Playoff Preview: 1A-7

The favorite: Coming off the school’s first-ever state tournament appearance last year, Martensdale-St. Marys is on a mission to improve on last year’s first-round loss, and they’ve gotten off to a fantastic start. As of writing, the Blue Devils are 18-0 with 1A’s third highest-scoring offense (75.1 points a game) and seventh-ranked defense (39.9 points). Senior wing Trey BakerTreyBaker6'4" | SFMartensdale-St. Mary's | 2021StateIA (14.1) leads four Devils who average in double-figures for this high-powered attack. Jack FraneyJackFraney5'7" | PGMartensdale-St. Marys | 2021StateIA (12.9, 7.4 assists) is one of the better pure point guards in 1A, and Carson ElbertCarsonElbert6'3" | SFMartensdale-St. Marys | 2021StateIA (11.1, 40.0 3P%) and Hogan FraneyHoganFraney6'0" | CGMartensdale-St. Mary's | 2022StateIA (11.0, 38.1 3P%) give this group some perimeter shooting. They don’t have much traditional size, but with their ability to spread teams out on offense, and use their quickness to create issues on the defensive end, they’re a very formidable group. The biggest threat: After getting off to a bit of a slow start, Earlham has won five straight, and the Cardinals are tested, playing against a 2A schedule. Senior guard TJ HarkinsTJHarkins6'0" | SGEarlham | 2021StateIA (14.9, 40.8 3P%) is one of the better pure shooters in the state, and if he gets hot, he could carry this group to the district championship. Jackson Vandever (9.8, 38.9 3P%) gives them another viable perimeter threat, while junior Dominic Braet (8.1, 50.6 FG%) has been solid on the interior. The dark horse: Legendary coach Darrell Burmeister has won over 600 games at the helm of Nodaway Valley, and the Wolverines have a team capable of making a run as well. Senior forward Toby BowerTobyBower6'2" | SFNodaway Valley | 2021StateIA (17.7, 10.1 rebounds) is a versatile scoring threat who can fill it up inside and out, while sophomores Avery Philippi (13.8) and Boston Devault (9.8) have given them solid production as well. They recently lost to likely semifinal opponent Earlham, 52-47, in overtime, so they won’t be intimidated by the Cardinals. And they lost by just nine against Martensdale-St. Marys earlier this year, so they know that they can compete here. Players to watch 2021 Trey BakerTreyBaker6'4" | SFMartensdale-St. Mary's | 2021StateIA, Martensdale-St. Marys 2021 Jack FraneyJackFraney5'7" | PGMartensdale-St. Marys | 2021StateIA, Martensdale-St. Marys 2021 Carson ElbertCarsonElbert6'3" | SFMartensdale-St. Marys | 2021StateIA, Martensdale-St. Marys 2022 Hogan FraneyHoganFraney6'0" | CGMartensdale-St. Mary's | 2022StateIA, Martensdale-St. Marys 2021 TJ HarkinsTJHarkins6'0" | SGEarlham | 2021StateIA, Earlham 2021 Toby BowerTobyBower6'2" | SFNodaway Valley | 2021StateIA, Nodaway Valley 2023 Avery Philippi, Nodaway Valley 2023 Keaton England, Lenox   The favorite: A senior-heavy group at Tri-Center has blasted 1A competition this year, going 9-0 with an average margin of victory of 25.8 points a game against 1A schools. The Trojans are led by forward Leyton NelsonLeytonNelson6'4" | PFTri-Center | 2021StateIA (16.6, 9.4 rebounds), a versatile threat who does a majority of his damage around the rim, but he has the capability of stretching the floor with his jumper as well. Ethan Alfers (13.9) is another solid shooting threat, and this group does a great job sharing (17.7 assists) and protecting (9.4 turnovers) the basketball. They don’t beat themselves, taking efficient shots and protecting the ball. The biggest threat: CAM has won six of their last seven as of writing, so the Cougars are playing strong, confident ball. Senior Connor McKee (15.1) and junior Colby Rich (14.6, 38.8 3P%) give them a solid one-two punch, and, like Tri-Center, this team does a pretty good job at limiting turnovers, which is key come postseason play. The dark horse: Freshman guard Grady Jeppesen (16.2) has been a very bright spot for Riverside, leading the team in scoring and showing the ability to score from all three levels. He pairs with senior Brogan Allensworth (13.6, 6.7 rebounds) to give the Bulldogs a solid one-two punch. They play a largely 2A schedule, so they’ll be ready for any competition that they face in this district. They’ve gotten destroyed by Tri-Center in both meetings, but anything could happen if they make it to the district final. Players to watch 2021 Leyton NelsonLeytonNelson6'4" | PFTri-Center | 2021StateIA, Tri-Center 2021 Ethan Alfers, Tri-Center 2021 Connor McKee, CAM 2022 Colby Rich, CAM 2024 Grady Jeppesen, Riverside 2021 Brogan Allensworth, Riverside 2022 Cole Jorgenson, Sidney   SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION Martensdale-St. Marys vs. Tri-Center Martensdale-St. Marys is undefeated and is strong on both ends of the floor. That said, Tri-Center has absolutely dominated games against 1A competition this year, and the Trojans have played a tougher schedule. In what should be one of the best 1A substate finals, we’re going to take the Trojans here in what could be considered a minor upset here. For the first time since 2008, Tri-Center makes their way to Des Moines, with Leyton NelsonLeytonNelson6'4" | PFTri-Center | 2021StateIA being the difference-maker.