In high school boys basketball action tonight in class 4A fourth rated Urbandale looks to stay unbeaten with a visit to cross-town rival Johnston. The J-Hawks lead the Central Iowa Metro League Central Conference but this game could also have post season implications. Games through February fourth will determine the seeding for the sub-state tournament and which teams get a first round bye.
Urbandale coach Brad Bjorkgren says the seeding will be even more important in the J-Hawks’ sub-state which includes four teams that are or have been ranked in the top ten. He says you could you could get matched up against a very tough opponent and if you get a bye, then you have one less tough opponent. Bjorkgren says a higher seed gives you the chance to play at home and he says there’s more normalcy to playing in your own gym.
Top ranked Des Moines Hoover is also part of that sub-state and Bjorkgren says to get the top seed the J-Hawks cannot afford a loss. Bjorkgren says they knew that five games ago, so they’ve been playing every game like it is going to affect them from getting a bye, all the way down to getting a first-round game on the road.
Bjorkgren says playing so many important games right now will help down the road. He says the kids understand that the tough games are good. He says they’re trying to win a conference title first and then see where that takes them in the seeding and state tournament.