Class 2A District Final Preview

<h5><strong>District 1: Central Lyon (20-2) vs. Hinton (16-7) [at MOC-Floyd Valley]</strong></h5> <p>The high-scoring Lions have been absolutely dominant offensively this season, averaging 78.7 points a game with 54-39-68 shooting splits as a team. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1253020" first="Zach" last="Lutmer"] (20.7, 6.0 assists) leads the charge, a dynamic three-level scorer who can also distribute at a high level. He’s shooting nearly 47% from behind the arc and is the type of player who can dominate a game even when he isn’t scoring. [player_tooltip player_id="962637" first="Mason" last="Gerleman"] (17.4, 47.3 3P%) is a knockdown shooter who complements Lutmer well with his off-ball movement, and [player_tooltip player_id="1367399" first="Andrew" last="Austin"] (14.1) has emerged as a strong third scoring option. Hinton counters with a high-scoring wing of their own in [player_tooltip player_id="962600" first="Caleb" last="Holmes"] (23.3), who is capable of scoring 30+ points on any given night. While Holmes is excellent, the Blackhawks will have difficulty keeping up with the high octane offense from Central Lyon, and the Lions should win fairly comfortably here. <br /> <strong>Our pick: Central Lyon</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1147361" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Ty-Van-Essen-crop-2786x1829-1615320637-crop-518x340-1615320649.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1147361 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Ty-Van-Essen-crop-2786x1829-1615320637-crop-518x340-1615320649-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="962616" first="Ty" last="Van Essen"][/caption] <h5><strong>District 2: Western Christian (21-1) vs. Cherokee (13-10) [at Sioux City North]</strong></h5> <p>You won’t find a bigger favorite tonight than Western Christian is in this game. The Wolfpack beat Cherokee 92-38 less than a month ago and have been the most dominant team in 2A this season, winning games by an average of 24.9 points while posting incredible 53-39-73 shooting splits as a team. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="962616" first="Ty" last="Van Essen"] (18.7, 8.2 rebounds) leads a deep and balanced offensive team that does an excellent job sharing the ball, averaging 20.3 assists a game. Van Essen is a skilled 6-5 combo forward who can score inside and out with remarkable efficiency (60.3 FG%, 46.2 3P%), and is an extremely difficult matchup at this level. [player_tooltip player_id="1158437" first="Wyatt" last="Gulker"] (13.6, 41.5 3P%) and Tate VanRegenmorter (11.1, 39.1 3P%) provide some shooting and scoring on the perimeter. Cherokee has not beaten Western Christian in the QuikStats/VarsityBound era, with the Wolfpack going 31-0 against the Braves. They will need a Herculean effort from senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1234970" first="Wil" last="Lugar"] (19.5) if they want to remain competitive in this one.<br /> <strong>Our pick: Western Christian</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1147283" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Tanner-Te-Slaa-new-crop-2786x1829-1615315690-crop-541x355-1615315703.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1147283 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Tanner-Te-Slaa-new-crop-2786x1829-1615315690-crop-541x355-1615315703-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="682290" first="Tanner" last="Te Slaa"][/caption] <h5><strong>District 3: Boyden-Hull (21-1) vs. Rock Valley (17-5) [at Sheldon]</strong></h5> <p>These two rivals will add another chapter to their story tonight, with Rock Valley looking to pull off an upset. Boyden-Hull won the regular-season meetings 69-57 on December 9, and 71-49 on January 25. Like their neighbors down the street, Western Christian, Boyden-Hull has been dominant this season, winning games by an average of 24.3 points on the strength of an efficient offense led by South Dakota State signee [player_tooltip player_id="682290" first="Tanner" last="Te Slaa"] (22.5, 9.6 rebounds). Te Slaa is also dishing out 5.1 assists a game this season, emerging as a really strong playmaker for the Comets. Spirit Lake transfer [player_tooltip player_id="962615" first="Vance" last="Katzfey"] (19.9) has provided additional scoring punch on the perimeter, while [player_tooltip player_id="1158463" first="Bryan" last="Zylstra"] (13.6, 43.4 3P%) is a skilled stretch-4, and [player_tooltip player_id="1234974" first="Dylan" last="Francis"] (10.1, 48.4 3P%) is a knockdown shooter. Rock Valley is led by [player_tooltip player_id="962672" first="Bryson" last="Van Grootheest"] (18.1), a physical guard who is a talented three-level scorer. [player_tooltip player_id="1158431" first="Landyn" last="Van Kekerix"] (12.5), an Iowa football commit, is a powerful wing who can get to the rim. Scoring isn’t the issue for the Rockets, it’s slowing down Boyden-Hull’s high-octane offense that has shot 51.8% in the two meetings that is the issue.