Postseason Preview: Class 4A, Substate 1
The Favorite: Ras Vanderloo’s squad has been consistent all season long and have only one blemish to its record. That loss, of course, was to top ranked Sergeant Bluff-Luton of Class 3A. Sioux City East has the playmakers to get back to…
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The Favorite: Ras Vanderloo’s squad has been consistent all season long and have only one blemish to its record. That loss, of course, was to top ranked Sergeant Bluff-Luton of Class 3A. Sioux City East has the playmakers to get back to the state tournament for a third consecutive year and the ability to win close games. The Black Raiders won all six contests that were decided by five points or less this season.
Senior guard Aidan Vanderloo, who ranks among the best in Class 4A in scoring (23.7 PPG), spearheads a roster full of talent. Vanderloo’s consistent mid-range jumper combined with Javonte Keck’s ability to play above the rim and Jaleque Dunson’s scoring is a major reason why the Black Raiders are sitting at an impressive 19-1 heading into postseason play. With much of the spotlight on the Vanderloo, Keck, Dunson trio, Sayvion Armstrong and Jack Peterson have been just as important. Armstrong’s speed and quickness has helped him average 8.1 points per game, while Peterson’s scrappiness has earned him 100 total rebounds. With its best record since the 2012-13 season and multiple quality wins, not advancing to the state tournament would be a huge disappointment for the Black Raiders.
The Biggest Threat: It’s not even a question, Sioux City West has won eight straight games and has its best squad since the late 90’s when Kirk Hinrich was winning a state championship. If not for a last-second heartbreaker at home to Sioux City East in mid-January, it would have been co-champions in the Missouri River Conference. Here we are though and the Wolverines are getting hot at the right time.
Harvis Cofield’s squad manhandled Dakota Valley 93-67 in the SUX Sports Invitational on Tuesday night, as it shot 65 percent from the field. While senior Cliff McCray has been spectacular the entire season by averaging 21 PPG, Adien Belt has had a breakout season as well. In the past three games, the 6-5 senior has averaged 17 points and shot 63 percent from the field. His presence on the boards will be key to West advancing to the state tournament.
The Dark Horse: If there is any team that can contend for a state tournament berth besides both East and West, it will be Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln. The Lynx, who lost a lot of their fire power from last year, had an up and down season and finished with a 13-8 record. Which team will we get in the substate playoffs? The one that took West into overtime or the one that dropped its regular season finale 79-62 at home against Bishop Heelan. If the Lynx want to prove any doubters wrong and advance to the substate final game for a fifth straight season, they’ll have to take down West in the semifinals on Friday.
Players to watch
2019- Aidan Vanderloo, Sioux City East
2019- Javonte Keck, Sioux City East
2020- Jaleque Dunson, Sioux City East
2019- Cliff McCray, Sioux City West
2019- Adien Belt, Sioux City West
2019- Micah McWell, Sioux City West
2021- Jadin Johnson, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln
2019- Hunter Hendrix, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln
2019- Cole Jensen, Lewis Central
2019- Trent Frerichs, Sioux City North
2020- Nate Reed, Sioux City North
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Sioux City East vs. Sioux City West
It’s the matchup everyone wants to see, especially with a trip to Des Moines on the line. West has been tortured with a 34-game losing streak to East and this would be the perfect moment to finally get over the hump. In front of a packed crowd at the Tyson Event Center, will it be Cliff McCray or Aidan Vanderloo that come up big late to lead their team to the state tournament?