Conference Preview: Twin Lakes
The Teams Alta-Aurelia (16-8, 9-5): The Warriors used a strong defense to rack up their 16 wins last season, ranking 8th in 2A, allowing just 45.1 points a game. They’ll need to be strong on that end of the floor…
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Alta-Aurelia (16-8, 9-5): The Warriors used a strong defense to rack up their 16 wins last season, ranking 8th in 2A, allowing just 45.1 points a game. They’ll need to be strong on that end of the floor again this year following the graduation of a pair of double figure scorers, and four of their top six overall. Anthony Krier (11.5) is the top returning scorer. He also led the team in assists last season. Cade Rohwer (8.0) is the other key returnee, while Logan McCoy (1.4) saw time off the bench. Only 24 total points return outside of those three, so there will be a lot of new pieces on the floor this winter.
East Sac County (16-7, 12-5): The Raiders lose only three players from last year’s roster, but they ranked second, third and fifth on the team in scoring. Camden Schroeder (13.4) led the team in scoring and rebounding last season while also blocking 35 shots. He’s a combo forward who is capable of stepping out to the arc and knocking down shots (27-68 3P, 39.7%), and he’s efficient inside the arc. He’s a really nice piece to start building around. Griffin O’Neill (9.7) led the team in assists with 82 and made 40% of his 3-point attempts last season. Role players Derek Aschinger (3.4), Josh Wernimont (2.0), Quinton Ludwig (1.1) and Brett Sharp (2.4) all return as well, so this group has some experience and should continue to be solid despite losing three really strong players. The Schroeder-O’Neill combination will be tough to stop this winter, and if one of those role players can step into a tertiary scoring role, the Raiders could be a darkhorse in the league race.
Emmetsburg (8-14, 6-7): The E-Hawks were respectable on the defensive end of the floor last year, allowing just 53.7 points a game. The problem came on the offensive end, where they scored just 47 a night with 39-31-53 shooting splits. The top two scorers from last season return in Ben Dunlap (14.5) and Tim Geelan (11.9). They also led the team in rebounding last season, giving this group a solid duo to build around. Geelan is a solid perimeter shooter who made 46 3s at a 40.4% clip. If this team can clean up some of the turnover issues (328 turnovers, 284 assists), they could push to finish above .500 and a top-third of the league finish. If not, they’ll finish in a similar spot as last season.
Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire (9-12, 5-9): The Titans lose three double figure scorers from last year’s team. Kadin Norris (5.3) is the top returning scorer. He should have the ball in his hands a lot this season after finishing second in assists last year. Cameron Johnson (2.2) and Blake Rosacker (2.5) are the other two returnees who saw time last year, but none of the three key returnees shot better than 30.8% from the floor last season, so it may be a long winter at GT-RA.
Manson Northwest Webster (4-18, 3-14): Only 13% of the scoring from last year’s four-win team returns, so it will be a long winter for the Cougars. Austin Anliker (2.5) is the top returnee, while Dayton Snell (1.6), Carson Bower (1.4) and Sean Peters (0.7) are the other players who saw playing time last year. After posting a -200 point differential in league games last year, it’s hard to see any improvement there with the lack of experience coming back.
Newell-Fonda (15-9, 8-7): The Mustangs may have been considered the favorite here if Bryce Coppock hadn’t transferred to West Sioux. The high-scoring guard averaged over 28 points a game and led the team in assists and steals as well. You can make an argument, however, that this group is still going to be really good, as eight of the top 10 scorers from last season return, and it should become a much more balanced group as a result of Coppock’s transfer. Aden Mahler (10.8) is the top returning scorer. He made 50 3s at a 44.2% clip last season. Trey Jungers (5.5, 22 3PM) and Treyton Mahler (5.5 27 3PM) give the ‘Stangs a few more perimeter shooting options, while Alex Spangler (1.8) and Tanner Gerke (3.6) should be the team’s top interior options. Anytime you lose a player like Coppock, it’ll be tough, but this could be a more balanced team, and that could help them stay competitive.
Pocahontas Area (17-7, 10-5): Like Newell-Fonda, the Indians lose a big-time scorer in Jace Davidson, this time to graduation. His younger brother, Christian (11.1), is the team’s top returning scorer. Trey Oehlertz (6.7) is an efficient forward who shot 60.6% from the floor and can stretch out and knock down an occasional 3, while Ryan Anderson (3.0), Cooper Christians (1.5) and Joe Hopkins (1.6) each saw time last year. Pocahontas Area likes to play quick, and that should still be the case with Davidson leading the charge. Look for him to establish himself as one of the top scorers in northwest-north central Iowa this season, and for Poky to remain competitive within the league.
Sioux Central (22-3, 15-1): It was a magical year last year for the Rebels, losing just three games (by a combined 14 points), and making the school’s first ever state tournament appearance. Hopefully they enjoyed it, because nearly everyone from that roster graduated, and only 6.5% of their scoring returns. Caleb Rock (3.2) is the only player who scored more than six points last season that is back. After a great season last year, it’ll be a major fall this year.
