Iowa Playoffs: Class 4A, Substate 5 Preview
Northern Michigan commit Will Carius leads PV’s attack The favorite: Going as far back as the summer, I’ve said that Pleasant Valley’s guard play bothers me a bit. Nonetheless, behind the strong play of wing Will Carius (21.0, 8.6 rebounds)…
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Continue ReadingNorthern Michigan commit Will Carius leads PV’s attack
The favorite: Going as far back as the summer, I’ve said that Pleasant Valley’s guard play bothers me a bit. Nonetheless, behind the strong play of wing Will Carius (21.0, 8.6 rebounds) and big Carter Milam (11.7, 55.6 FG%), the Spartans have rolled to a 20-1 record. There are few teams in the state that can match up with their size (they start three players that are 6’7″+) or physicality, and they wear teams down with their length and toughness. They’re the best defensive team in 4A, allowing just 41.7 points a game.
The biggest threat: Muscatine handed PV their only loss this season, on a Joe Wieskamp buzzer beater. Wieskamp (21.3), an Iowa commit, is a tough player to match up with, with size and the ability to shoot from anywhere. The Muskies also have a few players in Ben Morgan and Matt Shellabarger who can knock down some shots.
The dark horse: The team that shares a city with PV, Bettendorf, came close to knocking off the Spartans earlier in February, losing by just one. The Bulldogs have won eight of nine (the lone setback the PV game), and they’re able to grind games out. Both PV and Bettendorf play a rather methodical pace, and with lower-scoring games, anything can happen. If Zak Emard, Suni Lane and company are able to compete on the glass, they can pull the upset.
Players to watch
Will Carius, Pleasant Valley, 2016
Carter Milam, Pleasant Valley, 2016
Joe Wieskamp, Muscatine, 2018
Derrick Howard, Clinton, 2016
Zak Emard, Bettendorf, 2016
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Pleasant Valley vs. Muscatine
After losing in last year’s championship game, there is nothing Pleasant Valley wants more than a return trip to Des Moines. After Muscatine beat them earlier in year, the Spartans will be looking for revenge. They find a way to limit Wieskamp and win relatively comfortably in the re-match.