Ten Best: Center Point-Urbana (51) vs. West Delaware (54)
West Delaware enters the 3A state tournament with a 24-0 record after a 54-51 win over CPU West Delaware 54, Center Point-Urbana 51 West Delaware got everything they wanted and more from Center Point-Urbana in Monday night’s substate final, narrowly…
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Continue ReadingWest Delaware 54, Center Point-Urbana 51
West Delaware got everything they wanted and more from Center Point-Urbana in Monday night’s substate final, narrowly escaping with a 54-51 win to advance to the 3A state tournament. The Hawks will enter next week’s tournament with a perfect 24-0 record, the lone unbeaten in the field.
Trailing for much of the game to a good CPU team, the Hawks took the lead for good late, on a Kyle Wright 3. Trailing 51-49 with about 2:00 to play, the Hawks got a stop, then came down and Ryan Trainer found Wright for a corner 3, giving them a 52-51 lead with about 1:45 to play. John Nagel later knocked down a pair of free throws to give the final 54-51 margin, and CPU missed airballed a desperation 3 for the tie a the buzzer.
West Delaware (24-0) was led by Kyle Wright and John Nagel, who each had 20 points, and Derek Krogmann had 13. Nagel also 11 rebounds while Krogmann added nine rebounds and four blocks. That duo combined for 15 offensive rebounds in the game.
Center Point-Urbana ends the season with a 17-7 record. The Stormin’ Pointers were led by junior standout Grant Dirks, who had a game-high 22 points. Dylan Harris added 12 in the loss. With most of the rotation back, including the top four scorers from this game, CPU should be very good again next season.
Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | F |
Center Point-Urbana | 15 | 11 | 15 | 10 | 51 |
West Delaware | 14 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 54 |
Center Point-Urbana: Grant Dirks 22, Dylan Harris 12, Mitchell McCauley 9, Cody Westcott 5, JoJo Frost 3
West Delaware: Kyle Wright 20, John Nagel 20, Derek Krogmann 13, Ryan Trainer 1
MVP: Kyle Wright (West Delaware)
The lefty sharpshooter not only made the biggest shot of the game for the Hawks, he also tied for the team lead in scoring, dropping 20 points on 6-12 shooting (5-8 3P). He made crucial shots time after time in this one, including the most important shot of the season, to date.
Play of the game: Ryan Trainer finds Kyle Wright for the go-ahead 3 with 1:45 left
After trading buckets for much of the fourth quarter, West Delaware finally got a stop with about two minutes left to play. On the ensuing offensive possession, point guard Ryan Trainer got into the paint and kicked out to the right corner, where Kyle Wright knocked down his fifth 3 (and biggest of the season) of the game, giving the Hawks a 52-51 lead, which turned out to be the game-winner.
Stepping up clutch: John Nagel drills a pair of free throws with 12.1 seconds to play
For a big man, Nagel has been a pretty good free throw shooter this season at 76.8%. Still, there’s no way any of the prior free throws he has taken had as much on the line as the pair he drilled with 12.1 seconds left did. Up one, 52-51, Nagel went to the line for a one-and-one and swished home both, giving the Hawks a 3-point lead. They went on to get a stop on the final CPU possession, sending them to state.
Best offensive performance: Grant Dirks (Center Point-Urbana)
The 6-5 combo forward gets better every time I see him, adding something new to his arsenal with each viewing. He’s worked to expand his range, and is now comfortably knocking down 3s. Combine that with his skill, footwork and versatility in the paint, and he’s a big-time offensive weapon who can score from anywhere on the floor.
Best defensive performance: Derek Krogmann (West Delaware)
A 6-7 power forward with a 7-foot wingspan, Krogmann uses every bit of that length effectively. He’s capable of guarding a few different positions, won’t get lost on a switch in the pick-and-roll, and is extremely tough to score against in the paint. He came away with four blocks in this game, and his presence in the paint impacts the game in a huge way.
Best shooter: Kyle Wright (West Delaware)
He went 5-8 from behind the arc, knocking down big jumper after big jumper. A left-handed sharpshooter, he moves well without the ball, has his feet squared on the catch and has extended range. His release tends to be a little bit slow, but he’s got the size to get his shot off no matter what, and he moves so well without the ball that he usually doesn’t have anyone around him when he’s shooting.
Best rebounder: John Nagel (West Delaware)
The Iowa State football signee pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds, including nine offensive. He’s relentless on the glass, has the size and physicality to out-muscle other players, and has a nose for the ball. Keeping him and Krogmann, who combined to pull down 15 offensive rebounds, off the glass will be crucial for whoever is matched up with them next week at state.
Best underclassman: Derek Krogmann (West Delaware)
It was a pretty quiet night for Krogmann, finishing with just 13 points, but he had a stretch where he took over when they needed him the most. After Nagel had picked up his fourth foul, midway through the fourth quarter, they desperately needed some offense, and Krogmann delivered with six straight points. At 6-7, he’s got size that most teams in Iowa can’t contend with, and throw in a 7-foot wingspan, and you’ve got the makings of a legitimate college prospect. He runs the floor well, finishes at the rim and rebounds at a high level. The future is bright for this talented sophomore big, who already holds an offer from North Dakota.
Best passer: JoJo Frost (Center Point-Urbana)
The diminutive, quick point guard for CPU got off to a fast start, with four assists in the first quarter. He uses his quickness well, pushing in transition and getting to the rim in the halfcourt, where he can dish off to someone for an easy bucket when the defense collapses. One of the fastest kids in the state, he uses that to his advantage.
What to watch for in West Delaware’s state tournament appearance: Where will the Hawks be seeded?
The seedings and pairings will be released for all four classes today (Wednesday) at 1:00 p.m. As the only unbeaten team in the 3A field, it would seem as though the Hawks should be the top-seeded team at state, but that’s far from a guarantee. And if they are the top seed, do they get to avoid Xavier until a potential title game?