By Mark Schafer | The News-Review
DES MOINES – Winter sports are winding down, as the Casey’s Center plays host to the IGHSAU State basketball tournament this week.
This is the chance for some of the best and brightest to show what they are made of, and for the five new champions to be crowned.
Here’s a look at the brackets for each of the five classes. I also have included how I think the tournament will go at the end.
Class 5A
Quarterfinals: No. 1 Johnston vs No. 8 Ankeny Centennial – The undefeated Dragons of Johnston are seemingly well on their way to another class 5A championship. The Dragons have only been challenged twice this year. The most recent was on Feb. 2 when they bested Dowling Catholic 49-43. Before that they won a Dec. 16 game 46-43 over, you guessed it, Dowling Catholic. According to Bound, the last time Ankeny Centennial won against Johnston was on Jan. 4 2019.
No. 4 Cedar Rapids, Washington (18-4) vs Ankeny (15-8). Both teams enter with very similar records and are very similar. Washington has averaged 57.7 points per game this season, while Ankeny has averaged 54.6. Ankeny senior Jayla Williams is averaging 21 points per game.
No. 2 Dowling Catholic (20-3) vs No. 7 Valley (13-10) – In both games this season Dowling Catholic won handily, the last meeting between the two schools was a 79-41 victory by Dowling Catholic on Jan. 20. Both teams average around 60 points per game, but the stifling defense of Dowling Catholic has been the biggest difference this year.
No. 3 Waukee Northwest (17-5) vs No. 5 Iowa City, West (17-7) – Waukee Northwest has been pouring on the offense this season. They average 60.4 points per game, and have won their games by an average of 18.5. Both teams have gone 4-1 in their last five games.
It is clear for just about anyone in the state. The class 5A title game likely will be between Johnston and Dowling Catholic. I expect another close game, and another title for Johnston.
Class 4A
Quarterfinals: No. 1 Dallas Center-Grimes (21-2) vs Waverly-Shell Rock (22-1) – Both teams come into this game with impressive records. Dallas Center-Grimes is averaging 59.5 points per game while Waverly-Shell Rock has averaged 55.1. Dallas Center-Grimes is a strong shooting team as they have shot 47 percent from the field this year.
No. 4 Norwalk (21-2) vs Central DeWitt (23-1) – This will be another game where offense is seemingly on full display. Norwalk averages 64.5 points per game. Central DeWitt comes in averaging 63.7 points per game. Both teams have won a majority of their games by 25 points or more. Norwalk sophomore Braylyn Brimingham is averaging 30.1 points per game this season.
No. 2 Bishop Heelan (23-0) vs No. 7 North Polk (20-3) – The only undefeated team in the class 4A tournament is a team that is no stranger to playing in Des Moines. Bishop Heelan has a long history of playing at the Casey’s Center, and this year they bring an offense that averages 71.5 points per game with them. That is in a conference with a majority of the teams being 5A schools as well. North Polk plays in the tough Raccoon River Conference and averages 53.1 points per game.
No. 3 Clear Creek Amana (20-2) vs No. 6 Carlisle (23-1) – Both teams have played class 5A teams throughout the season and that could make for an interesting matchup. Clear Creek-Amana is averaging 64.8 points per game while Carlisle comes in averaging 56.5 points. Both teams play tough defense, with Clear Creek-Amana averaging wins by just over 25 points. Senior Averie Lower for Clear Creek-Amana is a player to watch as she averages 24.2 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game.
Dallas Center-Grimes is an easy team to pick for the championship, but class 4A seems a little wide open this year. I could see any of the top-three seeds making the championship game. Clear Creek-Amana and Dallas Center-Grimes have both gone up against strong class 5A teams, and I think Clear Creek-Amana walks away with the title.
Class 3A
Quarterfinals: No. 1 Mount Vernon (22-2) vs No. 8 Cherokee Washington (20-3) – Both teams have challenged themselves throughout the season, but Cherokee has a little better offense as they average 60.1 points per game. Mount Vernon comes in averaging 55.4 points per game. Mount Vernon has three players that average double-digits each game, making them a tough team to stop.
No. 4 Wahlert Catholic (18-5) vs No. 5 Williamsburg (20-5) – Both teams have been impressive lately, scoring blowout wins in their regional final games. Williamsburg won by 17, while Wahlert Catholic won their’s by 14. Wahlert has averaged 60 points per game while Williamsburg comes in averaging 55.4 points per game. Defense is a factor in this one as Williamsburg has won their games by 20.4 points.
