Substate Preview: 2A-8

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-15.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-15.png?w=693" alt="" class="wp-image-2342016" /></a></figure>   District 15   The favorite: One of two 2A teams to rank within the top 5 in both scoring offense (5th, 70.8) and defense (5th, 44.2), Underwood finished off a perfect 21-0 regular season and is rolling into the postseason with a real chance at the school's first ever state tournament trip. This is a program that has been building towards this season for a few years now, led by five seniors who all average double figures (or very close to it) in Mason Boothby (13.6, 3.7 assists), Josh Ravlin (12.6, 41.9 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='2377360' first='Owen' last='Larsen'] (11.2, 7.0 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='1751187' first='Jack' last='Vanfossan'] (10.7, 10.3 rebounds), and Luke Seidler (9.6, 37.0 3P%). They've been extremely efficient offensively, posting 53-38-62 shooting splits as a team. They've been dominant on the defensive end, averaging over 16 stocks (steals + blocks) per game. They've been fantastic on the glass, averaging 38.9 rebounds a game, including nearly 12 a night offensively. Simply put, this team has been a bit of a juggernaut, and they got a very manageable draw from the Association as a result. It could be a pretty big upset for the Eagles, ranked 7th at BC Moore (no other team in the district ranked higher than 41st), to not emerge from this district.   The biggest threat: East Sac County is the most likely team to come out of the bottom of the bracket, getting to host the semifinal meeting against (likely) Manson-Northwest Webster, a team they beat by nine earlier in the regular season. The Raiders are led by sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765513' first='Ryan' last='Clair'] (19.1, 11.4 rebounds), a do-it-all forward who impacts the game on both ends of the floor. Sam Julin (12.3, 39.3 3P%) is the top perimeter shooting threat, while Caleb Eichorn (9.9, 39.5 3P%) is solid as well. Luke Wright (10.9, 7.8 rebounds) gives them some more size and rebounding, which they'll need against Underwood.   The dark horse: One of the top scorers in the class plays at Manson-Northwest Webster, junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2398114' first='Logan' last='Moline'] (25.4, 9.2 rebounds). Moline is at his best when he's playing downhill and attacking the rim, but his jumper is just good enough that it needs to be respected. He's joined by [player_tooltip player_id='1587314' first='Kelan' last='Koval'] (16.0), another big-time scorer on the wing who can get to the rim for finishes. The Cougars will need to get three big games from that tandem if they want to pull off a few upsets and win the district, but crazier things have happened.   Players to watch 2024 Mason Boothby, Underwood 2024 Josh Ravlin, Underwood 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2377360' first='Owen' last='Larsen'], Underwood 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751187' first='Jack' last='Vanfossan'], Underwood 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765513' first='Ryan' last='Clair'], East Sac County 2025 Sam Julin, East Sac County 2024 Luke Wright, East Sac County 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2398114' first='Logan' last='Moline'], Manson-Northwest Webster 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1587314' first='Kelan' last='Koval'], Manson-Northwest Webster 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2381205' first='Brysen' last='Kolar'], OABCIG 2026 Kade Spotts, OABCIG 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420652' first='Jaxx' last='DeJean'], OABCIG 2024 Dane Janssen, Missouri Valley 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2221609' first='Brody' last='Lager'], Missouri Valley 2024 Gabe Ebersole, Greene County   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-16.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/2A-16.png?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2342017" /></a></figure>   District 16   The favorite: Roland-Story is the #2 seed in the district, largely because of a head-to-head loss to South Hamilton that occurred before districts were released. This week, Roland-Story avenged that loss, beating the Hawks by 23 points, and making the Norsemen the favorite in the district. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1171681' first='Jonovan' last='Wilkinson'] (22.0, 10.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 55.4 FG%) has been fantastic this year for the Norse, scoring from all three levels, creating for his teammates, defending at a high level, and taking over games when they need him to. [player_tooltip player_id='1288880' first='Boaz' last='Clark'] (14.7, 4.1 assists, 38.3 3P%) has had some big scoring nights as well, stepping into a secondary scoring role this season, and Tristan Anderson (10.3, 6.9 rebounds) has developed nicely as the year has progressed. Roland-Story has made back-to-back trips to the state tournament, with Wilkinson and Clark being key contributors for both squads. That is a big advantage for them here.   The biggest threat: As the top seed in the district, South Hamilton is able to avoid Pleasantville in the semifinals, a team that has proven themselves capable of beating just about anyone this year. The Hawks are led by three double-figure scorers in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2204891' first='Ryland' last='Ubben'] (16.8, 9.4 rebounds), Reece Ricke (11.7, 8.7 rebounds), and Ty Koehnk (10.9), giving them a trio of scorers who can be the leader on any given night. They don't shoot it very well, just 25.6 3P% as a team, but they play solid defense and pound the offensive glass, and those extra possessions can prove to be very valuable in postseason games where every possession matters.   The dark horse: Pleasantville might be the most dangerous #3 seed in any district in the class. The Trojans have a pair of elite scoring threats in freshman wing [player_tooltip player_id='2419699' first='Braylon' last='Bingham'] (21.3, 7.5 rebounds) and senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1725069' first='Dayson' last='Leerhoff'] (20.2, 11.6 rebounds). Bingham has had one of the best freshman seasons of any player in the state, a 6-2 wing who can create off the dribble and score from all three levels. Leerhoff, a long, bouncy 6-4 forward, is a terror on the glass and a really good finisher around the rim. Senior guard Ryder Thill (4.8, 4.1 assists) isn't much of a scorer, but he's a solid lead guard who limits mistakes and sets the table for his teammates.   Players to watch 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2204891' first='Ryland' last='Ubben'], South Hamilton 2024 Reece Ricke, South Hamilton 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171681' first='Jonovan' last='Wilkinson'], Roland-Story 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288880' first='Boaz' last='Clark'], Roland-Story 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419699' first='Braylon' last='Bingham'], Pleasantville 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1725069' first='Dayson' last='Leerhoff'], Pleasantville 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1874331' first='Austin' last='Taylor'], Woodward-Granger 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2221605' first='Landon' last='Osberg'], West Central Valley 2024 Nate Gerling, West Central Valley 2025 Harrison Rhone, Colfax-Mingo     SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   Underwood vs. Roland-Story   Roland-Story has the pedigree, having qualified for back-to-back state tournaments, but Underwood has been dominant on both ends of the floor all season and they cap off a magical season with a trip to Des Moines for the first time in school history.