Region 2 Preview
The postseason is upon us. With small-school district tournaments underway, and regional tournaments set to start next week, it’s time to turn our attention to the postseason. Region 2 was supposed to be one of the most predictable in Class…
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Continue ReadingThe postseason is upon us. With small-school district tournaments underway, and regional tournaments set to start next week, it’s time to turn our attention to the postseason.
Region 2 was supposed to be one of the most predictable in Class B this year. Hillsboro/Central Valley went into the season as one of the favorites to win a state title. Here we are heading into the postseason with two top-10 teams and several others that look like legitimate challengers in what should be a highly-entertaining section tournament.
Here’s a look at Region 2
Favorite: Hatton/Northwood
The Thunder went into the year with high expectations, and the hope and hype have manifested in the form of a top-five team and state title contender. Hatton/Northwood has excellent balance, experience, size, shooting and athleticism. They’ve only lost twice all year – to Enderlin and Four Winds/Minnewaukan – and have an excellent collection of wins over high-quality teams.
Colton Konschak, Alex Wolfe and Avery Thorsgard form a terrific trio on the perimeter. Konschak has the size and skill to dominate games offensively, creating shots for himself and his teammates on a regular basis. Wolfe and Thorsgard are terrific two-way players with the athleticism to get into the paint and on the glass while also knocking down shots from range. Kelby Azure gives them some muscle inside and Parker Vaagene is a steady lead guard who can facilitate and shoot from deep while providing solid defense at the point.
The Thunder have been ranked in the top-five since early in the season. They are complete on both ends of the floor and good enough to win a state title.
Contender: Hillsboro/Central Valley
The Burros had something of a midseason swoon where they lost three games in a two-week period. Since a 30-point loss to Ada-Borup (a top-five small-school team in Minnesota), the Burros are on a seven-game winning streak with wins over Grafton, Thompson, North Border and Shiloh Christian. Carson Henningsgard has been phenomenal and will be looking to put a stamp on an amazing high school career with a run in the postseason. The senior point guard is as good as anybody in the state at controlling the game and he’s proven himself in huge games. The complementary guys have been a little more hit-and-miss this year but Patrick Limke, Oscar Benson, Landen Reed are potential difference-makers who bring it on both ends of the floor. Anybody doubting the Burros is making a mistake because they are absolutely good enough to not only win this section, but contend for a state title. They won’t be the favorite in the region, but they’ll be as tough an out as anybody.
In The Mix: Thompson, Grafton/St. Thomas
Thompson got off to a slow start on the season but the Tommies have gotten better and better as the year’s gone on. Defense is their calling card, as they allow just 46 points per game. Chance Danner and Clay Odenbach team up to form arguably the best frontcourt duo inside. Danner averages 12.9 points and 12.5 rebounds while Odenbach averages 11.6 points and 8.8 rebounds. Those two are terrific defensively too, anchoring things from the paint. Pierce Cooper and Jacob Dick have done well adapting to more prominent perimeter roles this year and while the offense can be a slog at times, the Tommies are never going to be easy to beat because of their toughness, experience and defensive intensity.
Grafton was supposed to be down this year but the Spoilers successfully transitioned from a big team to a guard-oriented outfit. It’s a team that’ll be very strong again next year too. Brandon Albrecht and Stevan Garza have been the consistent leaders and productive generating offense. William Jiskra and Justin Garza have had big moments throughout the year too. And Oscar Villarreal gives the Spoilers some muscle inside. The Spoilers are good enough to beat anybody in this region.
Watch Out For: North Border, Cavalier
North Border has had a hard time with the top teams in the region, suffering four 20-plus point losses on the season. But the Eagles are talented and have the kind of inside-outside balance that can be difficult to prepare for. Matt Greendahl is one of the best players in the region and is a double-double waiting to happen inside. Freshman guard TJ Cosley has been excellent and the veteran guards Jaden Lee and Jaxen Johnson have been steady.
Cavalier has a decent record, but the Tornadoes are a team nobody is going to want to see early in the tournament because they’ve got high-end talent and play terrific defense. Andre Carrier has been a monster all year and is one of the best players in the region. He can dominate a game on the offensive end of the floor in ways few others guys in this region can. Brodie Cluchie is a rock-solid swingman and Colton Ratchenski is a high-quality two-way lead guard.