Iowa Mavericks program director Tyler Cleveland helped us preview his program by offering up some thoughts on each of their high school level teams. Below you'll find rosters, the program's schedule, Cleveland's thoughts on each group, and Tony Roe's thoughts on each group as well. This is our grassroots preview of the Iowa Mavericks.
17U Purple
Head coach: Miguel Villagrana, Solon sophomore coach
| Name |
Height |
School |
| Drew Olson |
6-1 |
Osage |
| Kyler Bell |
6-0 |
Cedar Rapids Jefferson |
| Nolan Ruff |
5-11 |
Linn-Mar |
| Lucas Schwamman |
6-3 |
Osage |
| Tyler Kelley |
6-4 |
West Delaware |
| Griffen Clark |
5-10 |
Cedar Rapids Prairie |
| Jerod Redenius |
6-6 |
Decorah |
| Nick Bockman |
5-10 |
Decorah |
| Noah Schlader |
5-9 |
Charles City |
| Luke Empen |
6-7 |
Northeast, Goose Lake |
| Peter Timmerman |
6-7 |
Dubuque Wahlert |
Cleveland says: "This group will be a fun one to watch. Last year we were lacking a little bit in size with this age group, but we made some additions that we believe will benefit greatly! We've added 6-7 Lucas Empen (Northeast Goose Lake), 6-6 Jerod Redenius (Decorah), 6-4 Tyler Kelley (West Delaware) and 6-0 Kyler Bell (Cedar Rapids Jefferson). We will be fast, and a well-rounded team that will compete with any team around. Some key returners include Drew Olson (Osage), Griff Clark (Cedar Rapids Prairie), Peter Timmerman (Wahlert), Nick Bockman (Decorah) and Nolan Ruff (Linn-Mar). Hard-nosed, hard-working kids who are very coachable and will come ready to play every weekend."
Tony's take: This group has a nice mixture of talented guards and skilled forwards that should make for an entertaining brand of basketball. Kyler Bell is one of the faster kids in the state with the ball in his hands, and he'll most certainly be looking to push the tempo, while Drew Olson and Griff Clark both had highly successful junior seasons in the scoring department for their respective high school teams. Peter Timmerman is a skilled 6-7 kid who can make plays for others with the ball in his hands, and the additions of Lucas Empen and Jerod Redenius give them some much needed size on the interior. This is a talented group that should contend for a lot of championships in their tournaments throughout the spring and summer.
17U Orange
Head coach: Alex Huisman, Iowa Wesleyan University head coach
| Name |
Height |
School |
| Cole Martin |
5-10 |
Linn-Mar |
| Jacob Robertson |
6-3 |
Linn-Mar |
| Jonah Johnson |
5-11 |
Decorah |
| Tony Fortado |
5-9 |
Warsaw Academy (IL) |
| Jack Gertsen |
6-6 |
Linn-Mar |
| Ryan Carfagna |
6-0 |
Marion |
| Ben Krutzfeldt |
6-1 |
Solon |
| Mitch Gehling |
6-5 |
Dyersville Beckman |
| Grant Truax |
5-11 |
Aplington-Parkersburg |
| Raymond Thrapp |
6-4 |
Davenport Assumption |
| Austin Myli |
6-2 |
Decorah |
Cleveland says: "Our Orange group will be much improved also. This group has some size, and is very athletic. Some key additions this year are 6-4 Raymond Thrapp (Assumption) and 6-3 Jacob Robertson (Linn-Mar). Key returners include Cole Martin (Linn-Mar) and Mitch Gehling (Beckman). Also, coming off injury is 6-6 Jackson Gertsen (Linn-Mar)."
Tony's take: The size of Mitch Gehling and Jackson Gertsen are things that most programs "second teams" don't have, and that could be a major asset for this group. Both finish well around the rim and are mobile, which is good for a team that should be looking to push the tempo. Cole Martin is another coach on the floor for this group, a steadying influence on the court who values possessions and puts his teammates in places to succeed, and the addition of Raymond Thrapp gives them a bigger body who is also a versatile scorer with the ability to score from the arc or at the rim.
