Substate Preview: 3A-2

<!-- wp:image {"id":1797565,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/3A-2.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/3A-2.png?w=949" alt="" class="wp-image-1797565" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The favorite: MOC-Floyd Valley</strong>, the #2 scoring team in the class at 75.8 points a game, earned the top seed in this substate and should have a slightly easier path to the substate final than Humboldt or Algona at the bottom of the bracket. The Dutchmen are a dynamic offensive team filled with elite shooting threats, with their top four shooting a combined 172-378 (45.5%) from behind the arc. [player_tooltip player_id='1376686' first='Jesse' last='Van Kalsbeek'] (19.6) is the team's leading scorer, and the least prolific of that quartet, *only* shooting 38.6% from deep. A highly efficient guard who loves to play downhill and get to the bucket, he's shooting 58.5% from the floor and puts constant pressure on opposing defenses. [player_tooltip player_id='1167713' first='Ayden' last='Klein'] (pictured, 16.5, 41.8 3P%) is a quick guard who, like Van Kalsbeek, would rather get to the rim than shoot it. The ability to Van Kalsbeek and Klein to get into the teeth of the defense and kick it out is a major benefit for [player_tooltip player_id='1167726' first='Luke' last='Korver'] (16.3, 49.0 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='2398061' first='Blake' last='Aalbers'] (9.7, 47.1 3P%), the team's top two shooters. Both move really well without the ball and have quick releases off the catch. This is a team filled with offensive options, which makes them difficult to defend, as it's unlikely that all four of them are going to have poor shooting nights at the same time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The biggest threats: </strong>No team in the state hoists up the 3-ball more than <strong>Humboldt</strong>, averaging 32.1 3-point attempts a game. The Warriors-lite style helped lead the Wildcats to the state tournament last year, and it very well may again this year. Four different players have made at least 30 3s this season, which makes this a difficult group to defend with how they can space the floor. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1240078' first='Will' last='Orness'] (16.4, 36.1 3P%) is the team's top scorer and facilitator, a physical and quick guard who can put pressure on the defense with his ability to get to the bucket or stop on a dime and shoot. [player_tooltip player_id='1469745' first='Joshua' last='Thurm'] (15.3, 45.0 3P%) is the top shooter, a wing who can shoot it both off the dribble and the catch. Evan Hatcher (13.3, 7.9 rebounds) leads the team in rebounding, is a solid playmaker, and is a 43% 3-point shooter, and Elliot Carlson (14.1) is a versatile, attacking guard. This group is averaging 76.8 points a game, the best in 3A. They swept the season series against likely semifinal opponent, Algona, by 20 and 4 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Algona </strong>was swept by Humboldt, but the more recent meeting was a 4-point game and is a game that the Bulldogs led heading into the fourth quarter. They have four double-figure scorers of their own, headlined by sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1288917' first='Ben' last='Helmers'] (18.3), a quick, athletic wing who can score from all three levels. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='1484419' first='Alex' last='Manske'] (12.0, 9.4 rebounds) controls the glass on both ends of the floor, while [player_tooltip player_id='1587471' first='Simon' last='Feucht'] (11.0, 40.6 3P%) is an intriguing 6-6 stretch-forward who has put together a strong senior year. Caden Weber (12.9) is at his best attacking the rim, and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1587393' first='Landon' last='Welp'] (4.9, 5.6 assists) isn't a major scorer, but he's the straw that stirs the drink as the team's point guard, getting others involved at a high clip. This is another dynamic offensive team in this substate filled with high-scoring teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The dark horse: Sioux Center</strong> would love to get a third shot at MOC-Floyd Valley after losing twice to the Dutchmen in the regular season. The Warriors are led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1469825' first='Kylar' last='Fritz'] (18.3), and then have a balanced rotation of secondary scoring threats in [player_tooltip player_id='1376708' first='Cael' last='Van Beek'] (8.9), Tyler Roseberry (8.4), [player_tooltip player_id='1376697' first='Carson' last='Bruhn'] (7.6), and Briggs Friedmann (7.4). Van Beek is the type of versatile wing with size and length who could give MOC some issues, and if Fritz gets hot, they could do some damage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to watch<br></span>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376686' first='Jesse' last='Van Kalsbeek'], MOC-Floyd Valley<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167713' first='Ayden' last='Klein'], MOC-Floyd Valley<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167726' first='Luke' last='Korver'], MOC-Floyd Valley<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240078' first='Will' last='Orness'], Humboldt<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469745' first='Joshua' last='Thurm'], Humboldt<br>2024 Evan Hatcher, Humboldt<br>2025 Elliot Carlson, Humboldt<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288917' first='Ben' last='Helmers'], Algona<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484419' first='Alex' last='Manske'], Algona<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469825' first='Kylar' last='Fritz'], Sioux Center<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367449' first='Tyler' last='Voss'], Spirit Lake<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759904' first='Dylan' last='Stecker'], Spirit Lake<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765515' first='Jaidyn' last='Coon'], Storm Lake<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765508' first='Cameron' last='Boyd'], Storm Lake<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721697' first='Geren' last='Kenney'], Perry<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1738628' first='Owen' last='Olson'], Spencer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MOC-Floyd Valley vs. Humboldt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We think the chalk will hold in this substate, with the top two seeds meeting in the substate final. And in this one, defense is optional! The top two scoring teams in the class meet up here. Two exceptional shooting teams that love to get up and down the floor, this one likely comes down to whichever team shoots it better from the arc on this night. We'll side with <strong>Humboldt</strong>, with the big-game experience of getting to the state tournament last year weighing in their favor. The Wildcats head to Des Moines for the second straight season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->