Conference Preview: Lakes

<h2>The Teams</h2><p><strong>Emmetsburg</strong></p> <p>There’s reason to be optimistic for the E-Hawks, who return their top two scorers from last season&#39;s 5-17 squad. But that could be a moot point as they play in one of the most talented conferences in the state.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Estherville-Lincoln Central</strong></p> <p>The Midgets will rely heavily on some new faces to carry the load. The question is, can seniors <strong>Kyle DeVary</strong> and <strong>Alex Miller step-up</strong> and help them improve from last season’s 7-13 campaign?</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>LeMars</strong></p> <p>Last season the Bulldogs played in a classic 3A semifinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, where Tyler Borchers led them to a double OT win with 35 points and 19 rebounds. Borchers is now at Division I South Dakota, and it will be up to junior point guard <strong>Trenton Hilbrands </strong>to carry load this season -- we think he’s capable.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Spencer</strong></p> <p>A wealth of talent returns from last year’s 12-10 squad. <strong>Jake Kluender,</strong> <strong>Blake Illg, </strong>and <strong>Preston Funderburg </strong>make up one of the more talented trios in the state. Last season they couldn’t beat the conference’s best, this season they’ll have to.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Spirit Lake</strong></p> <p>With two Division I commits on the same roster, expectations will be sky high for the Indians. Iowa-commit <strong>Ryan Kreiner </strong>packs the punch inside, while North Dakota-commit <strong>Billy Brown</strong> orchestrates the backcourt.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Storm Lake</strong></p> <p>After a brutal 3-18 finish last season, the Tornadoes will look to improve behind a trio of juniors who lead the team in scoring last season, including stud point guard <strong>Parker Lange.</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Cherokee, Washington</strong></p> <p>The bad news; this team won just one game last season. The good news; its nine leading scorers are back. First priority for the Braves will be to improve upon their abysmal 39 percent shooting last season.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Western Christian</strong></p> <p>The Wolfpack are always a threat to make a deep run in the state tournament, this year is certainly no different. Every player returns from last season’s varsity roster, and this team is projecting to be historically good.</p> <h2>Projected Order of Finish</h2><p>1. Western Christian</p> <p>2. Spirit Lake</p> <p>3. Spencer</p> <p>4. LeMars</p> <p>5. Emmetsburg</p> <p>6. Estherville-Licoln Central</p> <p>7. Storm Lake</p> <p>8. Cherokee, Washington</p> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>Yes, Spirit Lake has the two Division I commits, but Western Christian is loaded with talent and experience from top to bottom. It will be a dogfight each time the top three projected teams face each other. But the Wolfpack are our slight favorites to take a conference title.  </p> <h2>Preseason Player of the year</h2><p><strong>Ryan Kriener, Spirit Lake, 2016:</strong> 19.8 ppg, 71 3FG%, 8.5 rpg</p> <h2>Biggest Sleeper</h2><p><strong>Ben Gesink, Western Christian, 2017:</strong> He started last season on a state-qualifying team, so he&#39;s not completely unknown. But after being a solid role player as a sophomore, we anticipate Gesink will be the X-factor for the Wolfpack this season. A difference-maker that propels them to be favorites to take home a 2A title. </p> <h2>players to watch</h2><p><strong>Ryan Kriener, Spirit Lake, 2016</strong></p> <p><strong>Billy Brown, Spirit Lake, 2016</strong></p> <p><strong>Preston Funderburg, Spencer, 2016</strong></p> <p><strong>Blake Illg, Spencer, 2016</strong></p> <p><strong>Jake Kluender, Spencer, 2016</strong></p> <p><strong>Parker Lange, Storm Lake, 2017</strong></p> <p><strong>Trenton Hilbrands, LeMars, 2017</strong></p> <p><strong>Taylor Meidema, Western Christian, 2016<br /> <br /> Josh Van Lingen, Western Christian, 2016</strong></p> <p><strong>Thomas Schultes, Emmetsburg, 2017</strong></p>