Conference Preview: SICL East
The Teams Belle Plaine (15-4, 13-2): The Plainsmen rode one of 1A’s most potent offensive attacks to 15 wins last season, averaging 65.9 points a game, which ranked 18th in the class. They lose the top three scorers from that…
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Continue ReadingThe Teams
Belle Plaine (15-4, 13-2): The Plainsmen rode one of 1A’s most potent offensive attacks to 15 wins last season, averaging 65.9 points a game, which ranked 18th in the class. They lose the top three scorers from that group, but bring back five of the next six, so there is a core with experience to build around. Luke DeMeulenaere (5.1) is the leading returning scorer, but Trevin Straight (4.7) is probably the most important returnee. He led the team with 75 assists (against 38 turnovers) and 45 steals last season. The other returnees with some experience are Noah Bachelder (3.0), Ben DeMeulenaere (2.1) and Jaxon Kressley (1.8). This group needs to find some perimeter shooting, as the seven returnees combined to make just 19 3-pointers last season.
English Valleys (3-16, 2-15): The Bears posted three wins last year, but those wins came against two teams that combined to win zero games last season (Cedar Valley Christian, Tri-County twice). The good news is that there is some continuity here, as they lose just 77 points off of last year’s roster and the top six scorers from last year’s team return, led by sophomore forward Kaden Hall (11.5), who is coming off a strong freshman year in which he led the team in scoring and rebounding. Cole Stephenson (7.9) and Brayden Mikesell (6.2) are a pair of solid shooting junior guards to put around Hall. Stephenson led the team with 41 made 3s, and he shot 41% from the arc, while Mikesell made 15 at a 44.1% clip. If they can keep up that type of shooting around Hall, this group could win more games this year.
Iowa Valley (5-17, 5-13): All five of the Tigers’ wins came against either English Valleys or Tri-County last season, and in games they didn’t play against those teams, they lost by an average of 28.8 points a game. They bring back five of their top eight from that group, led by Brody Ward (9.5), who led the team with 33 made 3-pointers last season. Their next two shooters, Derek Leonard (8.1, 17 3PM) and Eli Slaymaker (2.6, 12 3PM) also return. The unfortunate news is that this is a team that shot just 22.9% from the arc last season, so that number really needs to improve if they want to win some more games this year.
JD Stout
Keota (12-8, 10-3): The Eagles have one of the state’s best scoring threats in JD Stout (28.4), a well-built guard who is one of the best shooters in the state, making 76 3s at a 45% clip last year. He has the ability to get his shot off whenever he wants and has “in the gym” range. Luke Hammen (9.1, 38 3PM) and Carson Sprouse (9.5, 38 3PM) give them two more shooting threats, while Brady Duwa (3.9) provides a solid interior presence. Loaded with plenty of shooting and a star player, Keota will be a dangerous team for anyone to see in their district, especially if they can improve on the defensive end (58.2 points a game against, 98th in 1A last year).
Sigourney (12-10, 9-7): The Savages lose the top three scorers from last year’s team. Eric Johnson (4.9) is the top returnee. He shot 54% from the floor and the 6-3 senior forward will need to be a go-to scorer this year. Ben House (3.5) should be the top perimeter scoring threat after knocking down 16 of 40 attempts from the arc last season (40%). Cade Molyneux (2.0) and James Moore (1.8) return with some experience as well, but this is a team that is going to have a lot of new faces on the floor.
Tri-County (0-20, 0-17): The Trojans bring back five of their top six from last year’s winless team, including leading scorer Brayden Monroe (16.7), who also led the team with 48 steals. This team shot just 17.7% from the arc last season and had 414 turnovers (182 assists). Both of those numbers need to drastically improve if they’re going to win some games this season.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Keota
2. Belle Plaine
3. Sigourney
4. English Valleys
5. Iowa Valley
6. Tri-County
Analysis: We’d be surprised to see Keota drop a division game this season. They are clearly the best team in the league, and should prove that throughout the year. Belle Plaine and Sigourney each lose a lot of talent, but they are solid programs and should remain competitive.
Preseason Player of the Year
2020 JD Stout, Keota: 28.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 76 3PM, 45.0 3P%
Far and away the leading returning scorer in the division, Stout’s 76 made 3s are also 35 more than the next closest returnee.
Biggest Sleeper
2021 Carson Sprouse, Keota: Sprouse gets overshadowed playing alongside high-scoring guard JD Stout, but he’s a quality guard in his own right, shooting 43.7% from the arc last season and finishing second on the team with 53 assists. He’ll get plenty of open looks again this year playing alongside Stout.
Players to Watch
2020 JD Stout, Keota
2021 Carson Sprouse, Keota
2021 Luke Hammen, Keota
2020 Brayden Monroe, Tri-County
2021 Dayton Pace, Tri-County
2020 Tegon Fogle, Tri-County
2022 Kaden Hall, English Valleys
2021 Cole Stephenson, English Valleys
2022 Beau Flander, English Valleys
2021 Brayden Mikesell, English Valleys
2021 Hayden Irmen, English Valleys
2022 Brody Ward, Iowa Valley
2020 Derek Leonard, Iowa Valley
2021 Luke DeMeulenaere, Belle Plaine
2020 Trevin Straight, Belle Plaine
2020 Eric Johnson, Sigourney