Way Too Early Top 10: Class 2A
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With July’s evaluation period now behind us and plenty of time to kill between now and late November, it’s time to take a look at who we believe will be some of the teams to keep an eye on in…
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Continue ReadingWith July’s evaluation period now behind us and plenty of time to kill between now and late November, it’s time to take a look at who we believe will be some of the teams to keep an eye on in each classification this winter.
How well do these rankings predict what may happen over the course of the coming season? Well, of the 32 state tournament qualifying teams last year, we had 22 ranked in the top 10 in their respective classes, and another six written about in the “others to monitor” sections. Teams that won state titles were ranked 3rd (Grand View Christian), 3rd (Central Lyon), 5th (Bondurant-Farrar), and 4th (Valley), and of the eight teams that participated in championship games, none were ranked lower than 5th to start the year. We were most successful in Class 1A, with each of the top six teams making it to the state tournament, as well as #8 Dunkerton and “Others to Watch” New London, meaning all eight state tournament teams were identified by us as top teams heading into last season.. Further, over the last six years, teams ranked #1 to open the year have reached the state semifinals at a 71% clip, and played for a state championship at a 57% rate. So, while this isn’t the definitive list of how teams are going to perform this year, it’s certainly a good thing to find yourselves near the top of these initial rankings.
Below you’ll find our top 10 for Class 2A, along with some other teams that could make some noise, as well as a brief summary of why each team is in their respective spot. Enjoy.
1.) Pella Christian (State semifinalist, 16-10 last year, 66.1% of scoring returning)
The Eagles gave Central Lyon their tightest game of the postseason last year, a one-point loss in the 2A semifinals, and they bring back three of their top four from that group, as well as three other players who saw significant playing time last season, and they should be considered the team to beat in the class heading into this season. They’re headlined by senior point guard Tysen Devries Tysen Devries 5'9" | PG Pella Christian | 2024 State IA (12.5, 4.1 assists), one of the toughest guards in the state. DeVries is small, but he doesn’t shy away from contact, is fearless in attacking the rim, and is a menace on the defensive end who can create all sorts of chaos. Dane Geetings Dane Geetings 6'3" | PG Pella Christian | 2024 State IA (10.5) is coming off a strong junior year and is a versatile defender on the perimeter, while Josiah Vos Josiah Vos 6'5" | SF Pella Christian | 2024 State IA (6.7, 5.3 rebounds) is also back as a versatile and dynamic wing defender. Vos is a long, lanky wing who is one of the most underrated players in the state. He doesn’t put up huge numbers, but the impact he makes as a defender is invaluable for this team. Benny Schirz (2.6), Isaiah Breems Isaiah Breems 6'4" | SF Pella Christian | 2024 State IA (5.1), and Caleb Van Arendonk (2.3) also return with experience. But perhaps the most impactful player stepping into a bigger role this year is senior forward Kaden Kruid, a 6-9 mobile big man who finishes with authority and can protect the paint defensively. If he’s able to stay healthy, he can fill a major void in the paint and allow the Eagles to play even more aggressively on the perimeter with their length and quickness. Playing against bigger schools in the Little Hawkeye is going to get this group ready for postseason play, and they brought back a big chunk of a roster that nearly made it to the 2A championship game last season. They will probably have a worse record than most of the other teams ranked within the top 10 throughout the year, but this is the team that I think is the team to beat in the class.
