Playoff Preview: 1A-7
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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 Baker Trey Baker 6'4" | SF Martensdale-St. Mary's | 2021 State IA (14.1) leads four Devils who average in double-figures for this high-powered attack. Jack Franey Jack Franey 5'7" | PG Martensdale-St. Marys | 2021 State IA (12.9, 7.4 assists) is one of the better pure point guards in 1A, and Carson Elbert Carson Elbert 6'3" | SF Martensdale-St. Marys | 2021 State IA (11.1, 40.0 3P%) and Hogan Franey Hogan Franey 6'0" | CG Martensdale-St. Mary's | 2022 State IA (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 Harkins TJ Harkins 6'0" | SG Earlham | 2021 State IA (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 Bower Toby Bower 6'2" | SF Nodaway Valley | 2021 State IA (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 Baker
Trey
Baker
6'4" | SF
Martensdale-St. Mary's | 2021
State
IA
, Martensdale-St. Marys
2021
Jack Franey
Jack
Franey
5'7" | PG
Martensdale-St. Marys | 2021
State
IA
, Martensdale-St. Marys
2021
Carson Elbert
Carson
Elbert
6'3" | SF
Martensdale-St. Marys | 2021
State
IA
, Martensdale-St. Marys
2022
Hogan Franey
Hogan
Franey
6'0" | CG
Martensdale-St. Mary's | 2022
State
IA
, Martensdale-St. Marys
2021
TJ Harkins
TJ
Harkins
6'0" | SG
Earlham | 2021
State
IA
, Earlham
2021
Toby Bower
Toby
Bower
6'2" | SF
Nodaway Valley | 2021
State
IA
, 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 Nelson Leyton Nelson 6'4" | PF Tri-Center | 2021 State IA (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 Nelson
Leyton
Nelson
6'4" | PF
Tri-Center | 2021
State
IA
, 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 Nelson Leyton Nelson 6'4" | PF Tri-Center | 2021 State IA being the difference-maker.