Remaining Unbeatens: Class 1A and 2A

Halfway through the season, we still have seven teams in classes 1A and 2A that have yet to lose a game. We take a look at these seven teams, how they have looked in the first half of the season, and our prediction for the second half of the season. Class 1A North Linn (15-0) [caption id="attachment_1019895" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Austin-Hilmer-State.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1019895 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Austin-Hilmer-State-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="682273" first="Austin" last="Hilmer"][/caption] About the Lynx: The Lynx have been a powerhouse in 2A for a long time. After winning a state championship in 2019, and a second-place finish in 2020, the Lynx move down to Class 1A, where they are already set up to make a run this post-season. The Lynx have shown to be one of the best scoring teams in the state, averaging 81.6 points a game. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="682273" first="Austin" last="Hilmer"] is the leader for North Linn, averaging 19.8 points a game to go with 8.6 assists. The Lynx have been tested only twice this season. They came out with a three-point win against Ed-Co, and a seven-point win against Springville. This team plays well on both sides of the ball. They force a ton of turnovers and have no trouble scoring. Toughest remaining games: 2/2 vs. Springville, 2/9 @ Alburnett, 2/11 @ Edgewood-Colesburg Will they go undefeated? Yes. The Lynx score at an unbelievable rate (81.6 ppg) and give up just over 34 points a game. They have blown out everyone in the Tri-Rivers, except for Springville, who they play next month. The Orioles will give them another fight, but we think North Linn’s offense is potent and their defense is too stifling for anyone to beat them this regular season. Easton Valley (15-0) About the River Hawks: The River Hawks have only been tested twice this season, a twelve-point win against Prince of Peace, and an eight-point win against Anamosa. They had a perfect regular season last year before losing to Ed-Co in a district semi-final matchup. They are beating opponents by an average of 32 points, and lead the state in steals per game with 19. The River Hawks are led by big man [player_tooltip player_id="796176" first="Kaleb" last="Cornilsen"], who’s averaging 24.2 a game along with 8.0 rebounds, and almost 5 steals per game. They can also lean on senior guard Porter Fuegen, who is averaging 14.8 points and just under 4 steals a game alongside Cornilsen. After a tough loss in the postseason last year, look for the River Hawks to make a run this year. Toughest remaining games: 2/9 vs. Marquette Catholic Will they go undefeated? Yes. The River Hawks don’t have North Linn or Springville on the schedule this season, so that leaves an 7-8 Marquette Catholic team as their toughest remaining opponent. The River Hawks are beating opponents at an average of 35 points. They protect the ball on offense, and generate just under twenty steals a game. I think Cornilsen and the River Hawks will continue to blow out their competition and go into the postseason unbeaten. Lake Mills (14-0): [caption id="attachment_1066363" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/127-Wyatt-Helming.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1066363" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/127-Wyatt-Helming-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Wyatt Helming[/caption] About the Bulldogs: After a run to Wells Fargo last season, Lake Mills is playing well again this season. Averaging 71 points a game, the Bulldogs closest game was a 46-42 victory against Garner Hayfield Ventura. However, they still have some solid opponents left on the schedule. The Bulldogs have three players averaging over ten points a contest: [player_tooltip player_id="964828" first="Dashawn" last="Linnen"] (19.0), Wyatt Helming (13.3), and [player_tooltip player_id="964863" first="Caleb" last="Bacon"] (12.5). Their 71.7 points a game is good for fifth in Class 1A and their many different scorers is the key to their hot start. Toughest remaining games: 1/29 @ Garner Hayfield Ventura, 2/1 @ Bishop Garrigan, 2/12 vs. Newman Catholic Will they go undefeated? No. The Bulldogs have been solid thus far, but they have three tough opponents yet on the schedule. They end the month of January with another matchup with Garner Hayfield Ventura who they only beat by four and start off February with a matchup against a 10-5 Bishop Garrigan. They end the season with a matchup against a very solid Neman Catholic team. Look for [player_tooltip player_id="796104" first="Angelo" last="Winkel"] and the Golden Bears to play a much closer game this time around. Martensdale-St Marys (14-0): About the Blue Devils: The Blue Devils are off to a great 14-0 start, scoring 75.4 points a game (5th in the state) and beating opponents by an average of 34.0 (4th in the state). They are a very unselfish team, their 20.1 assists is good for second in the entire state. Five Blue Devil players average double figures, led by 14.6 from [player_tooltip player_id="964813" first="Trey" last="Baker"]. Baker is accompanied by [player_tooltip player_id="796180" first="Jack" last="Franey"] (13.4), JT Archibald (10.3), [player_tooltip player_id="962666" first="Hogan" last="Franey"] (10.4), and [player_tooltip player_id="796177" first="Carson" last="Elbert"] (12.1). The Blue Devils have a plethora of scoring, which makes it hard for defenses to key on one player. MSM beat a solid Ankeny Christian team early this month 60-56 and later beat a then-undefeated Roland-Story team 66-63. Toughest remaining games: 2/5 vs. Central Decatur, 2/12 vs. Murray, 2/13 vs. Panorama Will they go undefeated? Yes. The Blue Devils have three more solid opponents waiting for them at the end of the season, but with their ability to spread the floor and score from anywhere they will take care of business. Class 2A Boyden-Hull (11-0): [caption id="attachment_591448" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2018/10/Tanner-Te-Slaa-20221.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-591448" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2018/10/Tanner-Te-Slaa-20221-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Te Slaa[/caption] About the Comets: The Comets are currently the number one team in Class 2A, and have really been playing like it recently. This past Tuesday, the Comets escaped their first loss by edging Rock Valley 70-69 in overtime. Boyden-Hull is lead by the elite duo of Tanner Ta Slaa (21.6) and [player_tooltip player_id="964821" first="Marcus" last="Kelderman"] (17.6). The duo leads the team in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals. Centered around Ta Slaa and Kelderman, the Comets are a very solid shooting team (51.6 fg%) and are very active on the boards (31.6 rpg). Toughest remaining games: 2/2 vs. Sheldon, 2/5 @ Okoboji, 2/9 vs. MOC-Floyd Valley Will they go undefeated? Yes, the Comets toughest remaining opponent is a 6-10 MOC-Floyd Valley team, and an 8-9 Sheldon team. They blew out MOC-Floyd Valley earlier in the season, but only beat Sheldon by eleven. At 6’4", Ta Slaa is an elite forward, who can do everything on the floor. He and Kelderman will take their win streak all the way to Des Moines. West Branch (10-0): About the Bears: The Bears are led by football standout [player_tooltip player_id="964899" first="Jeff" last="Bowie"], who’s averaging 14.9 points to go along with 7.6 rebounds a game. Bowie is accompanied by Thomas Gould (10.3), and Gavin Hierseman (8.0). The Bears are no stranger to close games, having four of their ten games end in less than ten-point victories. They beat a ranked opponent in Camanche, and also beat a very solid Mid-Prairie team. Scoring just over 56 points a game, the Bears make up for a less than potent offense with a solid defense, where they allow only 40 points a game. Toughest remaining games: 2/5 @ Mid-Prairie, 2/8 & 2/9 @ & vs. Regina Catholic, 2/12 vs. Monticello Will they go undefeated? No. West Branch is off to a great start, but have escaped a lot of close games. The Bears barely beat Mid-Prairie the first time and will have another tough time with them the second meeting. Even if they get by them and Regina twice, the 3A 5th ranked Panthers will come to town and take down the Bears.

