Games of the Week: Week #0

Each week we will be previewing the best games in the upcoming week. Generally, this article will come out on Sunday but we will be noting all of the good matchups this weekend as we get underway. Generally, expect this article to have 10 or so games included by picking a couple of games each day. Below you can find the Games of the Week for the upcoming week of play. <hr /> <strong>Friday</strong>: Sioux City East (0-0) vs. Southeast Polk (0-0) @ 6:00 PM One of the top matchups of the night is between who 5A teams who are looking to make a statement early on. Southeast Polk is a new-look squad with a couple key graduations from last year. They are going to be looking to get back to the state tournament this year but will need some role players to step up. Nyamer Diew leads a Sioux City East squad who is looking to compete this year. A win in this game would be big for either side. <strong>Friday</strong>: North Polk (0-0) vs. Johnston (0-0) @ 6:15 PM One of the two premier games of the night pits two title hopefuls together. North Polk is vying for a 3A state title after falling just short last year. They have experience and the skill to make it back and win it this year. Johnston is also a heavy favorite to win the 5A crown this year as the majority of media outlets have them #2 in the state. I think Johnston ends up on top tonight, but a close game actually elevates North Polk's stock. <strong>Friday</strong>: Gilbert (0-0) vs. Ballard (0-0) @ 7:00 PM PGH Iowa released their preseason rankings an hour ago and Ballard comes in at #4 and Gilbert at #6. These are two teams who are vying for a spot in Des Moines at the end of the season and this game will be a great measuring stick. On paper, Ballard is the more talented team, but Gilbert has the best player of the bunch. This game is going to come down to one thing: Can the Ballard press thwart the guards of Gilbert? <strong>Friday</strong>: Creston (0-0) vs. Des Moines Christian (0-0) @ 7:30 PM Two teams who were very good last year but lost a couple key players to graduation match up on the first night of the season. Des Moines Christian is likely the better of the two teams but I think the game will come down to whose role players are better. Creston has dominant post <strong>Kelsey Fields</strong> but Des Moines Christian has <strong>Moriah Prewitt</strong>, a much-improved guard. I think this game will tell us a lot about these two squads. <strong>Friday</strong>: Cascade (0-0) vs. Iowa City West (0-0) @ 7:30 PM Cascade really has the ability to prove themselves tonight as they head to take on Iowa City West. While West might not be as good as last year, they are still very solid with one of the top players in the 2021 class. We have Cascade at #2 in the Preseason rankings and they will really be able to solidify that ranking with a win tonight. You can't overlook Iowa City West though, they are a well-coached team. <strong>Friday</strong>: Central DeWitt (0-0) vs. Davenport North (0-0) @ 7:30 PM Central DeWitt has two of the top sophomores in the state and Davenport North has a trio who are tough to stop. This is going to be a very good game and I wouldn't be surprised with any result. Both of these teams could make runs in their class and get to the Well. For the first game of the season, I can't think of a better match-up for these teams, respectively. I think the key to the game is Davenport 6'5 post Annie Awour. <strong>Friday</strong>: Mason City (0-0) vs. Ankeny (0-0) @ 7:30 PM You have a lot of unknowns this year with Mason City. How they respond to losing Megan Meyer last year will set the tone for the season. They should be able to recoup some of her scoring with their talented guards but will need others to step up. Ankeny was a bit up-and-down last year but with a veteran squad full of solid guards they should be looking to grab a big win at home. This game could go either way. <strong>Saturday</strong>: Carlisle (0-0) vs. Central Decatur (0-0) @ 12:30 PM After Central Decatur's run in the tournament last year expectations are high for this year. Unfortunately for them, they lost a lot of key players to graduation. Carlisle should have been better on paper last year and will be looking to get this year off to a good start. I feel like Carlisle is the better team but you never know with Central Decatur lurking around. This is going to be a very good Saturday afternoon game at Newton's tournament. <strong>Saturday</strong>: North Mahaska (0-0) vs. Grinnell (0-0) @ 6:15 PM Grinnell is hosting North Mahaska in what should be a very good game. North Mahaska has loads of players coming back from last year, but Grinnell loses two very talented players. North Mahaska should come out on top but this game will tell us a lot about the young talent of Grinnell. I don't foresee a blowout because Grinnell teams are very scrappy. It should be a high-level physical Saturday evening contest to start the year between one of 1A's top teams and a solid 4A squad. &nbsp;