State Tournament Preview: Class 2A Stars to Watch

<p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1253020" first="Zach" last="Lutmer"] (Central Lyon)</strong></p> <p>Also a standout on the football field, Lutmer is an athletic 6-2 lead guard who dominates games on a nightly basis on both ends of the floor. He's averaging 20.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.7 steals, while posting incredibly impressive 56-44-74 shooting splits. His ability to control the game when he's not scoring is what stands out the most about him.</p> <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962637" first="Mason" last="Gerleman"] (Central Lyon)</strong></p> <p>The son of Central Lyon coach Ben Gerleman, Mason is a sharpshooting 6-2 off-ball guard who buries 46.7% of his 3-point attempts. He has improved throughout his time at Central Lyon as a playmaker, showing the ability to put the ball on the floor and create for others, but it's his shooting that has carried him throughout his career, and which will be a key factor for the Lions next week. He averages 17.7 points.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Carter-Harmsen-crop-1024x673-1641397136.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1360294" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Carter-Harmsen-crop-1024x673-1641397136-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158414" first="Carter" last="Harmsen"] (Mid-Prairie)</strong></p> <p>Harmsen is a talented 6-5 lefty wing who can score from all three levels and leads the Golden Hawks in scoring (20.0) and rebounding (8.3). He has a physical frame that he uses to embrace contact and finish around the rim, and a smooth stroke with range out to the arc. He's also the type of high IQ player that can facilitate the offense, either through the high-post against zone or out on the wing with his court vision and passing skills. </p> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1367392" first="Isaiah" last="Naylor"] (Roland-Story)</strong></p> <p>Naylor, a 6-0 guard, has blossomed as a junior, showing the ability to create his own look with a tight handle and the ability to get into his shot in the blink of an eye. He has unlimited range and is able to take advantage of hard closeouts by attacking off the dribble and getting to the rim. He leads the Norsemen, averaging 17.3 points with 46-49-84 shooting splits. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/81-Jonovan-Wilkinson.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1290481" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/81-Jonovan-Wilkinson-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171681" first="Jonovan" last="Wilkinson"] (Roland-Story)</strong></p> <p>Wilkinson is an athletic 6-2 playmaking wing who leads the Norsemen in assists (3.3 a game). He can score from all three levels but is also the type of player who can make a major impact on games even when he isn't scoring with his rebounding, passing, length, and athleticism on the defensive end. He's averaging 14.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists a game. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Tate-Petersen-new-crop-1536x1009-1641852111.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1363526" 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><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956879" first="Tate" last="Petersen"] (Monticello)</strong></p> <p>Petersen will be playing in his third state tournament already, as he's been a starter for the Panthers since his freshman year. A 6-0 lead guard who leads the team in scoring, assists, and steals, he's an excellent ball-handler with unlimited range. He has a great feel for the game and limits turnovers, and he has really developed his ability to break down a defense and get to the rim for finishes. He's averaging 19.2 points and 5.5 assists while shooting nearly 38% from 3.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Preston-Ries-crop-1536x1009-1641852067.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1363524" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Preston-Ries-crop-1536x1009-1641852067-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171677" first="Preston" last="Ries"] (Monticello)</strong></p> <p>Ries will be one of the best athletes in the field, a powerful 6-2 combo forward who can score inside and out, control the glass, and provide some versatility on the defensive end. He's a highly productive football player as well who will end up with several Division I offers, and that athleticism and physicality show in a big way on the hardwood as well. He's averaging 18.5 points and 6.9 rebounds a game for the Panthers, and he's capable of having monster games.</p> <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158441" first="Carson" last="Lienau"] (Jesup)</strong></p> <p>Lienau is headed to Iowa State to throw the discus and shot put, which should tell you a little bit about how he likes to play on the hardwood as well. A 6-5 power forward (emphasis on the power), he leads the J-Hawks in scoring (20.9 points) and rebounding (11.5) while shooting 68.2% from the floor. He scores effectively with either hand around the bucket and has really good footwork. His ability to pound the offensive glass (4.9 a game) is key for the J-Hawks, who enter this tournament as one of the hottest teams in the state. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Bryson-Van-Grootheest.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1260499" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Bryson-Van-Grootheest-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" /></a><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962672" first="Bryson" last="Van Grootheest"] (Rock Valley)</strong></p> <p>Van Grootheest is a strong and athletic 6-1 guard who can score from all three levels, and he finds ways to impact games across the board with his strength and athleticism. He's averaging 18.6 points and 2.8 assists while posting 52-40-72 shooting splits. He leads a balanced and deep arsenal of scoring threats for the Rockets. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Eric-Mulder-2.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1224590" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Eric-Mulder-2-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" /></a><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158415" first="Eric" last="Mulder"] (Pella Christian)</strong></p> <p>A 6-9/6-10 big man who can occasionally stretch the floor but is at his best controlling the painted area on both ends of the floor, Mulder is the only Division I-committed player in the 2A field, headed to play his college ball at IPFW. He's long and mobile, a switchable defender if teams try to put him into ball screen action, and he protects the rim at a high level, averaging 2.0 blocks a game and altering several more. His ability to dominate the paint on both ends will be huge for a Pella Christian team that many around the state believe may be the team to beat. </p> <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158492" first="Levi" last="Schelhaas"] (Pella Christian)</strong></p> <p>Scheelhaas leads the Eagles in scoring, averaging 14.2 points and 3.0 assists a game. He's a quick guard who can break down a defense and get to the rim, and he has improved as a shooter this season. </p> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1376714" first="Max" last="DeVries"] (Red Oak)</strong></p> <p>A 6-2 guard who can get red hot and carry the team, DeVries leads the Tigers averaging 15.8 points and 4.2 rebounds a game. He's a three-level scorer who will need to have a big effort in their opening-round game against Central Lyon if they want to have a chance at advancing. </p>