Playoff Preview: 3A-4
Keaton Kutcher The favorite: Despite being in a bracket with a pair of parochial powers who play against elite competition on a nightly basis, we like Mount Vernon in this substate. The Mustangs are led by junior guard Keaton…
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Continue ReadingKeaton Kutcher
The favorite: Despite being in a bracket with a pair of parochial powers who play against elite competition on a nightly basis, we like Mount Vernon in this substate. The Mustangs are led by junior guard Keaton Kutcher (20.0) and senior wing Noah Erickson (14.3), who have combined to become one of the most dynamic duos in 3A. Kutcher is a knockdown shooter who has buried 63 3s this season, while Erickson is fantastic at getting to the rim and finishing. They’re currently on a nine-game winning streak and have been one of the best defensive teams in the class, allowing 48.1 points a game. The ‘Stangs got a tricky draw with both Wahlert and Xavier, plus Central DeWitt, but this is a manageable bracket for a team that has been one of the most consistent in 3A.
Jake BeckmannThe biggest threat: Xavier is our pick to come out of the bottom of the bracket. The Saints have played just three games against 3A competition this year, going 3-0 and winning by an average of 13.3 points a game. Senior guard Jake Beckmann (11.3, 39.6 3P%) is the team’s leading scorer, a quick guard with no conscience and a lightning quick release. If you give him an inch of space, he’s going to pull the trigger, and if he gets hot, he can light up the scoreboard in a hurry. Davis Wagner (9.6) is a talented, slashing wing, and this group goes deep with seven others players who see significant playing time. The Saints are solid defensively, with 6-8 junior Jaylon Moses (7.6) holding down the paint, allowing 53.7 points a game despite playing in the MVC. They’ve played six games this season against teams that we’ve had ranked within the top-5 at some point in the year in 4A, so they’re ready to drop back down in competition.
Jake SchockemoehlThe dark horse(s): Like Xavier, Wahlert plays a loaded schedule and has struggled against it, but the Golden Eagles have a pair of standout guards who can help this team make a run. Jacob Schockemoehl (20.5) and Cael Schmitt (13.5) are both dynamic scoring guards who can get the job done from all three levels and take over a game. If this group can protect the ball (229 turnovers, 200 assists), they can make a run to the substate final, where anything can happen. The other team to watch here is Central DeWitt, who has put together a 14-5 record with wins over solid teams like Clear Creek-Amana, Marion and Beckman Catholic. The Sabers have a wing in Tucker Kinney (16.6) who can take over a game (see the 41-point, 13-rebound, 6-assist performance against CCA). They don’t shoot it very well from deep (29.8% as a team), but they’ve been solid on the defensive end and have a guy who can dominate a game.
Players to watch
2021 Keaton Kutcher, Mount Vernon
2020 Noah Erickson, Mount Vernon
2020 Tucker Kinney, Central DeWitt
2020 Alex McAleer, Central DeWitt
2020 Jacob Schockemoehl, Wahlert
2020 Cael Schmitt, Wahlert
2020 Jake Beckmann, Xavier
2020 Davis Wagner, Xavier
2021 Kyle Kelley, West Delaware
2020 Grant Embretson, Benton
2020 Clayton Widel, Maquoketa
2022 Sam Wilt, Anamosa