Conference Preview: CIML Iowa
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The Teams Labeaux Ames (18-4): The Little Cyclones are an elite defensive team, allowing just 38.7 points a game last season despite playing in the loaded CIML. Three of their top four scorers return, and they add a talented newcomer…
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Ames (18-4): The Little Cyclones are an elite defensive team, allowing just 38.7 points a game last season despite playing in the loaded CIML. Three of their top four scorers return, and they add a talented newcomer to the lineup. They’ll be led by future Iowa State guard Tamin Lipsey Tamin Lipsey 6'2" | PG Ames | 2022 State #163 Nation IA (16.3 points, 5.0 assists), a dynamic and physical two-way guard who showed no ill-effects of an ACL injury that caused him to miss his entire sophomore year, picking up right where he left off by dominating on both ends of the floor. He’s one of the best on-ball defenders in the state, and he’s electric offensively with his ability to play with pace, get to the rim, or knock down 3s. Senior forward Trevion Labeaux Trevion Labeaux 6'3" | SF Ames | 2022 State IA (11.5) got off to a bit of a slow start following his transfer from Waterloo East, but came on late last year in a big way, showing why he’s so highly regarded in the 2022 class. He’s an athletic freak who can defend multiple positions, rebound at a high level, and score efficiently around the rim. Fellow senior big Corey Phillips Corey Phillips 6'5" | PF Ames | 2022 State IA (8.6), a big man with agile feet, also returns. He showed the ability to stretch the floor a bit last year, knocking down 45% of his 40 3-point attempts, and any added shooting that he can provide will be huge. The final key returnee is junior wing Lucas Lueth Lucas Lueth 6'6" | SF Ames | 2023 State IA (4.9), an extremely long wing who also provides versatility on the defensive end. The key newcomer is Clay Wright, a 6-6/6-7 wing from the United Kingdom who can really shoot it. He should thrive playing alongside Lipsey, who will get him plenty of open looks. The Little Cyclones are the best team in this loaded division with the best player and an excellent defensive unit. They’re our pick to take home the 4A crown this season.
Ankeny (10-10): After winning the 4A title in 2019-20, we knew that the Hawks would take a bit of a stepback following a number of graduations, but they actually performed better than expected last season. They bring back five of their top six scorers, and add a transfer from crosstown rival Centennial, giving them a slew of talented pieces to build around. Senior forward Ryan Crandall Ryan Crandall 6'1" | SF Ankeny | 2022 State IA (11.0, 7.3 rebounds) led the team in scoring and rebounding last year and is a strong defender. Sophomore point guard Carson Johnson Carson Johnson 5'11" | PG Ankeny | 2024 State IA (8.1, 42.0 3P%) is one of the top point guards in the 2024 class and is an excellent floor general who sees the floor well and is a knockdown shooter. Juniors JJ Kohl JJ Kohl 6'8" | PF Ankeny | 2023 IA (7.4) and Karson Wehde Karson Wehde 6'4" | SG Ankeny | 2023 State IA (3.3) gained loads of valuable experience last year, and seniors Braden Simonsen (6.6) and Brady McCullough (4.9) provide additional experience and versatility. They’ll also add sophomore wing Lio Aguirre Lio Aguirre 6'3" | SF Ankeny | 2024 State IA to the mix. Aguirre averaged 9.5 points a game last year for Centennial, and is a big, physical wing who can get to the rim and distribute. In Johnson, they have a dynamic floor general, and the Hawks have a ton of depth. This team is going to be very good.
