STATE TOURNAMENT: Class 3A Tournament Preview
No. 1 seed: Norwalk (20-4) About the Warriors: The highest scoring team in the 3A field at 71.3 points a game, Norwalk is paced by the most dangerous offensive player in 3A, junior guard Bowen Born (27.2 points a…
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No. 1 seed: Norwalk (20-4)
About the Warriors: The highest scoring team in the 3A field at 71.3 points a game, Norwalk is paced by the most dangerous offensive player in 3A, junior guard Bowen Born (27.2 points a game). A dynamic 5-11 guard, he’s capable of getting his shot off whenever he wants, combining creative shot making with fantastic ball handling and footwork that he can use to create space for his lightning quick release. He’s far from alone, however, as junior wing Tyler Johnson (14.1, 44.6 3P%) is a high level shooter, and future Iowa football player Tyler Endres (13.1, 69.7 FG%) gives them a big, efficient forward in the paint. He’s pulled down 71 offensive rebounds this year, and controls the glass on both ends of the floor. The Warriors are explosive, and have the best player in the field.
Why they can win it all: They’ll have the best player on the floor in every game they play with Born, and they’re able to surround him with plenty of shooting and a capable big man. This is a well built team that has the offensive firepower to outscore anyone in the state.
Chances they win it all: 20%. Avoiding Sergeant Bluff-Luton and Oskaloosa until the championship game gives them a bit of a boost. All four of our writers are picking the Warriors to come out of the top of the bracket, and they have to be considered at worst a co-favorite to cut down the proverbial nets.
No. 2 seed: Sergeant Bluff-Luton (20-3)
About the Warriors: The #1 team in our 3A rankings, Sergeant Bluff-Luton hasn’t lost in nearly two months, with their last loss coming on January 8th. The Warriors have dropped three games this year, twice against Sioux City West and once against Sioux City East, both really strong 4A schools, and two of those losses were by a combined three points. Playing in the 4A Missouri River Conference prepares them well for tournament play, and they’re dominated 3A competition this year, winning their six games by an average of 16.3 points a game. Senior guard Conner Groves (16.7) leads four players who average in double figures, and he has plenty of experience as this is his third straight state tournament (he was a starter on the 2017 runner-up and last year’s quarterfinalist). This is also the third straight tournament for Sam DeMoss (13.9), while Daniel Wright (15.0, 9.6 rebounds) is playing in his second tournament, and sophomore wing Jake Layman 910.1, 40.4 3P%) his first. An explosive offensive team with plenty of scoring options, all five starters have made at least 21 3s this season, so they are balanced and can really spread the floor out. A veteran team with great guard play, this group looks really dangerous.
Why they can win it all: This is the most experienced team in the field, they’re balanced, deep and talented, and they have dominated 3A competition this season.
Chances they win it all: 22%. With three of our four staff members making SB-L our title pick, we have to peg the Warriors as the slight favorite in Des Moines.
No. 3 seed: Oskaloosa (16-5)
About the Indians: No team in the 3A field brings more size or star power than Oskaloosa, who opened the year ranked #1 by us in 3A. The Indians are headlined by the dynamic big man combination of Cole Henry (19.9) and Xavier Foster (14.6), who at 6-9 and 7-0 have the type of size nobody in the field is going to match up with. Henry, a UNI signee, is a super talented point forward who is among the best passers in the state, regardless of position, while Foster is a coveted four or five star junior prospect who is the epitome of the modern big man with his shooting and rim protecting abilities. His 136 blocks this year are far and away the most in 3A. Rian Yates (12.4, 41.3 3P%) and Austin Hafner (7.4, 41.3 3P%) give them some much needed shooting, but this group isn’t going to go very deep. If there is a concern for the Indians, it’s the free throw line. This group shoots just 48% from the stripe as a team, with Cole Henry (38.5%) and Xavier Foster (51.3%) being the ones who shoot a majority of them. If they’re in a close game in the fourth quarter, don’t be surprised to see teams going to a Hack-a-Cole or Hack-a-Xavier strategy much earlier than usual.
Why they can win it all: They were the runner-up last year, and Henry, Foster and Yates were all major players on that group. They have size that is unmatched, and if Yates and Hafner can knock down shots, this group is as good as any.
Chances they win it all: 18%. The free throw shooting is a concern, but this team is capable of locking in and locking down on the defensive end.
No. 4 seed: Clear Lake (23-0)
About the Lions: One of just two remaining undefeated teams in the state (North Linn in 2A), the Lions fell down to the #4 seed in large part due to a schedule that ranks 58th (out of 64 teams) in 3A, according to BC Moore’s power rating system. They are the only team in 3A that ranks among the top 10 in the class in scoring offense (67.3, 7th) and defense (49.5, 8th). Three players average in double figures, led by Drew Enke (13.1, 24 3PM), while Tate Storbeck (12.1, 41 3PM) and Carson Toebe (11.2, 44 3PM) give them some additional shooting. Five other players average between 3.4 and 7.6 points a game, so the Lions go deep, and while that rotation may tighten up a bit during tournament play, they’re capable of going deeper than most teams in the field.
Why they can win it all: They haven’t lost a game yet this year, and that has to count for something. They’ve won games in just about every type of style, and with the way they defend, they will be in every game.
