Class 2A Substate Final Preview

Substate 1: Central Lyon (21-2) vs. Cherokee (14-10) at LeMars Central Lyon has been one of the best teams in the state this season, winning games by an average of 20.6 points a game behind a high-powered offense and athletic defense. The Lions are efficient, posting 54-38-67 shooting splits as a team, led by junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1253020" first="Zach" last="Lutmer"] (20.6, 6.0 assists, 45.3 3P%), who leads the team in scoring, assists, and steals. Also a standout on the gridiron, he’s a hyper-athletic guard who can dominate games even when he isn’t scoring at an efficient clip. [player_tooltip player_id="962637" first="Mason" last="Gerleman"] (17.3, 46.9 3P%) is a knockdown shooter who is a perfect complement to Lutmer on the perimeter, routinely getting good looks, and [player_tooltip player_id="1367399" first="Andrew" last="Austin"] (13.7, 55.1 FG%) has been an efficient interior scoring presence. Cherokee comes in to this final with momentum, coming off of a stunning upset of Western Christian, who had beaten the Braves by 54 points a few weeks ago. They were able to pull off that upset despite getting just 8 points from leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id="1234970" first="Wil" last="Lugar"] (19.0) and turning it over 14 times. Lugar will need to be more effective in this final if the Braves want to pull off another substantial upset, and guard [player_tooltip player_id="1235026" first="Joe" last="Benson"] (10.2, 37.1 3P%) will need to knock down some shots. Cherokee will have a difficult time keeping pace with the Lions’ high-powered attack. For the first time in school history, the Lions are headed to Des Moines. Our pick: Central Lyon   [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] Substate 2: Rock Valley (18-5) vs. Estherville Lincoln Central (16-7) at Spencer Rock Valley comes in off a stunning upset over Boyden-Hull, winning the district final on a shot at the buzzer. The Rockets have been the more efficient of the two teams this season, shooting nearly 50% from the floor and 37% from the arc. They use their big, physical guards to play downhill and get to the rim, led by [player_tooltip player_id="962672" first="Bryson" last="Van Grootheest"] (18.3, 38.5 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id="1158431" first="Landyn" last="Van Kekerix"] (12.5, 38.5 3P%). [player_tooltip player_id="962673" first="Sam" last="Remmerde"] (12.0, 7.0 rebounds) provides some size and rebounding in the paint, and he can also stretch out and knock down an occasional 3. The question for the Rockets will be how they defend ELC’s star guard [player_tooltip player_id="1171659" first="Owen" last="Larson"] (23.0, 5.3 assists), who has had a sensational sophomore year as a scorer and playmaker. [player_tooltip player_id="1352886" first="Ryan" last="Schiltz"] (12.9) gives them some more perimeter scoring, and [player_tooltip player_id="1352885" first="Blake" last="Ingvall"] (11.6, 8.3 rebounds) will need to play strong in the paint and on the glass against a physical Rock Valley team. This should be an excellent game, but we’re going to side with the team that puts the best guard on the floor, and Estherville Lincoln Central heads to the state tournament for the first time since 1991. Our pick: Estherville Lincoln Central   [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] Substate 3: Roland-Story (21-2) vs. Garner-Hayfield-Ventura (18-6) at Fort Dodge Roland-Story comes into this substate final riding high after dismantling South Central Calhoun by 39 points in the district final. The Norsemen have built on last year’s success by being one of the top teams in 2A this season, winning games by an average of 20.5 points a game and holding opponents to just 44.4 points. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1367392" first="Isaiah" last="Naylor"] (16.8) is a quick three-level scorer who can get buckets playing both with and without the ball in his hands, while sophomore wing Jonvoan Wilkinson (14.0, 6.6 rebounds) is a bouncy athlete who gets to the rim and finishes at a high level. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1239871" first="Luke" last="Patton"] (10.7, 10.9 rebounds) will be a difficult matchup in the paint for an undersized GHV team. The Cardinals rank fourth in 2A in scoring defense, giving up just 42.8 points a game, and they’ll need to be excellent on that end of the floor if they want to secure a state tournament berth. Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1147612" first="Drew" last="Britson"] (15.6, 3.5 assists) has been really good on both ends of the floor this season for the Cards, leading them in scoring, assists, and steals, while Nathan Roberts (9.1, 7.5 rebounds) and Evan Sloan (8.8, 6.2 rebounds) will need to do whatever they can to hold off Patton in the paint. Our pick: Roland-Story   [caption id="attachment_1218786" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Gavin-Thomas-crop-2954x1940-1624053076.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1218786 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Gavin-Thomas-crop-2954x1940-1624053076-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1171686" first="Gavin" last="Thomas"][/caption] Substate 4: Aplington-Parkersburg (21-2) vs. Jesup (18-5) at Waterloo East This is an incredibly interesting game, the third meeting between the two teams this season. Aplington-Parkersburg won the regular-season showdowns 86-60 and 99-60, but the latter defeat sparked a change in Jesup and their approach, as the J-Hawks have become a much better defensive team since that setback. They enter this game on a 15-game winning streak and are allowing just 51.2 points a game during that stretch. [player_tooltip player_id="1158441" first="Carson" last="Lienau"] (21.3, 11.6 rebounds) leads a potent offensive attack for Jesup that does a great job sharing the ball (16.7 assists a game) and pounding the offensive glass (11.6). Corbin Fuelling (17.0) and [player_tooltip player_id="1153046" first="Jack" last="Miller"] (14.7) give them a pair of perimeter scoring options, and [player_tooltip player_id="1235018" first="Parker" last="McHone"] (9.7, 5.9 assists) has been strong as a lead guard. Aplington-Parkersburg’s first two postseason opponents have been successful in slowing the game down and trying to limit possessions against the Falcons’ high-powered attack. They’ve beaten Dike-New Hartford 41-37 and Grundy Center 52-49 to get here, a far cry from the team that had a stretch in early January in which they averaged 89.6 points a game. Upper Iowa signee [player_tooltip player_id="751418" first="Jayden" last="Mackie"] (20.5, 51.0 FG%) leads a potent and efficient (51-39-74) attack that will be looking to get back into an up-tempo game that they’re more accustomed and suited to playing. [player_tooltip player_id="1167691" first="Garrett" last="Hempen"] (15.3, 4.7 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id="1171686" first="Gavin" last="Thomas"] (13.7, 3.4 assists) are excellent perimeter scorers as well, and [player_tooltip player_id="962633" first="Christian" last="Haugstad"] (12.0, 10.2 rebounds) is a force in the paint. Will Jesup’s renewed focus on the defensive end lead to the upset and a state tournament appearance? This game will certainly be closer than the regular-season meetings. Our pick: Aplington-Parkersburg   [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] Substate 5: Monticello (20-3) vs. Williamsburg (22-2) at Kennedy Williamsburg has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the season, rolling through their 3A WaMaC schedule undefeated and posting a ton of quality wins throughout the year. They’re riding a 13-game winning streak and their only losses have come to Mid-Prairie (23-0) and Fort Madison (3A, 18-4). The Raiders allow just 47.6 points a game on the strength of a deep, physical, and athletic team with a lot of versatility. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="1171685" first="Derek" last="Weisskopf"] (15.3) leads an efficient offense that is shooting 50.9% from the floor and 38.1% from 3 this season, and they can comfortably go very deep into their bench, with eight players averaging at least 4.9 points a game. Monticello graduated four starters from a team that reached the 3A state tournament last year, but it didn’t matter, the Panthers just keep winning games. They’re led by one of the best duos in the class in junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="956879" first="Tate" last="Petersen"] (19.2, 5.6 assists) and sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="1171677" first="Preston" last="Ries"] (18.6). Petersen has been a starter for back-to-back state qualifying teams and has emerged as the team’s dominant scorer and distributor this year, while Ries is an exceptional athlete. His matchup presumably against Weisskopf should be a ton of fun to watch, as both are excellent prospects on the football field as well. This should be tight throughout, with a pair of athletic, strong defensive teams going at it, but the depth of options that Williamsburg has carries