Conference Preview: WaMaC West
The Teams
Benton Community (13-9): The Bobcats lose a big-time scorer in Tyler Eggert, who averaged just under 18 points a game last season, but they bring back four of their top five from last year’s roster, including a dynamic scoring guard in Spencer Touro (18.2). Touro is the second leading returning scorer in the division and is one of the most dynamic scorers in Class 3A. He knocked down 83 3s last season at a 46.4% clip, and with Eggert gone, he could see his scoring numbers increase even more. Luke Wiebel (9.3) will provide some help in that department, a 6-2 wing who can do damage inside and out. Koal Marshall (4.8) and Nolan Krueger (4.6) provide some physicality on the inside, and that quartet will be one of the best in the division. With Touro in tow, the Bobcats are going to make noise in this league race, as he’s capable of single handedly taking over any given game and winning it nearly on his own. This is going to be a small team, with no returnee listed taller than 6-2, but they should be able to score and will likely be looking to play pretty fast.
Center Point-Urbana (17-7): The Stormin’ Pointers put up a strong fight in last year’s substate final against West Delaware, falling by three points, just a game short of the state tournament. With a load of experience returning, they’ll be a threat to make a similar run this year. They lose the third (JoJo Frost) and fifth (Jared Metzen) leading scorers from last season, but those are the only two players of note that are gone. They’ll be led by our preseason POY in Grant Dirks (20.6), who is one of the most difficult matchups anywhere in the state. He’s a 6-6 power forward who has steadily improved and expanded his offensive skill set and is now a threat to not only destroy teams in the paint, but also step out and knock down jumpers. He’s the best player in the division, and he’ll have a huge senior season. Also returning is Dylan Harris (12.2), who knocked down 57 3s last season and will be the team’s primary ball handler after Frost’s graduation. Mitchell McCauley (9.9), a 6-4 forward, gives them some physicality on the interior, and if they can get some production out of 6-6 center Alex Grawe (0.2), allowing Dirks to float around a bit more, that would go a long way in opening up the offense. Grawe provided solid minutes at the Border Battle in June, and anything they can get from him on either end will help out. Look for sophomore Alex Wade (1.1) to help out in the backcourt. This group struggled a bit with turnovers at the Border Battle, but if they can clean that up, they should be the team to beat in the division, and look capable of making a postseason run given the right draw.
Clear Creek-Amana (2-20): Last year was a rough one for the Clippers, winning just two games, with only five of their losses coming by single digits. And they lose the top four scorers from that group, so there isn’t much reason to expect much improvement this season. But there are some young players for CCA fans to get excited about in sophomore guard Tyler Schrepfer (5.0) and freshman big man TJ Bollers. That young duo is what the Clippers will be building their program around moving forward. Camden Armstrong (4.5) and Nolan Schwarting (2.3) will be called upon to play heavy minutes this season as well after being key role players last season. This group will likely finish in the basement of the division again this year, but they have some young talent to start getting excited about.
Independence (7-15): The Mustangs had a very balanced attack last season, with eight players averaging between 3.1 and 10.1 points a game. They bring back five of those players, including leading scorer Sean Geertsema (10.1) and second leading scorer Cliff Baldwin (6.2). Both are capable shooters from the arc. Zach Snyder (5.5) will be the primary option on the interior. He was the most efficient option the Mustangs had last season, shooting 46.9% from the floor. Tom Reiff (4.5) joins him in the paint, while Tyler Reeder (5.0) will give them another perimeter option. This group struggled to put the ball in the bucket last season, averaging just 48 points a game, and shooting 37-29-58. They’ll need to improve on those numbers across the board if they want to be a legitimate threat.
Marion (13-10): The Indians struggled to put the ball in the bucket last season, averaging just 48.9 points a game, but still managed to win 13 games behind the strength of a defense that gave up just 49.6 points a night, good for seventh in Class 3A. They bring back leading scorer Chase Zielke (12.2), as well as scorers four through nine from that group, giving them lots of experience returning. And if they’re able to improve on the 39-31-67 shooting splits they had last season, they could potentially rise up and challenge CPU and Benton at the top of the league. Trevor Paulsen (6.3) gives them an efficient post scorer, while Alex Whalen (5.6) and Jevin Manderscheid (4.5) will be the primary options on the perimeter alongside Zielke. This is a group that is going to play a fairly methodical style, and they’ll dig in on the defensive end. How far this team can go will depend on how effective they turn out to be on the offensive end of the floor.
