Let's go for number four, the last season preview is here as I check out the 2A Boys for the 2023 season. I have a ton of things to still get out this week, here is the preview and shortest intro I can muster!
Key Dates:
March 10 - First Practices
March 27 - First day of matches
May 8 - Individual districts
May 12 - Team districts begin
May 23-24 - Individual state tournament
May 31-June 1 - Team final four
Storylines
As of March 23 (today), there are ZERO college tennis commitments from the boys side across 2A and 1A in the state. An astounding stat to me with this class and at this point in the school year!
Seth Smigel of Iowa City West is not playing this year (plus a loss of some other key members), which is a big hit to the Trojans as they seek their 12th straight team finals appearance, and a state leading 11th team state championship in program history.
With the departure of two-time singles state champion Daniel Lu, will one of the 'three-headed monster' trio in Kaden Taylor, Caleb Peterson and Quinn Monson win the singles crown this year?
Team State Title Contenders
Waukee Northwest: 2023's team title is Waukee NW's title to lose in my mind. They graduated ZERO starters from last season's runner-up team and it seems like all of their players are out on the tournament circuit in the summer and winter months. Led by 2021 doubles state champion Kaden Taylor, the Wolves have the ultimate goal of a team crown this year and to improve upon what has already been a very successful first couple years as a program in their existence. A top three among the best in the state if not the best, Taylor, Kellan Croatt and Jake Nelson will lead the charge. The Wolves have the pieces and potential to claim the triple crown in 2023, as well as be dominant these new two seasons with no seniors in their main lineup.
Iowa City West: What has been the gold standard program over the last twelve years, Iowa City West once again will be in the mix for a state title and going for their 11th which would be good for the best among boys programs in state history. The Trojans are going to have to do it without 2022 star freshman Seth Smigel this season as Smigel has elected to not play this year. In addition to Smigel, West lost Luca Chacklackal to graduation, Samir Singh to moving out of state, and Ryan Kirkpatrick to Muscatine. Jayden Shin and Jonathan Fan are the highest returners for the Trojans and are joined by Shivy Mannengi as well as Patrick Selby to form a very good top 4. The last couple spots in the lineup will pose a few questions on where this team can go.
Valley, West Des Moines: Valley holds the record for boys programs across the state in terms of team state tournament appearances at 23 if my memory and records serve me right. A mainstay in final four trips over the last decade plus, TJ Cox's Tigers once again should be in the thick of things come the end of the season. 2011 was the last state championship for Valley and 2016 was the last title match appearance. A couple of starters lost to graduation in Cam Johnson, Rafe Axne and Tyson Trimble from last year's squad. Despite some departures, Valley always has multiple players in the wing ready to go and step into the lineup year after year.
Other teams to watch: Linn-Mar, Marshalltown
Players to Watch
Kaden Taylor - Waukee NW
Caleb Peterson - Centennial
Quinn Monson - Waukee
Anthony Schulte - CR Prairie
Kellan Croatt - Waukee NW
Jake Nelson - Waukee NW
Jayden Shin - IC West
Jason Strand - Marshalltown
Folu Adelkune - Pleasant Valley
Reed Kruger - Mason City
The crazy part about the 2A boys field this year, is that a lot of the talent are juniors and sophomores and not a ton of seniors (Peterson, Shin, Strand etc.). That makes for a fun season ahead and great competition all around. While the central Iowa trio of Taylor, Peterson and Monson are kind of in a class of their own (Schulte out of Prairie, could be knocking on that door), there is still a good long list of solid players throughout that can help their teams make deep runs, and also find success at the singles and doubles state tournaments. I think this is the year that the central Iowa trio breaks through and wins the singles title that was previously in a stranglehold with Daniel Lu. Waukee NW has the potential to win both singles and doubles with Taylor and then Nelson/Croatt should they elect to enter postseason this way. I am excited to see who enters singles and doubles in May as I believe the doubles field could turn out to be very competitive assuming the trio goes singles and others would like to press their luck on the doubles side. District assignments could be interesting this year with a deep field everywhere and setting it up in the best way possible to give the best 16 players and duos the best chance getting into the state tournaments. Every match counts.
Team State Prediction
SF: Waukee NW def. Linn-Mar
SF: IC West def. Valley
F: Waukee NW def. IC West
Singles State Champion Prediction
Kaden Taylor, Waukee NW
Doubles State Champions Prediction
Jayden Shin/Jonathan Fan, IC West
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