Five Iowa Class 2A Early-Season Games to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking a look at the games in the first half of December that are going to be the most intriguing in Class 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Treynor at Bishop Heelan, December 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A team that started 5-3 and proceeded to rattle of 17-straight victories en route to the state tournament, Treynor returns its top three scorers from 2024-25, all seniors. Lead guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1978103' first='Alec' last='Lovely'] averaged 19 points per game (ppg) to go with a team-leading 4.2 assists per game (apg) and 2.9 steals per game (spg). Add in breakout star on the gridiron, [player_tooltip player_id='2886836' first='Ethan' last='Hill'] (11.4 ppg) and 6-foot-6 big, [player_tooltip player_id='2413619' first='Corbin' last='Thien'] and the Cardinals look like one of the most formidable teams in 2A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Facing an always-solid 3A program in Bishop Heelan, who handed Treynor one of their early-season losses last season, the Crusaders return both of their leading scorers from last season, [player_tooltip player_id='1765514' first='Noah' last='Conley'] (15.2 ppg) and Iowa football commit, [player_tooltip player_id='2731823' first='Kasen' last='Thomas'] (9.2 ppg). Heelan may not look like a state title contender in 3A, but they'll be a tough match for Treynor early on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pella at Grand View Christian, December 4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A similar scenario between these two teams, Grand View Christian is back after falling to Western Christian in the 2A semifinals last season. One of the top small-school programs over the last several season, the Thunder return South Dakota State football commit, [player_tooltip player_id='2287857' first='Brayden' last='Hoben'] who put up 17.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 4.6 apg, and 2.2 blocks per game (bpg). Losing four of the top five returning scorers, though, GVC will need some of the younger players to step up. Last season, the Thunder just narrowly defeated Pella, 56-53.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dutch came up just short of the 3A state tournament last season, and they return their top two scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='2120763' first='Jack' last='McGuire'] (14.7 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2413561' first='Austin' last='Schulte'] (10.9 ppg). McGuire also led Pella in rebounds with 4.9 per contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madrid at Pleasantville, December 9</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One that could be included in the 1A games to watch, Pleasantville hosts reigning 1A state champions, Madrid as an early-season test. An absolute blowout by the Tigers, who won 82-39 in showing of how dominant they would be in an undefeated season, Madrid loses three of its top five scorers from last season, seniors who combined for 53 points per game. [player_tooltip player_id='2439640' first='Jevyn' last='Severson'], a Power 4 football recruit, was second in scoring for the Tigers last season at 15.4 ppg, along with a team-leading 8 rpg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Pleasantville, this game will be a strong indication that the Trojans will be competitive in 2025-26. Led last season by sophomore star, [player_tooltip player_id='2419699' first='Braylon' last='Bingham'], who averaged 28.1 ppg and 8.6 rpg, we'll see if Bingham will get some help from returners like Trindon Phipps and Cash Klootwyk. Bingham, like Severson, is a Power 4 football recruit with offers from Iowa and Iowa State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iowa City Regina at Solon, December 13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regina looks like one of the last programs anyone wants to face this season. Back with some physical football players and some of the best small-school athletes the state has to offer, anything short of the state tournament will be a disappointment for the Regals in 2025-26. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not only does Regina return their top two scorers from last season in 6-foot-5 forward, [player_tooltip player_id='2419815' first='Will' last='Litton'] (16.8 ppg) and P4 football prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='2419768' first='Tate' last='Wallace'] (16.2 ppg), but Paul Rundquist will also add more consistent minutes from second-year, 6-foot-9 forward, [player_tooltip player_id='2523886' first='Ben' last='Wade']. One of the top prospects in the Class of 2028, Wade will be expected to make a significant jump forward in his sophomore campaign. Already earning offers from Northern Iowa and Drake, Wade will look to get on more high-major program radars this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Facing Solon -- another team that came up just short of the 3A state tournament last winter -- the Spartans lost their top two scorers from last season, but they return [player_tooltip player_id='2906433' first='Maddox' last='Kelley'], who led the team in steals per game with 2.8, while adding 8.7 ppg. He'll hope to get help from [player_tooltip player_id='2906429' first='Grant' last='Gordon'], who averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.3 rpg last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Union Community at Jesup, December 19</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two programs that appeared in the state tournament last season, Union Community and Jesup will see what they can do to replicate last season's success in 2025-26. This early-season matchup will be a perfect litmus test for both programs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking at returning production, Union looks as though they'll have the clear edge over Jesup in a few weeks. The Knights return their entire roster minus one senior, including three seniors that combined for 33.3 ppg last season. With [player_tooltip player_id='2678903' first='Tate' last='Van Dyke'], [player_tooltip player_id='1726227' first='Caden' last='Sorensen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1986602' first='Cameron' last='Mullen'] each back after averaging between 10.8 and 12.2 ppg last season, Union has a variety of weapons that can beat you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unfortunately for Jesup, they can't say the same. Losing three of their top four scorers, the J-Hawks will lean on junior forward, [player_tooltip player_id='2906478' first='Parker' last='Masteller'] in a big way this season. Standing at 6-foot-4, Masteller averaged a near double-double last season, putting up 9.7 ppg and 9.3 rpg. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->