Substate Preview: 2A-5

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-9.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-9.png?w=696" alt="" class="wp-image-2341995" /></a></figure>   District 9   The favorite: Pella Christian is a pretty overwhelming favorite in this district. The Eagles are 15-5, with four of their five losses coming to 4A teams Norwalk (twice) and Dallas Center-Grimes (twice). They hold a head-to-head win over Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, back in the season opener, by 26 points, and they've been playing really good ball down the stretch of the regular season. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1423351' first='Tysen' last='Devries'] (14.0, 3.5 assists, 45.6 3P%) is the headliner of the group. He's a small but tough, quick guard who loves to attack the rim, and he's shooting it at an extremely high level right now. [player_tooltip player_id='1872424' first='Dane' last='Geetings'] (12.7, 3.1 assists) is a long guard who defends well on the perimeter, while [player_tooltip player_id='2325478' first='Josiah' last='Vos'] (8.0) and [player_tooltip player_id='2377407' first='Isaiah' last='Breems'] (6.7) are lengthy, versatile defenders. In all, the top six scorers for the Eagles are seniors, and they have a ton of experience playing with each other. According to BC Moore's power rankings system, they've played the toughest schedule in 2A, and they'll be well prepared for postseason play after returning a significant chunk of the team that reached the 2A semifinals last season.   The biggest threat: With a frontline that goes 6-5, 6-7, and 6-8, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont has the type of size that few other teams in 2A possess. [player_tooltip player_id='1171680' first='Brooks' last='Moore'] (24.9, 8.0 rebounds, 51.0 FG%), the 6-5 combo forward, is their best player, a dynamic athlete who thrives in transition and can score from all three levels. [player_tooltip player_id='1751224' first='Karic' last='Stout'] (12.4, 8.9 rebounds, 3.1 blocks), the 6-8 forward, is an athletic rim protector, and Jack Bunnell (6.3, 61.8 FG%) is a solid 6-7 forward who finishes efficiently. Those three are joined in the starting lineup by a pair of experienced guards in Landon Glosser (11.5, 4.7 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='1476979' first='Jesse' last='Cornelison'] (10.0, 5.1 assists), who are both good playmakers and passers. The Rockets play in a weaker league than Pella Christian does, and the Eagles dismantled them in the regular season, but in a one-game setting anything can happen, and that type of size could allow them to dominate the glass with a concentrated effort.   The dark horse: The 3-point line is the ultimate difference-maker in modern basketball, which means that Mid-Prairie is a dangerous team. The Golden Hawks are averaging 9.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, and they have a ton of different shooting threats to throw at you, with four players averaging at least one make a game. Sophomore Bryce Henry (13.8, 35.9 3P%), juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1951822' first='Ace' last='Peck'] (12.9, 43.2 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1874767' first='Brady' last='Weber'] (10.3, 29.2 3P%, and seniors Dylan Henry (11.0, 36.0 3P%) and Landon Sullivan (10.4, 40.0 3P%) all average in double figures and each are viable threats from deep.   Players to watch 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1423351' first='Tysen' last='Devries'], Pella Christian 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1872424' first='Dane' last='Geetings'], Pella Christian 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325478' first='Josiah' last='Vos'], Pella Christian 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171680' first='Brooks' last='Moore'], Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751224' first='Karic' last='Stout'], Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 2024 Landon Glosser, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476979' first='Jesse' last='Cornelison'], Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 2026 Bryce Henry, Mid-Prairie 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951822' first='Ace' last='Peck'], Mid-Prairie 2024 Dylan Henry, Mid-Prairie 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1874767' first='Brady' last='Weber'], Mid-Prairie 2025 Cael Schofield, Albia 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731635' first='Malachi' last='Rice'], Centerville 2025 KJ Rice, Centerville 2025 Chase Hengstenberg, Cardinal   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-10.