STATE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: Class 2A Stars to Watch

<p><em>Over the course of the next two weeks, the Prep Hoops Iowa team will be flooding you with content previewing and covering the State Tournament. Here we take a look at 12 standout players to keep an eye on during the Class 2A State Tournament.</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Tanner-Te-Slaa.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1055266 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Tanner-Te-Slaa-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="682290" first="Tanner" last="Te Slaa"], Boyden-Hull (2022)</strong></p> <p>The leading scorer in the 2A field, Te Slaa is a long and skilled 6-4 wing who can score from all three levels, rebound at a high level and control the game on the defensive end as well. He’s efficient, posting 53-39-79 shooting splits, and he’ll be looking to lead the Comets to back-to-back state titles. He holds a handful of Division I offers from area mid-majors. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Marcus-Kelderman.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1052564" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Marcus-Kelderman-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="964821" first="Marcus" last="Kelderman"], Boyden-Hull (2021)</strong></p> <p>Kelderman was a standout at State last year, providing Boyden-Hull with huge scoring punch off the bench. This year, he’s been a dominant scorer as a starter. The 6-1 lefty is a shifty guard who thrives on getting to the bucket and finishing through or around contact, but he’s also a capable 3-point shooter. He’s capable of scoring 30 on any given night, and he averaged 17.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists a game this season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962616" first="Ty" last="Van Essen"], Western Christian (2022)</strong></p> <p>A 6-4 junior combo forward, Van Essen is having a huge year for the Wolfpack, showing off his ability to score from all three levels with 60-53-74 shooting splits while averaging 16.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals a game. Like all Western Christian players, he plays the game the right way, keeping the ball moving, cutting without the ball and finding the most efficient shots possible. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Zach-Erwin.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1068658" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Zach-Erwin-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="682268" first="Zach" last="Erwin"], Camanche (2022)</strong></p> <p>The 6-4 wing is capable of taking over games at any given time with his ability to get to the rim for easy buckets or facilitate. He's a big, physical wing who likes to use his size and strength to bully smaller defenders, and he can stuff the stat sheet. He's averaging 15.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks a game. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962669" first="Adam" last="Witty"], Des Moines Christian (2022)</strong></p> <p>Witty is the leading scorer for a balanced Lions team, shooting an eye-popping 60.9% from the floor en route to 14.4 points a game. He does a great job using his size and physicality to get to the bucket for easy looks, and he's a willing passer who looks to get his teammates involved as well. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="796186" first="Brennan" last="Holder"], South Central Calhoun (2021)</strong></p> <p>Holder, a 6-0 wing, has been excellent this year for the Titans, averaging 16.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.1 steals a game while shooting over 40% from 3. His ability to score from all three levels is invaluable for this high-powered unit. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/109-Padraig-Gallagher-crop-2060x1353-1608591361.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1104583" 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>[player_tooltip player_id="1067659" first="Padraig" last="Gallagher"], Beckman Catholic (2023)</strong></p> <p>The skilled sophomore wing has really taken his game to the next level following a mid-season injury to [player_tooltip player_id="964934" first="Mason" last="White"], who was leading the Blazers in scoring. Gallagher is averaging 16.9 points and 5.3 rebounds, shooting 52.3% from the floor and 46.3% from 3, in the 12 games the Blazers have played since the injury. That includes 30-point and 27-point efforts against Waukon. For the season, the 6-4 wing is averaging 14.1 points and 5.6 rebounds on 51-43-76 splits. His ability to score from all three levels at a highly-efficient clip will make him a coveted prospect moving forward. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="784980" first="Chris" last="Schreck"], Van Meter (2022)</strong></p> <p>Schreck, a 5-10 lead guard, will be starting in his second state tournament for the Bulldogs. A feisty lead guard who doesn’t back down from anyone on either end, he leads Van Meter in scoring at 13.4 points a game, and steals with 2.2 thefts a night. He’s posting solid 47-41-87 shooting splits.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Jayden-Mackie.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1068638" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Jayden-Mackie-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="751418" first="Jayden" last="Mackie"], Aplington-Parkersburg (2022)</strong></p> <p>A 6-0 lead guard, Mackie is a great athlete who leads a balanced Falcons attack at 13.2 points a game. He's an explosive athlete who is a joy to watch in the open floor, and he's also a talented playmaker for his teammates in the half-court. He ended his recruitment early, committing to D2 Upper Iowa earlier this year. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Jordan-Lawrence-crop-459x301-1614199352.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1138366" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Jordan-Lawrence-crop-459x301-1614199352-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="796151" first="Jordan" last="Lawrence"], Camanche (2021)</strong></p> <p>Lawrence is listed at 5-10, but don't let that size fool you - he's going to try and dunk on you. An exceptional athlete, he made his name known to us over the last few years with his outstanding on-ball defense, but he's turned into a real offensive weapon this year, averaging 14.4 points and 2.3 assists while shooting 44% from behind the arc. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="964806" first="Ben" last="Loverude"], Des Moines Christian (2021)</strong></p> <p>A skilled, 6-6 forward who can stretch the floor and defend multiple spots, Loverude has a silky stroke from behind the arc and the offense can run through him as he's a very good passer as well. He's averaging 13.8 points and 2.6 assists this year for the Lions. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Clark Fiala, Van Meter (2022)</strong></p> <p>A 6-4 junior big man, Fiala has been a revelation for the Bulldogs this season on both ends of the floor, averaging 11.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks a game. A mobile big who protects the paint and is an efficient scorer around the bucket, he’ll need to have a big week if the ’Dogs are going to make a run.</p>