Playoff Preview: 3A-5
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Ellis The favorite: Assumption scuffled a bit in the middle of the year, but the Knights got star wing Emarion Ellis Emarion Ellis 6'4" | SF Assumption | 2021 State #141 Nation IA (17.1, 6.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists) back…
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The favorite: Assumption scuffled a bit in the middle of the year, but the Knights got star wing Emarion Ellis Emarion Ellis 6'4" | SF Assumption | 2021 State #141 Nation IA (17.1, 6.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists) back from injury last night, and that makes them the favorite in this substate. Ellis, a Texas signee, missed a month-and-a-half of action with a hand injury, but returned last night against Bettendorf and had 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in a blowout win over Bettendorf. With Ellis in the lineup, the Knights posted wins over Pleasant Valley, North Scott, Hempstead and Davenport North, and with the talent, size and athleticism that he brings to the floor, this is an entirely different team than the one that dropped four straight in late January/early February. Junior wing Noah Mack Noah Mack 6'0" | SG Assumption | 2022 State IA (13.1) stepped up in Ellis’ absence, and he gives the Knights some high-level perimeter shooting, and senior guard Dayne Hodge Dayne Hodge 5'11" | PG Assumption | 2021 State IA (10.2) gives them a veteran, physical presence in the backcourt. Assumption’s role players gained valuable experience with Ellis sidelined, and now he’s back and they’re ready to make a run.
The biggest threat: The other team with a Division 1 player in this substate, Mount Vernon, is playing good basketball right now, winning eight of their last 10 games heading into postseason play. The two losses came to a red-hot Kennedy team by 5 and to Marion by 2. Keaton Kutcher Keaton Kutcher 6'2" | SG Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA (22.2, 41.7 3P%), who will play at South Dakota, is a threat to score 30+ on any given night and can take over games in a heartbeat. Senior wing Jayden Meeker Jayden Meeker 5'11" | SG Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA (15.1) has really emerged as a strong secondary scoring option as well, giving them a pair of high-scoring threats on the perimeter. Ed Timm always gets his teams to play good defense, and this year is no exception, with the ’Stangs allowing just 51.6 points a game.
The dark horse(s): Playing in the MVC always prepares Xavier well for postseason play, and makes them dangerous. The Saints are led by sophomore wing Aidan Yamilkoski (10.5, 39.8 3P%), a 6-3 shooter, with four others averaging between 5.8 and 8.4 points a game. Marion has won eight straight games heading into postseason play, and 11 of their 13 games since the holiday break. The Indians are led by sophomore guard Brayson Laube Brayson Laube 6'2" | PG Marion | 2023 State IA (15.8, 45.7 3P%), a sniper on the perimeter who could get hot and carry this group to a substate final. Senior forward Gage Franck Gage Franck 6'1" | SF Marion | 2021 State IA (12.4) is experienced, and Marion has a pair of other guards in junior Cael Hodges (8.8) and sophomore Alex Mota (8.0) who can shoot the ball as well. Whoever wins the first-round game between these two teams could push Assumption in the semifinals.
Players to watch
2021
Emarion Ellis
Emarion
Ellis
6'4" | SF
Assumption | 2021
State
#141
Nation
IA
, Assumption
2022
Noah Mack
Noah
Mack
6'0" | SG
Assumption | 2022
State
IA
, Assumption
2021
Dayne Hodge
Dayne
Hodge
5'11" | PG
Assumption | 2021
State
IA
, Assumption
2021
Keaton Kutcher
Keaton
Kutcher
6'2" | SG
Mount Vernon | 2021
State
IA
, Mount Vernon
2021
Jayden Meeker
Jayden
Meeker
5'11" | SG
Mount Vernon | 2021
State
IA
, Mount Vernon
2023 Aidan Yamilkoski, Xavier
2023
Brayson Laube
Brayson
Laube
6'2" | PG
Marion | 2023
State
IA
, Marion
2021
Gage Franck
Gage
Franck
6'1" | SF
Marion | 2021
State
IA
, Marion
2022
Dayton Davis
Dayton
Davis
6'4" | SF
Fort Madison | 2022
State
IA
, Fort Madison
2022 Max Wheaton, Farifield
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Assumption vs. Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon is playing good ball down the stretch, but this Assumption group was one of the best in 3A with Ellis in the lineup, and with him back, they have to beat considered the team to beat in this substate. For the first time since 2013, Assumption makes their way to Des Moines.