Conference Preview: Western Iowa
The Teams AHSTW, Avoca: After a 10-11 campaign last season, these guys could be very good this season. The seven top scorers are all back, and its leading scorer, junior RJ Harris, averaged 15.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per…
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Continue ReadingThe Teams
AHSTW, Avoca: After a 10-11 campaign last season, these guys could be very good this season. The seven top scorers are all back, and its leading scorer, junior RJ Harris, averaged 15.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore.
Audubon: What a year the Wheelers had last season, winners of 15 games, more than they had won in the previous three years combined. Tyler Riebhoff is back after a stellar sophomore season. It’ll be interesting to see if they can keep the success going.
Griswold: It could be a long season for the Tigers, as they try and meld a new-look starting five together. Five seniors started for last season’s 5-17 squad. Junior Morgan Mundorf is the leading returning scorer, he put in 6.9 points per game as a sophomore.
IKM-Manning: The Always-good Wolves may have lost one of the state’s best players in Kyle Wagner, but this program usually has a nice repository of players coming through the system. We expect Ben Wegner, Jon Brandt and Co. to be in contention for a conference title once again this winter.
Logan-Magnolia: We’re expecting some big things from the Panthers this season. Kolby Morrison averaged 14.5 points last season as a sophomore, and he’s got a real nice supporting cast coming back from last season’s 10-12 squad.
Missouri Valley: The Big Reds had a very nice season last winter. Winners of 15 games, that’s the most wins they’ve had since the 2006-07 season. With four starters gone and its leading returning scorer bringing back just 4.0 points per game, it could be tough to duplicate that success.
Riverside, Oakland: It was a tough go last season for Riverside, it finished dead last in the conference after winning just two games. Tanner Storrow and some other key players from that team do return, but it could be another finish near the bottom for the Bulldogs.
Treynor: Certainly one of the better teams in 2A the past few seasons, Treynor is a program that reloads rather than rebuilds. And though Nolan Chapman is graduated, look for guys like Dillon Faubel and Trey Castle to lead the Cardinals to another very nice season.
Tri Center, Neola: Marcus Mumm will be one of the conference’s top scorers, and although the Trojans were well under .500 last season, there’s reason to believe they’ll be on the other side of .500 this season.
Underwood: With preseason first team all-conference selection Isaiah Humphrey leading the way as a senior, the Eagles will certainly be competitive. But we don’t necessarily expect them to compete for a conference title.
Projected Order of Finish
- Treynor
- AHSTW, Avoca
- IKM-Manning
- Logan-Magnolia
- Audubon
- Tri Center, Neloa
- Underwood
- Missouri Valley
- Griswold
- Riverside
Analysis
Treynor has been to the state tournament two of the last three seasons, and it has some nice pieces coming back. It’s no certainty though the Cardinals will win the conference with an experienced AHSTW squad looming. Logan-Magnolia is right there in contention as well. And it’s never a good idea to underestimate the Wolves of IKM-Manning. Wd’d even consider Audubon a dark-horse, it has preseason player of the year Tyler Riebhoff.
Preseason Player of the Year
Tyler Riebhoff, 6’1, Audubon
In a very tightly contested race, we went with Riebhoff by virtue of his elite shooting ability. He’s the most efficient shooter in the conference, and does it from inside and out. Also able to distribute the rock, we expect the junior point guard to average 15 points and 5 assists per game this season, and with good shooting numbers to boot.
Biggest Sleeper
Jon Brandt, 6’1, IKM-Manning
He was a role player last season for the Wolves, but expect his numbers to swell this winter as he helps fill the void left by all-state forward Kyle Wagner.
Players to Watch
RJ Harris, 6’1, AHST, Avoca
Tyler Riebhoff, 6’1, Audubon
Ben Wegner, 6’3, IKM-Manning
Kolby Morrison, 5’11, Logan-Magnolia
Isaiah Humphrey, 6’1, Underwood
Marcus Mumm, 5’11, Tri Center, Neola
Rhett Welsh, 6’2, AHSTW, Avoca
Blaine Lees, AHSTW, Avoca
Wyatt Worley, 5’11, Logan-Magnolia
Trey Castle, 5’10, Treynor