Substate Preview: 2A-4

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-7.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-7.png?w=693" alt="" class="wp-image-2341993" /></a></figure>   District 7   The favorite: West Burlington has put together another dominant regular season, posting an 18-0 record as of time of writing. The Falcons rank within the top 10 in 2A in both scoring offense (10th, 68.6) and defense (9th, 47.1), but there are some questions about how strong the competition has been for them, with nine 1A schools on the schedule. That said, they have a dynamic trio of guards leading the way in [player_tooltip player_id='1381425' first='Mason' last='Watkins'] (20.6, 40.2 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1171665' first='Brady' last='Martin'] (16.1, 3.7 assists), and [player_tooltip player_id='2397997' first='Quincy' last='Collins'] (13.4, 8.1 rebounds), a trio that complements each other really well. Watkins and Martin are both quick guards who can play with or without the ball in their hands, getting to the rim, knocking down shots off the catch, and creating plays for their teammates. Collins, despite being listed at just 5-11, has been a menace on the glass and is another really good athlete. [player_tooltip player_id='2731885' first='Ayden' last='Figuereo'] (5.8, 47.1 3P%) gives them some additional shooting, and [player_tooltip player_id='2397376' first='Kobe' last='Davis'] (8.2, 2.4 assists) gives them another viable ball-handler. The Falcons are small, but they're fast and fly all over the floor on both ends of the floor. Their constant pressure on both ends makes them a difficult team to match up with. They swept Central Lee, a possible semifinal opponent, this year.   The biggest threat: In senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1171662' first='Holden' last='Arnaman'] (24.1, 6.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 49.7 3P%), West Branch has the best individual player in the district, and that makes them a huge threat to the Falcons. Arnaman, who will play his college ball at D2 Minnesota State Mankato, is a dynamic playmaker and shot creator who can score from anywhere and does so with remarkable efficiency, posting 52-50-71 shooting splits. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1476994' first='Reese' last='Trepanier'] (14.9, 9.0 rebounds) is a nice complement to Arnaman, an undersized but physical forward who pounds the glass on both ends, can stretch the floor, and finishes well around the rim. The Bears have gotten good production of late out of a trio of sophomores as well in Brennen Dale (6.3), [player_tooltip player_id='2731645' first='Jayden' last='Harris'] (4.7), and [player_tooltip player_id='2887864' first='Brandon' last='Pedersen'] (2.5), and they'll need that trio to play at a high level alongside Arnaman and Trepanier if the Bears want to win this district.   The dark horse: There is a pretty substantial gap between West Burlington and West Branch and the rest of the district. That said, Mediapolis has a guard in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1596452' first='Max' last='Griffin'] (17.1) with the firepower to make some noise if he gets it rolling. Griffin is a skilled shooter who can shoot it at a high clip off both the dribble and the catch, and if he knocks down three or four 3s in the first half, he can lead the Bulldogs to an upset or two. Alongside him, Lance Ludens (10.9, 39.1 3P%) provides more shooting, and the tandem of Jackson Hutcheson (8.3, 3.1 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='2731857' first='Will' last='Luttenegger'] (7.0, 4.5 assists) have proven to be solid ball-handlers.   Players to watch 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381425' first='Mason' last='Watkins'], West Burlington 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171665' first='Brady' last='Martin'], West Burlington 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397997' first='Quincy' last='Collins'], West Burlington 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171662' first='Holden' last='Arnaman'], West Branch 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476994' first='Reese' last='Trepanier'], West Branch 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1596452' first='Max' last='Griffin'], Mediapolis 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951787' first='Brayden' last='Wyrick'], Central Lee 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751184' first='Ty' last='Northup'], Louisa-Muscatine 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721688' first='Finnegan' last='Cline'], Louisa-Muscatine 2025 Izaak Loeffler, Van Buren County   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-8.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-8.png?w=697" alt="" class="wp-image-2341994" /></a></figure>   District 8   The favorite: Monticello is looking to qualify for their fifth consecutive state tournament, and the Panthers have a great chance to do so, drawing a district filled with River Valley Conference foes that they have gone 8-1 against with an average margin of victory of 15.2 points, including a sweep of likely district final opponent Cascade. