Top 5 Northwest Iowa teams to watch heading into February

<p>As we approach the final stretch of the 2019-20 season with conference titles up for grab and substate play, we feature the Top 5 hottest teams in Northwest Iowa heading into February. The following teams have been amongst the best in their class and will hope to clinch a berth in the Iowa High School State Tournament come March. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>1. West Sioux Falcons (17-0, Class 2A) </strong></p> <p>West Sioux is a program that is on the verge of advancing to Des Moines and completing another perfect regular season. In these last two seasons, the Falcons have gone an astounding 38-1 and are looking to finally get to the Class 2A state tournament when all is said and done. Their lone loss last season was in district play when it fell victim to Rock Valley 60-56. Sitting at 17-0 heading into February, they will be the hottest team in Northwest Iowa with the senior duo of <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bryce-coppock/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bryce-coppock/">Bryce Coppock</a></a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/hunter-dekkers/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/hunter-dekkers/">Hunter Dekkers</a></a></strong> leading the way. It doesn't hurt that they have a solid supporting cast as well. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2. Western Christian Wolfpack (13-3, Class 2A) </strong></p> <p>After dropping their first two games of the season to Newell-Fonda and West Sioux, Derek Keizer's squad responded by winning 11 straight games. The Wolfpack are now in the driver's seat to win another Lakes Conference crown. Senior <strong>Dawson Feenstra</strong> has led the way for Western Christian with 16.2 PPG and is shooting an impressive 45.9 percent from behind the arc. Sophomore <strong>Ty Van Essen</strong> has also stepped up by scoring 13.4 PPG and leads the team with 102 total rebounds. Keizer's group has a good opportunity to make it back to the state tournament after missing out the last two seasons. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>3. MOC-Floyd Valley Dutchmen (14-3, Class 3A)  </strong></p> <p>Loren DeJong's program has been down the past few seasons since it went to the state tournament back in 2016. Now the Dutchmen are a heavy favorite to get back to Des Moines in March with the talent they have. The 6-foot-6 senior big man <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/alex-van-kalsbeek/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/alex-van-kalsbeek/">Alex Van Kalsbeek</a></a></strong> is a force to be reckoned with down low, as he's averaged 19.5 PPG and 11.4 RPG. Senior <strong>Kyle Christy</strong> has contributed as well by averaging 15.1 PPG and has knocked down a team-high 38 three-pointers. While the Dutchmen dropped contests to Boyden-Hull and Unity Christian this past month, they'll be tough to take down the rest of the way. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>4. South O'Brien Wolverines (14-3, Class 1A) </strong></p> <p>Four years ago, South O'Brien took home a Class 1A State Championship to Paullina. The Wolverines are rolling right now, as they've won 12 of their last 13 games. While they lost to top-ranked West Sioux 83-65 back on January 24th, South O'Brien took down both Remsen St. Mary's and Boyden-Hull on the road in January. Senior<strong> <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jackson-louscher/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jackson-louscher/">Jackson Louscher</a></a></strong> has spearheaded this Wolverine squad by racking up 22.4 PPG, while also shooting a solid 58.6 percent from the field. Kiley Yates' bunch are going to be tough to beat come tournament time. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>5. Sioux City East Black Raiders (12-3, Class 4A) </strong></p> <p>The Raiders are always in the hunt for a berth in the state tournament, but just how far can this team go? East has challenged itself by going out of conference against Yankton and Omaha Westside, but it has to win games this week against Sergeant Bluff-Luton and Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln to stay in the conference title race. The senior trio of <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaleque-dunson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaleque-dunson/">Jaleque Dunson</a></a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sayvion-armstrong/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sayvion-armstrong/">Sayvion Armstrong</a></a></strong>, and <strong>Danny Callahan</strong> have to be consistent every night if this team is going to win out and get through substate play. All three players are averaging double digits in scoring as we head down the final stretch of the regular season.  </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Just Missed:</strong></p> <p>Boyden-Hull (15-2, Class 2A)</p> <p>OABCIG (12-4, Class 2A)</p> <p>Remsen St. Mary's (14-2, Class 1A)</p> <p>Siouxland Christian (14-2, Class 1A)  </p>