Centennial (14-5): The Jaguars lose the top four scorers from last year’s team, but expect coach Bob Fontana to keep this program rolling and competitive. Since they became a school before the 2013-14 season, Centennial has compiled a 125-57 record (.687), and we expect to see that type of success continue. They’ll be led by a trio of senior perimeter threats in Chris Louis Chris Louis 6'0" | SG Centennial | 2022 State IA (9.0), Caden Kelling Caden Kelling 5'10" | SG Centennial | 2022 State IA (7.9), and Jackson Snyder Jackson Snyder 6'0" | SG Centennial | 2022 State IA (4.7). Louis is a quick and athletic lead guard who can score from all three levels and get others involved. He’ll have the ball in his hands a lot this year following the graduation of Jaron Crews Jaron Crews 6'1" | PG Ankeny Centennial | 2021 State IA . Kelling is a dynamic defensive player who can lock down opposing scorers, and Snyder is a big, physical wing who attacks the rim and defends. The key for this group, however, will be the development of some of their younger pieces. Sophomore combo forward Reece Robinson Reece Robinson 6'7" | PF Saint Ignatius | 2024 State OH (1.8) is oozing with potential on both ends of the floor and should become a relied upon player this year. Expect to see sophomore forward Chase Schutty and junior guard Drew Schreurs Drew Schreurs 6'1" | PG Centennial | 2023 State IA also become key pieces for the Jags. With the athletes that Centennial has, expect to see them be a really good defensive team that leans on that end of the floor while they figure the offensive end out.
Fort Dodge (2-16): The Dodgers won just two games last season and lose the only double-figure scorer from that group, leaving seniors Bradley Vodraska (8.3) and Carson Peterson (7.3) as the leading returnees. They’re an experienced tandem in the backcourt that combined to average 5.3 assists a game as well. The good news for Fort Dodge is that they’ll be experienced, as that double-figure scorer they lost was the only senior on the roster last year. If they want to be more competitive in this loaded division, they’ll need to put some focus on the defensive end of the floor after giving up 67.8 points a game last year.
Marshalltown (7-13): The Bobcats gave 4A champion Waukee their toughest postseason game last year, falling by just six in the substate semifinals. That game showed some of the potential that this group has, and they’ll be looking to build on that heading into the 2021-22 season. The top three scorers return in senior guard Armonniey Thomas Armonniey Thomas 6'2" | PG Marshalltown | 2022 State IA (16.6) and juniors Prince Jallah Prince Jallah 6'1" | SG Marshalltown | 2023 State IA (12.3) and Drake Kapayou Drake Kapayou 6'0" | PG Marshalltown | 2023 State IA (9.1). Thomas is an athletic freak at the lead guard spot, a 6-0 guard with a huge wingspan, springs in his legs, and the ability to get to the bucket at will. He has picked up a Division I offer from FIU, and can stuff the stat sheet on both ends of the floor. Jallah is a 6-3 wing with length who can be a good perimeter defender, and who does a great job on the glass, while Kapayou is a fantastic 3-point shooter who is a great complement to Thomas and Jallah. Look for Bul Chol Bul Chol 6'6" | PF Fern Creek | 2022 State IA to emerge as another key piece for the Bobcats, a 6-6/6-7 wing who moved to Marshalltown from Kentucky. Thomas is one of the best players in the league, and the Bobcats proved that they can play at a high level in that narrow loss to Waukee and a win over Ames last season. Consistency will be the key for this group.
Mason City (5-17): In senior guard Corey Miner Corey Miner 6'0" | PG Mason City | 2022 State IA (20.7), the Mohawks have a dominant scoring guard who can take over games and lead this group to some upsets. Every player on the roster returns, and senior point guard Carter Thomas Carter Thomas 6'0" | SF Mason City | 2022 State IA (6.9, 3.7 assists) will pair with Miner to give Mason City a strong and experienced backcourt. Like Fort Dodge, they’ll need to improve on the defensive end (65.2 points a game) if they want to be more competitive this year against a deep and experienced conference.
