Conference Preview: CIML Eastern
The Teams Ankeny: After graduating nine seniors from last season’s 18-5 squad, the Hawks will be led by its lone junior starter from that team, Drew Maschoff. Ben Lyon is a 2018 guard who transferred in from Ankeny Christian Academy…
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Continue ReadingThe Teams
Ankeny: After graduating nine seniors from last season’s 18-5 squad, the Hawks will be led by its lone junior starter from that team, Drew Maschoff. Ben Lyon is a 2018 guard who transferred in from Ankeny Christian Academy last season. The two of them make up one of the more formidable duos in the conference.
Ankeny Centennial: With some nice junior talent coming up this season, the Jags could be one of the surprise squads in the CIML. We know that Truman State signee Connor Kasperbauer is one of the state’s best shooters, he’ll be the team’s senior leader. Junior big-man Carter Bachman will provide some size and grit in the paint, fellow 2018 Chance Gibbons should be considered the conference’s breakout star.
Southeast Polk: The Rams suffered a devastating blow when preseason all-conference point guard Jackson Cole broke his hand at the end of football season, he’s out for the season. Grant Arnold is a junior who could absorb some of that missed production. But it could be tough for the Rams to fill that void.
Waukee: This is a program that keeps getting stronger, and the Warriors should be considered one on a short list of teams that will compete for a 4A title this March. Drew Johnson brings skill and experience in the backcourt, and Jacob Rau should be on the the state’s best bigs. Two of Iowa’s top sophomores Noah Hart and Dylan Jones will make a huge impact. And junior Nathan Johnson recently picked up a Division I offer from Air Force.
Projected Order of Finish
- Waukee
- Ankeny Centennial
- Ankeny
- Southeast Polk
Analysis
Waukee should be considered the runaway favorites in this conference, not because the other teams lack talent, but because the Warriors are chock-full of it. They may have the best 2019 tandem in the state with Noah Hart and Dylan Jones, and both will likely be making impacts off the bench. The Warriors will be thinking state tournament or bust this winter.
Preseason Player of the Year
Drew Maschoff, 6’3, Ankeny
After starting last season as a the lone junior starter on a senior-laden team, Maschoff is poised to have huge senior season with the Hawks. He’ll lead a new-look Ankeny squad and will utilize great bounce, a tight handle and sharpshooting ability to likely torch opponents all winter. The Sioux Falls commit should be an all-state candidate this season.
Biggest Sleeper
Ben Lyon, 6’2, Ankeny
After playing heavy minutes with Ankeny Christian Academy his freshman season, and transferring into Ankeny last season, it seems Lyon is ready to make a huge impression on the CIML. He had to sit out the first part of last season, and there was no room for him to make an impact on the Hawks’ senior-laden squad after he became eligible. All those seniors are gone now, and Lyon has proven to have the skill to become one of 2018’s best guards.
Players to Watch
Drew Maschoff, 6’3, Ankeny
Jacob Rau, 6’7, Waukee
Drew Johnson, 5’11, Waukee
Connor Kasperbauer, 6’4, Ankeny Centennial
Dylan Jones, 6’7, Waukee
Noah Hart, 6’2, Waukee
Grant Arnold, 6’4, Southeast Polk
Cade Longnecker, 6′, Waukee
Nathan Johnson, 6’6, Waukee
Ben Lyon, 6’2, Ankeny
Chance Gibbons, 6’3, Ankeny Centennial