Substate Preview: 1A-2

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/1A-3.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/1A-3.png?w=608" alt="" class="wp-image-2341944" /></a></figure>   District 3   The favorite: The highest scoring team in 1A, Lake Mills is looking to reach the state tournament for the fourth time in the last five years. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1751213' first='Lance' last='Helming'] (20.1, 47.1 3P%) has been fantastic this season, leading the Bulldogs in scoring and showing the ability to do so from all three levels. [player_tooltip player_id='1938210' first='Eli' last='Menke'] (16.4, 4.2 assists, 42.0 3P%) is a big guard who moves really well without the ball in his hands and can shoot it at a high clip off both the dribble and the catch, and [player_tooltip player_id='1288890' first='Aiden' last='Stensrud'] (16.3, 9.1 rebounds) is an absolute force in the paint as a finisher and rebounder. Those three are as strong a trio as you'll find in 1A, but they're far from alone, with Crestwood transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1641849' first='Jackson' last='Gaul'] (13.2, 9.0 assists, 42.9 3P%) emerging as a fantastic lead guard who does a great job getting his teammates involved and protecting the ball (6.75 assist-to-turnover ratio). Senior forward Logan Bacon (3.4, 4.5 assists) is another good passer, playmaker, and defender, and his strength and physicality is a game-changer. The 'Dogs have been a dominant program in recent years, have a ton of talent, four players who can score in bunches, and they have dominated their biggest threats in the district, beating Bishop Garrigan by 20 and 19 points, and Saint Ansgar by 33.   The biggest threat: Bishop Garrigan is young, led in scoring by a freshman and a sophomore, but the Golden Bears have some talent and will get two home games, which should help them here. Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2243086' first='Michael' last='Joyce'] (14.0, 3.5 assists) and sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1781875' first='Carter' last='Schwab'] (12.7, 4.4 assists) are a pair of smart, talented players who can play with or without the ball in their hands. Joyce has a chance to be a pretty special player, and this is a team that is building towards the future, but they'll also be anxious to get a third shot at Lake Mills.   The dark horse: In senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2325508' first='Hunter' last='Hillman'] (17.1, 11.8 rebounds, 4.4 blocks), Saint Ansgar has one of the most dominant players in the substate on their side. An athletic, physical forward who can impact the game in a major way on both ends of the floor, he's the type of player who can take over and lead this team to a few wins, if they're able to limit turnovers for a few games. Senior guard Tyke Remster (14.1, 5.2 assists) is a quick guard who puts pressure on opposing defenses and is a solid complement to Hillman.   Players to watch 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751213' first='Lance' last='Helming'], Lake Mills 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1938210' first='Eli' last='Menke'], Lake Mills 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288890' first='Aiden' last='Stensrud'], Lake Mills 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1641849' first='Jackson' last='Gaul'], Lake Mills 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2243086' first='Michael' last='Joyce'], Bishop Garrigan 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1781875' first='Carter' last='Schwab'], Bishop Garrigan 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325508' first='Hunter' last='Hillman'], Saint Ansgar 2024 Tyke Remster, Saint Ansgar 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420644' first='Westley' last='Cole'], Newman Catholic 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1441862' first='Caleb' last='VanLaere'], Newman Catholic 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420647' first='Thomas' last='McGuire'], Newman Catholic 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2379807' first='Johnny' last='Adams'], Riceville 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1436503' first='Colby' last='Eskildsen'], Northwood-Kensett 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1587391' first='Kooper' last='Julseth'], Northwood-Kensett 2024 Mitchell Smith, West Hancock 2025 Jamison Kramersmeier, North Iowa 2024 Jaxon Zaugg, West Bend-Mallard   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/1A-4.