Monday's Top Games (1/3)

[caption id="attachment_1068440" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Owen-Larson.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-1068440 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Owen-Larson-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1171659" first="Owen" last="Larson"][/caption] 2A #1 Central Lyon (7-0) at 2A #3 Estherville Lincoln Central (7-1) What a way to get back into the swing of things, with two of the top three teams in 2A squaring off in a massive non-conference tilt. Central Lyon has risen to the top of the class on the strength of a remarkably powerful offensive attack, averaging 84.7 points a game and winning games by an average of 19.6 a night. They’re led by uber-talented junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1253020" first="Zach" last="Lutmer"] (24.1 points a game), who leads the team in scoring and is also dishing out 7.0 assists a game and posting 62-52-76 shooting splits. He’s not alone in the backcourt, however, with [player_tooltip player_id="962637" first="Mason" last="Gerleman"] (17.6, 51.9 3P%) and Andrew Austin (17.3, 40.0 3P%) giving the Lions a dynamic trio of scoring guards who can really shoot it. ELC will have their hands full trying to slow down this potent attack. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1352994" first="Rex" last="Van Wyhe"] (7.3, 7.4 rebounds) has provided some physicality and toughness for the Lions in the paint and is a fantastic offensive rebounder. The Midgets counter with a dynamic lead guard of their own in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1171659" first="Owen" last="Larson"] (23.9, 6.0 assists), who has been one of the best players in 2A this season. A high IQ guard who can fill it up from all three levels, he’s posted some eye-popping efficiency numbers (55-47-91 shooting splits) and protected the ball well. They have gotten solid production out of seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1352886" first="Ryan" last="Schiltz"] (12.9) and [player_tooltip player_id="1352885" first="Blake" last="Ingvall"] (12.8), with Schiltz pairing with Larson on the perimeter and Ingvall playing well in the paint and on the glass. The battle between Lutmer and Larson should be absolutely stellar, but this game will likely be determined by the other pieces and which sidekick tandem plays better. This should be a blast.   1A #2 AHSTW (6-0) at Treynor (7-0) This is a huge game in the Western Iowa Conference, as whoever takes this first meeting will control their own destiny in the league race. AHSTW returned nearly everything from last year’s fantastic team, and they have picked up right where they left off, averaging 75.5 points a game behind their "Big Three" of senior [player_tooltip player_id="784987" first="Raydden" last="Grobe"] (16.8) and juniors [player_tooltip player_id="1167687" first="Brayden" last="Lund"] (21.2) and [player_tooltip player_id="1167692" first="Kyle" last="Sternberg"] (15.5). Lund, a 6-3 combo forward, has been a dominant scorer both inside and out, shooting 68% from the floor and 58% from behind the arc to lead a potent attack. Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1240070" first="Cole" last="Scheffler"] (4.0, 5.5 assists) is the straw that stirs the drink for the Vikings, but this is a team that really shared the ball well, averaging 20.0 assists a game. They won the first regular-season meeting with Treynor last year, but the Cardinals took the second one and blew out AHSTW in the postseason, so expect to see a better effort from the Vikings in this one as they look to get a bit of revenge. Treynor lost a ton of production off of last year’s team, but has picked up right where they usually do, winning a ton of games. The Cardinals have been one of the best programs in the state over the last 20 years, and no matter who is on the roster, Treynor is going to win games. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="962645" first="Thomas" last="Schwartz"] (14.9) is the team’s leader, the lone returnee with significant experience, and he’s leading the team in both scoring and assists. Sophomore guard Jace Tams (14.6, 43.5 3P%) has given them excellent production, and junior forward Ethan Dickerson (10.2, 7.2 rebounds) has also played at a high level for the Cards. This is a program that just knows how to win, and they’re going to make life difficult for the Vikings scoring threats, but will they have the firepower to keep pace?   [caption id="attachment_1290441" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/50-Redek-Born.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1290441 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/50-Redek-Born-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1171661" first="Redek" last="Born"][/caption] Norwalk (4-2) at 2A #9 Van Meter (7-0) The balanced and defensive-minded Bulldogs play host to 4A Norwalk in an attempt to test themselves and prepare themselves for postseason play, and they should get a good test here. Van Meter is led by a trio of double-figure scorers in [player_tooltip player_id="1158438" first="Clark" last="Fiala"] (14.7), [player_tooltip player_id="784980" first="Chris" last="Schreck"] (11.7), and [player_tooltip player_id="1158469" first="Casey" last="Trudo"] (10.3), all seniors with loads of experience. They have gotten good production out of juniors [player_tooltip player_id="1240075" first="Skyler" last="Yazzie"] (9.1), [player_tooltip player_id="1240069" first="Aydn" last="Netten"] (7.3), and Carter Durflinger (6.1) as well, and have been their usual strong selves on the defensive end, allowing just 48.6 points a game. Norwalk got off to an 0-2 start after losing a lot of production, but the Warriors have righted the ship a bit, winners of four straight, including a win over 3A defending champion Pella. The Warriors will counter with a trio of double-figure scorers of their own in [player_tooltip player_id="1171661" first="Redek" last="Born"] (17.3), [player_tooltip player_id="1239874" first="Braeden" last="Carlson"] (11.7) and Vinny Mauro (10.5). Born, the younger brother of former standout Bowen Born, is the team’s best player and one of the top players in the state in the 2024 class. He’s a big-time three-level scorer who will be a difficult matchup for the Bulldogs. If they can slow him down, they should be able to take this one.   [caption id="attachment_1290494" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/89-Jayden-Mackie.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1290494 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/89-Jayden-Mackie-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="751418" first="Jayden" last="Mackie"][/caption] Jesup (3-3) at 2A #2 Aplington-Parkersburg (6-1) This will be the least competitive of these four games, but it should still be entertaining, as these are two high-powered offensive teams who are combining to average 147 points a game (A-P 82, Jesup 65). Aplington-Parkersburg won the first meeting between these teams, 86-60, behind a huge effort from senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="751418" first="Jayden" last="Mackie"] (29 points) and [player_tooltip player_id="962633" first="Christian" last="Haugstad"] (22 points, 19 rebounds). The Falcons out-rebounded Jesup 42-29 in that game, had 20 assists and were able to hold the J-Hawks to 35% shooting. Mackie (23.0 points a game) has been fantastic this season for A-P, but he has been far from alone in the backcourt, with running mates [player_tooltip player_id="1171686" first="Gavin" last="Thomas"] (14.6, 40.0 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id="1167691" first="Garrett" last="Hempen"] (14.0, 4.9 assists) also playing at a high level. All three of them can score from all three levels and are capable of playing the role of distributor. [player_tooltip player_id="962633" first="Christian" last="Haugstad"] (12.3, 11.3 rebounds) has been a dominant force in the paint on both ends of the floor as well. For Jesup, senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1158441" first="Carson" last="Lienau"] (22.3, 13.2 rebounds) has been a force as a scorer and rebounder, while Corbin Fuelling (14.5) and [player_tooltip player_id="1235018" first="Parker" last="McHone"] (2.7) have been strong contributors on the perimeter. They’ll need to find a way to slow down Mackie and company if they want to remain more competitive in this meeting, but expect plenty of points to be scored nonetheless.