(Atlantic) Atlantic and #4 Dallas Center-Grimes matchup in a Class 3A Substate Final boys’ basketball game on Monday at Indianola. The tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
The Trojans enter the contest with a (14-6) record, having won eleven out of their last 12-games. Dallas Center-Grimes, a member of the Little Hawkeye Conference, is (19-3).
The Trojans enter the big game with wins over Creston (53-47) and #6 Glenwood (63-49). The Mustangs ousted Perry (85-12) and ADM (39-34).
Atlantic Head Coach Jeff Ebling says the offense centers around senior point guard Luke Rankin who’s been starting for at least three seasons. “Luke Rankin does a lot for them,” said Atlantic Head Coach Jeff Ebling. “The junior point guard has 185 assists on the year, an average of 8.5 assists per game, which is incredible at the high school level. He’s been known to take in-bound throw-ins and fire laser beams to a teammate in stride at the other end. So we must get back on defense.”
Rankin has a solid supporting cast led by Cole Glasgow, a 6’3 wing player who likes to go to get to the rim. Ebling says Dallas Center-Grimes also has outside shooters like Bo Huston, connecting on 49.4 percent of his shots from behind the three-point line.
“The key is to contain the dribble and keep them from getting to where they want to go, if we do that we could have an excellent night. If we allow them to get where they want to, it could be a very long night, so there is a fine line there,” said Ebling. “We know what we need to do, our guys are locked in and ready to go.”
Dallas Center-Grimes shoots 51.9 percent from the field. The offensive prowess is largely due to driving the basketball and connecting on short-range shots. “A lot of their offense starts at the high post with screens, allowing Rankin to attack the basket and kick-out to his outside shooters if need be,” Ebling said.
When comparing the numbers, Dallas Center-Grimes average 65.1 points per game while allowing 48.5 points per outing. The Trojans average 58.2 points per game and allow an average of 52.4 points per game.
Skyler Handlos, averages 17.1 points per game, Dayton Templeton, 10.7, and Grant Sturm, scores 8.0 points per outing for Atlantic. Cole Glasgow leads the Mustangs with a 17.1 point per game average, Luke Rankin, 13.4, and Bo Huston, 11.9.
The Mustangs are a member of the Little Hawkeye Conference along with Oskaloosa, Grinnell, Pella, Pella Christian, Newton, Norwalk, and Indianola.
We will have the broadcast on 95.7 FM. The Pre-game starts at around 5:10 p.m., and the tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
