Conference Preview: Bluegrass
The Teams (2016-17 record in parenthesis)
Ankeny Christian Academy (16-7): Not only do they have the Preseason Player of the Year with Drew Wilken, but he revealed in a recent interview that Caleb Grizzle, another preseason first team selection, may be the team’s best scoring option. Those two will star, but an array of other role players return from last season’s 16-win squad. Big things are coming for the Eagles.
Diagonal (1-19): It was tough sledding last season for the Maroons, who could muster just one win, a 45-43 January triumph over Moulton-Udell: that’s the bad news. Good news is, Diagonal rostered zero seniors last season, and all eight guys will be back to try and get the sour taste out last season of their mouths.
Iowa Christian Academy (9-13): Josh Dueker netted 23.9 points per game last season, and was among the best scorers in Iowa. He’s gone now, and it could mean fewer wins for the Blazers. Sophomore Zach Dueker is the leading returning scorer, and he’ll take the reins this season, hoping to lead a new cast of Blazers to some upset Ws.
Lamoni (12-11): Last year may have been a stepping stone to what could be massive success this season for the Demons. Four of their five leading scorers return from a season ago, when they were formidable while winning 12 games. Look for Bryce Alley, Stephen Ansong and Co. to compete for a conference title this winter.
Moravia (10-11): A lot like Lamoni, Moravia’s last season could be viewed as a set up season for what could be major success this winter. The Mohawks got to double digit wins last winter, and return their four leading scorers, including preseason first-team all conference selection, Mateo Varese.
Melcher-Dallas (4-17): After a four-win season last winter, we should see a slight uptick in Ws this season for Melcher-Dallas. Blaise Cooper will be a double-double threat each night out, and the team’s three returning scorers are back.
Mormon Trail (14-8): Watch out for the Saints, they are certainly a team on the rise. After notching 14 wins last season, Parker Hitt and Co. are ready to challenge for the conference crown. Just one of its top even scorers is gone from last season. But, after a 50 point loss to Ankeny Christian last season, there’s still plenty the Saints need to prove.
Moulten-Udell (1-13): We’re not sure if game scores weren’t updated at quikstatsiowa.com, or if they simply forfeited the the final part of the season; either way, last winter was a disaster for the Eagles. Nearly the whole team will return, but the outlook is still gloomy for the M-U this season.
Murray (21-3): Last season’s senior-laden squad nearly willed the Mustangs to a substate match (they fell to M-SM in a district final), and it will be a completely new group of guys leading the way this season. We expect Murray to be good, they always are, but probably not 21-win good.
Orient-Macksburg (7-15): Dylan Nichols was one of the state’s best scorers last season, and was the catalyst for the Bulldogs’ seven-win team. Junior Noah Nichols is the team’s leading returning scorer, and he’ll try and get this squad out of the bottom half of the conference this winter.
Seymour (8-14): Noah Wells is one of the conference’s best young players, and he’s the returning leading scorer for a Seymour team that looks to improve upon its eight wins from a season ago. It looks like they may be a middling team this season, at best.
Twin Cedars, Bussey (10-12): Its top three scorers have graduated, and even with them, the Sabers were a mediocre 10-12 last season. Junior Nick Haselhuhn could lead the way this season, and is the team’s leading returning scorer. It will be a mostly new-look Sabers squad this winter.
Projected Order of Finish
- Ankeny Christian Academy
- Lamoni
- Mormon Trail
- Moravia
- Murray
- Twin Cedars, Bussey
- Melcher-Dallas
- Seymour
- Iowa Christian Academy
- Diagonal
- Orient-Macksburg
- Moulten-Udell
Analysis: Lamoni will be tough, and Mormon Trail is poised to win a lot of games, but the Eagles of ACA are the clear-cut favorite this season in the Bluegrass. The conference’s two best players reside with the Eagles, Wilken and Grizzle, and those two, along with a talented supporting cast are thinking Wells Fargo Arena or bust.
Preseason Player of the Year: Drew Wilken, Ankeny Christian Academy (2018)
The conference’s leading returning scorer, it’s a high degree of skill and some nice athleticsm that make this ACA guard the easy pick for P.O.T.Y. Last season, he burst onto the scene, averaging 19.4 points on 48 percent file goal percentage. And this season, he could just be good enough to guide his team to a state tourney berth come March.
Biggest Sleeper: Reece Held, Murray (2020)
Murray is always good, and this season — though they may not be quite as good as last year — the Mustangs will likely be pretty good again. And even though Held averaged just 3.2 points per game last season as a freshman, he is the team’s leading returning scorer from last season’s senior-laden squad. Look for his numbers to increase dramatically, and for him to lead Murray to another finish near the top of the conference.