2.) Western Christian (State runner-up, 22-4, 46.7% of scoring returning)
The Wolfpack finished runner-up last year, falling to Central Lyon in the championship game because of a quick 8-0 that the Lions put on them to open the fourth quarter. They lose a significant chunk off of that roster, but bring back enough to consider them to be a real contender yet again this season. Arguably the best program in the state, regardless of class, Western will be led by juniors Kaden Van Regenmorter Kaden Van Regenmorter 6'3" | SF Hull, Western Christian | 2025 State IA (13.4, 4.0 assists) and Karsten Moret Karsten Moret 6'3" | SG Western Christian | 2025 State IA (7.7), a pair of players who are coming off of excellent summers with a very successful Arena Basketball Club 16U team. Van Regenmorter, a 6-4 power wing, is a fantastic playmaker who uses his size and strength to his advantage, bullying smaller defenders, but he also has some finesse to his game. Moret is a quick-twitch athlete on the perimeter who can get to the rim or knock down shots, and he’s a strong on-ball defender with quick feet and hands. Those are the only two among the top five returning, so they’ll lean on players like Tyler Mantel Tyler Mantel 6'1" | SF Western Christian | 2024 State IA (4.2), Uchan Harberts Uchan Harberts 6'0" | PG Western Christian | 2024 State IA (3.2), Caleb Douma Caleb Douma 6'1" | SG Western Christian | 2024 State IA (2.4), and Landon De Stigter Landon De Stigter 6'3" | SG Western Christian | 2026 State IA (1.8) to take leaps and fill bigger roles, but if we know one thing, it’s that Western Christian is going to play good, team basketball, play solid defense, and win a ton of games. This is the definition of a program, the definition of a culture of basketball, and they’ll be a threat in 2A until proven otherwise.
3.) Kuemper Catholic (State qualifier, 18-7, 75.1% of scoring returning)
The Knights may have been a year ahead of schedule last year, reaching the state tournament and giving Roland-Story a scare in the quarterfinals. Six of their top seven scorers from that group return, so expectations should be high in Carroll heading into the 2023-24 season. Senior guard Michael Kasperbauer Michael Kasperbauer 5'11" | PG Kuemper Catholic | 2024 State IA (13.4) is the team’s top returning scorer, a versatile scoring guard who can shoot it at a high clip from deep or get to the bucket. He’ll be joined in the backcourt by sophomore Brock Badding Brock Badding 6'1" | SG Kuemper Catholic | 2026 State IA (8.4, 37.8 3P%), a flamethrower who moves really well without the ball in his hands and has a quick release off the catch, and junior Carson Kanne Carson Kanne 5'11" | PG Kuemper Catholic | 2025 State IA (7.8, 4.0 assists), a diminutive but scrappy and talented point guard who does a great job protecting the ball. Future Iowa football player DJ Vonnahme (9.2, 6.9 rebounds) may be their most important player. A 6-3/6-4 forward, Vonnahme is their best defensive player and can guard one through five at this level, allowing them to throw him at whoever they need to lock down. He’s a fantastic, bouncy athlete with quickness and length. Look for increased production out of junior guard Tregan Beiter Tregan Beiter 6'0" | SG Kuemper Catholic | 2025 State IA (4.9) and senior Carter Putney (5.1), who were both quality options off the bench last season. And don’t be surprised if sophomore guard Jack Badding (2.5) steps into a bigger role as well after playing limited minutes last season. Like Brock, he’s a sharpshooter who can space the floor. This group is filled with shooting threats, has a dynamic weapon in Vonnahme, and has a lot of experience and should be considered a real contender in 2A.
4.) Central Lyon (State champions, 24-1, 38.2% of scoring returning)
The Lions were dominant last season, capturing their first state basketball championship and having only two of their 24 wins decided by single digits. They lose a lot off of that roster, and some may be a bit surprised to see them this high on the top 10, despite being the defending champions. While yes, Zach Lutmer and Andrew Austin are massive losses, they bring back enough for us to think that they are still the team to beat in the Siouxland, and as such, a viable contender to repeat in the class. They’re going to be big again, with Reece Vander Zee Reece Vander Zee 6'5" | SF Central Lyon | 2024 State IA (17.8, 6.7 rebounds) and Ephraim Hoefert Ephraim Hoefert 6'8" | SF Central Lyon | 2025 State IA (6.0, 37.2 3P%) each checking in above 6-6 (Hoefert recently checked in above 6-7) and give this group a pair of returning starters. Vander Zee, a future Iowa wide receiver, is a fantastic athlete and nearly impossible to slow down at this level with his blend of size, length, athleticism, and skill. As the third option for the Lions last year, he posted shooting splits of 62-48-60 and was at times absolutely dominant. He’ll be the focal point of the attack this year. Hoefert is a deadly shooter with great size who moves well without the ball, and was a key piece on the aforementioned Arena 16U team that had a great summer. They’ll need players like Matt Elbert (1.4) to step into bigger roles in the backcourt, and to be honest, a lot of the roster is a question heading into the season. But this has become a dominant athletics program in northwest Iowa, and they have established a winning culture on the hardwood. Vander Zee will be among the best players in the class, Hoefert is a really nice second piece, and the rest of the pieces will fall into place.
