Iowa Playoffs: Class 3A, Substate 1 Preview
The favorite: Harlan showed off their impressive depth of scoring prowess earlier this month in a win over Atlantic when fourth leading scorer Caleb Rasmussen (8.6 points a game) scored 41. The Cyclones are led by Kyle Juhl, a Nebraska-Kearney commit.…
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Continue ReadingThe favorite: Harlan showed off their impressive depth of scoring prowess earlier this month in a win over Atlantic when fourth leading scorer Caleb Rasmussen (8.6 points a game) scored 41. The Cyclones are led by Kyle Juhl, a Nebraska-Kearney commit. The double-double machine averages 17.7 points and 11.6 rebounds a game, pacing a powerful attack. Will Lansman (12.2) and Ethan Knudson (8.6) and both capable scorers as well, with Knudson being a very good perimeter shooter. They’ve already beaten their biggest threat in the district, Carroll, by 16.
The biggest threat: Carroll has been a disappointment this season, entering the postseason at just 7-14. However, they’ve still got a lot of individual talent in Kolby Molinsky (17.7), Dayton Ross (17.0) and Tanner White (11.7). That trio, along with Cooper Ross, is part of an attack that averages nearly 27 three-point attempts per game. If they’re able to get a few of those guys hot from the arc, they could make a run. The talent is still there, they just need to find a way to put it together.
The dark horse: Trey Tucker may be the single best individual scoring threat in this district for Greene County, making them the more likely team to notch two upsets and get to the substate final. Tucker is capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor and if he gets hot, he could carry this group.
Players to watch
Kyle Juhl, Harlan, 2016
Will Lansman, Harlan, 2016
Kolby Molinsky, Carroll, 2017
Dayton Ross, Carroll, 2017
Trey Tucker, Greene County, 2017
The favorite: Levi Jansen (17.6 points, 51.2 FG%) and Christian Korver (15.2, 44.2 3P%) pace an efficient attack for MOC-Floyd Valley. The Dutchmen shoot 51.3% from the floor as a team and 40.6% from behind the arc, making them one of the top offensive teams in the state, regardless of class. They do play in a 1A/2A conference, but it’s arguably the best small school conference in the state, so they’ve had pretty good competition throughout the season.
The biggest threat: Bishop Heelan plays in a 4A league, so they’ve had great competition all season. The Crusaders are one of 3A’s most consistent powers, and they’ve got a great guard who can take over a game in DeAndre Burnside (23.6 points). He could present issues for MOC-FV with his quickness and ability to get to the rim. Another weapon Heelan has the could present issues is sophomore forward Elijah Hazekamp. An athletic combo forward, Hazekamp is a dynamic rebounder who should control the glass against any team in this district. The difference between MOC-FV and Heelan is miniscule. You could make them co-favorites.
The dark horse(s): It’s tough to call a team as good as Sergeant Bluff-Luton a dark horse, as they’re right there with MOC-FV and Heelan. The Warriors have won eight of 10 heading into the postseason, including a head-to-head win over Heelan, and they’ve played the same tough MRC schedule. They’ve got a trio of double-figure scorers in Jacob Schultz (15.8), Chris Kroll (15.4) and Jackson Wright (11.6). The top three in this district are all pretty closely bunched. The true dark horse would be LeMars, last year’s runners up in 3A. They’ve got the top scorer in the district in junior guard Trenton Hillbrands (24.8 points), who could take a game over and string together a pair of wins.
Players to watch
Levi Jansen, MOC-Floyd Valley, 2016
Christian Korver, MOC-Floyd Valley, 2016
DeAndre Burnside, Sioux City Heelan, 2016
Elijah Hazekamp, Sioux City Heelan, 2018
Jacob Schultz, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 2016
Chris Kroll, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 2017
Jackson Wright, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 2017
Trenton Hillbrands, LeMars, 2017
SUBSTATE PREDICTION
Harlan vs. MOC-Floyd Valley
In what would be one of the most entertaining substate finals of any across any class, we like Harlan to get back to Des Moines after a brief absence. The Cyclones have the length on the perimeter to slow down Jansen, and Kyle Juhl could be a tough wing for the Dutchmen to match up with.