2A Class : My Current Favorites & Their Contributors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below you will find three teams in the 2A class in a great position to get themselves to Des Moines for the state playoff as well as have a chance to win the whole thing. Just to be clear there are several other 2A teams in the class that have the ability and pieces to win that I didn't feature here. I just went with a handful that I currently like. This doesn't mean that if your team is not on the list you can't win or don't have a chance. Stay positive. Every year we see programs step up in big moments and make history, whose turn will it be this year? Could be you! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>- Dike-New Hartford Wolverines (21-1) -</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolverines entered this post season with an overall record of 20-1. Their only loss coming at the hands of the current ranked #1 team in the 1A class and state favorites coming into this year in the Bishop-Garrigan Golden Bears, who is led by the #1 player in the 2023 class in the state of Iowa in [player_tooltip player_id='63019' first='Audi' last='Crooks']. A player no one this year is going to be able to stop on her way to another state championship. Other than this loss the Wolverines have dominated all season long, beating multiple top 10 and 15 ranked teams in their own class and others as well. Currently they are averaging the highest margin of victory per game throughout all classes for the most part at just under 39 PPG. Showing that not only do they win but they win convincingly a majority of the time. Looking at their regional opponents left I give this Wolverines team a good chance of making it to the state tournament. They are loaded at every position and do a great job of playing through their leaders in [player_tooltip player_id='314094' first='Payton' last='Petersen'], [player_tooltip player_id='314149' first='Jadyn' last='Petersen'], and [player_tooltip player_id='160553' first='Ellary' last='Knock']. Three players who are ranked as numbers 1-3 in all major stats for their team. It'll be interesting to see who they will have to match up with if they do get to Des Moines, but either way, it's going to be a fun ride to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["314094"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"It's hard to say that this team is just one star but if I absolutely had to break it down and name their most impactful player, it's [player_tooltip player_id='314094' first='Payton' last='Petersen']. Petersen entered this season as one of the better forwards in the state after putting together an extremely impressive year for her sophomore campaign. Well she came back and did the same things again, leading to her own personal success and her teams overall success. She is their difference maker, plain and simple. She is currently averaging a double/double at 16.1 PPG and 10.5 RPG throughout their 22 games played thus far. I expect her to keep up this same production and consistent play up until the state tournament. I think there, a team will have some players who can matchup with her size and athleticism, but not many. If you look in the only game they lost this season, the opposing teams best player was a post, if that isn't the case going forward then I really like the Wolverines chance in whatever contest they compete in.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["314149"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='314149' first='Jadyn' last='Petersen'] has been the 2/3 guard that her Wolverines team needed going into this season in order to compete for a state title. Petersen has been fantastic in the role she was given for her junior season. She has been consistent, efficient, and a player that this team can rely on for a bucket in desperate times. Not to mention that she has excelled at rebounding and passing for her position as well this season. Showing off to everyone watching that she is not just a scorer but a well-rounded and complete player. She is averaging 12.7 PPG, 9.3 RPG, and 3.4 APG, not including the 84 steals she has had up to this point. Like I said above with Payton and I'll say it again. If this group can keep up what they have been doing all season, they are going to be really hard to stop as we get closer and closer to the state championship game.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["160553"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"After mentioning the other two pieces above, we need to mention their leader and coach on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='160553' first='Ellary' last='Knock']. Knock has been a coaches dream this year with the season she has been having personally and how she has been leading her Wolverines team, night in and night out. She has done a fantastic job controlling pace, being patient, and making sure everyone is aware of what is happening around them. Not too difficult of a job given the basketball IQ of her teammates and coaching staff around her is, off-the-charts. Right now Knock is averaging some solid numbers through 22 games scoring 12.1 PPG, 5 RPG, and 3.8 APG. Good numbers for anyone, especially someone in the position Knock is currently in. Leader of an almost undefeated team, a good chance at a state run again, and putting up great individual numbers. Can't ask for much more than that from a player everyone should consider a star.