5.) Des Moines Christian (State qualifier, 18-7, 77.7% of scoring returning)
Des Moines Christian was overmatched in their quarterfinal loss to Central Lyon at the state tournament last year, but in all honesty, they were probably a year ahead of schedule (and nearly everyone who ran into Central Lyon was overmatched last year). The top three scorers, all who averaged double digits, return for the Lions in seniors Landon Craven Landon Craven 6'1" | SG Des Moines Christian | 2024 State IA (15.1, 4.3 steals) and Tate Platte Tate Platte 6'0" | SF Des Moines Christian | 2024 State IA (11.8, 7.1 rebounds), as well as junior Seaton Ingram Seaton Ingram 6'5" | SF Des Moines Christian | 2025 State IA (11.4). Craven is an efficient scoring guard who does a majority of his damage by getting to the rim, either in the halfcourt or in transition after jumping a passing lane, something that he does frequently. Platte is an undersized but physical and active forward who does a great job pounding the glass, and he’s also a reliable playmaker who can create looks for his teammates. Ingram probably has the highest upside of anyone on the roster, a 6-4 athletic wing who provides defensive versatility and can do a little bit of everything. He’s a great athlete who creates all sorts of chaos on the defensive end with his combination of size and length. Other returnees include Trey Currier (3.3), Quinton Bailey (2.4), Joe Clement (1.7), Max Town Max Town 6'3" | PG Des Moines Christian | 2026 State IA (1.4), and Jameson Schamberg (1.4). Clement saw significant time, especially early in the year, as a lead guard who can get his teammates involved, and both Town and Schamberg can shoot it well from deep. Look for newcomer Sean Tunks Sean Tunks 6'1" | SG Des Moines Christian | 2025 State IA , a Southeast Polk transfer, to see significant playing time as well, providing the Lions with an additional perimeter scoring threat. DMC is one of the most consistent programs in the class, averaging 20.7 wins over the last 17 years, and they should win plenty of games again this season behind their always strong defense, and a bit more offensive firepower than they’ve had recently.
6.) Hudson (18-7, 85.7% of scoring returning)
If you’re looking for a potential surprise team this year, look at the Pirates. A dynamic offensive team, they had 16 games last season in which they scored 70 or more points, including five games of 80+. They fell in the substate final to Roland-Story by four points and will be looking to get to the state tournament for the first time since 1994. The top three scorers, all of whom averaged double-figures last year, return, and in total, nine of their top 10 are back, so expect this group to score in bunches again. The senior trio of Camden Davis Camden Davis 6'5" | SF Hudson | 2024 State IA (19.7, 10.6 rebounds), Culin Ugrin Culin Ugrin 6'1" | SG Hudson | 2024 State IA (11.8, 39.8 3P%), and Lyle Olsen Lyle Olsen 6'0" | PG Hudson | 2024 State IA (10.3, 5.7 assists) will be one of the best trios in the state. Davis is coming off a tremendous junior year and a great summer with an Iowa Barnstormers Black team that was extremely successful. A versatile 6-4/6-5 wing who can score inside and out, handle the ball, and rebound at a high clip, he should be one of the best players in the class. Ugrin is a sharpshooter with a quick release, and Olsen is a skilled playmaker who does a great job getting his teammates involved and limiting turnovers. Kiean Crile (8.3) and Oliver Thompson (6.0) provide some additional scoring punch as role players, and Kaeden Wiersma (3.0) and Nathan Rueber (2.4) saw a fair amount of time last season. All of that returning would have been enough for this group to be considered a contender in 2A, but they are also adding a skilled transfer from Independence, Tanner Michael Tanner Michael 6'0" | PG Hudson | 2024 State IA , who averaged 13.9 points and 3.7 assists a game as a junior for the Mustangs. A quick guard who can create for others and knock down shots at a high clip (43.0 3P%), Michael will take some of the ball-handling pressure off of Olsen, but is also capable of playing off the ball and shooting it off the catch. Having him paired with Ugrin to help space the floor for Davis will make an already great offensive team even more deadly.
