Playoff Preview: 2A-5
In this article:
The favorite: Playing in a tough conference and competing closely with Monticello for a conference championship is no small accomplishment and Camanche did just that, only losing to the Panthers by a combined 7 points in two meetings. They are paced…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe favorite: Playing in a tough conference and competing closely with Monticello for a conference championship is no small accomplishment and Camanche did just that, only losing to the Panthers by a combined 7 points in two meetings. They are paced by leading scorer, and athletic Senior Jordan Lawrence Jordan Lawrence 5'9" | PG Camanche | 2021 State IA who averaged 14.6 points per game, but have a very balanced attack with 6 of their top scorers averaging 6 points or more per game. The Indians pose good size as they have 6’5, multi-faceted scorer, Junior Zach Erwin Zach Erwin 6'6" | SF Camanche | 2022 State IA (13.9), and 6’4 Senior Zayne Feller Zayne Feller 6'7" | PF Camanche | 2021 State IA (10.8) anchoring the inside.
The biggest threat: Mid-Prairie has played Camanche back in late January, and lost by 15 points. What the Golden Hawks do possess is a consistent scoring threat in Junior Carter Harmsen (18.0), who can score at all three levels and has good size at 6’4 that allows him more of an advantage to score even when he’s covered. The lefty has a nice looking shooting stroke and is capable of getting his team by a touch Camanche team. Junior Jackson Pennington (4.7 assists, 2.1 steals) and Senior Aidan Rath (10.7 points, 6.6 rebounds) are solid contributors for the Golden Hawks.
The dark horse: This is sort of a toss-up as Wilton brings a 10-11 record into postseason play and has a talented scoring Sophomore, Caden Kirkman (18.5). Iowa City Regina is another team I could see making some noise if the pieces fall into place at 7-11. They have Senior Ashton Cook Ashton Cook 6'5" | SF Regina | 2021 State IA (20.7) and is capable of stringing a couple of wins together for his team.
Players to watch
2021 Jordan Lawrence Jordan Lawrence 5'9" | PG Camanche | 2021 State IA , Camanche
2022 Zach Erwin Zach Erwin 6'6" | SF Camanche | 2022 State IA , Camanche
2022 Carter Harmsen, Mid-Prairie
2021 Aidan Rath, Mid-Prairie
2021 Ashton Cook Ashton Cook 6'5" | SF Regina | 2021 State IA , Iowa City Regina
2023 Caden Kirkman, Wilton
2023 Nolan Delong, Durant
2022 Caleb Wulf, West Liberty
The favorite: A surprise team from the beginning of the year, but a senior-laden team with good leadership and lead scoring to go along with it, Pekin. Led by Seniors Brock Long (15.5) and Brady Millikin Brady Millikin 6'0" | PG Pekin | 2021 State IA (14.0). The rest of the supporting Cast for the Panthers are averaging above 8 points per game with Junior Chandler Stull (9.1), Senior Brayden Sobaski Brayden Sobaski 6'3" | SF Pekin | 2021 State IA (8.8) and Cael Lyle (8.0). They also do a great job of taking care of the ball as all five of the aforementioned players have a positive A/TO ratio led by Millikin at 5.8/1.7 Assist to turnover. Pekin has only lost two games and one came as recently as Friday to a young, but talented New London team and earlier in the year against Wapello which they avenged in January. If they can continue to take care of the ball and bring that balanced attack they have a good chance of getting to that substate final.
The biggest threat: West Burlington has a talented player in Senior Forward, 6’6 Marvion Jackson Marvion Jackson 6'5" | PF West Burlington | 2021 State IA (16.8) who is athletic and can finish at the hoop but also step out and shoot the perimeter jumpshot. He is backed up by fellow seniors, Darian Johnson Darian Johnson 5'10" | PG West Burlington | 2021 State IA (13.6) and Colten Sherwood Colten Sherwood 5'10" | SG West Burlington | 2021 State IA (12.3). The Falcons finished second in the SEISC-South behind New London.
The dark horse: Outside of Pekin and West Burlington, it’s kind of a toss up of who could make a run, but Louisa-Muscatine is the team that stands out here. They have Senior Emmanuel Walker (10.2) and Freshman Ty Northrup (9.1) leading the way for the Falcons. Turnovers will be the key here.
Players to watch
2021 Brock Long, Pekin
2021 Brady Millikin Brady Millikin 6'0" | PG Pekin | 2021 State IA , Pekin
2021 Marvion Jackson Marvion Jackson 6'5" | PF West Burlington | 2021 State IA , West Burlington
2021 Darian Johnson Darian Johnson 5'10" | PG West Burlington | 2021 State IA , West Burlington
2021 Emmanuel Walker, Louisa-Muscatine
2024 Ty Northrup, Louisa-Muscatine
2023 Cole Lipper, Mediapolis
2021 Jaxon Betker, Central Lee
2023 Jackson Manning, Van Buren County
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Camanche vs. Pekin
This would be the first meeting between these two teams and has the potential to be a tough matchup between two well-rounded teams. Senior leadership can be a driving force for teams to go deeper into the postseason, and Pekin has that, though Camanche has a plethora of playing experience from top to bottom, senior leadership wins out.