Postseason Preview: Class 2A, Substate 5
The favorite: Don’t pay attention to the 12-8 record, because Pella Christian is quite easily the best team in this district and has to be considered the favorite. Playing in the 3A/4A Little Hawkeye Conference, the Eagles are always…
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The favorite: Don’t pay attention to the 12-8 record, because Pella Christian is quite easily the best team in this district and has to be considered the favorite. Playing in the 3A/4A Little Hawkeye Conference, the Eagles are always going to suffer quite a few losses during the season, but it prepares them for the postseason. This group is deep, with eight players averaging at least 6.4 points a game, and they recently got a boost with the addition of Jason Lai (11.4), an athletic scoring wing who can get the job done at all three levels. Josh Van Gorp (11.2) gives them a ton of size in the paint, and Dan Jungling (9.5, 49.1 3P%), Jake Pringle (8.6, 42.1%), Brett Roose (6.3, 35.6%) and Keean Cadwell (6.2, 42.5%) help space the floor. This team has notched wins over ranked teams like ADM, Des Moines Christian, Pella and Van Meter, and they aren’t going to back down from anyone. This deep and talented team has to be considered the favorite here.
The biggest threat: Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont is perhaps the most experienced team in the state, with the entire roster being made up of seniors. The Rockets have only suffered losses to high level teams (Grand View Christian, Oskaloosa and Ankeny Christian Academy), but they haven’t played a very tough schedule outside of that trio. They have three double figure scorers in Trey Moore (17.1), Gabe Larkin (14.0) and Wyatt Klyn (13.5), each of whom is capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor. This group takes care of the basketball (277 assists to 169 turnovers) and can put up points in a hurry, as their 68.1 points a game ranks 10th in 2A. A veteran group, E-B-F won’t back down from anyone, but is there enough talent here to match up with Pella Christian? That remains to be seen.
The dark horse: The Blue Demons of Albia have a big-time scorer in sophomore Blake Chance (19.6) and a big-time shooter in Brayden Messamaker (10.9, 49 3PM), who could present some issues for PC in the semifinal. They will need to dominate that game if Albia is going to make some noise in this district.
Players to watch
2019 Jason Lai, Pella Christian
2020 Dan Jungling, Pella Christian
2020 Josh Van Gorp, Pella Christian
2021 Blake Chance, Albia
2019 Trey Moore, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont
2019 Gabe Larkin, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont
2019 Wyatt Klyn, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont
2019 Mason McDonough, Van Buren
Ryan Schmitt
The favorite: Van Meter is the best defensive team in 2A, allowing just 38.9 points a game, and the Bulldogs will use that defense to suffocate their way through this district. Ryan Schmitt (14.8) is the headliner, a versatile big man who runs the floor and protects the rim (73 blocks), while Anthony Potthoff (15.4) and Spencer Lamb (12.0) provide the perimeter scoring punch. This is a team that routinely goes pretty deep into their bench, and that depth will benefit them in postseason play. Nobody in the district has the size to keep Schmitt off the glass, and he should have some huge games in helping deliver the district title to Van Meter.
The biggest threat: PCM has lost seven games this season, but with the exception of the loss to 15-3 Fairfield, each loss has come to teams that have been ranked within the top 5 of their class at some point this year (Pella Christian, Gilbert, South Hamilton twice, Pella, Grand View Christian), so they’ve played a difficult schedule and will be prepared for postseason play. The tandem of Andrew Van Ryswyk (18.1) and Reed Worth (17.2) have combined to knock down 86 3s this season, and Van Ryswyk is the type of versatile big man who could draw Schmitt away from the rim in their meeting. The Mustangs have talent and have played a lot of really good teams, so Van Meter isn’t going to scare them.
The dark horse: Nathan Weaver (20.8, 10.6 rebounds) has put together a dominant season for Chariton, and the Chargers will need a pair of big games from him if they want to reach the district final.
Players to watch
2020 Anthony Potthoff, Van Meter
2019 Ryan Schmitt, Van Meter
2019 Spencer Lamb, Van Meter
2019 Nathan Weaver, Chariton
2020 Brady Berkey, Colfax-Mingo
2019 Richie Griglione, Interstate 35
2019 Andrew Van Ryswyk, PCM
2019 Reed Worth, PCM
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Pella Christian vs. Van Meter
We saw this game a week ago, and Pella Christian rolled to a 53-38 win, holding the Bulldogs to 36.8% shooting. There isn’t much reason to expect much different, and the Eagles punch their ticket to State, where despite the “poor” record, they will be considered among the favorites to take the title.