High School Preseason Top 10: Class 2A Power Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are about 2 months out until high school basketball action kicks off in the state of Iowa. With that being said throughout the next two weeks I will be publishing a lot of content pertaining to Preseason Preview's. I will be highlighting the top teams from each class, while also shouting out some of the other programs that could make a big run this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article specially I will be dropping our Preseason Top 10 Power Rankings for the 2A class here in Iowa. Below a specific teams perspective ranking I will name some of the factors taken into consideration that helped us place these teams, where they are.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#10: Rock Valley High School</strong> (10-11) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This group will be the my Top 10 "sleeper" team to start out the 2023/2024 high school season in the 2A class. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>They will return 4/5 starters from a year ago, debatably 5/5, depending on who starts this winter. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Playing 3A last season is going to fair well for this program when the Playoff's come along to end this season. If you account for this, the returning of most of their roster, their SOS, and their coaching staff, the Rockets are going to be a team to know before it's said and done this winter.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>For a team to make a big run when it matters the most, they need a few things. A mixture of experience, skill, and knowledge of the game. Over the next two seasons, this varsity roster should have all that and more. If they can prepare properly when big games come up, they should be able to hold their own and surprise some teams but only time will tell. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#9: Westwood High School </strong>(21-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 4/5 starters; accounting for 40.2 PPG, 23.8 PPG, 8.8 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will need to make up for 325 varsity shot attempts from a year ago, solely speaking about their starting lineup. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>For a program that was in 1A last season, they only lost twice throughout their year and I think that should be a sign to everyone that they should know about this Rebels team before you have to match up against them in the Playoffs. At that point, it might be too late. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I like a Top 10 position for this group to start in 2A to begin this winter but they will need to have some convincing wins to stay here. They won't play the strongest schedule during the regular season so it's very important that they take care of business early and often this year. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8:</strong> <strong>MVAOCOU High School </strong>(15-8) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Retuning 4/5 starters; accounting for 46.8 PPG, 16.1 RPG, 8.7 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will need to make up for 150 varsity shot attempts from a year ago, solely speaking about their starting lineup. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The biggest weakness that this team has returning from a year ago is their defense. They didn't have a bad defense by any definition but they had a smaller margin of victory than most programs above them on this list. Some of that is due to their SOS considering. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#7:</strong> <strong>Aplington-Parkersburg High School</strong> (20-5)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 2/5 starters; accounting for 18.8 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 5.5 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will need to make up for 475 varsity shot attempts from a year ago, solely speaking about their starting lineup. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A major stat that this varsity roster is going to need to change from a year ago is their Assist-Turnover Ration. During the 2022/2023 season, AP averaged -1 in this category per game. Unforced turnovers is something that needs to be addressed early on in the year and if it is, they will have an edge on a lot of opponents this season. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Making up for their offensive production is going to be my biggest question for AP this winter. If they can find some more players to step up and be consistent offensive producers, they could make some noise at some point throughout this season. They will have a good base from last year but will definitely need others to step up their games. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#6</strong>: <strong>Treynor High School</strong> (21-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 3/5 starters; accounting for 27.3 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 5.6 APG. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will need to make up for 430 varsity shot attempts from a year ago, solely speaking about their starting lineup. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This is a program that will bring back experience on their roster and some talent along with that. They happened to fall in their Regional Final last season but I think they are going to learn from their mistakes and have another shot at a Playoff run this time around. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Another team that will have some matchup's during their season that will decide their fate, are more than ready for the task. This group has a mixture of experience and youth, while all being pretty solid, skill-wise, with the basketball in their hands. Last season the group that went 21-3 ATE on defense. They averaged 17.7 SPG and that led to a lot of their success on offense. They will bring that same mentality this winter on their pursuit for the 2A Championship. