Conference Preview: Little Hawkeye
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The Teams Dallas Center-Grimes (22-5, 14.9% of scoring returning): The defending 3A state champions lost a lot of production off of last year’s team, and will be moving up to 4A for the foreseeable future. The top four scorers graduated,…
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Dallas Center-Grimes (22-5, 14.9% of scoring returning): The defending 3A state champions lost a lot of production off of last year’s team, and will be moving up to 4A for the foreseeable future. The top four scorers graduated, leaving senior wing Trevor Hamil (4.7) as the top returning scorer. Junior forward Calix Cahill Calix Cahill 6'5" | PF Dallas Center-Grimes | 2024 State IA (3.3) started a majority of games last season and is also back, providing some length and defensive versatility for the Mustangs in the paint. Look for Drew Rankin (1.2) to step into a bigger role, and Jaden Jones Jaden Jones 6'3" | SG Dallas Center Grimes | 2024 State IA to emerge as a solid role player for this group this season. There will be a lot of new faces taking the floor for Joel Rankin this season, but he has turned this program into one that is strong annually, regardless of personnel losses. Look for DCG to remain competitive in the LHC.
Grinnell (4-17, 12.6%): The Tigers last season in the LHC could be a tough one, as they lost the top four scorers from last year’s team, leaving junior forward Ethan Walker (3.1) and guard Cole Blackford (2.4) as the lone returnees who saw significant playing time last season. Walker was efficient last season, shooting 57% from the floor, and at 6-5 he’ll provide some size and physicality in the paint. Look for members of the 2025 class – Ryan McIlrath (1.6), Brady Coffman (1.0), and Derek Doty (0.9) – to get a bunch of time this season to start building towards the 2023-24 season and the transition in the WaMaC.
Indianola (17-5, 87.5%): Behind one of the strongest 2023 classes in the state, Indianola looks primed to make some major noise this season. The Indians were dominant after the holiday break last season, going 14-2 with a +16.4 point differential, and they bring back 10 of the top 11 from that group. Drew Kingery Drew Kingery 6'4" | SF Indianola | 2023 State IA (18.7) is the top-ranked uncommitted player in the state, a versatile three-level scorer who can dominate games on both ends of the floor with his size, length, athleticism, and IQ. He posted 52-36-74 shooting splits to go with 7.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists a game. Point guard Brayden Drea Brayden Drea 5'10" | PG Indianola | 2023 State IA (11.9) will step into a primary ball-handling role this season following the graduation of Cooper Nailor, who led the team in assists last season. Drea, who transferred from Ankeny before the start of last season, knocked down 43% of his 3-point attempts last season and is a strong playmaking guard. Charlie Willmott Charlie Willmott 6'4" | PF Indianola | 2023 State IA (9.5) is a versatile inside-out scorer, while Casey Glascock Casey Glascock 6'0" | PG Indianola | 2023 State IA (7.0), Brady Blake (5.6), and Dakota Heimbaugh Dakota Heimbaugh 5'9" | SG Indianola | 2023 State IA (5.6) provide additional scoring punch on the perimeter. The Indians are loaded with offensive weapons, have the best player in the conference, and will be incredibly deep. This team is a real threat in Class 4A.
Newton (13-11, 71.8%): Eight of the top 10 scorers return for the Cardinals, led by a trio of talented senior guards in Brody Bauer Brody Bauer 6'2" | SG Newton | 2023 State IA (9.4, 36.4 3P%), Jake Ingle Jake Ingle 5'7" | PG Newton | 2023 State IA (9.1, 35.2 3P%), and Tate Vanderlaan (5.0, 36.0 3P%), giving them three good shooting threats who can stretch the floor and carry the team when they get hot from deep. Cole Plowman (7.4) is a solid interior presence who rebounds well and protects the paint defensively, and we expect to see a breakout year from junior wing Caleb Mattes Caleb Mattes 6'0" | SG Newton | 2024 State IA (4.0), the younger brother of Adam Mattes, who led the team in scoring last season. Mattes is a versatile three-level scorer who can create looks for himself and others and should emerge as a solid playmaker this season. The LHC is always a meatgrinder, but with eight players coming back who saw significant playing time last year, the Cards have a league up on a lot of the other teams in the conference who lost significant chunks of production to graduation.
