Conference Preview: Top of Iowa – East
The Teams
Central Springs (3-19)
Although last season was a tough one for Central Springs, there’s bound to be some optimism surrounding the upcoming season. Five of the the team’s six leading scorers from last season are back, including preseason second-team all-conference pick Dylan Kisner; the caveat is that the one who doesn’t return is leading scorer Jacob Langenbau.
Nashua-Plainfield (9-12)
Austin Bienenmann is one of the conference’s most promising young players, he averaged 9.1 points per game last season as a freshman. Luke Cerwinske and Isaac Chambers are going to be key seniors this season for a Huskies team that’s looking to get over the .500 hump this winter.
Newman Catholic (16-7)
Josh Fitzgerald is one of the more athletic guards in the state, and alongside Brady Gatton could do a lot of damage this season. The duo makes up certainly one of the best in the conference, and will be a biog reason why they could compete for a division title in 2018-19.
North Butler (8-13)
The three best scorers from last season’s eight-win team have graduated, that leaved guys like Rhett Lammers and Chase Eiklenborg to take the reins of what will be a largely new-look Bearcats squad this winter.
Northwood-Kensett (2-20)
It was not a good season last year for the Vikings, and after winning just two games, things might not get much better in 2018-19. Three of last season’s top four scorers are gone, and it’ll be up to senior Josh Fick — who averaged 5.9 points per game last season — to carry the load this year.
Osage (14-9)
Drew Olson was one of Osage’s all-time bests, but he’s gone now. As are Lucas Schwamann, Colin Klapperich and Nathan Bushbaum. It’s a rebuild season for the Green Devils, junior Jonah Blum and senior Brett Bobinet are the go-to guys now.
Rockford (17-6)
Last season was one of the best in Rokford’s recent history, 17 wins is quite the accomplishment. And there’s plenty of guys with winning experience returning from that squad. Leading scorer Zach Bushbaum is gone, but now-seniors Jake Staudt, Kaden Lyman and Max Rooney are here to keep the Warriors trending up.
Saint Angsar (11-10)
Last year’s middling team could be this season’s top-tier squad. The top three scorers are back and seven of the top eight return. Collin Kramer and Ethan Kirchgatter are preseason first-team all-conference selections and there’s more where that came from. Things are looking up for the Saints this season.
West Fork (19-6)
The best player in this division is Zach Martinek, he’s going to put up some monster numbers this season for the Warhawks. Another key returner, Mitchell Halloran is also a preseason first-team all-conference selection. West Fork has been the class of this division for some time, expect that to stay the same this season.
Projected Order of Finish
1 West Fork
2 Newman Catholic
3 Rockford
4 Saint Angsar
5 Nashua-Plainfield
6 Osage
7 North Butler
8 Central Springs
9 Northwood-Kensett
Analysis
The last five years, West Fork has won 25, 19, 23, 19 and 19 games, they are the class of the division. And with the best player in the TOI East coming back, Zach Martinek, it seems the Warhawks are going to continue and reign supreme. Newman Catholic, Rockford and Saint Angsar will all be tough outs, but the Warhawks should be near or over 20 wins yet again this winter.
Preseason Player of the Year
Zach Martinek, West Fork — 2019
The 6-foot-4 guard had a massively successful offseason on the grassroots and camp trail; and he’s not only poised to be the most dominant player in this conference, but also one of the more dominant in the state. Look for Martinek to be a tough and skilled scorer, who will rebound and defend at high a high level.
Biggest Sleeper
Jonah Blum, Osage — 2020
There’s some big shoes to fill in Osage this season, and it looks as though this junior will be the guy to step in a fill ’em. Blum averaged 7.2 points last season as a sophomore, and is the leading returning scorer for a Green Devil’s squad that lost its three best scorers from a season ago. We expect to see Blum average over 15 points per game this season for a new-look Osage unit.
PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE (Click Here)