Conference Preview: Lakes

<h4>The Teams</h4> Cherokee (10-12): The Braves stumbled down the stretch, losing four of their final five games to close last season. The good news, however, is that they bring back four of their top five scorers from that group, headlined by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1234970" first="Wil" last="Lugar"] (13.4, 8.2 rebounds), one of the best all-around players in the league. He can fill it up from all three levels, dominate the glass, and get others involved at a high level. [player_tooltip player_id="1235026" first="Joe" last="Benson"] (8.6) gives them another solid ball-handler and decision-maker on the perimeter, and Jacob Hodgdon (8.5) and Mason Carver (8.4) are wings who can score inside and out. Levi Pingel (3.1) was a solid role player last season off the bench, and may slot into the starting lineup, giving Cherokee a five-senior lineup and loads of experience. [caption id="attachment_1068440" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Owen-Larson.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-1068440 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Owen-Larson-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Larson[/caption] Estherville Lincoln Central (9-13): Seven of the Midgets’ 13 losses last year came by single digits, and they bring back one of the best lead guards in the state in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1171659" first="Owen" last="Larson"] (12.0). A smart lead guard who is equally adept at scoring or facilitating, Larson will be one of the best players in 2A this year. Adrian Vaughn (10.2), another double-figure scorer, also returns. He was the team’s best 3-point shooting threat last year and is a nice complement to Larson in the backcourt. Ryan Schlitz (8.5) also returns on the perimeter. They’ll need someone to control the paint and glass following the graduations of their top two rebounders, but Larson is good enough to keep this team afloat while the rest of the new faces get accustomed to major varsity minutes. Spencer (14-8): Six of the Tigers’ eight losses came by single digits, with four of them coming by a single possession. The top two, and six of the top seven, scorers return. They’ll be headlined by senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="682284" first="Karter" last="Petzenhauser"] (23.1), one of the state’s top scoring threats. He’s a talented three-level scorer with the ability to explode for 40 points on any given night, which makes this group dangerous on a nightly basis. [player_tooltip player_id="1288862" first="Evan" last="Schmidt"] (9.4, 6.2 rebounds) provides some physicality and rebounding, while Owen Olson (6.7, 42.9 3P%) is a knockdown shooter who complements Petzenhauser well. Riley DeWitt (4.4), Evan Johnson (4.3), and Devin Dirkx (2.9) are solid role players who saw plenty of playing time last year and will be relied upon on both ends of the floor. This team was close to being a 18-19 win team last year, and with the experience they have coming back, they may be able to push Western Christian at the top of the league if a few things bounce their way. Spirit Lake (17-6): The Indians were dealt a significant blow when [player_tooltip player_id="962615" first="Vance" last="Katzfey"], a 15.4 point-a-game scorer, announced that he was transferring from Spirit Lake to Boyden-Hull. Following that decision, the top eight scorers from last year’s team are gone, leaving Riley Reynolds (1.4) as the only returnee who scored any points in a game last season. With an entirely new roster, it’s hard to see Spirit Lake competing with the strong teams and experience returning in this league. Storm Lake (11-11): It was an up-and-down year for the Tornadoes, posting solid wins over teams like Estherville Lincoln Central and Spencer, but getting blown out on some other nights. Three of the top four scorers return, led by senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1153766" first="Sam" last="Slight"] (13.1, 48.2 3P%), one of the top shooting threats in the state. A long and lean wing, he can fill it up in a hurry with his shooting. [player_tooltip player_id="1234973" first="Sam" last="Dvergsten"] (8.8, 44.2 3P%) is another fantastic shooter, while [player_tooltip player_id="1234968" first="Austin" last="Gaffney"] (7.1, 2.1 blocks) and [player_tooltip player_id="784984" first="Luth" last="Dak"] (6.2, 1.4 blocks) provide some length, size, and rim protection in the paint. Consistency will be key for this team if they want to compete. [caption id="attachment_1147361" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Ty-Van-Essen-crop-2786x1829-1615320637-crop-518x340-1615320649.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1147361 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Ty-Van-Essen-crop-2786x1829-1615320637-crop-518x340-1615320649-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Van Essen[/caption] Western Christian (22-5): The defending 2A champions took down down-the-road rival Boyden-Hull to win a state record 10th state championship last season, and they bring back their top three scorers (and five of the top six) from that group. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="962616" first="Ty" last="Van Essen"] (16.9) is the headliner for this balanced group. He’s an efficient 6-5 scorer who posted 59-55-79 shooting splits last year and was dominant throughout the week at the state tournament. His versatility on the offensive end makes him a nearly impossible matchup at this level, and he’s far from alone. Fellow senior guards [player_tooltip player_id="1158437" first="Wyatt" last="Gulker"] (12.6) and [player_tooltip player_id="1158490" first="Eli" last="Van Essen"] (9.8) provide additional shooting at 39.8% and 38.1%, respectively, from the arc, while forward Brayden Van Meeteren (6.2) is a solid force in the paint. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1167724" first="Ashtin" last="Van’t Hul"] (5.6) was a bit of a breakout star at the state tournament, and fellow juniors Tate VanRegenmorter (2.7) and Chandler Pollema (2.0) each saw a decent amount of playing time last year. In Van Essen, this group has a star, and they have loads of depth, experience, talent, and shooting to put around him.   <h4>Projected Order of Finish</h4> 1. Western Christian 2. Spencer 3. Storm Lake 4. Estherville Lincoln Central 5. Cherokee 6. Spirit Lake Analysis: Western Christian is without a doubt the team to beat in this league, and the favorite to repeat in Class 2A. Spencer, Storm Lake, ELC, and Cherokee all return a ton of talent and should be dangerous postseason teams.   <h4>Preseason Player of the Year</h4> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962616" first="Ty" last="Van Essen"], Western Christian: The best player on 2A’s best team, Van Essen put up some ridiculous efficiency numbers last season, posting 59-55-79 shooting splits. That type of efficiency as a 6-5 combo forward makes him one of the most difficult matchups in the state. He’ll lead the Wolfpack back to the top of the league, and they’re the favorites to take home the 2A crown again this season.   <h4>Players to Watch</h4> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962616" first="Ty" last="Van Essen"], Western Christian 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158437" first="Wyatt" last="Gulker"], Western Christian 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158490" first="Eli" last="Van Essen"], Western Christian 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167724" first="Ashtin" last="Van’t Hul"], Western Christian 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682284" first="Karter" last="Petzenhauser"], Spencer 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1288862" first="Evan" last="Schmidt"], Spencer 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1234970" first="Wil" last="Lugar"], Cherokee 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235026" first="Joe" last="Benson"], Cherokee 2022 Jacob Hodgdon, Cherokee 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171659" first="Owen" last="Larson"], Estherville Lincoln Central 2022 Adrian Vaughn, Estherville Lincoln Central 2022 Ryan Schlitz, Estherville Lincoln Central 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1153766" first="Sam" last="Slight"], Storm Lake 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1234973" first="Sam" last="Dvergsten"], Storm Lake 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1234968" first="Austin" last="Gaffney"], Storm Lake 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="784984" first="Luth" last="Dak"], Storm Lake