Iowa Playoffs: Class 2A, Substate 8 Preview
The favorite: Defending champion Treynor has barely skipped a beat despite losing a pair of high-level veteran big men in Trey Robinson and Jacob Flathers. Guard Nolan Chapman (17.7) has been fantastic all season, and he’s getting help from a pair…
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Continue ReadingThe favorite: Defending champion Treynor has barely skipped a beat despite losing a pair of high-level veteran big men in Trey Robinson and Jacob Flathers. Guard Nolan Chapman (17.7) has been fantastic all season, and he’s getting help from a pair who saw significant playing time last season in Matt Deitchler (15.7) and Nate Hill (10.0). The Cardinals have pretty much rolled through the season, the lone blemishes to a very good IKM-Manning team and 3A top-10 ranked Atlantic. Behind Chapman, Treynor should have a good chance to get back to Des Moines and have a shot at defending their title.
The biggest threat: Makonn Anderson (19.7 points, 10.0 rebounds) is a dominating interior presence for Shenandoah, something that could potentially challenge Treynor. Jake Cerven (13.9) and Steven Martin (11.4) are also solid scoring threats for the Mustangs. They’ll need to tighten up a bit defensively if they want to get through the Cardinals, as they rank just 64th in 2A defensively.
The dark horse: Missouri Valley likes to play a slower style, scoring just 54.9 points a game, but allowing just 50. If they’re able to dictate the tempo, they can stick around and win games behind the solid play of Seth Svedja and Justin Miller.
Players to watch
Nolan Chapman, Treynor, 2016
Matt Deitchler, Treynor, 2016
Nate Hill, Treynor, 2016
Makonn Anderson, Shenandoah, 2016
Jake Cerven, Shenandoah, 2016
Seth Svedja, Missouri Valley, 2016
Justin Miller, Missouri Valley, 2016
The favorite: Playing in the Hawkeye 10 against primarily 3A schools gives Carroll Kuemper an advantage in this district. The Knights are led by Matt Dentlinger (18.7 points, 11.0 rebounds), a gifted junior forward who will be a problem for any team in this district to defend. He’s a big, physical 6’7″ kid with the ability to score from anywhere and he also protects the rim to the tune of three blocks a game. With some solid role players around him, Kuemper is the team to beat here.
The biggest threat: Ridge View has compiled a gaudy 17-2 record behind the 8th best scoring defense in 2A, allowing just 45.8 points a game. The Raptors may be hurt, however, by a schedule that ranks 88th in the class out of 96. Garret Lamp (13.6) is an efficient offensive player with the ability to both score and facilitate for his teammates. They’ll need to play at a fairly slow pace to stick around against Kuemper.
The dark horse: AHSTW, Avoca’s trio of double-figure scorers (R.J. Harris 15.5, Rhett Welsh 12.6, Blaine Lees 10.6) could give Ridge View some trouble in the semi-final. If they’re able to get to the district final, anything can happen in a one game setting.
Players to watch
Matt Dentlinger, Carroll Kuemper, 2017
Garret Lamp, Ridge View, 2016
R.J. Harris, AHSTW, Avoca, 2018
SUBSTATE PREDICTION
Treynor vs. Carroll Kuemper
Treynor’s talented group has been around the block, and the experience they gained last year should help them in this big game setting. Nolan Chapman’s big night sends the Cardinals back to Des Moines to defend their title.