Playoff Preview: 2A-7
The favorite: Des Moines Christian is the top seed in the district, and deservedly so. The Lions handled Pella Christian earlier this season, 84-71. But we actually like the Eagles in this district. Standout big man Josh Van Gorp…
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The favorite: Des Moines Christian is the top seed in the district, and deservedly so. The Lions handled Pella Christian earlier this season, 84-71. But we actually like the Eagles in this district. Standout big man Josh Van Gorp (16.7) didn’t play in that loss, and while his absence alone didn’t contribute to a 13-point defeat, not having him in the lineup drastically alters the way Pella Christian can play on both ends of the floor. The 6-9 big man can control the glass, protect the rim and is someone they can rely on to score in the paint. Dan Jugling (12.9, 44.0 3P%), Jack Vermeer (9.7, 27 3PM) and Keean Cadwell (9.2, 30 3PM) are all quality shooters to put around him on the offensive end, and they can play a little more aggressively on the defensive end knowing Van Gorp is behind them. A district final between Des Moines Christian and Pella Christian will be one of the best district finals around the state, but we like the Eagles to get their revenge here with a full lineup.
The biggest threat: The clear threat here comes from a Des Moines Christian squad that has already beaten PC by 13 points. The Lions got a career night from Grant Veenstra (8.0) in that game, as he went off for 29 points, and it’s hard to see that being replicated. They do have a matchup problem with 6-6 junior Ben Loverude (11.6), a skilled lefty who can score inside but can also really stretch the floor, knocking down a team-high 37 3s this season. Athletic guard Curran Ingram (17.7, 41.6 3P%) can score from all three levels and take over a game, and Adam Witty (10.4) gives them another solid scoring option. Everyone on the team handles the ball fairly well, with six different players between 31 and 43 assists on the season. There is no real standout outside of the scoring column, so this is a balanced group that shares the ball and does everything well.
The dark horse: Roland-Story has a trio of double figure scorers in Dylan Ihle (13.1), Sam Skaar (11.0) and Adam McIlrath (10.9). Ihle and Skaar can fill it up from deep, while McIlrath does a nice job controlling the glass. The Norsemen have some solid wins this season and could make some noise if Skaar or Ihle can get hot.
Players to watch
2020 Josh Van Gorp, Pella Christian
2020 Dan Jungling, Pella Christian
2020 Jack Vermeer, Pella Christian
2020 Curran Ingram, Des Moines Christian
2021 Ben Loverude, Des Moines Christian
2020 Dylan Ihle, Roland-Story
2021 Sam Skaar, Roland-Story
2020 Derek Brown, PCM
2020 Jason Stafford, PCM
2021 Logan Bowie, East Marshall
2021 Drew Runner, East Marshall
2020 Gabe Jones, West Marshall
Jayden Mackie
The favorite: Aplington-Parkersburg shouldn’t have too many issues getting through either Hudson or Columbus Catholic in the semifinals. The Falcons swept both of those teams during the regular season. Six players average at least 7.1 points a game for this group, which has put together another really strong season at 19-2. In 6-6 Josh Haan (10.3), 6-7 Christian Haugstad (9.0), 6-4 Owen Thomas (10.6) and 6-4 Riley Oberhauser (8.0), this group has a lot of size and length, and that doesn’t even include leading scorer Jayden Mackie (15.2), a talented sophomore who can score from all three levels. As is usually the case with A-P, this group is deep, long and talented, with a lot of different players who can get the job done on a given night.
The biggest threat: South Hardin has won seven straight to close the regular season, including a win over (likely) semifinal opponent South Hamilton. The Tigers have three double figure scorers in Beau Butler (13.8), Garrison Tripp (11.8) and Dante Dolash (10.7), and a good shooter around that trio in Kael Carr (8.8, 40.0 3P%). Butler is a dominant force in the paint, shooting just under 70% from the floor and pulling down 10.4 rebounds a night. Tripp has dished out 113 assists against just 55 turnovers, and Dolash does a bit of everything.
The dark horse: Few 2A schools have had as much success as South Hamilton has had over the last half a decade. And while the coach and most of the players are new, this program has a winning tradition and mentality, and is going to be a tough out. Cade Balvanz (14.5), a 6-5, efficient big man, and 6-0 guard Doran Lutjen (12.0), a phenomenal athlete, make up one of the better one-two punches, and if the Hawks can get solid production out of someone else, they can make their way through to the district final against A-P.
Players to watch
2022 Jayden Mackie, Aplington-Parkersburg
2021 Owen Thomas, Aplington-Parkersburg
2020 Riley Oberhauser, Aplington-Parkersburg
2021 Josh Haan, Aplington-Parkersburg
2022 Christian Haugstad, Aplington-Parkersburg
2020 Cade Balvanz, South Hamilton
2020 Doran Lutjen, South Hamilton
2021 Beau Butler, South Hardin
2021 Garrison Tripp, South Hardin
2021 Dante Dolash, South Hardin
2021 Carter Swope, Hudson
2020 Cannon Butler, Columbus Catholic
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Pella Christian vs. Aplington-Parkersburg
Aplington-Parkersburg is really good, and probably a year ahead of schedule. Nobody in 2A plays a more difficult schedule than Pella Christian, and they’ve got some really solid wins over Pella, Norwalk and Grand View Christian, and that type of schedule prepares them well for postseason play. In a great substate final, Pella Christian finds just enough offense to sneak by a really good A-P team that will be among the top teams in 2A next season.