Conference Preview: Top of Iowa (East)
The Teams Central Springs: The Panthers had a miserable season last winter, winners of just two games, and losers of their final 14 games. And though they do have a nice crop of key players returning, several productive seniors from…
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Continue ReadingThe Teams
Central Springs: The Panthers had a miserable season last winter, winners of just two games, and losers of their final 14 games. And though they do have a nice crop of key players returning, several productive seniors from last season’s squad have moved on. There’s only up to go, but we expect this team to finish in the bottom half once again.
Nashua-Plainfield: After winning just four games last season the Huskies will look to up that total behind leading returning scorer Dayton Hansen. And though their top two scorers from a season ago are gone, there is a corps group of experienced guys ready to take the reins.
Newman Catholic: Watch out for the Knights, it appears they could be contenders for a conference title this winter. After winning 14 games last season, they return a very talented and still-young group of guys. Junior Justin Fausnaugh and sophomore Brady Gatton led the team in scoring last season and will again lead the charge this year.
North Butler: A slew of seniors have graduated from last season’s 13-8 squad. And it will be up to Dylan Clipperton and group of newcomers to keep try and keep that success from last season alive. They may not get back to that 13 win total this season, but watch out for the Bearcats next winter.
Northwood-Kensett: Tom Fick is a tremendous player for the Vikings and he could again average a double-double this season, that’s the good news. The bad news is that he’s the only guy who played regular minutes that is coming back from last season’s 12-10 squad.
Osage: After a state tournament berth in 2016, it would appear the Green Devils are posed for another terrific season. Three regular starters return from that state tournament team, and that talent coupled with the experience should be key for another deep post-season run.
Rockford: Zach Bushbaum, Jake Staudt and Alex Schriever will be at the helm this season for a Warriors team that is looking to propel itself into the upper half of the standings. After an 8-15 campaign last season, we’re expecting at least double-digit wins this winter.
Saint Angsar: With one of the best players in the conference coming back, Ben Boerjan and the Saints have reason to be optimistic. It’s not just Boerjan, Cole Willert was a key contributor and regular starter last season also. They may not win a conference title, but they’ll win their fair share of games.
West Fork: We don’t have the exact numbers, but we’re certain that West Fork has been one of the most successful programs in the state over the past decade. Year in and year out they are the class of the conference, and despite graduating many key players, we don’t expect that dominance to stop this season.
Projected Order of Finish
- West Fork
- Newman Catholic
- Osage
- Rockford
- Saint Angsar
- Northwood-Kensett
- North Butler
- Nashua-Plainfield
- Central Springs
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Player of the Year
Tom Fick, 6’3, Northwood-Kensett
Iowa’s 135th-ranked 2017, Fick is the only ranked senior in the Top of Iowa East. Last season as a junior, the Vikings big-man was one of just a handful of players in the state to average a double (points, rebounds). He is able to to step out and hit a 3-ball too. We expect Fick to put up huge numbers this winter.
Biggest Sleeper
Travis Fekkers, 6’2, West Fork
He averaged 9.1 points per game last season and is certainly a name that coaches and players around the conference know well. But look for Fekkers to up his production considerably this winter as he becomes the new leader of a West Fork program that routinely wins 20 games a year.
Players to Watch
Tom Fick, 6’3, Northwood-Kensett
Drew Olson, 6’2, Osage
Ben Boerjan, 6’1, Saint Angsar
Zach Bushbaum, Rockford
Travis Fekkers, 6’2, West Fork
Brady Gatton, 6’1, Newman Catholic
Justin Fausnaugh, 5’11, Newman Catholic
Daniel Hennigar, 6’2, Central Springs
Dylan Clipperton, 5’10, North Butler
Lucas Shwamann, 6’3, Osage