Conference Preview: Western Iowa
The Teams AHSTW (12-11, 8-8): The Vikings didn’t have a single player who averaged double digits last season, but bring back eight of their top nine scorers, five of whom averaged between 6.6 and 9.7 points a game. Clayton Akers…
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AHSTW (12-11, 8-8): The Vikings didn’t have a single player who averaged double digits last season, but bring back eight of their top nine scorers, five of whom averaged between 6.6 and 9.7 points a game. Clayton Akers (9.7) is the top scorer. He made 39 3s last season, while fellow returnee Joey Cunningham (6.6) pitched in another 40 3s of his own. Raydden Grobe (8.3) and Sam Porter (7.2) are also capable shooters, so the Vikings should be able to put a fair amount of shooting on the floor. If this group can clean up some of the turnover issues (368 giveaways, 280 assists), they could become a solid offensive team. Look for them to push for a top-third finish in the league.
Audubon (16-7, 13-4): The Wheelers had a fairly potent offensive attack last season, averaging 64.2 points a game, which ranked 25th in 1A. They lose the top two scorers from that group, but bring back a double figure scorer in Kaiden Smith (11.9), an efficient guard who led the team in assists and steals. Skyler Schultes (6.0), Marcus Olsen (3.8) and Ethan Klocke (1.8) are the other top returnees. They lose a lot of production with the graduations of Tate Killeen and Lane Lawson, so a lot will fall on Smith to keep this train rolling. Expect them to fall off a bit this season, but still pushing for a top-third finish in the conference.
IKM-Manning (14-8, 10-5): The Wolves are annually a strong group, especially on the defensive end, and last year was no exception. They ranked 5th in 1A, allowing just 43.6 points a game, and they’ll really need to lean on that end of the floor again this year, especially early as the top two scorers graduated from last year’s roster. Colby Keller (6.6) led the team with 36 made 3s last season and is the top returnee, while Colten Brandt (6.5) should be the top interior option. Kyler (5.4) and Amos (3.4) Rasmussen also return to provide some more shooting. The defense is going to keep this group competitive.
Logan-Magnolia (11-10, 8-9): The Panthers, like many teams in this conference, were strong on the defensive end of the floor, allowing 46.6 points game, which ranked 17th in 1A. And, like many teams in the conference, they struggled on the offensive end, averaging 48.9 a night, which ranked 92nd. A major part of that was the 332 turnovers (16 a game). Giving the ball away that many times kills an offensive attack. Tre Melby (10.1), an efficient forward who led the team in rebounding is the top returnee. He shot 60.9% from the floor and blocked 32 shots. Dylan Cunrad (4.4) and Gabe Walski (1.8) are the other key returnees. This group doesn’t return much shooting, as the ten returnees made just 14 3s combined. They’ll really need to find a perimeter shooting threat if they want to win double figure games again. (Note: After publishing, we were notified of Caleb Mattox’s transfer to Tri-Center. Mattox averaged 7.9 points a game last year for L-M.)
Missouri Valley (2-20, 0-16): The Big Reds ranked 93rd in 2A, averaging just 37.2 points a game last season. And they lose the top scorer from that group. Gavin Bartalini (9.2) is the top returnee, while Stevie Kean (4.9) provides some additional shooting on the perimeter. Ben Hernandez (6.2) led the team in rebounding and also returns. This group went winless last season during league play, posting a -369 point differential (-23.1 per game), and it looks like it’s probably headed that way again this year.
Riverside (6-16, 2-14): The Bulldogs won just two league games last season, and they came against Missouri Valley, who went winless in the league. The ‘Dogs lose their top two scorers from that group, but bring back the next four. Brogan Allensworth (9.4) is the top returnee. He led the team in rebounding, blocked 30 shots and shot 55.3% from the floor. Drake Woods (4.1) is the top perimeter option, while Taten Williams (2.8) and Wyatt Hough (1.7) are the other key returnees. This group likely only picks up a few league wins again this season.
