Can Top-Ranked Kuemper Catholic Avoid Another Upset?

<!-- wp:image {"id":3494710,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/2A-3.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/2A-3.png?w=619" alt="" class="wp-image-3494710" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The favorite: </strong>This is the rare time where I think the Association made the wrong team the top seed in a district, as I'm making <strong>Roland-Story</strong> the favorite to come out of this group. The Norsemen have been really stout defensively this season, allowing just 42.6 points per game, and enter postseason play having won seven of their last eight games. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2754727' first='Luke' last='Thoreson'] (18.0, 38.6 3P%) has had a breakout junior year, as has forward [player_tooltip player_id='2906518' first='Eli' last='Van Hove'] (11.7, 7.6 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 65.0 FG%), a dynamic, athletic one-two punch of inside-out players. Sophomore guard Colin Willis (8.2, 40.0 3P%) gives them some more shooting. This district is going to be won on the defensive end, whether that's the Norsemen, the top-seeded Indians of Forest City, or a surprise team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The biggest threat: </strong>As the top-seeded team in the district, <strong>Forest City</strong> will get to host the district final, should they avoid the semifinal upset. The Indians have been playing really good basketball of late, posting quality wins over Bishop Garrigan and Belmond-Klemme in the last few weeks. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2146241' first='Creighton' last='Wirth'] (13.3, 47.3 3P%) leads an offensive attack that has been a bit more potent than in recent years. [player_tooltip player_id='2387213' first='Cooper' last='Blaser'] (10.7, 3.6 assists) is another good scorer and playmaker, and forward [player_tooltip player_id='2388492' first='Holden' last='Reynolds'] (9.6, 1.6 blocks) is a strong presence in the paint on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The dark horse:</strong> In senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765543' first='Quinn' last='Street'] (23.8, 4.2 assists, 3.5 steals), <strong>Osage </strong>has a dominant scorer who can take over games as both a scorer and playmaker. The Green Devils will go as he goes, and when he's on, they're capable of beating anyone in this district. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to Watch<br></span>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754727' first='Luke' last='Thoreson'] (Roland-Story)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906518' first='Eli' last='Van Hove'] (Roland-Story)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2146241' first='Creighton' last='Wirth'] (Forest City)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2388492' first='Holden' last='Reynolds'] (Forest City)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765543' first='Quinn' last='Street'] (Osage)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2385549' first='Griffin' last='Uhlenhopp'] (Osage)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2523918' first='Preston' last='Davison'] (Garner-Hayfield-Ventura)<br>2026 Braydin Crum (Central Springs)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3494712,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/2A-4.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/2A-4.png?w=621" alt="" class="wp-image-3494712" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The favorite: </strong>Despite losing star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765503' first='Brock' last='Badding'], averaging nearly 20 points per game, to a season-ending injury, <strong>Kuemper Catholic</strong> has continued to roll right along, entering postseason play on a 13-game winning streak. During that streak, they're winning games by an average of 27.8 points per game, and there is a win over then-3A #1 Storm Lake in that stretch. The highest scoring team in 2A, they're averaging nearly 78 points per game behind four double-figure scorers. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765513' first='Ryan' last='Clair'] (17.0, 63.7 FG%) is a dominant force in the paint on both ends of the floor, and if their games were more competitive, his numbers would look even more impressive. He can score inside and out, protect the rim, and control the glass. Junior guards [player_tooltip player_id='2420798' first='Griffin' last='Glynn'] (16.1, 45.9 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='2420805' first='Dylan' last='Schon'] (12.5, 58.6 FG%) are both extremely confident shotmakers who can create their own looks or get quality looks for their teammates, and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2519974' first='Jack' last='Badding'] (10.0, 5.0 assists) has stepped into a lead ball-handling role and performed really well. This is the most potent offensive team in the class, and arguably in the state, and while they'd sure love to have Badding on the floor, they haven't really missed a beat with him sidelined. They fell short of the state tournament last year in a stunning upset against Union, but don't expect history to repeat itself this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The biggest threat: </strong>The next highest ranked team at BC Moore in this district is <strong>South Hardin</strong>, all the way down at #30. The Tigers did just beat Union, 78-73, earlier this week, so they are capable of knocking off quality teams. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2617513' first='Jake' last='Balvanz'] (13.1) leads a skilled quartet of scorers, joined by Sam Benson (12.1, 6.9 rebounds), Owen Larson (10.9), and Preston Dolash (9.6). They have balance and share the wealth well, but they'll need to limit turnovers, especially live-ball turnovers, if they want to have a chance at keeping pace with Kuemper in the district final. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The dark horse:</strong> Realistically speaking, the only team coming out of the top of the bracket is Kuemper, which leaves only two options for this slot. <strong>Woodward-Granger</strong>, the #3 seed, is the logical choice. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='3417460' first='Cooper' last='Finestead'] (14.3) and senior forward Jack Shindelar (11.5, 7.3 rebounds) are the headliners of the group. Both will need to be superlative if the Hawks are going to make some noise here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to Watch<br></span>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765513' first='Ryan' last='Clair'] (Kuemper Catholic)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420798' first='Griffin' last='Glynn'] (Kuemper Catholic)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420805' first='Dylan' last='Schon'] (Kuemper Catholic)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2519974' first='Jack' last='Badding'] (Kuemper Catholic)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2617513' first='Jake' last='Balvanz'] (South Hardin)<br>2026 Sam Benson (South Hardin)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3417460' first='Cooper' last='Finestead'] (Woodward-Granger)<br>2026 Jack Shindelar (Woodward-Granger)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2853853' first='Coy' last='Moline'] (Manson-Northwest Webster)<br>2027 Austin Droegmiller (Alta-Aurelia)<br>2026 Broc Stream (Greene County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roland-Story vs. Kuemper Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kuemper Catholic </strong>reached this stage last season before being upset by Union, and you can be assured that that loss will be on their minds heading into this one. Don't expect it to happen again. The Knights are on an entirely different level than Roland-Story and should cruise to Des Moines. Nothing against the Norsemen, who have a really nice young core to build with heading into next season, but they're running into a real buzzsaw here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->