Friday Games to Watch

3A #9 Clear Creek Amana (14-5) at 3A #6 Marion (13-5)   Clear Creek Amana comes into this one fresh off of clinching the WaMaC West Division crown and riding a 10-game winning streak. The Clippers are led by a pair of double-figure scorers in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1759949' first='Andrew' last='Rotzoll'] (16.6, 46.2 3P%) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1938206' first='Haiden' last='Hardy'] (13.9, 4.1 assists). Rotzoll is a knockdown shooter who moves really well without the ball in his hands and has a quick release off the catch, while Hardy is a talented playmaker who can create plays off the bounce as well as just about anyone in the WaMaC. Five others average between 5.4 and 9.8 points a game, giving them a number of scoring threats.   Marion is 9-2 since the holiday break, with their two losses coming to 18-0 Solon and 16-2 Waverly-Shell Rock, teams ranked #4 and #3 in 3A, respectively. After getting off to a bit of a slow start while breaking in a number of new pieces, the Wolves are playing quality basketball since the hiatus. They're a solid defensive team, allowing just 51.8 points a game, and they use their athleticism and speed to suffocate teams on that end of the floor. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1960901' first='Kylar' last='Whitman'] (12.4, 9.1 rebounds, 1.4 blocks) is the standout in the paint while junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1402185' first='Austin' last='Goodrich'] (11.3, 39.7 3P%) is the top perimeter scoring threat. [player_tooltip player_id='2325432' first='Jordan' last='Fischer'] (8.1, 3.5 assists) and Grayson Kirsch (5.9, 2.6 assists) join Goodrich in the backcourt to give Marion three reliable playmakers.   3A #10 Winterset (12-8) at 3A #8 Ballard (12-6)   Neither of these teams has a chance to run down ADM in the Raccoon River Conference, but this is a huge game for both teams, as getting into the top 8 of the 3A rankings on Sunday would get them their own substate. Winterset won the first meeting between these teams, 73-66, back on January 22 and are coming off a win over #2 ADM on Tuesday night. The Huskies have three double-figure scorers leading the charge in senior twins [player_tooltip player_id='2325569' first='Hudson' last='Wilmes'] (15.2, 41.1 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1945653' first='Hayden' last='Wilmes'] (13.7, 3.4 assists), and forward [player_tooltip player_id='1587404' first='Sam' last='Hensley'] (14.0, 7.4 rebounds). Both Wilmes brothers are good shooters from deep with lightning-quick releases, and younger brother [player_tooltip player_id='2397315' first='Hank' last='Wilmes'] (5.4, 5.3 assists) is a quick playmaking guard who feeds them good looks. The Huskies' quick 2-3 zone forced 18 Ballard turnovers in the first meeting, an area that will need to improve for the Bombers in the rematch.   Sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'] (17.8, 5.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists) is one of the most dynamic guards in the state with the ball in his hands. He's lightning-quick, physical, and is a tremendous ball-handler and passer who likes to get his teammates involved as well. Winterset limited him to 12 points and forced nine turnovers on him in the first meeting. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2397342' first='Jackson' last='Brown'] (13.8, 44.2 3P%) has been a nice complement to him in the backcourt, giving them a high-level shooter alongside Gibson's ability to break down the defense, and [player_tooltip player_id='2398123' first='Mason' last='Gatchel'] (6.2, 39.4 3P%) provides more shooting. [player_tooltip player_id='1256298' first='Nolan' last='Cogdill'] (9.9, 6.1 rebounds) has been a solid two-way player in the paint as well, giving the Bombers some needed size and length.   4A #5 Senior (16-1) at 4A #6 Cedar Falls (15-3)   Points will be at a premium in this one, with Senior ranking third in scoring defense in 4A (44.5 points per game) and Cedar Falls fifth (48.8). Senior is led by a really good tandem of big men in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1376678' first='Jacob' last='Williams'] (17.8, 8.6 rebounds, 66.5 FG%) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1172887' first='Tevin' last='Schultz'] (13.9, 59.1 FG%), a pair of skilled forwards who can score inside and out, and the offense flows through them on most possessions. Sophomore guards [player_tooltip player_id='1765536' first='Cooper' last='Porter'] (6.8) and [player_tooltip player_id='1765555' first='Drake' last='Medinger'] (6.0) have provided a little bit of everything for the Rams in the backcourt on both ends of the floor, while [player_tooltip player_id='1381404' first='Josh' last='Brauer'] (5.7), [player_tooltip player_id='1381411' first='Jalen' last='Johnson'] (5.2), and [player_tooltip player_id='1198430' first='Nicholas' last='Kennedy'] (4.6) have all been really solid two-way role players.   