<br /> <strong>Our pick: Boyden-Hull</strong></p> [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] <h5><strong>District 4: Estherville Lincoln Central (15-7) vs. Okoboji (13-10) [at Emmetsburg]</strong></h5> <p>ELC was one of the best stories in the state early this season, getting off to a 7-1 start that included strong wins over Sioux Central and Western Christian. They faltered a bit later in the year, albeit against really good competition, but seem to have regained their footing a bit heading into this district final. The Midgets won the regular-season meeting 70-66, despite falling behind 17-5 in the first quarter, behind 34 points from talented sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1171659" first="Owen" last="Larson"] (22.5, 5.3 assists). Larson has established himself as one of the top 2024 prospects in the state this season with his efficient scoring and distribution. They’ve also gotten quality production out of [player_tooltip player_id="1352886" first="Ryan" last="Schiltz"] (13.3) and [player_tooltip player_id="1352885" first="Blake" last="Ingvall"] (11.5, 8.5 rebounds), a pair of senior forwards. They’ll have their hands full with [player_tooltip player_id="682280" first="Lucas" last="Lorenzen"] (30.7, 11.8 rebounds), who is putting together one of the best statistical seasons we’ve seen. A 6-6 combo forward who can score inside and out, Lorenzen is an absolute force on the offensive end with his strength, shooting, and ball-handling. ELC did a good job against him in the regular-season meeting, holding him to 18 points on 6-15 shooting, and expect to see them come in with a gameplan designed to make the other pieces on the Pioneers beat them. Despite what figures to be a huge game from Lorenzen, ELC should have the horses to come away with a win here.<br /> <strong>Our pick: Estherville Lincoln Central</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1290481" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/81-Jonovan-Wilkinson.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1290481 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/81-Jonovan-Wilkinson-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1171681" first="Jonovan" last="Wilkinson"][/caption] <h5><strong>District 5: Roland-Story (20-2) vs. South Central Calhoun (17-5) [at Webster City]</strong></h5> <p>This is an interesting matchup between one of the best defensive teams in 2A, Roland-Story, and one of the best offensive teams, South Central Calhoun. The Norsemen are allowing just 44.6 points a game, good for 7th in the class, while the Titans average 70.1 points a game, 8th in the class. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1367392" first="Isaiah" last="Naylor"] (16.4) leads Roland-Story in scoring, a talented three-level scorer who can create his own shot. He’s a good fit alongside sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="1171681" first="Jonovan" last="Wilkinson"] (13.4, 6.5 rebounds), an athletic wing who can create for others, leading the team in assists. Junior big [player_tooltip player_id="1239871" first="Luke" last="Patton"] (10.9, 11.0 rebounds) can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and dominate on the glass. South Central Calhoun is led by their dynamic duo of [player_tooltip player_id="1158481" first="Joshua" last="Dietrich"] (18.0, 7.8 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id="1367444" first="Eli" last="Wheelock"] (16.0, 37.1 3P%). Dietrich does a majority of his damage in the painted area, while Wheelock is a talented shooter and distributor on the perimeter. Will offense or defense rule the night?<br /> <strong>Our pick: Roland-Story</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1287482" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Drew-Britson-crop-4852x3186-1632172958.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-1287482 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Drew-Britson-crop-4852x3186-1632172958-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1147612" first="Drew" last="Britson"][/caption] <h5><strong>District 6: Clarion-Goldfield-Dows (19-3) vs. Garner-Hayfield-Ventura (17-6) [at Clear Lake]</strong></h5> <p>Clarion-Goldfield-Dows has been arguably the biggest surprise in 2A this season, rolling to a 19-3 record with one of the best defenses in the state, giving up just 44.0 points a game. The Cowboys are a veteran team with their top six scorers, and eight of their top nine made up of seniors. [player_tooltip player_id="962687" first="Connor" last="State"] (15.6, 7.2 rebounds) leads the team in scoring and rebounding, and has been a solid rim protector in the paint. [player_tooltip player_id="1235027" first="Jaxon" last="Carpenter"] (11.9, 3.5 assists) is the team’s top perimeter option, and Coady Olson (9.4) has been a long-time contributor. Garner-Hayfield-Ventura has also been excellent defensively this season, ranking 5th in the class, giving up just 42.8 points a game. Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1147612" first="Drew" last="Britson"] (16.1, 3.6 assists) is the only Cardinal averaging in double-figures, but three others average between 8.0 and 9.0 points a game. Neither of these teams have shot the ball well from 3 (CGD 27.3%, GHV 30.2%) or the free-throw line (CGD 54.2%, GHV 56.9%), so the end of the game could be interesting here. Expect a low-scoring, defensive battle that could go either way.<br /> <strong>Our pick: Garner-Hayfield-Ventura</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1148917" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Jayden-Mackie-crop-2791x1833-1615514370.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1148917 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Jayden-Mackie-crop-2791x1833-1615514370-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="751418" first="Jayden" last="Mackie"][/caption] <h5><strong>District 7: Aplington-Parkersburg (20-2) vs. Grundy Center (16-6) [at Cedar Falls]</strong></h5> <p>These teams met early in the regular season, a 79-57 Aplington-Parkersburg win. The Falcons snuck by Dike-New Hartford in the semifinals, 41-37, with the Wolverines playing their game plan to perfection and really slowing down the game against a high-octane Falcons offense that averages 80.4 points a game. Grundy Center will try to do the same thing, but easier said than done against a team with as many scoring threats and as much quickness as A-P has. The Falcons are led by Upper Iowa signee [player_tooltip player_id="751418" first="Jayden" last="Mackie"] (21.1), an athletic, slashing guard who can also burn teams from the arc if he’s left open. [player_tooltip player_id="1167691" first="Garrett" last="Hempen"] (15.6, 4.7 assists, 41.0 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id="1171686" first="Gavin" last="Thomas"] (13.9, 40.6 3P%), and Cooper Hoff (7.0, 44.8 3P%) are excellent shooters to put around Mackie, and [player_tooltip player_id="962633" first="Christian" last="Haugstad"] (11.9, 10.3 rebounds) is a dominant force in the paint on both ends of the floor. Grundy Center is led by the senior tandem of Dayne Zinkula (12.3, 3.5 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id="962675" first="Brayden" last="Sawyer"] (12.2, 48.5 3P%). Sawyer is an outstanding shooter who moves well off the ball, and they’ll need him to knock down a bunch of shots if the Spartans want to keep pace here.<br /> <strong>Our pick: Aplington-Parkersburg</strong></p> <h5><strong>District 8: Denver (17-6) vs. Jesup (17-5) [at Oelwein]</strong></h5> <p>Expect plenty of firepowers in this game, as Jesup averages 75.2 points a game, and Denver puts up 68.8. Jesup is red-hot, winning 14 straight games heading into this contest, paced by a trio of big-time scorers in [player_tooltip player_id="1158441" first="Carson" last="Lienau"] (20.7, 11.3 rebounds, 67.8 FG%), Corbin Fuelling (17.1), and [player_tooltip player_id="1153046" first="Jack" last="Miller"] (15.1, 39.2 3P%). Lienau is a dominant interior presence while Fuelling and Miller are both good perimeter scoring threats. [player_tooltip player_id="1235018" first="Parker" last="McHone"] (9.8, 5.8 assists) has done a great job limiting turnovers and getting others involved, and the J-Hawks are scorching hot right now. Denver has won five of their last six games, with the lone loss coming to Aplington-Parkersburg. The Cyclones have a pair of big scorers in [player_tooltip player_id="962686" first="Caylor" last="Hoffer"] (22.6, 46.4 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id="1352889" first="Mitchell" last="DeVries"] (15.0, 9.1 rebounds). Hoffer is a really good shooter who has improved his all-around offensive skills, while DeVries is a strong wing who can score, rebound, and facilitate. Eli Ricketts (8.2, 46.4 3P%) is another good shooter who will need to knock down some shots if the Cyclones want to keep pace here.<br /> <strong>Our pick: Jesup</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1363526" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Tate-Petersen-new-crop-1536x1009-1641852111.