7.) Monticello (State qualifier, 17-7, 69.1% of scoring returning)
The Panthers qualified for their fourth consecutive state tournament last season, and will have a real chance to make it five straight this season. Losing star guard Tate Petersen to graduation is certainly a major blow, but the Panthers bring back five of the next six scorers, led by senior forward Preston Ries Preston Ries 6'1" | SF Monticello | 2024 State IA (23.1, 10.2 rebounds). An elite athlete who has committed to play football at Iowa, Ries is a dynamic inside-out scorer who posted 49-36-75 shooting splits and can dominate the glass on both ends of the floor. With his combination of strength, agility, bounce, and hands, he’s nearly impossible to slow down at this level, and once he gets a head of steam going and he’s playing downhill, good luck. Carson Lambert Carson Lambert 6'3" | SF Monticello | 2025 State IA (10.9, 5.7 rebounds, 38.2 3P%) is a knockdown lefty shooter who provides some defensive versatility, while Jack Lambert Jack Lambert 5'10" | PG Monticello | 2025 State IA (4.2, 45.0 3P%) is a defensive stopper on the perimeter. He drew several tough defensive assignments down the stretch last year and was dominant in those matchups. Peyton Schilling Peyton Schilling 6'0" | PG Monticello | 2024 IA (5.8) is an experienced lead guard who will play a big role as a senior, and Conley Schauf Conley Schauf 6'1" | SF Monticello | 2026 State IA (5.1) started 19 out of 24 games last season as a freshman. He’s a long, lanky wing who can shoot it and create for his teammates. Tim Lambert has created a fantastic program in Monticello, and with all of the experience returning, they should be very good yet again.
8.) Grundy Center (16-6, 88.7% of scoring returning)
The Spartans’ season came to an earlier than expected end last season, falling in upset fashion to Union in the substate quarterfinals to end what was a really good season. They stumbled down the stretch a bit, dropping four of their last five games after getting off to a 15-2 start, but with their top five scorers returning, and seven of their top eight, they’ll be hungry to make a deeper run this winter. A talented trio of juniors leads the way in Jalen Kirkpatrick Jalen Kirkpatrick 6'6" | SF Grundy Center | 2025 State IA (16.5, 41.2 3P%), Tiernan Vokes Tiernan Vokes 6'4" | SF Grundy Center | 2025 State IA (12.2, 42.1 3P%), and Brayden Wallis Brayden Wallis 6'4" | SG Grundy Center | 2025 State IA (7.2, 3.6 assists). Kirkpatrick, a skilled 6-3/6-4 wing, can take over games on both ends of the floor with his blend of size, length, athleticism, and talent. Vokes is a knockdown shooter who contributes on the glass, and Wallis is a good floor general who gets his teammates involved. Seniors Tate Jirovsky Tate Jirovsky 6'5" | PF Grundy Center | 2024 State IA (7.0, 1.8 blocks) and Colin Gordon (6.5), and juniors Brody Zinkula (3.7) and Ryker Thoren (2.9), all saw significant time last season and also return. This group shares the ball well, dishing out over 17 assists a game last season, and they’re going to be a deep team. In Kirkpatrick, they have a standout player who looks like he’s ready to take another step forward, and as they proved last year in wins against Gladbrook-Reinbeck and Wapsie Valley, they’re capable of beating high-quality teams. Add another year of experience, and they should be dangerous.
