Games of the Week (Week 6)
MONDAY (Jan. 7) Game of the night: 3A No. 4 Gilbert at Ballard This is an interesting contrast between a pair of teams that have pleasantly surprised this season. Gilbert (9-1) enters this game as the highest scoring team in…
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Continue ReadingMONDAY (Jan. 7)
Game of the night: 3A No. 4 Gilbert at Ballard
This is an interesting contrast between a pair of teams that have pleasantly surprised this season. Gilbert (9-1) enters this game as the highest scoring team in 3A, averaging 79.5 points a game, while Ballard (7-2) ranks fifth in the class in scoring defense, allowing just 48.8 points a game. The Bombers will be looking to slow this game down and try to limit possessions against the high powered Tigers attack that features three double figure scorers in Matt Ockey (15.3), Will Turner (14.0) and Tanner Henningsen (12.9). If this game gets into the high 60s or 70s, it should be a Gilbert win. If Ballard is able to keep it more in the 50s or low 60s, they’ve got a chance at the win, which could break them into the 3A rankings next week.
Our pick: Gilbert 71, Ballard 62
Others to monitor
Grinnell at North Polk
TUESDAY (Jan. 8)
Game of the night: 3A No. 10 ADM at 3A No. 5 Pella
Few teams in 3A are hotter than the Dutch right now, who have won five straight games and their only two losses this year have come by a combined seven points. They’re back to playing the up-tempo basketball that made them extremely dangerous in the middle of the decade. ADM has been perhaps the biggest surprise in 3A, having only won three games last season and entering this week with a 7-2 record. The Tigers are led by a pair of talented guards in Koby Hardcastle (15.6) and Nate Mueller (13.6) who will not shy away from playing the up-tempo style that Pella wants to play. That said, playing at home, and with a little more size, the Dutch should win here behind a big effort from Logan Shetterly (18.7).
Our pick: Pella 78, ADM 72
Others to monitor
Unity Christian at 2A No. 6 Boyden-Hull
Ballard at 3A No. 8 Carroll
Cedar Rapids Prairie at 4A No. 8 Cedar Falls
Pleasant Valley at 4A No. 5 Davenport Central
Dunkerton at Don Bosco
Cedar Rapids Xavier at 4A No. 10 Dubuque Senior
2A No. 2 Camanche at Monticello
1A No. 4 Ankeny Christian Academy at Mormon Trail
Central City at 2A No. 1 North Linn
West Branch at 2A No. 10 Iowa City Regina
Sioux City West at 3A No. 3 Sergeant Bluff-Luton
Rock Valley at Spirit Lake
Cedar Rapids Kennedy at Waterloo West
AGWSR at West Marshall
Akron-Westfield at 2A No. 3 West Sioux
THURSDAY (Jan. 10)
Game of the night: 4A No. 5 Davenport Central at 4A No. 6 Bettendorf
This is a massive game in the MAC, as the Blue Devils and Bulldogs are both trying to keep pace with North Scott, who has handed each of these teams their only losses on the season. Bettendorf is, of course, led by future Ohio State point guard DJ Carton, who has been sensational, averaging 23 points a game. He’s getting help from Blake Tyler and Trevor Feller, each capable perimeter shooters. Central has the athletes and depth on the perimeter to throw multiple different looks at Carton on the defensive end with guys like Josh English, Kaiden Phillips, Keshawn Pegues and John Miller all likely to get chances at Carton. Central has the more balanced team, but this one should be super tight throughout, and in a tight game, we’ll take the home team with the most talented player on the floor.
Our pick: Bettendorf 62, Davenport Central 60
Others to monitor
Pocahontas Area at 1A No. 6 Bishop Garrigan
Waverly-Shell Rock at 3A No. 2 Clear Lake
2A No. 8 Western Christian at Unity Christian
FRIDAY (Jan. 11)
Game of the night: 4A No. 4 Iowa City West at 4A No. 8 Cedar Falls
After a season opening loss to Waterloo West, defending champion Cedar Falls has ripped off seven straight wins and is looking like a real threat to repeat in 4A. They’re trending upwards, while West has had some ups and downs so far this season, looking dominant some nights and very vulnerable on others. The Tigers will have their hands full with West star Patrick McCaffery, who is averaging 26.9 points a game, but they have a number of players they can throw at him. Or, they can let him get his and make the role players for the Trojans try and beat them, which has been hit and miss so far. The length that Cedar Falls can throw at the Trojan guards on the perimeter in the form of Logan Wolf (17.4) and Josh Ollendieck (11.9) could cause some issues, and the overall balance of the Tigers attack has been fantastic this season. They keep it rolling with an impressive win, adding another quality win to their resume.
Our pick: Cedar Falls 72, Iowa City West 65
Others to monitor
Prince of Peace at 1A No. 7 Calamus-Wheatland
3A No. 8 Carroll at Carlisle
2A No. 9 Dike-New Hartford at Denver
Forest City at Garner-Hayfield-Ventura
3A No. 5 Pella at Grinnell
4A No. 9 Ames at Johnston
Cedar Rapids Xavier at Linn-Mar
4A No. 2 Waukee at Marshalltown
Pella Christian at 3A No. 7 Oskaloosa
2A No. 10 Iowa City Regina at Tipton
SATURDAY (Jan. 12)
Game of the night: Sioux City West at 1A No. 1 Grand View Christian
This is the second game that two-time defending 1A champion Grand View Christian will play this season against a 4A opponent, as they dropped a game to Iowa City West earlier this year. With fantastic size and athleticism in the form of 6-7 Issa Samake (17.3), 6-7 Harouna Sissoko (16.5) and 6-4 Arturo Montes (16.7), the Thunder have the size and athletic ability to create issues for an athletic Wolverines group. West’s strength is in their backcourt, where GVC could struggle to contain Wolverine lead guard Cliff McCray, who has already recorded three triple-doubles this season. West is able to put quite a bit of shooting alongside McCray, and they’ll need to knock down 3s and avoid Samake and Sissoko on the interior if they want to win. GVC isn’t going to back down from anyone, and they could notch one of the state’s most impressive wins with a W here.
Our pick: Grand View Christian 71, Sioux City West 68
Others to monitor
Madrid at 1A No. 8 Ar-We-Va
3A No. 7 Oskaloosa vs. Cedar Rapids Jefferson
1A No. 4 Ankeny Christian Academy at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont
Audubon at 1A No. 9 Exira-EHK
Cedar Rapids Kennedy vs. Linn-Mar
Aplington-Parkersburg vs. 2A No. 1 North Linn
PCM at 3A No. 5 Pella
Des Moines Christian at Pella Christian
Winterset at 2A No. 7 Van Meter