Substate Preview: 2A-6

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/2A-11.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/2A-11.png?w=611" alt="" class="wp-image-2774516" /></a></figure>   District 11   The favorite: One of the highest scoring teams in Class 2A resides in Denver, a group averaging 74.0 points per game, 3rd in the class. The Cyclones are led by a trio of double-figure scorers in seniors Talan Lafrentz (21.5, 50.7 FG%) and Braxton Sauerbrei (12.1) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2724157' first='Quintin' last='Honn'] (11.6, 43.2 3P%). Lafrentz has been extremely productive for years now and is a versatile three-level scorer and playmaker. The emergence of Honn, a reliable shooter with some length on the wing, as a tertiary scoring option has helped take this group to the next level. Defense can be an issue at times for the Cyclones, but it's hard to see any team in the district slowing them down enough either.   The biggest threat: If there is going to be a team in this district that could potentially slow down the Cyclones, it's probably Alburnett, the #2 seed. The Pirates have a few bigger, athletic players who can match up with some of Denver's weapons in [player_tooltip player_id='2397976' first='Matthew' last='Neighbor'] (20.2, 12.8 rebounds) and Rylen Rozek (10.7), a pair of versatile defenders who can guard multiple different positions. Strong lead guard Lake Caves ((.8, 4.6 assists) is a solid on-ball defender on the perimeter, and [player_tooltip player_id='2886808' first='Caiden' last='Bueckers'] (11.3, 43.4 3P%) is a really good shooter who plays well off the ball. The Pirates are tremendous on the glass and have the type of athleticism, strength, and offensive balance to make some noise here.   The dark horse: Union has a number of talented scoring weapons and may be the deepest team in the district, comfortably going eight or nine deep. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1726227' first='Caden' last='Sorensen'] (12.1) leads a quartet of players in double-figures, joined by [player_tooltip player_id='2678903' first='Tate' last='Van Dyke'] (11.7, 38.2 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='2820139' first='Eric' last='Neipert'] (11.5, 8.6 rebounds, 61.5 FG%), and [player_tooltip player_id='1986602' first='Cameron' last='Mullen'] (10.4). The Knights played Denver to a 5-point game back in January, so if they can get by Alburnett in the semifinals, they'd go into the district final with plenty of confidence that they could play with the Cyclones.   Players to Watch 2025 Talan Lafrentz (Denver) 2025 Braxton Sauerbrei (Denver) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2724157' first='Quintin' last='Honn'] (Denver) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397976' first='Matthew' last='Neighbor'] (Alburnett) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2886808' first='Caiden' last='Bueckers'] (Alburnett) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754658' first='Laken' last='Caves'] (Alburnett) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1726227' first='Caden' last='Sorensen'] (Union) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2678903' first='Tate' last='Van Dyke'] (Union) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2820139' first='Eric' last='Neipert'] (Union) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951834' first='Colin' last='Meester'] (Dike-New Hartford) 2025 Carson Costello (Dike-New Hartford) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2629262' first='Amani' last='Robinson'] (Columbus Catholic) 2025 Kiean Crile (Hudson) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2772327' first='Tade' last='Roberts'] (Hudson)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/2A-12.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/2A-12.png?w=618" alt="" class="wp-image-2774517" /></a></figure>   District 12   The favorite: It would be a monumental upset if anyone other than Kuemper Catholic came out of this district. The Knights have lost just once this season, an 8-point loss at Dowling Catholic, a team that has spent a good chunk of the year ranked in Class 4A. A high-octane attack, they're averaging 83.2 points per game, with seven players averaging at least 7.3 points per game. Junior big man [player_tooltip player_id='1765513' first='Ryan' last='Clair'] (15.4, 6.8 rebounds, 66.7 FG%) may have been the missing piece of the puzzle from last year's team that was also really good. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='2420805' first='Dylan' last='Schon'] (13.5, 68.7 FG%), junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765503' first='Brock' last='Badding'] (12.5, 40.0 3P%), senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1951817' first='Tregan' last='Beiter'] (9.3, 53.1 FG%), sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='2420798' first='Griffin' last='Glynn'] (9.3, 42.6 3P%), junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2519974' first='Jack' last='Badding'] (8.8, 4.2 assists), and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1759944' first='Carson' last='Kanne'] (7.3, 7.3 assists) are all big-time players who would each be putting up even bigger numbers if they were playing on less loaded teams. This is a group that takes exceptional care of the ball (8.4 turnovers), plays strong defense (52.6 points per game allowed), and is highly efficient (55-39-73 shooting splits). Their depth, talent, and versatility make them one of the top 2-3 teams in Class 2A.   The biggest threat: Since they only have to play one game before the district final, and they get it at home, West Marshall is the biggest threat to Kuemper in the district, almost by default. The Trojans are very experienced, with seven seniors comprising their top seven scorers, and there is something to be said for that type of age and experience. Lucas Barnes (10.8, 5.9 rebounds), AJ Dee (9.2), and Cash Johnston (8.2, 6.3 rebounds) are the headliners of the group. They'll need to grind the game to a halt, take great care of the ball, and go in with a dynamic defensive gameplan.   The dark horse: One of the most dominant individual players in the class is [player_tooltip player_id='2419699' first='Braylon' last='Bingham'] (27.6, 8.8 rebounds), an athletic, versatile scorer from Pleasantville. The sophomore wing can score inside and out, control the glass, and create quality looks for his teammates. He would need to be otherworldly, and get some shooting contributions from his teammates, if the Trojans were going to shock Kuemper and reach the substate final, but Bingham is a dynamic talent.   Players to Watch 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765513' first='Ryan' last='Clair'] (Kuemper Catholic) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420805' first='Dylan' last='Schon'] (Kuemper Catholic) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765503' first='Brock' last='Badding'] (Kuemper Catholic) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951817' first='Tregan' last='Beiter'] (Kuemper Catholic) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420798' first='Griffin' last='Glynn'] (Kuemper Catholic) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2519974' first='Jack' last='Badding'] (Kuemper Catholic) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759944' first='Carson' last='Kanne'] (Kuemper Catholic) 2025 Lucas Barnes (West Marshall) 2026 Blake Neuroth (East Marshall) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419699' first='Braylon' last='Bingham'] (Pleasantville) 2027 Brandon Miller (Ogden) SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   Denver vs. Kuemper Catholic   Kuemper Catholic has been one of the most dominant teams in Class 2A all year, and while Denver (or Alburnett or Union) isn't a pushover, the Knights are just on another level from those teams. Kuemper rolls to Des Moines, where they'll be considered one of the favorites to take home the title.