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1171677' first='Preston' last='Ries'] (25.9, 10.4 rebounds), a four-year varsity starter, leads the Panthers. He's an explosive athlete who will play football at Iowa, and his combination of size, strength, and athleticism makes him nearly impossible to slow down at this level. [player_tooltip player_id='1759903' first='Carson' last='Lambert'] (13.4, 7.5 rebounds, 48.4 3P%), a lefty sharpshooter, has been fantastic on both ends of the floor, and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1765541' first='Conley' last='Schauf'] (12.4, 36.4 3P%) has given them some more shooting, three-level scoring, and playmaking on the perimeter. The tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='1951823' first='Jack' last='Lambert'] (6.8, 3.4 assists) and Brody Gogel (6.6, 5.5 assists) has been extremely reliable in the backcourt, getting their teammates involved and knocking down shots when the opportunities present themselves. This team has been fantastic at protecting the ball (8.4 turnovers) and doesn't foul (9.7), taking away freebies for their opponents. A program with pedigree and a lot of success against the rest of the district, Monticello is the team to beat here.   The biggest threat: One of the hottest teams in 2A has been Cascade, who have won 10 of their last 11 games, with the lone loss coming to Monticello. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1587383' first='Jackson' last='Lieurance'] (22.3, 40.2 3P%) is a sniper who can get scorching hot and drop 35 points on you in the blink of an eye, and his confidence seems to be growing every night. The Cougars have also gotten fantastic production out of sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1978108' first='Mick' last='Hoffman'] (14.2, 43.8 3P%) this season, giving them more perimeter shooting and playmaking. Both Lieurance and Hoffman are better as catch-and-shoot threats, but both are capable of putting the ball on the floor and creating for themselves and teammates as well. If Cascade wants to go bigger, they can pair [player_tooltip player_id='1405102' first='Nathan' last='Schockemoehl'] (8.8, 8.6 rebounds) with [player_tooltip player_id='2398021' first='Will' last='Keeney'] (6.4), giving them some more beef in the paint. Schockemoehl is a bit undersized but plays bigger than his listed size with his motor and athleticism, while Keeney is a legit 6-7/6-8 body who sees the floor well and finishes around the bucket. This is a balanced team of role players after the top two, and they play together really well. If Lieurance or Hoffman, let alone both, get hot, they're capable of beating just about anyone.   The dark horse: Since the holiday break, Northeast has gone 8-2, including a win over Monticello. The Rebels are a tough, physical team that plays solid defense and their style can wear teams down. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1759938' first='Gavin' last='Kramer'] (15.7, 4.8 assists) is a streaky shooter, but he can knock down shots both off the dribble and the catch, while [player_tooltip player_id='1945651' first='Clayton' last='Meyermann'] (11.9, 6.1 rebounds), Jacob Tegeler (9.7, 6.9 rebounds), and [player_tooltip player_id='2420649' first='Emerson' last='Kreinbrink'] (8.9, 5.4 rebounds) are all tough forwards who pound the glass on both ends of the floor. This is a group that averages 10 offensive rebounds a game, and that type of aggressiveness on the glass helps gain valuable extra possessions for a team that doesn't shoot it very well from 3 (27.1 3P%).   Players to watch 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171677' first='Preston' last='Ries'], Monticello 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759903' first='Carson' last='Lambert'], Monticello 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765541' first='Conley' last='Schauf'], Monticello 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1587383' first='Jackson' last='Lieurance'], Cascade 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978108' first='Mick' last='Hoffman'], Cascade 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759938' first='Gavin' last='Kramer'], Northeast 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1945651' first='Clayton' last='Meyermann'], Northeast 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2337910' first='Vince' last='Diers'], Anamosa 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765552' first='Tristan' last='Faille'], Anamosa 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1256303' first='Eli' last='Kluesner'], Beckman Catholic 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476991' first='Demarion' last='Honaker'], Camanche 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759947' first='Tyson' last='Seeser'], Camanche     SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   West Burlington vs. Monticello   It's hard to pick against a team that would be undefeated if they reach this spot, but we have a difficult time seeing who from West Burlington is going to slow down [player_tooltip player_id='1171677' first='Preston' last='Ries']. Ries has a big game, and Monticello punches their ticket to Des Moines for the fifth straight season.