Conference Preview: West Central

The Teams: ACGC (10-13): The Chargers graduate their top two scorers from last season, but bring back the other three starters. Eli Kading (9.0), Miles Kading (8.6), and Lucas Marsh (7.8) are the three returning starters. Charlie Crawford (4.0) and Ben Marsh (3.1) are a couple others that will contribute for ACGC this year. With some solid pieces returning for ACGC, look for them to improve from their 10-13 season last year.   Des Moines Christian (17-6): After a very solid regular season in the 2019-20 season, the Lions season ended after a close to Pella Christian in the district final game. Out of their top four scorers, the Lions return three Loverude of them. Ben LoverudeBenLoverude6'6" | PFDes Moines Christian | 2021StateIA (11.4), Grant VeenstraGrantVeenstra6'2" | SFDes Moines Christian | 2021StateIA (7.9), and Adam WittyAdamWitty6'1" | SFDes Moines Christian | 2022StateIA (10.3) are the top returners. With three returning starters and a couple others that got minutes last season, expect Des Moines Christian to be atop the conference again.  Earlham (9-13): After finishing in the middle of the conference, Earlham brings back three of their top five scorers. TJ HarkinsTJHarkins6'0" | SGEarlham | 2021StateIA (14.2) and Jackson Vandever (10.5) are the top returners from last years squad. Dominic Braet (4.5), Darrell Matchem (4.7), and Kaden Frank (8.3) all look to build on their solid sophomore seasons last year. Improving their field goal percentage and taking care of the rock are two things the Cardinals need to do to improve from last season. Interstate 35 (2-20): The Roadrunners lone wins came against West Central Valley, and Southeast Warren. Sam Cox (8.3), Kale Day (10.0), and Jace Hildebrand (10.1) will lead the Roadrunners this season.  Madrid (18-6): Madrid losing the conferences leading scorer in Braden GibbonsBradenGibbons5'10" | PGMadrid | 2020StateIA (27.5), along with two other seniors that started almost every game. Mason LobeckMasonLobeck6'3" | PFMadrid | 2021StateIA (14.9) and Gabe Peterson (7.7) will lead the 2020-21 campaign for the Tigers. Cayden Fuson (5.2) and sophomore Kadyn Severson (2.7) will help carry the load for the Tigers as well.  Ogden (9-14): The Bulldogs lose four starters to graduation. The lone returnee will be Kolby Moorman, who averaged just over six points a game last season. Lane Snedden and Ty Heeren will have to step into bigger roles in their junior campaign. The Bulldogs had five underclassmen get some playing time last season, so the future is bright for Ogden. For now, they will have to improve offensively to improve from their 9-14 finish in 2019-20. Panorama (17-7): The Panther won nine of their last ten regular-season games before running into a very good Treynor team in the substate championship. They lose their top two scorers in Malachi PeasleyMalachiPeasley5'10" | PGPanorama | 2020StateIA (16.7) and Kolby Shackelford (11.4), however they return five players that saw solid minutes last season. Zach RizzutiZachRizzuti6'2" | CGPanorama | 2021StateIA (11.4), Domonic Walker (4.9) will return to lead the Panthers this season. Evan Taylor, who started 18 games last year, and Drew Taylor, who appeared in 24 games, will both return as well.  Pleasantville (11-11): After graduating three starters, the Trojans bring back their second-leading scorer in Mason ScheveMasonScheve6'1" | SGPleasantville | 2022StateIA (11.8). Caylor Clark (6.0) and Colby Sandholt (2.7) are other key returners for the Trojans. Austin McMillin (2.1) and Braidy Friday (1.1) will have to step into bigger roles this year. Pleasantville shot a decent 44% from the field and average nearly thirty rebounds a game, they need to take better care of the rock to improve from their 8-8 conference record.  Van Meter (21-1): The Bulldogs celebrated a perfect regular season last year, before running into Woodward-Granger again in the substate semifinal. They will have to reload this season though as they graduate eight seniors. Chris SchreckChrisSchreck5'9" | PGVan Meter | 2022StateIA will be the leading returner for Van Meter, after averaging 11.5 ppg and 3.1 apg. He will be accompanied by Taylor Birks (5.6) and Clark Fiala (4.4). Giving up just over fifty points a game last season, the Bulldogs will have to just as good on defense if they want to repeat last season. West Central Valley (1-21): West Central Valley brings back two starters from last year’s lineup. Hunter Keller (5.9) and Tate Richter (4.0) return for the Wildcats. These two will be accompanied by Carson Powell (2.3) and Grant Caltrider (1.8).  Woodward-Granger (22-3): After a trip to the Wells Fargo Arena last season, Woodward Granger graduates all five of their starters. Dylan Backe (1.1), Walker Deputy (0.9), and Trevor Simmons (1.1) will all have to step into much bigger roles for the Hawks. Projected Order of Finish: 1. Des Moines Christian 2. Panorama 3. Madrid 4. Van Meter 5. Woodward-Granger 6. Pleasantville 7. AC-GC 8. Earlham 9. Ogden 10. Interstate 35 11. West Central Valley Preseason Player of the Year: Ben LoverudeBenLoverude6'6" | PFDes Moines Christian | 2021StateIA (2021): 11.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 47.4% from the field, 39.0% from three, and 67.9% from the free-throw line. At 6’6", Loverude will take over as the lead guy for the Lions. Players to Watch: Eli Kading (2021), ACGC Miles Kading (2021), ACGC Grant VeenstraGrantVeenstra6'2" | SFDes Moines Christian | 2021StateIA (2021), Des Moines Christian Adam WittyAdamWitty6'1" | SFDes Moines Christian | 2022StateIA (2022), Des Moines Christian TJ Harkings (2021), Earlham Jackson Vandever (2021), Earlham Mason LobeckMasonLobeck6'3" | PFMadrid | 2021StateIA (2021), Madrid Zach RizzutiZachRizzuti6'2" | CGPanorama | 2021StateIA (2021), Panorama Mason ScheveMasonScheve6'1" | SGPleasantville | 2022StateIA (2022), Pleasantville Chris SchreckChrisSchreck5'9" | PGVan Meter | 2022StateIA (2022), Van Meter