State Tournament Preview: Class 2A Stars to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PF [player_tooltip player_id='1381402' first='Emiliano' last='Barrantes'] (Grand View Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future Illinois-Chicago big man has put together a great senior year for the Thunder, averaging 21.5 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 4.1 blocks per game. At 6-9/6-10, and with his mobility, length, and ability to shoot it from the 3-point line, he's nearly impossible to defend at this level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2287857' first='Brayden' last='Hoben'] (Grand View Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A good athlete on the wing who uses his length effectively on the defensive end, Hoben pairs with Barrantes to give them some extremely intimidating shot blocking. Hoben is averaging 2.3 blocks per game to go with 16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. His playmaking has taken a leap this year, dishing out nearly five helpers per game, and that has been an added dimension for the Thunder attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 PG [player_tooltip player_id='2413533' first='Jameson' last='Scharnberg'] (Grand View Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick guard who handles it really well and knocks down shots off the dribble with regularity, Scharnberg is averaging 16.7 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.0 steals per game while shooting nearly 40% from behind the arc. He gets into his shot in the blink of an eye off the dribble and if you aren't careful, he can drop 3-4 3s on you in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1478357' first='Jalen' last='Kirkpatrick'] (Grundy Center)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kirkpatrick missed a chunk of the season due to injury, but when he has been on the floor, he's been really productive, averaging a team-high 16.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. A long, lanky, and athletic wing who can defend multiple positions and shoot it off the catch, his two-way ability will be huge for Grundy if they're going to make some noise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1839807' first='Ryan' last='Treptow'] (Jesup)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A skilled 6-3 guard who can do a little bit of everything, Treptow has been sensational during the J-Hawks postseason run, and he's averaging 20.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game during his senior season. He can score off the dribble, knock down shots off the catch, and he's a terror on the glass from his perimeter spot. His athleticism and toughness are rivaled by few guards in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1436462' first='Kaden' last='Van Regenmorter'] (Western Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning captain of the all-tournament team, Van Regenmorter is the best all-around player in the class. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor in every aspect, and his innate sense of when he needs to take over the game in any given area, make him so much fun to watch. A strong, physical, but graceful wing, he's excellent when he's operating out of the mid-to-high post area, where he's a threat to score, drive, or facilitate. He's averaging 19.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game on 50-42-81 shooting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1484412' first='Karsten' last='Moret'] (Western Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moret pairs with Van Regenmorter to give the Wolfpack the best one-two punch in the class. A quick-twitch athlete who can play downhill and attack off the dribble, he's an elite shooter who is burying 51.8% of his 3-point attempts during his senior year. He's averaging 14.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1978103' first='Alec' last='Lovely'] (Treynor)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lovely is one of the most explosive scorers and playmakers in the class, a quick guard who handles it extremely well. He does a great job playing with pace, changing speeds to help blow by defenders, and he shoots it really well off the dribble. He rose up to the big moment during last year's state tournament, and he'll be looking to do the same again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 SG [player_tooltip player_id='2678903' first='Tate' last='Van Dyke'] (Union)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Van Dyke has emerged as a knockdown shooter for the Knights this season, knocking down just under 45% of his 3-point attempts while averaging a team-high 12.4 points per game. A 6-3 wing with good size and a pure stroke, he'll need to get hot if the Knights are going to continue their great run through 2A postseason play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PF [player_tooltip player_id='2820139' first='Eric' last='Neipert'] (Union)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neipert has been really good on both ends of the floor for the Knights, averaging 11.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game on 62.3% shooting. A 6-4 big man with soft hands and impeccable timing as a shot blocker, his presence in the paint has been huge during this run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 SG [player_tooltip player_id='2413578' first='Dylan' last='Bosma'] (Unity Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bosma was one of the stars of the state tournament last season, and he has followed it up with a tremendous junior year, averaging 16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 steals per game on 49-43-74 shooting splits. He's a tough, physical, and athletic guard who loves to play downhill and attack the rim, and his improvement as a shotmaker has been huge for the Knights this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 PF [player_tooltip player_id='2419800' first='Tyce' last='Van Donge'] (Unity Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Van Donge was a breakout star at the state tournament last season as well, giving the Knights some great minutes off the bench. He has stepped into the starting lineup this season and been a nightly double-double threat, averaging 12.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while showcasing his ability to score inside and out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1759936' first='Carson' last='Hoogeveen'] (West Lyon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best two-way guards in the state, Hoogeveen is averaging 17.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.2 steals per game on 52-47-80 shooting splits. He does a great job protecting the ball (2.15 assist-to-turnover ratio), is a tremendous on-ball defender, and his ability to both get to the rim and knock down shots off the dribble make him difficult to defend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->