Halfway through the season, we still have seven teams in classes 1A and 2A that have yet to lose a game. We take a look at these seven teams, how they have looked in the first half of the season, and our prediction for the second half of the season.

Class 1A

North Linn (15-0)

[player_tooltip player_id="682273" first="Austin" last="Hilmer"]

About the Lynx: The Lynx have been a powerhouse in 2A for a long time. After winning a state championship in 2019, and a second-place finish in 2020, the Lynx move down to Class 1A, where they are already set up to make a run this post-season. The Lynx have shown to be one of the best scoring teams in the state, averaging 81.6 points a game. Junior guard Austin Hilmer Austin Hilmer 5'10" | PG North Linn | 2022 State IA is the leader for North Linn, averaging 19.8 points a game to go with 8.6 assists. The Lynx have been tested only twice this season. They came out with a three-point win against Ed-Co, and a seven-point win against Springville. This team plays well on both sides of the ball. They force a ton of turnovers and have no trouble scoring.

Toughest remaining games: 2/2 vs. Springville, 2/9 @ Alburnett, 2/11 @ Edgewood-Colesburg

Will they go undefeated? Yes. The Lynx score at an unbelievable rate (81.6 ppg) and give up just over 34 points a game. They have blown out everyone in the Tri-Rivers, except for Springville, who they play next month. The Orioles will give them another fight, but we think North Linn’s offense is potent and their defense is too stifling for anyone to beat them this regular season.

Easton Valley (15-0)

About the River Hawks: The River Hawks have only been tested twice this season, a twelve-point win against Prince of Peace, and an eight-point win against Anamosa. They had a perfect regular season last year before losing to Ed-Co in a district semi-final matchup. They are beating opponents by an average of 32 points, and lead the state in steals per game with 19. The River Hawks are led by big man Kaleb Cornilsen Kaleb Cornilsen 6'5" | PF Easton Valley | 2021 State IA , who’s averaging 24.2 a game along with 8.0 rebounds, and almost 5 steals per game. They can also lean on senior guard Porter Fuegen, who is averaging 14.8 points and just under 4 steals a game alongside Cornilsen. After a tough loss in the postseason last year, look for the River Hawks to make a run this year.

Toughest remaining games: 2/9 vs. Marquette Catholic

Will they go undefeated? Yes. The River Hawks don’t have North Linn or Springville on the schedule this season, so that leaves an 7-8 Marquette Catholic team as their toughest remaining opponent. The River Hawks are beating opponents at an average of 35 points. They protect the ball on offense, and generate just under twenty steals a game. I think Cornilsen and the River Hawks will continue to blow out their competition and go into the postseason unbeaten.

