Conference Preview: Corner
The Teams
East Mills (12-8): Over 83% of the scoring from last year is gone for the Wolverines, so they’ll be looking for returnees Dylan Schroeder (4.9), Anthony Rainey (2.1), Riley Story (1.1), Michael Schafer (0.9), Trevor Glockel (0.7) and Nic Duysen (0.3) to make big strides in order to stay competitive. The good news is that Schroeder led the team in assists and steals last season, so he’ll be a solid piece to start building with.
Essex (5-15): It could be a rough year for the Trojans, who lost their top three scorers to graduation, a trio that accounted for 84.5% of the team’s scoring last year. Shane Franks (2.8), Colton Thornburg (2.3) and Trent Radley (2.0) are the only returnees who saw significant playing time last season, and none of them shot better than 36.8% from the floor. That will need to drastically improve if Essex wants to stay out of the basement of the league this year.
Fremont-Mills, Tabor (18-6): The Knights tied for the conference title last season with Stanton, and actually beat the Vikings twice during the season, winning the tiebreaker and taking the crown. We don’t expect that to happen this season, as only Mason Vanatta (6.7) returns among last year’s top seven scorers. The 6-1 junior forward will be the go-to guy for Fremont-Mills this year, and while he’ll likely be the leading scorer, they’ll need the backcourt tandem of Nate Laughlin (2.2) and Jaeger Powers (1.8) to step up to remain in the upper half of the league. This is a perennially strong program and while there isn’t a whole lot returning, they’ll still be heard from in the conference race.
Heartland Christian (2-16): This is a group that went winless in conference play last season and wasn’t competitive in any of the games (closest game was a 22-point loss to Clarinda Academy). The good news is that a pair of juniors with experience return in Brenden Dingus (11.9) and Landen Gray (7.4). With the losses that some other teams in the league have suffered, perhaps they can win a few league games.
Sidney (12-10): The top four, and six of the top seven, scorers return for the Cowboys, who should probably be the team that presents the biggest challenge for Stanton in the conference. They’ll be led by Cameron Whitehead (15.6), an efficient scorer who can do so at all three levels. He also led the team in rebounding despite being listed at just 5-11. Point guard Sergio Rodriguez (10.0) returns as well after leading the team in assists and steals. Brady Lorimor (6.5, 59.3 FG%), Bryson Duncan (5.1), Zach Benedict (5.5) and Braxton Lynn (3.6) are all back as well, giving this group plenty of experience.
Stanton (19-4): Five of the top six scorers return from a Vikings team that tied for the conference crown last season. They’ll be led by the league’s best player in junior wing Drake Johnson, who averaged just under 21 points a game last season. His versatility makes him the most difficult player in the conference to defend, and he’s far from alone. Dillion Rocha (11.2) and Easton Blunt (10.0) are also back, with Rocha providing loads of rim protection and scoring in the paint, and Blunt returning as one of the league’s best shooters. Donnie Weis (6.0) and Reece Anderson (4.2) return as well, giving the Vikings one of the best starting fives in Class 1A. They’re a safe pick to win the league, and are on a short list of teams that will be threats to make the state tournament.
Note: Clarinda Academy is also in the Corner Conference, but they are a residential foster care facility that has complete roster turnover every year. Therefore, we don’t know what to expect from them.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Stanton
2. Sidney
3. Fremont-Mills, Tabor
4. East Mills
5. Essex
6. Heartland Christian
Analysis: This league likely turns into a runaway for Stanton, who has not only the best player, but arguably three of the top five players in the conference. Sidney has the best chance to provide some resistance against the Vikings, but we’re not counting on it.
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
2019 Drake Johnson, Stanton: 20.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 53.3 FG%
The junior wing led the league in scoring last year, notching over 20 points a game for a 19-win Stanton team. The Vikings figure to be in the running to make a trip to Des Moines this season, and Johnson’s all-around ability is a big reason why. He’s on the short list of candidates who could lead Class 1A in scoring.
BIGGEST SLEEPER
2019 Brady Lorimor, Sidney: He’ll get overshadowed by Cameron Whitehead and Sergio Rodriguez on his own team, but the 6-1 junior forward is an efficient scorer who doesn’t force anything and knows what he is. He led the team in blocks last season and provides a solid third scoring option for the Cowboys.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
2019 Drake Johnson, Stanton
2018 Dillion Rocha, Stanton
2018 Easton Blunt, Stanton
2019 Donnie Weis, Stanton
2018 Reece Anderson, Stanton
2018 Cameron Whitehead, Sidney
2018 Sergio Rodriguez, Sidney
2019 Brady Lorimor, Sidney
2018 Bryson Duncan, Sidney
2019 Brenden Dingus, Heartland Christian
2019 Landen Gray, Heartland Christian
2019 Mason Vanatta, Fremont-Mills
2018 Nate Laughlin, Fremont-Mills
2018 Dylan Schroeder, East Mills
2020 Colton Thornburg, Essex