Saturday, Jan. 2, 9:15 a.m.
Contributed by Ryan James
Champlin Park (MN): The Rebels kicked of their year with six straight wins after going 31-1 a season ago. The team lost three starters to division one basketball in JT Gibson (Nebraska-Omaha), Jeremy Johnson (Wisconsin-Milwaukee), and Marty Hill (Northeast CC) but return a pair of Rivals150 talents in juniors McKinley Wright and Theo John. Wright (who has offers from Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas State, and others) is producing 18 points a game with 7.8 rebounds while John (offers from Minnesota, Illinois, Marquette, Iowa, Nebraska) is producing 17.8 points a contest with 8.4 rebounds and a couple blocks. The Rebel returning starters are getting support from junior guards Brian Smith and DJ Hunter as well as senior wing Aaron Kloeppner.
Council Bluffs Lincoln (IA): Council Bluffs began their year with hard fought wins over Sioux City West and Sargeant Bluff-Luton on their way to a 4-0 start. The senior trio of Tony Bonner, Kyle Crowl, and TreVonte Jones lead the way all with double figure production. The 6-foot-8 Bonner gives his team 22 points and 11 rebounds a game and is a top 30 prospect in Iowa according to Prep Hoops Iowa. Crowl and Jones are the dynamic backcourt with Crowl the three-point weapon and Jones the creator. Add in fellow seniors Josh Krabbe and Devin Logan (also starters) and you have one of the most experienced teams in all of Iowa.
Key Match-Up: Theo John vs Tony Bonner. Both are regular double-double big men who are highly productive. John has the edge in agility and length while Bonner is more experienced and has been putting up big numbers for awhile. This will make for an excellent post match-up.
Top Prospects:
Champlin Park: Theo John (6-ft-9, Jr, Center), McKinley Wright (6-ft-1, Jr, Point guard), Aaron Kloeppner (6-ft-4, Sr, Small forward), Mello Adkins (6-ft-2, Jr, Small forward), DJ Hunter (6-ft-2, Jr, Shooting Guard), Brian Smith (5-ft-9, Jr, Guard), Chris Davis (6-ft-6, Jr, Power Forward)
Council Bluffs Lincoln: Tony Bonner (6-ft-8, Sr, power forward), TreVonte Jones (6-ft-0, Sr, point guard), Kyle Crowl (6-ft-1, Sr, shooting guard), Josh Krabbe (Sr), Devin Logan (Sr)