Iowa Playoffs: Class 2A, Substate 7 Preview
The favorite: Behind the play of Air Force commit Keaton Van Soelen (17.6 points, 8.3 rebounds) and Ben Juhl (18.6 points), Des Moines Christian has powered their way to a 18-3 record. The Lions have two of the top three…
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Continue ReadingThe favorite: Behind the play of Air Force commit Keaton Van Soelen (17.6 points, 8.3 rebounds) and Ben Juhl (18.6 points), Des Moines Christian has powered their way to a 18-3 record. The Lions have two of the top three players in this district, and should be considered the favorite. Van Soelen’s length and athleticism could bother their primary competition on the defensive end.
The biggest threat: Prairie City-Monroe has played a significantly tougher schedule than DMC has (17th vs. 61st, according to BC Moore), and they’ve got a very good player of their own in wing Logan Gilman (20.7), a Grand View commit. He’s capable of scoring from anywhere on the court. Luke Greiner chips in 12.7 points a game for the Mustangs.
The dark horse: Luke Hudnutt (17.0 points, 10.6 rebounds, 5.3 blocks) is the ultimate eraser for Madrid. His defensive presence on the interior could cause lots of problems for PCM in the district semi-final. Sinjun Harshbarger (15.0) is a solid complimentary player to Hudnutt, with size and the ability to score from anywhere on the floor. If Hudnutt is able to control the paint, the Tigers could make a run.
Players to watch
Keaton Van Soelen, Des Moines Christian, 2016
Ben Juhl, Des Moines Christian, 2017
Logan Gilman, Prairie City-Monroe, 2016
Luke Greiner, Prairie City-Monroe, 2017
Luke Hudnutt, Madrid, 2016
Sinjun Harshbarger, Madrid, 2016
The favorite: Interstate 35 gets to play their semi-final game against Panorama at home, a big advantage, and then they would likely play Earlham, a team they beat by 10 in the regular season. Point guard Jaylan White has put up incredible numbers yet again this season (25.6 points, 8.3 assists, 6.0 steals) and is the biggest matchup problem among all teams in this district. His speed and all-around offensive ability will be difficult for opposing teams to contain.
The biggest threat: Earlham made the state tournament last year in 1A, and has a good shot to return this year in 2A. Led by big man Canyon Hopkins (19.6 points, 7.1 rebounds), the Cardinals have plenty of experience back from last year’s group. A.J. Leporte, Andy Algreen and Trent Williamson are all capable scoring pieces that they can put around Hopkins.
The dark horse: Panorama entered the postseason on a six-game winning streak behind a trio of double-figure scorers – Levi Leiferman (15.2), Aaron Klinge (15.0) and Reid Cobb (11.1). Klinge and Cobb are both solid shooters from the arc and capable of getting hot and carrying them to wins.
Players to watch
Jaylan White, Interstate 35, 2016
Canyon Hopkins, Earlham, 2016
Levi Leiferman, Panorama, 2017
Aaron Klinge, Panorama, 2016
SUBSTATE PREDICTION
Des Moines Christian vs. Interstate 35
I think Des Moines Christian is better equipped to slow down Jaylan White than the Roadrunners are to slow down the Ben Juhl/Keaton Van Soelen combination, sending the Lions to state.