Conference Preview: River Valley South
THE TEAMS Durant (12-10): The Wildcats looked like one of the state’s biggest surprise teams last season, starting out 10-0 before faltering down the stretch and losing 10 of their final 12 games. Luke Whitlock (8.2) is the only returnee who…
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Continue ReadingTHE TEAMS
Durant (12-10): The Wildcats looked like one of the state’s biggest surprise teams last season, starting out 10-0 before faltering down the stretch and losing 10 of their final 12 games. Luke Whitlock (8.2) is the only returnee who scored more than 50 points last season, so don’t expect this group to get off to another 10-0 start. They’ll need to get some big production out of guys like Ty Chenault (2.4) and Josh Hein (21.), looking to build on solid sophomore and freshman seasons, respectively.
Iowa City Regina (15-10): The Regals lose their top two scorers from last season, but this is a group that is going to be very good. They may be led by freshman big man Even Brauns, a highly skilled player who can score on the block and is a very good passer. The Regals will flank him with a number of three-point shooters, headlined by Jocoa Kerschen (7.8, 45.7 3P%). A role player on last year’s team, look for Kerschen to have a huge season. Tommy Rapp (6.2), Jake Phillips (6.1), Sam Stein (4.8), Ryne Schooley (4.3) and Jack Jensen (2.5) are all back, and each of them are capable shooters from the arc. Add in sophomore guard Bryce Barnett, a heady combo guard who can make plays with the ball in his hands, and this group may be the team to beat in the division.
Mid-Prairie (1-21): It was a rough year for the Hawks last season, but expect a few more wins to come this season with Caleb Statler (7.6), Derek Rich (6.5) and Nathan Reed (4.6) back from last year’s rotation. This still won’t be a team that will contend for a division title, but they should improve to the four or five win area.
Tipton (13-10): Three of the top four scorers need to be replaced, but big man Logan Hoffman (11.7 points, 6.3 rebounds) returns on the interior, giving the Tigers a nice piece to build around. Look for Hoffman to have a huge year, possibly approaching a double-double average. Daulton Mente (4.8) will be asked to be the new scoring threat on the perimeter, and they’ll need Zach Ford (1.9) to emerge as a legitimate third option. Hoffman will be good enough to carry them to some wins, but this is likely a middle-of-the-pack team in the division.
West Branch (8-14): The dynamic duo of Cooper Kabela (17.6) and Beau Cornwell (13.9) return for the Bears, looking to improve on their eight wins from a year ago. Kabela is arguably the best player in the league, and Cornwell showed just how explosive he can be with a 46 point game against Mid-Prairie last season as a freshman. The bad news for West Branch is that outside of that duo, the next leading returnee is Brandon Rummelhart, who scored just 21 points last season. They’ll need to find some replacements for last year’s graduated role players if they want to make a significant leap.
West Liberty (9-13): Noah (11.3) and Seth (7.0) Feldman both return for the Comets, giving them some continuity at the top of their rotation. Seth had a solid freshman season, and if he can improve his efficiency (shot 32% from the floor, 29.1% from 3), he could take a major step forward this season. Junior guard Tanner Iske (2.3) will be asked to take on a bigger role as well, but look for Noah Feldman to take this team over after being Brady Smith’s sidekick last season. We don’t see them pushing Regina, but given what the rest of the teams in the division lost, they could certainly make a run towards the top three in the league.
Wilton (16-9): The top three scorers from last year’s team have graduated, but there is still some reason for optimism for the Beavers. Jake Lenker (8.5) was solid last year as the fourth option, and should adjust well to being the focal point of the offense. Matt Paustian (4.6) and Kaleb Timmsen (3.6) saw significant playing time and are also back. They won’t be as good as they were a season ago, but the Beavers should still finish in the upper half of the division.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Iowa City Regina
2. Wilton
3. West Branch
4. West Liberty
5. Tipton
6. Durant
7. Mid-Prairie
Analysis: Despite losing their top two scorers, Regina looks like a pretty solid favorite in this division. The Regals have a ton of perimeter shooting, a young big man who will make a name for himself sooner than later, and a veteran coach who has won a ton of games. The rest of the division all have the look of teams that you probably won’t want to see in your district come late February.
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Cooper Kabela, West Branch, 2017: 17.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 48.4 FG%, 74.8 FT%
Kabela was the second leading scorer in the division last year, and seems like a pretty safe bet to take the crown this season. A big, strong, versatile wing, he’s a good passer, efficient offensively and gets after it on the glass on both ends of the floor. The top player in the division (and maybe the whole conference), and the biggest matchup problem.
BIGGEST SLEEPER
Sam Stein, Iowa City Regina, 2017: An impressive athlete, Stein figures to play a much more significant role for the Regals this season after averaging 4.8 points last season. The 6-1 wing was very impressive in the Dynasty Fall League, scoring from anywhere on the floor, and he should be a big piece for a Regina team that figures to be among the best in the league.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cooper Kabela, West Branch, 2017
Beau Cornwell, West Branch, 2019
Logan Hoffman, Tipton, 2018
Jocoa Kerschen, Iowa City Regina, 2018
Tommy Rapp, Iowa City Regina, 2017
Even Brauns, Iowa City Regina, 2020
Sam Stein, Iowa City Regina, 2017
Noah Feldman, West Liberty, 2017
Jake Lenker, Wilton, 2017
Luke Whitlock, Durant, 2017
Caleb Statler, Mid-Prairie, 2017