Postseason Preview: Class 1A, Substate 5
The favorite: One of five remaining undefeated teams in 1A, Montezuma is a heavy favorite in this district. The Braves have used their usual dominant defense to roll to a 17-0 record, ranking 5th in the class, allowing just…
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The favorite: One of five remaining undefeated teams in 1A, Montezuma is a heavy favorite in this district. The Braves have used their usual dominant defense to roll to a 17-0 record, ranking 5th in the class, allowing just 42.1 points a game. Led by star sophomore guard Trey Shearer (23.9), Montezuma has already beaten the three biggest threats in the district – Lynnville-Sully (72-36, 62-45), BGM (73-43, 61-57) and Baxter (66-50). Hunter Ray (16.0) is a big-time rim protector on the back end of their 2-3, and they shouldn’t have any issues getting through this district.
The biggest threat: The second seeded team in the district is Lynnville-Sully, and they should make their way to the district final for a third meeting with Montezuma. The perennial power has beaten BGM (72-57) and HLV (62-29, 50-39), their two possible semifinal opponents already this year, and with four double figure scorers, they’ve got a dangerous, balanced group. Rylan James (14.2) does all the interior work, while Tyson Vander Linden (13.8) and Blaize Kuhlmann (10.0) serve as the team’s primary perimeter options.
The dark horse: BGM has won eight of 10 games since the holiday break, and the Bears recently played Montezuma to a four point game. Four double figure scorers give them a balanced group, with Kyle Cadden (14.7), Ulises Felix (13.9), Noah Beck (13.7) and Scott Tibbetts (10.6) leading the way. Beck has dished out 164 assists and has 138 steals, so he can cause some issues for Shearer on both ends of the floor in a district final, should they get by Lynnville-Sully.
Players to watch
2021 Trey Shearer, Montezuma
2019 Hunter Ray, Montezuma
2019 Rylan James, Lynnville-Sully
2019 Tyson Vander Linden, Lynnville-Sully
2019 Kyle Cadden, BGM
2020 Noah Beck, BGM
2019 Ulises Felix, BGM
2019 Will Clapper, Baxter
2019 Dean Shaull, HLV
2019 Dustin Haines, Sigourney
2020 Brett Livesay, Collins-Maxwell
The favorite: West Fork has spent much of the season ranked among the top 10 in 1A, and for good reason. The Warhawks have only lost one game against 1A competition this year, a somewhat odd seven-point loss to Rockford. Their other three losses have come to 3A Clear Lake (18-0), 2A Lake Mills (16-4) and 2A Dike-New Hartford (17-1). They’re led by one of the most underrated players in the state in Zach Martinek (18.9), a do-everything wing capable of scoring from anywhere and taking over any given game. He should have his way against any team in this district. Mitchell Halloran (11.7) and Kayden Ames (10.4) give West Fork a pair of perimeter scoring threats to put alongside him, and they’ve been solid on the defensive end, allowing just 48.5 points a game. The Warhawks look like a pretty heavy favorite to make it through to the substate final.
The biggest threat: Few teams in 1A have been more successful over the last five years than Gladbrook-Reinbeck, and the Rebels aren’t going to back down from anyone. They’ve only lost once against 1A competition this year, an early season setback to AGWSR, and with three players averaging in double figures, they’re a tough group to defend. Jackson Kiburis (16.5), Tyler Tscherter (14.9) and Dylan Riffery (11.9) have combined to make 125 3s on the season, and could shoot them through this district.
The dark horse: The best individual player not named Zach Martinek in this district comes from Meskwaki Settlement in Tate Bear (22.8), a dangerous wing who can score from all three levels and is capable of taking over a game. At 6-3, he has the size and strength to get to the rim and finish, and the shooting touch to get hot from the arc.
Players to watch
2019 Zach Martinek, West Fork
2019 Mitchell Halloran, West Fork
2020 Tyler Tscherter, Gladbrook-Reinbeck
2019 Jackson Kiburis, Gladbrook-Reinbeck
2019 Hale Hulme, North Tama
2019 Tate Bear, Meskwaki Settlement
2019 Alex Hames, AGWSR
2019 Jonny Neff, BCLUW
2019 Brayden Peterson, GMG
2019 Jacob Murray, Hudson
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Montezuma vs. West Fork
If this substate final comes to fruition, it may be the best one in Class 1A. These two teams are incredibly evenly matched, and it may come down to which star player has a bigger game – Trey Shearer or Zach Martinek. Hunter Ray’s rim protection could be a major factor in limiting West Fork here, and Montezuma punches their State ticket for the first time since 1990 in a fantastic, close game.