Substate Preview: 2A-3

<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/2A-5-1.png"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1383274" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/2A-5-1-1024x324.png" alt="" width="1024" height="324" /></a> <h4>District 5</h4> [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] The favorite: Roland-Story has been one of the best stories in 2A this year, rolling to a 19-2 record, with their two losses coming to Iowa Falls-Alden by 3, and a setback against 1A’s top-ranked team, Grand View Christian. The Norsemen have a fun, exciting young team that has only one senior who sees significant time, so expect to see them competing for glory in 2A again next year. They’re led by junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1367392" first="Isaiah" last="Naylor"] (16.7), who has emerged as a really good three-level scorer who can create his own shot and get red hot. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="1171681" first="Jonovan" last="Wilkinson"] (13.2, 6.7 rebounds) is a good athlete on the perimeter who can shoot it and get to the rim. He’s also a versatile defender with the size and athleticism to defend bigs or guards. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1239871" first="Luke" last="Patton"] (10.9, 10.8 rebounds) has been a steady force in the paint, an efficient scorer and rebounder who can also stretch the floor a bit. The Norse do a good job crashing the offensive glass (12.9 a game), and they share the ball well. This is a young team, but they’re talented and they fit well together. The biggest threat: South Central Calhoun got off to a 10-0 start this year, building on last year’s momentum as a state-qualifier. The Titans earned the district’s #2 seed and will get their semifinal game at home as a result, which will be a boost. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1158481" first="Joshua" last="Dietrich"] (18.0, 7.4 rebounds) leads a trio of double-figure scorers. He’s shooting 57% from the floor and does a good job pounding the offensive glass (3.0 a game) and protecting the paint (2.9 blocks). [player_tooltip player_id="1367444" first="Eli" last="Wheelock"] (16.2, 3.7 assists) is the team’s top perimeter scorer and facilitator, and Tyler Lightner (11.2) has provided some versatility and secondary ball-handling. This is a team that likes to push the tempo, averaging 70.3 points a game, and if they can get into a track meet, they may be able to outscore Roland-Story in a district final. Their experience in making it to State last year should not be discounted. The dark horse: Playing in the Hawkeye 10 Conference means that Kuemper Catholic plays against primarily 3A schools throughout the year, which is a benefit for the Knights when postseason play hits, as they’re accustomed to playing teams that are just a bit bigger, a bit faster, and a bit more physical than a majority of the teams that some of the other teams in their district face throughout the year. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="1288884" first="Dawson" last="Gifford"] (11.6, 3.1 assists) leads a balanced attack that has three double-figure scorers, and the Knights like to go deep into their bench. While the rotation will probably tighten up a bit come postseason play, they won’t be as vulnerable to foul trouble as some other teams may be. [player_tooltip player_id="1376722" first="Dennis" last="Vonnahme"] (10.3, 2.1 offensive rebounds) and Isaac Evans (7.4, 2.8 offensive) provide some size and toughness, and they like to rebound offensively. Players to watch 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1367392" first="Isaiah" last="Naylor"], Roland-Story 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171681" first="Jonovan" last="Wilkinson"], Roland-Story 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1239871" first="Luke" last="Patton"], Roland-Story 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158481" first="Joshua" last="Dietrich"], South Central Calhoun 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1367444" first="Eli" last="Wheelock"], South Central Calhoun 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1288884" first="Dawson" last="Gifford"], Kuemper Catholic 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1288927" first="Michael" last="Kasperbauer"], Kuemper Catholic 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682271" first="Aaron" last="Graves"], Southeast Valley 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962628" first="Kolson" last="Kruse"], Southeast Valley 2023 Richard Daugherty, Greene County 2024 Drake Canavan, Eagle Grove   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/2A-6-1.png"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1383276" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/2A-6-1-1024x326.png" alt="" width="1024" height="326" /></a> <h4>District 6</h4> The favorite: Like Roland-Story, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows has been an excellent story this season, putting together their best season in decades. The Cowboys have put together an 18-3 record, with two of those losses coming to a Humboldt team that spent some time ranked #1 in 3A this year. (The other loss was an upset last night against Southeast Valley.) They’ve been really strong on the defensive end, allowing just 44.8 points a game, which ranks 9th in 2A. This is a senior-laden team, with seniors making up the top six, and eight of the top nine scorers, so this is the last hurrah for a group that has been playing together for a long time. [player_tooltip player_id="962687" first="Connor" last="State"] (16.1, 7.6 rebounds) leads the team in scoring and rebounding, an efficient interior scorer, while [player_tooltip player_id="1235027" first="Jaxon" last="Carpenter"] (12.5, 3.4 assists) is the team’s top perimeter threat. All five starters are viable scoring threats, but they don’t shoot it well from the arc (25.7% as a team). Their defense is what will carry this team. The biggest threat: Osage earned the #2 seed in the district and will get a meeting with GHV at home as a result. The Green Devils beat the Cardinals 69-65 earlier this season, which was probably the data point that gave them the nod for the #2. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="962681" first="Nathan" last="Havel"] (15.4, 8.1 rebounds) leads a balanced attack that sees three averaging in double-figures. Havel is the focal point of the team on both ends of the floor, a solid defender and versatile offensive player. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1235038" first="Tyler" last="Oberfoell"] (12.4, 5.0 assists) is the team’s top perimeter scoring threat, while sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1376718" first="Max" last="Knudsen"] (12.7) has emerged as a solid secondary scorer and ball-handler. [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] The dark horse: If you were to go by BC Moore’s power rankings system, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura is actually the second-best team in this district, with the Cardinals ranked six points ahead of Osage. They’re a really good defensive team that is allowing just 43.5 points a game, fifth-best in 2A. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1147612" first="Drew" last="Britson"] (16.3) has emerged as a leader on both ends of the floor, pacing the team in scoring, assists, and steals and proving to be a dangerous 3-point shooter. He’s a strong guard with loads of confidence who can carry this team to several wins. Five others average between 4.0 and 9.0 points a game, so someone new can step up on any given night. They shouldn’t have any difficulty with Belmond-Klemme in the first round, then they’ll get a rematch with Osage. If they can make it to the district final, they could certainly win a rock fight against CGD and make it to the substate final. Players to watch 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962687" first="Connor" last="State"], Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235027" first="Jaxon" last="Carpenter"], Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962681" first="Nathan" last="Havel"], Osage 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235038" first="Tyler" last="Oberfoell"], Osage 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1376718" first="Max" last="Knudsen"], Osage 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1147612" first="Drew" last="Britson"], Garner-Hayfield-Ventura 2022 Andrew Snyder, Forest City 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962657" first="Angel" last="Jose"], Central Springs   <h3 style="text-align: center;">SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</h3> Roland-Story vs. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows If this game materializes, it’s an interesting contrast in styles. Roland-Story likes to use their athleticism to play a little more up-tempo and beat teams with their multitude of scoring weapons, while CGD looks to rely on their strong half-court defense to stifle teams. CGD hasn’t made a state tournament appearance since 1959, and this senior-laden team is looking to make some history. But the Norsemen’s balance and having a few more offensive options give them the edge, sending Roland-Story to the state tournament in this battle between two of the best stories of the year.