Chances they win it all: 8%. This may seem low for a team that is undefeated, but the Lions really haven’t been tested with their schedule, and that probably comes back to bite them in Des Moines.
No. 5 seed: West Delaware (17-6)
About the Hawks: West Delaware has always been really good on the defensive end under Coach Matt Uthoff, and this year is no exception, as the Hawks carry the best scoring defense in the 3A field, allowing just 46.7 points a game. They’re led by UNI preferred walk-on Derek Krogmann (21.8, 14 rebounds), a 6-7 senior power forward who ranks 10th all-time in rebounding. A walking double-double, he’s always going to get his numbers. The key for the Hawks will be the play of their others, as sophomore guard Kyle Kelley (13.7) is the only other player averaging more than 6.1 points a game. He’s a good shooter who can create his own shot, but teams have had success limiting him in the past, forcing the role players to win games. Gavin Soppe (6.1) and Logan Woellert (5.9) combined for 32 points in the substate final win over Davenport Assumption, and they’ll need to be really good if the Hawks are going to make some noise.
Why they can win it all: Krogmann is one of the best players in the 3A field, and he’s going to control the glass on both ends of the floor in every game they play. Combine him with the defense this group plays, and they’ll be a tough out.
Chances they win it all: 7%. We’re just not sure the Hawks have enough extra help alongside Krogmann to make a real run.
No. 6 seed: Marion (16-5)
About the Indians: For the second straight year, the Indians made a bit of a surprise run through their substate en route to Des Moines. They’re a really good defensive team, allowing just 51.7 points a game, but the difference this year is that they have added some offensive firepower in the form of junior guard Will Henricksen (17.2, 47 3PM). He’s capable of taking over any given game with his scoring ability. Trevor Paulsen (10.6) may be one of the best individual defenders in the 3A field, as he really limited Maquoketa star AJ Becker in the substate final. This group plays really good defense, takes good care of the basketball and is extremely well coached. Don’t be surprised to see them give Oskaloosa a good game in the first round.
Why they can win it all: They have a scorer who can take over games in Henricksen, and they play fantastic defense. This group can grind out games, and if they’re able to dictate the tempo, they can really lock teams down in the halfcourt.
Chances they win it all: 10%. Defense and guard play wins at State, and that’s what the Indians have.
No. 7 seed: Winterset (16-6)
About the Huskies: Winterset enters the tournament hot, having won 10 of their last 11 games, with the lone loss coming to Carlisle by a single point. The Huskies are led by one of the best backcourts in the state in junior Easton Darling (20.5) and senior Casey Kleemeier (15.0), a pair of guards who compliment each other really well. Darling does more of his damage via the jumper, while Kleemeier is a physical lead guard who thrives on getting to the rim and absorbing contact. He’s also dished out 116 assists (against just 52 turnovers) this year. Hunter Farr (7.0, 41 3PM) gives the Huskies another quality shooting threat, and three other players average at least 6 points a game. This group doesn’t shoot the ball particularly well (30.3 3P%), but they have a pair of guards who are capable of taking over any given game, and that makes them dangerous.
Why they can win it all: Guard play wins games at State, and Darling and Kleemeier make up one of the best duos in the state, let alone the 3A field.
Chances they win it all: 7.5%. The Huskies have a difficult path ahead of them, but those guards can win games at State, and they’re entering the tournament hot.
No. 8 seed: Ballard (15-9)
About the Bombers: The Bombers upset their first round opponent, Norwalk, in the season opener, 69-66, behind a massive game from sophomore big man Connor Drew (21 points, 16 rebounds) and senior Max Olsan (24 points). That win helped set the tone for an impressive year for Ballard. They avenged a regular season loss to Pella by blasting the Dutch, 73-57, in the substate final to punch their State ticket. They’re led by the aforementioned Drew (17.4, 9.7 rebounds), an efficient 6-6 forward who is a beast around the rim. Max Olsan (11.6, 41 3PM) and Chase Winterboer (7.7, 48 3PM) are quality shooters to put around Drew, and Mason Murphy (8.3, 104 assists) has done a nice job running the show. They’ll have their hands full trying to slow down Born and company again, but they’ve already done it once, they can certainly do it again.
Why they can win it all: Drew is one of the best players in the field, and this group has already proven they’re capable of beating Norwalk. If they can beat the Warriors again in the first round, anything can happen.
Chances they win it all: 7.5%. They’re low odds, and for good reason as the #8 seed, but they’re a dangerous team that isn’t going to back down from anyone.
Staff Picks
Tony
Quarterfinals: Norwalk, Clear Lake, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Oskaloosa
Semifinals: Norwalk, Sergeant Bluff-Luton
Champion: Sergeant Bluff-Luton
TJ
Quarterfinals: Norwalk, West Delaware, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Oskaloosa
Semifinals: Norwalk, Oskaloosa
Champion: Oskaloosa
Travis
Quarterfinals: Norwalk, West Delaware, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Oskaloosa
Semifinals: Norwalk, Sergeant Bluff-Luton
Champion: Sergeant Bluff-Luton
Josh
Quarterfinals: Norwalk, West Delaware, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Oskaloosa
Semifinals: Norwalk, Sergeant Bluff-Luton
Champion: Sergeant Bluff-Luton