Conference Preview: NICL West

The Teams AGWSR (13-8, 9-5): The Cougars got off to a great 7-0 start last year, then lost five straight. And that's just how the season went for them all year - up and down. They lose their leading scorer from that group, Alex Hames, who averaged just under 18 points a game. But they bring back their next two, and five of the top seven scorers overall from last season. Luke Starr (14.9) led the team in rebounding and could have a huge year if he becomes a bit more efficient (35-27-76 shooting splits). Tanner Weichers (9.7) is an efficient 6-4 forward who shot 53.7% from the floor. Also back is Jaden Penning (4.2), who dished out a team-high 68 assists (against just 27 turnovers) and also led the team with 37 steals. Titan Operman (2.5) and Chase Harms (1.9) also return with some experience. The Starr-Weichers-Penning trio should be among the best in the division, and will win AGWSR plenty of games again this year.   BCLUW (5-15, 2-10): The Comets lose their top two scorers from last year's group, but bring back 3-8, so they'll have plenty of experienced players to build around. Mason Yantis (10.1), an efficient forward who shot 58.2% from the floor and led the team in rebounding, is the leading returning scorer. Treye Teske (9.7) should be the team's lead ball handler after dishing out 43 assists last year (69 turnovers). This group lost 49 of their 70 made 3-pointers with the graduations of Jonny Neff and Jack Garber, so they'll need to find some shooting. They also really need to improve on the defensive end after allowing 68.2 points a game last year, which ranked 141st in 1A. They have some pieces to work with, but it's hard to see this team winning many more than the five they won last year.   East Marshall (3-17, 0-14): After losing nearly their entire team from one of the school's best seasons (2017-18), we expected last year to be rough for the Mustangs, and it was. But there is some hope heading into this year, as the top five scorers return, led by Logan Bowie (10.4). Ethan Espenscheid (7.5), Drew Runner (6.1), Eric Ommen (7.3) and Austin Elliot (4.2) are also back, giving the 'Stangs lots of experience. This group really needs to clean up the decision making and ball handling, as they committed 450 turnovers (22.5 a game) and dished out just 247 assists. It's hard to win games when you're giving up that many extra possessions to teams. Clean that up, and they will be more competitive. If they have the same issues, they'll stay at the bottom of the division.   Gladbrook-Reinbeck (12-8, 8-7): The Rebels won 11 of 13 games in the middle of the year before fading down the stretch and losing four straight to close the year. They should be strong again this year, with three of their top four scorers back. Tyler Tscherter (14.4) is the team's leading returning scorer, and he'll pair with Dylan Riffey (12.3) to give them a strong shooting core to build around. They combined to make 104 3-pointers last year. Eli Thede (6.7) is the other key returnee, giving them another strong guard. Tscherter dished out 99 assists (against just 40 turnovers) last year, while Thede had a 54-25 ratio of his own. Cullen Eiffler (2.7) and Kale Hasselmann (1.7) are the other returnees who saw time last year. The Rebels should battle it out with West Marshall for division supremacy this season.   Grundy Center (12-11, 8-8): The Spartans closed the season strong last year, winning 10 of their final 13 games behind a balanced attack that had seven players who averaged between 4.9 and 9.5 points a game. Only two of those top seven are back, so expect to see a bit of a drop-off this year. Cale Hendricks (9.0) is the team's leading returning scorer. He was second on the team with 26 made 3s last year, and dished out 72 assists. Also returning is Zach Opheim (6.1), who dished out 85 assists of his own. That duo takes good care of the ball, and strong guard play should keep them competitive. Their top four rebounders from last year have graduated, so they'll need to find some size and toughness in the paint, but the Hendricks-Opheim backcourt will keep them afloat while they figure that out.   South Hardin (14-8, 8-5): The Tigers were one of three teams to win eight games against conference foes last year, but they'll be hard pressed to replicate that this year, with only three of their top nine returning. Dante Dolash (7.9) is the leading returning scorer and rebounder. Garrison Tripp (5.7) and Gavin Ridout (2.7) are the other returnees. That trio combined to make just 29 3-pointers last year, so this group is going to need to find some shooting and some new pieces if they want to remain competitive in the division.   West Marshall (14-8, 12-5): West Marshall lost just one game against a division foe (season opening loss to AGWSR) last season, asserting their dominance as the top team in the division. They should be again this year, despite some heavy personnel losses. The Trojans return the division's player of the year in Peyton Pope (16.7), a sharpshooter who saw his numbers fall across the board last year as a junior after a sensational sophomore year. If he can re-gain his sophomore shooting form, he could be among the best scorers in 2A. Gabe Jones (6.4) returns at forward, giving them some size and toughness in the interior, while Isaiah Borgos (4.8) returns on the wing, giving them some athleticism. They lose four key players from last year's rotation, but with Pope back, this is the team to beat in the division still.   Projected Order of Finish 1. West Marshall 2. Gladbrook-Reinbeck 3. AGWSR 4. Grundy Center 5. South Hardin 6. BCLUW 7. East Marshall Analysis: This should be a great two-horse race between West Marshall and Gladbrook-Reinbeck, likely decided by the team's two meetings.   Preseason Player of the Year 2020 Peyton Pope, West Marshall: 16.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 64 3PM Pope burst onto the scene as a sophomore, when he averaged 21 points a game and made 89 3s at a 48.6% clip. His numbers took a hit last year, averaging 16.7 points with 64 made 3s (32.5%). With a lot of production gone from last year's team, don't be surprised to see him back up above 20 points a night, and he should keep the Trojans in the division race all year.   Biggest Sleeper 2021 Zach Opheim, Grundy Center: The 5-9 junior lead guard averaged just 6.1 points a game last year on a very balanced Spartans team, but he dished out 85 assists. And with Travis Kuester's 90 assists gone, Opheim should have the ball in his hands a ton this season.   Players to Watch 2020 Peyton Pope, West Marshall 2020 Gabe Jones, West Marshall 2021 Isaiah Borgos, West Marshall 2020 Luke Starr, AGWSR 2020 Tanner Weichers, AGWSR 2020 Tyler Tscherter, Gladbrook-Reinbeck 2021 Dylan Riffey, Gladbrook-Reinbeck 2020 Eli Thede, Gladbrook-Reinbeck 2020 Mason Yantis, BCLUW 2020 Treye Teske, BCLUW 2021 Logan Bowie, East Marshall 2021 Ethan Espenscheid, East Marshall 2021 Drew Runner, East Marshall 2020 Eric Ommen, East Marshall 2020 Cale Hendricks, Grundy Center 2021 Zach Opheim, Grundy Center 2021 Dante Dolash, South Hardin 2021 Garrison Tripp, South Hardin