Playoff Preview: 2A-1

<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/2A-1-1.png"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1127514" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/2A-1-1.png" alt="" width="850" height="752" /></a> The favorite: Top-seeded OABCIG has lost just once this year, a 50-43 setback against Ridge View back on December 18. They’ve since avenged that loss twice, by a combined 35 points. Led by do-it-all, superstar guard [player_tooltip player_id="796105" first="Cooper" last="DeJean"] (26.3, 7.3 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 3.2 steals), the Falcons have a high-powered offensive attack that can bury teams in a hurry with their ability to force turnovers and turn that into quick offense. DeJean will play college football at Iowa but has his sights set on leading OABCIG to State before he takes off. Younger brother Beckett DeJean (13.6) has given them a solid secondary scoring threat, and the Falcons do a great job limiting turnovers (8.8 a game). Their efficient offense thrives on the ability to create chaos and provide highlights in the open court. The biggest threat: East Sac County has their own star guard in 6-5 senior [player_tooltip player_id="796175" first="Camden" last="Schroeder"] (23.4, 10.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 3.7 blocks), a gifted player who scores with remarkable efficiency, posting 57-51-78 shooting splits. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor is huge for the Raiders, and junior forward Tyler Schmitt (16.6, 7.2 rebounds, 65.8 FG%) has given them a really strong second option. The dark horse: Ridge View holds a win over OABCIG, so they know that they can play with the Falcons. While they’ve lost to them twice since then, the last loss came by 10. The Raptors have a pair of double-figure scorers in senior Bo Clausen (16.9) and junior Cade Harriman (14.5), giving them a pair of guys who could take over a given game and lead them to a district championship. Players to watch 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="796105" first="Cooper" last="DeJean"], OABCIG 2023 Beckett DeJean, OABCIG 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="796175" first="Camden" last="Schroeder"], East Sac County 2022 Tyler Schmitt, East Sac County 2021 Bo Clausen, Ridge View 2022 Cade Harriman, Ridge View 2021 John Mayhall, Kuemper Catholic 2021 Mitchell Badding, Kuemper Catholic   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/2A-2.png"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1127515" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/2A-2.png" alt="" width="849" height="806" /></a> [caption id="attachment_1055266" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Tanner-Te-Slaa.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1055266" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Tanner-Te-Slaa-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Te Slaa[/caption] The favorite: Defending champion Boyden-Hull is an overwhelming favorite in this district. As of writing, the Comets are 19-0 and beating teams by an average of 22 points a game. They’re led by future Division I wing [player_tooltip player_id="682290" first="Tanner" last="Te Slaa"] (21.4, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists), a long and skilled junior who has taken his game to another level this year. Senior backcourt mate [player_tooltip player_id="964821" first="Marcus" last="Kelderman"] (17.8, 6.4 rebounds) gives them a dynamic, slashing scorer who thrives on playing downhill and using his quickness and athleticism to get to the rim. Boyden-Hull always plays beautiful basketball, sharing the ball, cutting, and playing strong defense, and that’s no different this year. It will take a huge effort from someone to upset them in this district. The biggest threat: A disciplined and physical team from Unity Christian is probably the biggest threat to Boyden-Hull in this district. The Knights are led by senior wing Clayton Bosma (14.2), an efficient scorer who leads a group that really pounds the offensive glass. The Knights pull down 13 offensive rebounds a game, and they could try to take advantage of a Boyden-Hull frontline that doesn’t have too much traditional size. That said, these teams met a month ago and Boyden-Hull won by 20. Like we said, it’ll be a major upset if Boyden-Hull doesn’t come out of this district. The dark horse: If there is one player in this district who has the ability to get red-hot and carry a team to a major upset of Boyden-Hull, it’s junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="962600" first="Caleb" last="Holmes"] (19.4) of Hinton. The Blackhawks have had a bit of a disappointing season, but Holmes is talented enough of a scorer to explode for a 35-40 point game and lead this group to a few huge wins. Players to watch 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682290" first="Tanner" last="Te Slaa"], Boyden-Hull 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="964821" first="Marcus" last="Kelderman"], Boyden-Hull 2021 Clayton Bosma, Unity Christian 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962600" first="Caleb" last="Holmes"], Hinton 2022 Wil Lugar, Cherokee 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="964876" first="Brayden" last="Farver"], Cherokee 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956885" first="Mason" last="Coppock"], West Sioux   <h3 style="text-align: center;">SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</h3> OABCIG vs. Boyden-Hull This one would be highly entertaining - the defending champions against arguably the most dynamic player in 2A basketball. Coach Bill Francis will have a gameplan to try and limit DeJean, and the deeper Comets have a number of bodies to throw at him. In a great substate final, Boyden-Hull escapes a big scare from OABCIG and returns to Des Moines to defend their 2A title.