Iron Range Conference Preview
Last season, the Virginia Blue Devils ran away and hid with the Conference Championship, finishing the conference schedule with an undefeated record. The rest of the conference could still be chasing them this year, as they return many key pieces from a year ago.
However, it won’t be a foregone conclusion. There are a number of talented players returning for other teams in the conference, and if the ball bounces their way, it could make for an interesting season on The Range.
Conference Commentary
Favorites: Virginia, Hibbing
After a strong regular season, and an undefeated conference record, the Blue Devils were disappointed to finish the season with a loss in the section semifinals to Crosby-Ironton. The bar for this year appears to be set high after a 25-4 season in 2016-2017.
One of their concerns will be in the backcourt, as they graduated three perimeter players after last season. While it will be wait-and-see in the backcourt, they will have one of the strongest frontcourts around. They return a pair of 6’8” All-Conference Players in University of Minnesota-Duluth commit Ethan Youso (18.7 PPG, 9.3 REB) and University of South Dakota football commit Bryce Kennedy (10.4 PPG, 8.4 REB). If the Blue Devils can get significant contributions from fellow seniors Riley Dishneau-Jacobson, Beau Foix and Miles Koski, look for Virginia to make a run to the State Tournament.
High expectations for last season were dashed due to injuries and illness, but this year’s Hibbing Bluejacket team looks to rebound in a big way after a 10-17 campaign.
Their biggest challenge this season will be a lack of size and experience, but they return a trio of contributors from last season that will lead the way. This trio is led by junior Luke Lundell (13.2 PPG, 3.0 REB, 2 AST), who is one of the premier shooters in the conference.
Will Durie (7.5 PPG, 3.5 REB, 2.5 AST) and Phil Rebrovich (3.3 PPG, 3 REB) will aid Lundell in their quest to contend for the IRC Conference Title.
Contenders: Chisholm, Mesabi East
Last season, Chisholm finished with a 17-11 record that they look to build on this year. Their lack of size and depth could be problems this season, but they return a solid nucleus from last year and are built for success in the next two seasons.
They only have 2 seniors on the roster, led by Andrew Varda. He will be joined by a very solid group of juniors that have considerable varsity experience, Eli Sundquist, Alec Pessenda, and Justin Pioske.
In typical Bluestreak fashion, this team will defend and make things tough on opposing offenses night-in and night-out.
Mesabi East was a young team last year, and a host of injuries hampered them down the stretch, finishing with a first round playoff loss and an 11-15 record.
They still do not have a senior on the team, but a dynamic pair of juniors will make them a contender for the conference title. Point guard Carson Becicka suffered a broken wrist that sidelined him for 17 games last season, but he showed why he is one of the top guards in the area when he was healthy, averaging 15 PPG and 5 AST. He will be joined by 6’6” junior, Tyler Baribeau, who averaged a double-double last season, with 17 PPG and 11 REB.
When you include sophomore Tyler Ritter (9 PPG, 6 REB) and 6’7” defensive presence, John Larson, Mesabi East has the ingredients to be a dark-horse pick in the Iron Range Conference.
The Rest: Deer River, International Falls, Eveleth-Gilbert, Greenway
A solid regular season for Deer River ended in disappointment as their shooting went cold in Romano Gymnasium at UMD. It will be a younger group this season for Coach Williams, but there are a few key pieces back from last season.
Senior PG Garrett Schjenken (8.6 PPG, 4 AST, and 4 REB) will steer the ship for Deer River, while juniors Kyle Shevich (8.5 PPG, 3 REB) and Noah Williams (9.4 PPG, 7 REB) hope to provide more scoring punch. Coach Williams hopes this team continues to grow as the season progresses, hopefully making them a tough out come playoff time.
International Falls is in their first season under new head coach, Amis Mackenzie. He will be looking to build off of a 12-14 record and a second-round playoff exit last season.
They will be trying to replace the scoring of Ben Everson from last season, and a trio of juniors in Armando Barrios, Max Olson, and Taylor Wilson should help. Senior, Tanner Budris will also contribute for the Broncos this season.
Eveleth-Gilbert graduated a pair of key contributors from last season, Tyler Kemp and Joey Addy. However, they return a trio of seniors that bring with them considerable varsity skills and experience in Sam Albrecht, Kyle Sickel, and Kyle Kvitek. Their senior leadership should make them a gritty bunch this season.
Greenway could make things interesting in the conference this season, as they bring back one of the more explosive scorers in the conference, sophomore Dylan DeChampeau. He’ll be joined by junior Jace Hansen-Cochran. They may be relying on younger talent, but do not sleep on Greenway this season.
Conference Prediction
- Virginia
- Hibbing
- Mesabi East
- Chisholm
- Greenway
- Deer River
- Eveleth-Gilbert
- International Falls
Preseason All-Conference
First Team:
Carson Becicka – Mesabi East – Jr.
Luke Lundell – Hibbing – Jr.
Tyler Baribeau – Mesabi East – Jr.
Ethan Youso – Virginia – Sr.
Bryce Kennedy – Virginia – Sr.
Second Team:
Eli Sundquist – Chisholm – Jr.
Sam Albrecht – Eveleth-Gilbert – Sr.
Dylan DeChampeau – Greenway – So.
Noah Williams – Deer River – Jr.
Jace Hansen-Cochran – Greenway – Jr.