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63efeab771ab8"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>- Central Lyon Lions (20-0) - </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central Lyon falls in this spot for me because of two main factors. The first being the season that they have put together thus far. Undefeated, beating teams by 20+ points on average and looking great coming into the post season playoffs. The second factor is a player. [player_tooltip player_id='160568' first='Addison' last='Klosterbuer']. Addison is a top 2 shooter in the state from behind the three point line. (Debatably #1 depending on the night [player_tooltip player_id='63032' first='Kelsey' last='Joens'] of West Liberty has.) She has put together a season where she is getting every look she wants and making the most of it. This group breezed by their second round matchup and look to win another this evening against West Sioux with the winner moving one step closer to state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["160568"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='160568' first='Addison' last='Klosterbuer'] has the sweetest shooting stroke in the state in my opinion and it's not close. Like I mentioned above, the other player in the race with her would be [player_tooltip player_id='63032' first='Kelsey' last='Joens'] of West Liberty who is an Iowa state commit but other than that, no one is touching Addison. She has the same shot form and stroke on every shot, no matter where her feet are located. She does such a good job knowing her balance while shooting, it's quite impressive. If I had to make a comparison for her balance and balance alone while shooting I would bring up Klay Thompson. Every time the feet are the same and the balance is equal, creating a great look at the hoop wether it be off of a screen, dribble, or whatever else you could name. While currently committed to the University of South Dakota for ball next year it's going to be fun to watch this group on their journey to make it to Des Moines. They are getting so close they can taste it, they just need to finish the job and win a few more games to get to the big stage.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63efeab771b4e"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2> - Panorama Panthers (20-2) - </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panorama Panthers drop into this article as more the "dark horse" team if you will, even with only two losses on the season. They have had a lot of recent success when it comes to the overall program while also having a lot of success this season, leading their squad to an overall 20-2 record. In these 22 games they are winning by an average margin of victory of just over 25 PPG while playing stifling defense. Out of the top 5-7 teams in the 2A class currently this group is letting the LEAST amount of PPG in at 33. On the flip side of things though they have needed this type of defense as this isn't the most dangerous offensive team out there. They have had their own struggles and their two losses kinda of show that. When they have troubles on defense, it really impacts their offensive game plan. Something to take note in as the teams have to play some harder competition as we get closer to Des Moines. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jaiden Sellers","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12120","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Panorama ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Jaiden Sellers has stepped up during her junior year for the Panthers, helping them with the success they have achieved up until this point. Sellers, an athletic forward, mainly plays in the post for her Panorama squad. She doesn't shoot three's, rebounds the ball efficiently, and has done a good job scoring the rock. She also leads her team in steals and blocks, grabbing 71 take aways and 46 blocks. Some nice numbers for both categories when considering the position she plays. With her play matched along with their other star [player_tooltip player_id='595147' first='Tyme' last='Boettcher'], this group could make a big playoff splash in the position they are in. Just need to take one game at a time and go from there, something this group is very capable to achieve.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["595147"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The heart and soul of this Panthers team comes down to one player, [player_tooltip player_id='595147' first='Tyme' last='Boettcher']. Boettcher has been the heartbeat and main option for the Panthers for a minute now coming into year and this season isn't any different. She is currently averaging 14.7 PPG on 35% shooting, 7.6 RPG, and 2.3 APG. A solid stat line for a player who has the ball in their hands on most possessions. While leading the team in some of these categories the real factor that Tyme brings is heart. She is a play maker that will leave it all out on the floor for her coaches and teammates every night. She tries to bring the energy and get all of the people around her going while also keeping their emotions in control throughout the contest. I'd like to see this group move on to Des Moines so that we could witness this leadership in person and on the biggest stage we have here in Iowa for high school girls basketball but we will have to wait see. It's not going to be an easy trip for the Panthers but it is more then do-able.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63efeab771ca2"} /-->