Class 3A, Substate 3 Preview
The favorite: Future Northern Iowa big man Austin Phyfe (19.3, 13.3 rebounds, 67.7 FG%) has led Waverly-Shell Rock to a 19-1 regular season record, and the Go-Hawks spent about 95% of the year ranked No. 1 in the class before…
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Continue ReadingThe favorite: Future Northern Iowa big man Austin Phyfe (19.3, 13.3 rebounds, 67.7 FG%) has led Waverly-Shell Rock to a 19-1 regular season record, and the Go-Hawks spent about 95% of the year ranked No. 1 in the class before a late season loss to Cedar Falls. Phyfe has been sensational, and the rest of the team put around him fits in nearly perfectly. Guards John Stensland (12.5, 40.3 3P%) and Jack Seward (6.6, 51.7 3P%) provide some shooting alongside the big man, and Jacob Bahe (6.9) and Mosai Newsom (3.6) give them some additional size, toughness and rebounding. Six players are averaging between 3.0 and 6.9, giving the Go-Hawks a balanced group of players behind Phyfe and Stensland. W-SR ranks as the No. 3 defensive team in 3A, allowing just 44.8 points a game, and is a heavy favorite to come out of this district.
The biggest threat: Four players average in double figures for Decorah, led by Nick Bockman (13.8). The Vikings have a solid balance of perimeter and interior players, with Bockman and Lowden Rockweiler (12.8) handling guard duties, while Jerod Redenius (11.7, 58.6 FG%) and Shawn Shindelar (10.2) are efficient bigs. The Vikings were swept by Waverly-Shell Rock, but should make it through their opener against Union, La Porte City, a team that has struggled to score this season.
The other two: After suffering through a seven-game losing streak in the middle of the season, Union, LaPorte City has won four of their last six games to close the regular season strong. The Knights have three players averaging in double figures, led by Cael Lambe (13.6), a 3-point bomber who is capable of getting hot. This group shoots just 54% from the free throw line as a team, something that could come into play in what should be a tight game against Decorah…Iowa Falls-Alden has put together a respectable 8-13 record, but has played the second weakest schedule in 3A, according to BC Moore’s power rankings. The Cadets have a big scorer in Jace Ites (21.6), but they don’t have much size and will struggle to keep W-SR off the glass in their semifinal matchup.
Players to watch
Austin Phyfe, Waverly-Shell Rock, 2017
John Stensland, Waverly-Shell Rock, 2017
Nick Bockman, Decorah, 2018
Jerod Redenius, Decorah, 2018
Cael Lambe, Union, LaPorte City, 2017
Jace Ites, Iowa Falls-Alden, 2017
The favorite: The district’s top seed is Forest City, who leads Class 3A in scoring defense, allowing just 38.9 points a game. Now, some of that has to do with playing the weakest schedule in the class, but there is something to be said for giving up under 40 a night. The Indians are led offensively by big man Sam Snyder (15.4), an efficient scorer at 56.6 FG% who can also block some shots on the other end of the floor. His presence on the interior allows for the guards to take more chances. Fellow interior player Chris Jermeland (10.3) is even more efficient, shooting an astounding 77.2% from the floor. Grady Hovenga (45 3PM, 41.3 3P%) gives them some perimeter shooting to help space the floor. You can go either way in this district, but with Forest City playing the district final on their home floor, give them the slightest edge.
The biggest threat: The inside-out tandem of Jackson Molstead (19.7) and Cade Hemesath (16.4) has led Charles City to their best season in years, finishing the regular season with a 15-6 record. The Comets split their season series with semifinal opponent Crestwood, with each winning on the other team’s home floor. Molstead should be the best player on the floor in that game, and getting to play it at home gives them an edge over their conference rival, as does shooting 70.5% from the free throw line as a team.
The other two: Crestwood has a pair of efficient scorers in Spencer Cuvelier (12.4, 73.2 FG%) and Clayton Ollendieck (12.2, 52.9 FG%). That duo combined for 30 points and 19 rebounds in the Cadets’ win over Charles City earlier this season, and if they’re able to put together another big night, they can win again…Independence is a team that struggles to score, ranking No. 60 (out of 64 3A teams) in scoring, putting up just 47.9 points a game. Now, they have to take on 3A’s top scoring defense. It’s hard to see that ending well for the Mustangs.
Players to watch
Sam Snyder, Forest City, 2018
Chris Jermeland, Forest City, 2018
Jackson Molstead, Charles City, 2019
Cade Hemesath, Charles City, 2018
Spencer Cuvelier, Crestwood, 2017
Clayton Ollendieck, Crestwood, 2018
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Waverly-Shell Rock vs. Forest City
While Forest City has been a very good defensive team this season, they don’t have the size to slow down Austin Phyfe and crew, who lead Waverly-Shell Rock back to the state tournament, where they will be one of the top two or three favorites to win it all.