Conference Preview: Top of Iowa – West
The Teams (2016-17 record in parenthesis)
Belmond-Klemme (4-17): Easton Barrus is the leading returning scorer for a Broncos squad that could muster just four wins all of last season. He’ll get some help from returners Jayden Lane and Sergio Suarez, but it could be another long season in Belmond.
Bishop Garrigan (14-9): There’s plenty of reason to be excited in Algona right now, and junior forward TJ Schnurr has the Golden Bears thinking state tourney berth. With the help of the Winkel brothers, Cade and Angelo, as well as junior guard Brad Capesius, that’s certainly a distinct possibility.
Eagle Grove (5-18): The Eagles have six of their top scorers coming back, that includes top two scorers from ago, Ryan Smith and Spencer Espejo. There are a ton of talented teams in this division, so a finish at the top is probably not in the cards. But Eagle Grove will, at the very least, be formidable.
Forest City (19-5): The Indians won 19 games last season and had just two seniors who played regular minutes. All starters are back, including senior wing Sam Snyder, who averaged 15.7 points per game last season. Watch out for the Indians this season.
G-H-V (23-2): James Betz headlines a group of guys that are looking to make it back to the state tournament for the second straight season. Betz committed to play at Northern Iowa this past offseason, and he’ll have Nick Joynt and Ryan Myers helping him. The Cardinals are one of the best teams in all of 2A.
Lake Mills (14-9): After a 14-win season last winter, the Bulldogs will look to have another strong season behind returning starters Jacob Langenbau and Grant Fjelstad. They should bring a pretty solid team back this season, but wins will be hard to come by in the ultra-stacked conference.
North Iowa, Buffalo Center (4-19): With their top two scorers gone from a season ago, it could once again be tough sledding in Buffalo Center this winter. It will be up to guys like Nathan Beenken, Jordan Boekelman and Taylor Baumann to try and right the ship for the Bison.
North Union (12-11): Riley Bauer is the leading returning scorer for the Warriors, and junior Elliott Hagebock coiuld be a breakout player. North Union will open its season on Dec. 1 at home against North Iowa, Buffalo Center.
West Hancock (19-7): Since we started this Prep Hoops Iowa endeavor in 2014, West Hancock has always been good, and has even made a couple trips to the state tournament. Look for that success to drop off a bit this season, especially with teams like Forest City and GHV looming large.
Projected Order of Finish
- Forest City
- G-H-V
- Bishop Garrigan
- Eagle Grove
- West Hancock
- Lake Mills
- North Union
- North Iowa, Buffalo Center
- Belmond-Klemme
Analysis: There’s a ton of juggernauts atop this conference, and teams like G-H-V and Forest City aren’t just the best in the conference, but some of the best in all of 2A. Bishop Garrigan should be right there when it’s all said and done. There will be some big-time battles in the Top of Iowa West this winter.
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.
Biggest Sleeper: Angelo Winkel, Bishop Garrigan (2021)
Not a lot of people know about this high-flying big, he’s just an incoming freshman after-all. But there’s already a certain amount of buzz surrounding him and his ability. He’ll join an already good-sized and talented cast of Bishop Garrigan bigs, and could be a breakout star in Iowa’s 2021 class.