Iowa Playoffs: Class 1A, Substate 6 Preview
The favorite: The third best scoring defense in the class belongs to Montezuma, allowing just 37.3 points a game. The Braves hold a home win over the biggest threat in the district, Keota, and they’ve been a dominant defensive team…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe favorite: The third best scoring defense in the class belongs to Montezuma, allowing just 37.3 points a game. The Braves hold a home win over the biggest threat in the district, Keota, and they’ve been a dominant defensive team all season. A duo of 16-point a game scorers, Brody McKeag and Dakota Strong, pace an offensive attack that shouldn’t have much trouble making their way to the district final. One area of concern, however, is that they really don’t shoot free throws well (52.7%). The Braves must hope their defense prevents games from being too tight down the stretch.
The biggest threat: Four players are averaging double figures for Keota, one of the highest scoring teams in Class 1A. The Eagles have a balanced attack, and with the quartet of double figure scorers, Montezuma could struggle to defend them in a potential district final.
The darkhorse: Wayne, Corydon may have the top individual threat for Montezuma to defend in Trent Moore (20.5 points, 12.7 rebounds). If he’s able to string together a couple big games for the Falcons, they could make a bit of noise.
Players to watch
Blaine Gretter, Sigourney, 2016
Zach Mousel, Keota, 2016
Isaiah Hahn, Keota, 2016
Jacob Wickenkamp, Keota, 2017
Avery Conrad, Keota, 2017
Brody McKeag, Montezuma, 2016
Dakota Strong, Montezuma, 2017
Trent Moore, Wayne, Corydon, 2016
The favorite: Despite not being the top seed in the district, Colo-Nesco gets to play their first two games at home, and is probably the best team in the group. The Royals rank second in the class in both offense (77.9) and defense (37.0), and their lone loss on the season is to 3A Gilbert. Four players average in double figures – Brady Stoeffler (16.3), Christian Reischauer (16.1), Tanner Clatt (13.4) and Garret Tiarks (10.8) – with another just short in Grant Tiarks (9.9). They shoot 52.8% from the floor and have an outstanding 2.7-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio as a team. This balanced group will be tough to handle.
The biggest threat: It may seem odd to not peg Grand View Christian as the favorite, given that they’re undefeated and the state’s highest scoring team, tossing in three-pointers at a prolific rate. However, they haven’t been tested as much as Colo-Nesco, playing a schedule that BCMoore’s rankings rate as the 122nd toughest in 1A. Still, the Thunder have loads of scoring pop, an efficient attack and the ability to go much deeper than most 1A teams. Stephen Glenn, Noah Burt, Robbie Seyler, Grant DeMeulenaere and company may be able to outscore Colo in a potential district final.
The dark horse: It’s hard to call Ankeny Christian a “dark horse”, but in this loaded district, they just may be. They’ve got the long, do-everything wing in Bradley Fisher that can take over a game and carry them to a win, and he’s not alone, with Griffin Laib and Isaac Rempe joining him as double figure scorers. If Fisher is able to get it going, this team is capable of knocking off any squad in the district.
Players to watch
Bradley Fisher, Ankeny Christian, 2016
Isaac Rempe, Ankeny Christian, 2016
Griffin Laib, Ankeny Christian, 2017
Brady Stoeffler, Colo-Nesco, 2016
Garret Tiarks, Colo-Nesco, 2017
Christian Reischauer, Colo-Nesco, 2016
Tanner Clatt, Colo-Nesco, 2016
Grant DeMeulenaere, Grand View Christian, 2018
Noah Burt, Grand View Christian, 2016
Stephen Glenn, Grand View Christian, 2017
Robbie Seyler, Grand View Christian, 2016
Colin Lourens, Colfax-Mingo, 2016
Josh Dueker, Iowa Christian Academy, 2017
Holden Anderson, Iowa Christian Academy, 2016
Cam Arkema, Twin Cedars, 2017
SUBSTATE PREDICTION
Montezuma vs. Colo-Nesco
We think Montezuma should get through District 11 rather easily, but whoever they run into from District 12 will be a tough matchup for one of the top defensive teams in the state. Colo-Nesco’s group of skilled offensive players should have no problem putting up enough points to get to Wells Fargo. And, if they struggle to score, they’re one of the two teams in the class who allow fewer points than Montezuma does, so they can fall back on that.