Playoff Preview: 2A-2
Tanner Te Slaa The favorite: Despite an upset loss to Sheldon in the last week of the season, Boyden-Hull is the favorite here, and a fairly heavy one at that. The Comets are led by four double figure scorers…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingTanner Te Slaa
The favorite: Despite an upset loss to Sheldon in the last week of the season, Boyden-Hull is the favorite here, and a fairly heavy one at that. The Comets are led by four double figure scorers in Tanner Te Slaa (16.3), Keyton Moser (13.4), Marcus Kelderman (11.7) and Andrew Frick (10.8). Te Slaa, a lengthy sophomore wing, can really light it up from 3. Moser is a physical forward who can score inside and out, and also leads the team in assists. Kelderman also shoots the 3 well, and this is a typical Boyden-Hull team that really moves the ball well and is incredibly versatile on the defensive end. The Comets attempted just 6 free throws and that loss to Sheldon, over 10 fewer than they usually attempt. We don’t expect that to happen again.
The biggest threat: As we mentioned, Sheldon beat the Comets last week, 60-57. The Orabs have four double figure scorers of their own in Tye Sudbeck (13.6), Jordan Jeffries (11.2), Kaleb Ackerman (10.7) and Mitchel Wolf (10.5). That quartet accounts for 82% of the team’s scoring. Sudbeck and Wolf have combined to make 110 3s this season, giving them a deadly shooting combination on the perimeter. If the 3s are dropping, Sheldon can pull the upset again.
The dark horse: Emmetsburg has won five straight games to close out the season. The E’Hawks are led by junior forward Ben Dunlap (19.3), an efficient forward who can score inside and out and get to the free throw line at a high rate. Tim Geelan (10.0) is another nice piece, while Lex Kassel (7.8) is a quality lead guard who protects the ball. If Dunlap can get it going and they can limit possessions against Boyden-Hull, they could win the district.
Players to watch
2022 Tanner Te Slaa, Boyden-Hull
2020 Andrew Frick, Boyden-Hull
2021 Marcus Kelderman, Boyden-Hull
2020 Keyton Moser, Boyden-Hull
2021 Tye Sudbeck, Sheldon
2020 Jordan Jeffries, Sheldon
2021 Ben Dunlap, Emmetsburg
2023 Carter Boettcher, Sioux Central
2023 Jacob Hargens, Sioux Central
2021 Trey Oehlertz, Pocahontas Area
2021 Christian Davidson, Pocahontas Area
The favorite: Since starting the year 0-2, perennial power Western Christian has gone 16-3, with all three losses coming to out-of-state teams. The Wolfpack are an efficient offensive team that is shooting over 50% from the floor, led by Ty Van Essen (14.0, 63.0 FG%) and Dawson Feenstra (14.8, 52.3%). They need to clean up the turnovers a bit (274 turnovers, 258 assists), but this group plays against a really strong schedule every year, so those numbers are a bit skewed. They swept potential district final opponent Spirit Lake this year.
The biggest threat: Spirit Lake already beat West Lyon this season, 66-55, back on January 9. But the Indians have lost 7 of their last 9 games down the stretch. They’re led by Vance Katzfey (16.5) and Creighton Moricsh (15.8). Moricsh is a high-level shooter who has knocked down 50 3-pointers so far, while Katzfey is efficient and can stretch out to the arc.
The dark horse: West Lyon has been a streaky team this season, but they’ve got talent and playing in the Siouxland they’ve gone through some battles. Logan Meyer (16.5) is an efficient forward who can pair with brother Jaxon Meyer (12.0) to control the glass, while Jalyn Gramstad (15.4) is a solid shooter, and Zach Van Beek (5.1) handles it and passes it well. This team has the talent to make a run, they just need to play with more consistency.
Players to watch
2022 Ty Van Essen, Western Christian
2020 Dawson Feenstra, Western Christian
2022 Vance Katzfey, Spirit Lake
2021 Creighton Moricsh, Spirit Lake
2020 Logan Meyer, West Lyon
2020 Jalyn Gramstad, West Lyon
2022 Jaxon Meyer, West Lyon
2022 Lucas Lorenzen, Okoboji
2020 Jamison Helmers, Okoboji
2023 Zach Lutmer, Central Lyon
2022 Mason Gerleman, Central Lyon
2021 Carter Brouwer, Sibley-Ocheyedan
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Boyden-Hull vs. Western Christian
In a battle between a pair of perennial northwest Iowa powers, we like Boyden-Hull to punch their ticket to State with their balanced, deep offensive attack.