Waukee Northwest (N/A): The Wolves are a difficult team to project without knowing exactly what the team is going to look like following the split from Waukee. But we know that they will be led by junior wing Pryce Sandfort Pryce Sandfort 6'7" | SF Waukee Northwest | 2023 State #123 Nation IA (7.8, 50.0 3P%), who is a top-100 player nationally in the 2023 class and recently picked up an Iowa offer. He’s a long, 6-6 knockdown shooter who has really developed his all-around skill set and looks primed to emerge as a dominant two-way player after being a vital role player on the Waukee championship team last year. The other key piece for Northwest is junior point guard Cade Kelderman Cade Kelderman 6'0" | PG Waukee Northwest | 2023 State IA (2.5), a heady lead guard who can get into the paint and kick out to open shooters. Sandfort and Kelderman are a great place to start, and the Wolves are sure to have plenty of other talent on the roster as well.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Ames
2. Ankeny
3. Centennial
4. Waukee Northwest
5. Marshalltown
6. Mason City
7. Fort Dodge
Analysis: This may be the best division in the state. Ames opens the year as our team to beat in 4A, but Ankeny, Centennial, Northwest, and Marshalltown will all be dangerous in the postseason, and Mason City and Fort Dodge both return nearly everything. This division is deep, experienced, and talented, and it should be a battle on a nightly basis.
Preseason Player of the Year
2022 Tamin Lipsey Tamin Lipsey 6'2" | PG Ames | 2022 State #163 Nation IA , Ames: Lipsey is without a doubt the most impactful two-way player in this division. The future Iowa State lead guard stuffs the stat sheet and controls the game on both ends of the floor. He’ll lead a Little Cyclones team that we have ranked #1 in 4A to open the year.
Players to Watch
2022
Tamin Lipsey
Tamin
Lipsey
6'2" | PG
Ames | 2022
State
#163
Nation
IA
, Ames
2022
Trevion Labeaux
Trevion
Labeaux
6'3" | SF
Ames | 2022
State
IA
, Ames
2022
Corey Phillips
Corey
Phillips
6'5" | PF
Ames | 2022
State
IA
, Ames
2023 Clay Wright, Ames
2023
Lucas Lueth
Lucas
Lueth
6'6" | SF
Ames | 2023
State
IA
, Ames
2023
Pryce Sandfort
Pryce
Sandfort
6'7" | SF
Waukee Northwest | 2023
State
#123
Nation
IA
, Waukee Northwest
2023
Cade Kelderman
Cade
Kelderman
6'0" | PG
Waukee Northwest | 2023
State
IA
, Waukee Northwest
2022
Armonniey Thomas
Armonniey
Thomas
6'2" | PG
Marshalltown | 2022
State
IA
, Marshalltown
2023
Prince Jallah
Prince
Jallah
6'1" | SG
Marshalltown | 2023
State
IA
, Marshalltown
2023
Drake Kapayou
Drake
Kapayou
6'0" | PG
Marshalltown | 2023
State
IA
, Marshalltown
2022
Corey Miner
Corey
Miner
6'0" | PG
Mason City | 2022
State
IA
, Mason City
2024
Carson Johnson
Carson
Johnson
5'11" | PG
Ankeny | 2024
State
IA
, Ankeny
2022
Ryan Crandall
Ryan
Crandall
6'1" | SF
Ankeny | 2022
State
IA
, Ankeny
2024
Lio Aguirre
Lio
Aguirre
6'3" | SF
Ankeny | 2024
State
IA
, Ankeny
2023
JJ Kohl
JJ
Kohl
6'8" | PF
Ankeny | 2023
IA
, Ankeny
2022 Braden Simonsen, Ankeny
2022
Chris Louis
Chris
Louis
6'0" | SG
Centennial | 2022
State
IA
, Centennial
2022
Caden Kelling
Caden
Kelling
5'10" | SG
Centennial | 2022
State
IA
, Centennial
2024
Reece Robinson
Reece
Robinson
6'7" | PF
Saint Ignatius | 2024
State
OH
, Centennial
2022
Jackson Snyder
Jackson
Snyder
6'0" | SG
Centennial | 2022
State
IA
, Centennial
2022 Carson Peterson, Fort Dodge