Class 2A, Substate 1 Preview
The favorite: Any of the top three seeds in this district could not only win it, but also go on to win the substate final and make some noise in Des Moines. This district and substate is absolutely loaded.…
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The favorite: Any of the top three seeds in this district could not only win it, but also go on to win the substate final and make some noise in Des Moines. This district and substate is absolutely loaded. We’ll give a slight edge to Pocahontas Area, as they don’t have to play the other two big threats until the district final. The Indians are led by senior big man Austin Roetman (23.0 points, 11.7 rebounds), a versatile player who can score inside and out, and who has also blocked 52 shots this season. Jace Davidson and Tyler Behrendsen form a solid backcourt, and Cameron Callion (10.2 rebounds) has joined forces with Roetman to control the glass this season. Poky doesn’t play as tough a schedule as either of the other powers in this district, but they also don’t have to see one of them until the final, giving them an edge.
The biggest threat: Sioux Center split the season series with Sheldon, but the Warriors win was more recent, and they get to host the district semifinal, which should be a big boost. Tyus Arends (19.0) leads a potent scoring attack that has four averaging in double figures, and another close at 9.3 points. They are the No. 8 offensive team in Class 2A, averaging 71.6 points a game and while their defense hasn’t been stellar (ranking No. 77 out of 96 teams, 62.8 points a game), they’ve got the firepower to outscore every team in this district.
The dark horse: It’s hard to call a team that is 16-4 a “dark horse”, but Sheldon will have to go on the road to play the district semifinal against Sioux Center before they’d get a shot at Pocahontas Area. The Orabs have won four straight after a bumpy patch in mid-January that saw them lose three of four. They’ve got three players averaging between 13.2 and 14.0 points a game in Kyle Boerhave (14.0, 56.5 FG%), Jaden Kleinhesslink (13.3) and Ryan Van Marel (13.2, 63.8 FG%). At 6-6 and 6-5, respectively, Boerhave and Van Marel give them some nice size that could be difficult for teams to deal with. They split their season series with Sioux Center, so anything can happen there, and should they run into Poky in the final, they’ve got the size to potentially limit Roetman’s effectiveness. This may be the least likely of the three to advance out of the district, but this is a very good team that will also be among 2A’s best next year.
Players to watch
Austin Roetman, Pocahontas Area, 2017
Jace Davidson, Pocahontas Area, 2019
Cameron Callion, Pocahontas Area, 2018
Kyle Boerhave, Sheldon, 2018
Ryan Van Marel, Sheldon, 2018
Jaden Kleinhesslink, Sheldon, 2018
Tyus Arends, Sioux Center, 2018
The favorite: Defending champion Western Christian has a much different look this season, with a new coach and a much smaller, guard oriented rotation. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is that they’re still a fantastic basketball team, among the best in Class 2A, and one of the favorites to take home yet another title. The Wolfpack feature five players averaging between 8.4 and 14.8 points a game, headlined by Ben Gesink (14.8) and Tyson Kooima (14.4). Playing in the Lakes Conference has given them the opportunity to play up against a bunch of 3A teams, and they’ve been successful, running to a 17-2 record. Not only is the smaller lineup scoring in bunches, ranking No. 7 in 2A at 71.6 points a game, they’ve been very good defensively as well, at No. 12 (48.8 points a game).
The biggest threat: West Lyon gets a slight nod over Rock Valley because they’re the hotter team right now, having won ten straight games, including a win over the Rockets. They’ve got the added benefit of playing the district semifinal at a neutral site, as opposed to traveling to Rock Valley for that game. Isaac Heyer (19.7) gives them a big-time scoring threat who has proven capable of scoring from anywhere efficiently, and Micah Meyer (14.4) is a nice second option. We’ll give a slight edge to the team riding a long winning streak, but that district semifinal should be one of the best postseason games in the state this winter.
The dark horse: Like District 1, it’s hard to consider 15-5 Rock Valley as a “dark horse” team, but since they don’t get to host the district semifinal against West Lyon, it’s hard to favor them in that game either. The Rockets have six players averaging between 8.4 and 11.8 points a game, led by big man Jason Taylor, who has been great in the 14 games he’s been healthy for, averaging 11.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.8 blocks. His presence on the interior gives Rock Valley something no other team in this district has, and could be a major difference maker. Brayton Van Kekerix (11.8, 41.7 3P%) has been solid on the perimeter, and this is a balanced group that is capable of having any number of players have a big scoring night.
Players to watch
Ben Gesink, Western Christian, 2017
Tyson Kooima, Western Christian, 2017
Jason Taylor, Rock Valley, 2018
Kobe Lutjens, Rock Valley, 2017
Isaac Heyer, West Lyon, 2017
Micah Meyer, West Lyon, 2018
Bryce Peter, Okoboji, 2017
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Pocahontas Area vs. Western Christian
Perennial power Western Christian has a new coach and a much different playing style this year, but some things don’t change – they’re still one of the top three teams in Class 2A, and they’ll be a big-time threat to take home another title if/when they make it back to Des Moines. We like the Wolfpack here, fairly comfortably, against a good Pocahontas Area team.