Substate Preview: 2A-7

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-13.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-13.png?w=692" alt="" class="wp-image-2342013" /></a></figure>   District 13   The favorite: Perennial power Treynor put together another great season, going 18-3 during the regular season, with two of those losses coming to conference foe Underwood, who went undefeated. The Cardinals are led by three seniors - [player_tooltip player_id='1376717' first='Jace' last='Tams'] (19.4), Ethan Konz (14.8, 37.2 3P%), and Karson Elwood (9.6, 3.9 assists), and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1978103' first='Alec' last='Lovely'] (9.8, 37.3 3P%, 5.2 assists). All four of those guards are capable of playing with or without the ball, giving them a number of talented playmakers who can space the floor and allow them to take advantage of their speed off the dribble. This Treynor team is smaller than they've been in recent years, but they're able to use their quickness to their advantage. Scott Rucker is one of the best coaches in the state and always has the Cards well prepared on both ends of the floor.   The biggest threat: Van Meter has had an up-and-down year, breaking in a lot of new pieces this season, but the Bulldogs are going to be tough every year, and they're going to be a team that nobody wants to see because they're always athletic and physical. This year's team is no exception. They've tested themselves in the non-conference, playing games against Kuemper Catholic, ADM, Aplington-Parkersburg, Winterset, Pella Christian, and Roland-Story, so they've seen a variety of different styles and played in a lot of high-level games this season. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2325537' first='John' last='Braun'] (15.4, 6.4 rebounds) leads a trio of double-figure scorers, joined by [player_tooltip player_id='2325542' first='Cael' last='Trudo'] (14.5, 7.1 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='2398079' first='Caleb' last='Moore'] (12.5, 39.3 3P%). Braun is an undersized but physical power forward, while Trudo is a strong wing who loves to attack the rim. Moore is the team's primary ball-handler and playmaker, and also their best perimeter shooter. This team is battle tested and isn't going to back down from anyone.   The dark horse: Red Oak went on a surprising run two years ago, reaching the 2A state tournament, and two of their best players from that team are on this year's team, so is there a chance that the Tigers could go on another surprising run here? Senior wings [player_tooltip player_id='1376714' first='Max' last='DeVries'] (21.4, 7.6 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='1938207' first='Hunter' last='Gilleland'] (14.1, 3.9 assists) are those holdovers who have plenty of experience and success in postseason settings, and they won't shy away from the big moments. The Tigers pound the offensive glass, averaging nearly 12 offensive boards a game, an area that could benefit them greatly.   Players to watch 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376717' first='Jace' last='Tams'], Treynor 2024 Ethan Konz, Treynor 2024 Karson Elwood, Treynor 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978103' first='Alec' last='Lovely'], Treynor 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325537' first='John' last='Braun'], Van Meter 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325542' first='Cael' last='Trudo'], Van Meter 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2398079' first='Caleb' last='Moore'], Van Meter 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325300' first='Creighton' last='Tuzzio'], Clarinda 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376714' first='Max' last='DeVries'], Red Oak 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1938207' first='Hunter' last='Gilleland'], Red Oak 2024 Camden Lorimor, Shenandoah 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759951' first='Luke' last='Sternberg'], AHSTW   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-14.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-14.png?w=695" alt="" class="wp-image-2342015" /></a></figure>   District 14   The favorite: Despite moving up a class this season, Grand View Christian is still a force to be reckoned with. They're just 11-9, sure, but the Thunder are once again a really good team that has tested themselves against a formidable schedule and performed admirably. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1381402' first='Emiliano' last='Barrantes'] (28.3, 14.7 rebounds, 3.4 blocks, 62.0 FG%) has taken his game to another level this season. Not only is he playing with more physicality and dominating the paint on both ends of the floor, he has also developed a jumper with range out to the arc, a huge boost for the 6-9 forward. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='2287857' first='Brayden' last='Hoben'] (16.1, 9.3 rebounds, 35.6 3P%) is capable of having explosive shooting nights, and senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1476971' first='Noah' last='John'] (10.0, 6.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists) has played in a ton of huge games over the years for GVC. The Thunder also received a boost with the recent addition of Des Moines Christian transfer Jameson Scharnberg to the roster. Scharnberg scored 10 points in the fourth quarter of the Thunder's win on Thursday night against Grundy Center and made several key plays down the stretch. Having another ball-handler and shooter of his quality will be a huge boost for Grand View as we head into the postseason.   The biggest threat: We're unsure of the circumstances around Scharnberg's departure, and very fast eligibility at Grand View Christian, but the (likely) district final against Des Moines Christian could be a spicy one. The Lions have dealt with a number of injuries to key players this season, but have still maintained a high level of play throughout the season, led by junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2398006' first='Sean' last='Tunks'] (19.5, 3.5 assists), who has given them a dynamic playmaker in the backcourt. He's able to get to the rim seemingly at will and is also a talented ball-handler and passer who looks to push the tempo. Junior wing Seaton ingram (11.6, 7.1 rebounds) missed the first dozen or so games but is back in the lineup and gives the Lions an athletic wing defender and rebounder, while forward [player_tooltip player_id='1751233' first='Tate' last='Platte'] (11.4, 7.6 rebounds) is a physical presence who loves to pound the glass. [player_tooltip player_id='1978133' first='Max' last='Town'] (11.2, 40.0 3P%) is the team's best shooting threat, and this is a team that shares the ball well. This group is athletic and has a lot of switchable pieces on the defensive end, which could be beneficial in a matchup against GVC.   The dark horse: Despite being the #5 seed in the district, PCM is actually the third-ranked team from this district at BC Moore. The Mustangs have lost 11 games, but six have come by single digits, so they've been in most of the games they've played. Gavin VanGorp (13.3) is the team's top scorer, while senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1751230' first='Jacob' last='Wendt'] (12.2, 10.3 rebounds) has been a force in the paint, alongside Jack Jungling (7.3, 6.4 rebounds), giving them a bit of a "twin towers" look. This is a team that pounds the glass on both ends of the floor, and their 14 offensive rebounds a game, and their aggressiveness in that area, will be a boost against bigger GVC and DMC teams.   Players to watch 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2398006' first='Sean' last='Tunks'], Des Moines Christian 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978133' first='Max' last='Town'], Des Moines Christian 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751233' first='Tate' last='Platte'], Des Moines Christian 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759901' first='Seaton' last='Ingram'], Des Moines Christian 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171689' first='Landon' last='Craven'], Des Moines Christian 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381402' first='Emiliano' last='Barrantes'], Grand View Christian 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2287857' first='Brayden' last='Hoben'], Grand View Christian 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476971' first='Noah' last='John'], Grand View Christian 2026 Jameson Scharnberg, Grand View Christian 2024 Sam Boothe, Central Decatur 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721736' first='Nash' last='Dykes'], Central Decatur 2024 Carson Van Sickle, Ogden 2025 Gavin VanGorp, PCM 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751230' first='Jacob' last='Wendt'], PCM     SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   Treynor vs. Grand View Christian   These teams met back on January 6, a 74-60 Treynor win on Grand View's home floor. In that game, the Thunder shot just 27.7% from the floor, including just 3-15 from Barrantes, and turned it over 16 times. While having that win on their resume is big for Treynor, and should give them confidence heading into a rematch, it's hard to see the Thunder playing that poorly again. The tides turn, and Grand View Christian heads to the state tournament for the eighth time in nine years, but for the first time as a 2A team.