16U Purple
Head coach: Gabe Miller, Loras College assistant coach
| Team |
Height |
School |
| Brett Bobinet |
6-1 |
Osage |
| Luke Schockemoehl |
6-2 |
Dubuque Wahlert |
| Nathan Michels |
6-3 |
Benton Community |
| Keaton Mitchell |
6-4 |
Wapello |
| Tyler Russo |
6-4 |
North Scott |
| PJ Rundquist |
5-10 |
Wapsie Valley |
| Sam Gary |
5-10 |
Cedar Falls |
| Anthony Valainis |
6-3 |
Davenport Assumption |
| Luke Velky |
6-0 |
Waverly-Shell Rock |
| Keshawn Pegues |
6-1 |
Davenport Central |
| Mosai Newsom |
6-5 |
Waverly-Shell Rock |
Cleveland says: "Another group that will be very fast paced. Key additions are 6-3 Anthony Valainis (Assumption) and 6-1 Keshawn Pegues (Davenport Central). Team needed some height, and we got that. Team is loaded with returning talent with some great varsity experience, including Luke Velky (Waverly-Shell Rock), P.J. Rundquist (Wapsie Valley) and Mosai Newsom (Waverly-Shell Rock)."
Tony's take: As Tyler mentioned, they've got some guys with lots of varsity experience in Luke Velky, Mosai Newsom and P.J. Rundquist. Velky and Newsom were key players on a Waverly-Shell Rock team that was one of the favorites in 3A all year, and Rundquist had a game in which he scored 50 points during the high school season. That type of explosiveness is always welcome. I'm looking forward to seeing some of the kids that I don't know much about yet like Anthony Valainis and Keshawn Pegues. This group intrigues me with their mix of weapons, and I've become a big-time Mosai Newsom fan, so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing him as well.
16U Orange
Head coach: Bryan Forbes, four year starter at Briar Cliff University, former Maverick
| Name |
Height |
School |
| Carson Seeser |
6-2 |
Camanche |
| Dom Robertson |
6-0 |
Oelwein |
| Hunter Hartgrave |
5-10 |
Cedar Rapids Xavier |
| Hunter Rickels |
5-9 |
Calamus-Wheatland |
| Marshaun Carroll |
6-2 |
Dubuque Senior |
| Eli Havlik |
6-4 |
Linn-Mar |
| Landon Hermsen |
6-4 |
Dubuque Senior |
| Reed Snitker |
6-1 |
Dubuque Hempstead |
| Josh Hein |
5-10 |
Durant |
| Diontrel Wommack |
5-11 |
Davenport Central |
Cleveland says: "A lot of new faces on this team, which will be very athletic. Some varsity experience from Dom Robertson (Oelwein), Hunter Rickels (Calamus-Wheatland) and Carson Seeser (Camanche). With the new faces, it will take a weekend to see how they are in actual game play, but practice has been looking very bright with these guys!"
Tony's take: This group has some players from smaller schools with varsity experience, which should help them get acclimated to the faster paced grassroots style quicker. The Dubuque Senior duo of Marshaun Carroll and Landon Hermsen were impressive in the glimpses I saw of them during sophomore games in the high school season, and I'm anxious to see them again in this setting. This team has some length and athleticism, they'll be looking to play fast, which seems to be a common theme with this program.
15U Purple
Head coach: Tyler Cleveland, program director, former Madison East High head coach
| Name |
Height |
School |
| Cael Schmitt |
5-5 |
Dubuque Wahlert |
| Ozzie Meiborg |
5-9 |
Cedar Rapids Jefferson |
| Tate Crane |
5-11 |
Iowa City West |
| Jacob Schockemoehl |
5-11 |
Dubuque Wahlert |
| Pat Bockman |
6-2 |
Decorah |
| Jack Hester |
6-3 |
Pleasant Valley |
| Logan Paulsen |
6-4 |
Central DeWitt |
| John Steffen |
6-0 |
Linn-Mar |
| Isaac Ripley |
6-0 |
Dubuque Wahlert |
| Jai Mukraj |
6-4 |
West Des Moines Valley |
| Joe Lilienthal |
6-6 |
Durant |
Cleveland says: "In my mind, this is a top 1-2 team in the state of Iowa. Varsity experience from a few guys: 6-6 Joe Lilienthal (Durant), 6-2 Pat Bockman (Decorah). A few key additions in Isaac Ripley (Wahlert), Tate Crane (Iowa City West), Ozzie Meiborg (Cedar Rapids Jefferson), Jacob Schockemoehl (Wahlert), Cael Schmitt (Wahlert). The list could keep going. This team is very big (6-6 Lilienthal, 6-4 Jai Mukraj, 6-5 Logan Paulsen, 6-4 Jack Hester). With the combination of guard play, and dominant post presence in at all times, this team could be scary good once spring season rolls around! Player to watch: John Steffen (Linn-Mar), continuously growing into his body, and may be one of the hardest workers in our program! Very talented with some huge potential."
Tony's take: I think the only player I've seen so far out of this group is Tate Crane, a skilled lead guard who handles the ball and facilitates well. It's got a lot of size for a 15U team, and anytime a coach is this high on a team, you have to take notice. They'll be one of the groups that I make a point to see in a few weeks at The ROCK Spring Classic in Madison.
