Will Union’s Experience or Pella Christian’s Toughness Win 2A-6?

<!-- wp:image {"id":3497217,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2026-02-14-at-12.10.08-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2026-02-14-at-12.10.08-PM.png?w=703" alt="" class="wp-image-3497217" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The favorite: Union </strong>has been fantastic this season, rolling to a 19-3 record, which includes an 11-point win over potential district final opponent Columbus Catholic. The Knights are loaded with offensive talent, averaging over 70 points per game, led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1726227' first='Caden' last='Sorensen'] (16.1, 3.8 assists), a high-level three-level scorer. [player_tooltip player_id='1986602' first='Cameron' last='Mullen'] (12.6), [player_tooltip player_id='2678903' first='Tate' last='Van Dyke'] (12.4, 9.7 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='1943626' first='Sawyer' last='Spence'] (9.1), [player_tooltip player_id='2729443' first='Bryson' last='DeWinter'] (7.0), [player_tooltip player_id='2679273' first='Maddux' last='DeWinter'] (6.7, 4.8 assists), and Ethan Winnike (5.7) are all quality scoring threats alongside Sorensen. With the multitude of players who can put the ball in the bucket, the Knights are going to be really difficult to slow down in this district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The biggest threat:</strong> From 2015-2025, <strong>Columbus Catholic </strong>won a combined 40 games, an average of four games per season. The Sailors have won 13 this season and have a chance to make some noise in this district behind the strong play of senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2629262' first='Amani' last='Robinson'] (19.9, 9.8 rebounds) and guard [player_tooltip player_id='2425904' first='Eli' last='Evans'] (14.9, 40.7 3P%). That tandem is capable of controlling games on both ends of the floor, and the Sailors swept likely semifinal opponent Hudson during the regular season, setting themselves up well for a showdown against Union in the district final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The dark horse: </strong>Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2772327' first='Tade' last='Roberts'] (18.8, 8.8 rebounds, 62.0 FG%) is one of the best individual players in the district. The 6-4/6-5 big man from <strong>Hudson</strong> can score inside and out, is a skilled playmaker, and a versatile defender. The Pirates had a really nice stretch from January 20 to February 3 in which they won five straight games, including wins over Denver, East Marshall, and Wapsie Valley, showing that they're capable of beating some really good teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to Watch<br></span>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1726227' first='Caden' last='Sorensen'] (Union)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1986602' first='Cameron' last='Mullen'] (Union)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2678903' first='Tate' last='Van Dyke'] (Union)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2629262' first='Amani' last='Robinson'] (Columbus Catholic)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2425904' first='Eli' last='Evans'] (Columbus Catholic)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2772327' first='Tade' last='Roberts'] (Hudson)<br>2026 Gavin Trask (Sumner-Fredericksburg)<br>2026 Kruise Hammond (Sumner-Fredericksburg)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906478' first='Parker' last='Masteller'] (Jesup)<br>2026 Caleb DeTemmerman (Oelwein)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3497220,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2026-02-14-at-12.10.24-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2026-02-14-at-12.10.24-PM.png?w=706" alt="" class="wp-image-3497220" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The favorite: </strong>At first glance, you see the 12-10 record and wonder why <strong>Pella Christian</strong> is a top seed in a district? When you dig deeper, it's pretty clear. The Eagles losses have come to: Oskaloosa, Norwalk (twice), Pella (twice), Dallas Center-Grimes (twice), Indianola (twice), and Newton. Oskaloosa and Pella have spent time in the 3A rankings. Norwalk, Dallas Center-Grimes, and Indianola are all 4A schools. And Newton is a 3A school who the Eagles lost to the next night after a really tough road win at then-1A #3 Notre Dame. Simply put, nobody has played a more trying schedule than the Eagles. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2724147' first='Gilbert' last='Flagel'] (20.9, 56.6 FG%) has had a sensational senior season after being one of the most productive players in the state during his 17U summer. Trey Steinkamp (9.7, 3.9 assists) is a quality lead guard, and Devan Runner (9.1, 6.9 rebounds) has been good on the glass. The Eagles won't be intimidated by anyone they ran into in postseason play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The biggest threat:</strong> This isn't your typical <strong>Grand View Christian</strong> team, but the Thunder still have one of the best individual players in this entire substate and will be dangerous because of him. Senior combo forward [player_tooltip player_id='2287857' first='Brayden' last='Hoben'] (20.4, 9.0 rebounds, 3.1 blocks) leads the team in every major category and is the type of athletic, 6-6 player who can dominate a game on both ends of the floor. Junior Colton Hoben (8.8) is the second leading scorer, and five players in all average between 6.0 and 8.8 points alongside [player_tooltip player_id='2287857' first='Brayden' last='Hoben']. The Thunder played PC to a one-point loss, 48-47, before the holiday break and know that they can play with the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The dark horse: Centerville </strong>senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2731635' first='Malachi' last='Rice'] (29.8, 50.7 FG%) is one of the most explosive scorers in the state, capable of dropping 40+ points on any given night, and when you have a player who can do that, you're going to have a chance against anyone. His ability to take over games is rivaled by few in the class, and if his teammates can provide just a little bit of help alongside, he could carry the Big Reds through this district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to Watch<br></span>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2724147' first='Gilbert' last='Flagel'] (Pella Christian)<br>2028 Trey Steinkamp (Pella Christian)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2287857' first='Brayden' last='Hoben'] (Grand View Christian)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731635' first='Malachi' last='Rice'] (Centerville)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2772325' first='Abram' last='Decena'] (Centerville)<br>2027 Connor Shore (Chariton)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3343972' first='Isaac' last='Helm'] (Albia)<br>2026 Cole Wilson (Albia)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Union vs. Pella Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If this is the substate final that comes to be, it will be one of the best ones in 2A. Pella Christian is battle tested, having played primarily 3A and 4A teams throughout the regular season, and they aren't going to be intimidated by Union. That said, <strong>Union</strong> brought back a majority of their roster from a state tournament team and is used to playing in big games at this point. Their wealth of offensive options gives them the edge here over Flagel and company.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->