Class 1A, Substate 2 Preview
DISTRICT 3 The favorite: West Hancock isn’t nearly the offensive juggernaut they were the previous few seasons with Connor Sonius running the show, but they’ve remained a solid defensive team, allowing just 49.7 points a game this season. Seth Weiland…
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Continue ReadingDISTRICT 3
The favorite: West Hancock isn’t nearly the offensive juggernaut they were the previous few seasons with Connor Sonius running the show, but they’ve remained a solid defensive team, allowing just 49.7 points a game this season. Seth Weiland (12.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.9 blocks) is a big reason why, as he has been the ultimate eraser at the back end of their defense. Dylan Eckels (17.1) paces this team that has gone 4-1 against the other teams in the district.
The biggest threat: Fort Dodge, St. Edmond really tested themselves in the non-conference portion of their schedule, playing games against 2A powers like Des Moines Christian, South Hamilton, Carroll Kuemper and Pocahontas Area. Included in that non-conference portion is a 26-point win over Bishop Garrigan, Algona. Granted, it was the season opener, but that dominant of a win has to make them a favorite in the potential rematch in the district semifinal. The Gaels are one of the state’s best 3-point shooting teams and feature arguably the most dangerous duo in the state in Andrew Gibb (53.5 3P%) and Charlie Doyle (44.7 3P%). If those two get hot, watch out, because they can carry this group to a district championship and possible state tournament berth.
The dark horse: A pair of talented youngsters pace Bishop Garrigan, Algona, with sophomore T.J. Schnurr (18.3, 50.4 FG%) and freshman Cade Winkel (13.7, 69.6 FG%) leading a team that shoots 50% from the floor overall. They split their season series with West Hancock, and if they make it through St. Edmond in the semifinal, that district championship game could be considered a coin-flip. Getting through St. Edmond will be tough, but the Golden Bears are one of three teams that have a great chance at making it through this difficult district.
Players to watch
Dylan Eckels, West Hancock, 2017
Seth Weiland, West Hancock, 2017
Andrew Gibb, St. Edmond, Fort Dodge, 2019
Michael Demers, St. Mary’s, Storm Lake, 2017
TJ Schnurr, Bishop Garrigan, Algona, 2019
Nathan Eaton, North Union, 2017
DISTRICT 4
The favorite: Top seed West Fork will have a difficult row to hoe in this district, with at least four other teams in here that we could see making a run. The Warhawks have gone 7-1 against teams in the district, with the lone loss coming in overtime to Mason City Newman, who they split the season series with. Led by standout sophomore Zach Martinek (17.8) and seasoned veteran Travis Fekkers (15.9), this tradition rich program is also one of the better defensive teams in the class, and that could help carry them through this tricky district.
The biggest threat: Mason City Newman and Saint Ansgar, likely district semifinal opponents, split their regular season series, with Newman’s win coming in the final game of the regular season. The Knights feature an extremely balanced attack, with no player averaging more than 11.3 points, and six others are between 5.5 and 9.4. While they don’t have a true go-to player, they move the ball as well as anyone in the district and have a number of ways to beat you. They get the slight edge over Saint Ansgar due to the late head-to-head win, but that district semi could truly go either way. They’re a bigger threat to West Fork, in our opinion, as they split their series with them, while West Fork swept Saint Ansgar.
The dark horses: Saint Ansgar enters the postseason hot, having won eight of their last 10 games. The Saints have three averaging in double figures, led by Ben Boerjan (14.0, 8.4 rebounds). He and Ryan Petersen (11.3, 8.7 rebounds) form a strong duo on the glass who can help the Saints outrebound anyone in the district. Justin Oakland is a steady floor general who has posted a solid 2.6-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, and Cole Wilert is capable of getting hot from deep. This is a group that has all the right pieces, they just need to get everyone clicking at the same time. Lake Mills deserves a mention here as well, as they may be the best 3-point shooting team in the district with Charlie Dugger (46.0 3P%) and Luke Groe (49.0 3P%) leading the way. This is a group that could shoot their way to a few wins. Finally, Rockford has a dynamic scorer in Zach Bushbaum (16.1) who is also capable of getting hot from the arc (42.7 3P% on 171 3PA) and carrying them to a district title if he gets on a hot streak. This is a very tough district with a number of teams who could do some damage.
Players to watch
Zach Martinek, West Fork, 2019
Travis Fekkers, West Fork, 2017
Charlie Dugger, Lake Mills, 2017
Luke Groe, Lake Mills, 2017
Zach Bushbaum, Rockford, 2018
Ben Boerjan, Saint Ansgar, 2017
Ryan Petersen, Saint Ansgar, 2017
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
West Hancock vs. West Fork
A rematch of a game that West Fork won handily the first time around, 56-39, we expect it to be closer this time, but with the same result. After a two year absence, the Warhawks return to the state tournament.