Remaining Unbeatens - Class 2A

Over halfway through the season, there are five teams in Class 2A that have yet to lose a game. We take a look at the teams, how they have looked thus far, and look ahead to what they have left for the rest of the season.   Class 2A   Central Lyon (12-0)   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/151-Andrew-Austin-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/151-Andrew-Austin-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1596311" width="174" height="262" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1367399' first='Andrew' last='Austin'], Central Lyon</figcaption></figure>   About the Lions - Both the Lions' close games this season were against MOC-Floyd Valley, who's ranked 4th in the PrepHoops 3A rankings this week. Otherwise, the Lions are beating their opponents by an average of thirty points. Leading Central Lyon to their first State Tournament last season, [player_tooltip player_id='1253020' first='Zach' last='Lutmer'] is back leading the Lions. He's stuffing the stat sheet, averaging 19.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 3.1 steals per game. Lutmer, who's going to play football at Iowa, is a physical, athletic, lead guard who can shoot it well and convert at the rim. 6'6" senior, [player_tooltip player_id='1367399' first='Andrew' last='Austin'] is the man in the middle for the Lions. He's having a great year, averaging 18.6 points and 8.8 rebounds a game. Austin is an efficient scorer down low (57.5 FG%) and is a very versatile defender. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1751110' first='Reece' last='Vander Zee'] is having a nice season as well. He dropped 30 in the Lions' last game against Boyden-Hull and is now averaging 18.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.   Toughest Remaining Games - 1/27 @ West Lyon, 1/31 vs. Sioux Center   Will They Go Undefeated? Yes. In their first go-round this season, Central Lyon took down West Lyon by twelve. Sioux Center is the other team on the schedule that may cause the Lions some trouble. Sitting at 9-4 on the season, they have played in a couple of close games, and are able to spread the ball out. The rest of the schedule for Central Lyon looks like they will be able to close it out undefeated.   Lake Mills (16-0)   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/112-Lance-Helming-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/112-Lance-Helming-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1596273" width="197" height="296" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1751213' first='Lance' last='Helming'], Lake Mills</figcaption></figure>   About the Bulldogs - In the last two seasons, the Bulldogs have only lost three games, two of them being at the State Tournament. This season, Coach Menke has the Bulldogs sitting at 16-0. Leading the offensive attack is junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1751213' first='Lance' last='Helming'] (17.4 ppg). At 6'5", Helming is an efficient scorer around the basket (55.6 FG%), and solid on the boards (7.6 rpg). Lake Mills' other primary scorer is senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1469829' first='Denton' last='Kingland']. He's averaging 16.5 points per game and leads the Bulldogs in assists with 5.4 a game. Kingland is a solid shooter from three (41.4 3PT%), with a quick release that lets him get his shot off in a hurry. He's shown off his abilities to make plays for teammates as well, leading the team in assists. Eli Menke (12.9 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1288890' first='Aiden' last='Stensrud'] (11.5 ppg & 9.3 rpg) have both handled their new roles well this year.   Toughest Remaining Games - 1/27 @ Garner Hayfield Ventura, 2/10 vs. Newman Catholic   Will They Go Undefeated? Yes. In their first meeting this season, Lake Mills beat GHV by 23. Their matchup Friday night is a home game for GHV, who's been playing well lately, winning their last five games. The Bulldogs should go into the last game of the season undefeated and go up against a 13-2 Newman Catholic team. With four players averaging 10+ points a game, and Kingland's senior leadership, I think Coach Menke's team gets past both GHV and Newman Catholic to finish another campaign undefeated.   OABCIG (14-0)   About the Falcons - Behind five senior starters, the Falcons are now 14-0 after a 55-47 win on Tuesday night (1/24) against IKM-Manning. Leading the scoring for the Falcons is Kane Ludwig, averaging 15.4 points a game. Ludwig gives the Falcons a perimeter shooting threat, shooting 33.0% from deep on the year. Right behind Ludwig in scoring, is the Western Valley conference's best player, [player_tooltip player_id='1167707' first='Beckett' last='DeJean']. DeJean has been stuffing the stat sheet again this year averaging 14.5 points per game, 7.