Sioux City East-Sergeant Bluff-Luton Preview

<p><strong>Friday, December 20:  Sioux City East (6-0) at Sergeant Bluff-Luton (3-1)  7:00 pm CT</strong></p> <p>SIOUX CITY— Sioux City East and Sergeant Bluff-Luton have been one of the most heated matchups in Northwest Iowa the past few seasons. After a heartbreaking 74-73 overtime loss earlier last season to the Black Raiders, the Warriors responded in the second meeting by winning 82-75 at East High School for the first time in program history.  With the last five out of six meetings being decided by an average of 2.4 points, we can only expect Friday night's contest to be more of the same for two programs that have advanced to the state tournament the last three years. </p> <p>Ras Vanderloo's Black Raiders are off to a 6-0 start, after coming away with a convincing 92-61 victory over Sioux City North on Tuesday night. The trio made up of senior guards <strong>Jaleque Dunson</strong>, <strong>Sayvion Armstrong</strong>, and <strong>Danny Callahan</strong> give East a strong backcourt. While all three of them are averaging double-digits in scoring, they are good at knowing what their strengths are on this particular East team. Big-man <strong>Jacob Maxey</strong> has also been a big contributor on the boards by leading the Black Raiders with 37 total rebounds. </p> <p>"Sergeant Bluff is a good team and Adam (Vander Schaaf) does a good job there," said Vanderloo. "They are long and can put size out there that's as big as anyone in the state. We're going to have to figure out how we are going to (defend) that. You've got to bring it. If we play our game and play defense, I think we've got a chance." </p> <p>There were expectations that Sergeant Bluff-Luton would head into Friday night unbeaten but were knocked off on Tuesday in overtime 48-43 to a talented Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln team.  Now the Warriors are not only looking to bounce back but stay in the Missouri River Conference title race. 6-foot-8 <strong>Daniel Wright</strong> and 6-foot-7 <strong>Jake Layman</strong> give Adam Vander Schaaf's squad a big presence. Wright currently leads the Warriors with 20 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game. </p> <p>"Having been able to win a couple of times the last two years obviously gives our guys a sense of confidence that it can be done," mentioned Vander Schaaf. "East is historically a top-level program and they don't lose very often. I think the takeaway is every time out it's going to be a dog fight with them, so you're going to have to play your best game and hopefully, it works out for you in the end."    </p> <p>The battle down low between Jacob Maxey and Daniel Wright will play a big role in Friday night's showdown, while this will be a big stage for Jaleque Dunson to step up when the game is on the line with Aidan Vanderloo now gone. While East has talented guard play, Sergeant Bluff-Luton could be affected at the point guard position with senior <strong>Deric Fitzgerald</strong> (11.3 PPG) as a potential game-time decision due to an illness. He played in Tuesday night's game but did not participate in practice on Wednesday. </p>