Iowa Playoffs: Class 1A, Substate 8 Preview
The favorite: Bedford doesn’t have the best record in this district, but they’ve already blasted the top two seeds, Fremont-Mills by 24 and Stanton by 26, making them the favorite to take home this district title. The Bulldogs are led by…
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Continue ReadingThe favorite: Bedford doesn’t have the best record in this district, but they’ve already blasted the top two seeds, Fremont-Mills by 24 and Stanton by 26, making them the favorite to take home this district title. The Bulldogs are led by Colt Scott (22.3 points), a versatile offensive player who can score from anywhere on the court.
The biggest threat: Fremont-Mills, Tabor would get to host the district semi-final against Bedford, which could help them out. Sam Phillips (14.7 points) paces a fairly balanced attack that has seven players averaging at least five points a game. They shot just 38.4% from the floor in the earlier loss to Bedford, a number that must improve.
The dark horse: It’s odd to mark the top-seeded team as a dark horse, but Stanton wouldn’t have to play Bedford until the district final, and they went a combined 4-0 against the teams they would see in the semi-final. In the final, with revenge on their minds, they could give Bedford a run. Brady Johnson (16.7, 9.1 rebounds) has been a force on the interior all season
Players to watch
Brady Johnson, Stanton, 2016
David Sorensen, Stanton, 2016
Sam Phillips, Fremont-Mills, 2017
Colt Scott, Bedford, 2016
Last year’s runners up, MVAO has won 10 straight entering the postseason
The favorite: Last season’s runner up in Class 1A, Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto enters the postseason having won 10 straight games. With three players averaging in double figures – Juan Delagarza (12.0), Colby Seuntjens (10.6) and Andrew O’Neal (10.0) – and a pair more averaging seven, the Rams have a balanced attack that shares the basketball. They’re one of the top defensive teams in the class, allowing just 38.7 points, and have some players with the experience of having made it to Des Moines last season and having success.
The biggest threat: Council Bluffs, St. Albert doesn’t have a gaudy record (they’re just 11-9), but they’ve played the most difficult schedule in 1A, playing only one 1A team during the regular season. The Falcons haven’t been an efficient offensive unit, shooting just 35.7% from the floor, but much of that can be attributed to playing against better athletes than they’ll see in this district. They won’t be intimidated by playing any of the teams they’ll see here.
The dark horse: On the opposite end of the schedule spectrum is Ar-We-Va, Westside. According to BC Moore’s computer rankings, their schedule ranks 139th (out of 153) in 1A. They’ve got a veteran group of players who have won a lot of games over the past few years, so they’ll be ready to go, but the schedule may become an issue as they move forward.
Players to watch
Derek Schurke, Ar-We-Va, 2017
Zack Kraus, Ar-We-Va, 2017
Juan Delagarza, Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto, 2017
Andrew O’Neal, Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto, 2016
Travis Miller, Council Bluffs, St. Albert, 2016
SUBSTATE PREDICTION
Bedford vs. Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto
The added experience of players like Juan Delagarza and Andrew O’Neal give MV-A-O an edge here, and the Rams make a return trip to Des Moines in a tough, low-scoring affair.