Playoff Preview: 2A-5
Caleb Delzell The favorite: We think that Camanche is the best team in 2A when they’re playing at their peak, and they’ve done that far more often than not this season. The Indians have the most talented starting five…
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The favorite: We think that Camanche is the best team in 2A when they’re playing at their peak, and they’ve done that far more often than not this season. The Indians have the most talented starting five in 2A, led by the trio of Caleb Delzell (14.5), LJ Henderson (12.2) and Cam Soenksen (14.6). Henderson, a transfer from Clinton, is an incredibly athletic, 6-2 slashing guard who gets to the bucket at will and can really create for his teammates. Delzell has the ability to score inside and out, and is a great passer who sees the floor well, while Soenksen is a great shooter when he’s shooting in rhythm. Zach Erwin (8.9) is incredibly solid across the board, and Jordan Lawrence (8.7) is an absolute pest on the defensive end, routinely picking ball handlers up full court and making life difficult. This group is deep, incredibly athletic, big and talented, and should be considered a heavy favorite to come out of this district and substate.
The biggest threat: Williamsburg is one of the most improved teams in the state this season, winning 15 games after going 5-16 last year. The Raiders have been great on the defensive end, allowing just 44.9 points a game, which ranks 10th in the class, and they’ve posted some solid wins over Center Point-Urbana, Clear Creek-Amana and Washington. Playing in the 3A WaMaC will have them prepared for postseason play, but they’ll really need to lock in on the defensive end if they want to upset Camanche, as this group shoots under 40% from the floor and has way more turnovers (303) than assists (224). Kaden Wetjen (13.3) and Draven Williams (12.3) are the leaders of this group.
The dark horse: Durant really struggled down the stretch, losing their last six games, but we don’t think anyone is upsetting Camanche at the top of the bracket, so the dark horse has to come from the bottom half. The Wildcats have a difference maker in big man Joe Lilenthal (14.0), a mountain of a young man with great hands and touch around the rim. If they’re able to slow down a potential meeting with Camanche to a crawl, he could have an impact.
Players to watch
2020 LJ Henderson, Camanche
2020 Caleb Delzell, Camanche
2022 Zach Erwin, Camanche
2020 Cam Soenksen, Camanche
2021 Jordan Lawrence, Camanche
2020 Kaden Wetjen, Williamsburg
2020 Draven Williams, Williamsburg
2022 Carter Harmsen, Mid-Prairie
2021 Ethan Trimpe, Mid-Prairie
2020 Joe Lilenthal, Durant
2023 Caden Kirkman, Wilton
The favorite: West Branch has had another really strong season, going 17-4 in the regular season, despite leading scorer Jeff Bowie, an Iowa football commit, shutting it down earlier in the season. The Bears are balanced, with six players averaging between 6.4 and 10.2 points a game, led by efficient forward Simon Palmer. Gavin Hierseman (8.8) is a solid perimeter shooter, and Matt Whaley (8.2) is a good lead guard who impacts the game on both ends of the floor. This group is strong on the defensive end, allowing just 46.1 points a game, and they have enough options offensively to get them through this district.
The biggest threat: West Burlington split their season series with Danville, but since they get Round 3 at home, we’re giving the Falcons the edge here. They’re led by a trio of double figure scorers in Marvion Jackson (15.2), Colten Sherwood (13.2) and Darian Johnson (12.8), Sherwood is a good shooter (42.6 3P%), Jackson is the efficient forward, and Johnson the strong lead guard who protects the ball. They’ll need to get a bit more out of their role players if they want to knock off West Branch.
The dark horse: The dynamic duo of Taylor Kennsett (18.6) and Ty Carr (15.7) pace a Danville team that split with West Burlington and could find themselves in the district final. This group attempts a lot of 3s, and if they’re falling, they could pull off an upset, but they really need to clean up the decision making (436 turnovers, 270 assists).
Players to watch
2020 Matt Whaley, West Branch
2020 Simon Palmer, West Branch
2021 Marvion Jackson, West Burlington
2021 Colten Sherwood, West Burlington
2021 Darian Johnson, West Burlington
2020 Taylor Kennsett, Danville
2022 Ty Carr, Danville
2020 Drew Schroeder, Mediapolis
2021 Bronson Sargent, Central Lee
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Camanche vs. West Branch
We picked Camanche to win the 2A state title before the season began, and we’re not going away from that now. These two teams played in the regular season finale and Camanche won by 25 (in a game that wasn’t even that close). Expect a repeat performance here as the Indians advance to the Well.