9.) Alburnett (20-4, 57.3% of scoring returning)
Alburnett was dominant defensively last season, ranking 1st in scoring defense in 2A, allowing just 42.4 points a game. They paired that dominant defense with an explosive offensive attack filled with shooting threats to win 20 games. The top two scorers from that group return in seniors Braydon Osborn Braydon Osborn 6'3" | SG Alburnett | 2024 State IA (16.0) and Jordan Caton Jordan Caton 5'9" | PG Alburnett | 2024 State IA (13.9), giving the Pirates a pair of dynamic scorers to head into the 2023-24 season with. Osborn also led the team in rebounding and is a long, lanky wing who can score from all three levels and create his own shot. He posted 44-38-69 shooting splits and has the size to be a matchup problem. Caton is a lightning-quick guard who shoots it extremely well off the dribble and can get to his shot pretty much whenever he wants, but he doesn’t force anything either. He’ll have the ball in his hands even more this year following the graduation of Adam Neighbor, but he looks comfortable playing on the ball and should be a major impact player again. He uses his speed to his advantage on both ends of the floor, putting constant pressure on the defense as well as coming away with three steals a game. He shot over 42% from behind the arc last season, a real weapon in that area. Payton Baker (4.3, 3.3 assists) will assist Caton in ball-handling duties, and he’s a solid shooter in his own right, knocking down 40% of his 3-point attempts last season. That type of playmaking and shooting will allow each of them to log some minutes off the ball and get shots up. They’ll need to find some pieces to fill in the other roles, as scorers three, four, five, and seven from last year’s team graduated, but with Osborn and Caton leading the way, Jeff Christopherson should have another very competitive team in Alburnett.
10.) Aplington-Parkersburg (21-3, 45.7% of scoring returning)
A-P was really close to a special season last year, losing three games by a total of 15 points, including a 3-point setback against Monticello in the substate final. The Falcons lose two of their top three from that team, but bring back a star guard in Gavin Thomas Gavin Thomas 6'1" | SG Aplington-Parkersburg | 2024 State IA (15.9, 3.4 assists, 46.2 3P%) as well as four other key pieces from last year’s roster. Thomas, the son of head coach Aaron Thomas, is a dynamic three-level scorer who will have the ball in his hands a lot this season following the graduation of Garrett Hempen. He can fill it up in a hurry, create for his teammates, and is a solid all-around defender. Will Hodges (8.4, 3.7 assists) and Nick Neuroth Nick Neuroth 5'10" | PG Aplington-Parkersburg | 2024 State IA (5.8, 4.0 assists) also return in the backcourt, giving them a trio of reliable ball-handlers who will once again be looking to push the tempo for a group that was second in 2A in scoring last season (75.8 points per game). Cooper Hoff Cooper Hoff 5'10" | SG Aplington-Parkersburg | 2024 State IA (4.5, 33.8 3P%) had a down shooting year last season and is a much better shooting threat than he showed, and should bounce back this season, which would be a major benefit for this group. A-P has averaged 20 wins a season over the last nine years, and will win a lot of games again. They may be smaller than they have been in recent years, but they’ll just play faster.