Jon Schwarte
Treynor (20-4, 17-0): The Cardinals are probably the best 2A basketball program in the state right now, averaging 21.2 wins a year over the last decade, and they’ll have plenty more success this season with four starters returning. Jerry Jorgenson, who led the team in 3-point shooting last season, is a major loss, but he’s the only player who scored more than 29 points last year that is gone, meaning this team is going to be loaded with experience and talent. A trio of double-figure scorers return in Jack Tiarks (13.3), Jack Stogdill (11.8) and Jon Schwarte (11.6), while Luke Mieska (2.1) is also back as a returning starter. Tiarks, at 6-4, and Schwarte, at 6-10, give Treynor one of the best frontcourts in the state, and they should be able to dominate the glass and the paint on both ends of the floor. Stogdill led the team in assists, and will be asked to be the team’s primary perimeter scoring threat, while they’ll also need Mieska to provide a bit more of a scoring punch. Look for increased production out of guys like Sid Schaaf (3.9), Quinn Navara (2.4), Craig Chapman (2.1), Tim Zimmerman (3.4) and Blake Sadr (1.8), all five of whom saw significant time last year, giving them nine returnees with plenty of playing experience. Coach Scott Rucker is among the best in the state, and he has this program rolling. They’ll test themselves again in non-conference play with games against Heelan and Kansas powerhouse Blue Valley Northwest, and the Triple Js will be among the best trios in the state to build around. Look for the Cardinals to be back in Des Moines after a one-year absence, with a great chance at taking home their second state title. This is the team to beat in the league, far and away.
Tri-Center (12-11, 8-9): The Trojans excelled on the defensive end last season, allowing just 49.1 points a game, which ranked 20th in 2A. The issues came on the offensive end, where they averaged just 52 points a night and had more turnovers (269) than assists (266). Leyton Nelson (12.2) led the team in scoring and rebounding last season and returns. He shot 56.4% from the floor last season. Ethan Alfers (7.3) made 29 3s last season, which ranked second on the team and also returns. Tom Turner (5.0) gives them another interior presence. He shot 51.5% from the field, while Zach Elliott (2.5) and Trent Kozeal (1.4) each saw some time last season as well. This team is going to lean on their defensive prowess again this year, and looks like they’ll finish in the same 12-14 win territory. (Note: After publishing, we were notified of the incoming transfer of Caleb Mattox, who averaged 7.9 points at Logan-Magnolia last season. He’ll give this group another solid scoring threat, which is much needed.)
Underwood (11-10, 8-9): Like Tri-Center, the Eagles were good on the defensive end of the floor last season, allowing 48.8 points a game, which ranked 17th in 2A. And, like Tri-Center, they struggled at times on the offensive end, averaging 52.3 a night. Their issues came in the efficiency, posting 38-27-57 shooting splits. They lose leading scorer Jalen Humphrey, but bring back their next four scorers from last year’s group. Timothy Conn (9.1) made a team-high 40 3s last season, while Blake Hall (8.3) chipped in 24 of his own and led the team in rebounding and assists. Landon Nelson (7.2) and Nick Ravlin (4.6) are the other key returnees. They’ll need to be strong on defense again, and should be similar to Tri-Center, in the 11-14 win range.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Treynor
2. AHSTW
3. IKM-Manning
4. Audubon
5. Tri-Center
6. Logan-Magnolia
7. Underwood
8. Riverside
9. Missouri Valley
Analysis: Treynor is one of the biggest favorites of any team in any conference around the state. They should roll through this league this season. Teams 2-7 can be thrown in pretty much any order this year.
Preseason Player of the Year
2020 Jon Schwarte, Treynor: 11.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 3.8 blocks, 59.1 FG%
Take your pick of any of three Treynor Cardinals for the POY honor, you can’t really go wrong. We went with the 6-10 big man who protects the rim (80 blocks), scores efficiently (59.1 FG%) and led the team in rebounding last season. Treynor is always a high-level team in 2A, and Schwarte and company should be in the running for a state title this year.
Biggest Sleeper
2021 Sid Schaaf, Treynor: A role player on a loaded Treynor team, Schaaf was second on the Cardinals in steals last season, proving himself to be a dynamic defensive player.
Players to Watch
2020 Jon Schwarte, Treynor
2020 Jack Tiarks, Treynor
2020 Jack Stogdill, Treynor
2020 Kaiden Smith, Audubon
2021 Leyton Nelson, Tri-Center
2021 Ethan Alfers, Tri-Center
2021 Tre Melby, Logan-Magnolia
2020 Caleb Mattox, Logan-Magnolia
2020 Clayton Akers, AHSTW
2022 Raydden Grobe, AHSTW
2020 Sam Porter, AHSTW
2020 Joey Cunningham, AHSTW
2020 Michael Mantell, AHSTW
2021 Brogan Allensworth, Riverside
2020 Gavin Bartalini, Missouri Valley
2021 Blake Hall, Underwood
2021 Timothy Conn, Underwood
2020 Landon Nelson, Underwood
2020 Colby Keller, IKM-Manning
2020 Colten Brandt, IKM-Manning