Conference Preview: Raccoon River
The Teams
ADM Adel (3-19, 0-14): It was a long year for the Tigers, as they went winless against conference opponents, and it may be another long winter in Adel. Koby Hardcastle (13.1) led the team in scoring last year, but is the only returnee among their top seven. He’s a solid perimeter shooter, knocking down 48 3s last season, but he’ll need to find a lot of help if the Tigers are going to stay out of the basement again this year.
Ballard (9-13, 6-8): The Bombers bring back a pair of double figure scorers in Chase Winterboer (13.5) and Connor Drew (12.6). Winterboer will be one of the best perimeter scorers in the league, a high-level shooter from the arc. He made 68 3s last season at a 38.4% clip, while Drew averaged 7.5 rebounds in addition to his scoring output and will be a solid interior option. Four others who saw significant playing time last season also return in Kegan Odden (4.7), Max Olsan (4.8), Reece Huen (3.5) and Isaiah Deason (3.0), giving the Bombers one of the most experienced cores in the conference. They could be a surprise conference champion if a few things break their way.
Bondurant-Farrar (12-11, 5-9): Three double figure scorers are gone from last year’s Bluejays, taking over 63% of the scoring production with them. This year’s Jays will be led by Jordan Collins (7.7) and Mason Storey (5.4). Collins is a versatile 6-1 forward who can score inside and out, and he blocked 20 shots. Storey will likely be asked to be the team’s primary ball handler. He also led the team in steals last year. The only other returnee with significant experience is Brody Sandin (2.3), who will man the paint. B-F lost a lot of experience from last year’s roster, and their record likely suffers as a result, with plenty of other teams returning a fair amount of talent.
Boone (15-8, 9-6): Like Bondurant-Farrar, the Toreadors have a huge scoring hole to fill with the graduations of Trevor Vanpelt and John Herrick, who combined to average 31.2 points a game last season. Justin Aspengren (8.8) is the leading returnee. He’s strong on the glass, particularly on the offensive end of the floor, and he also led the team in assists last season. He should step into the primary scoring role. Derek Rhinehart (5.1) will be the top perimeter option. He made 34 3s last season, second on the team behind Vanpelt, at a respectable 35.4%. Tyler Casotti (4.0) and Casey Hutchings (2.6) saw a fair amount of time last season and also return. This should be a middle of the road team in the league, with Aspengren turning into one of the better double-double threats in the conference.
Carlisle (15-9, 10-4): The good news for the Wildcats is that they bring back our preseason pick for Player of the Year in the league in Collin Lister (20.5). The bad news for them is that only 126 points total are back after Lister, in the form of Trenton Beck (3.4), Nolan Brunsen (1.6), Hayden Amos (two points total), Noah Twist (two points total), Preston Thompson (one point) and Nate Norton (one point). Lister is a really good piece to build around, however. He’s a deadly shooter (41.2 3P%) who can create his own shot and facilitate for others. He’s one of the most efficient scorers from the guard spot you’ll find in the state, but he’s going to be tested on a nightly basis with teams scheming to stop him, at least until they can find some new pieces to step up alongside him. Lister is going to win them games, but they can’t compete for the league crown unless they find players to step up in a big way.
Carroll (16-6, 12-2): The Tigers lose a big-time scorer in Cooper Ross, who averaged 20.1 points a game. They also lose Justin Mohr, another double figure scorer. But six of their top eight return, led by Colby Vincent (11.7), a dangerous shooter who made 59 3s last season. Buomkuoth Lol (9.1) is another high-level shooter (44%) and a good athlete with plenty of length. Jang Jioklow (8.0), Tyler Tunning (5.4) and Chase Gladden (4.5) also return, each of them doing a majority of their damage inside the arc. Isaiah Badding (2.5) is also back. This team is going to have lots of shooting and should remain among the highest scoring teams in the league and in Class 3A, despite losing a lot of firepower.
Perry (5-18, 3-11): No team in the RRC loses more than the Bluejays, whose leading returning scorer is Brendan Ivory (3.4). In all, eight of their top nine players (anyone who scored more than eight points on the season), are gone. This team is starting over almost entirely. Ivory will be their leader, another solid guard in the Ivory line, but he’ll have to do a lot to keep the Jays competitive.
Winterset (17-7, 12-3): The Huskies jumped out to a 9-1 start before stumbling a bit down the stretch, going just 8-6 in their last 14 games last year. They’re going to be one of the more interesting teams to track in Class 3A this season, as they bring back a really talented guard tandem in Easton Darling (17.0) and Casey Kleemeier (14.2). But those are the only two returnees among their top 10. Darling is a long, athletic left handed junior guard who will have some huge scoring nights. He’s a versatile scorer, able to get to the rim and finish or pull up and drop a 3 on you. Kleemeier is a strong, physical guard who thrives on getting to the rim and the free throw line. Only eight points return outside of those two, so they’re going to have to do an awful lot this year, and while they’re super talented, it’s hard to see them at the top of the league unless they can find some solid role players to step into much, much larger roles.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Carroll
2. Winterset
3. Ballard
4. Carlisle
5. Boone
6. Bondurant-Farrar
7. ADM Adel
8. Perry
Analysis: Honestly, you could throw those top four in a hat and pull them out and probably be as accurate as I’m going to be here. Give the edge to Carroll, as they bring back the most experience and depth among those top four.
Preseason Player of the Year
2019 Collin Lister, Carlisle: 20.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 52.5 FG%, 41.2 3P%
A stellar scoring guard with remarkable efficiency, Lister is equally adept getting to the rim as he is pulling up from 25 feet and splashing a 3. Expect his assist numbers to skyrocket this year following the graduation of Tommy Donovan and his 173 assists.
Biggest Sleeper
2019 Justin Aspengren, Boone: The Toreadors are going to be Aspengren’s team this year. He was a really solid player for them last year, averaging 8.8 points and 7.5 rebounds, but he was overshadowed by Trevor Vanpelt and John Herrick. Look for him to become a double-double machine this year, and the 6-4 forward should find himself somewhere to play next season as a result.
Players to Watch
2019 Collin Lister, Carlisle
2020 Easton Darling, Winterset
2019 Casey Kleemeier, Winterset
2019 Chase Winterboer, Ballard
2021 Connor Drew, Ballard
2020 Colby Vincent, Carroll
2019 Buomkuoth Lol, Carroll
2019 Jang Jioklow, Carroll
2019 Tyler Tunning, Carroll
2020 Chase Gladden, Carroll
2019 Koby Hardcastle, ADM Adel
2019 Justin Aspengren, Boone
2019 Derek Rhinehart, Boone
2019 Jordan Collins, Bondurant-Farrar
2019 Mason Storey, Bondurant-Farrar