Conference Preview: River Valley North
The Teams
Bellevue (4-18): Nearly 92% of last year’s scoring production returns for the Comets, a group that lost six games by single digits last season. That type of returning experience could lead to a drastically improved record this season. They’ll be led by the Daugherty brothers, Cade (18.9) and Trey (7.9). Cade had a highly productive summer playing with the Tri-State Steam, and should be one of the best scorers in the River Valley, regardless of division. He’s a slashing off-guard who can also knock down shots from the perimeter. Trey is more of a sharpshooter, leading the team in 3s last year with 34. Trevor Hager (6.4) returns in the paint, a solid rim protector who blocked 31 shots last season. Paxton Felderman (4.8) and Connor Michels (4.0) will likely round out the starting five, each capable shooters from the arc. If this group is able to clean up the ball control (210 assists to 371 turnovers), they will be much more competitive. Still, with so much talent returning in the division, they’ll likely be fighting with North Cedar to stay out of the basement.
Camanche (23-4): The Indians lose four very important pieces from last year’s rotation, including their top two scorers. Luckily for them, they return what will be one of the best backcourts in 2A with Cameron Soenksen (13.9) and Dev Patel (11.9) coming back. Soenksen is a gunner who hasn’t seen a 3 he doesn’t like, but he’s a solid shooter with extended range. He’ll be this team’s leading scorer, taking over older brother Dakota’s role. He’s a good athlete who can cause havoc on both ends of the floor and should have some games with eye-popping numbers. But this team’s success will begin and end with Patel, our preseason POY in the league. He’s a gifted point guard who is a nightly triple-double threat. He has tremendous command of Camanche’s up-tempo system, sees the floor extremely well and has good length on the defensive end. He’s a competitor who will lead this group to plenty of wins. Calvin Ottens (3.1) returns in the paint after shooting 64% off the bench last year. A 6-5 big body, he’s not the best fit for the up-tempo style, but he’s got great hands and finishes well at the rim. They’ll need to get increased production out of guys like Evan Hall (2.1) and Carson Seeser (1.7), who are stepping into big roles, but they’re both capable shooters who should fit just fine into this system. A high scoring team that will be looking to cause chaos on defense and chuck up 3s on offense, there will certainly be nights where they don’t look good when shots aren’t falling. But there is still plenty of talent on this roster, and they’re still going to be one of the more entertaining teams to watch in the state. They’re not quite Cascade good, but with the right draw, it certainly wouldn’t shock us to see the Indians back in the state tournament discussion.
Cascade (22-3): Our No. 2 team in the Class 2A preseason poll, the Cougars suffered no drop-off last year under first year head coach Jacob Brindle, winning 22 games and making another state tournament appearance. They’re an overwhelming favorite in the division this year, and clearly, one of the best teams in the state. They bring back their top five scorers from last season, headlined by a quartet of double figure scorers in Johnny Supple (12.1), Gannon O’Brien (11.4), Haris Hofman (11.2) and Brock Simon (10.6). O’Brien and Simon each shot in the 41% range from behind the arc last season, while Supple and Hoffman do their damage more inside the arc, but are capable shooters as well. Derek Koppes (3.9) also knocked in 37% of his 3s last year, meaning all five starters can shoot from the arc. Cascade has played a 2-3 defense for decades now, and they’re routinely near the top of the state in defense. They led 2A in scoring defense last season, allowing just 41.1 points a game. With loads of experience returning, a potent lineup and a defense that will always be stingy, it’ll be a disappointment if the Cougars’ season doesn’t end in Des Moines.
Monticello (11-12): The Panthers lost four games in the last month of the season last year by two or less, so that record could’ve easily had four more wins on it. They return the top three scorers from that group, led by a pair of double figure scorers in Jacob Manternach (12.6) and Kyle Sperfslage (10.2). Manternach will have the ball in his hands a lot after leading the team in assists last season, while Sperfslage will play off the ball and is the team’s best shooter. Alex Nealson (8.3) returns in the paint after a productive season in which he led the team in rebounding and blocks (23). Avery Martensen (6.0) is the other returnee who saw significant playing time last season, and he’s a solid fourth option in the scoring column who could become a major threat if he’s able to improve his efficiency from the arc (22.8% last year on 57 attempts). With their top three options returning, the Panthers should be competitive in this division. They don’t have the talent to match Cascade and could struggle to keep up with Camanche, but they’ll be a major threat come postseason time.
