Sioux City East-Sergeant Bluff-Luton Preview
SIOUX CITY— Who knew just a few years back how important the matchup between Sioux City East and Sergeant Bluff-Luton would become? Both teams have advanced to the state tournament the past two seasons in their respective class and have had…
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Continue ReadingSIOUX CITY— Who knew just a few years back how important the matchup between Sioux City East and Sergeant Bluff-Luton would become? Both teams have advanced to the state tournament the past two seasons in their respective class and have had classic finishes as well.
Five of the past six meetings between the two programs have been decided be an average of only four points, with the most recent being Sergeant Bluff-Luton’s stunning upset over then-second ranked East 44-43 last season.
Ras Vanderloo’s squad is off to a solid 4-0 start, as they’ve knocked off a talented West team and handled their business against its other three opponents. The three-headed monster in Aidan Vanderloo, Jaleque Dunson and Javonte Keck have looked impressive thus far. Vanderloo, who scored his 1,000th career point on Saturday, has averaged 20.8 points per game and shown his ability to lead this team. Dunson is already showing his potential as a key scorer, while Keck continues to be a force to reckoned with on the boards.
Sioux City East senior Aidan Vanderloo against Sioux City West on Dec. 7, 2018. (GameTime Sports Photography)Despite being unbeaten and showing early success, Ras Vanderloo knows his team must be ready to go on Friday night if they are going to come away with a road victory. “I think it’s going to be one heck of a basketball game, said Vanderloo. “It’s two good teams playing and the outcome is going to affect the conference race.”
Heading into the season, East and Sergeant Bluff-Luton were ranked one and two in the Missouri River Conference Prep Hoops rankings. The two matchups between the Black Raiders and Warriors very well could decide the conference title.
While East has defeated its opponents by a convincing 27.8 PPG, Sergeant Bluff-Luton has bounced back by winning its last three games since its dismal 23-point loss at Sioux City West in its season opener. Seniors Conner Groves and Sam DeMoss lead the Warriors in scoring, while 6-foot-8 junior forward Daniel Wright has recorded a team-high 33 total rebounds. Wright, along with 6-foot-7 sophomore forward Jake Layman, will have the difficult task of defending Keck. It’s something that head coach Adam Vander Schaaf feels will need to be a collective team effort.
“He’s (Javonte Keck) super athletic and has great length. If you let up for a minute, he’s going to get on the offensive glass or dunk one on you,” said Vander Schaaf.
While Friday night’s showdown will come down to being strong on the boards and winning 50-50 balls, we can expect Vanderloo and Groves to exchange big-time shots when their teams need it most. It won’t come as any surprise, if this one is decided late in the fourth quarter.