Substate Preview: 2A-7

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/2A-13.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/2A-13.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1785898" /></a></figure>   District 13   The favorite: A talented senior class at AHSTW has accomplished a ton throughout the last four years, but there is one notable bullet-point missing from their resumes - a state tournament appearance. That may change this year. [player_tooltip player_id='1167687' first='Brayden' last='Lund'] (18.8, 53.2 FG%), [player_tooltip player_id='1167692' first='Kyle' last='Sternberg'] (15.8, 7.8 rebounds), and [player_tooltip player_id='1240070' first='Cole' last='Scheffler'] (6.4, 40.5 3P%) have been varsity mainstays for four years and have won a ton of games together. Lund is a versatile 6-4 forward who can score inside and out. Sternberg is a long 6-3 wing who can put the ball on the floor, defend multiple positions, and create shots for his teammates, and Scheffler is a quick point guard who sees the floor well and knocks down open shots. The Vikings have been building for this moment for years now, and outside of an upset loss to Underwood (and an expected loss to Grand View Christian), they've been outstanding this season.   The biggest threat: Van Meter received a boost in the second half of the season when [player_tooltip player_id='1240075' first='Skyler' last='Yazzie'] (11.3, 38.6 3P%) transferred back to Van Meter from Waukee. An athletic wing who can get to the bucket or knock down shots, he has provided a needed offensive boost for the Bulldogs. [player_tooltip player_id='1240069' first='Aydn' last='Netten'] (10.5) is another long, athletic wing who can attack the rim, and Carter Durflinger (10.0) is a solid on-ball defender. The Bulldogs have always been strong defensively, and that holds true again this year, allowing 48.8 points a game, using their deep rotation of athletes to put constant pressure on opposing ball-handlers. The depth of Van Meter is something that could give them an edge over AHSTW in the district final, particularly if there is a tight whistle.   The dark horse: A trio of double-figure scorers pace a potent Nodaway Valley attack that could make some noise if one or two of them get hot at the right time. [player_tooltip player_id='1367457' first='Boston' last='Devault'] (19.8, 4.8 assists), Dawson Nelson (18.0, 3.2 assists), and Avery Phillippi (12.2) are each capable perimeter shooting threats who can create shots for themselves and others. The Wolverines share the ball well (17 assists a game) and have a bevy of explosive scoring threats.   Players to watch 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167687' first='Brayden' last='Lund'], AHSTW 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167692' first='Kyle' last='Sternberg'], AHSTW 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240070' first='Cole' last='Scheffler'], AHSTW 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240075' first='Skyler' last='Yazzie'], Van Meter 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240069' first='Aydn' last='Netten'], Van Meter 2023 Carter Durflinger, Van Meter 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367457' first='Boston' last='Devault'], Nodaway Valley 2024 Dawson Nelson, Nodaway Valley 2023 Avery Phillippi, Nodaway Valley 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1587394' first='Maddox' last='Hammerstrom'], Panorama 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2221605' first='Landon' last='Osberg'], West Central Valley   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/2A-14.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/2A-14.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1785899" /></a></figure>   District 14   The favorite: Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont has a high-powered offensive attack, averaging 70.6 points a game behind the strength of junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1171680' first='Brooks' last='Moore'] (22.0, 9.2 rebounds) and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1195409' first='Carsen' last='Wade'] (14.3, 41.9 3P%). A deep team that has five other players averaging between 5.2 and 8.7 points a game, the Rockets love to play a fast-paced, up-tempo game where they get out and run, attack the bucket, and crash the offensive glass hard (14.4 offensive rebounds a game). Moore is a difficult matchup at 6-5/6-6, an athletic wing who can finish above the rim with authority, and the depth of EBF could be a major benefit for them in this district.   The biggest threat: Des Moines Christian is always tough to beat in the postseason because of the ridiculously tough defense they play on an annual basis. The Lions are allowing just 44.2 points a game, 2nd in the class, and have a balanced offensive attack with four players averaging in double-figures. An athletic, physical team that is extremely disciplined and well-coached on the defensive end of the floor, there are rarely cracks in the defense, and they aren't going to beat themselves. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1171689' first='Landon' last='Craven'] (16.1) is the team's top scorers, while [player_tooltip player_id='1751233' first='Tate' last='Platte'] (12.4), [player_tooltip player_id='1759901' first='Seaton' last='Ingram'] (11.5), and [player_tooltip player_id='1240068' first='Carsen' last='Theis'] (10.4) are other reliable scoring options. They pound the offensive glass (12.7 a game) which helps offset poor perimeter shooting. They use their physicality to control the game on both ends of the floor and are used to playing at a slower tempo. If they're able to dictate the pace, they can certainly knock off EBF and reach the substate final.   The dark horse: Central Decatur has put together an impressive regular season, racking up 17 wins, but they've also played the weakest schedule in 2A, according to BC Moore. The Cardinals are deep, with eight players averaging at least 4.9 points a game, led by senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1240108' first='Jack' last='Scrivner'] (14.8, 9.5 rebounds), and they share the ball well (19.2 assists a game). It will be interesting to see what happens when they take a step up in competition, but this is a group that is used to winning games and there is something to be said for that.   Players to watch 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171680' first='Brooks' last='Moore'], Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1195409' first='Carsen' last='Wade'], Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171689' first='Landon' last='Craven'], Des Moines Christian 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751233' first='Tate' last='Platte'], Des Moines Christian 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240108' first='Jack' last='Scrivner'], Central Decatur 2023 Brody Tuttle, Centerville 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476980' first='Mason' last='Smith'], Chariton 2023 Justin Matheney, Davis County     SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   AHSTW vs. Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont   Party time in the communities of Avoca, Hancock, Shelby, Tennant, and Walnut! That talented senior class that has been building for this moment comes through and gets AHSTW to the state tournament for the first time in school history, using their length to suffocate EBF's high-powered offensive attack and getting just enough from Lund, Sternberg, and Scheffler to make some history.