Class 2A State Tournament Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#1 seed: Central Lyon (21-1)<br></span>About the Lions: </strong>Last year's runner-up has been absolutely dominant this season, winning games by an average of 29.1 points a game, behind the strength of the #1 scoring offense in the class (78.0 points a game). Their loss came by a single point to a West Lyon team that was a last-second shot away from being in the state tournament, and they've played just one other game decided by single digits, a 77-72 win over MOC-Floyd Valley way back on December 6. [player_tooltip player_id='1253020' first='Zach' last='Lutmer'] (20.8, 6.0 assists) leads a Lions team that just overwhelms opponents with their athleticism, physicality, and skill. He's an elite athlete who is headed to play football at Iowa, and is the type of player who can dominate games as a scorer, defender, or facilitator. He's also a proven winner who has been extremely successful over his high school career on the hardwood and the gridiron. [player_tooltip player_id='1367399' first='Andrew' last='Austin'] (20.0, 8.9 rebounds) is a bouncy 6-7 forward who can score inside and out, and [player_tooltip player_id='1751110' first='Reece' last='Vander Zee'] (18.1, 6.9 rebounds) is the best third scoring option in the state. He's a 6-5 combo forward who can stretch the floor (50.8 3P%), defend multiple positions, and score around the rim. This is an extremely efficient offensive team, posting 54-38-69 shooting splits as a team, and they can turn close games into blowouts in a hurry with their ability to just swarm teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>The Lions have been the team to beat for a majority of the season. Their balance of athleticism, physicality, and talent is overwhelming for other teams in the field, and in [player_tooltip player_id='1253020' first='Zach' last='Lutmer'], they have a proven winner leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#2 seed: Roland-Story (24-1)<br></span>About the Norsemen: </strong>The Norsemen made a run to the state tournament last season, losing in the quarterfinals, but they brought a lot of production from that team back and they're hungry to make a deep run this season. They enter the tournament on a 14-game winning streak, but they've been playing with fire a bit, with six of those games decided by single digits. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1367392' first='Isaiah' last='Naylor'] (18.0) is one of the best shot creators in the field, a talented ball-handler who can get to his own shot whenever he wants. When he gets it rolling, he's really difficult to defend. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1171681' first='Jonovan' last='Wilkinson'] (16.3, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists) is their most important player, a 6-4 wing who can defend multiple positions as well as create for his teammates on the offensive end. He's one of the best all-around defenders in the state, and his presence on that end of the floor is difference making. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1239871' first='Luke' last='Patton'] (10.1, 13.2 rebounds) is a dominant force on the glass, and his physicality and soft hands in the paint will be key in winning the rebounding battle throughout the tournament. The rest of the Norsemen role players are quality shooting threats who can help space the floor, allowing more room for Naylor and Wilkinson to operate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all:</strong> This is one of the most experienced teams in the field, and they've proven down the stretch that they're comfortable playing in, and winning, close games, which is huge at the state tournament. They've proven that they can execute late in the shot clock and late in games on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#3 seed: Western Christian (20-3)<br></span>About the Wolfpack:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1436462' first='Kaden' last='Van Regenmorter'] (13.0, 4.0 assists) made a floater at the buzzer for the Wolfpack to knock off West Lyon and get to the state tournament. They trailed by 16 points in that game midway through the fourth quarter before a furious rally led them back to Des Moines for the 23rd time in school history. Van Regenmorter and older brother [player_tooltip player_id='1462778' first='Tate' last='Van Regenmorter'] (14.4, 38.1 3P%) lead the Wolfpack in scoring. Both are high IQ wings who can score from all three levels as well as create for others. Chandler Pollema (10.3, 39.4 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1484412' first='Karsten' last='Moret'] (7.4, 42.5 3P%) are capable shooting threats who help space the floor, and senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1167724' first='Ashtin' last='Van't Hul'] (7.3, 4.1 assists) is a veteran presence who was a key contributor on the state title winning team from two years ago. This is a tradition-rich program that is accustomed to winning, and while they are a bit smaller than typical Wolfpack teams are, they're still a team that plays the right way, sharing the basketball, using strong off-ball movement to break down the defense, and playing good team defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>Western is always one of the most disciplined, fundamentally sound teams in the state, and this year is no exception. They have a number of talented scorers and don't care who is getting the numbers, as long as they're putting a "W" in the column at the end of the day. After their huge comeback win over West Lyon to get here, are they a team of destiny?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#4 seed: Pella Christian (15-9)<br></span>About the Eagles:</strong> According to BC Moore's power rankings system, the Eagles have played the most difficult schedule in 2A, playing just eight of their 24 games against 2A competition (and three of those have come during postseason play). Four of their nine losses have come by three points. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1423351' first='Tysen' last='DeVries'] (12.5, 4.0 assists) is their leading scorer, a small but talented guard who is absolutely fearless. He loves to play downhill and put pressure on opposing teams, and he's a tough, winning guard who will do whatever it takes for his team. [player_tooltip player_id='2325478' first='Josiah' last='Vos'] (6.7, 5.5 rebounds) may be the Eagles' most important player. A 6-5 wing who can defend multiple positions as well as score from all three levels, he makes a major impact on the game that goes well beyond the box score. This is a typical Eagles team with a bunch of long pieces who can provide some defensive versatility, and they play really well together. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>This is a battle-tested team that has gone through a gauntlet of a schedule, and they won't be intimidated by anyone that they run into next week. DeVries is a winner who can take over games, and they're a long team that can make life difficult for opposing teams with their length and athleticism on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#5 seed: MFL-Mar-Mac (24-1)<br></span>About the Bulldogs: </strong>The 'Dogs come in on a 14-game winning streak, tied with Roland-Story for the longest active streak in the class. Their strength of schedule throughout the year was a major question about this team, ranking 87th out of 96 2A teams, but they posted really good wins over Beckman Catholic and Lake Mills to get here. Despite playing that lower-ranked strength of schedule, they've done everything asked of them - blow teams out routinely. They rank third in the class in scoring offense (75.7) and fourth in defense (44.8). They're small, with just one major contributor listed at 6-2 or taller, but what they lack in size, they make up for in quickness. