Conference Preview: Tri-Rivers East
The Teams Calamus-Wheatland (19-4, 15-4): The Warriors put together one of the best seasons in school history last year, racking up 19 wins. Three of their losses came to state qualifying teams (North Linn, Alburnett, Prince of Peace), and the…
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Continue ReadingThe Teams
Calamus-Wheatland (19-4, 15-4): The Warriors put together one of the best seasons in school history last year, racking up 19 wins. Three of their losses came to state qualifying teams (North Linn, Alburnett, Prince of Peace), and the other came to a 20-win Easton Valley squad. They averaged over 70 points a game and were one of the most explosive teams in the state. The bad news is that they lose three double figure scorers from that group. Kaden Schende (13.7) is the top returnee. He led the team in rebounding and was second in scoring last season. Caleb Banowetz (8.1) was second on the team with 34 made 3s last year and should emerge as the team’s top perimeter scoring option. Look for Banowetz to pair with Brady Buchmeyer (3.3) to give the Warriors a solid backcourt that protects the ball. That duo combined to dish out 67 assists against just 18 turnovers last season as secondary ball handlers. There is still enough talent here for the Warriors to compete at the top of the league, but with the firepower lost, they aren’t as good as Easton Valley.
Cedar Valley Christian (0-20, 0-17): Eight freshmen played last season for the Huskies, and they were overpowered on a nightly basis in a league that features a lot of high-powered offensive teams. They allowed 72.8 points a game, which was the second worst number in 1A last season. Everyone returns from last year’s roster. They’re led by Jonathan Holt (12.1) and Levi Telecky (11.3). Telecky was one of those freshmen who played last season, while Holt was a sophomore. With added experience, this group should be a bit more competitive this year, but they still have a long ways to go.
Easton Valley (20-4, 17-3): One of the most potent offensive teams in the state brings back a lot of firepower, as the River Hawks bring back four starters to a team that averaged 71 points a game last season, and each is a double-figure scorer. They’re headlined by Kaleb Cornilsen (16.2), a 6-4 junior post player who led the team in scoring and rebounding. He’ll be flanked by a guard trio that will rival any in the state, and is filled with shooting. Cade Jargo (12.7, 55 3PM, 44.7 3P%), Nate Trenkamp (10.6, 46 3PM, 47.9 3P%) and Jessen Weber (11.0, 53 3PM, 40.2 3P%) combined to make 154 3-pointers last season at a 43.9% clip. That type of firepower from the perimeter being placed around a dominant interior player will make this team deadly. In addition to the shooting, that trio also combined to dish out 279 assists against 105 turnovers. With the combination of shooting and the ability to take care of the ball, this team is going to be tough to prevent from lighting up the scoreboard. After putting up 80+ points in seven games last year, don’t be surprised to see them hit triple digits this year. This is one of the most intriguing teams in the state, and a real threat to make some serious noise this season. They look like a comfortable favorite to win this division, and they could make a run come postseason play as well.
Lisbon (11-12, 9-12): It was a major youth movement last year for the Lions, with seven freshmen on the varsity roster, including three of the team’s top six scorers. That should lead to some success down the road. They lose leading scorer Hagen Waters, but bring back the next three scorers in Tyson Scott (8.9), Hunter Neymeyer (6.7) and Kole Becker (6.5). Neymeyer led the team in rebounding and blocked 47 shots last season, while Scott and Becker were both efficient last season as freshmen, shooting 52 and 48%, respectively. Becker is a long combo forward who has a chance to be really good. Kaeden Harrer (4.4) is coming off a freshman season in which he shot 58.3% from the arc (21-36), while Tyler Scott (2.7) is another returnee who played as a freshman. Despite losing Waters, who shot 47.1% from the arc and led the team in scoring, this team should be improved with the youth movement they have going on. Look for them to challenge Calamus-Wheatland and Prince of Peace for second in the division.
Marquette Catholic (5-16, 5-13): The Mohawks won five games last season, but four of those wins came against Midland and Cedar Valley Christian. They lose both double figure scorers from that group. Matthew Brinker (8.1) is the top returnee. He shot 53.6% from the floor last season. Carson Michels (6.2) is the only other returnee with significant experience. With not much coming back, it’s hard to see the Mohawks compiling some more wins this year.
Midland (4-16, 3-13): Leading scorer Britan Martens (11.2) returns to lead an Eagles that won just four games last season. Iziek Soper (6.0) led the team in rebounding and also returns, while Wilson Buckwalter (5.1) will pair with Martens to give Midland some perimeter shooting. This group needs to take better care of the ball (452 turnovers, 202 assists) if they want to win more games this season. Giving extra possessions to the potent teams in the Tri-Rivers isn’t ideal.
Prince of Peace (20-4, 15-3): The Irish qualified for State for the first time in the school’s history last season, putting together a magical season. It’ll be really difficult for them to replicate that success this season. They bring back a major piece in big man Nathan Moeller (15.5), who led the team in rebounding and is an incredibly versatile and efficient forward who shot 61.4% from the field and was 20-38 from the arc. The unfortunate news is that only 46 other points come back from last year’s roster, so it’ll be a lot of new faces around Moeller. Expect to see a significant drop here.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Easton Valley
2. Calamus-Wheatland
3. Lisbon
4. Prince of Peace
5. Midland
6. Marquette Catholic
7. Cedar Valley Christian
Analysis: Easton Valley looks like a clear favorite here with the explosive offensive unit they’ll be able to put on the floor. Lisbon’s young players should make a jump and be competitive, while Prince of Peace and Calamus-Wheatland each have a really talented player to build around.
Preseason Player of the Year
2021 Kaleb Cornilsen, Easton Valley: 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 2.0 steals, 54.4 FG%
Cornilsen is the best player on an Easton Valley team that should be considered a fairly heavy favorite in the division this year. The River Hawks will have an explosive offense, and Cornilsen is the division’s leading returning scorer and third best rebounder.
Biggest Sleeper
2022 Kole Becker, Lisbon: Becker has a chance to be really good. A 6-3 wing coming off a strong freshman season, he’s capable of scoring from all three levels, is a solid playmaker and can protect the rim. Look for him to start to emerge as one of the best small school players in the area this year.
Players to Watch
2021 Kaleb Cornilsen, Easton Valley
2020 Cade Jargo, Easton Valley
2020 Nate Trenkamp, Easton Valley
2020 Jessen Weber, Easton Valley
2020 Nathan Moeller, Prince of Peace
2021 Kaden Schnede, Calamus-Wheatland
2020 Caleb Banowetz, Calamus-Wheatland
2021 Jonathan Holt, Cedar Valley Christian
2022 Levi Telecky, Cedar Valley Christian
2020 Zach Slama, Cedar Valley Christian
2020 Britan Martens, Midland
2022 Tyson Scott, Lisbon
2021 Hunter Neymeyer, Lisbon
2022 Kole Becker, Lisbon
2020 Matthew Brinker, Marquette Catholic