2024 Playoffs: Upcoming Games To Notice (1A/2A)

Tonight is the Third Round of the State Playoffs for the 1A and 2A Classes throughout Iowa. In the article below, we cover some of the best matchups of the evening and the players that matter the most in those matchups.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!   Edgewood-Colesburg (18-4) vs Kee (18-5) - 1A   Tonight the Kee Hawks will go on the road to face off against the 18-4 Edgewood-Colesburg Vikings in a contest that is anyone's for the taking. In a game that has some skilled players on each side, this one is going to come down to execution. The Vikings are led by their upperclassmen group in [player_tooltip player_id='582840' first='Audrie' last='Helmrichs'] (16 PPG/12 RPG/3 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='1143266' first='Ellie' last='Kirby'] (10 PPG/5 RPG), and Campbell Kirby (4 APG). While the Hawks have two main option in the forms of [player_tooltip player_id='832204' first='Rylee' last='Mudderman'] (17 PPG/6 RPG/3 APG) and [player_tooltip player_id='782495' first='Addison' last='Winters'] (17 PPG/11 RPG/3.2 APG). If you look close enough at the details in this matchup, you realize that these teams are mirror images of each other. They thrive off of their Post for most of their production and they each have a Guard or two that produce at high levels every night. It all matters who is going to show up but if everyone plays to their full potential, this game may never end.   Fremont Mills (21-0) vs Mount Ayr (16-6) - 1A   Fremont Mills has to put together an undefeated season up until this point and that is what will be on the line tonight in their Round Two matchup against Mount Ayr High School. The Knights are obviously the real deal but I think that this game is going to be a lot closer then what everyone else might imagine. Mount Ayr comes into this contest also winning a game in Round One and I'm sure they are looking to keep that momentum rolling. My only question about this matchup has to do with Fremont Mills. I've looked into the scheduled and numbers of this undefeated season and I have an asterisks next to it at the moment. In every single game they played , they dominated and it was never really close in any particular contest. They have been head-and-shoulders better than their competition level and that makes me wonder how they are going to show up tonight. It's more then possible that Fremont Mills comes out on fire and they win this contest by 20+ points but I wouldn't be surprised if it went the other way. Only time will tell but this matchup could turn into a war in the blink of an eye.   St. Alberts (20-1) vs Stanton (17-5) - 1A   The Saint Alberts Saintes are one of the more impressive teams that we have seen out of the 1A Class this season. They are a team with several skilled players. Prospects like Ella Klusman (12 PPG), [player_tooltip player_id='901710' first='Avah' last='Underwood'] (12 PPG/8 RPG/2 APG), and Missy Eveciz (10 PPG/8 RPG) are all individuals that have shown up every night this season and because of that, they have only suffered one-loss up until this point. When it comes to the Stanton Viqueens, they are a program that lives on the defensive side of the ball for all intents and purposes. When they are playing their best, everyone is chipping in as a team and they are usually getting stops, after stops, leading to success on the offensive side of the ball. In their First Round game against West Harrison, they won by a final of 73-36, almost doubling up their opponent. If they want to beat this Saintes group, they are going to have to replicate this defense and somethings are going to have to fall in their favor. Such as loose balls, reffing calls, ect. If all that occurs and a perfect storm forms, anything can happen at this point in the Post-season.   North Mahaska (18-4) vs Columbus (15-6) - 2A   If you want to talk about a real "rock fight" then look no further. Tonight the 15-6 Columbus Wilcats get on the road to take on the 18-4 North Mahaska Warhawks in a game that could end with the score of 10-11 or 70-71. At this point, who really knows. Both teams have their main prospects that produce much of their offense. On the Wildcats team, they have players like [player_tooltip player_id='842571' first='Ariana' last='Vergara'] (12 PPG/6 RPG/2.5 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='842550' first='Lily' last='Coil'] (15 PPG/10 RPG), and Aracely Garza (6.6 PPG/7.2 RPG) who combine for 34 of their 44 PPG on average. While the Warhawks are led by future D2 commit [player_tooltip player_id='311368' first='Breckyn' last='Schilling'] (15 PPG/6 RPG/4 APG) and [player_tooltip player_id='595162' first='Regan' last='Grewe'] (9.4 PPG/4.5 RGP/2.1 APG) at the Guard position. In a game that should bring out some intense competition, I wonder who will show up the most. The best player on the floor is with the Warhawks in Schilling but if Columbus puts together a team effort, who knows. They have only averaged 44 PPG up until this point this season. If they want to win, they are going to have to hold the Warhawks to one shot per possession, while not turning the ball over. If they do that, this contest really will be a "rock fight" in the end.   Hinton (19-2) vs MVAOCOU (17-4) - 2A   The Hinton Blackhawks and The MVAOCOU Rams will going into tonight's battle with a combined record of 36-6, making it one of the most intriguing games to watch out of this 2A Class. Both of these programs know how to win. They have both been in some close contests throughout this season and they have proven that when it matters the most, they can deliver. The Blackhawks have only lost twice this winter and that was by a total of 5 points between both games. The key for the Blackhawks is their defense. I know I've said that about a few other teams but this group in their 21 games is only letting in 27 PPG to opponents. Which means that if they continue with their success in that department, I'm sure it will help lead them to victory. On the flip side, The MVAOCOU Rams have been averaging right around 68 PPG. This is the classic situation of a brick wall, meeting a 16 wheeler on the high-way. Something has to give in the end for one of the teams. Either the Blackhawks defense or the Rams offense, which-ever group can win in those terms throughout the game, could walk out as the Victor when everything is said and done. It won't be easy but whoever comes out on top in this contest truly deserves it.

Tonight is the Third Round of the State Playoffs for the 1A and 2A Classes throughout Iowa. In the article below, we cover some of the best matchups of the evening and the players that matter the most in those matchups.