Conference Preview: Lakes
The Teams (2016/17 record in parenthesis)
Cherokee, Washington (8-14): Sophomore standout Ryan Hurd is back, and senior Jack Benson will likely take on more of a leadership role as the Braves hope to improve upon their eight wins from a season ago. Expect sophomores Kobe Grell and Alex Paulsrud to make substantial impacts for the upstart squad.
Emmetsburg (9-12): Its top two scorers from a season ago are gone, and it will be senior Blake Vermelum who will take the reins this winter. With last season’s senior-laden squad mustering just nine wins, it’s tough to imagine a new-look E-Hawks improving upon that win total this season.
Estherville/Lincoln Central (7-16): Last season’s cellar dweller in the conference, the Midgets have plenty of reason to be optimistic heading into their 2017/18 campaign. Not one contributor from a season ago graduated, and Trevor Freisner and Co. should see themselves — at the very least — get to double-digit wins this winter.
LeMars (16-7): Trenton Hillbrabnds was one of Iowa’s best talents last season, and he’s now at Northwestern College in Orange City. The good news, is that senior Will Pottebaum is right there to take over the the Bulldogs; he’s one of Iowa’s most prolific shooters. Look for some role players from last year to step up for the always-good LeMars.
Spencer (8-14): It was a rough-go last season for the Tigers, who put out a new-look team after a senior-laden squad left the season before. But now, flush with experience and key returning players, look for one of the state’s more underrated hoopsters, Brady Kluender, to lead this group to a finish in the upper half of the conference.
Spirit Lake (17-6): Oh boy, it could be a special season for the Indians. Not only is South Dakota State-commit and 6’10 center Owen Coburn back for his junior season, but Alex Van Dyke, Frankie Ramos and Nick Christensen are back, too. Throw Okoboji transfer Kip Hurd into the mix and you can expect Spirit Lake to cruise to 20-plus wins, and vie for a state tourney berth.
Storm Lake (14-8): Its dynamic duo Parker Lange and Joshua Werge is gone, but there’s still plenty of experience to pool from this season. Junior Cham Deng will take over as the team’s key contributor, and the Tornadoes success will hinge on the role players from a season ago.
Western Christian (24-2): As long as we’ve been publishing articles at prephoopsiowa.com, Western Christian has been elite. A mainstay at the state tournament every March, expect them to vie for another trip to Wells Fargo arena this season, and the next, and the next, and the …..
Projected Order of Finish
- Spirit Lake
- Western Christian
- LeMars
- Spencer
- Cherokee, Washington
- Estherville/Lincoln Central
- Storm Lake
- Emmetsburg
Analysis: The best player in the conference resides with Spirit Lake, and Coburn has plenty of help on the perimeter to compliment his imminent dominance in the paint. Western Christina is always elite, and very well could be elite again this season with a somewhat new-look squad. It will be a dog-fight at the top of the Lakes conference this season.
Player of the Year: Owen Coburn, Spirit Lake (2019)
A South Dakota State commit, Coburn is not only the best center in the conference, but maybe in the state. He started his high school career at H-M-S before transferring into 3A Spirit Lake last season, where he immediately excelled. Look for him to carry the momentum of his sophomore season into a dominant junior one.
Biggest Sleeper: Jacob Vis, Western Christian (2019)
The 6’6 center was key during the Wolfpack’s state title run last season, stepping up big-time for suspended players during the 2A semifinal and final. And it was clear then that he could be a big-time impact player when he was able to take the reins. The junior brings back 8.8 points per game on 72 percent shooting, and will be a menace defensively (1.4 BPG last season).