Substate Preview: 2A-2

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-3.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-3.png?w=695" alt="" class="wp-image-2341986" /></a></figure>   District 3   The favorite: As the only team ranked within the top 28 in BC Moore's power rankings system, Western Christian (4th there, for what it's worth), is an overwhelming favorite in this district. The Wolfpack are the top ranked team in Class 2A, owning impressive wins over Heelan (twice), Unity Christian, and several quality out-of-state wins. Their only losses have come to Dakota Valley (SD), who at the time had the nation's longest winning streak, and Sioux City East, a team ranked within the top 5 in Class 4A. Last year's runner-up in 2A, Western is on a mission to add to their record haul of state titles (10). They're led by a pair of juniors in [player_tooltip player_id='1436462' first='Kaden' last='Van Regenmorter'] (19.6, 3.3 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='1484412' first='Karsten' last='Moret'] (13.2, 41.0 3P%). Van Regenmorter is a tough, physical combo forward who can score from anywhere, create plays for his teammates, and he plays solid defense. Moret is an athletic wing who gets to the rim at will both in transition and in the halfcourt, and he has really improved as a perimeter shooting threat over the last few years. The 'Pack is able to complement their star tandem with some experienced seniors - [player_tooltip player_id='2377345' first='Tyler' last='Mantel'] (9.1), [player_tooltip player_id='2377331' first='Caleb' last='Douma'] (6.8, 42.0 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='2377318' first='Uchan' last='Harberts'] (6.3) - and are a deep, talented, physical team. This year's version of Western isn't quite as tall as many have been, but they're still very talented and play the game the right way. It'll take a huge effort from anyone in this district to upset this team.   The biggest threat: If there is a team capable of a Herculean effort, maybe it's Central Lyon, the defending 2A state champions. The Lions have had an up-and-down year as they were largely inexperienced coming into the season. However, senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1751110' first='Reece' last='Vander Zee'] (26.1, 10.5 rebounds) is one of the most talented players in the class, and has the type of size, athleticism, and talent that could give Western some issues in a district final. A future Iowa receiver, Vander Zee can take over games on both ends of the floor, and the Lions are able to flank him with a number of shooting threats in [player_tooltip player_id='1426697' first='Ephraim' last='Hoefert'] (12.4, 35.9 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1573093' first='Koury' last='Serck'] (9.6, 38.6 3P%), Matt Elbert (6.2, 38.7 3P%), and Matthew Dieren (4.7, 38.0 3P%). If a few of those guys can get hot alongside Vander Zee, Central Lyon could make some noise.   The dark horse: It's hard to see either Rock Valley or Okoboji going to Hull and beating Western Christian, which takes us to the bottom of the bracket and #2 seed Kingsley-Pierson, who is one home win away from the district championship game. Three double-figure scorers pace the Panthers in senior Beau Goodwin (17.3, 8.4 rebounds) and sophomores Landon Howe (13.2, 36.6 3P%) and Easton Nissen (10.3), giving them three players who can fill it up.   Players to watch 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1436462' first='Kaden' last='Van Regenmorter'], Western Christian 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484412' first='Karsten' last='Moret'], Western Christian 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2377345' first='Tyler' last='Mantel'], Western Christian 2024 Beau Goodwin, Kingsley-Pierson 2026 Landon Howe, Kingsley-Pierson 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751110' first='Reece' last='Vander Zee'], Central Lyon 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1426697' first='Ephraim' last='Hoefert'], Central Lyon 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765545' first='Kaden' last='Van Schepen'], Rock Valley 2024 Alic Salazar, Rock Valley 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2530660' first='Gavin' last='Gerritson'], West Sioux   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-4.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-4.png?w=696" alt="" class="wp-image-2341988" /></a></figure>   District 4   The favorite: The best player in 2A basketball, and one of the best in the state, regardless of class, is [player_tooltip player_id='1171659' first='Owen' last='Larson'] (28.9, 8.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists) of Estherville Lincoln Central, who has carried the Midgets to a 17-3 record and put up eye-popping numbers despite constantly getting junk defenses thrown at him. The future South Dakota State guard has unlimited range, elite court vision, and is a really good athlete who does everything for this group. As the year has progressed, three others have stepped up and taken some of the scoring pressure off of Larson in [player_tooltip player_id='2721777' first='Sincere' last='McMurran'] (10.6), [player_tooltip player_id='2325337' first='Cael' last='Miller'] (10.6), and Jordan Jensen (10.6), while Aaron Armstrong (4.1, 5.4 assists) allows Larson to operate off the ball at times as well. They're playing good basketball right now, heading into the postseason on a nine-game winning streak, and they have the best player in the class on their side.   The biggest threat: Osage will get the district semifinal, presumably against Forest City, at home, giving them the edge in that meeting and making them the biggest threat to Larson and ELC. The Green Devils are an offensive-minded group with three double-figure scorers, led by sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765543' first='Quinn' last='Street'] (17.1, 35.3 3P%) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1759935' first='Madden' last='Uhlenhopp'] (17.1, 38.3 3P%), as well as senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1376718' first='Max' last='Knudsen'] (11.6). Street and Uhlenhopp are both quality shooting threats who are capable of getting hot and carrying the team on the offensive end for stretches, and this is a group that has done a solid job protecting the ball, committing fewer than 11 turnovers a game. With a pair of talented guards leading the charge, this is a group that can score with ELC and make things interesting in the district championship.   The dark horse: On the other end of the spectrum is Forest City, a team that has been strong defensively for years. Given that they are in opposite divisions of the Top of Iowa Conference, the Indians and Osage didn't meet this year, but a semifinal matchup between the two would be a fascinating matchup of offense versus defense. Forest City has three double-figure scorers of their own in [player_tooltip player_id='2397233' first='Carsen' last='Hall'] (12.4), Tommy Miller (11.8, 4.8 assists), and Ty Sopko (11.5), but they aren't as explosive on that end as the Green Devils.   Players to watch 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171659' first='Owen' last='Larson'], Estherville Lincoln Central 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325337' first='Cael' last='Miller'], Estherville Lincoln Central 2024 Jordan Jensen, Estherville Lincoln Central 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721777' first='Sincere' last='McMurran'], Estherville Lincoln Central 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765543' first='Quinn' last='Street'], Osage 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759935' first='Madden' last='Uhlenhopp'], Osage 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397233' first='Carsen' last='Hall'], Forest City 2024 Tommy Miller, Forest City 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2204887' first='Nicholas' last='Zrostlik'], Garner-Hayfield-Ventura 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2221601' first='Javont' last='Froiland'], Central Springs 2024 Carson Grady, Central Springs 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754716' first='Brody' last='Heifner'], Belmond-Klemme 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754720' first='Kysen' last='Lamb'], Belmond-Klemme   SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   Western Christian vs. Estherville Lincoln Central   As much fun as it would be to see Larson and ELC knock out the heavyweight and reach Des Moines, the Midgets don't have the pieces to slow down [player_tooltip player_id='1436462' first='Kaden' last='Van Regenmorter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1484412' first='Karsten' last='Moret'], while Western Christian has some bodies to throw at Larson to at least somewhat slow him down. Western Christian punches another ticket to Des Moines, making their 24th trip to the state tournament, where they'll be in search of state championship #11.