Preseason All-Conference: Top of Iowa – West
Preseason Player of the Year: James Betz, G-H-V (2019)
A dynamic 6-foot-6 forward, Betz — a Northern Iowa commit — will likely lead the conference in dunks, but will step out and can a ton of 3s, too. He’s one of the state’s more versatile threats, and also one if its most electric athletes. He’ll take the reins as the main man for a team that could contend for a 2A state title.
First Team (2016-17 stats in italics)
James Betz, G-H-V (2019) 12.2 PPG, 52 FG%, 1.9 BPG, 6.4 RPG
Big, bouncy and skilled, Betz was the leading scorer for the Cardinals on last season’s state tourney qualifier. The future Northern Iowa commit will come back even better after a summer playing against the nation’s best competition.
TJ Schnurr, Bishop Garrigan (2019) 18.1 PPG, 50 FG%, 39 3FG%, 2.9 APG, 9.0 RPG
Quickly becoming one of Iowa’s best and most complete bigs, this 6-foot-6 power forward will beat you from anywhere on the floor, just check out that 3-point percentage. He passes well for a big to boot, and should post huge numbers these next two seasons.
Sam Snyder, Forest City (2018) 15.3 PPG, 56 FG%, 1.9 SPG, 2.0 BPG
Defense is Snyder’s strength, and he’ll be among the league leaders in blocks and steals this season without a doubt. But offensively he’s no slouch either; he’s a prolific scorer who does so with great efficiency.
Cade Winkel, Bishop Garrigan (2020) 13.8 PPG, 68 FG%, 1.3 BPG, 7.0 RPG
Just a sophomore, this long and athletic forward is one of the state’s most intriguing young prospects. That 68 percent field goal percentage last season as a freshman is eye-opening. The future is very bright for Winkel.
Ryan Meyers, G-H-V (2018) 11.2 PPG, 56 FG%, 39 3FG%, 3.0 APG, 1.4 APG, 5.3 RPG
A 6-foot-4 wing, Meyers does a little bit of everything and does it well for the Cardinals. He’ll be one of the West division’s best shooters, and could be among its assists leaders, too.
Second Team
Ryan Smith, Eagle Grove (2018)
Nick Joynt, G-H-V (2018)
Jacob Langenbau, Lake Mills (2018)
Chris Jermeland, Forest City (2018)
Chase Eisenman, West Hancock, Britt (2018)
Honorable Mentions
Easton Barrus, Belmond-Klemme (2019)
Nathan Beenken, North Iowa, Buffalo Center (2018)
Spencer Espejo, Eagle Grove (2018)
MaCoy Yaekel, West Hancock, Britt (2018)
Riley Bauer, North Union (2018)
Trevor Hanna, Lake Mills (2018)
Grady Hovenga, Forest City (2018)