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5:</strong> <strong>Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont High School </strong>(24-1) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 4/5 starters; accounting for 44.9 PPG, 24.3 RPG, 11.3 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will need to make up for 350 varsity shot attempts from a year ago, solely speaking about their starting lineup. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Alike Regina Catholic's situation, losing one player does mean a lot to them this upcoming season because of their importance to the team last year. The Rockets only lose one starter but they will still need to make up for 350+ varsity shot attempts. They have experience on their bench but not as much as you'd like in the long run as a coach. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>EBF will have a test or two this winter when it comes to who they will have to face in the regular season. These games will be big indicators as to how well they can do, once the Playoffs start out. They return 4/5 and somewhat of a bench with experience so they have ever reason to go out and have a season to remember in the 2A class. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4:</strong> <strong>Regina Catholic High School </strong>(21-5)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Retuning 4/5 starters; accounting for 42.9 PPG, 15.1 RPG, 10.1 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will need to make up for losing 250 varsity shot attempts from a year ago, solely speaking about their starting lineup. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Only losing one player isn't usually that big of a deal for a team but when it's someone that started for the past 4 years, since they were a freshman, it plays more of a factor moving forward. The leadership last season of Grace Gaarde and [player_tooltip player_id='311391' first='Morgan' last='Miller'] is going to be cut in half this year for the Regals due to Gaarde's graduation. The pressure will be on Miller's shoulders and company to step up, scoring evenly across the board a little more this year, if they want a shot to make it back to the state tournament. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The question that I had last season, I have this season for the Regals. They will do very well during the regular season and be prepared for any task that the Playoffs will bring but they will need to show their presence in the lane at some point this year if they want to be seriously taken as a title contender. The best teams in this class all have decent big's in the middle that can hold their own at a high level. If the Regals can adapt to this flaw, their chances will greatly improve to hoist the 2A trophy in the end. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3:</strong> <strong>Nodaway Valley High School</strong> (18-5)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 5/5 starters; accounting for 60.6 PPG, 37.4 RPG, 12.6 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will not need to make up for any varsity shot attempts from a year ago. 1 of only 2 teams ranked in this Top 10 list that will return every starter. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of the more seasoned coaching staffs in 2A, gives this group somewhat an advantage in this class. With the knowledge and procedures that could be set in place by the higher-ups in preparation for this season, they could have a chance to win a lot of their games this season because of the coaching. Something that is more and more important, as a team gets closer to a State Title. SMART coaching.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Not only does this team bring back all of their starters from last year, they bring back their entire roster....that is going to be something that gives them an advantage in the long run this season in meaningful games. Deep in the Playoffs, you need to know HOW to win. I think this group knows how to win and could display that this season at great lengths. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2:</strong> <strong>Panorama High School</strong> (22-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 5/5 staters; accounting for 48.6 PPG, 26.8 RPG, 9.7 APG. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will not need to make up for any varsity shot attempts from a year ago. 1 of only 2 teams ranked in this Top 10 list that will return every starter. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I imagine this varsity roster will bring back the same system they have had in place the past few seasons, with some adaptions from the few losses that they suffered a year ago. When you have a season where you only lose 3 times, it can be hard to learn from your mistakes. I'm sure that the games that they DID lose, have been under a microscope this offseason by their coaching staff, in preparation for a big title run this season. They have every reason to be in that conversation to start this winter.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1: Dike-New Hartford High School</strong> (26-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 3/5 starters; accounting for 41.6 PPG, 23.4 RPG, 8.9 APG.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will need to make up for losing 485 varsity shot attempts from a year ago, solely speaking about their starting lineup. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>31.6 PPG scoring differential last season was the big reason they went 26-1. (Their only lost coming to eventual 1A State Champions, Bishop Garrigan.) They will look to repeat that same dominance on defense this season so that they can stack up some big wins before Playoff time kicks off. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This team loses 2 players from their crucial crew, from last year. They have a decent bench and other role players that will be ready to step up in place of those losses. Honestly, the biggest question of the 2A championship will come down to one question, "Can anyone stop the Petersen sisters?" If the answer is no, the Wolverines will go back to back in this class. Pretty convincingly too in my opinion. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->