Substate Preview: 2A-6

<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/2A-11.png"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1383295" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/2A-11-1024x329.png" alt="" width="1024" height="329" /></a> <h4>District 11</h4> [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] The favorite: A super talented Camanche team has battled major injury issues all year to still earn the top seed in this district. The Storm lost all-state wing [player_tooltip player_id="682268" first="Zach" last="Erwin"] to a knee injury before the start of the season. They lost point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1234975" first="Tucker" last="Dickherber"] (8.7, 4.9 assists) to a wrist injury a few weeks ago, and recently lost forward Damarion Honaker (4.6), a key role player. Still, they’ve battled hard on both ends of the floor and put together another successful season. Junior big man [player_tooltip player_id="1167714" first="Zane" last="Witt"] (15.6, 7.7 rebounds, 3.0 blocks) is the team’s leading scorer and rebounder. He’s a mobile 6-7 big who finishes efficiently around the rim and can protect the rim. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1158491" first="Adam" last="Dunlap"] (15.0) is an athletic, slashing wing who can get to the bucket, and senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="962661" first="Mike" last="Delzell"] (8.7) is a stat-sheet stuffing wing who can defend multiple positions, score, and get others involved. The biggest threat: Junior big man [player_tooltip player_id="1167686" first="Caden" last="Kirkman"] (21.0, 11.0 rebounds, 3.9 blocks) leads a young, but very talented Wilton team that has compiled a 17-5 record. The Beavers’ losses have come against Mid-Prairie (21-0, twice), Monticello (18-3), Camanche (17-4), and a 4A Liberty team. They’ve taken care of business against everyone else. Kirkman is a 6-7/6-8 forward with excellent footwork and touch around the rim, and he’s a mobile, versatile defender who protects the rim really well. Junior guard Aidan Walker (12.0) and sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="1376706" first="Landyn" last="Putman"] (11.2, 48.2 3P%) are good perimeter scorers to put around Kirkman, and this is a team that does a good job sharing the ball (14.5 assists a game). The dark horse: Northeast is always one of the top defensive teams in 2A, and this year has been no exception, allowing 45.1 points a game, which ranks 12th in the class. The Rebels play a fairly methodical style, really working the ball around to find a good shot, and that allows them to play a lot of close games. They’ve lost to Wilton (by 3), Camanche (1), Mid-Prairie (5), Monticello (6), 3A Central DeWitt (9), and Anamosa (3), and have a win over Monticello. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1352965" first="Carter" last="Pataska"] (12.9) and Cade Hughes (12.8) are the team’s leading scorers and they provide a lot of size, with Pataska listed at 6-6 and Hughes at 6-4. Their size and length are a big reason why the Rebels are so good on the defensive end. They’ve proven they can play tight games against the top teams in this district, now it’s just a matter of getting over the hump against them. Players to watch 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167714" first="Zane" last="Witt"], Camanche 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158491" first="Adam" last="Dunlap"], Camanche 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167686" first="Caden" last="Kirkman"], Wilton 2023 Aidan Walker, Wilton 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1376706" first="Landyn" last="Putman"], Wilton 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1352965" first="Carter" last="Pataska"], Northeast 2022 Cade Hughes, Northeast 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1240074" first="Nolan" last="DeLong"], Durant 2023 Garrett Hollenback, Durant 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1352987" first="Caleb" last="Wulf"], West Liberty   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/2A-12.png"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1383297" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/2A-12-1024x317.png" alt="" width="1024" height="317" /></a> <h4>District 12</h4> [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] The favorite: Mid-Prairie is the lone undefeated team left in 2A, and the Golden Hawks reward is a district with all SEISC teams, which gives them a major edge in regular-season competition. They’ve been a dominant defensive team, allowing just 43.2 points a game, and they’ve allowed just 33% of their opponents to score 50+ points in a game. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1158414" first="Carter" last="Harmsen"] (20.4, 8.0 rebounds) is an efficient scorer and facilitator who can score from all three levels and take over games at any point. He’s a good athlete at 6-4/6-5 who competes on the glass and is a physical finisher. Big man [player_tooltip player_id="1352979" first="Ethan" last="Kos"] (10.1) is a solid interior presence on both ends of the floor, and the guard trio of [player_tooltip player_id="1235039" first="Jackson" last="Pennington"] (8.5), [player_tooltip player_id="1167728" first="Alex" last="Bean"] (8.4), and Will Cavanagh (7.2) are solid pieces to put around Harmsen and Kos. This is a team that really plays together well and the pieces all fit well together. The biggest threat: The top six scorers for Cardinal are all seniors, and the Comets have been building for this season for the last several years. They are led by a trio of double-figure scorers in [player_tooltip player_id="1234967" first="Dawson" last="Lewis"] (15.1, 8.3 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id="962689" first="Griffin" last="Greiner"] (13.4), and [player_tooltip player_id="962693" first="Landon" last="Becker"] (10.5). Lewis is a really good athlete who can score from all three levels, rebound, and defend multiple positions. A veteran team that has a lot of experience together, Cardinal has swept likely semifinal opponent West Burlington, beating the Falcons by 17 and 18 points. The dark horse: Since West Burlington doesn’t have to face Mid-Prairie until the district final, we’ll peg them as the dark horse in this district. The Falcons are led by sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1171665" first="Brady" last="Martin"] (13.1, 42.9 3P%), a sharpshooter who is capable of getting hot and carrying this team to some wins. They do a good job limiting turnovers and have a great shooter who can lead them to a few upsets. Players to watch 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158414" first="Carter" last="Harmsen"], Mid-Prairie 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235039" first="Jackson" last="Pennington"], Mid-Prairie 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1234967" first="Dawson" last="Lewis"], Cardinal 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962689" first="Griffin" last="Greiner"], Cardinal 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171665" first="Brady" last="Martin"], West Burlington 2023 Cole Lipper, Mediapolis 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167734" first="Jackson" last="Manning"], Van Buren County   <h3 style="text-align: center;">SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</h3> Camanche vs. Mid-Prairie If Camanche were completely healthy, the Storm would probably be considered one of the top five contenders in the class. Alas, they’ve dealt with health issues throughout the year, and it may catch up with them here in a battle against the lone undefeated team left in 2A. Mid-Prairie uses their strong defense to stifle a Camanche team that has lost several of their offensive weapons and [player_tooltip player_id="1158414" first="Carter" last="Harmsen"] leads the Golden Hawks to the state tournament for the first time in 12 years.