Preseason All-Conference: North Central
Preseason Player of the Year: Zach Lester, Clear Lake (2018)
He dazzled us last spring at the Prep Hoops Battle at the Lakes in Minnesota, and again at our Top 250 Expo in Des Monies last month. He’s as fast and athletic as anyone in the conference, and is one of the best and most creative finishers in the state. Lester will have a monster season for the Lions.
First Team (2016-17 stats in italics)
Zach Lester, Clear Lake (2018) 20.6 PPG, 53 FG%, 41 3FG%, 5.0 APG, 3.6 SPG
The crafty and athletic combo-guard posted huge numbers last season as a junior, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t be even more effective this season. Look for prolific and efficient performances throughout the season for the Lions’ star.
Andrew Gibb, St. Edmonds (2019) 15.4 PPG, 58 FG%, 52 3FG%, 90 FT%, 2.3 APG
After an incredible 50-50-90 shooting performance last season as a sophomore, Gibb routinely showcased his precise shooting this summer with All Iowa Attack. He might be the best shooter in Iowa.
Rhett Darland, Calrion-Goldfield-Dows (2018) 15.1 PPG, 39 3FG%, 85 FT%, 3.8 RPG
It’s been a nice career for this 6-foot-3 shooting guard, and it should come to a boil this winter. Darland is a big wing who can shoot it, and will bring some key leadership to the Cowboys this season.
Jordan Tanner, Webster City (2018) 14.5 PPG, 54 FG%, 3.3 APG, 5.6 RPG
The 6-foot point guard brings a little bit of everything to the table for the Lynx. He’ll score in bunches and do so while shooting at a high clip. Webster City will go as Tanner goes.
Sam Urness, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows (2018) 12.1 PPG, 5.2 APG, 2.8 SPG
A well built 5-foot-8 point guard, Urness led the conference in assists last season, and nabbed an impressive amount of steals while doing so. He was sensational at times this summer with Kingdom Hoops. Urness and fellow first-teamer, Darland, have high expectations this season for the Cowboys.
Second Team
Calvin Carlson, Humboldt (2019)
Will Woodruff, St. Edmond (2018)
Tyjon Rose, Iowa Falls-Alden (2018)
Luke Haverkamp, Iowa Falls-Alden (2019)
Logan Gooder, Hampton-Dumont (2018)
Honorable Mentions
Cameron Moen, Webster City (2018)
Drew Enke, Clear Lake (2019)
Eli Sande, Humboldt (2018)
Will Weidemann, Clarion-Goldfoeld-Dows (2018)
Noah McKinney, Webster City (2018)
Jackson Kochendorfer, St. Edmond (2019)