pretty darn good. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The biggest threat: Centennial</strong> has a dynamic lead guard of their own in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1288923' first='Luke' last='Winkel'] (22.1, 4.9 assists), who has been just as good as Johnson this season. Winkel is posting shooting splits of 49-42-75 and leads the Jaguars in assists, showing the ability to take over games as both a scorer and distributor. Unlike Ankeny, the Jags don't have any other double-figure scorers, but they do have a dominant paint presence in [player_tooltip player_id='1173129' first='Chase' last='Schutty'] (9.7, 8.9 rebounds, 41.7 3P%), a physical interior presence who controls the glass on both ends of the floor and can stretch the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='1751094' first='Nick' last='Vaske'] (8.4), [player_tooltip player_id='2325295' first='Connor' last='Welsch'] (7.5), and Joey Oakie (5.4) give them some more perimeter scoring as well. Ankeny is the more explosive offensive team, while Centennial is superior on the defensive end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The dark horse: Roosevelt </strong>earned the #3 seed with strong play throughout the regular season, but the Roughriders recently had to forfeit a number of games due to using an ineligible player. Those forfeits dropped the 'Riders official record from 15-7 to 6-16, but this is still a team that can't be taken lightly. The ineligible player was a role player, not one of their top options, and there is still a significant amount of talent on this roster. Freshman wing [player_tooltip player_id='2204081' first='Charlie' last='King'] (11.4, 6.4 rebounds, 38.7 3P%) has been one of the most productive freshmen in the state this season, a versatile wing who can score from all three levels. [player_tooltip player_id='1171694' first='Tyron' last='Wright'] (8.1, 7.8 rebounds) is an athletic forward who controls the glass, while Brayden Page (7.4), Jecari Patton (6.3), [player_tooltip player_id='1288903' first='Deng' last='Gai'] (5.4), Jayden Davidson (5.3), and [player_tooltip player_id='1439900' first='Remi' last='Taylor'] (11.6) are all quick, athletic guards who can create looks for their teammates. This is a team that has beaten Waukee and Linn-Mar (that win doesn't technically count now), so they won't be scared of Centennial in the semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to watch<br></span>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171660' first='Carson' last='Johnson'], Ankeny<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1977422' first='Rio' last='Aguirre'], Ankeny<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171676' first='Lio' last='Aguirre'], Ankeny<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288923' first='Luke' last='Winkel'], Centennial<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1173129' first='Chase' last='Schutty'], Centennial<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751094' first='Nick' last='Vaske'], Centennial<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1439900' first='Remi' last='Taylor'], Roosevelt<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2204081' first='Charlie' last='King'], Roosevelt<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288903' first='Deng' last='Gai'], Roosevelt<br>2024 Brayden Page, Roosevelt<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376683' first='Trey' last='Hughes'], Liberty<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288908' first='Gage' last='Kampman'], Liberty<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381413' first='Jahlil' last='Manago'], Waterloo West<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1440839' first='Joseph' last='Hudson'], Waterloo West<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419808' first='George' last='Blake'], Indianola<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419810' first='Easton' last='McGraw'], Indianola</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ankeny vs. Centennial</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The entire town of Ankeny should be out for this one. [player_tooltip player_id='1171660' first='Carson' last='Johnson'] vs. [player_tooltip player_id='1288923' first='Luke' last='Winkel'] with a trip to the state tournament on the line? Sign me up. These teams split during the regular season, with each winning on their home court, and each by double digits. The <strong>Ankeny</strong> win came just a few weeks ago, while Centennial's win was back in December. I think that means we give more credence to Ankeny's win and we'll take the Hawks in a great one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->