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/1A-4.png?w=612" alt="" class="wp-image-2341946" /></a></figure>   District 4   The favorite: Few 1A programs in the state have enjoyed as much success as Remsen, St. Mary's has in the last seven years, qualifying for the state tournament each of those seasons. Just like in those seven years, the Hawks have been fantastic on the defensive end of the floor, ranking fourth in the class in scoring defense, allowing just 38.6 points a game. They were a pretty young and inexperienced team heading into the year, but they've gelled well together and have won nine of their last 10 games. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1759937' first='Collin' last='Homan'] (15.7, 7.9 rebounds) is the headliner, a physical and talented forward who impacts the game on both ends of the floor, while [player_tooltip player_id='1568264' first='Sam' last='Schmillen'] (12.9, 6.7 rebounds) gives them a three level scorer on the wing. [player_tooltip player_id='2511517' first='Landon' last='Waldschmitt'] (8.54, 5.1 assists) is a reliable ball-handler and playmaker who gets his teammates involved well.   The biggest threat(s): The district semifinal between Akron-Westfield and George-Little Rock is a fascinating (potential) matchup that is really difficult to call. Akron-Westfield won the regular-season meeting, 53-49, but that was way back on December 8. The Westerners are led by a pair of seniors - guard Laytin Koch (17.0) and forward Jackson Marnach (14.5, 8.9 rebounds). Koch is a good perimeter scorer who thrives playing downhill, while Marnach and Kasey Nielsen (4.6, 7.9 rebounds) are both animals on the glass, particularly on the offensive end. George-Little Rock has been one of the best rebounding teams in the state this season, pulling down more than 40 rebounds a game, including nearly 15 offensive. They're led by senior forwards [player_tooltip player_id='1376715' first='Drew' last='Denekas'] (15.0, 8.3 rebounds) and Charlie Hamilton (11.0, 6.6 rebounds). Denekas, a 6-4 big, can stretch the floor a bit as well, an added element to his game this year. Noah Terhark (9.9, 6.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists) is a heady lead guard who stuffs the stat sheet and gives the Mustangs an experienced presence in the backcourt. The 'Stangs are probably the slightly better team right now, but going on the road to play at Akron-Westfield in the semifinals evens the playing field.   The dark horse: Playing in the loaded Siouxland Conference will have prepared Boyden-Hull well for postseason play. They've played just three games against 1A competition this season, sweeping Sibley-Ocheyedan and beating HMS. That's not great competition at the 1A level, but the Comets have played some good 2A teams tough throughout the year and won't be intimidated by anyone in this district. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765526' first='Carter' last='Kleinwolterink'] (17.6, 51.4 FG%) is the headliner of the team, a talented three-level scoring guard who can take over games. He's flanked by a number of seniors - Blake Moser (11.9), Owen Ribbens (8.3), Nathan Van Otterloo (6.9), and Eric Nilles (6.0) - giving them a lot of veteran leadership.   Players to watch 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759937' first='Collin' last='Homan'], Remsen, St. Mary's 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1568264' first='Sam' last='Schmillen'], Remsen, St. Mary's 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511517' first='Landon' last='Waldschmitt'], Remsen, St. Mary's 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376715' first='Drew' last='Denekas'], George-Little Rock 2024 Charlie Hamilton, George-Little Rock 2024 Noah Terhark, George-Little Rock 2024 Gabe Wiltgen, Gehlen Catholic 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765526' first='Carter' last='Kleinwolterink'], Boyden-Hull 2024 Blake Moser, Boyden-Hull 2024 Laytin Koch, Akron-Westfield 2024 Jackson Marnach, Akron-Westfield 2026 Joe DeStigter, Woodbury Central 2024 Drew Kluender, Woodbury Central 2025 Justus Voss, Harris-Lake Park     SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION   Lake Mills vs. Remsen, St. Mary's   These have been two of the most dominant programs in small school basketball over the last five years, and this would be a fascinating matchup between an elite offensive team (Lake Mills) and a dominant, smothering defensive team in St. Mary's. Generally in postseason games, which tend to slow down, you side with the defensive-minded team, but we're going to go with Lake Mills here, punching their fourth ticket to Des Moines in the last five years behind a strong effort from [player_tooltip player_id='1751213' first='Lance' last='Helming'], [player_tooltip player_id='1641849' first='Jackson' last='Gaul'], and company.