Lake Mills (14-0):

About the Bulldogs: After a run to Wells Fargo last season, Lake Mills is playing well again this season. Averaging 71 points a game, the Bulldogs closest game was a 46-42 victory against Garner Hayfield Ventura. However, they still have some solid opponents left on the schedule. The Bulldogs have three players averaging over ten points a contest: Dashawn Linnen Dashawn Linnen 6'3" | SG Lake Mills | 2021 State IA (19.0), Wyatt Helming (13.3), and Caleb Bacon Caleb Bacon 6'4" | PF Lake Mills | 2021 State IA (12.5). Their 71.7 points a game is good for fifth in Class 1A and their many different scorers is the key to their hot start.

Toughest remaining games: 1/29 @ Garner Hayfield Ventura, 2/1 @ Bishop Garrigan, 2/12 vs. Newman Catholic

Will they go undefeated? No. The Bulldogs have been solid thus far, but they have three tough opponents yet on the schedule. They end the month of January with another matchup with Garner Hayfield Ventura who they only beat by four and start off February with a matchup against a 10-5 Bishop Garrigan. They end the season with a matchup against a very solid Neman Catholic team. Look for Angelo Winkel Angelo Winkel 6'9" | C Bishop Garrigan | 2021 State IA and the Golden Bears to play a much closer game this time around.

Martensdale-St Marys (14-0):

About the Blue Devils: The Blue Devils are off to a great 14-0 start, scoring 75.4 points a game (5th in the state) and beating opponents by an average of 34.0 (4th in the state). They are a very unselfish team, their 20.1 assists is good for second in the entire state. Five Blue Devil players average double figures, led by 14.6 from Trey Baker Trey Baker 6'4" | SF Martensdale-St. Mary's | 2021 State IA . Baker is accompanied by Jack Franey Jack Franey 5'7" | PG Martensdale-St. Marys | 2021 State IA (13.4), JT Archibald (10.3), Hogan Franey Hogan Franey 6'0" | CG Martensdale-St. Mary's | 2022 State IA (10.4), and Carson Elbert Carson Elbert 6'3" | SF Martensdale-St. Marys | 2021 State IA (12.1). The Blue Devils have a plethora of scoring, which makes it hard for defenses to key on one player. MSM beat a solid Ankeny Christian team early this month 60-56 and later beat a then-undefeated Roland-Story team 66-63.

Toughest remaining games: 2/5 vs. Central Decatur, 2/12 vs. Murray, 2/13 vs. Panorama

Will they go undefeated? Yes. The Blue Devils have three more solid opponents waiting for them at the end of the season, but with their ability to spread the floor and score from anywhere they will take care of business.

Class 2A

Boyden-Hull (11-0):

About the Comets: The Comets are currently the number one team in Class 2A, and have really been playing like it recently. This past Tuesday, the Comets escaped their first loss by edging Rock Valley 70-69 in overtime. Boyden-Hull is lead by the elite duo of Tanner Ta Slaa (21.6) and Marcus Kelderman Marcus Kelderman 6'1" | SG Boyden-Hull | 2021 State IA (17.6). The duo leads the team in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals. Centered around Ta Slaa and Kelderman, the Comets are a very solid shooting team (51.6 fg%) and are very active on the boards (31.6 rpg).

Toughest remaining games: 2/2 vs. Sheldon, 2/5 @ Okoboji, 2/9 vs. MOC-Floyd Valley

Will they go undefeated? Yes, the Comets toughest remaining opponent is a 6-10 MOC-Floyd Valley team, and an 8-9 Sheldon team. They blew out MOC-Floyd Valley earlier in the season, but only beat Sheldon by eleven. At 6’4", Ta Slaa is an elite forward, who can do everything on the floor. He and Kelderman will take their win streak all the way to Des Moines.

West Branch (10-0):

About the Bears: The Bears are led by football standout Jeff Bowie Jeff Bowie 6'5" | PF West Branch | 2021 State IA , who’s averaging 14.9 points to go along with 7.6 rebounds a game. Bowie is accompanied by Thomas Gould (10.3), and Gavin Hierseman (8.0). The Bears are no stranger to close games, having four of their ten games end in less than ten-point victories. They beat a ranked opponent in Camanche, and also beat a very solid Mid-Prairie team. Scoring just over 56 points a game, the Bears make up for a less than potent offense with a solid defense, where they allow only 40 points a game.

Toughest remaining games: 2/5 @ Mid-Prairie, 2/8 & 2/9 @ & vs. Regina Catholic, 2/12 vs. Monticello

Will they go undefeated? No. West Branch is off to a great start, but have escaped a lot of close games. The Bears barely beat Mid-Prairie the first time and will have another tough time with them the second meeting. Even if they get by them and Regina twice, the 3A 5th ranked Panthers will come to town and take down the Bears.