High School Preseason: Class 2A – Flipping The Script

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As some of you may know about how the Class structure works in Iowa, the lower you get in Class #, the more small-town teams there are competing in said Class. In this article I am going to highlight 4 programs that are going to be on the up &amp; up this winter after maybe not having the season they would of wanted to a year ago, for whatever the reason maybe. Each program listed has some playmakers that can impact the outcome of a contest in a major way, while also being team players to all of the others around them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ogden High School (6-16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Coming off of a 6-16 season, the Ogden Bulldogs have all the pieces to put together a great season this winter in the 2A class.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Their schedule isn't the strongest but it will test them this season in a number of ways. It will test the new players that will step up onto the varsity roster. It will test how well the coaching staff can adapt to the fast paced game that is basketball. &amp; it will test the mental strength of this teams star players.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='560335' first='Jordyn' last='Crosman'] is the name to know here. Smaller PG that can impact a game at all three levels on offense, while bringing havoc on defense because of her aggressive play-style. This team could find a lot of success this winter but its' going to have to be on the back of Crosman if that is the case.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>For this group it's about going 1-0 each game. Last season they did not have a win against a team with over a +.500 record. That needs to change this year if they want to compete once playoffs come around. If they keep it simple and play THEIR type of basketball, they should be much more successful this winter but we have to wait and see. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lake Mills High School (9-13)</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lake Mills is going to have to put together a real team effort if they want to win more games then they lose this season and that is something very do-able. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Bulldogs posted a 9-13 record last winter and will lost 3/5 starters from that group. The good thing they have going their way is that they have the bench to come in and step up to replace those roles. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I didn't get to see Lake Mills too much last season so I don't want to say too much about their year as a whole. They ended off with a -.3 PPG differential and that tells me everything I need to know from a numbers stand point. When going back to look at their schedule, they played close games all year long for the most part. Everything seem to be back and fourth, right on the edge of success more and more as the season progressed. They will look to build off of that this winter and break through that ceiling each and every game. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Hamilton High School (14-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>When you look at this article, you may think that only teams who had losing records could be, "flipping the script", this season but thats not the case. The South Hamilton Hawks went 14-7 last season and they are still trying to come back better than ever. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Hawks bring back basically their entire starting lineup but 1, including a few players from their bench. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Last season the Hawks had some tight and intense contests. Including one at home, that was a 1 point game against a West Marshall High School team that was loaded. Something that this program prides itself on is protecting home court. They went 8-2 last season at home and that was a big reason for their overall success on the year. They started off winning at home and built it up from there.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>South Hamilton is going to have a good regular season this Winter. When playoffs come they will have to due their diligence of really scouting their competition, as it probably won't be someone that they would face throughout the year. A lot of games can be won to start the post season because of coaching and team prep. If the Hawks go at this relentlessly, leading up to their Playoff game, they will surprise some people to end this season. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Buchanan High School (15-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The East Buchanan Pirates went 15-7 last season and I think this season they will end with a similar record.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Pirates have every possibility to mix up the 2A Class Playoff's this winter. They have a point guard that is pretty solid in Lynee Hogan. Their role players are also pretty skilled and understand the game of basketball. &amp; their coach knows what he is doing and is pretty good at prepping his players for what they are about to face.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Their SOS isn't the best but isn't the worst. Most of their work, will need to be really worked on in practice before the playoffs but if done properly, they could win some games this post season. They have every piece to make it happen from an outside point of view.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->