2A: State Qualifiers – Seeds 6-8

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#6 Pocahontas Area (20-4) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pocahontas Area has made it to state after beating a very good Underwood high school program by a final of 50-45. This game capped off an impressive run throughout their regional, leading them to the #6 seed and a matchup VS EBF in the first round. The Indians have only suffered three losses this season with two of them coming to a top 3 ranked team in each of their own classes, so when you look at their strength of schedule, it makes sense this group would come in as the 6th seed. Not saying that they are an underdog in any meaning of the phrase but they will have a tough challenge ahead of them with the Rockets. They are hoping that they can end their losing streaks VS other ranked teams and make a statement in their Q-Final contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["63031"],"_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":"Like most of the teams that have made it to this point in their season this team is led by a big group of upperclassmen. One of them being [player_tooltip player_id='63031' first='Carly' last='Janssen']. Janssen has put together a nice season for the Indians on their road to the Well. She has been mixing up playin from a 2 guard position to a combo guard, to a point if need be. Showing that she is a versatile athlete and playmaker from a multitude of positions on the floor. Up until this point she is averaging 12.6 PPG on 38% shooting, and 2.8 APG. Ranking first on her team in PPG and second in APG. In this upcoming matchup I like Carly's chance to have a great game and make a big difference. If she knocks down some open shots like she is able to do and finishes near the hoop on drives and also from the free throw line, then this team is going to be in great shape going into round 2 of this week.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["127611"],"_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 engine that gets this team to go is [player_tooltip player_id='127611' first='Akaysa' last='Duitscher']. Duitscher has been a point guard every coach would love this season. She is passing out of her mind, scoring at her own pace, keeping everyone engaged and leaving it all on the floor each night. All these things have been essential all season long for the Indians and that doesn't stop here. While averaging some great numbers and being a team leader this season you can imagine that her individual stock as a player has risen during this last year of her high school career. Going forward this group is going to have to stick to the formula and make some big shots, kinda what is asked of every team in this position. Who ever brings it more is going to bring home the W in the end.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fe6ddf7922a"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#7 Panorama (22-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Panorama high school has one of the toughest tasks in the state in round 1 against Central Lyon. A game that I'm sure has been circled on both of these teams schedule all season long as they both planned to make the state tournament after both making it a year ago. This team and game is all about experience. Like I said both teams have been here before and both teams have won here before as well so when you see these two teams matched up on paper, it looks like it's going to be a close one. Panorama lives in the paint offensively and does a great job of leading with aggressive play and physicality. If the Panthers want to beat the Lions here they are going to have to EAT on the glass and I really mean eat. They need to exploit their advantages down low if they can. Thats what will win them this game in the end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["595147"],"_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":"On a team loaded with experienced pieces, [player_tooltip player_id='595147' first='Tyme' last='Boettcher'] stands out amongst them all. Boettcher is a skilled and veteran who can play the small forward position, power forward position, or even the combo guard position in some game situations. She does a great job of rebounding, especially on the defensive end, racking up 200 total rebounds on the season thus far throughout their 24 games. In this one she is going to have to play physical and limit the Lions to one shot on offense, if they can do that it'll significantly help their chances of winning this game. Something very do-able. This group has lived on the glass all season and that cant change here.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["595146"],"_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":"Unlike Boettcher and her ability to spread the floor, this Panthers team also possesses a true post presence in [player_tooltip player_id='595146' first='Jaidyn' last='Sellers']. Sellers is of similar size to Tyme but doesn't spread the floor in a shooting scene. She does a fantastic job of rebounding, passing, and scoring near the hoop, not including that her defensive presence in the lane plays a huge factor for this group. She has the ability to get up and down the floor with great pace. She is a veteran in the art of the Pick and Roll game and most importantly, she plays off of the energy in her counterpart in Boettcher, which leads to a bunch of opens looks/second chances with the attention her counter-part brings.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fe6ddf792f3"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>#8 Aplington-Parkersburg (20-4) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aplington-Parkerburg snuck into the state playoff in the very last spot and the #8 seed in the tournament. A position that the Falcons are not scared to be in but understand what it entails and in this case it entails facing the #1 seed in the class in Dike-New Hartford. A team that plays in the Falcons conference and they have played twice this season already up to this point. In both those contests they ended up taking the loss by a combined 60 points, so to say this is a challenge could be an understatement. The advantage that the Falcons have is mainly two things in my opinion. First its on a neutral court, this helps as it doesn't' give Dike any more advantages that could hurt the Hawks throughout the game. Second, it's basketball. It just takes one game and everything can change. The Falcons have nothing to lose and should play like that. If they can do that and muddy up this game, it could mean for a big upset in round 1 of the 2A class. </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":"Ellen Waller","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Aplington-Parkersburg","_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":"Ellen Waller has been everything for this group this season. She is scoring, defending, passing, and doing everything else she can do help her team keep this state run alive. Waller, has really blossomed this year as a player. She has always had an u0022ITu0022 factor but is really putting it together at the right time this season to help raise her own stock and help her team stay alive. This group is going to have to change something up though if they want to win this first round game. Waller is going to do what she can while needing her teammates to step up in some big ways. As for Waller's future I'm not sure where she has interest from but she is worth taking a look at. She plays every play like it's her last and is a great leader/listener. I'm interested to see what she can put together in round 1 of this state ride.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fe6ddf79403"} /-->