Postseason Preview: Class 1A, Substate 4
The favorite: Four double figure scorers pace the attack for Calamus-Wheatland, who is enjoying one of their best seasons in recent memory. The Warriors are led by Hunter Rickels (16.5), who has dished out 136 assists to just 47…
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The favorite: Four double figure scorers pace the attack for Calamus-Wheatland, who is enjoying one of their best seasons in recent memory. The Warriors are led by Hunter Rickels (16.5), who has dished out 136 assists to just 47 turnovers, and they rank 11th in 1A in scoring offense at 70.9 points a game. Kaden Schnede (14.1) gives them an interior presence, while Josh Hein (11.5), Brant Boeckmann (10.0) and Caleb Banowetz (7.2) are solid perimeter options alongside Rickels. Cal-Wheat has only dropped games to North Linn, the top ranked team in 2A, Prince of Peace and Easton Valley, a pair of teams who have been ranked or near the rankings in 1A all year. The best offense in the district should carry them through this group.
The biggest threat: If someone is going to frustrate Cal-Wheat and their high scoring offense, it’ll be Alburnett, who carries the 7th ranked defense in 1A, allowing just 43.4 points a game. The Pirates have allowed fewer than 30 points in six different games this season and recently got big man Izic Mackey (17.9) back on the floor. The 6-5 forward is a tough matchup for any team at the 1A level. Hunter Caves (12.9) and Austin Huber (11.4) are quality perimeter options, with Huber being a deadly 3-point shooter (44.2%). If the Pirates are able to slow down the (potential) district final against the Warriors, they can pull off the minor upset and advance to substate.
The dark horse(s): This may be the most wide open district in 1A, as not only are Calamus-Wheatland and Alburnett quality teams, there are four other teams you could make a logical argument for as well. We start with Belle Plaine, who has a 15-3 record (through 2/6). The Plainesmen are led by Kobe Grieder (19.4) and Garrett Straight (15.6), both big-time shooters, especially Grieder (44.7 3P%). If they’re able to get hot from deep, they can win a few games and advance to the district final. Springville has won nine of their last 12 games, and the Orioles have a trio of double figure scorers in Alex Koppes (13.3), Zach March (13.3) and Kyle Koppes (11.1). If they’re able to get by Belle Plaine, they should get a third shot at Alburnett, and it’s tough to beat a team three times. Highland has the best individual player in the district in Zack Lasek (17.6), a 6-8 junior big man who is capable of dominating games on both ends of the floor. And IMS is a disciplined, defensive minded team that isn’t going to beat themselves. Dwight Gingerich is always going to have his team prepared and ready to go.
Players to watch
2019 Hunter Rickels, Calamus-Wheatland
2021 Kaden Schnede, Calamus-Wheatland
2019 Kobe Grieder, Belle Plaine
2019 Garrett Straight, Belle Plaine
2019 Izic Mackey, Alburnett
2021 Hunter Caves, Alburnett
2021 Alex Koppes, Springville
2019 Zach March, Springville
2020 Zack Lasek, Highland
2021 Eli Ours, Iowa Mennonite
2019 Hagen Waters, Lisbon
Keontae Luckett
The favorite: New London has rolled to an 18-0 start to the season and a #2 ranking in 1A. The Tigers have a remarkably balanced, and experienced, group with five players averaging at least 7.0 a game. Jalen Birdsell (7.0) has averaged 12 points a game since moving into the starting lineup following the loss of Isaac McSorley to an ACL. They’re led in scoring by physical scoring wing Mason Porter (16.3), a strong, athletic wing who thrives on getting to the rim and finishing. Lightning quick point guard Keontae Luckett (12.3) paces the attack. He’s dished out 128 assists to just 25 turnovers, and few players in 1A are faster than him with the ball in his hands. He’s a big part of an offense that protects the ball better than just about any in the class. Grant Swanson (11.1) gives them some size, while Darius Whaley (9.1) is an athletic defender. This group is as athletic and skilled as any team not named Grand View Christian in 1A. They’ve already beaten all the major players in the district, and should be considered a fairly heavy favorite here.
The biggest threat: Unlike most of these 1A districts, the scariest team for New London is actually a team they’d see in the district semifinal, Burlington Notre Dame. The Nikes gave the Tigers one of their toughest games so far this season, dropping an eight-point decision early in December. They’re led by one of the most dangerous shooters in 1A in Gavin Kies (18.3), who is shooting 49.2% from behind the arc and has dished out 80 assists to just 16 turnovers. Ryle Koenig (15.1) is a tough guard who thrives on getting to the rim, and Axel Tjaden (10.2) is another attacking guard who could potentially get the New London guards into some foul trouble. If there is a weakness for NL, it’s that they don’t have much depth, and that’s something Notre Dame could potentially take advantage of.
The dark horse(s): Whichever team, either Pekin or WACO, that comes out of the bottom of the bracket should give New London a game in the district final. Pekin has lost to the Tigers twice, 56-42 and 61-52, but the Panthers have a trio of dangerous shooters in Cameron Millikin (15.9, 38.3 3P%), Brady Millikin (10.1, 38.0) and Nick Tschudy (4.8, 38.5) who could shoot them to a win in a one-game setting. WACO has a big-time player in Nik Coble (17.5), a 6-6 junior big man who is averaging 13.6 rebounds and has blocked 66 shots. A talented big man who can dominate both ends of the floor can be rough for New London.
Players to watch
2019 Keontae Luckett, New London
2019 Mason Porter, New London
2020 Grant Swanson, New London
2019 Gavin Kies, Burlington Notre Dame
2019 Ryle Koenig, Burlington Notre Dame
2020 Nik Coble, WACO
2019 Cameron Millikin, Pekin
2021 Brady Millikin, Pekin
2020 Keegan Edwards, Lone Tree
2020 JD Stout, Keota
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Calamus-Wheatland vs. New London
Cal-Wheatland has had a strong year, one of their strongest in years, but they’ll struggle to keep Mason Porter and Keontae Luckett out of the paint, and New London punches a ticket to Des Moines.