Conference Preview: Lakes
The Teams Cherokee (16-8): The Braves came off a good year in the Lakes Conference, led by Ryan Hurd Ryan Hurd 6'7" | SF Cherokee | 2020 State IA (Northwestern commit). This year may be a little different of a…
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Cherokee (16-8):
The Braves came off a good year in the Lakes Conference, led by Ryan Hurd Ryan Hurd 6'7" | SF Cherokee | 2020 State IA (Northwestern commit). This year may be a little different of a year due to the Braves graduating 63% of their total scoring. Look for Brayden Farver Brayden Farver 6'3" | SG Cherokee | 2021 State IA (9.3 PPG) Joe Benson (5.3 PPG), and Will Lugar (4.2 PPG) to step up to the plate this season for Cherokee.
Estherville Lincoln Central (7-15):
Estherville Lincoln Central had a tough season in the Lakes (0-10) last year. ELC graduates 59% of their scoring and will be looking to Adrian Vaughn averaging 11.1 PPG from last season.
Spencer (10-11):
Spencer finished middle of the pack last year in the Lakes. They graduated 61% of their total scoring last year, but Spencer will bring back the conference-leading scorer 6’2 Karter Petzenhauser Karter Petzenhauser 6'4" | SG Spencer | 2022 State IA (19.2 PPG 4.8 RPG) and 6’0 Landon Ellis (4.0 PPG). The Tigers will have a number of role players that will need to step up this season to be a contender in the Lakes.
Spirit Lake (11-10):
Spirit Lake has a chance to win the Lakes Conference outright this year. The Indians bring back all of their scoring from last season except for one graduate. Led by 6’7 Morningside commit Creighton Moricsh Creighton Moricsh 6'7" | SF Spirit Lake | 2021 State IA (15.7 PPG 7.0 RPG) and the guard play of 6’2 Vance Katzfey Vance Katzfey 6'3" | SG Spirit Lake | 2022 State IA (16.2 PPG 5.1 RPG) they have the size and guard play to win the Lakes this year. If they can put the pieces together they will be a tough team to match up against and play each night.
Storm Lake (7-14):
The young Storm Lake squad finished in the log jam (5-5) of the Lakes Conference. Looking for an improvement of last year’s team they will be led by Mark Eddie (12.1 PPG), Jamuo Gatwech Jamuo Gatwech 5'11" | PG Storm Lake | 2021 State IA (10.5 PPG), and Austin Gaffney (5.8 PPG). For the Tornadoes to have a better year they will need to take care of the basketball every game to transcend to more wins in the conference (16.5 TO per game).
Western Christian (16-6):
Conference champion Western Christian is always a fundamentally sound team that is tough to match up with in the Lakes. Of their six losses, three of those came from foes outside of the state of Iowa. The Wolfpack brings back a solid core from last year’s squad, Ty Van Essen Ty Van Essen 6'4" | PF Western Christian | 2022 State IA (14.0 PPG), Wyatt Gulker (8.9 PPG), Tyson Boer (6.9 PPG).
Projected Order of Finish
1. Western Christian
2. Spirit Lake
3. Cherokee
4. Spencer
5. Storm Lake
6. Estherville Lincoln Central
Analysis:
Last year four of the six teams finished in the log jam at 5-5 in the conference. Looking at the returning players and graduates of each team the top two contenders for the league crown will be Western and Spirit Lake. Looking at the remainder of the conference will be a toss-up in relation to role players from the previous year to be put in a more prominent role with their teams.
Preseason Player of the Year:
Creighton Moricsh Creighton Moricsh 6'7" | SF Spirit Lake | 2021 State IA , 6’7 Spirit Lake (2021) – The Morningside commit is going to look for another great year for the Indians. He averaged 15.7 PPG and 7.0 RPG for Spirit Lake last year. The ability to extend the defense with his three, and finishes well around the bucket with either hand. Look for Creighton to have a big year for Coach Brown’s squad.
Players to watch
Ty Van Essen Ty Van Essen 6'4" | PF Western Christian | 2022 State IA , 6’4 Western Christian (2022)
Wyatt Gulker, 6’3 Western Christian (2022)
Brayden Farver Brayden Farver 6'3" | SG Cherokee | 2021 State IA , 6’3 Cherokee (2021)
Vance Katzfey Vance Katzfey 6'3" | SG Spirit Lake | 2022 State IA , 6’2 Spirit Lake (2022)
Creighton Moricsh Creighton Moricsh 6'7" | SF Spirit Lake | 2021 State IA , 6’7 Spirit Lake (2021)
Tyler Kriener, 6’5 Spirit Lake (2021)
Karter Petzenhauser Karter Petzenhauser 6'4" | SG Spencer | 2022 State IA , 6’2 Spencer (2022)
Mark Eddie, 6’0 Storm Lake (2022)
Adrian Vaughn, 5’10 ELC (2022)