Conference Preview: SICL West
The Teams BGM (15-8, 12-6): The Bears lose a ton of production from last year’s 15-win team, with three double figure scorers graduating. But they bring back the best player in the division not named Trey Shearer in Noah Beck…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Teams
BGM (15-8, 12-6): The Bears lose a ton of production from last year’s 15-win team, with three double figure scorers graduating. But they bring back the best player in the division not named Trey Shearer in Noah Beck (15.1), a tiny (5-8), but highly productive guard who leads 1A returnees in assists (182) and steals (155). Grant Hall (4.3), a capable shooter, is the next leading returnee, so there will be a lot of new faces filling in key roles for BGM, but Beck’s presence alone should win this group a fair amount of games.
Colfax-Mingo (4-17, 4-11): The Tigerhawks return everyone except Zarek Hill, who ranked second on the team in scoring last season. They’re led by do-everything guard Brady Berkey (19.3), who led the team in scoring, assists, steals and blocks and finished second in rebounding. He’s capable of scoring from all three levels and should enjoy a huge senior season. Cole Bracewell (3.1), David Rague (5.3), Zach Steenhoek (4.6), Jake Nichols (3.9) and Jordan Lundin (4.9) all saw plenty of time last season and also return. This group ranked 89th (out of 96) in 2A last year in scoring defense, allowing 65.1 points a game. If they can get that number down into the 56-58 points a game range, they should rack up some more wins.
HLV (7-12, 6-11): The Warriors were actually a decent defensive team last year, allowing just 52.4 points a game. Their issue came on the offensive end, as they averaged just 45.2 points a game with 38-21-56 shooting splits. Sam Gensley (12.2), an efficient forward who shot 50.8% last year, is the top returnee. He ranked second on the team in scoring and led the team in rebounding last season. Carson Cheney (8.0) led the team in assists and also returns, giving them a capable ball handling option. This group made just 43 3-pointers last season and shot 21.3% from the arc. Those numbers need to improve, and if they do, with the type of defense they can play, they could push for a .500 finish.
Lynnville-Sully (15-6, 12-4): The Hawks got off to a great start last year, starting the season 14-2 before dropping four of their last five games. And both of those losses came to Montezuma, who was unbeaten in league play. Annually a strong team, this year should be no exception. They lose the top two scorers from last year’s team, but bring back a pair of double figure scorers in Bray Noun Harder (10.9) and Blaize Kuhlmann (10.1), and five of their top eight overall. Kuhlmann led the team with 45 made 3s last year (at a 46.4% clip, nonetheless), while Noun Harder dished out 51 assists against just 25 turnovers. That duo gives the Hawks a solid backcourt to build around, and they’ll put some more shooting on the floor with their other returnees. Zane Fraker (6.1, 27 3PM) and Kinnick McFarland (4.8, 21 3PM) are each capable shooting options as well. The difference between last year’s team and prior great L-S teams was the defensive end. After the 2017-18 state qualifying team allowed 45.1 points a game, that number ballooned up to 54.6 points a game last year. Get that number back down to the area it’s usually at (39-45 a night) and this team can win a lot of games and make a run to State (given they avoid Montezuma in district/substate play).
Trey Shearer
Montezuma (22-3, 16-0): Last season saw the Braves make it to State for the first time in 29 years, and they bring back a significant chunk of that roster. Most importantly, they bring back junior guard Trey Shearer (22.4, 40.2 3P%), who will be the best player in 1A basketball this season. A shifty, 5-11 guard with tight handles and “in the gym” range, Shearer is capable of dropping 40 on any given night and will spur this group that looks like a real state title contender. Also back is fellow junior guard Cole Watts (11.8, 39.0 3P%), who missed a majority of last season with an injury but returned late in the year and helped provide a boost for the Braves. He’ll pair with Shearer to give Monte the best backcourt in 1A, and one of the best shooting backcourts in the state, regardless of class. Returning starters Brayden Arendt (5.6) and Eddie Burgess (3.6) give them some additional returning experience, and look for freshman Masin Shearer to potentially make an impact as well. Montezuma is always one of the best defensive teams in 1A, regularly holding teams below 50 points, and with the explosiveness that Shearer and Watts will provide on a nightly basis on the offensive end of the floor, expect to see the Braves rack up wins again this year. And once they make it back to Des Moines, they’ll have the best player on the floor.
North Mahaska (10-10, 8-8): If you’re looking for a team to make a leap in the division this year, it may be the Warhawks, who return everyone except for Luke Roose, who averaged 6.9 points a game last season. He was a nice player for them, but he’s not the type of loss that they can’t overcome. Addy Bollman (11.5) led the team in scoring, rebounding and blocked 37 shots last season while also making 36 3s. A versatile two-way player who can protect the rim and stretch the floor, he’s a valuable piece in today’s game. Blake Readshaw (10.5), Logan Shipley (7.0), Dylan Klinker (6.7) and Ty Kelderman (4.2) are the other key returnees. Klinker dished out 102 assists and had 63 steals, while Readshaw is a solid secondary ball handler. With nearly every piece back from a .500 team, there is plenty of reason to expect this team to finish significantly above .500 this year.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Montezuma
2. Lynnville-Sully
3. North Mahaska
4. BGM
5. HLV
6. Colfax-Mingo
Analysis: Montezuma is one of the biggest favorites in any conference or division this year. They are not only the best team in this league, they are one of the best teams in 1A, and they should run the table in league play again this season. Lynnville-Sully will be dangerous with their offensive weapons, BGM has a star, and North Mahaska returns everyone.
Preseason Player of the Year
2021 Trey Shearer, Montezuma: 22.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.0 steals, 76 3PM, 40.2 3P%
This is one of the easiest calls to make in any conference. Shearer is the best player on what should be far and away the best team in the division, and one of the best teams in 1A. A dynamic scoring guard with limitless range and tight handles, he can score whenever he wants, from wherever he wants on the floor. He’s the best player in 1A basketball.
Biggest Sleeper
2022 Eddie Burgess, Montezuma: A starter on last year’s state semifinalist team, the 6-3 sophomore forward doesn’t stand out amongst the stars the Braves have, but he does a lot of little things for them. He rebounds at a high level, dished out 59 assists, and scores when he’s set up. Look for his role to grow this year following the graduations of Hunter Ray and Nolan Reynolds.
Players to Watch
2021 Trey Shearer, Montezuma
2021 Cole Watts, Montezuma
2022 Eddie Burgess, Montezuma
2020 Brayden Arendt, Montezuma
2020 Brady Berkey, Colfax-Mingo
2021 David Rague, Colfax-Mingo
2021 Jordan Lundin, Colfax-Mingo
2020 Noah Beck, BGM
2021 Grant Hall, BGM
2020 Sam Gensley, HLV
2020 Carson Cheney, HLV
2021 Addy Bollman, North Mahaska
2021 Blake Readshaw, North Mahaska
2020 Logan Shipley, North Mahaska
2021 Dylan Klinker, North Mahaska
2020 Bray Noun Harder, Lynnville-Sully
2020 Blaize Kuhlmann, Lynnville-Sully
2020 Zane Fraker, Lynnville-Sully