Way Too Early Top 10: Class 1A
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With July’s evaluation period now behind us, and plenty of time to kill between now and late November, it’s time to take a look at who we believe will be some of the teams to keep an eye on in each classification this winter. And, since everyone likes rankings, why not roll out a de facto pre-season top 10 for each class, with our “Way Too Early” top 10 lists. Below you’ll find our top 10 for Class 1A, along with some other teams that could make some noise, as well as a brief summary of why each team is in their respective spot. Enjoy.
Upper Iowa commit Joe Smoldt is 1A’s top talent1.) Gladbrook-Reinbeck (State semifinalist, 24-4 last year, 68.3% of scoring back)
The best player in the class plays for the Rebels in Upper Iowa commit Joe Smoldt, a dynamic scoring guard who can do damage in any number of ways. Smoldt, who averaged 25.3 points last year, in addition to dishing out 134 assists, will be joined by a fair number of returnees, headlined by Tyler Pierce (7.3 points per game) and Matt Roeding (7.4). That duo gives the Rebels solid size on the interior, and if they can get some increased production out of junior wing Caden Kickbush (5.2), they will be very dangerous. In a year where there doesn’t appear to be an overwhelming favorite, we’ll give the nod to the team that will have the best player on the floor each and every game.
2.) Lone Tree (18-6 last year, 99.9% of scoring back)
The Lions lose just two points from last year’s 18-win group, bringing back a highly talented point guard in Jovonte Squiers who averaged 16 points and just under eight assists per game. Niko Gosnell, a lanky post player, also returns after scoring 11 points and six rebounds a night. Last season was his first playing on the interior after a big growth spurt, so he should be even better with an additional year under his belt. Four other rotation players return after averaging between 6.9 and 8.4 points per game, and if they can get some improved perimeter shooting from the likes of Squiers, Ross Swington and Dawson Swails, this team will be a force all season.
3.) North Linn (21-2 last year, 74.0% of scoring back)
A trio of double figure scorers return for the Lynx, headlined by arguably the best pure point guard in the class in sophomore Jake Hilmer. Hilmer, a stat sheet stuffer, averaged 16.5 points and 8.9 assists per game, while also swiping 4.4 steals a night. The dynamic floor general is joined by Ryan Miller (11.8 points per game), David Seber (10.3) and Logan Novak (9.4). They don’t have much size, but this is a team that will run all night long and will look to outscore their opponents with an up-tempo attack. This was an extremely young team last season, with three underclassmen (Miller a sophomore, Hilmer and Seber were freshmen) that gained a load of valuable experience and should be even better this year.
4.) Lynnville-Sully (23-2 last year, 58.2% of scoring back)
A pair of double figure scorers return for the Hawks in Tyler Van Zante (11.3 points per game) and Jesse Van Wyk (10.6). Also back is Rylan James, who averaged just under seven points a night as a freshman, and figures to take a significant step forward as a sophomore. The big news here, however, is the addition of former Grinnell guard Brevin Hansen, one of the state’s top shooters. Playing on a good 3A team last year as a sophomore, Hansen averaged 6.2 points and shot 46.6% from the arc. Stepping down a pair of classes should be huge for him. Traditionally one of the top defensive teams in the class, adding a shooter with the talent of Hansen should be huge for this group as they look to return to the state tournament for the first time since 2011.
5.) Danville (State qualifier, 24-2 last year, 57.1% of scoring back)
Perennial contender Danville will be back in the mix yet again, with a number of players returning who are ready to take on bigger roles for the Bears. Leading scorer Dillon Sanchez and point guard Mason Lorber have graudated, but three double figure scorers return in Mitch Martin (10.9 points per game), Cole Perkins (10.0) and Kolton Jackson (12.5). Big man Kaleb Haeffner (8.8 points, 5.5 rebounds) is also back on the interior, giving Danville a quartet of very good returnees. Look for guys like Bryce Carr, Anthony Sanchez and Sawyer Foster to make impacts as well. The Bears are going to score in bunches, like they do every year, and it would be foolish to bet against them making another trip to Des Moines.
6.) Grand View Christian (State qualifier, 25-2 last year, 56.5% of scoring back)
The state’s top scoring team from last season returns plenty of firepower with the return of Stephen Glenn (15.6 points) and Grant DeMeulenaere (11.6), and a system that gets a lot of players involved. Arturo Montes (6.8, 6.3 rebounds) is back after a good freshman year, and he should be a force on the interior. The Thunder have added a number of new players, with former Storm Lake guard Mach Nyaw, as well as a 6’7″ exchange student who should provide some nice size in the paint. While their schedule won’t challenge them too much, this team will rack up high-scoring wins again this season. The question will be whether or not the schedule ends up hurting them come tournament time.
