Playoff Preview: 1A-8

Hammonds The favorite: Playing as an independent school, Grand View Christian has really been able to test themselves this year. They’ve played two games against 4A competition (Ottumwa and Fort Dodge), a few games against 3A teams, and they’ve blasting three teams that were ranked in 2A this year in Albia, Treynor and Roland-Story. The Thunder are winning games by an average of 25 points a game, and they haven’t lost since a December 1 setback against Ottumwa. They’re led by the junior backcourt combination of Manny HammondsMannyHammonds6'0" | SGGrand View Christian | 2022StateIA (19.5) and Josh Baucum (15.2), a dynamic scoring duo who can really fill it up from all three levels. Senior Jonny Gatto (12.1) gives them another strong scorer, while senior guard Alandis Arrasmith (7.1, 4.0 assists) has been a solid contributor with the ball in his hands. The most important piece, however, is 6-10 sophomore big man Daniel TobilobaDanielTobiloba6'10" | CGrand View Christian | 2023StateIA (10.1, 15.0 rebounds, 5.0 blocks), who completely changes the way that teams can attack this group with his ability to protect the rim. Similar to what Issa Samake was for GVC, Tobiloba could change the game plan enough to lead the Thunder to a state title. They are an overwhelming favorite in this district and substate.  The biggest threat: Ankeny Christian is the second-best team in this district and should be a heavy favorite to make it through the bottom of the bracket. The Eagles are always one of the most explosive offensive teams in 1A, and this year is no different. A balanced group is led by senior wing Cale LeeverCaleLeever5'9" | SGAnkeny Christian Academy | 2021StateIA (13.9), a player who thrives on getting to the rim. Junior lead guard Malachi JohnsonMalachiJohnson5'9" | PGAnkeny Christian Academy | 2022StateIA (9.6, 6.0 assists) is a fantastic pure point who protects the ball, and Ben McDermott (11.4, 47.0 3P%) and Matthew VollMatthewVoll6'3" | PFAnkeny Christian Academy | 2021StateIA (7.2, 40.0 3P%) have given them some solid shooting threats.  The dark horse: To beat GVC, teams will need to play able to score from the arc, and IKM-Manning is the next-best threat from deep, shooting 31.2% from 3 as a team. Seniors Kyler Rasmussen (11.2, 40.0%) and Connor Keller (6.6, 38.5%) will need to knock down shots to keep them competitive.  Players to watch 2022 Manny HammondsMannyHammonds6'0" | SGGrand View Christian | 2022StateIA, Grand View Christian 2022 Josh Baucum, Grand View Christian 2023 Daniel TobilobaDanielTobiloba6'10" | CGrand View Christian | 2023StateIA, Grand View Christian 2021 Cale LeeverCaleLeever5'9" | SGAnkeny Christian Academy | 2021StateIA, Ankeny Christian 2022 Malachi JohnsonMalachiJohnson5'9" | PGAnkeny Christian Academy | 2022StateIA, Ankeny Christian 2021 Cayden Fuson, Madrid 2021 Gabe Peterson, Madrid   The favorite: Playing in the 3A Hawkeye Ten Conference gives St. Albert a major edge in this district, as the Falcons have played much bigger, more talented competition this year than anyone else here. They’re led by senior forward Sam RallisSamRallis6'1" | PFSt. Albert | 2021StateIA (14.5, 7.0 rebounds, 3.9 steals), an efficient forward who does a majority of his damage around the rim. Junior guard Carter White (14.2, 36.6 3P%) has been strong this year as well for this group. St. Albert has played just two games against 1A competition this year - losses to Ankeny Christian (63-51) and Grand View Christian (57-48) - but the ACA loss came without Rallis in the lineup.  The biggest threat: The overwhelming size that Tre MelbyTreMelby6'9" | CLogan-Magnolia | 2021StateIA (20.2, 12.8 rebounds) gives Logan-Magnolia could be a major difference-maker in this district. The 6-9 center is mobile and efficient, and he’ll change game plans on both ends of the floor. Junior guards Baker Lally (12.2) and Brody West (9.7) have emerged as solid scoring options as well on the perimeter.  The dark horse: Senior guard Layne PryorLaynePryor6'3" | PFWoodbine | 2021StateIA (19.6, 10.7 rebounds) is one of the best pure athletes in 1A basketball, and he’s talented enough to lead Woodbine to the district final, where anything could happen. Junior Dylan Hoefer (12.1) has given the Tigers a solid secondary scoring option, while three other players are averaging between 7.2 and 7.6 points a game.  Players to watch 2021 Sam RallisSamRallis6'1" | PFSt. Albert | 2021StateIA, St. Albert 2022 Carter White, St. Albert 2021 Tre MelbyTreMelby6'9" | CLogan-Magnolia | 2021StateIA, Logan-Magnolia 2021 Layne PryorLaynePryor6'3" | PFWoodbine | 2021StateIA, Woodbine 2021 Gavin Reineke, Boyer Valley 2023 Sage Evans, West Harrison   SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION Grand View Christian vs. St. Albert While St. Albert won’t be intimidated by the Thunder in this game, we’ve already seen this matchup play out, as the Thunder won 57-48, just a month ago. The size of Daniel TobilobaDanielTobiloba6'10" | CGrand View Christian | 2023StateIA was a major difference-maker in that game, as he had 10 points, 15 rebounds and 6 blocks, and the Falcons aren’t a good enough shooting team to change the way they’re going to attack this group. Grand View Christian punches their ticket to State with a convincing win over a game St. Albert team.