2A: State Qualifiers – Seeds 1,2 & 4
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Below I will be highlighting the 2A class and their state qualifiers. These teams worked hard all season long to get here but they aren’t done yet. They have all showed dedicated, hardworking, consistency, and heart on their journeys this…
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Continue ReadingBelow I will be highlighting the 2A class and their state qualifiers. These teams worked hard all season long to get here but they aren’t done yet. They have all showed dedicated, hardworking, consistency, and heart on their journeys this season getting them to this point. For some it will end in tears of joy, for others it’ll be tears of sadness but either way, every team in this tournament is going to leave everything they can out on the floor. No matter what, ALL teams should all have their heads held high and be proud, to make it to state and be a top eight team in your class by the end of a season is no joke and should be applauded. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!
#1 Dike-New Hartford (23-1)
The Dike New-Hartford Wolverines have been a dynasty of the past few seasons in the 2A class in the state of Iowa. The Wolverines have lost a total of 3 games over the past 2 seasons leading them to state championships in back to back seasons coming into this one. That is the definition of dominance in every aspect of the word. They took care of business all season long and pretty much walked in their regional by winning the final by more than 35 points. The Wolverines are going to see similar opponents here as they did last year so it’s going to come down to in game adjustments and who can make the big shots. A possibility for all teams who make it this far, especially Dike-New Hartford.
Payton Petersen Payton Petersen 5’10” | C Dike-New Hartford | 2024 State IA has returned this season in the same form as last but maybe even better if that’s possible. The athletic forward has been EATING on the glass this season for the Wolverines. In their first 24 games she is averaging 16 PPG on 56% shooting while grabbing 10.1 RPG. It’s important to point out that when it comes to her rebounding numbers she is basically splitting rebounds 50/50 – offensive/defense. This alone shows how many more offensive opportunites her team has because of her hard work on the boards. Just like last year during this time I expect Petersen to work hard and leave it all on the floor for her team. She is a real gamer so I’m not worried one bit about that.
Ellary Knock Ellary Knock 6’0″ | SF Dike-New Hartford | 2023 State IA has been a solid option for this Dike team all season long on the offense end. On the defensive end she does a good job of holding her own and matching up with one of the other teams best players. If I had to explain Knocks game I would say she is an all around play maker for her squad. She does a good job of the little things like rebounding, talking through screens, helping out her teammates, and being a positive influence whenever she is on the floor. She is going to be looked on big time to help this team return to the championship and complete the “turkey” for championships over the past three seasons. Something that is do-able and a lot of people expect at this point. I don’t know if that’s a good thing as you shouldn’t count anyone else out before it’s said and done but it’s hard not to see this group winning it all at the moment, with Knock contributing a ton.
Jadyn Petersen Jadyn Petersen 5’8″ | CG Dike-New Hartford | 2024 State IA is the other force that teams need to plan for near the hoop when they matchup against the Wolverines. Jadyn is just like Payton in the aspects of that she is an impressive rebounder with a lot of promising skill in this sport. She does a great job of staying aggressive on both sides of the ball without getting into foul trouble on a consistent basis. The two Petersen’s are a problem. If one isn’t killing you in a game then the other is. It is very hard to stop them, all you can hope for is to halt their production a little bit and make sure that no one else on their team steps up to help, like Knock. A task that is easier said than done considering their only loss this year comes to the #1 seed in the class of 1A, Bishop Garrigan.
#2 Central Lyon (22-0)
The last time that Central Lyon took a loss it was to the hands of the #1 seed Dike-New Hartford last season in the state championship, 59-52. Since then this group has started this season 22-0 up until this point and I think everyone knows that they won’t be satisfied up until they face the Wolverines for 2A state championship once again to complete this season. To tip off their state tournament they will face off VS #7 Panorama, who comes in at 20-2 this year after also being in the state tournament one year ago. This is a game that is winnable for both teams. Panorama gets a lot of their production from their post position players while the Lions get their’s from a few of their guards. With these off-setting it will come down to execution during crunch time.
Addison Klosterbuer Addison Klosterbuer 5’9″ | SG Central Lyon | 2023 State IA has been a great playmaker and captain to this experienced Central Lyon team. Coming into her senior season there was a lot of expectation by herself on finishing her high school career the right way and I’d say at this point she is doing just that. The U of South Dakota women’s basketball commit has shown off why she is going to be a big part of a successful program at the next level in a year. She can do it all for her position. She can score, defender, and comes with a positive attitude night in and night out. I’m excited to see if Klosterbuer and this squad will get their revenge from a season ago or if someone else will finish on top of the podium of the 2A class this season.
#4 Sibley-Ocheyedan (21-3)
Sibley-Ocheyedan has put together a 21-3 season up until this point in the year with a chance to make that number grow in a position way before its over. The Generals play through their upperclass leadership on the floor. This is a team that is led by a majority of juniors and seniors with good size and basketball IQ. They have shown this season that they have been tested, taken some L’s in the meantime, and have come out on top of it all for the better. Something that I think will fair well for this team before they attempt this state run. It’s always good to take a loss during the regular season to bring everyone back down to earth in a sense and keep them well grounded mentally. The Generals will face off against the #5 seed in the Regina Regals in their first round game on Tuesday evening. A matchup that could become intense as the game comes to a close.
Madison Brouwer Madison Brouwer 6’0″ | PF Sibley-Ocheyedan | 2023 State IA is closing out her high school career and ending it off on a high note, no matter how this weeks plays out for her squad. Brouwer has been the dominate force around the rim for the General this season on the way to leading them to state by averaging 19 PPG, 11 RPG while also recording 78 assists and 45 steals. All solid numbers that have helped this group get to where they currently are now. I’m excited to see this game. The Regals lack an inside presence but that hasn’t stopped them up until this point. This game is going to come down to how Brouwer’s coaches use her, along with her ability to find an opponent teammate out of the post. If she can do those two things, finish when she gets a good look, and her teammates knock down their shots then the Generals will move on but if they let the front court of the Regina run freely and aren’t efficient, it could be a unfavorable outcome for Madison and Sibley High School.