2024 Playoff Preview – Class 2A

As we get closer to Spring and into the month of February, it means one thing and one thing only for Iowa Women's High School Basketball. Post-Season Play. We begin a journey to see who is the best of the best throughout the state in each perspective Class. Below we dive into the 2A Class and take a closer look to see what it has to offer.   *I do apologize for changing up the format from Class 1A to Class 2A. The 1A Class evaluations were too long in their current format so we had to make an audible. Thanks for the understanding!*   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Overview: </h2>   The 2A Class is headlined by several high level teams that all have a fair chance to bring home the 2A State Championship. This entire season, the Top 10 teams throughout this Class have been moving around quite a bit. The common theme here is that all of the Top 10 teams basically stayed in the Top 10 but they moved around positions as to where they are actually ranked whenever they have lost to each other or another top ranking team from another Class. To start off the 2A action, we have several teams looking to show up and show out in their first round games this evening. With having a few standout players across the entire Class, there is bound to be an upset or two. It's all going to come down to defense and execution. Whoever can make a game-plan and stick with it throughout their journey is going to have one heck of a chance to make it all the way to the Well at the end of the month.   Top Teams & Their Impact Players:   <ul> <li>Dike-New Hartford (20-2): This is the team that is and has been the front runner for this 2A Class for the past few years now. They won a State Title last season in this Class and they are looking to repeat. They have returned most of their star players from a year ago. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='314094' first='Payton' last='Petersen'] (18 PPG/10 RPG/4 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='314149' first='Jadyn' last='Petersen'] (13 PPG/7 RPG/2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='878157' first='Maryn' last='Bixby'] (13 PPG/3 RPG/4 APG), and a few others. When you come from a program with the history like DNH has, you have to hold yourself to a high standard and each one of these players does that. Not to mention that their HC just won the Coach Of The Year Award for the State of Iowa. When you factor all of that together, you can see why this team has had the success that they have. </li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Westwood (18-0): The Rebels are a program that played in the 1A Class last season, moved up to the 2A Class this season, and they still have a really good shot at making it to the Elite 8 of the State Tournament. This winter they have put together an undefeated season at 18-0 and they are looking to ride that momentum moving forward. The reason that the Rebels have had the success that they have is because of their even team play. They have 4-5 players that can really hoop and make a difference in a number of different ways each contest. Their star producer would be looked at as the Post, [player_tooltip player_id='246154' first='Addy' last='Johnson'] who is averaging 16.5 PPG/8.8 RPG, and 3.5 APG but they also have prospects like [player_tooltip player_id='782496' first='Brenna' last='Johnson'] (15 PPG/6 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='311374' first='Ashlyn' last='Davis'] (13.5 PPG/9 RPG), and [player_tooltip player_id='839378' first='Cate' last='Drees'] (5 APG) who can all get their own. As you can see, you can't just plan to stop one of these players to win, you gotta stop the whole team and that makes them dangerous!</li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Panorama (20-1): The Panorama Panthers have put together another fantastic season with only 1 loss on their resumé throughout their first 21 contests. A team that has several skilled players across the board, is going to be one to watch out for in this Class. I'm not sure if this is the second best team in this Class but I do know that their results speak for themselves and this team just keeps on winning. When it matters the most, it seems like they come together and play their best. They have done it time and time again this season, making me wonder if they will be able to do it on a bigger stage. The star and leader of this team, [player_tooltip player_id='595147' first='Tyme' last='Boettcher'] (20 PPG/7 RPG/4 APG), is coming off of a season where she was injured, is looking to make a big statement for her Senior year. Her ability to score off of her shot and ability to distribute is second to none and I'm sure that will be on full display as we get closer to the Well. If she and their only stars stay hungry, the sky is the limit.</li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (20-1): EBF maybe the most equip team to take on the DNH Wolverines out of the 2A Class this Post-season if they end up meeting. They have a group that matchups up really well across the board with one another. If we keep it simple and talk about Region 6 to start things off, I think EBF will be safe to make it through to the State Playoff and from there anything is possible. As of most recent, they faced off with the #2 seed in this upcoming Region, winning the contest by a final of 68-48 in the end. This is a group that has skill and coaching at every level/position. They understand what they do best, always making the most out of any given situation. If all of the Top 8 teams were to move onto the State Playoff, I would put the Rockets at #2 at the moment until I see another team step up. Their "core four" of [player_tooltip player_id='873148' first='Molly' last='Shafer'] (19.1 PPG/6.1 RPG/4.1 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='645206' first='Ava' last='Eastlick'] (16.7 PPG/3 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='817706' first='Kate' last='Shafer'] (9.4 RPG/5.3 APG), and [player_tooltip player_id='878164' first='Aliya' last='Wagamon'] (14 PPG/7.5 RPG) is a lot for other teams to handle and I'm sure that is going to be the case until the end of their season.</li> </ul>   Dark Horse Teams To Make A Run:   <ul> <li>Denver (14-7): Whenever we talk about "dark horse" teams, there are few things to remember that are important. A dark horse team isn't one that is just held together by one star player, who happens to be really good at the game. It's a team that may have a star player but overall, everyone on the floor succeeds because of their ability to adapt and play as a single unit. Whether that means sharing the ball at an elite rate or executing on every single set play they may happen to run. A team that I would consider a perfect representation of this definition is the Denver Cyclones. Don't get it twisted, the Cyclones maybe ranked #10 in this Class to end the regular season but they have some convincing wins against teams that are ranked above them, demonstrating that on any given night, they can put it together and win a big game. Their balanced attack of Channing Johnson (11.1 PPG/2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1057734' first='Grace' last='Mullihan'] (9.2 PPG/6.9 RPG/2.8 APG), and [player_tooltip player_id='988402' first='Mylee' last='Thurm'] (8 