Class 2A State Tournament Bracket: Mid-Prairie’s quest for state title starts with Monticello

With the release of the Class 2A State tournament bracket, the Golden Hawks of Mid-Prairie now have an idea of those opponents that stand in the way of a state title.

After capping off a historical 24-0 run throughout the regular season and into the substate round — which included the 74-43 clobbering of Northeast Goose Lake in the substate final — the Golden Hawks will look to continue that streak in the state tournament.

It’s not going to be an easy feat, as No. 3 seeded Mid-Prairie draws River Valley foe Monticello (21-3) in the first round. The Panthers come into the state tournament with a 50-43 victory over Williamsburg.

The good news for the Golden Hawks is that they’ve already one upped the Panthers this season. On Feb. 11, Mid-Prairie defeated Monticello 65-50.

Monticello is led by junior and sophomore duo Tate Peterson and Preston Ries. Peterson averages 19.2 points per game, 5.5 assists, and 5.3 rebounds. Ries follows with a 18.5 points per game average and 6.9 rebounds.

Should the Golden Hawks win they will matchup up with either two seeded Rock Valley (19-5) or seventh seeded Jesup (19-5).

Rock Valley has been on a roll since Feb. 1. The Rockets are currently on a seven game win streak, which includes a big win over fellow tournament challenger and No. 1 seeded Central Lyon in the final regular season game, 65-63.

The Rockets also knocked off then one loss Boyden-Hull, 61-59, in the substate semifinals.

Senior Bryson Van Grootheest leads the Rockets, while averaging 18.6 points per game.

As for Jesup, they haven’t experience a loss in nearly two months, since Jan. 4.

The J-Hawks cruised through the Substate 4 bracket, winning by double-digits in two of the three games.

Jesup is led by senior forward Carson Lienau, who averages a double-double, 20.9 points per game and 11.5 rebounds. Lienau shoots an outstanding 68.2% clip from the field.

On the opposite side of the bracket, it’s No. 1 seed Central Lyon (22-2) and No. 8 seed Red Oak (18-7) in the first game of the tournament.

Central Lyon has been dominant all season, with just two losses on the year. The Lions were defeated by power house Boyden-Hull in late January and Rock Valley.

The Lions ran through their regional round, never winning by less than 17 points. Junior Zach Lutmer leads Central Lyon averaging 20.4 points per game, 6.3 assist and 5.8 rebounds.

Red Oak comes into the state tournament with two down to the wire wins in the Substate semifinal and championship rounds. Both games were decided by just two points.

Sophomore Max DeVries heads the Tigers with 16.1 points per game and 4.2 rebounds.

The two teams rounding out the Class 2A bracket are No. 4 seed Pella Christian and No. 5 seed Roland-Story.

Pella Christian had no problem in the opening rounds of the playoffs, defeating every opponents by 20 points or more. The Eagles stunned Des Moines Christian in the championship round, 54-32. Pella Christian fell to Des Moines Christian by 11 points earlier in the season.

The Eagles are paced by senior Levi Schelhaas. Schelhaas averages 14.2 points per game.

Roland-Story hasn’t experienced a loss since Jan. 22. The Norsemen have won 10 straight since that loss.

Following a tight five point victory in their opening playoff game, the Norsemen dashed to the state tournament with wins of 39 points and 14 points. It’s the first state appearance in 10 years for the Norsemen.

Roland-Story is spear headed by junior guard Isaiah Naylor, who averages 17.3 points per game.

Class 2A tournament play will begin on March 7. Mid-Prairie and Monticello will square off on March 8 at 10:30 a.m.

Central Lyon and Red Oak will kick off the action at 5:30 p.m. on March 7, followed by Pella Christian and Roland-Story at 7:15 p.m. Rock Valley and Jesup will play on March 8 at 12:15 p.m.