South Tama (13-9): The Trojans lose two of their top three scorers from last season, but bring back quite a bit of talent and experience after that. They’ll be led by senior guard Gabe Shields (11.3), who shot 40.9% from behind the arc last season. Keith Keahna (8.0), Nathan Lasley (5.0) and Justus Ward (4.7) do a majority of their damage around the rim, attempting just six 3-pointers last season among the trio. Also in that group are Lane Koch (2.5), who led the team in rebounding and Jessup Yazzie (3.4). Sterling Tyon (7.2) will join Shields and Ward in the backcourt as one of the primary ball handlers. This is a group that doesn’t rely on the 3-ball nearly as much as most teams do, rather working a more efficient, attacking style. If they’re able to take better care of the basketball (280 assists to 360 turnovers), they could see an increase in their offensive output. With lots of experience back, this has the looks of an upper half of the division team.
Vinton-Shellsburg (12-11): A lot of scoring punch will need to be replaced for the Vikings, who lose their top three scorers from last year’s group, a trio that accounted for 70% of the team’s offense. The leading returnees are Justin Bartz (5.6) and Blake Bohnsack (5.5), the only two returning players who scored more than 14 points last season. Bartz had some big scoring performances at team camps over the summer and will likely become the team’s go-to player, while Bohnsack will be the primary ball handler. Outside of that duo, not much is returning, and they’ll have a lot of holes to fill. They’ll be a lower half of the division team unless Bartz is other-worldly.
Williamsburg (6-16): In his first year with Williamsburg, Adam Sanchez had the Raiders play a methodical style, which resulted in a lot of close games. Eight of their 16 losses last season were by single digits, and they bring back three of the top four from that group. They’ll be led by the post duo of Brandon Blythe (9.2) and Ben Subbert (9.3), a tandem that attempted only 12 shots from behind the arc. They’re efficient and provide some size and physicality in the paint after leading the Raiders in rebounding. Lucas Schlesselman (7.3) returns as the top option on the perimeter. He led the team with 28 made 3s last season and will be called upon to be the team’s primary ball handler. Coach Sanchez is going to need to find some other pieces to put alongside this trio, but we know they’ll be physical, play defense and keep games close. If they’re able to find a little more scoring punch, maybe they can approach the .500 mark this season. Either way, this is a program that is trending up.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Center Point-Urbana
2. Benton Community
3. Marion
4. South Tama
5. Independence
6. Williamsburg
7. Vinton-Shellsburg
8. Clear Creek-Amana
Analysis: CPU is a pretty clear favorite at the top, and CCA is a pretty clear choice for the bottom. Benton, Marion and South Tama look like upper half teams in some order, while Indepdence, Williamsburg and Vinton-Shellsburg are the same in the lower half. There appears to be a pretty clear division among the upper and lower tier teams in the division this season.
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
2018 Grant Dirks, Center Point-Urbana: 20.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 57.0 FG%
A highly skilled and versatile forward who has steadily improved his all-around skill set, Dirks is the focal point for a CPU team that could be a borderline top 10 team in 3A, and is the team to beat in the division. He’s efficient, plays on both ends, and has the talent and diversity to score from anywhere.
BIGGEST SLEEPER
2018 Justin Bartz, Vinton-Shellsburg: He won’t remain a sleeper for much longer, as he’ll likely end up leading the Vikings in scoring this season, but he was overshadowed by a veteran group last season. It’s his turn to showcase his scoring ability.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
2018 Grant Dirks, Center Point-Urbana
2018 Dylan Harris, Center Point-Urbana
2018 Mitchell McCauley, Center Point-Urbana
2018 Spencer Touro, Benton Community
2018 Luke Wiebel, Benton Community
2018 Koal Marshall, Benton Community
2018 Gabe Shields, South Tama
2019 Keith Keahna, South Tama
2018 Nathan Lasley, South Tama
2018 Chase Zielke, Marion
2019 Trevor Paulsen, Marion
2019 Sean Geertsema, Independence
2018 Zach Snyder, Independence
2018 Brandon Blythe, Williamsburg
2018 Ben Subbert, Williamsburg
2018 Lucas Schlesselman, Williamsburg
2018 Justin Bartz, Vinton-Shellsburg
2020 Tyler Schrepfer, Clear Creek-Amana