South Central Calhoun (21-2, 15-0): The Titans enjoyed a highly successful season last winter, rolling off 20 straight wins following an early season loss to South Hamilton before falling by three to Madrid in the district final. Three starters return from that group, giving SCC plenty of returning firepower. They’re headlined by 6-1 Zane Neubaum (18.7), a skilled forward who does a majority of his damage around the rim but is capable of extending out and knocking down an occasional 3. He also ranked second on the team in assists, and will likely have the ball in his hands a bit more this winter following the graduation of lead guard Matthew Clark. Brennan Holder (8.7, 54 3PM) gives them a solid shooting option, and Landon Schleisman (4.3) will step into the primary ball handler role vacated by Clark. Homer Martz (4.6) and Cole Corey (2.0) each saw time in every game last season and will need to step into bigger roles this season. Neubaum is going to be one of the best players in 2A, and should average close to a double-double, with solid efficiency numbers to boot, and lead the Titans to plenty of wins. This is the team to beat in the league yet again.
Southeast Valley (8-15, 5-10): The Jaguars were led last season by one of the state’s most productive freshman, Aaron Graves (18.5). Graves has already committed to play football at Iowa, but he should give Southeast Valley at least two (hopefully three) more high-level seasons on the hardwood. An efficient combo forward who can stretch the floor or bang in the paint, he’s a skilled big man who should put up monster numbers for this group. Six of the top eight from last year return in all. Carter Lane (10.5) and Kolson Kruse (8.0) give them some solid perimeter shooting. That duo combined to make 69 3-pointers last season. Lane also led the team in assists and steals. Chase Swieter (5.2) led the team in rebounding last season and also returns. With the amount of experience Southeast Valley has coming back, and the continued development of one of the league’s best players in Graves, expect to see this group make a leap this year.
St. Mary’s, Storm Lake (3-19, 1-15): It was a long year last season for the Panthers, as they won just three games (against teams that combined to win six games). It’ll be another long year this winter, as the top four from that team graduated. Mason Laven (4.7) is the top returning scorer, while Sam Peters (3.6) and Chase Hurd (1.0) each saw time as well. It’s hard to see them winning a league game this year.
West Bend-Mallard (5-15, 1-12): Two players, Thomas Fehr and Cole Hoskins, did 69% of the scoring last season for the Wolverines. The good news is that Fehr (15.3) is back. The 6-0 senior guard made 71 3-pointers last season and led the team in scoring. Mason Link (4.9) also returns after making 24 3s. No other returnee scored more than 11 points last season, so a lot of new pieces will need to adjust to significantly larger roles this season. Fehr should be enough to keep them out of the cellar, but this is probably another 4-6 win season for the Wolverines.
Projected Order of Finish
1. South Central Calhoun
2. East Sac County
3. Pocahontas Area
4. Newell-Fonda
5. Alta-Aurelia
6. Southeast Valley
7. Emmetsburg
8. Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire
9. Sioux Central
10. West Bend-Mallard
11. Manson Northwest Webster
12. St. Mary’s, Storm Lake
Analysis: South Central Cal looks like a heavy favorite to roll through this league again this year behind Zane Neubaum. East Sac County, Pocahontas Area and Newell-Fonda each have some nice pieces coming back and could push them.
Preseason Player of the Year
2020 Zane Neubaum, South Central Calhoun: 18.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.7 steals, 50.6 FG%
Neubaum led the Titans, who went 21-2 last year, in scoring, tied for the lead in blocks, and finished second in rebounding and assists. An efficient forward who does a majority of his damage inside the arc, he’ll pace a South Central Cal team that should be fighting for a State berth in 2A.
Biggest Sleeper
2022 Kolson Kruse, Southeast Valley: Overshadowed by fellow sophomore Aaron Graves, Kruse was really productive as a freshman last season as well, shooting 46.6% from behind the arc. Look for him to keep establishing himself as a high-level shooter.
Players to Watch
2020 Zane Neubaum, South Central Calhoun
2021 Brennan Holder, South Central Calhoun
2022 Aaron Graves, Southeast Valley
2020 Carter Lane, Southeast Valley
2022 Kolson Kruse, Southeast Valley
2021 Camden Schroeder, East Sac County
2020 Griffin O’Neill, East Sac County
2020 Aden Mahler, Newell-Fonda
2022 Trey Jungers, Newell-Fonda
2020 Treyton Mahler, Newell-Fonda
2020 Anthony Krier, Alta-Aurelia
2021 Cade Rohwer, Alta-Aurelia
2020 Thomas Fehr, West Bend-Mallard
2021 Ben Dunlap, Emmetsburg
2020 Tim Geelan, Emmetsburg
2021 Christian Davidson, Pocahontas Area
2021 Trey Oehlertz, Pocahontas Area