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1381408' first='Zach' last='Driscoll'] (20.5, 5.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 4.2 steals) is a two-way impact player with a high IQ who can dominate games as either a scorer, defender, or playmaker. He's a skilled scorer who can get to the bucket seemingly at will with his great pace and first step. Junior forward Carter Blietz-Bentien (13.8, 8.1 rebounds) is undersized as a forward, but he's physical and plays with a non-stop motor, and [player_tooltip player_id='2511550' first='Parker' last='Kuehl'] (11.2) and [player_tooltip player_id='2325439' first='Wyatt' last='Powell'] (10.2) are both solid scoring threats who make a major impact defensively as well. The Bulldogs average 17.5 steals a game, and it'll be interesting to see how much of that defense is related to the quality of the teams they've played throughout the year, and how much of it is actually really good defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>Driscoll has proven during his first two years, as well as on the grassroots circuit, that he's a really talented two-way player who can take over games. With their quickness, this is the type of team who may actually benefit from playing on a bigger floor, using their speed to their advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#6 seed: Monticello (17-6)<br></span>About the Panthers: </strong>In junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1171677' first='Preston' last='Ries'] (23.4, 10.3 rebounds) and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='956879' first='Tate' last='Petersen'] (18.1, 5.4 assists), the Panthers have two all-state players on their side, which is something that few other teams in the state can say. Ries, a future Iowa football player, is a game-changing athlete on both ends of the floor. He's a physical 6-2 forward who can score inside and out, stretching the floor and finishing at a high level around the rim. He's posting 50-37-75 shooting splits and is the type of physical, athletic forward who can also take over games as a defender. Petersen has battled a shoulder injury since the holiday break but is starting to play at the elite level that we've come to expect from him, scoring from anywhere, defending at a high level, and getting others involved. [player_tooltip player_id='1759903' first='Carson' last='Lambert'] (10.9, 38.7 3P%) is a long wing who can knock down shots and use his length to impact the game defensively, and they've really taken off since inserting sophomore guard Jack Lambert (4.5, 45.0 3P%) into the starting lineup seven games ago. They haven't lost since, and he has proven himself to be a high-level on-ball defender who can take the top perimeter scoring threat out of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>Monticello was our preseason #1 team in the class, and while they've had an up-and-down season dealing with injuries, they're healthy now and playing their best basketball. In Ries and Petersen, they have a pair of experienced, all-state-caliber players who can take over games in the blink of an eye. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#7 seed: Kuemper Catholic (18-6)<br></span>About the Knights: </strong>This is a deep, balanced team that has nine players averaging at least 3.0 points a game, led by junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1288927' first='Michael' last='Kasperbauer'] (13.5, 38.2 3P%). Kasperbauer is a talented shooter who can create his own shot as well as get open looks with good off-ball movement. [player_tooltip player_id='1288884' first='Dawson' last='Gifford'] (11.0, 42.1 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1765503' first='Brock' last='Badding'] (8.5, 38.0 3P%) provide some additional perimeter shooting. Junior forward DJ Vonnahme (9.1, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists) missed nine games this season following a terrifying health scare a few months ago, but he's back in the lineup and provides some playmaking out of the post as well as interior scoring and rebounding. The other key piece here is sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1759944' first='Carson' last='Kanne'] (7.6, 4.0 assists). Despite being just a sophomore, Kanne is a calming presence in the backcourt who does a great job protecting the ball (2.3 assist-to-turnover ratio) and getting others involved. Kuemper plays in a 3A-heavy league and they won't be scared of anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>This is a deep team that won't run into issues if someone gets into foul trouble, which can be a major benefit in this tournament. With Kasperbauer, Gifford, and Badding, they have some shooters, and Kanne is a strong guard who limits turnovers and won't be rattled by pressure. They play against a tough schedule and have a number of skilled scoring threats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#8 seed: Des Moines Christian (18-6)<br></span>About the Lions:</strong> Des Moines Christian has been one of the most consistent programs in 2A basketball over the last few decades, routinely winning 15+ games and making runs to the state tournament. The Lions are once again a fantastic defensive team, allowing just 44.0 points a game, which is the best mark of the eight qualifying teams. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1171689' first='Landon' last='Craven'] (15.4, 4.4 steals) leads the way on both ends of the floor. He's a quick guard who can get to the bucket, and is just enough of a threat from deep that it needs to be respected. He's a menace on the defensive end with great timing and instincts, jumping passing lanes and turning defense into offense in the blink of an eye. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1759901' first='Seaton' last='Ingram'] (11.4) is the X-factor for this group. He's a long, athletic 6-5 wing who can defend multiple positions and he is outstanding in transition. [player_tooltip player_id='1751233' first='Tate' last='Platte'] (12.0, 7.3 rebounds) is an undersized forward with a non-stop motor, and [player_tooltip player_id='1240068' first='Carsen' last='Theis'] (10.7) is the veteran presence in the backcourt. This group doesn't shoot it well from deep (25.5 3P%), but they pound the offensive glass and play outstanding defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>They've been one of the best defensive teams in the state this season, using athleticism and physicality to control the game on that end of the floor. If they're able to slow the game down and make it a halfcourt slugfest, they can play with anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Staff Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Tony</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinals: </strong>Central Lyon, Pella Christian, Roland-Story, Monticello</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinals: </strong>Central Lyon, Monticello</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Champion: </strong>Central Lyon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->