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. He is quick to the bucket and very good at converting through contact. He hasn't attempted all but 17 threes this year, but he does have a smooth release and can bury it from mid-range. Treyton Kolar (10.5 ppg & 6.0 rpg) and Griffin Diersen (8.1 ppg & 5.6 rpg) have accompanied DeJean very well this season.   Toughest Remaining Games - 2/9 vs. Newell-Fonda   Will They Go Undefeated? Yes. The Falcons have the WVC Conference Tournament coming up this week and next, and then play Alta-Aurelia and Newell-Fonda to close out the season. They should make it through the conference tourney without any issues but will have their hands full against [player_tooltip player_id='1167701' first='Carter' last='Sievers'] and Newell-Fonda (10-2). I think Coach Harms and the Falcons will come away with a huge win at home against Newell-Fonda to finish off an undefeated season.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/106-Jake-Hargens-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/106-Jake-Hargens-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1596266" width="188" height="281" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1587385' first='Jake' last='Hargens'], Sioux Central</figcaption></figure>   Sioux Central (14-0)   About the Rebels - The Rebels starting lineup features four seniors and a junior, and they may have one of the best backcourt duos in 2A. [player_tooltip player_id='1167698' first='Jacob' last='Hargens'] showed off his elite scoring ability last season and has picked up right where he left off, as he's averaging 27.1 points a game this year. Hargens uses his strength to get to the hoop and finish through contact. He uses good ball fakes and shot fakes, is quick off the dribble, and shows impressive body control to split defenders. Pair his inside scoring ability with a smooth jumper, you have one of the elite scorers in the state. His teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='1240102' first='Carter' last='Boettcher'], was recently catapulted up the 2023 Player Rankings after he's been having a solid senior season. The 6'1" lead guard is averaging 20.8 points, 5.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds a game for the Rebels. He's shooting the ball well, hitting on 45.6% of his threes. He makes good decisions with the ball and is a versatile defender who can defend down low or on the perimeter. Ethan Mills (13.9 ppg) is another player to watch for the Rebels.   Toughest Remaining Games - 1/30 @ Estherville Lincoln Central, 2/7 vs. Newell-Fonda   Will They Go Undefeated? Yes. Estherville Lincoln Central dominated Sioux Central last season, but Hargens was not in the stat book for the Rebels. With Hargens on the floor, I think the Rebels are the better team and should avenge last season's loss. In the last game of the season, the Rebels take on Newell-Fonda, who they beat 72-66 earlier in the season. I think the Hargens and Boettcher duo will be too much for any of the upcoming opponents to handle.   West Burlington (16-0)   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/26-Brady-Martin-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/26-Brady-Martin-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1596204" width="240" height="361" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1171665' first='Brady' last='Martin'], West Burlington</figcaption></figure>   About the Falcons - The Falcons scoring is led by junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1171665' first='Brady' last='Martin']. With a smooth, quick release, he can really shoot it from deep. He likes to play up-tempo and uses his speed to get past defenders. Running the point, he can get to the hoop and score but knows when to dump it off to teammates. He's averaging 18.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. Martin teams up with sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1381425' first='Mason' last='Watkins']. Watkins is a lightning-quick guard who can score from all three levels. Watkins has a smooth pull-up jumper and uses his quickness off the dribble to get a mid-range shot, where he's very efficient from. Watkins is averaging 14.7 points a game, along with 3.6 assists. Jace Figuereo is having another solid season as well, averaging 11.7 points a game, and giving the Falcons some help on the glass, averaging 7.1 boards a game. Figuereo is another quick guard that can finish at the hoop, or create for teammates, as he's leading the team in assists.   Toughest Remaining Games - 1/27 @ New London, 1/31 vs. Danville, 2/4 vs. WACO @ Southeastern Comm. College, 2/7 @ Burlington   Will They Go Undefeated? No. The Falcons have some tough games to end the season. Playing at New London and home against Danville, these two teams have been the Falcons closest games this season. The Falcons play a quick tempo but do not have much size, which I think may be an issue against taller teams.

Over halfway through the season, there are five teams in Class 2A that have yet to lose a game. We take a look at the teams, how they have looked thus far, and look ahead to what they have left for the rest of the season.