State Tournament Preview — top impact players in Class 2A

I'm back with another round of State Tournament X-Factors — this time, for a stacked 2A class. Here are my picks from each state qualifying team that I think will be the difference makers come tourney time. While some of these athletes may not be the top scorers on their teams they are all serious impact players, capable of putting up big numbers, and have the skill and experience their teams need when it's time to win or go home. Keep reading to see who made the cut as my top Class 2A impact players.     [player_tooltip player_id='582808' first='Bailey' last='Boeve'] is a lengthy forward that has put up solid numbers on a consistent basis for the top-seeded Hinton Blackhawks. Her 6'0" frame gives her an advantage on the glass where she averages 7.8 boards per game (4.2 of those being offensive rebounds). Boeve also scores the ball at an elite level — this season she is hitting 60% of her attempts, which is good for second on the team at 13.2PPG. She also makes an impact in other important aspects of the game, like creating opportunities for her teammates (3.2APG) and forcing turnovers on defense (2.8SPG). If Hinton can go all the way in the tournament, I will have my eye on Bailey to be a big factor in them getting there.     West Lyon has been on a hot streak as of late, winning 8 of their last 9 games, and part of that momentum can be attributed to the efforts of rising star Belah Kramer. Belah is a speedy combo guard that is not afraid of the moment. She attacks the rim with aggression, is capable from behind the arc, and gets to the line more than anyone on her team. Shooting 44% from the floor this season, she is third for the Wildcats in scoring (11.5PPG) and can stuff the stat sheet in the process. Just last month the freshman finished a game with 19 points, 6 boards and 2 steals against top-ranked Rock Valley. If 8th-seeded West Lyon is looking to cause some upsets this week, I'm sure Belah Kramer will have a big part in it.     Denver has an offense that relies on contributions from a lot of different players, including senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1057734' first='Grace' last='Mullihan']. Her versatility has been critical for the Cyclones this season — averaging 8.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest, Mullihan's reliability in big games will only become more important if Denver is looking to make a run at the Championship. Denver hasn't had a lot of close games this season but in those few tight contests, Grace has put up strong numbers, showing her dependability in big moments. She's averaging almost five assists per game as well — Grace has that Swiss Army Knife factor that Denver will need this post season.     The Emmetsburg E-Hawks are another team riding a huge wave of momentum coming into the State Tournament, and I have a feeling Dylan Fiene can help them continue their streak. Fiene has quietly had an outstanding year in the Twin Lakes Conference — the lengthy junior is averaging 13.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 3.9 steals and 1.2 blocks per game for the year. On top of racking up stats, Fiene is scoring at a super efficient rate from the floor (43.6%) and from three point land (37.3%). Coming off of a huge game last week vs. Maquoketa Valley with 18, 5, 5, and 5, I think Dylan is the player Emmetsburg needs to play big during the tourney.     [player_tooltip player_id='1312159' first='Caydence' last='Harmsen'] knows her role at Rock Valley and excels at it. While Rocket teammates Hudsyn and [player_tooltip player_id='582807' first='Haevyn' last='Ranschau'] take up a lot of attention from opposing defenses, Harmsen does damage from the perimeter and is a consistent difference maker for her team. Caydence makes an impact on both sides of the floor, scoring 12.8 points, pulling in 5.7 rebounds, dishing 6 assists, and nabbing 2 steals per contest. Rock Valley is shooting an impressive 36% 3PT as a team, and Caydence shooting the deep ball at 37% has helped them claim the highest shooting rate in the state. I predict Harmsen will have more under the radar success this week in Des Moines.     [player_tooltip player_id='896434' first='Adalee' last='Klein'] has had an excellent year on a somewhat young Regina Catholic squad. Fresh off of earning First Team All-River Valley Conference honors, the junior center has shown leadership and reliability in waves this season. She's averaging 11 points, 6.5 boards, and 1.5 blocks per game as the Regals' primary threat in the paint. Klein does a lot of things well in the lane — she seeks contact and seals off defenders extremely well, stays vertical on wall-ups, and has great timing on blocks. Shooting at an impressive 54.1% from the floor, Klein will have to flex her muscle and impose her will even more if Regina wants to make a run at the Championship — and I think she's capable of it.     If you are looking for a clutch performer in Class 2A you will find one in [player_tooltip player_id='1258995' first='Taylor' last='Rypkema']. Rypkema has the strength and size to finish in the paint and the range to keep defenders honest from deep. I like her game a lot — I think her pick and roll game is truly underrated and she knows how to make an impact no matter what the defense throws at her. One of my favorite aspects of Rypkema's game is how he sets hard screens and rolls into open space at the right pace for her teammates to get her the ball. From the perimeter she's also dialing in at 41% from three, making her a serious multi-level threat for Central Lyon. She's second on the team in scoring at 15 points per game and she has that unteachable will to win that the Lions will need to make a deep tournament run.     My final 2A impact player this week has to be [player_tooltip player_id='985182' first='Addison' last='Mauer']. The sophomore guard has had another solid season this year, proving her consistency while helping the Cardinals to a 21-2 record. Treynor High collects contributions from a number of different athletes and Mauer is in the mix at the top. She's averaging 11.1PPG, 4.1RPG, 1.9APG and 2.8SPG this year while scoring at almost 50% of her field goal attempts. Coming off a huge regional final game where she finished with 17 points, 3 boards, 2 assists, and 6 steals, Addy is playing great hoops when her team needs it most. I think Addy has what it takes to be Treynor's difference maker during their State Tournament run.

I'm back with another round of State Tournament X-Factors — this time, for a stacked 2A class. Here are my picks from each state qualifying team that I think will be the difference makers come tourney time. While some of these athletes may not be the top scorers on their teams they are all serious impact players, capable of putting up big numbers, and have the skill and experience their teams need when it's time to win or go home. Keep reading to see who made the cut as my top Class 2A impact players.