7.) Ar-We-Va (19-3 last year, 98.6% of scoring back)
All but 19 points are back from last year’s 19-win Rockets team, led by Derek Schurke (14.8 points per game) and Zack Kraus (13.1). Alex Kock (9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds), Drew Schurke (9.1 points, 4.7 assists) and Jake Danner (9.1 points, 8.6 rebounds) fill out a talented starting lineup that should improve upon last year’s disappointing early postseason exit.
8.) Montezuma (22-3 last year, 74.2% of scoring back)
Last year’s second leading scorer, Brody McKeag, is gone, but every other contributor from last year is back, headlined by leading scorer Dakota Strong (15.9 points). Strong does a significant portion of his damage from behind the arc, with nearly 70% of his field goal attempts coming from deep. Logan Price (10.3 points, 7.6 rebounds) and Zach Townsend (6.4 points, 7.1 rebounds) are a formidable duo who do a great job controlling the glass. The Braves held teams to just 38 points per game last year, tops in the class. Don’t look for much to change on that end of the floor.
9.) Boyer Valley (16-7 last year, 100% of scoring back)
Every player from last year’s team returns, headlined by dynamic scoring guard Joe Weber (20.1 points per game). The Bulldogs played in a number of close games last year, with over half of their games decided by single digits. They’ll need to improve on their three-point shooting, as they shot just 28.2% from the arc, despite Weber leading the team in attempts (135) and making 40.7% of them. If the Bulldogs can become a more balanced offensive team (Weber scored 37.3% of their points), they can be a dangerous group.
10.) New London (13-10 last year, 93.1% of scoring back)
Mason Porter is back after a sensational freshman season in which he averaged 16.6 points and led the team in rebounding (9.3 per game). Ben Dentlinger (15.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 88 blocks) is an imposing force in the paint who makes his presence known on both ends of the floor, and sophomore point guard Keontae Luckett was very good last year as well, posting 113 assists to just 50 turnovers. Isaac McSorely, another sophomore who had a good freshman year, provides some perimeter scoring. If the Tigers can become a more efficient offensive team (39.4 FG% last year), they can make a big step forward. And with the number of freshmen they had playing key roles last year, expect that to happen.
Five more teams to watch
Lisbon (14-10 last year, 82.1% of scoring back)
The Lions were led last year by a big group of sophomores, and with those now-juniors having gained another year of varsity experience, they should be more dangerous. They’re led by the duo of Bailey Arwine (16.9 points per game) and Brett Givens (12.3). Both are versatile threats, and Arwine is one of the best players on the floor every time he steps on it. If the Lions can get some more efficient production out of their role players (returnees not named Arwine or Givens shot a combined 38% from the floor), they can take the next step forward.
Central Lyon (17-8 last year, 32.6% of scoring back)
A big chunk of last year’s 17-win team is gone, but Riley Van Wyhe (17.4 points, 59.5 FG%) returns, meaning that the Lions will still be dangerous. Some team from the Siouxland Conference will be dangerous come postseason time, and with one of the best players in the class in tow, Central Lyon is as good a bet as any.
Siouxland Christian (15-8 last year, 87.4% of scoring back)
Armed with one of the classes’ most explosive scoring threats, Siouxland Christian has a great chance to take the next step and contend for a state tournament berth this winter. Christian Kyles (24.8 points per game) shot above 50% from the floor, in addition to shooting 43.5% from the arc, last season. He’s joined by Jeremiah Bor Khat (14.0) to provide a potent one-two punch. The Eagles will need to get more production out of the rest of their roster, as Kyles and Bor Khat scored 65% of their points last season.
Exira-EHK (17-6 last year, 80.3% of scoring back)
Three important pieces are back for the Spartans in Drew Buckholdt (11.3 points per game), Noah Pettepier (10.6) and Dakota Rold (9.0). Rold had a very strong freshman year, shooting 65.5% from the floor and blocking 61 shots for Exira. Also back is sophomore point guard Cole Burmeister, who dished out 100 assists as a freshman and only had 55 turnovers. With four key pieces back, this team should improve on their 17-win campaign and be a threat to make it to Des Moines.
Council Bluffs, St. Albert (State runners up, 17-10 last year, 57.9% of scoring back)
Last year’s runners up, the Falcons lose a big piece in sharpshooter Travis Miller, as well as guard Drew Carlson. However, a quartet of talented juniors are ready to take on bigger roles in big man Matt Fagan (9.3 points, 8.1 rebounds), point guard Jake Carley (7.2 points, 93 assists), athletic wing Tyler Blaha (6.5 points) and 6-7 forward Joe Liston (4.8 points, 4.7 rebounds). They start the season outside of the top 10 because we want to see how this quartet adjusts to being one of the “hunted” teams, but there is no doubt they’ll be in contention again come late February/early March. Playing a majority 3A schedule will hurt their overall record, but they’ll be ready to go come playoff time.
Disagree with anything we’ve said here? Let us know in the comments section below.