Early Season Battle: SEP vs Centennial
It was a showdown that true basketball enthusiasts could appreciate between Southeast Polk and Centennial. Southeast Polk came into the Nov 27th contest with a 1-0 record and a #1 ranking. Centennial had a 2-0 record and a ranking of…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIt was a showdown that true basketball enthusiasts could appreciate between Southeast Polk and Centennial. Southeast Polk came into the Nov 27th contest with a 1-0 record and a #1 ranking. Centennial had a 2-0 record and a ranking of #10. SEP won first game by 33 points and Centennial won first two games by average of 53.5 points. This meeting would mark both team’s first true test of the season.
It turned out to be a game of contrasts, runs and coaching adjustments. These are two very different but both very skilled teams. The pace was electrifying and kept fans on their seats because it was a game until the end. SEP pulled out the win 51-44, but both teams won an important early season moral victory. The most important aspect of this game is the ability to see early predictions of both team’s upcoming season’s. It was an early season game with a post season feel, probably because both teams have potential to push far into post season play. Here are some of the early season questions that were answered on Tuesday night.
Southeast Polk Rams (2-0)
Southeast Polk returns 4 starters from a year ago, and added Class 2019 #2 ranked Maggie McGraw. McGraw transferred to SEP from Indianola after last season. The transfer made the Rams even more experienced which boosted them to the state’s #1 preseason ranking. A ranking Coach Tracy Dailey says her team tries to ignore. “There is always a target when you are ranked #1, but our biggest thing every day we don’t talk about rankings, we don’t talk about being #1, we just talk about getting better than we were the day before.”
That mission was accomplished at the Centennial Jungle on Tuesday night. SEP boosts an elite group of guards. Their shooting ability was put on display early in the game hitting 5 three pointers. Many of these were deep enough to make the college game blush. On the night SEP went 6 – 12 from behind the arc. Sophomore Rylie Kruse hit two back to back deep three’s that put pressure on Centennial’s defense.
Photo courtesy of Des Moines RegisterThe 2nd quarter Centennial chipped back into the game, and Coach Dailey made half time adjustments. The adjustments solidified the Rams have many weapons on offensive this year. Centennial is known for their defense year in and year out. SEP guards challenged that defense, using their speed to attack the rim. Not only did SEP finish many attacks, but they were also able to get to the charity stripe often in the 2nd half. Senior standout and ISU commit Maggie McGraw went 6 – 8 from the free throw line. Teammate and #1 ranked Class of 2021 Grace Larkins went 4 – 5 from the line. Many of these free throws came late in the game, showing the maturity and experience that SEP has to back up that #1 ranking.
Photo courtesy of Des Moines RegisterOn the night Maggie McGraw led SEP in scoring with 18 points, while adding 5 boards and 3 assists. Larkins added 13 points, and also had 5 boards and 3 assists. SEP will be able to stretch defenses out this season with multiple players being able to hit the 3 pointer. The 2nd half proved that they will not have to rely on the 3 pointers to survive the season. Spreading the defense out with the long ball opens the lane up, and these guards will take advantage of it. They feed off each other on the drive, and I was impressed by their decision making so early in the season. They didn’t force too many shots in the lane, and are looking for teammates on the cut.
Southeast Polk might lack on an inside threat, but they proved to themselves on Tuesday that they will be able to adjust. They went against a very strong Jaguar front line, and made it through the night. Their guards are long, and they used this length playing a 1-2-2 zone clogging the lane, yet were active enough to cover the outside shot. Early in the game, they were called for fouls against the bigger Jag team, but made adjustments through their experience. Coach Dailey told her players to play through the foul, you are not going to get every call. “When we get caught up in if it is the right call, we struggle, just playing through everything and controlling what we can control and playing our game.”
Will SEP maintain that #1 ranking all season? Tough to say, especially playing in strong CIML conference. Four of the top 5 pre-season teams were CIML teams. If they do slip up, it won’t be too far down the rungs of the rankings. This is a team that has experience and is well coached, and will continue to get better. Just as they did in the game on Tuesday, they will make adjustments all season long, and will compete for a ticket to the Well. They will have a target on their back game in, game out, but the team is already showing the maturity to handle it. This is a fun team to watch, and they will bring their fans plenty of entertainment this season.
Ankeny Centennial (2-1)
It is always a treat to watch Ankeny Centennial play basketball. Scott DeJong is probably one of the best high school coach in the state, and his team’s are always competing. Although the Jags return a lot of experience from a 19-4 season, the season has started later for the Jags. They finally had a complete team at practice with their volleyball team claiming the state title early in November.
Photo compliments of Des Moines RegisterOne of the key players from the volleyball team is Kenna Sauer. DeJong explained the presence Senior Kenna Sauer and Mizzou volleyball commit will have on the team. “Kenna Sauer who is a really good player and is only going to get better has only been practicing about a week, and she didn’t play last year because she was hurt. So you are talking about a kid who has played as a sophomore and that is really it.” Sauer is a strong physical player inside, but is also mobile and is great jumper. Centennial is dominant on their high/low game and Kenna is big reason for this. Teammates can lob the ball near the rim, and Sauer has ability to go up and grab it. She only scored 3 points on the night, but once she gets into basketball shape, watch out for the impact she will make to this Jag team.
Photo compliments of Des Moines RegisterAnother huge presence in the lane is senior and William Jewell commit Rachel Schon. At 6’1″, Schon is a huge presence in the lane offensively and defensively. She plays both the high and low to perfection. Catching ball low in traffic and having strength to finish at the rim, but is also a great passer from the high post. I saw huge improvement on Tuesday night of reading the defense from a year ago. She is not only creating higher percentage shots for herself, but also is giving her guards more open looks with the kickout off double teams. On the defensive end, Schon was dominate blocking multiple SEP layups in the lane. She led the team in scoring on the night with 15 points.
Yes there is another inside player for the Jags in junior Alexandria Keahna-Harris. She scored 13 points for Centennial shooting 60% from the field and 100% from the line. The ability to rotate these three bigs into the lineup will put pressure on opposing teams. As Harris gains more experience, look for her contributions to grow.
Photo compliments of Des Moines RegisterAt first glance, Centennial’s front line jumps out at as their dominating trait, but the Jags have some guards also. They return two starters from a year ago in juniors Meg Burns and Taylor Runchey. They have both combined to fill the leadership departure of Syd Wycoff, who is now playing college basketball for Mid-America Christian University. They both handled the pressure of bringing the ball up and keeping the offense organized. Burns showcased her 3 point shooting ability last year, and proved she is still a threat from deep. She scored 11 points on the night, and many of her 3’s were at critical times in the game. With many defenses collapsing on the Jags inside game, look for both Burns and Runchey to have many open shots this season.
Centennial showed their dominance in their first two games winning on an average of 53.5 points. Games that Coach DeJong claims they needed with the late arrival of some of their players this season. They may have lost the game, but they put on a strong fight and proved that they will compete this season. Tuesday was first true test, and against the #1 team it was a huge test. The Jags responded to their spurts, and in true Centennial defensive style made the needed adjustments. This is one of the best team oriented teams I have seen at the high school level. They move the ball well on offense and have strong IQ on spacing. They are well coached and will continue to get better as season goes along. This is another team that has legitimate shot at punching a their ticket to the Well in March.