Conference Preview: Rolling Valley
The Teams AR-WE-VA: Last season’s conference champs will be better this season, that’s trouble for the rest of the Rolling Valley. After a 19-3 finish in 2015-16, the Rockets return all five starters and their nine leading scorers. We have…
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Continue ReadingThe Teams
AR-WE-VA: Last season’s conference champs will be better this season, that’s trouble for the rest of the Rolling Valley. After a 19-3 finish in 2015-16, the Rockets return all five starters and their nine leading scorers. We have them No.7 in our “Way Too Early Top 10”
Boyer Valley: They have the preseason player of the year with junior guard Joe Weber. And they also return every single player from last season’s 16-7 team. It’s going to be a fun season for the Bulldogs. We have them No.9 in the “Way Too Early” 1A poll.
CAM: The Cougars limped to a 8-14 mark last season, but should see some major improvement this season with an experienced bunch of guys coming back. Thomas Hensely is one of the conference’s best scorers – he averaged 19.2 points per game last season as a sophomore.
Charter Oak-Ute: Another team in this tough conference that brings back every single player from last year’s roster.The Bobcats were 7-14 last season, but with the wealth of experience returning, expect that win total to increase.
Coon Rapids-Bayard: The youth movement is real in the Rolling Valley, and sophomore Ben Obert will lead the way for the Crusaders after leading them in scoring last season as a freshman. Look for improvements with this team as well, it returns all five starters from last season’s 7-14 squad.
Exira-EH-K: Another real contender in the Rolling Valley, the Spartans have some nice size to go along with some experienced guard play. AR-WE-VA and Boyer Valley may be the top two, but this team will be right there.
Glidden-Ralston: After a middling 2015-16 campaign that saw the Wildcats finish 11-11, it will be a very much new-look team that will try and get them over the hump this winter. Senior Cameron Carroll is the lone returning starter from last season’s team.
Paton-Churdan: A pair of terrific 2018s will be leading the Rockets this season. Joe Tower and Jake Berns averaged 26 points per game between them last season, and Paton-Churdan is another team that should find themselves near the top of the conference standings when the dust settles this winter.
West Harrison: Their top two scorers are back, including leading scorer and youngster Ty Houston. But with such a loaded and experienced field coming back in the conference, it could be tough for the Hawkeyes to gain much ground.
Woodbine: They were 8-15 last winter and five of that team’s top six scorers are gone. It could be tough sledding this winter for Garrett Reisz and the Tigers.
Projected Order of Finish
- AR-WE-VA
- Boyer Valley
- Exira-EHK
- Paton-Churdan
- CAM
- Charter Oak-Ute
- Coon Rapids-Bayard
- West Harrison
- Glidden-Ralson
- Woodbine
Analysis
What a talented bunch of players and teams this season representing the Rolling Valley. It’s no guarantee that AR-WE-VA will take home the crown again; not with Boyer Valley returning everyone and very talented teams Exira-EHK and Paton-Churdan in the mix. This will be a fun conference this season, no question.
Preseason Player of the Year
Joe Weber, 5’8, Boyer Valley
For two years now the small but supremely effective combo guard has been torching opposing defenses with his offensive prowess. As a freshman he averaged 15 points per game, last season he upped that average to 20.1. If the trend continues he could be not only the conference’s leading scorers, but one of the state’s top scorers.
Biggest Sleeper
Dakota Rold, 6’6, Exira-EHK
This sophomore was very effective last season as a freshman with the Spartans. But after a summer spent with Tryon Gym on the 15U circuit, he’ll be much improved this season. His defense it what we think will make him a game-changer. Rold averaged 2.7 swats per game as a freshman — that’s big time.
Players to Watch
Joe Weber, 5’8, Boyer Valley
Derek Schurke, 5’8, AR-WE-VA
Thomas Hensley, 5’9, CAM
Nicholas Holste, CAM
Alex Kock, 6’4, AR-WE-VA
Jalen Malone, 6’2, Boyer Valley
Ben Obert, 6’3, Coon Rapids-Bayard
Dakota Rold, 6’7, Exira-EHK
Joe Tower, Paton-Churdan