Conference Preview: Corner
THE TEAMS East Mills (9-11): Leading scorer Weston Copperstone (10.8) is back for the Wolverines, as are rotation players Noah Hillyer (6.2), Kameron Wederquist (5.7), Matt Glockel (4.7) and Jordan Childers (3.7). If this group can do a better job taking…
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Continue ReadingTHE TEAMS
East Mills (9-11): Leading scorer Weston Copperstone (10.8) is back for the Wolverines, as are rotation players Noah Hillyer (6.2), Kameron Wederquist (5.7), Matt Glockel (4.7) and Jordan Childers (3.7). If this group can do a better job taking care of the ball (153 assists to 315 turnovers last season) and improve their efficiency (39.8 FG%), they could make a run towards the top of the conference.
Essex (9-14): Three of the top four scorers are back for the Trojans, headlined by Jaymn Vandusen (13.5). Gunnar Glasgo (10.5) and Cody Davis (7.4) are also back. Davis averaged 10 rebounds a game last season despite being listed at just 5-11 on the roster, proving how tough he is on the interior. If the standout trio can become more efficient (Vandusen 35.9 FG%, Glasgo 32.9, Davis 43.8), they could greatly improve their win total.
Fremont-Mills, Tabor (16-7): With the top four scorers back for the Knights, this is the team that looks primed to take control over the conference. They’ll be led by our preseason player of the year, Sam Phillips (15.0), who is also one of the league’s best rebounders. Dalian Melgoza (9.1), Carter Jennings (8.8) and Parker Powers (7.6) are all back for this group that only lost three conference games last season (two coming to Stanton, by four and one point). Don’t be surprised if this group gets off to a somewhat slow start after making another deep run in the football playoffs. This team should not only be considered the favorite in the league, but they’ve also got a chance to make it to Des Moines for the first time.
Heartland Christian (0-19): Leading scorer Lon Gray is gone from last year’s winless team, and despite returning everyone else, there can’t be too much reason for optimism when they shot just 21% from the floor and scored 26.2 points a game last season. Brenden Dingus (9.8) figures to lead them this season.
Nishnabotna (12-9): There will be quite a bit of roster turnover for the Blue Devils, as they lose four of their top five scorers from last season. Josh Lehman (10.1, 55.1 FG%) is back after a good sophomore season, as is Bryson Duncan (3.3). Bryce Moran (37 points) is the only other player who saw any significant playing time last season. Lehman is a solid building block, an efficient offensive player, but we’ll have to see how he adjusts to being the complete focal point of an opponent’s game plan after losing a pair of other double figure scorers.
Sidney (11-10): If you’re looking for a team that could make a big leap up the standings and push Fremont-Mills, look no further than the Cowboys. Second leading scorer Dylan Lucas and his 13 points a game are gone, but he’s the only player from last year’s roster that doesn’t return. They’ll be led by Cameron Whitehead (14.9), an efficient offensive player who shot better than 50% from the floor and better than 45% from the arc last season. Rotation players Chase Reed (7.7), Devon Graham (5.6), Cody Dupre (5.1), Brad Clark (3.4) and Brandon Logan (4.6) all are back with plenty of experience as well.
Stanton (22-3): The Vikings lose the top three scorers from last year’s 22-win team, but return plenty of other players who gained valuable experience last season. They’ll be led by Connor Hultman (8.4), Drake Johnson (7.8) and Easton Blunt (6.8). Johnson and Blunt are solid guards who take fairly good care of the ball and can score, while Hultman does his damage in the paint. Role players Reece Anderson (2.6), Donnie Weis (2.7) and Chris Herbert (2.1) will need to take on bigger roles this season. This team should still figure into the conference title race.
Note: Clarinda Academy is also in the Corner Conference, but they are a residential foster care facility that has complete roster turnover every year. Therefore, we don’t know what to expect from them.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Fremont-Mills, Tabor
2. Stanton
3. Sidney
4. Essex
5. East Mills
6. Nishnabotna
7. Heartland Christian
Analysis: With so much returning from last year’s 16-win team, Fremont-Mills looks like a pretty solid favorite here. However, teams two through five all look capable of notching quite a few wins as well, and could be dangerous come postseason play.
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sam Phillips, Fremont-Mills, Tabor, 2017: 15.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 48.0 FG%
The leading returning scorer, Phillips appears to be a decent bet to lead the conference in scoring, especially if he can improve upon his 57.8% shooting from the free throw line.
BIGGEST SLEEPER
Cody Davis, Essex, 2017: Despite being listed at just 5-11 on last year’s roster, Davis pulled down 10 rebounds a game. He’s a tough player who isn’t afraid to bang on the glass and could approach a double-double average this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sam Phillips, Fremont-Mills, Tabor, 2017
Dalian Melgoza, Fremont-Mills, Tabor, 2017
Parker Powers, Fremont-Mills, Tabor, 2017
Cameron Whitehead, Sidney, 2018
Jaymn Vandusen, Essex, 2017
Cody Davis, Essex, 2017
Gunnar Glasgo, Essex, 2017
Josh Lehman, Nishnabotna, 2018
Weston Copperstone, East Mills, 2017
Drake Johnson, Stanton, 2019