Class 2A State Tournament Preview

[caption id="attachment_1052564" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Marcus-Kelderman.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1052564 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Marcus-Kelderman-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Kelderman[/caption] <h3>#1 seed: Boyden-Hull (24-0)</h3> About the Comets: The defending 2A champions have been dominant this year, with only four of their games decided by single digits. Led by junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="682290" first="Tanner" last="Te Slaa"] (21.5) and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="964821" first="Marcus" last="Kelderman"] (17.6), they’re an offensive juggernaut who have been remarkably efficient, posting 53-41-70 shooting splits as a team. Senior forward Dayton Brunsting (9.1) and junior forward Bryan Zylstra (7.5) give them some additional scoring punch, and the Comets play beautiful basketball, with constant off-ball movement and they share the ball extremely well, averaging over 17 assists a game. Why they can win it all: They’re the defending champions, and they brought back a lot of key pieces from that group, including the best player in the 2A field - Te Slaa. He and Kelderman are the most dynamic one-two punch in 2A, and this group can really defend as well. Chances they win it all: 45%. The Comets have been the best team in 2A all year, and they enter this tournament as a fairly heavy favorite. They shouldn’t have too many issues in the opening round and are substantial favorites against A-P or Van Meter in the semis.   <h3>#2 seed: Western Christian (19-5)</h3> About the Wolfpack: After a three-year absence from the state tournament, the perennial power is making a return. Five of the top six scorers for this group are juniors or sophomores, so expect to see them back here again next year as well. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="962616" first="Ty" last="Van Essen"] (16.3, 8.0 rebounds) is a dominant force who scores from all three levels with remarkable efficiency, posting 60-53-74 shooting splits. Fellow juniors Wyatt Gulker (12.3) and Eli Van Essen (10.0) are also strong scoring threats, and, like Boyden-Hull, this group plays beautiful basketball. There is constant movement, great passing, and excellent shooting on display on a nightly basis with this team. Why they can win it all: A perennial power with a lot of talent, the Pack can win in a variety of ways and adjust well to different styles of play. [player_tooltip player_id="962616" first="Ty" last="Van Essen"] is a fantastic player who can lead this group to the title. Chances they win it all: 25%. Western is very talented and is a significant favorite to make it out of the bottom of the bracket. But they have lost five times this year, so they’re far from invincible.   <h3>#3 seed: Des Moines Christian (21-2)</h3> About the Lions: A strong, balanced team on both ends of the floor, the Lions are holding teams to just 44.8 points a game, which ranks 6th in 2A. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="962669" first="Adam" last="Witty"] (14.4) and seniors [player_tooltip player_id="964806" first="Ben" last="Loverude"] (13.8) and [player_tooltip player_id="796183" first="Grant" last="Veenstra"] (12.5) pace the offense, but this is a team that goes deep and likes to use their athleticism and physicality to exert their dominance on their opponents. They do shoot just 30.4% from the arc as a team, which is something to keep an eye on in the bigger arena in Des Moines. Why they can win it all: They’re the best defensive team in the field, and they have a balanced offense that can be difficult to defend. Chances they win it all: 7%. The Lions are good, but the top two seeds in this field just appear to be better than the rest. But that’s why they play the games.   [caption id="attachment_1068638" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Jayden-Mackie.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-1068638 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Jayden-Mackie-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Mackie[/caption] <h3>#4 seed: Aplington-Parkersburg (21-3)</h3> About the Falcons: An explosive and balanced offensive team, the Falcons are averaging 71.8 points a game, led by junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="751418" first="Jayden" last="Mackie"] (13.2). Mackie battled through an early-season injury to really come on strong in the latter half of the year. An explosive athlete on the perimeter, he has already committed to play at D2 Upper Iowa. Sophomore guard Garrett Hempen (12.3) and senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="964850" first="Owen" last="Thomas"] (11.8) are the other double-figure scorers, but three others average between 8.0 and 9.5 points a game, giving them six legitimate scoring threats. This group can fill it up in a hurry, shooting 38.8% from behind the arc as a team. Why they can win it all: They’re balanced and fantastic on the offensive end. If they can get some stops, they’ll be a real pain to try and slow down. Chances they win it all: 5%. This team is fun to watch and can put up points in a hurry, but I’m unsure they’ll have the defense to slow down Boyden-Hull in a semifinal meeting.   <h3>#5 seed: Van Meter (17-6)</h3> About the Bulldogs: The Bulldogs are making their fourth trip to State in the last five years, but they’ve used a slightly different style this year. Normally the ’Dogs are outstanding defensively, limiting teams to 38-39 points a game and relying on their work on that end to carry them. This year’s version, which features just one senior in the rotation, is a little better offensively and has turned up the tempo a bit as a result. Junior lead guard [player_tooltip player_id="784980" first="Chris" last="Schreck"] (13.4) leads three double-figure scorers, with fellow juniors - forward Clark Fiala (11.2, 2.4 blocks) and guard Casey Trudo (10.8) joining him. Fiala has been a revelation this year with his rim protection. Why they can win it all: As we said, this group isn’t as good defensively as they have been, but they’re still pretty darn good on that end, allowing 46.9 points a game. They have some more firepower than usual, which could help in a major way next week. Chances they win it all: 5%. The quarterfinal is a coin-flip, but a semifinal meeting with Boyden-Hull is a major task for this young group.   [caption id="attachment_1104583" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/109-Padraig-Gallagher-crop-2060x1353-1608591361.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1104583 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/109-Padraig-Gallagher-crop-2060x1353-1608591361-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Gallagher[/caption] <h3>#6 seed: Beckman Catholic (15-7)</h3> About the Blazers: Beckman plays in the 3A-heavy WaMaC, which prepares them well for postseason play. The Blazers had to deal with a season-ending injury to leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id="964934" first="Mason" last="White"] earlier this year, and sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="1067659" first="Padraig" last="Gallagher"] (14.1) has really stepped up his play since that injury, averaging 16.9 points on 52.3% shooting (46.3% from 3). A talented scorer who can fill it up from all three levels, Gallagher’s play will be the key for the Blazers next week. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="964931" first="Jack" last="Gehling"] (10.9) can stretch the floor and is a mobile big who rebounds well, and junior lead guard Logan Goedken (8.6, 4.2 assists) has been a solid distributor. The question for Beckman will be whether or not they have enough scoring alongside Gallagher to pick up some wins in Des Moines. Why they can win it all: Playing against a primarily 3A schedule prepares them well, and they’ve gone 6-0 against 2A competition this season. Gallagher is a star in the making and could have a breakout week, leading them on a run. Chances they win it all: 5%. It’s been a good story for the Blazers, making it to State despite dealing with a major injury to their leading scorer. We just don’t know if they have enough alongside Gallagher to make a deep run.   [caption id="attachment_1068658" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Zach-Erwin.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-1068658 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Zach-Erwin-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Erwin[/caption] <h3>#7 seed: Camanche (18-6)</h3> About the Indians: Due to a number of injuries to key players, 11 different players have started at least one game this year for the Indians. Coach Josh Davis has turned Camanche into a perennial power, and despite losing three all-state players from last year’s third-place team, he has them back in Des Moines. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="682268" first="Zach" last="Erwin"] (15.2) is the team’s leading scorer, and he’s capable of taking over games on both ends of the floor. A talented, physical wing, he can get to the bucket whenever he wants, and he’s a gifted playmaker. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="796151" first="Jordan" last="Lawrence"] (14.4, 44.0 3P%) made his name known by being an outstanding defender, but he’s taken his offensive game to another level this year, and senior big man [player_tooltip player_id="964881" first="Zayne" last="Feller"] (11.1, 60.3 FG%) is a highly efficient forward who runs the floor well. Due to the injuries, Camanche has a deep rotation that they are comfortable with, which could be a boost in Des Moines. Why they can win it all: This group is talented and has a player in Erwin who can take over games. They have great depth and are explosive on both ends of the floor. Chances they win it all: 7%. Western Christian in the first round is a really tough matchup. If Camanche can get through that one, the bracket opens up a bit.   <h3>#8 seed: South Central Calhoun (18-5)</h3> About the Titans: Making their first state tournament appearance, the Titans are one of the highest scoring teams in the field, averaging 67.3 points a game behind a trio of double-figure scorers in senior [player_tooltip player_id="796186" first="Brennan" last="Holder"] (16.5), junior Joshua Dietrich (14.4) and senior Cole Corey (13.6). Holder is a knockdown shooter who is making over 40% of his attempts from 3, and this group crashes the offensive glass hard, pulling down over 10 offensive rebounds a game. Why they can win it all: They have a solid trio of scorers who make them difficult to defend, and if Holder can lead them to an upset of Boyden-Hull in the first round, the bracket opens up a bit. Chances they win it all: 1%. It’s been a fantastic year for the Titans, but in all likelihood, it’ll end in the opening round against the Comets.   <h3>Staff Picks</h3> Tony Quarterfinals: Boyden-Hull, Aplington-Parkersburg, Western Christian, Beckman Catholic Semifinals: Boyden-Hull, Western Christian Champion: Boyden-Hull   Josh Quarterfinals: Boyden-Hull, Aplington-Parkersburg, Western Christian, Des Moines Christian Semifinals: Boyden-Hull, Des Moines Christian Champion: Boyden-Hull   Kegan Quarterfinals: Boyden-Hull, Aplington-Parkersburg, Camanche, Des Moines Christian Semifinals: Boyden-Hull, Des Moines Christian Champion: Boyden-Hull