Substate Preview: 2A-6

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-11.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-11.png?w=696" alt="" class="wp-image-2342008" /></a></figure>   District 11   The favorite: The highest scoring team in 2A resides in Carroll, and it's Kuemper Catholic. The Knights are putting up 76 points a game with four players averaging in double figures, and one more just outside. A dynamic offensive team that has put up impressive shooting numbers (50-38-65 splits as a team), they've also done a tremendous job protecting the ball, committing just eight turnovers a game. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765503' first='Brock' last='Badding'] (13.4, 46.8 3P%) is the team's leading scorer and an electric perimeter shooting threat, and twin brother [player_tooltip player_id='2519974' first='Jack' last='Badding'] (7.2, 44.2 3P%) provides more dynamic shooting. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1759944' first='Carson' last='Kanne'] (10.1, 5.2 assists, 41.9 3P%) is a skilled playmaker and shooter, while [player_tooltip player_id='1951817' first='Tregan' last='Beiter'] (11.4) and [player_tooltip player_id='1288927' first='Michael' last='Kasperbauer'] (12.2) can each do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor for the Knights. Carter Putney (9.3, 40.6 3P%) provides even more shooting for a team that averages more than 10 made 3-pointers a game. With their depth of shooters, it's unlikely that the whole team will go cold for an extended period of time, and they have so many weapons that they'll be really tough for opposing teams in this district to keep up with them.   The biggest threat: If there is a team in the district that may have the players to slow down Kuemper, it's South Central Calhoun, who have been strong defensively this season, allowing just 47.4 points per game. They're led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='1751229' first='Gavin' last='Batta'] (19.9, 1.8 blocks) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2721807' first='Cole' last='Higgins'] (15.0), a pair of strong, athletic guards in the backcourt. Keegan Soard (8.5, 10.2 rebounds) commands the paint on both ends of the floor and with Kuemper down their top forward, DJ Vonnahme, the Titans could have an edge in the paint with Soard. If they want to stick around with Kuemper, they'll need to drag the game into the mud, but they can do that.   The dark horse: When you're looking for a team who could get hot and make a run, you generally want to find a dominant guard, and that's what you can see when you look at South Hardin. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2377884' first='Lane' last='Luiken'] (20.6, 35.2 3P%) is a volume scorer who has knocked down 50 3-pointers this season and is able to get to the rim at will off the dribble. Juniors Jaxson Drury (13.8) and [player_tooltip player_id='2511486' first='Traven' last='Wheeler'] (13.6, 8.8 rebounds) provide more scoring, and Wheeler is an interior scorer and rim protector. Luiken is a good enough offensive weapon to take over a few games, get hot, and pull off some upsets.   Players to watch 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765503' first='Brock' last='Badding'], Kuemper Catholic 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288927' first='Michael' last='Kasperbauer'], Kuemper Catholic 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951817' first='Tregan' last='Beiter'], Kuemper Catholic 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759944' first='Carson' last='Kanne'], Kuemper Catholic 2024 Carter Putney, Kuemper Catholic 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751229' first='Gavin' last='Batta'], South Central Calhoun 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721807' first='Cole' last='Higgins'], South Central Calhoun 2024 Keegan Soard, South Central Calhoun 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2221629' first='Drake' last='Canavan'], Eagle Grove 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1546586' first='Tyreon' last='Franklin'], Eagle Grove 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2377884' first='Lane' last='Luiken'], South Hardin 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511486' first='Traven' last='Wheeler'], South Hardin 2024 Carter Ferry, Southeast Valley   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-12.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-12.png?w=699" alt="" class="wp-image-2342012" /></a></figure>   District 12   The favorite: Prior to a loss on Thursday night against Grand View Christian, Grundy Center had won 16 straight games, earning the top spot in this district. The Spartans are a really good, athletic defensive team that allows just 43.6 points a night, using their blend of depth, length, and athleticism to frustrate teams on the defensive end of the floor. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1478357' first='Jalen' last='Kirkpatrick'] (16.2, 5.9 rebounds) is the headliner, a 6-6 wing who can score from all three levels and defend multiple positions, while [player_tooltip player_id='1759911' first='Tiernan' last='Vokes'] (10.8), [player_tooltip player_id='2325346' first='Tate' last='Jirovsky'] (9.8), Colin Gordon (9.1), and [player_tooltip player_id='1759941' first='Brayden' last='Wallis'] (7.8) are all solid scoring threats as well. They move the ball extremely well, averaging just under 20 assists a game, and their depth is a major advantage.   The biggest threat: Aplington-Parkersburg lost their regular season meeting against Grundy Center by 15 points, but that loss came without star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1171686' first='Gavin' last='Thomas'] (19.6, 42.5 3P%), who had injured his hand in the previous game. Thomas, a versatile three-level scorer and playmaker, is back in the lineup now and playing high-level ball for the Falcons. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765547' first='Benny' last='Waller'] (16.3, 41.1 3P%) has paired with Thomas to give them some great shooting, whiel [player_tooltip player_id='2325268' first='Nick' last='Neuroth'] (9.9, 4.2 assists) is the floor general who sets the tone for the team offensively. A-P always likes to get up-and-down, and they go deep into their bench.   The dark horse: Dike-New Hartford was swept by Aplington-Parkersburg during the regular season by 15 and 10 points, but would like to get a third shot at the Falcons. The Wolverines are led by a pair of double-figure scorers in juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1951834' first='Colin' last='Meester'] (16.7, 4.1 assists, 53.1 FG%) and Carson Costello (11.5, 7.3 rebounds), giving them a pair of solid scoring threats to lean on. Turnovers have been an issue for D-NH this season, giving it away nearly 16 times a game, so if they're able to protect the ball a little better this time around, they could pull an upset and get to the district final.   Players to watch 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1478357' first='Jalen' last='Kirkpatrick'], Grundy Center 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759911' first='Tiernan' last='Vokes'], Grundy Center 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325346' first='Tate' last='Jirovsky'], Grundy Center 2024 Colin Gordon, Grundy Center 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759941' first='Brayden' last='Wallis'], Grundy Center 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171686' first='Gavin' last='Thomas'], Aplington-Parkersburg 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765547' first='Benny' last='Waller'], Aplington-Parkersburg 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325268' first='Nick' last='Neuroth'], Aplington-Parkersburg 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951834' first='Colin' last='Meester'], Dike-New Hartford 2025 Carson Costello, Dike-New Hartford 2026 Jackson Bidwell, East Marshall 2024 Jaden Damiano, Iowa Falls-Alden 2024 Carson Nesheim, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754705' first='Chaz' last='Lane'], Clarion-Goldfield-Dows     SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   Kuemper Catholic vs. Grundy Center   The #1 offense in the class against the #3 defense. This one would be very interesting, as Grundy Center has a lot of length and athleticism that they can throw at the Knights on the defensive end. But the overwhelming depth of Kuemper Catholic on the offensive end, and their vast array of shooters, carries the Knights through and back to Des Moines.