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1363526 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Tate-Petersen-new-crop-1536x1009-1641852111-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="956879" first="Tate" last="Petersen"][/caption] <h5><strong>District 9: Monticello (19-3) vs. MFL-Mar-Mac (18-4) [at West Delaware]</strong></h5> <p>There is a major discrepancy in the strength of schedules that these two teams have played. According to BC Moore’s power rankings system, Monticello has played the 24th most difficult schedule in 2A, while MFL-Mar-Mac’s checks in at 92nd. The Bulldogs have put together a really nice season and have a bright future, as three of their top four scorers are freshmen or sophomores, led by freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id="1381408" first="Zach" last="Driscoll"] (18.1, 4.1 assists), who has been sensational this season, posting 54-47-84 shooting splits and leading the team in scoring. Sophomore Wyatt Powell (12.0, 4.2 assists) has been a strong ball-handler and decision-maker, and senior Kaden Stocker (11.6, 42.1 3P%) gives the ’Dogs some more perimeter shooting. However, they’ll have their hands full defensively with Monticello’s standout inside-out pairing of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1171677" first="Preston" last="Ries"] (18.5) and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="956879" first="Tate" last="Petersen"] (19.0, 5.5 assists). Ries is a fantastic athlete at 6-2 who can score inside and out, control the glass, and take over games defensively, while Petersen is a quick guard with unlimited range who has really improved his all-around scoring abilities this year. The Panthers are always strong defensively and have several different players and looks they can throw at Driscoll to make him uncomfortable. Monticello’s experience will be key here, as the Panthers advance to the substate final.<br /> <strong>Our pick: Monticello</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1290445" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/53-Derek-Weisskopf.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1290445 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/53-Derek-Weisskopf-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1171685" first="Derek" last="Weisskopf"][/caption] <h5><strong>District 10: Williamsburg (21-2) vs. Beckman Catholic (13-10) [at Mount Vernon]</strong></h5> <p>Williamsburg broke a long losing streak to the Blazers back on December 10, winning 61-54 by dominating the glass (32-21) and holding Beckman’s star wing [player_tooltip player_id="1067659" first="Padraig" last="Gallagher"] (20.7, 8.7 rebounds) to 18 points on 4-14 shooting. Gallagher, a 6-5 wing with 51-42-86 shooting splits, is one of the best pure scorers in the class, but Williamsburg has a number of players they can throw at him. [player_tooltip player_id="1158470" first="Logan" last="Goedken"] (12.4, 5.0 assists) is the other key piece for the Blazers, and he’ll need to play at a high level as he did in the regular-season meeting if the Blazers want to come away with a win here. Williamsburg has won 12 straight games heading into this one. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="1171685" first="Derek" last="Weisskopf"] (15.2, 6.4 rebounds) is a fantastic athlete with a big, physical frame that he uses to bully his way to the rim, and he has improved as a shooter. [player_tooltip player_id="1235015" first="Jake" last="Weber"] (8.4, 4.2 assists) is a quick lead guard who gets others involved and embraces contact, and the Raiders have eight players on the roster averaging at least 4.5 points a game, each of them strong defensively and active on the glass. The depth of options that the Raiders have is the difference here.<br /> <strong>Our pick: Williamsburg</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1289171" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Zane-Witt-crop-4852x3186-1632325512.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-1289171 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Zane-Witt-crop-4852x3186-1632325512-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1167714" first="Zane" last="Witt"][/caption] <h5><strong>District 11: Camanche (18-4) vs. Northeast (15-8) [at Davenport Central]</strong></h5> <p>These teams have met twice this season, with Camanche taking both meetings, 40-39 on December 14, and 61-50 on January 28. Simply put, Northeast has had no answer for 6-7 big man [player_tooltip player_id="1167714" first="Zane" last="Witt"] (15.6, 7.7 rebounds, 2.9 blocks) in the two games, with Witt averaging 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 6.5 blocks in those meetings on 16-21 shooting (76.2%). The Storm have dealt with a bevy of injuries this season, but Witt has been a difference-maker in both games this year and figures to be again tonight. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1158491" first="Adam" last="Dunlap"] (14.8) is an athletic, slashing wing who provides quickness and burst on the perimeter, and [player_tooltip player_id="962661" first="Mike" last="Delzell"] (8.6, 3.1 assists) is a solid do-it-all wing who stuffs the stat sheet. Northeast is always one of the best defensive teams in the state, and they have been again this year, allowing 44.8 points a game. The Rebels are led by a pair of 6-6 guards in Cade Hughes (13.2) and [player_tooltip player_id="1352965" first="Carter" last="Pataska"] (13.1). While they have size, they tend to play on the perimeter more and aren’t a good matchup for Witt. <br /> <strong>Our pick: Camanche</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1360294" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Carter-Harmsen-crop-1024x673-1641397136.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1360294 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Carter-Harmsen-crop-1024x673-1641397136-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1158414" first="Carter" last="Harmsen"][/caption] <h5><strong>District 12: Mid-Prairie (22-0) vs. West Burlington (12-11) [at Mount Pleasant]</strong></h5> <p>Mid-Prairie is the last remaining undefeated team in 2A, and the Hawks have to be considered a very heavy favorite in this game. They’ve been excellent on the defensive end, allowing just 42.7 points a game and the Falcons will have their work cut out for them against a long, athletic team that can switch almost everywhere. [player_tooltip player_id="1158414" first="Carter" last="Harmsen"] (20.1, 8.1 rebounds) is the team’s top scorer, a do-it-all wing who can score from all three levels and get others involved. [player_tooltip player_id="1352979" first="Ethan" last="Kos"] (10.5, 6.2 rebounds) is a physical presence in the paint, and the Hawks put a number of solid shooting threats on the floor around Harmsen and Kos in [player_tooltip player_id="1235039" first="Jackson" last="Pennington"] (8.5, 40.8 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id="1167728" first="Alex" last="Bean"] (8.2, 34.1 3P%), and Will Cavanagh (7.1, 32.7 3P%). A young West Burlington team is led by sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1171665" first="Brady" last="Martin"] (13.1, 42.9 3P%), an excellent shooter who can also create for others. The Falcons lack the size and physicality to hang with Mid-Prairie on the glass, and this one could get lopsided early.<br /> <strong>Our pick: Mid-Prairie</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1224590" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Eric-Mulder-2.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1224590 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Eric-Mulder-2-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1158415" first="Eric" last="Mulder"][/caption] <h5><strong>District 13: Pella Christian (16-6) vs. Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (20-2) [at Oskaloosa]</strong></h5> <p>This is another game with a huge gap in the strength of schedules between teams, as Pella Christian’s schedule ranks 7th among 2A teams, and Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont’s is 82nd. The Rockets are led by senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1158468" first="Ethan" last="Davis"] (16.7, 9.0 rebounds), a big 6-7/6-8 forward who scores efficiently around the rim. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="1171680" first="Brooks" last="Moore"] (17.1) is an athletic piece on the perimeter who can get to the rim and looks to dunk on everyone, while [player_tooltip player_id="1195409" first="Carsen" last="Wade"] (9.0, 36.1 3P%) and Jesse Cornelison (7.7, 34.7 3P%) provide some shooting. Pella Christian is huge for a 2A team, with 6-7 [player_tooltip player_id="1352941" first="Niko" last="Schirz"] (5.6, 5.9 rebounds), 6-5 [player_tooltip player_id="1352942" first="Jaedon" last="Huisman"] (7.0), 6-4 Daniel Andringa (5.1), and 6-9 [player_tooltip player_id="1158415" first="Eric" last="Mulder"] (11.1, 8.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks) among the rotation pieces. Mulder, a IPFW commit, is an athletic forward who can run the floor and protect the rim, and he should be a solid defender on Davis. Guard [player_tooltip player_id="1158492" first="Levi" last="Schelhaas"] (14.0) leads the Eagles in scoring, and they shouldn’t have too many issues finding open looks against the Rockets. The major difference in competition and the tremendous length that PC can throw at EBF is the deciding factor here.