Class 2A Substate 3 Looks Wide Open

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2026-02-13-at-10.39.27-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2026-02-13-at-10.39.27-PM.png?w=698" alt="" class="wp-image-3495245" /></a></figure>   The favorite: It has been a pretty great debut season for Grundy Center coach Owen Thomas, compiling a 20-1 record and coming up just shy of completing the regular-season undefeated, with a loss to Union in the regular season finale. The Spartans have been pretty dominant all year, winning games by an average of 19 points per game. Four players average in double figures, led by senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='2413534' first='Judd' last='Jirovsky'] (14.1, 6.7 assists, 4.1 steals) and [player_tooltip player_id='3255129' first='Brayden' last='Davie'] (13.3, 43.0 3P%), who give them a pair of quality guards who can control games with the ball in their hands. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='3449831' first='Ethan' last='Meester'] (12.7, 38.9 3P%) gives them some more shooting, and senior forward Ryder Slifer (12.1, 8.4 rebounds) has been dominant on the glass. The Spartans are always strong defensively, big, athletic, and physical. With those attributes and a few quality guards leading the way, it'll take a pretty big effort to beat them in this district.   The biggest threat: Van Meter has played good basketball over the last three weeks, going 6-2 with their losses coming to Pella Christian by six and Newton by one in overtime. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='2381204' first='Brody' last='Notz'] (13.0) and [player_tooltip player_id='2381239' first='Andon' last='Watson'] (12.5) are both solid three-level scorers and quality playmakers who can play with or without the ball in their hands, while sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2780740' first='Garrison' last='Thummel'] (9.4, 7.9 rebounds) has been a revelation in the paint and on the glass. Van Meter, like Grundy Center, is a school with rich athletic tradition, especially on the football field, and many of those talented, physical athletes provide toughness for this group. If the 'Dogs and Spartans meet in the district final, it could be one of the most physical postseason games you'll see.   The dark horse: If you're looking for a sleeper team in this district, it's probably Pleasantville because of junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2419699' first='Braylon' last='Bingham'] (22.0). One of the best all-around athletes in the state's junior class, Bingham can absolutely dominate games as a scorer, rebounder, and defender, and if he gets it rolling, the Trojans are able to surround him with some shooting in the forms of [player_tooltip player_id='2934540' first='Drake' last='Elliott'] (12.4, 41.5 3P%), Trindon Phipps (10.9, 42.0 3P%), and Cash Klootwyk (8.5, 41.2 3P%).   Players to Watch 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413534' first='Judd' last='Jirovsky'] (Grundy Center) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='3255129' first='Brayden' last='Davie'] (Grundy Center) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3449831' first='Ethan' last='Meester'] (Grundy Center) 2026 Ryder Slifer (Grundy Center) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2381204' first='Brody' last='Notz'] (Van Meter) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2381239' first='Andon' last='Watson'] (Van Meter) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419699' first='Braylon' last='Bingham'] (Pleasantville) 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2934540' first='Drake' last='Elliott'] (Pleasantville) 2028 Trindon Phipps (Pleasantville)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2026-02-13-at-10.39.43-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2026-02-13-at-10.39.43-PM.png?w=704" alt="" class="wp-image-3495253" /></a></figure>   The favorite: After getting off to a sterling 10-1 start, Denver has stumbled a bit down the stretch, going just 4-6 in their last 10 games. The Cyclones still grabbed the #1 seed in the district, and will get to host the district final as a result, making them the favorite here in a really balanced one through three. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2729418' first='Jackson' last='Joerger'] (16.8, 52.6 FG%) has been really good this season as a three-level scoring threat, as has classmate [player_tooltip player_id='2724157' first='Quintin' last='Honn'] (11.8, 4.0 assists). [player_tooltip player_id='3344399' first='Lincoln' last='Roethler'] (10.8, 7.0 rebounds) gives them some size and length inside, and has been their best rebounder, especially on the offensive end. Turnovers can be an issue at times for this group, but when they take care of the ball, they can be really potent offensively.   The biggest threat: Alburnett is the #2 seed in the district, a strong group led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2886808' first='Caiden' last='Bueckers'] (16.9, 44.2 3P%), who is having a great final season for the Pirates. He pairs with [player_tooltip player_id='2754658' first='Laken' last='Caves'] (12.7, 2.5 assists) to give Alburnett arguably the best backcourt in this district, which could be huge for their outlook here. Hayden Gustafson (9.7, 60.5 FG%) has been extremely efficient in giving them another reliable scorer, and the Pirates are always a strong defensive team that can dictate tempo. If they're able to make a district final against Denver more of a halfcourt game, they can really frustrate the Cyclones.   The dark horse: They've stumbled down the stretch, losing four of their last five games, but Beckman Catholic is a team that is capable of beating just about anyone in 2A on any given night. All-State wing [player_tooltip player_id='2419787' first='Jake' last='Wegmann'] (13.1) has battled through injuries all season but is starting to look more like himself, and if he's playing well, he's the best player in this district. A 6-5 scorer who is capable of dropping 30 on any given night, he can be a nightmare matchup for teams, but as mentioned, his health has been a concern all year. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2754692' first='Tayveon' last='Barnhart'] (12.4) is another skilled scorer who is shifty with the ball in his hands, and Monticello transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1765519' first='Brady' last='Gogel'] (10.0, 6.8 assists) has given them a reliable ball-handler. The Blazers' losses of late have come to really quality teams - Bellevue, Alburnett (in overtime), Cascade, and Regina - and they'll be anxious to get another crack at the Pirates in the semifinals.   Players to Watch 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2729418' first='Jackson' last='Joerger'] (Denver) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2724157' first='Quintin' last='Honn'] (Denver) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3344399' first='Lincoln' last='Roethler'] (Denver) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2886808' first='Caiden' last='Bueckers'] (Alburnett) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754658' first='Laken' last='Caves'] (Alburnett) 2026 Hayden Gustafson (Alburnett) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419787' first='Jake' last='Wegmann'] (Beckman Catholic) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754692' first='Tayveon' last='Barnhart'] (Beckman Catholic) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765519' first='Brady' last='Gogel'] (Beckman Catholic) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2828851' first='Chayton' last='Smith'] (New Hampton) 2026 Jordan O'Kones (North Fayette Valley) 2027 Oakley Kruse (Tipton)   SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   Grundy Center vs. Beckman Catholic   I called it on the Shooters Touch podcast last week that Beckman Catholic would be my sleeper team in this substate, and despite stumbling a bit down the stretch, I think the Blazers get revenge on Alburnett, then find a way to get past Denver to reach the substate final. However, that's where the run ends, as Owen Thomas leads Grundy Center to the state tournament in his first year on the sidelines with a smothering defensive effort.