PPG/8 APG) have been firing on all cylinders as of late and it wouldn't surprise me if they make a big run in Region 2 to close off their season. The path they have favors them in most contests and if it doesn't, it's very close. If they play as more of a team in big games compared to their competition, they could make things happen. </li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Nodaway Valley (18-3): If you were to take all of the players out of the 2A Class and rank them by their skill level, regardless of age, the Wolverines would have two players ranked within the Top 10, if not the Top 5 in [player_tooltip player_id='314095' first='Lindsey' last='Davis'] (25 PPG/6 RPG/4.5 APG) and [player_tooltip player_id='510277' first='Izzy' last='Eisbach'] (20 PPG/6 RPG). With these two players and their abilities to make things happen, it's not crazy to think that this group could get all the way to a State Title game over the next few weeks but that's going to come down to two main factors. Two factors that matter for everyone but ESPECIALLY this group. Those factors are execution and role-players. First is execution. This team has a smart coaching staff with some good game planning, if the team puts that plan into action, they are going to win half the battle right there. Second is all about the role players that this group possesses. They have their stars who make it happen but when it matters the most and those options are taken away, others production is going to mean EVERYTHING. If others can step up and produce how they have shown all season long, this is a team that could make some waves. </li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Sioux Central (19-1): Sioux Central is a team to me that has the ability to make a big run during this 2024 Playoff's but they also could lose early on if things don't go according to plan. In their 20 games this season, they have only played two top ranking teams that are State Caliber and that is Newell-Fonda and Estherville Lincoln Central. They beat ELC and they lost to Newell-Fonda with some positives take away's from each contest. Their "Big 3" in [player_tooltip player_id='839333' first='Avery' last='Wilson'] (17.5 PPG/5 RPG/2.5 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='314157' first='Bradi' last='Krager'] (19 PPG/6 RPG/2.6 APG), and Morgan Christian (15 PPG/4 RPG/5 APG) have been the life force of their team. They combined for 53 PPG of their teams average 65.3 PPG, accounting for 81% of their total scoring each night. This is a situation where these three have to show up. If they all do, together, every game, they can make a deep run. If not, it's going to be tough at times for who they might have to play. They are the favorite in their Region but you know that only means so much when other teams are playing with "house money" and nothing to lose.</li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Central Lyon (17-3): I like Central Lyon in this position because of their ability to control the paint. In a Class that is dominated by athletic players, who own the lane for the most part, this is another group to watch-out for in the long run. If they happen to get through their Region with flying colors, they are certainly going to be a team to notice going into the Well. Their main attack of [player_tooltip player_id='675300' first='Desta' last='Hoogendoorn'] (19 PPG/9 RPG/2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1056179' first='Danika' last='Hoogendoorn'] (10 PPG/7 RPG/3 APG), and [player_tooltip player_id='842633' first='Aubrey' last='Metzger'] (15 PPG/10 RPG) have been too much for most of the opponents they have matched up with this winter, leading to a lot of success in a few different ways. Their relentless pursuit of the ball on each possession, is a lot to handle. In the end, they seem to understand what each other's job is when they go out there and that's important in the long run if they want to beat those Top tier programs. </li> </ul>   Interesting Matchups That Could Happen (Prior to State)   <ul> <li>Treynor vs Exira-EHK (2/16/24) - The first interesting matchup that I think could happen prior to State would be between Treynor and Exira-EHK High School on Thursday evening. This would be a second round game with Extra-EHK having to play one game prior before having to face off with Treynor, who is the #2 seed and has a first round bye in this situation. I think both of these teams matchup well with each other. They are both high energy programs and they understand how to adapt. Offensively, they each have star players that show their dominance at every opportunity, while defensively they are just as good. If everyone brings the intensity that I know they can, this is one of those contests that may never end. </li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Central Lyon vs Kingsley-Pierson (2/16/24) - If both of these programs win their first game of the Playoff's, they will be set to face off against each other on Thursday evening at Central Lyon High School and that could be something to see. We have gone into the details as to why CL can make a big run this season but a team that may make things interesting for them is the Panthers. The Panthers are led by a really productive and skilled PG in [player_tooltip player_id='524262' first='Sydney' last='Doeschot'], who is currently averaging 20 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 3.5 APG to help lead her team to an overall 15-5 record at this stage in the season. It's very obvious that this team is young and their stars are putting it all together while growing up. Two other Sophomores that make a difference, night in and night out for this group would be [player_tooltip player_id='560330' first='Addi' last='Foster'] (6.5 PPG/5.5 RPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='1191802' first='Emma' last='Dye'] (5.5 PPG). As you can tell, this group is young but they could win this game. If they do that, there is no reason to think they couldn't take things all the way to the Well. They just have to ride that momentum. </li> </ul>   Prediction   This is the DNH Wolverines Class to lose. A team that has star talent across the board, has shown their dominance at an elite rate over the past few season and I'm not expecting that to change up this time around. They have handled all of the competition in their Class that has come their way this winter, pretty convincingly. They lost to start off their season but that was to the #1 ranking team in the 3A Class in the Solons Spartans so you can't look too much into that one. Also factoring in that it was their first game of the year as well. There are some good teams that could rival the Wolverines if they don't take things seriously but if they take it one game at a time and play at their own pace, they should win this 2A Class somewhat convincingly in the end. I'm not trying to count anyone out but hands down, this is the team to beat in the 2A and I think everyone can agree.

As we get closer to Spring and into the month of February, it means one thing and one thing only for Iowa Women's High School Basketball. Post-Season Play. We begin a journey to see who is the best of the best throughout the state in each perspective Class. Below we dive into the 2A Class and take a closer look to see what it has to offer.