<br /> <strong>Our pick: Pella Christian</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1219273" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Adam-Witty-HS-crop-3002x1971-1624132424.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1219273 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Adam-Witty-HS-crop-3002x1971-1624132424-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="962669" first="Adam" last="Witty"][/caption] <h5><strong>District 14: Des Moines Christian (19-3) vs. PCM (14-9) [at Carlisle]</strong></h5> <p>These teams have met in the postseason each of the last two years, with Des Moines Christian winning each of them, 75-43 in 2020, and 59-43 last season. Expect something similar this year, as the Lions’ athleticism and physicality on the defensive end figures to be too much for PCM to overcome. Des Moines Christian is one of the best defensive teams in the state, allowing just 44.8 points a game, and they have a dominant scoring threat this year to go with it in senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="962669" first="Adam" last="Witty"] (23.0, 7.9 rebounds, 61.6 FG%). Witty is a powerful wing who can get to the rim seemingly at will, and he’s really developed his jumper over the last year. The deep and talented Lions are suffocating on the defensive end, and they have the athletes to throw at both of PCM’s major scoring threats - [player_tooltip player_id="1235014" first="Durant" last="Van Dyke"] (18.7) and [player_tooltip player_id="1352978" first="Carson" last="Vandelune"] (17.1). Expect to see DMC hold PCM in the 40s again here as they cruise into the substate final.<br /> <strong>Our pick: Des Moines Christian</strong></p> <h5><strong>District 15: Van Meter (19-2) vs. Panorama (15-8) [at Creston]</strong></h5> <p>Van Meter won the regular-season meeting 61-47 just 12 days ago, shooting 50% from the floor and holding the Panthers to 28.3%. While it’s unlikely that Panorama shoots quite that poorly again, the Bulldogs are a really good defensive team with a lot of athletes to throw at the Panthers two standout players, [player_tooltip player_id="1234978" first="Jared" last="Wasson"] (16.5, 10.5 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id="1256305" first="Braylon" last="Dawes"] (11.9, 3.1 assists). Wasson is a big who does a majority of his damage inside the paint, and Dawes is a lanky shooter who moves well without the ball and is developing as a playmaker. Van Meter can throw 6-5 [player_tooltip player_id="1158438" first="Clark" last="Fiala"] (11.6, 3.1 blocks) and 6-5 [player_tooltip player_id="1240075" first="Skyler" last="Yazzie"] (9.0) at Wasson, and [player_tooltip player_id="784980" first="Chris" last="Schreck"] (12.0, 2.2 steals), [player_tooltip player_id="1158469" first="Casey" last="Trudo"] (10.6), and [player_tooltip player_id="1240069" first="Aydn" last="Netten"] (8.7) at Dawes on the perimeter. The depth, quickness, length, experience, and athleticism of Van Meter will be too much for Panorama to overcome here.<br /> <strong>Our pick: Van Meter</strong></p> <h5><strong>District 16: Treynor (19-3) vs. Red Oak (16-7) [at Council Bluffs Jefferson]</strong></h5> <p>It doesn’t matter who Treynor loses to graduation, the Cardinals just keep on winning, and Scott Rucker has them back in position to make the substate final. They’ve been excellent on the defensive end this season, allowing just 41.2 points a game, second in 2A. [player_tooltip player_id="1367406" first="Ethan" last="Dickerson"] (11.2, 8.7 rebounds, 3.2 blocks) has been the focal point of the Cardinals’ dominant defensive effort this year, a mobile 6-8 shot-blocker in the paint. Guards [player_tooltip player_id="962645" first="Thomas" last="Schwartz"] (13.9, 4.3 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id="1376717" first="Jace" last="Tams"] (12.0, 41.9 3P%) carry the scoring load and have been solid on-ball defenders on the perimeter as well this season. Red Oak has put together their best season of the QuikStats/VarsityBound era with 16 wins, led by a pair of talented sophomore guards in [player_tooltip player_id="1376714" first="Max" last="DeVries"] (15.9) and Hunter Gilleland (12.0, 3.6 assists). DeVries is a threat to score 25 on any given night, and Gilleland has done a nice job getting others involved. They’re reliant on seniors Ryan Johnson (10.4, 6.7 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id="1288912" first="Kaden" last="Johnson"] (9.7, 7.7 rebounds), and Bradley Sifford (8.3, 6.9 rebounds) to control the glass. They’ve struggled with turnovers this season, and that could be a major factor in this one against the excellent Cardinals defense.<br /> <strong>Our pick: Treynor</strong></p>