Ten More to Watch
Cascade (15-7, 76.8% of scoring returning)
The Cougars have a big hole to fill in the middle of their 2-3 zone following the graduation of Cole McDermott, who averaged 14 and 8, but he’s the only player who saw time on last year’s roster who isn’t back, so expectations are high in basketball-loving Cascade. Junior guard Jackson Lieurance Jackson Lieurance 6'2" | SG Cascade | 2025 State IA (18.1) had some explosive scoring games last season, put together a strong summer, and will be among the leading scorers in 2A this season. A wiry wing who can score from all three levels with efficiency, he’s working to improve his ball-handling and ability to create looks for himself and his teammates, and he should be dynamic this season. Cass Hoffman Cass Hoffman 5'11" | SG Cascade | 2024 State IA (8.7, 4.4 assists) led the team in helpers last year and is back to man the point, while Nathan Schockemoehl Nathan Schockemoehl 6'1" | SF Cascade | 2025 State IA (5.9), Cooper Hummel (5.9), and WIll Keeney (3.0) also return with plenty of experience. Keeney, a 6-7 big man, blocked nearly two shots a game last season in limited minutes and should slot into McDermott’s spot. In Lieurance, Cascade has one of the best offensive players in the class, and they’re going to be solid defensively. This will be the best team Cascade has had in the Nate McMullen era, and they’ll have a real chance to make it to his first state tournament.
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (20-3, 62.1% of scoring returning)
In senior combo forward Brooks Moore Brooks Moore 6'5" | SF Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont | 2024 State IA (20.9, 8.6 rebounds), the Rockets have a dynamic scoring threat who can take over games with his ability to score from all three levels. He’s an athletic forward with good size at 6-4/6-5 who has really worked to improve his all-around offensive game, improving the ability to create his own shot. He’s a terror in transition who looks to dunk on everyone, and he’ll provide plenty of highlight-reel plays on both ends of the floor this season. But the cupboard isn’t bare around him, with four of the top five scorers in all returning. Jesse Cornelison Jesse Cornelison 5'8" | PG Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont | 2024 State IA (9.0, 3.2 assists) is the team’s top ball-handler and playmaker, a guard who sees the floor well and can get his teammates involved. Karic Stout Karic Stout 6'7" | PF Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont | 2024 State IA (7.2, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks) has great size and is a fantastic shotblocker and rim protector who will pair with Moore to control the glass, and they’ll look for Landon Glosser (6.3, 32.9 3P%) to be the team’s top shooting threat. This group didn’t shoot it very well from deep last season, which could hold them back, but they absolutely pound the offensive glass (15.4 a game last season) and have the size and athleticism to be dynamic on both ends of the floor. Playing in the South Central, they don’t play the best competition throughout the year, but they held their own against the best teams on the schedule last season and have gained some needed experience against those types of teams heading into this season.
Jesup (16-7, 70.2% of scoring returning)
The final spot in the top 10 came down to A-P or Jesup, but with the dominant trio of wins AP had last year against the J-Hawks, we gave them the nod. That said, this year’s Jesup team has a chance to be pretty dang good. Led by dynamic senior guard Jack Miller Jack Miller 6'0" | PG Jesup | 2024 State IA (26.0), they should put up points in bunches. Miller is one of the best three-level scorers and shooters off the dribble in the state, an electric scorer who can do a little bit of everything. He’s coming off a really good summer with Iowa Prep in which he played a slightly different role, playing more as a distributor and defender, which has helped round out his all-around game. While he will still have some huge scoring games this winter, he’ll be a better overall player as a result of the work he put in this summer. Junior Ryan Treptow Ryan Treptow 6'3" | SF Jesup | 2025 State IA (11.7) is a reliable secondary ball-handler and solid defender, while Cale Schissel (8.4) can also handle the ball a bit, giving them a trio of guards that can initiate the offense and allow Miller to move off the ball on occasion. The defensive end of the floor was the common issue in their seven losses last season, allowing 70.6 points a game in those losses, so that will need to be addressed if they want to make some real noise in a loaded NICL.