Cedar Falls has a bit more explosiveness on the offensive end, led by junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1199979' first='Anthony' last='Galvin'] (14.0, 39.3 3P%), one of the best shooters off the dribble in the state. He got off to a bit of a slow start this season, battling a nagging injury, but he's playing high-level ball now. [player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes'] (11.6, 68.9 FG%) is one of the top sophomores in the state, a 6-8 combo forward who can do a bit of everything, while senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1171693' first='Cade' last='Courbat'] (11.3, 1.5 blocks) is a dynamic athlete who can protect the rim, control the glass, and he has improved as a passer. The Tigers have the size and athleticism to match up well with Senior here.   3A #5 Decorah (17-2) at 3A #3 Waverly-Shell Rock (16-2)   In the first meeting between these two teams, Waverly-Shell Rock delivered a pretty shocking result, dismantling Decorah to the tune of 84-57 behind a 28-point first quarter. The Go-Hawks shot 12-19 from behind the arc in that win and have been one of the most explosive offensive teams in the state, averaging 75.6 points a game. They've won 16 straight since starting the year 0-2 behind a quartet of dynamic scorers - junior [player_tooltip player_id='1759905' first='Luke' last='Frazell'] (18.4, 53.7 3P%) and seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1751095' first='Noah' last='Frazell'] (17.1, 52.9 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1376675' first='Cole' last='Marsh'] (15.8, 44.6 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='1751097' first='Benny' last='Ramker'] (13.2, 49.2 3P%). They have been elite as a shooting team this season, posting 51-44-79 shooting splits, and their ability to space the floor and burn teams from deep can turn games into blowouts in a hurry.   Decorah leads 3A in scoring, averaging 76.7 points a game and are coming off a really good win over Winterset on Monday night. [player_tooltip player_id='1256304' first='Ben' last='Bockman'] (19.6, 50.0 3P%) is a 6-4 wing who can really, really shoot it, but he's far from alone, as three others average in double figures, with one more just outside. Sophomore forward Cael LaFrentz (16.3, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks) gives them size, finishing, and rim protection, while the backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='1171655' first='Treyton' last='McCain'] (11.1, 7.9 assists, 56.9 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1381408' first='Zach' last='Driscoll'] (10.1, 4.7 assists, 52.9 3P%) has been fantastic at creating looks for their teammates and knocking down open looks. As good as Waverly-Shell Rock has been from deep this season, Decorah has been even more efficient, shooting 47.7% from the arc as a team. Expect this meeting to be much more competitive than the first meeting, which got away from Decorah early.   4A #10 Waukee Northwest (13-7) at 4A #8 Centennial (13-5)   Few teams in 4A are playing as well as Northwest is right now, winning 9 of their last 10 heading into this trip to Ankeny. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1643192' first='Landon' last='Davis'] (7.1, 5.9 rebounds, 3.5 blocks) has been fantastic during the hot stretch. It took him a little while to get accustomed to major varsity minutes, but the athletic and lanky 6-7/6-8 forward has been a dominant two-way player over the last month-and-a-half, and the Wolves have taken off as a result. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1376673' first='Grant' last='Tigges'] (15.0) and [player_tooltip player_id='1288864' first='Luke' last='Hart'] (10.5, 40.0 3P%, 4.2 assists) give them an experienced and talented backcourt, and freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2124066' first='Mack' last='Heitland'] (5.5, 40.4 3P%) has provided some additional shooting. This is a deep and talented team that took a little while to gel, but they're really dangerous now.   [player_tooltip player_id='1288923' first='Luke' last='Winkel'] (22.6, 4.7 assists, 42.1 3P%) has been one of the best players in 4A basketball this season, and he was great in Centennial's win back on January 2 over Northwest, dropping 23 points on 7-14 shooting. Winkel's ability to create looks for himself and his teammates off the bounce is rivaled by few in the state. The Jaguars have three others averaging between 8.1 and 9.1 points a game in [player_tooltip player_id='1751094' first='Nick' last='Vaske'] (9.1), [player_tooltip player_id='1173129' first='Chase' last='Schutty'] (9.0, 9.3 rebounds), and [player_tooltip player_id='2325295' first='Connor' last='Welsch'] (8.1, 42.3 3P%), a trio that complements Winkel's game well.   Other games to watch Cascade (15-4) at Maquoketa (13-6) Heelan (11-7) at Council Bluffs Lincoln (13-5) Charles City (12-7) at Aplington-Parkersburg (15-5) Assumption (12-7) at Bettendorf (12-6) Pella (11-7) at Dallas Center-Grimes (15-3) Notre Dame (14-5) at 2A #8 West Burlington (18-0) Williamsburg (11-7) at 3A #4 Solon (18-0) Ankeny (13-6) at 4A #3 Valley (14-4)

3A #9 Clear Creek Amana (14-5) at 3A #6 Marion (13-5)