15U Orange
Head coach: Trent Gosnell, junior at Wartburg College, former Maverick
| Name |
Height |
School |
| Dylan Dolezal |
5-10 |
Linn-Mar |
| Harrison Hartgrave |
5-5 |
Cedar Rapids Xavier |
| Carter Schminke |
6-2 |
Linn-Mar |
| Tait Arndt |
6-3 |
Charles City |
| Luke Van Roekel |
5-10 |
Solon |
| Mitchel Helmkamp |
6-2 |
Cedar Rapids Xavier |
| Jakob Forslund |
5-10 |
Cedar Rapids Xavier |
| Tre' McCrary |
5-11 |
Cedar Rapids Xavier |
| Nick Hansel |
6-3 |
Center Point-Urbana |
| Marcus Engstler |
6-0 |
Durant |
| Tom Jaeger |
5-9 |
Dyersville Beckman |
Cleveland says: "Our Orange team will be a tough team as well this year! Many new additions and some good size. This team is more our "Metro" (CR/IC area kids, with a few exceptions). 6-3 Tait Arndt from Charles City got some good varsity minutes this past year. Tre' McCrary played sophomore ball at Xavier, and is turning into a VERY good player, all-around!"
Tony's take: I've yet to see any of these players play, so that gives me something to look forward to. Tre' McCrary seems to be the headliner here, as playing sophomore ball as a freshman at a school like Xavier is a major accomplishment. They appear to be fairly guard heavy, which should make for some up-tempo games.
15U Grey
Head coach: Zach Schlabaugh, sophomore at Coe College, former Maverick
| Name |
Height |
School |
| Luke Haedt |
5-5 |
North Scott |
| Layne Hamann |
5-8 |
North Scott |
| Zach Hilleman |
6-0 |
Cedar Rapids Prairie |
| Trent Allard |
6-3 |
North Scott |
| Nolan Brand |
5-9 |
Mount Vernon |
| Kaleb Brand |
5-9 |
Mount Vernon |
| Brock Medinger |
5-10 |
Dubuque Senior |
| Tommy King |
5-7 |
Dubuque Wahlert |
| Cooper Medinger |
5-10 |
Dubuque Senior |
| Caleb Delzell |
6-3 |
Camanche |
| Nathan Moeller |
6-2 |
Prince of Peace |
Cleveland says: "This team, much like Orange, will be very competitive. Some size and some new additions (Caleb Delzell/Camanche, Trent Allard/North Scott). This is our Quad Cities'Dubuque area team (with a few exceptions). This team will compete, very hard working group of kids here."
Tony's take: The Medinger brothers played sophomore ball for Senior, which is an accomplishment in itself. Like the Orange team, they look to be pretty guard heavy, which should provide for some entertainment. Looking forward to learning more about this group of kids throughout the spring and summer.
Schedule
| Dates |
Teams |
Event |
Location |
| April 7-9 |
ALL |
The Rock Classic |
Madison, WI |
| April 21-23 |
ALL |
Midwest Live! |
Des Moines, IA |
| April 28-30 |
ALL |
Midwest Live! |
Omaha, NE |
| May 5-7 |
Purple |
SPTS League |
Farmington, MN |
| May 5-7 |
Orange/Grey |
SBPL League |
Farmington, MN |
| May 12-14 |
Purple |
SPTS League |
Omaha, NE |
| May 12-14 |
Orange/Grey |
SBPL League |
Council Bluffs, IA |
| May 27-29 |
Purple |
SPTS Championship |
Sioux Falls, SD |
| June 3-4 |
ALL |
Mississippi River Classic |
Dubuque, IA |
| July 14-16 |
ALL |
Pentagon Summer Slam |
Sioux Falls, SD |
| July 21-23 |
ALL |
D1 Summer Classic |
Minneapolis, MN |
| July 26-30 |
Purple |
Las Vegas Fab 48 |
Las Vegas, NV |
The SPTS League is a three-tournament event set up by the Sanford Pentagon staff (Sioux Falls, SD). The first two weekends listed are league weekends, where teams will play each other to be seeded for the tournament on May 28-29 at the Sanford Pentagon. The winner of that event will be crowned the SPTS League champion for 2017. The Mavericks top teams (Purple) will play in this league in each age group. The Orange and Grey teams will play in the SPBL, which is a separate league, with a similar set up.
The Mavericks are the only program from Iowa participating in this league. Other programs include Dakota Schoolers, Minnesota Comets, Minnesota Fury, Minnesota Heat, Minnesota Select, Omaha Sports Academy, Southwest Minnesota Stars, Wisconsin Playmakers, WOTN and Team KC Basketball Club. It should provide for some great competition.