them to the state tournament. Our pick: Williamsburg   [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] Substate 6: Northeast (16-8) vs. Mid-Prairie (23-0) at Muscatine Mid-Prairie won the regular-season meeting between these teams back on December 21, 60-55 in overtime, behind 28 points from [player_tooltip player_id="1158414" first="Carter" last="Harmsen"] (20.0, 8.2 rebounds). There were a few concerning things that arose in that game for the Hawks, losing the rebounding battle 37-23, shooting just 9-20 at the free-throw line, and needing overtime to win despite forcing 17 turnovers. This is a game between two of the top eight defensive teams in the class, with Mid-Prairie ranking 3rd, allowing 42.6 points a game, and Northeast ranking 8th, giving up 44.7. Mid-Prairie needs to get a big game from Harmsen, and focus on the glass if they want to keep the undefeated season alive and make a trip to Des Moines for the first time since 2010. Northeast has gotten revenge on a pair of teams during their postseason run, beating Wilton and Camanche to get here. Can the Rebels avenge another loss? They’re led by the 6-6 wing tandem of Cade Hughes (13.3) and [player_tooltip player_id="1352965" first="Carter" last="Pataska"] (13.0), who provide a lot of size and length on both ends of the floor. Northeast doesn’t shoot it particularly well, relying on their length and physicality on the defensive end to control games. They’re riding a lot of momentum into this one, and it should be a tight contest throughout. Our pick: Mid-Prairie   [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] Substate 7: Pella Christian (17-6) vs. Des Moines Christian (20-3) at Pleasantville Following the upset losses earlier this week by Boyden-Hull and Western Christian, some around the state believe that the winner of this substate final is the new favorite in Class 2A. These teams met on January 24 at Wells Fargo Arena, a game won by Des Moines Christian, 57-46. The Lions won that game despite being outrebounded 28-18 on the strength of a 15-5 second quarter and strong defense that limited the Eagles to just 38.0% shooting. A strong defensive team that allows just 44.9 points a game, the Lions like to use their strength and physicality to wear teams down on both ends of the floor. They’re led by power wing [player_tooltip player_id="962669" first="Adam" last="Witty"] (22.4, 61.7 FG%), a highly efficient scorer who can bully his way to the bucket at will, while four others average between 7.3 and 9.7 points a game, giving them a balanced offensive attack. Pella Christian is led by their talented inside-out tandem of Levi Scheelhaas (14.2, 3.0 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id="1158415" first="Eric" last="Mulder"] (11.2, 8.9 rebounds). Mulder is headed to play his college ball at IPFW and at 6-9 with athleticism, he’ll need to be a focal point of their game plan on both ends of the floor. The Eagles have a ton of size and length that they can put on the floor, and that should allow them to control the glass in this rematch, which could be a deciding factor. Our pick: Pella Christian   Substate 8: Van Meter (20-2) vs. Red Oak (17-7) at ACGC Red Oak comes into this game off an upset win over Treynor in the district final, and is looking for their first state tournament appearance since 1993, while Van Meter is looking for their fifth appearance in the last six years. The Bulldogs are the only team in the class that ranks within the top-10 in both scoring offense (70.7, 7th) and defense (42.8, 5th), and are a veteran team led by a trio of seniors - [player_tooltip player_id="784980" first="Chris" last="Schreck"] (12.4, 3.8 assists), [player_tooltip player_id="1158438" first="Clark" last="Fiala"] (11.5, 3.0 blocks), and [player_tooltip player_id="1158469" first="Casey" last="Trudo"] (10.5, 44.2 3P%) - but they can comfortably go about eight or nine deep into their bench and are able to put size, quickness, and athleticism all over the floor. The fantastic ’Dogs defense will need to focus in on sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1376714" first="Max" last="DeVries"] (16.1), who leads the Tigers in scoring. He’s a three-level scorer who can get hot and carry this team on the offensive end. Fellow sophomore Hunter Gilleland (11.6, 3.5 assists) has been a solid distributor, and they do a good job crashing the offensive glass (12.3 a game). The Tigers do turn it over 15.3 times a game, and that number will really need to improve if they want to pull off another upset and make a trip to the state tournament. Our pick: Van Meter