North Cedar (9-14): The Knights lose four of their top five scorers from last season, with the lone returnee being Mason Minar (10.0). A 6-3 senior forward, Minar does almost all of his damage inside the arc, but also led the team in assists last season, so he’ll be playing a point-forward role for North Cedar. He does a nice job getting to the line, and he makes an impact on the defensive end as well, swiping 43 steals and blocking 14 shots last season. Ethan Sahr (3.9) could potentially take some of the ball handling pressure off of Minar. Sahr is a sophomore gunner who played a role off the bench last season but will need to become a primary scorer for this group. Owen Meyer (2.2) is the only other returnee with significant experience. He blocked 13 shots off the bench, and the Minar-Meyer combination in the paint could give them some rim protection. This group has a lot of holes to fill, and with some talented teams in front of them already, it’ll be tough to see them finishing anywhere but 5th or 6th.
Northeast, Goose Lake (18-5): Only one of last year’s top five scorers is back for the Rebels, but luckily for them, he’s a good one. Big man Luke Empen (13.3) is back for his senior season and is one of the most difficult players to defend in the league. A big, physical post who plays with a relentless motor, he’s added a mid-range jumper to his arsenal, which will make him even more difficult to guard. They’ll need to find some guard play to get him the ball, as off of last year’s ball handlers have graduated. The primary candidate to take over that role is Dawson Stoll (3.3), a 5-11 junior guard who played a role off the bench last season. Braeden Hoyer (4.8), a 6-4 junior forward, will pair with Empen in the paint to give the Rebels one of the league’s most intimidating frontcourts. He shot 67% from the floor last year. But this team will only go as far as whatever replacement guards they have will take them. They’re routinely a solid defensive team, and we don’t expect that to change. We’re just waiting to see how they put the ball in the bucket.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Cascade
2. Camanche
3. Monticello
4. Northeast, Goose Lake
5. Bellevue
6. North Cedar
Analysis: Cascade is a cut above the rest of this division, with their defensive prowess and so much returning talent and experience. The rest of the division is strong and will all be tough outs come playoff time, but it would be shocking if any of them truly threatened the Cougars at the top.
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
2018 Dev Patel, Camanche: 11.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.6 steals
No player in this division has a better chance at notching a triple-double on any given night than the Indians’ floor general. Patel has an outstanding command of Camanche’s high octane attack and is just as comfortable facilitating for his teammates as he is scoring. He’s not going to lead the league in scoring, but he impacts the game in a bigger way than any other player in the league with his ability to stuff the stat sheet.
BIGGEST SLEEPER
2019 Calvin Ottens, Camanche: The 6-7 junior has lots of tools – he’s got great hands, good footwork and he finishes around the rim. He’s not the ideal fit for Camanche’s up-tempo system, but with leading rebounder Dylan Hundley gone, he’ll have a chance to step into a major role and shine.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
2018 Dev Patel, Camanche
2020 Cameron Soenksen, Camanche
2019 Calvin Ottens, Camanche
2018 Johnny Supple, Cascade
2018 Gannon O’Brien, Cascade
2019 Haris Hoffman, Cascade
2018 Brock Simon, Cascade
2018 Jacob Manternach, Monticello
2018 Kyle Sperfslage, Monticello
2018 Alex Nealson, Monticello
2018 Cade Daugherty, Bellevue
2019 Trey Daugherty, Bellevue
2020 Paxton Felderman, Bellevue
2018 Luke Empen, Northeast, Goose Lake
2019 Braeden Hoyer, Northeast, Goose Lake
2018 Mason Minar, North Cedar