Norwalk (12-11, 79.9%): Six of the top seven scorers return for the Warriors, headlined by junior guard Redek Born Redek Born 6'3" | PG Norwalk | 2024 State IA (13.2), who led the team in scoring and assists last season. He’s a high IQ guard who can score from all three levels and get others involved, and he looks like he’s primed to have a huge junior season after producing at a high level as a freshman and sophomore. Senior forward Braeden Carlson Braeden Carlson 6'4" | SF Norwalk | 2023 State IA (12.9, 7.3 rebounds) is an athletic, active forward who loves to rebound on both ends of the floor, and he’ll provide some versatility on the defensive end, while fellow senior Landon Edwards Landon Edwards 6'5" | PF Norwalk | 2023 State IA (2.0) should step into a more significant role as an athletic, rim-running forward who can protect the paint. Junior guard Aidan Harder Aidan Harder 6'3" | SG Norwalk | 2024 State IA (7.2) was solid last season as a scorer and he’s coming off a strong summer as a three-level scoring threat. If he can step up and take some of the scoring burdens off of Born’s hands, the Warriors will be dangerous. This was a really young team last season, and they should be much improved and in the running for the conference title until the end of the season.
Oskaloosa (6-16, 33.1%): The Indians lost leading scorer Keaton Flaherty to graduation, the lone double-figure scorer from last year’s team. Waylon Bolibaugh (8.4) is the lone returnee among the top five scorers last season and should become a go-to scoring threat this season, and expect junior guard Aidan Scholes Aidan Scholes 6'2" | CG Oskaloosa | 2024 State IA (4.5) to step into a much larger role this season as well. He’s a talented ball-handler and shooter who could have a breakout junior season. Jakob Stek (2.6), a 5-11 guard, is the only other returnee who saw time last season. Osky has a few solid pieces to build around, but it will be a struggle to compete on a nightly basis in this loaded league.
Pella (17-7, 14.9%): The Dutch lost over 85% of their scoring output from last year’s team, including the top five scorers, which leaves junior wing Luke Hardman Luke Hardman 6'0" | SF Pella | 2024 State IA (5.3) and senior forward Chase Lauman (2.5) as the top returnees. Hardman is a good athlete who can score from all three levels, and he should step into a bigger role this season and be a major contributor. Senior combo forward Luke Keitges Luke Keitges 6'5" | SF Knoxville | 2023 State IA (1.7) transferred from Knoxville before the start of last season, and he never really got into the flow of things with the Dutch but he should become an asset this year. As a sophomore at Knoxville, the 6-5 combo forward averaged 13.6 points and 8.5 rebounds, so there is talent here to be unlocked and hopefully, with another year in the system, he’ll be able to produce for the Dutch. The other pieces to watch here are sophomore wing Brayden Traetow, and juniors Mitchell Miller Mitchell Miller 6'2" | SG Lynnville-Sully | 2024 State IA (1.3) and Romon Hugan Romon Hugan 6'2" | SF Pella | 2024 State IA (1.0), who will each step into bigger roles. Pella always has a slew of athletes to put on the floor and they should remain competitive.
