Iowa Playoffs: Class 1A, Substate 5 Preview
The favorite: The defending champion, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, looks primed for another run to Des Moines behind the best player in 1A, junior guard Joe Smoldt (24.9 points, 5.3 assists). The Rebels have a lot of new pieces that didn’t do much…
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Continue ReadingThe favorite: The defending champion, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, looks primed for another run to Des Moines behind the best player in 1A, junior guard Joe Smoldt (24.9 points, 5.3 assists). The Rebels have a lot of new pieces that didn’t do much with last year’s group, but Tyler Pierce (8.1), Tyler Eifler (8.0), Josh Cooley (7.8), Matt Roeding (6.7), Caden Kickbush (5.9) and Colton Hinsdale (5.3) give them a solid group that can go fairly deep. And anytime you’ve got the best player on the floor, you’ve got a chance.
The biggest threat: The second best player in the district may be Hudson forward Austin Roth (19.3 points). A versatile combo forward, Roth could be a tough matchup for G-R in a district final, and he’s joined in double figures by a pair of guards who can light it up from deep in C.J. Christopher (12.9 points, 44.4 3P%) and Parker Ingamells (10.8 points, 40.9 3P%). If the Pirates are hitting from deep, they could present lots of problems for G-R.
The dark horse(s): Timothy Doering (25.5 points) of Waterloo Christian is one of the top individual scorers in the state, and if he’s able to get loose, they could do some damage. Grundy Center plays at a deliberate pace, is well-coached and could grind Gladbrook-Reinbeck into a slower paced game and sneak out a win. Don Bosco features a young core that will be heard from in the coming years, and they just recently beat Waterloo Christian by 23 points.
Players to watch
Joe Smoldt, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, 2017
Austin Roth, Hudson, 2016
C.J. Christopher, Hudson, 2018
Parker Ingamells, Hudson, 2018
Timothy Doering, Waterloo Christian, 2016
Sean McFadden, Don Bosco, 2018
Jack Kelley, Don Bosco, 2019
The favorite: Lynnville-Sully looks like the team to beat here, but any of the top three teams has a good chance at making it to the substate final. The Hawks have compiled a 20-1 record behind one of the state’s best defenses, allowing opposing teams to score just 38.3 points a game, good for fourth in Class 1A. They’re also one of the state’s hottest teams, entering the postseason on a 16-game winning streak. With five players averaging between 7.3 and 13.0 points, they’ve got a balanced attack with a number of ways to beat you.
The biggest threat: A contrast from Lynnville-Sully is Meskwaki Settlement, one of the higher scoring teams in Class 1A. Behind Allis Tahahwah (16.9), Jarius Bear (16.1) and Terrell Grant (14.4) the Warriors have a talented group of players who can really score. They play an aggressive, pressing style on the defensive end that could cause problems for teams that struggle to take care of the ball.
The dark horse: A state tournament team a year ago, Belle Plaine has taken a slight step back this season, but still have a pair of 17-point a game scorers in Brant DeMeulenaere and Jacob Ehlen. The Plainsemen have the ability to get hot and ride one or both of those players to a few wins.
Players to watch
Kyle Van Dyke, Lynnville-Sully, 2016
Jesse Van Wyk, Lynnville-Sully, 2018
Tyler Van Zante, Lynnville-Sully, 2017
Terrell Grant, Meskwaki Settlement, 2016
Allis Tahahwah, Meskwaki Settlement, 2016
Jarius Bear, Meskwaki Settlement, 2018
Brant DeMeulenaere, Belle Plaine, 2017
Jacob Ehlen, Belle Plaine, 2016
Ben Panfil, North Tama, 2016
SUBSTATE PREDICTION
Gladbrook-Reinbeck vs. Lynnville-Sully
Gladbrook-Reinbeck has played a significantly more difficult schedule over the course of the season, playing a number of 2A teams in the North Iowa Cedar League, and testing themselves with a game against a very good Anamosa squad. Those experiences, and having the best player on the floor, carry the Rebels back to Des Moines, where they’ll have a chance to defend their title.