Substate Preview: 2A-3

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-5.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-5.png?w=695" alt="" class="wp-image-2341991" /></a></figure>   District 5   The favorite: Hudson has played six games against other teams in this district this season, winning those contests by an average of 38.2 points a game. That includes a 39 point win over Jesup, and 31 and 33 point wins over Denver, their two most likely district final opponents. So, simply put, the Pirates are an overwhelming favorite here. One of two teams in 2A to rank within the top five in the class in both scoring offense (2nd, 74.0) and defense (4th, 44.2), they've absolutely blasted teams all season, with their lone loss coming to a Decorah team that has been ranked within the top 5 in Class 3A for a majority of the year. An experienced team that has been building for this season for the last few years, six of their top seven scorers are seniors, led by forward [player_tooltip player_id='1476978' first='Camden' last='Davis'] (20.2, 10.5 rebounds), an efficient, walking double-double. At 6-5 and with his bounce, athleticism, mobility, and talent, he's nearly impossible to slow down. They flank him with a number of skilled ball-handlers, passers, and shooters, led by [player_tooltip player_id='2325396' first='Culin' last='Ugrin'] (13.9, 45.6 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='2325381' first='Lyle' last='Olsen'] (9.5, 5.9 assists), and [player_tooltip player_id='1288893' first='Tanner' last='Michael'] (9.2, 45.2 3P%). This team shares the ball well, has a dominant player, and a lot of shooting to put around him. It would be a monumental upset if they didn't come out of this district.   The biggest threat: High-scoring guard [player_tooltip player_id='1153046' first='Jack' last='Miller'] (26.1, 54.0 FG%, 40.3 3P%) paces a high-powered Jesup attack that can score on just about anyone, and having that type of firepower on your side in a postseason game is always going to be an asset. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1839807' first='Ryan' last='Treptow'] (16.9, 4.1 assists) pairs with the explosive Miller, an Upper Iowa signee, to give the J-Hawks a dynamic one-two punch in the backcourt, and this is a team that has done a really good job of limiting turnovers this season, giving it away under eight times a game. Having a dynamic individual player and limiting turnovers is key to postseason success.   The dark horse: Another high-powered offensive team in the bottom of the bracket is Denver, who features three double-figure scorers on the perimeter in [player_tooltip player_id='1476937' first='Eli' last='Ricketts'] (16.9, 40.2 3P%), Talan Lafrentz (13.6, 43.8 3P%), and Keaton Rothmeyer (12.3). The Cyclones are shooting nearly 38% from behind the arc as a team this season, and they are certainly capable of going to Jesup and beating the J-Hawks, which would set up a third meeting with Hudson.   Players to watch 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476978' first='Camden' last='Davis'], Hudson 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325396' first='Culin' last='Ugrin'], Hudson 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325381' first='Lyle' last='Olsen'], Hudson 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288893' first='Tanner' last='Michael'], Hudson 2025 Kiean Crile, Hudson 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1153046' first='Jack' last='Miller'], Jesup 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1839807' first='Ryan' last='Treptow'], Jesup 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476937' first='Eli' last='Ricketts'], Denver 2025 Talan Lafrentz, Denver 2024 Keaton Rothmeyer, Denver 2025 Tatum Nuss, Sumner-Fredericksburg 2024 Leo Christensen, Columbus Catholic 2024 Ty Cotant, Crestwood   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-6.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-6.png?w=695" alt="" class="wp-image-2341992" /></a></figure>   District 6   The favorite: Since [player_tooltip player_id='2325439' first='Wyatt' last='Powell'] (11.3, 7.3 assists) returned to the lineup for MFL MarMac on December 21, the Bulldogs have gone 13-0, winning those games by an average of 28.5 points a game. Turns out having your standout point guard in the lineup in a major difference-maker. Who knew? Since his return, the 'Dogs have avenged all three losses that they suffered without him in the lineup, beating Kee, North Fayette Valley, and Postville after the holiday break. In addition to his sheer volume of helpers that he dishes out, Powell is also great on the defensive end (3.0 steals) and tremendous at ball security (3.63 assist-to-turnover ratio). Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2511550' first='Parker' last='Kuehl'] (16.7, 3.3 steals) leads the team in scoring and steals and is a quick guard who puts constant pressure on opposing teams on both ends of the floor, and senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2221613' first='Carver' last='Blietz-Bentien'] (15.3, 7.7 rebounds) is an undersized but physical and athletic forward who controls the glass. This team is rolling with Powell in the lineup and has to be considered a significant favorite here.   The biggest threat: Another team in this district with a dominant player is North Fayette Valley and junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1951832' first='Cael' last='Reichter'] (22.5, 13.0 rebounds, 2.5 blocks). A mobile, athletic, and bouncy 6-7 forward who can score inside and out, dominate on the glass, and protect the paint, Reichter is a matchup problem for most teams in the Upper Iowa Conference. Andre Fuentes (9.6, 38.0 3P%) is the team's top perimeter shooting threat and pairs with [player_tooltip player_id='2511611' first='Kyler' last='White'] (3.5, 5.0 assists), who isn't a big scorer but is a strong playmaker, in the backcourt. The TigerHawks beat quarterfinal opponent New Hampton by 31 a few weeks ago, and swept the season series against Postville, their likely semifinal opponent.   The dark horse(s): There are two more teams to keep an eye on in this district - Postville and Union. We'll start with Postville, who is led by senior forward Koby Bohr (19.1, 13.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists), a do-it-all big who can dominate the glass, create for his teammates, and score efficiently around the rim. With his size and motor, he's a difficult matchup who can control games on both ends. Josiah Minikwu (14.2) and Cade Downing (9.7) are the other standouts for the Pirates, a pair of capable scoring threats who also contribute on the glass. For Union, the 3-point line is the key. The Knights average 8.5 made 3-pointers a game, the type of shooting that can carry a team to a few upsets in bracket play. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1726227' first='Caden' last='Sorensen'] (16.0, 34.9 3P%) paces the attack and is joined in the backcourt by [player_tooltip player_id='1751222' first='Jackson' last='Anderson'] (15.9, 34.1 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='1986602' first='Cameron' last='Mullen'] (10.7, 32.6 3P%). The Knights aren't a hyper efficient shooting team from deep, but they get up a large volume of attempts, which can turn games in a hurry.   Players to watch 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511550' first='Parker' last='Kuehl'], MFL MarMac 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2221613' first='Carver' last='Blietz-Bentien'], MFL MarMac 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325439' first='Wyatt' last='Powell'], MFL MarMac 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951832' first='Cael' last='Reichter'], North Fayette Valley 2024 Koby Bohr, Postville 2025 Josiah Minikwu, Postville 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1726227' first='Caden' last='Sorensen'], Union 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751222' first='Jackson' last='Anderson'], Union 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2398026' first='Conall' last='Sauser'], Oelwein 2024 Kole McCormick, Waukon 2024 Cael Laures, New Hampton     SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   Hudson vs. MFL MarMac   Hudson has been absolutely dominant this season, looking every bit the team that they've been building towards for the last few years. Everything has fallen into place for the Pirates, with an explosive, balanced offensive attack, and strong defense leading the way to blowout win after blowout win. For the first time since 1994, Hudson heads to Des Moines, and this group has a real chance to add a second state championship to their trophy case.