Substate Preview: 2A-3

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/2A-5.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/2A-5.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1785878" /></a></figure>   District 5   The favorite: Things set up pretty well here for Roland-Story, who has rolled through the regular season, dropping just one game to powerhouse Grand View Christian. The Norsemen got a taste of the state tournament last year, and have been itching to get back. They're one of three 2A teams to rank within the top 10 in both scoring offense (5th, 73.7) and defense (7th, 46.1). Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1367392' first='Isaiah' last='Naylor'] (17.9) leads the team in scoring, a dynamic shot creator with a pure stroke who can get scorching hot. Do-it-all junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1171681' first='Jonovan' last='Wilkinson'] (16.5, 4.2 assists) is the team's most important player. A 6-4 wing who can defend multiple positions, initiate offense, and score from all three levels, they will go as he goes. [player_tooltip player_id='1239871' first='Luke' last='Patton'] (10.7, 13.6 rebounds) has been absolutely dominant on the glass, and they've gotten solid production out of their role players, with four other players averaging between 5.8 and 7.7 points a game. The Norsemen hold wins over the #2 seed Iowa Falls (29), #3 South Hardin (15), and #4 PCM (25, 6).   The biggest threat: The #2 seed in the district, Iowa Falls-Alden, has a 13-point win over likely semifinal opponent South Hardin on its resume, and getting the rematch at home will make them the favorite to come out of the bottom of the district. Senior forward Andrew Bicknese (11.6) and junior Jaden Damiano (10.3) lead a balanced offensive attack for a team that has played the toughest schedule (per BC Moore) of the teams in the district, which could be a benefit.   The dark horse: Just last week, PCM played Roland-Story to a 6-point game, losing 66-60 at the Norsemen. Playing the top seed that close very recently has to give the Mustangs some confidence heading into a third meeting (provided they win their opener). The Mustangs are led by junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1751230' first='Jacob' last='Wendt'] (14.5, 9.5 rebounds), a dominant rebounder and efficient scorer. This group doesn't shoot it well from deep, but they rebound well, play pretty good defense, and are comfortable playing at a slower pace, which is what most postseason games turn into.   Players to watch 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367392' first='Isaiah' last='Naylor'], Roland-Story 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171681' first='Jonovan' last='Wilkinson'], Roland-Story 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1239871' first='Luke' last='Patton'], Roland-Story 2023 Andrew Bicknese, Iowa Falls-Alden 2024 Jaden Damiano, Iowa Falls-Alden 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751230' first='Jacob' last='Wendt'], PCM 2025 Gavin Van Gorp, PCM 2023 Jake Teske, South Hardin 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2377884' first='Lane' last='Luiken'], South Hardin 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167748' first='Ryan' last='Walters'], South Hardin   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/2A-6.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/2A-6.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1785879" /></a></figure>   District 6   The favorite: When these brackets were released on Monday, Grundy Center was given the district's top seed. If they had been released on Tuesday, that honor probably would have gone to Hudson, since the Pirates beat the Spartans by 11 points, on the road, on Monday night. That head-to-head win, very recently, makes Hudson the team to beat in the district. The Pirates ended the regular season with a 16-6 record, but those six losses came against teams with a combined record of 111-10, so they've been battle-tested, and as their win over Grundy Center showed, they're ready for the moment, despite being young. Three juniors lead the team in scoring in [player_tooltip player_id='1476978' first='Camden' last='Davis'] (19.3, 10.5 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='2325396' first='Culin' last='Ugrin'] (10.9), and [player_tooltip player_id='2325381' first='Lyle' last='Olsen'] (10.2, 5.8 assists). An athletic, physical team that shares the ball well, they have a dominant player in Davis, and a lot of quality pieces around him that understand their roles. They also own a season sweep of likely semifinal opponent Dike-New Hartford, beating the Wolverines by 18 and 14 points.   The biggest threat: Another young, but very talented, team in this district is the top-seed Grundy Center. The Spartans are led by a trio of sophomores - [player_tooltip player_id='1478357' first='Jalen' last='Kirkpatrick'] (16.9), [player_tooltip player_id='1759911' first='Tiernan' last='Vokes'] (12.5), and [player_tooltip player_id='1759941' first='Brayden' last='Wallis'] (7.5). Kirkpatrick, an athletic, long 6-6 wing, can score inside and out efficiently and is one of the most talented players in this substate. They share the ball extremely well, averaging over 17 assists a game, and they love to pound the offensive glass, pulling down nearly 13 offensive rebounds a game. The Spartans are the best defensive team in the district, go deep into their bench, and have a lot of talent. It certainly shouldn't surprise anyone if they emerge from District 6 and reach the substate final.   The dark horse: Dike-New Hartford was swept by Hudson in the regular season, but the Wolverines would love to have a chance to get a third spot at the Pirates. [player_tooltip player_id='1738647' first='Benton' last='Bixby'] (18.0, 7.7 rebounds) and Braxten Johnson 913.3, 7.7 rebounds) are a pair of active forwards who can control the glass on both ends of the floor, while Colin Meester (12.0, 5.5 assists) is a solid lead guard who protects the ball and gets others involved.   Players to watch 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476978' first='Camden' last='Davis'], Hudson 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325396' first='Culin' last='Ugrin'], Hudson 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325381' first='Lyle' last='Olsen'], Hudson 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1478357' first='Jalen' last='Kirkpatrick'], Grundy Center 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759911' first='Tiernan' last='Vokes'], Grundy Center 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759941' first='Brayden' last='Wallis'], Grundy Center 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1738647' first='Benton' last='Bixby'], Dike-New Hartford 2023 Braxten Johnson, Dike-New Hartford 2025 Colin Meester, Dike-New Hartford 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751222' first='Jackson' last='Anderson'], Union 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1726227' first='Caden' last='Sorensen'], Union 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1546586' first='Tyreon' last='Franklin'], Belmond-Klemme 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367460' first='Junior' last='Brown'], East Marshall     SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   Roland-Story vs. Hudson   The established team looking to get back to the state tournament and make a run versus the young, up-and-coming team that may have arrived a year early. This one would be a lot of fun, but we'll side with the veteran group from Roland-Story, a fantastic defensive team that finds a way to slow down Hudson's potent offense. The Norsemen get back to the state tournament for the second year in a row.