Substate Preview: 2A-1

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/2A-1.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/2A-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1785855" /></a></figure>   District 1   The favorite: Playing as an independent this year, Western Christian has really beefed up the schedule. They've had some ups and downs as a result, including a pair of losses to good teams from South Dakota last week, but they've largely dominated against in-state competition, going 12-1 with a +18.6 point differential. Three players average in double-figures in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1462778' first='Tate' last='Van Regenmorter'] (13.9) and Chandler Pollema (10.6) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1436462' first='Kaden' last='Van Regenmorter'] (13.2), with two others chipping in around 7 points a game - senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1167724' first='Ashtin' last='Van't Hul'] (7.4) and sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1484412' first='Karsten' last='Moret'] (7.1, pictured). The Wolfpack share the ball well, limit turnovers, play strong defense, and have a multitude of scoring threats. Having played against one of the most challenging schedules in 2A, they'll be ready for anything that is thrown at them, and this is the most talented team in the district. They should be considered a fairly heavy favorite to get through here.   The biggest threat: Having to play one fewer game and getting that semifinal at home makes Garner-Hayfield-Ventura the favorite to come out of the bottom of the bracket and meet Western Christian. The Cardinals are led by tough senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1147612' first='Drew' last='Britson'] (16.3), a do-it-all guard who leads the team in nearly every major category. He's the type of player who can dominate games even when he isn't scoring, and he's a veteran leader who isn't going to be intimidated by the moment. Junior Aiden Hawe (9.1) and senior Braden Boehnke (8.9) provide some additional scoring, and this group is able to go seven deep comfortably.   The dark horse: If anyone in this district is going to go nuclear and cause some chaos, it's Estherville Lincoln Central guard [player_tooltip player_id='1171659' first='Owen' last='Larson'] (28.0, 4.5 assists), one of the most dynamic players in the state, regardless of class. The future South Dakota State guard is capable of dropping 40+ on any given night, and with his ability to score from all three levels as well as get his teammates involved, he's the type of individual talent that can get hot and carry his team to a few upsets. Jordan Jensen (8.4) and [player_tooltip player_id='2325337' first='Cael' last='Miller'] (8.2) have provided some additional scoring for the Midgets.   Players to watch 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1462778' first='Tate' last='Van Regenmorter'], Western Christian 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1436462' first='Kaden' last='Van Regenmorter'], Western Christian 2023 Chandler Pollema, Western Christian 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167724' first='Ashtin' last='Van't Hul'], Western Christian 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1147612' first='Drew' last='Britson'], Garner-Hayfield-Ventura 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171659' first='Owen' last='Larson'], Estherville Lincoln Central 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751223' first='Ethan' last='Behrens'], Pocahontas Area 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240094' first='Blake' last='Radke'], Sheldon 2023 Anthony Provost, Sheldon 2023 Aiden Comstock, Cherokee   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/2A-2.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/2A-2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1785857" /></a></figure>   District 2   The favorite: West Lyon has to be pretty happy with their draw here, ranking 25 spots higher than the next-best team (Emmetsburg) in BC Moore's rankings. The Wildcats have shown themselves to be a really dangerous team at times this season, posting great wins over West Sioux and Central Lyon, and of their four losses, three have come at the hands of MOC-Floyd Valley or Central Lyon, teams that have spent most of the season ranked within the top-3-5 in 3A or 2A, respectively. Hyper-efficient forward [player_tooltip player_id='1738630' first='Devan' last='Van Wyhe'] (16.4) leads the way for the 'Cats, a 6-5 forward who is posting eye-popping 72-47-62 shooting splits. Darren Meyer (13.4, 60.2 FG%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1759936' first='Carson' last='Hoogeveen'] (12.0, 4.2 assists) are the other major scoring threats, while junior [player_tooltip player_id='2325556' first='Trevor' last='Ciesielski'] (7.6, 4.9 assists) pairs with Hoogeveen to give them a pair of reliable ball-handlers. This is an athletic, physical team that plays strong defense, efficient offense, and shares the ball well. It would be a pretty big upset for West Lyon to not get through this district.   The biggest threat: A balanced offensive attack from Emmetsburg was good enough to grab the E-Hawks the #2 seed in the district and a semifinal game at home as a result. A young team that has five sophomores among their top six scorers, this is a group that will use any postseason run that they make as a springboard into next year. Byron Maina (12.6, 7.3 rebounds) leads the team in scoring and rebounding and is a versatile three-level scorer who can stretch the floor, put the ball on the deck and get to the rim, or make plays for others. [player_tooltip player_id='2519988' first='Gavin' last='Swanson'] (9.4, 3.4 assists) is another solid perimeter shooting threat, and Kale Frank (8.6) is a solid all-around player.   The dark horse: After winning the 2A title last year, Rock Valley lost nearly everything from that group, so it has been a bit of a bumpy ride this year. Nonetheless, they enter the postseason playing decent basketball and have arguably the second-most talented roster in the district. The Rockets are led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1738660' first='Bryson' last='Zomer'] (13.5, 7.1 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='1738657' first='Ryan' last='Strait'] (12.1), a pair of athletic forwards who can score inside and out. Going through the Siouxland Conference, this group isn't going to be initiated going to Emmetsburg in the semifinals.   Players to watch 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1738630' first='Devan' last='Van Wyhe'], West Lyon 2023 Darren Meyer, West Lyon 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759936' first='Carson' last='Hoogeveen'], West Lyon 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325556' first='Trevor' last='Ciesielski'], West Lyon 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1738660' first='Bryson' last='Zomer'], Rock Valley 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1738657' first='Ryan' last='Strait'], Rock Valley 2025 Byron Maina, Emmetsburg 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2519988' first='Gavin' last='Swanson'], Emmetsburg 2025 Kellen Jensen, Ridge View 2023 Aidan Dahms, Okoboji 2024 Sam Schnepf, Sibley-Ocheyedan     SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   Western Christian vs. West Lyon   West Lyon has proven they can play with anyone in the class after their win over Central Lyon, and the Wildcats are certainly capable of knocking off Western Christian here. That said, Western Christian has been one of the best teams in the state all year long, and despite their setbacks against the South Dakota schools a week ago, we expect them to get back on track and playing great basketball again by the time they reach this point. The Wolfpack return to Des Moines for the 23rd time in school history, in search of an 11th state title.