Playoff Preview: 2A-6

<p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/2A-11.png"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1127536" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/2A-11.png" alt="" width="849" height="839" /></a></p> <p><strong>The favorite: </strong>Led by a brother pair in Senior [player_tooltip player_id="582225" first="Blake" last="Chance"] (15.4) and Sophomore <strong>Drew Chance</strong> (15.7),<strong> Albia</strong> has a good inside-outside combo. Blake runs the point for the team and initiates offense with his ability to drive the ball, or shoot from the perimeter. Drew on the other hand has shot one 3pt basket all season (0/1 on the season), but is strong on the inside and has good touch around the rim even at 6’2, what he lacks in height, he brings in power and finesse. [player_tooltip player_id="796201" first="Brayden" last="Messamaker"] (12.0) is a good addition on the perimeter who brings a little shooting (35.9% 3pt) and some size (6’1) to defend. 3pt and Free Throw shooting will be key for the Blue Demons to get where they want to be in Des Moines.</p> <p><strong>The biggest threat: Pella Christian </strong>is a team to keep an eye overall in this district, as they’ve played top Class 3A talented teams all season. The Eagles have size to spare up and down the roster, but just haven’t quite fit the right pieces together yet. They are led by big 6’8, Junior big man <strong>Eric Mulder</strong> (14.0), who with a little bit more consistent outside jumper could have a bright future and 5’9, guard Junior <strong>Levi Schelhaas</strong> (12.5). They like to crash the board and are able to do so with Mulder, 6’7 <strong>Niko Schirz</strong> (7.0), 6’6 <strong>Luke Mulder</strong> (4.7) and 6’4, wing man Jaedon Huisman (6.6). Opposing teams have had success allowing the Eagles to beat them from the perimeter and they haven’t done it yet, but if they hit their shooting stride they could make some noise in the postseason.</p> <p><strong>The dark horse: </strong>It has been said at various levels of basketball in today’s game, that you win with guards and <strong>Cardinal-Eldon</strong> have some good guards on their roster. Led by Junior, guard [player_tooltip player_id="962693" first="Landon" last="Becker"] (16.7), paired with Junior, guard [player_tooltip player_id="962689" first="Griffin" last="Greiner"] (13.7) and another Junior, guard <strong>Blaine Bryant</strong> (11.3). The Comets have to take care of the ball if they want to give themselves a chance at getting further into the postseason.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Players to watch</span></p> <p>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="582225" first="Blake" last="Chance"], Albia</p> <p>2023 <strong>Drew Chance</strong>, Albia</p> <p>2022 <strong>Eric Mulder</strong>, Pella Christian</p> <p>2022<strong> Levi Shelhaas</strong>, Pella Christian</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962693" first="Landon" last="Becker"], Cardinal</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962689" first="Griffin" last="Greiner"], Cardinal</p> <p>2024 <strong>Derek Wiesskopf</strong>, Wiliamsburg</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962691" first="Dalton" last="Reeves"], Davis County</p> <p>2022 <strong>Ethan Davis</strong>, Eddyville-Blakesburg Fremont</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/2A-12.png"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1127537" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/2A-12.png" alt="" width="851" height="802" /></a></p> <p><strong>The favorite: </strong>Having only lost to one of the top Class 3A teams in Dallas Center-Grimes by 4, and Panorama once by 1 point, <strong>Des Moines Christian</strong> are surely a team that could make some noise in Class 2A. [player_tooltip player_id="964806" first="Ben" last="Loverude"] is the top shooter from the perimeter for the Lions and at 6’6 is able to get to the hoop and finish above the rim on the break. This team also pairs two undersized post men together who don’t play undersized. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="962669" first="Adam" last="Witty"] (14.1) and Senior [player_tooltip player_id="796183" first="Grant" last="Veenstra"] (12.3) are good around the rim but use their quickness to take bigger, slower post players off the dribble to the hoop. Guard play will be the key for the Lions as they come down the stretch, taking care of the ball and being able to shoot the outside shot. </p> <p><strong>The biggest threat: </strong>I don’t expect Des Moines Christian to have many problems with the original pairings, but <strong>Prairie City-Monroe</strong> could be a team that puts up a good fight. The Mustangs bring a 10-10 record into the postseason as a #2 seed, and are led by Senior, guard <strong>Andrew Mitchell</strong> (13.8) and Junior, guard <strong>Carson Vandelune</strong> (13.1). If the Mustangs were to play Des Moines Christian, it would be there first meeting and everyone knows how difficult a scout can be on short notice and no recent knowledge of the opponent. </p> <p><strong>The dark horse: </strong>This spot could go to either the balanced attack of <strong>Woodward-Granger</strong>, or <strong>Pleasantville</strong> led by a top 2A scorer in [player_tooltip player_id="962684" first="Mason" last="Scheve"] (19.4). If there’s one thing to know it’s that if one player gets hot at the right time, there’s no telling what could happen, and Scheve has good attributes to be able to help his team get further. The thing working against the Trojans is that they get Des Moines Christian in their second game assuming they win their first. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Players to watch</span></p> <p>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="964806" first="Ben" last="Loverude"], Des Moines Christian</p> <p>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="796183" first="Grant" last="Veenstra"], Des Moines Christian</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962669" first="Adam" last="Witty"], Des Moines Christian</p> <p>2021 <strong>Andrew Mitchell</strong>, Prairie City-Monroe</p> <p>2022 <strong>Carson Vandelune</strong>, Prairie City-Monroe</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962684" first="Mason" last="Scheve"], Pleasantville</p> <p>2021 <strong>Worth Henry</strong>, Woodward-Granger</p> <p>2024 <strong>Mason Smith</strong>, Chariton</p> <p>2021 <strong>Jake Nichols</strong>, Colfax-Mingo</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Albia vs Des Moines Christian</em></p> <p>I think this game is close, as both teams have played Class 3A competition and either competed with tough teams or beat those teams. They haven’t each other yet this year, and would be their first time if they were to get here. The edge is going to go with Des Moines Christian as the balance they have offensively and the way they can get out in transition gives them an upper hand. </p>