Conference Preview: North Central
The Teams (2016-17 record in parenthesis)
Algona (8-14): It’ll be a new-look Algona squad this season, and guys like Spencer Holmes, Spencer Nelson and Collin Sexton will take the reins this winter for the Bulldogs. It could be a rebuilding season in Algona; the good news is all the aforementioned guys will be back in 2018-19.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows (12-12): With two first-team all-conference guys on the roster, there’s definitely reason to be excited in Clarion this season. Rhett Darland, a Waldorf commit, has been a top scorer for three seasons now. And Sam Urness is poised to have a huge senior season. Expect the Cowboys to finish near the top of the conference.
Clear Lake (13-9): Zach Lester is the preseason player of the year, and after several very strong showings this offseason, he’ll lead an experience group into what could be a special season for the Lions. Drew Enke could have a breakout season; the rangy wing will compliment Lester’s imminent dominance well. The Lions will be tough.
Hampton-Dumont (0-22): One of just a handful of teams to go win-less last season, we expect the Bulldogs to win at least a few games this winter. Their top scorer from a season ago, Logan Gooder, is back, and he’g got some experienced players to help him out.
Humboldt (8-14): Calvin Carlson could be seen making it rain from deep this offseason with AFES 16U, and he’ll likely be the main man in Humboldt this season. Guys like Eli Sande and Owen Terwilliger will help Carlson and the Wildcats try and better their win total from last season.
Iowa Falls-Alden (8-14): Jace Ites and Weston Meyer are gone, but there’s a new wave of Cadets ready to take control. Tyjon Rose headlines the new-look group, he averaged 9.6 points and led the team in assists and steals last season. The Cadets’ success could rest on Rose’s and junior guard Luke Haverkamp’s shoulders.
St. Edmond (12-11): It’ll be the Andrew Gibb show this season in Fort Dodge, and he’ll light it up with his precise jumper from all over the court — especially from deep. He’ll have some help from big, tough post Will Woodruff in the paint, and Jackson Kochendorfer will can his share of triples, too. Expect the Gaels to compete for a conference title.
Webster City (15-6): Another team that should be expected to compete for a conference title, the Lynx have five on their six top scorers back from last season’s very good squad. Conner Shannon will be missed, but Jordan Tanner, Cameron Moen and Co. could be one of 3A’s best teams anyway.
Projected Order of Finish
- Webster City
- St. Edmond
- Clear Lake
- Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
- Iowa Falls-Alden
- Humboldt
- Algona
- Hampton-Dumont
Analysis: There’s four teams that could realistically win this stacked Northern Iowa Conference, all with the experience and star-power to win a ton of games and make a run at a state tourney berth. We give the nod to Webster City; having five of six leading scorers back from a 15-win team is a recipe for major success. BUT, We wouldn’t be shocked if one of the other three (St. Edmond, Clear Lake, C-G-D) finished the season on top.
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.
Biggest Sleeper: Drew Enke, Clear Lake (2019)
A rangy 6-foot-3 wing, Enke had a pretty good sophomore season last year with a moderately successful Lions squad. Now, after an offseason spent working to improve (he was good at our Top 250 Expo in September), Enke seems poised to be a perfect sidekick to Lester, and the two of them are ready to try lead Clear Lake to a conference title.