MFL-MarMac (State qualifier, 24-2, 65.5% of scoring returning)
The Bulldogs were a somewhat surprising team last year, winning 24 games and qualifying for the state tournament for the first time in 10 years. Still, people were skeptical once they got to Des Moines, pointing to a down Upper Iowa Conference to explain the constant lopsided scores. The ‘Dogs held their own and showed they belonged in a narrow loss to Pella Christian in the quarterfinals, and looked like a probable top-5 team heading into this season. Then Zach Driscoll Zach Driscoll 6'0" | SG Decorah | 2025 State IA , who averaged 20.5 points a game, transferred to Decorah, leaving a big hole in the backcourt and some questions surrounding this group again. The next three scorers return in Carver Blietz-Bentien Carver Blietz-Bentien 6'1" | SF MFL MarMac | 2024 State IA (13.8, 8.0 rebounds), Parker Kuehl (11.0), and Wyatt Powell Wyatt Powell 6'1" | PG MFL MarMac | 2024 State IA (9.8, 4.4 steals), giving them a trio of high-level players who gained a ton of valuable experience in last year’s run. And that trio will once again lead MFL to plenty of wins. But the fact remains that the most dynamic player on last year’s roster has moved on, and MFL will have to prove it all over again.
Osage (18-5, 68.4% of scoring returning)
Three double-figure scorers return for the Green Devils in junior Madden Uhlenhopp Madden Uhlenhopp 6'1" | SG Osage | 2025 State IA (16.4), sophomore Quinn Street Quinn Street 5'11" | PG Osage | 2026 State IA (14.3), and senior Max Knudsen Max Knudsen 5'10" | SG Osage | 2024 State IA (10.0), giving this group a trio of big-time scoring threats who have a lot of experience playing together. Each of them are capable of taking over games on the offensive end, and this group shares the ball well, dishing out nearly 15 assists a game last season. Uhlenhopp and Street are the top shooting threats, while Knudsen does more of his damage getting to the rim. Osage is usually a strong defensive team, but in their five losses last year, they gave up 69 points a game, a number that will need to improve this season. Yes, that came against the top competition on the schedule, but if they want to reach their goals, they’ll need to lock in on that end. With the trio of scorers they have coming back, they’ll be able to score on just about anyone, but how successful they are will come down to their work on the defensive end.
Roland-Story (State semifinalist, 25-2, 34.4% of scoring returning)
Coming off a semifinal appearance, expectations will remain high at Roland-Story heading into the 2023-24 season. They lose three of their top four scorers, but bring back two very talented options who will help them stay afloat while the newcomers get acclimated to major varsity run. Senior wing Jonovan Wilkinson Jonovan Wilkinson 6'2" | SF Roland-Story | 2024 State IA (16.3, 6.8 rebounds) is one of the better two-way players in the class, a player who has been starting for the Norsemen since he was a freshman. He had a huge summer as a scorer when we saw them play at the Winterset Shootout, and he’ll be asked to shoulder a heavy scoring load for this group, especially early on. Boaz Clark Boaz Clark 6'3" | PG Roland-Story | 2024 State IA (7.0, 35.1 3P%) is the other returnee with significant experience. He’s a reliable ball-handler who will be asked to step into a bigger scoring role this season, an area he looked comfortable in at the aforementioned Winterset Shootout. They have a gaping hole to replace in the paint following the graduation of Luke Patton, who was a monster on the glass, but Wilkinson and Clark are good places to start building, and this is a program with some momentum.
Treynor (17-7, 71.5% of scoring returning)
Three of the top four scorers return for the Cardinals, and a talented 2026 class should be ready to step into bigger roles this year to help provide some more depth for this group. A trio of seniors lead the charge in Jace Tams Jace Tams 5'11" | PG Treynor | 2024 State IA (16.1), Ethan Konz (10.8), and Karson Elwood (7.4, 3.5 assists), giving them a trio of perimeter-oriented scoring threats who can each handle the ball and facilitate as well. Tams has had some huge scoring nights in the last few years and is a dangerous all-around offensive weapon who can really torch teams when he gets it rolling from deep. Alec Lovely Alec Lovely 5'11" | PG Treynor | 2026 State IA (2.4) appeared in all 24 games last season off the bench for Treynor as a freshman, and is the headliner of a deep 2026 group that will step into bigger roles. In addition to Lovely, look for Corbin Thien Corbin Thien 6'6" | PF Treynor | 2026 State IA , Ethan Hill, Grant Hughey, and Jude Minska to get some significant run this season. Treynor has won fewer than 17 games just twice (2016-17, 14 games; 2006-07, 13 games) during the QuikStats/Bound era, so this is a program that just wins, wins, and wins some more. With the experience and talent returning, that will remain the case.
