STATE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: Class 2A Breakout Candidates
Over the course of the next two weeks, the Prep Hoops Iowa team will be flooding you with content previewing and covering the State Tournament. Here we take a look at eight potential breakout players to keep an eye on…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOver the course of the next two weeks, the Prep Hoops Iowa team will be flooding you with content previewing and covering the State Tournament. Here we take a look at eight potential breakout players to keep an eye on during the Class 2A tournament.
Gavin Thomas, Aplington-Parkersburg (2024)
The 6-0 freshman guard has been really good this year for the Falcons, averaging 9.5 points and shooting 41.2% from behind the arc. He moves well off the ball and has a quick release that he uses to torch defenses. If he gets hot, watch out, because he could help lead the Falcons on a run.
Bryan Zylstra, Boyden-Hull (2022)
A 6-2 forward, Zylstra has emerged as a capable scorer for the Comets, posting some big games within the last month. He’s a knockdown shooter (45.9% from 3) who could have a huge week in Des Moines while defenses focus their attention on Kelderman and Te Slaa.
Mike Delzell Mike Delzell 6'0" | SF Camanche | 2022 State IA , Camanche (2022)
Delzell is a 6-1 lefty who is in a similar mold of older brother Caleb. He’s not as tall, but he stuffs the stat sheet in a number of ways, averaging 7.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.5 steals a game. His ability to impact the game in a number of ways is key for this Indians team.
Brayden Van Meeteren, Western Christian (2022)
A 6-3 wing who rounds out the starting lineup for the Wolfpack, Van Meeteren can do a bit of everything, averaging 5.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 steals. He does a good job crashing the offensive glass, and with the number of weapons Western Christian can put on the floor, he’ll be able to get plenty of open looks.
Tristan Brown, Des Moines Christian (2021)
Brown is a starter and role player for the Lions, a capable defender who can do a little bit of everything on the floor. He’s averaging 6.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists a game, but it’ll be his work on the defensive end that will make him a name to monitor if the Lions make a run.
Carter Durflinger, Van Meter (2023)
A 6-0 sophomore starter for the Bulldogs, Durflinger is a solid defender and a capable scorer who will need to have a productive week if the ’Dogs want to make a run. He’s averaging 6.0 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals a game.
Logan Goedken, Beckman Catholic (2022)
Goedken has been a reliable ball-handler for the Blazers this year and has stepped up his scoring since Mason White Mason White 6'0" | SG Beckman Catholic | 2021 State IA went down with a season-ending injury. He’s averaging 8.6 points and 4.2 assists while shooting just under 38% from behind the arc.
Eli Wheelock, South Central Calhoun (2023)
A 6-0 sophomore guard, Wheelock has come off the bench this year to provide the Titans with some scoring punch to complement their big three scorers. He’s shooting 38.8% from behind the arc and averaging 6.1 points a game. It seems every year that a bench player steps up and makes a major impact throughout the week, perhaps it’s Wheelock this year.