Playoff Preview: 3A-2
The favorite: Clear Lake has put together a great season and its been lead by two underclassmen. Junior Andrew Formanek is averaging 15.9 points per game and is shooting 87 (!!) percent from the field. Formanek is a classic big man…
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The favorite: Clear Lake has put together a great season and its been lead by two underclassmen. Junior Andrew Formanek is averaging 15.9 points per game and is shooting 87 (!!) percent from the field. Formanek is a classic big man who makes a living inside the paint and is a tough matchup for anyone. Formanek is also a strong interior defender as he uses his length to block shots. Another reason I like Clear Lake is because of sophomore guard Carson Toebe. After a strong freshman season on varsity, Toebe has elevated his play as a sophomore averaging 14.5 points per game, and he’s a pest on the defensive end. His playmaking and scoring ability make him one of the top sophomores in the state, and guards are key in March. Jack Barragy, Jaylen DeVries, Kody Kearns are senior returners from last year’s team who are averaging just under double digits (9.6) points per game. If Formanek and Toebe can continue their high level of play, Clear Lake can make it farther than a year ago. The reserves will also have to step up and provide a boost. Clear Lake hasn’t lost at home this season, and it’s first two games of Substate will be in Clear Lake.
The biggest threat: Ballard had a tough start to the season, but has put it together as of late. The Bombers have won six of their last seven with their only loss during that stretch coming to Winterset. One of the more impressive wins for Ballard was on the road at Carroll earlier this month. Junior big man Connor Drew (19.0) can hurt you inside and outside, and a possible matchup between him and Formanek in the title game will be fun to watch. Sophomore guard/wing Ashton Hermann (15.0) is another scoring threat that can fill it up if he gets hot. Mason Murphy is a big reason why these two have put up the scoring numbers they have. Murphy is averaging 6 assists per game, and is the engine that runs this three-headed monster for Ballard. The Bombers will be a tough out.
The darkhorse: Algona has been a tough out this season in almost every game its played. The Bulldogs gave Clear Lake all they could handle in December, but lost by two on the road. Algona’s senior backcourt duo of Iowa football recruit Wyatt Wegener (17.6) and Collin Bleich (16.2) can get hot and keep their team in any game. Jason Cecil and Noah Nelson are also proven scorers that help carry the load. The defense will be a big reason this team can make a run. Algona has won every game this season where it held opponents under 50 points.
Players to watch
2021 Andrew Formanek, Clear Lake
2022 Carson Toebe, Clear Lake
2020 Quali Sporaa, Boone
2020 Jacob Thurm, Humboldt
2021 Sam Fischer, Humboldt
2021 Karson Sharar, Iowa Falls-Alden
2020 Logan Aldinger, Iowa Falls-Alden
2020 Wyatt Wegener, Algona
2020 Collin Bleich, Algona
2021 Jordan Severs, Hampton-Dumont-Cal
2021 Connor Drew, Ballard
2021 Mason Murphy, Ballard
2022 Ashton Hermann, Ballard
2021 Tyler Olson, Webster City