Playoff Preview: 2A-8
The favorite: There isn’t much separating Panorama and AHSTW in this district, but we’re giving the edge to Panorama here. The Panthers have played a tougher schedule (according to BC Moore’s power rankings system), and are the hotter team,…
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The favorite: There isn’t much separating Panorama and AHSTW in this district, but we’re giving the edge to Panorama here. The Panthers have played a tougher schedule (according to BC Moore’s power rankings system), and are the hotter team, entering the postseason having won nine of their last 10 games. Additionally, they have four 40% 3-point shooters in Malachi Peasley (16.0, 40.9%), Kolby Shackelford (12.0, 40.0%), Zach Rizzuti (11.1, 41.9%) and Domonic Walker (4.9, 40.4%). That type of shooting can really carry a team. The other thing we really like about this group is their free throw shooting. As a team they’re shooting 71.7% from the line, which is 5th best in 2A. Peasley is an 86.2% shooter, Rizzuti 83.3%, and that type of shooting will be extremely valuable late in close postseason games.
The biggest threat: Two of AHSTW’s four losses have come to an elite Treynor team. The Vikings are led by Raydden Grobe (14.5) and Clayton Akers (11.0), both solid perimeter shooters in their own right. Five other players average at least 4.6 points a game, giving this group some depth and versatility. They’ve dominated non-Treynor teams this year, going 17-2 in their other games, with an average score of 65.1-51.5.
The dark horse: It’s been a down year for Kuemper Catholic, but the Knights are battle tested having played in the 3A Hawkeye Ten all season. With senior forward Kyle Berg (13.8) controlling the glass and averaging nearly four offensive rebounds a game, they’ll find ways to get extra possessions, which are extremely valuable in the postseason. If someone like John Mayhall (5.9, 38.2 3P%) can get hot from deep, they could surprise people and make a run.
Players to watch
2020 Malachi Peasley, Panorama
2020 Kolby Shackelford, Panorama
2021 Zach Rizzuti, Panorama
2022 Raydden Grobe, AHSTW
2020 Clayton Akers, AHSTW
2020 Kyle Berg, Kuemper Catholic
2020 Quynton Younker, ACGC
2020 Bryce Littler, ACGC
2021 Blake Hall, Underwood
Jon Schwarte
The favorite: Treynor is probably as big a favorite in this district as any team in 2A is in any district. The Cardinals have lost just once this year, to Kansas 6A powerhouse Blue Valley Northwest, and they swept Tri-Center by an average of 15.5 points this year. They’re led by the high-scoring duo of Jack Tiarks (16.4) and Jack Stogdill (14.4), who complement each other well. Tiarks is a highly efficient, athletic forward who controls the glass on both ends of the floor, while Stogdill is a good shooter (37.2 3P%). Jon Schwarte (9.4), a 6-10 center, is a strong rim protector for this group as well. Treynor is one of the best 2A programs in the state, routinely winning 20 games and advancing in the postseason, and this year will be no different. They’ve rolled through everyone outside of that setback against a powerhouse that is much bigger than them, with only three games this season decided by single digits. They’re on a mission.
The biggest threat: Tri-Center went 17-0 this year against teams not named Treynor or AHSTW, so they’re the heavy favorite to come out of the bottom of the bracket. The Trojans have been excellent on the defensive end, allowing just 37.8 points a game this season, which ranks 2nd in 2A, with a group that averages just under 15 steals per game. They have active hands and fly all over the court on that end of the floor, and they’ll need to be stellar if they want to upset Treynor. Leyton Nelson (18.2) is the top scoring threat. He leads the team in nearly every major category, while Ethan Alfers (11.5) is their top perimeter scorer. Those two will need to be great if Tri-Center is going to make a real run.
The dark horse: It’s hard to see anyone else really making noise in this district, but if it’s going to be anyone, it’ll be Clarinda, who avoids Treynor until the district final. They have three double figure scorers in Nathan Lindsay (12.6), Connor Brown (12.2) and Kory Rogers (10.2), and with Lindsay controlling the glass, they can limit second chance opportunities.
Players to watch
2020 Jack Tiarks, Treynor
2020 Jack Stogdill, Treynor
2020 Jon Schwarte, Treynor
2021 Leyton Nelson, Tri-Center
2021 Ethan Alfers, Tri-Center
2020 Nathan Lindsay, Clarinda
2020 Connor Brown, Clarinda
2020 Kyle Cerven, Shenandoah
2021 Kobe Johnson, Red Oak
2020 Gavin Bartalini, Missouri Valley
SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION
Panorama vs. Treynor
Outside of that loss to Blue Valley Northwest, Treynor has rolled through the rest of their schedule and should be considered a heavy favorite to come out of this substate. It would be the Cardinals’ ninth State trip this century.