Pella Christian (19-7, 23.3%): The Eagles were fantastic last season, making it to the 2A semifinals behind the strength of a strong and deep senior class. A lot of production graduated, but there are a few pieces returning to keep the train running in Pella. Junior guard Tysen Devries Tysen Devries 5'9" | PG Pella Christian | 2024 State IA (6.2) quickly became one of my favorites last season. He’s small, but he’s fearless and thrives when playing downhill and attacking the rim. A highly efficient finisher who won’t shy away from contact, De Vries may be the favorite to lead the state in times a player hits the deck this year. He’ll provide the Eagles with some quickness, toughness, and a bit of attitude as their leader. Aiden Stoltz Aiden Stoltz 6'0" | SG Pella Christian | 2023 State IA (6.4) was also a major contributor for PC last season, giving them an athletic and versatile wing defender who also knocked down 40% of his 3-point attempts. While they lose a lot of pieces from the rotation, bringing De Vries and Stoltz back is a great place to start piecing together a team for this season. Expect PC to remain competitive within the conference, and a threat in 2A when postseason play arrives.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Indianola
2. Norwalk
3. Newton
4. Pella Christian
5. Dallas Center-Grimes
6. Pella
7. Oskaloosa
8. Grinnell
Analysis: Indianola appears to be a pretty clear favorite in the conference this season, the only team bringing back over 80% of their production from last year’s team. Outside of the Indians, teams two through six could probably go in any order and it wouldn’t surprise us. Norwalk and Newton bring the most back of that group, but PC, DCG, and Pella are always strong and can’t be counted out. The LHC is always a grinder, and this year will be no exception.
Preseason Player of the Year
2023 Drew Kingery Drew Kingery 6'4" | SF Indianola | 2023 State IA , Indianola: Kingery is the top returning scorer and rebounder in the LHC and is the best player on what we expect to be the best team in the conference. The top-ranked uncommitted player in Iowa’s 2023 class, he’s a long, versatile wing on both ends of the floor who can score from all three levels and defend multiple positions.
Players to Watch
2023
Drew Kingery
Drew
Kingery
6'4" | SF
Indianola | 2023
State
IA
, Indianola
2023
Brayden Drea
Brayden
Drea
5'10" | PG
Indianola | 2023
State
IA
, Indianola
2023
Charlie Willmott
Charlie
Willmott
6'4" | PF
Indianola | 2023
State
IA
, Indianola
2023
Casey Glascock
Casey
Glascock
6'0" | PG
Indianola | 2023
State
IA
, Indianola
2023 Brady Blake, Indianola
2023
Dakota Heimbaugh
Dakota
Heimbaugh
5'9" | SG
Indianola | 2023
State
IA
, Indianola
2024
Redek Born
Redek
Born
6'3" | PG
Norwalk | 2024
State
IA
, Norwalk
2023
Braeden Carlson
Braeden
Carlson
6'4" | SF
Norwalk | 2023
State
IA
, Norwalk
2024
Aidan Harder
Aidan
Harder
6'3" | SG
Norwalk | 2024
State
IA
, Norwalk
2023
Brody Bauer
Brody
Bauer
6'2" | SG
Newton | 2023
State
IA
, Newton
2023 Cole Plowman, Newton
2023
Jake Ingle
Jake
Ingle
5'7" | PG
Newton | 2023
State
IA
, Newton
2024
Caleb Mattes
Caleb
Mattes
6'0" | SG
Newton | 2024
State
IA
, Newton
2024
Tysen Devries
Tysen
Devries
5'9" | PG
Pella Christian | 2024
State
IA
, Pella Christian
2023
Aiden Stoltz
Aiden
Stoltz
6'0" | SG
Pella Christian | 2023
State
IA
, Pella Christian
2024
Calix Cahill
Calix
Cahill
6'5" | PF
Dallas Center-Grimes | 2024
State
IA
, Dallas Center-Grimes
2023 Trevor Hamil, Dallas Center-Grimes
2023 Waylon Bolibaugh, Oksaloosa
2024
Aidan Scholes
Aidan
Scholes
6'2" | CG
Oskaloosa | 2024
State
IA
, Oskaloosa
2024
Luke Hardman
Luke
Hardman
6'0" | SF
Pella | 2024
State
IA
, Pella