No. 2 Maquoketa (21-4) vs No. 7 Mediapolis (24-0) – Two teams that have had more than plenty of offense this season will square off in this game. Mediapolis averages 67.1 points per game while Maquoketa has averaged 62.4 points per game. Mediapolis has had a strong defense winning games by nearly 40 points. They are also the only undefeated team in the class 3A field.
No. 3 Des Moines Christian (22-3) vs No. 6 Forest City (22-3) – Both teams have two players on their team that average double digit scoring per game. Des Moines Christian has averaged 63.6 points per game while Forest City comes in averaging 60.2 points per game.
The class 3A field features a bunch of strong teams. Mount Vernon seems to be the best of the field, and I would expect them to win the championship. Mediapolis is an intriguing team, as they are not only undefeated, but they have played plenty of strong competition.
Class 2A
Quarterfinals: No. 1 Hinton (20-1) vs No. 8 West Lyon (17-7) – West Lyon won the previous match-up this year. On Dec. 4 the Wildcats handed Hinton their one and only loss in a 45-44 victory. Hinton will likely remember that going into the game. On paper Hinton is the stronger team averaging 70.9 points per game and winning games by 43.2 points. West Lyon has averaged 52. 9 points per game.
No. 4 Denver (22-2) vs No. 5 Emmetsburg (23-2) – While Denver has had a more impressive defensive the last few weeks of the season, Emmetsburg has had a better offense all year around. The E-Hawks have averaged 57.7 points per game while Denver has only scored 55.9 points per game. The Cyclones have won their games by an average of 27 points this season. Rachel Schany of Emmetsburg is a player to watch as she averages 21.2 points per game.
No. 2 Rock Valley (22-2) vs No. 7 Regina Catholic (19-5) – Both teams have more then plenty offense to go around. Rock Valley comes into the game averaging 67.8 points per game and winning games by 21.9 points. Regina has averaged 57.7 points per game with wins averaging around 22 points. Addie McLauglin from Regina averages 22.4 points per game, but Rock Valley’s Hudsyn Ranschau has averaged 23.6 points per game.
No. 3 Central Lyon (19-4) vs No. 6 Treynor (21-2) – Both teams are 4-1 in their last five games. Central Lyon’s last defeat came on Feb. 6 against Rock Valley. While Treynor hasn’t lost to an Iowa opponent since Jan. 9 in a two point defeat against a Western Iowa Conference opponent (their Feb. 13 defeat was against Blair, Nebraska). Central Lyon has averaged 60.7 points per game while Treynor averages 58.4 points per game.
Like class 3A, class 2A is full of teams that could make surprising runs. Hinton is the No. 1 team for a reason, but No. 2 Rock Valley with the Ranschau twins, is my pick to raise the banner at the end of the season.
Class 1A
Quarterfinals: No. 1 Bishop Garrigan (22-2) vs No. 8 Kee (17-7) – Bishop Garrigan has been near the top of the class 1A standings all season. They have plenty of offense as they have averaged 72.2 points per game this season and have averaged their wins by 38.3 points. Kee has averaged 55 points per game this season.
No. 4 Lynnville-Sully (24-0) vs No. 5 Dunkerton (22-2) – Two teams that area teams are used to will square off in this one. The last remaining SICL team and Lynnville-Sully will try to bring home a championship for the SICL, while Dunkerton brings their high-powered offense into the game. Dunkerton averages 68.7 points per game while Lynnville-Sully is averaging 58.7 points this season.
No. 2 Newell-Fonda (22-2) vs No. 7 Saint Ansgar (20-4) – Perennial power, Newell-Fonda is back in the State tournament for the ninth-consecutive season. Once again, the Mustangs are proving to be one of the best teams in the State. They have averaged 69.1 points per game this season and have won games by an average of 33 points this season. Saint Ansgar averages 56.5 points per game.
No. 3 St. Albert, Council Bluffs (21-3) vs No. 6 Exira-Elk Hortn-Kimbalton (22-1) – These two western Iowa teams are very strong offensively, as both average 61.9 points per game. Exira-Elk Horn-Kimbalton is slightly better as they have won games by an average of 25.9 points per game this year. The difference could be competition as St. Albert has played more games against class 2A, 3A and 4A competition.
Newell-Fonda is a tough team to beat in Des Moines, but the one team that has had the Mustangs number has been Bishop Garrigan. I would expect to see the top two seeds square off in this championship contest.