Underwood (19-4, 83.4% of scoring returning)
Three of Underwood’s four losses last season came to Treynor, so the Eagles will need to get past that speedbump if they are going to make some noise in 2A this season. The good news is that they were extremely successful against everyone else on the schedule, and bring more back than the Cardinals do, so perhaps they can gain supremacy within the Western Iowa Conference. This group was really good defensively last season, allowing just 48 points a game, including eight games in which they held teams to 44 or fewer points. the anchor of that defensive unit returns in senior forward Jack Vanfossan Jack Vanfossan 6'3" | PF Underwood | 2024 State IA (13.9, 12.5 rebounds, 1.7 blocks), an athletic forward who protects the rim and finishes around the bucket efficiently. Three double-figure scorers are back in Vanfossan, Mason Boothby (12.3) and Josh Ravlin (10.8), all seniors. Also returning are Luke Seidler (6.0) and Owen Larsen Owen Larsen 6'5" | PF Underwood | 2024 State IA (5.2), two more seniors, giving this team a ton of experience and scoring options. They’re a balanced team that does a pretty good job protecting the ball, pounds the glass on both ends of the floor, and plays good defense. If they can figure out how to sneak by Treynor, they’ll have a chance to get to Des Moines.
West Burlington (22-2, 59.6% of scoring returning)
West Burlington is coming off one of the best seasons in school history, losing a heartbreaker to Pella Christian by a point in the substate final, falling a game short of the state tournament. They will be playing for a new coach this year, Cody Van Fleet, after Ryan O’Hern left to take the activities director position at Humboldt. Van Fleet will have a few excellent pieces to start building his program around in senior guard Brady Martin Brady Martin 6'0" | PG West Burlington | 2024 State IA (17.0) and junior Mason Watkins Mason Watkins 6'2" | PG West Burlington | 2025 State IA (14.5, 38.9 3P%), who will give the Falcons one of the best backcourts in the class. Both are capable of playing with or without the ball in their hands, are talented shooters, and create some chaos on the defensive end with their speed. Sophomore Ayden Figuereo (2.7) is the only other returnee who saw significant playing time last season, so there will be a lot of new faces in key roles this year, but the Martin-Watkins tandem will be electric and should lead the Falcons to plenty of SEISC wins again this year.
West Lyon (18-5, 45.2% of scoring returning)
The Wildcats were playing as well as anyone in the class down the stretch last year, and probably would’ve had the best shot at unseating Central Lyon if they hadn’t blown a lead to Western Christian in the substate final. They lose the top two scorers from last year’s team, but bring back a pair of dynamic guards in junior Carson Hoogeveen Carson Hoogeveen 5'10" | PG West Lyon | 2025 State IA (12.3, 4.3 assists, 47.7 3P%) and senior Trevor Ciesielski Trevor Ciesielski 6'1" | PG West Lyon | 2024 State IA (7.5, 5.0 assists), giving them a backcourt that will be among the best in the class. Both are reliable ball-handlers and playmakers who can play with or without the ball in their hands, and will provide this group with stability in the backcourt. They’ll need to find some size to help on the glass, but West Lyon always has good athletes who will compete on both ends of the floor, and we’re confident they’ll be able to find some pieces to put alongside the Hoogeveen-Ciesielski duo and keep this group competitive in the Siouxland, which makes them a dangerous team come postseason play.