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-10.png?w=699" alt="" class="wp-image-2341996" /></a></figure>   District 10   The favorite: After getting off to a slow 4-3 start, Alburnett has won 14 straight games heading into postseason play. They have been elite on the defensive end this season, allowing just 42.8 points per game, with their quickness and athleticism on the perimeter being a difference maker. [player_tooltip player_id='1751109' first='Braydon' last='Osborn'] (15.7, 50.4 FG%) got off to a bit of a slow start to the season but is playing really good basketball down the stretch, as are [player_tooltip player_id='2397976' first='Matthew' last='Neighbor'] (14.1, 6.8 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='1751108' first='Jordan' last='Caton'] (11.5, 42.0 3P%), giving the Pirates a trio of strong scorers. They have also gotten fantastic play out of point guard Payton Baker (6.6, 7.0 assists) this season, taking great care of the ball and getting his teammates quality looks. This is a quality team that is playing really good basketball on both ends of the floor.   The biggest threat: Regina was on fire for nearly two months, going from December 1 to January 23 without a loss, racking up 13 straight wins during that run. But they've stumbled a bit down the stretch, losing four of their last five games during the regular season, including a one-point loss to likely semifinal opponent Wilton. However, that game was in Wilton, whereas the rematch will be in Iowa City. As they showed during the win streak, when they're playing well, they can beat just about anyone, and they have a great, championship winning coach on the sidelines in Paul Rundquist. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2325496' first='Michael' last='Martin'] (16.8, 42.6 3P%) is a knockdown shooter who moves well without the ball in his hands. They've gotten great production out of a pair of freshmen forwards - [player_tooltip player_id='2419768' first='Tate' last='Wallace'] (12.7, 56.2 FG%) and [player_tooltip player_id='2419815' first='Will' last='Litton'] (8.8, 62.5 FG%) - while senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1807351' first='Eddie' last='Petersen'] (8.6, 5.2 assists) has been a reliable playmaker in the backcourt alongside Martin. The Regals are athletic and physical, and if they're able to right the ship they are certainly capable of beating Alburnett.   The dark horse: Few teams are as explosive offensively as Wilton, who have scored 70+ points in half of their games this season, including scoring in the 80s three times and breaking 90 once. The Beavers are led by senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1376706' first='Landyn' last='Putman'] (19.3), who isn't shooting it as well from deep as he is accustomed to shooting, but he has really improved his ability to get to the rim off the dribble and has been a dynamic scorer as a result. His younger brother, freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2419757' first='Bryer' last='Putman'] (16.9, 10.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks), is a physical combo forward who can score inside and out, and he's armed with a really good mid-range game. Fellow freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2419764' first='Oaklan' last='Jirak'] (12.9, 37.8 3P%) and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1900233' first='Casen' last='Reid'] (9.9, 6.0 assists) hold down the backcourt, giving them more length and athleticism on the perimeter. The Beavers have struggled at times defensively, ranking 69th in 2A in scoring defense at 60.7 points per game allowed. There will need to be some more focus on the defensive end of the floor if Wilton is going to make a run here.   Players to watch 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751109' first='Braydon' last='Osborn'], Alburnett 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397976' first='Matthew' last='Neighbor'], Alburnett 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751108' first='Jordan' last='Caton'], Alburnett 2024 Payton Baker, Alburnett 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325496' first='Michael' last='Martin'], Regina 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419768' first='Tate' last='Wallace'], Regina 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376706' first='Landyn' last='Putman'], Wilton 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419757' first='Bryer' last='Putman'], Wilton 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419764' first='Oaklan' last='Jirak'], Wilton 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2204890' first='Preston' last='Daedlow'], Tipton 2024 Brody Marchik, Tipton 2024 Jayce McHugh, West Liberty 2025 Bryce Daufeldt, Durant     SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   Pella Christian vs. Alburnett   Alburnett has been red-hot down the stretch, but Pella Christian is on another level and has to be considered one of the top two or three contenders in the 2A race. The Eagles are a veteran team that reached the 2A semifinals last season and were the team that gave eventual champion Central Lyon their stiffest test. With a big chunk (66% of their scoring) back, they've been on a mission, and they won't stop now. Pella Christian back to Des Moines for the third straight season.