Substate Preview: 2A-7

<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/2A-13.png"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1383301" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/2A-13-1024x307.png" alt="" width="1024" height="307" /></a> <h4>District 13</h4> [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] The favorite: Pella Christian plays in the 3A Little Hawkeye Conference, which means that they’ve played against one of the toughest schedules in 2A, which will be a major benefit for them in this district. They beat the district’s #2 seed, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, by 19 earlier this year, and they also own wins over quality teams like Norwalk (twice), Indianola, and Van Meter. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1158492" first="Levi" last="Schelhaas"] (14.3, 3.0 assists) leads the team in scoring and assists, a quick lead guard who can score from all three levels. Forward [player_tooltip player_id="1158415" first="Eric" last="Mulder"] (11.4, 9.1 rebounds, 2.0 blocks) is an IPFW commit, a rangy 6-9 big who can run the floor, protect the rim, and stretch the floor, and five others average between 5.2 and 6.9 points a game. The Eagles have more size than most teams in 2A, and they’re deep and athletic. The biggest threat: Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont has a high-powered offensive attack that averages 73.5 points a game, which ranks 6th in 2A. The Rockets are led by the dynamic tandem of senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1158468" first="Ethan" last="Davis"] (17.9, 9.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists) and sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="1171680" first="Brooks" last="Moore"] (17.3). Davis is a 6-8 big man who can control the game on both ends of the floor. He’s a great passer, a gifted scorer around the rim, and a strong rebounder. Moore is a really athletic wing who runs the floor and finishes above the rim, and has the length and athleticism to be an impact defender. The Rockets don’t shoot it very well from the arc (30.8%), but crash the offensive glass, force turnovers, and look to attack the bucket routinely. They’ve swept likely semifinal opponent Albia and have the horses to make a district final with PC interesting. The dark horse(s): Despite a 19-2 record, Central Decatur only earned the #4 seed in this district. That is largely because of the competition they play in the Pride of Iowa Conference, as their schedule ranks dead last out of 96 teams in 2A. The Cardinals do, however, have a deep stable of scoring options led by senior guards Trey Hullinger (15.3) and [player_tooltip player_id="962695" first="Matthew" last="Boothe"] (12.9). Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1240108" first="Jack" last="Scrivner"] (9.7, 2.0 blocks) is a solid rim protector, and this is a team that has shared the ball really well this year (18.4 assists a game). In junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1167695" first="Drew" last="Chance"] (19.5, 7.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists), Albia has one of the best players in the district. He’s a 6-3/6-4 wing who can get to the rim, rebound, and he gets others involved really well. Three others average between 8.4 and 9.1 points a game, giving them some options for Chance to dish it to. They were swept by E-B-F, so it’s an uphill battle, but Chance is good enough to carry this team. Players to watch 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158492" first="Levi" last="Schelhaas"], Pella Christian 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158415" first="Eric" last="Mulder"], Pella Christian 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158468" first="Ethan" last="Davis"], Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171680" first="Brooks" last="Moore"], Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 2022 Trey Hullinger, Central Decatur 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962695" first="Matthew" last="Boothe"], Central Decatur 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167695" first="Drew" last="Chance"], Albia 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962691" first="Dalton" last="Reeves"], Davis County   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/2A-14.png"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1383304" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/2A-14-1024x317.png" alt="" width="1024" height="317" /></a> <h4>District 14</h4> [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] The favorite: Des Moines Christian has to be considered a heavy favorite in this district considering they’ve already beaten likely district final opponent Pleasantville by 26 and 35 points this season. The Lions have been excellent on both ends of the floor this season, averaging 66.1 points a game (12th in 2A) and allowing 44.9 a night (10th in 2A). A physical and athletic team that can go deep into their bench, they’re led by senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="962669" first="Adam" last="Witty"] (22.5, 8.1 rebounds), who perfectly embodies everything that we’ve come to know about the DMC program over the last several years - he’s a tough, hard-nosed, versatile player who plays hard on every possession. Senior guards Emmett Schelhaas (9.8) and Micah Brandenburg (7.9), and sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1171689" first="Landon" last="Craven"] (9.1) have provided some perimeter scoring punch alongside Witty. This is a group that doesn’t shoot it very well from 3 (30.8%), but they make up for it by pounding the offensive glass and dominating on the defensive end. The biggest threat: Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="962684" first="Mason" last="Scheve"] (25.5) has established himself as one of the best scorers in 2A this year for Pleasantville, posting 55-42-79 shooting splits and carrying the Trojans offensively. He’s a crafty three-level scorer who can get to the rim, has good footwork that he uses to create space, and is a really good shooter. Sophomore forward Dayson Leerhoff (13.4, 9.8 rebounds) has been solid in the paint, and Andrew Pender (10.3, 35.5 3P%) gives them some more shooting on the perimeter. The Trojans will have their work cut out for them if they reach the district final and a third meeting with DMC, but they should be considered the favorite to come out of the bottom of the bracket, getting that semifinal game at home. The dark horse: Three seniors lead an experienced PCM team that has a lot of experience playing together and is certainly capable of beating Pleasantville in the semifinals. [player_tooltip player_id="1235014" first="Durant" last="Van Dyke"] (18.0, 7.1 rebounds, 2.4 blocks) has been a dominant force in the paint on both ends of the floor, while [player_tooltip player_id="1352978" first="Carson" last="Vandelune"] (16.3, 3.7 assists) is a quality lead guard who can score and facilitate. Turnovers have been an issue at times for the Mustangs, but if they can get that area under control, they could make a run. Players to watch 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962669" first="Adam" last="Witty"], Des Moines Christian 2022 Emmett Schelhaas, Des Moines Christian 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962684" first="Mason" last="Scheve"], Pleasantville 2024 Dayson Leerhoff, Pleasantville 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235014" first="Durant" last="Van Dyke"], PCM 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1352978" first="Carson" last="Vandelune"], PCM 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158512" first="Joey" last="Tollefson"], West Marshall 2022 Cole Bracewell, Colfax-Mingo 2024 Mason Smith, Chariton   <h3 style="text-align: center;">SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</h3> Pella Christian vs. Des Moines Christian These teams met on January 24th at Wells Fargo Arena, a game won by Des Moines Christian, 57-46. The Lions held PC to just 38% shooting and won despite being outrebounded 28-18. Will Pella Christian make the adjustments and win the rematch, or will Des Moines Christian’s physicality and defensive pressure bother the Eagles again? This game should be one of the tightest substate finals in any class, and we’ll side with Pella Christian making the adjustments and getting to Wells Fargo Arena (but we don’t feel confident in it).