Conference Preview: Upper Iowa
The Teams Central Elkader (2-20, 1-15): The Warriors lose the only double figure scorer off of last year’s two-win team in Andy Seeland, who averaged 17 points a game, accounting for nearly 40% of their scoring output last year. They’ll…
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Central Elkader (2-20, 1-15): The Warriors lose the only double figure scorer off of last year’s two-win team in Andy Seeland, who averaged 17 points a game, accounting for nearly 40% of their scoring output last year. They’ll be led by the backcourt trio of Hazen Loan (9.3), Evan Pensel (4.9) and Reegan Erickson (5.4), who combined to make 65 3-pointers last season. This team played nine games that were decided by single digits last year, and went just 1-8 in those games. A big part of that is that they shot just 55.2% from the line as a team. That number needs to improve if they want to win more games this winter.
Clayton Ridge (7-13, 7-8): The Eagles were fairly strong on the defensive end last season, ranking 40th in 1A, allowing just 50.5 points a game. The issue was on the offensive end of the floor, where they averaged just 40.2 points a game. And they’ll need to rely on that defense even more this year, with the top two scorers from last year’s team graduated. Caleb Helle (6.9) is the top returning scorer. He led the team in assists and steals last year. Nathan Helle (3.3) and Caden Palmer (2.9) are the other top returnees. This team will likely struggle to score again this year, but if the defense can remain strong, they can put together another 6-8 wins.
Lansing Kee (5-15, 3-12): The Hawks lose their top three scorers, and bring back just three of their top eight from last year’s team. Under 30% of their scoring returns from last year’s five-win team, and they’ll have a lot of new faces in key roles this season. Dalton Dibert (4.5) is the top returning scorer. He finished second on the team with 22 made 3s last season. He was also second in assists and should have the ball in his hands quite a bit. Lewis Peters (4.3, 17 3PM) gives them another decent shooter, while Cade Rasque (2.7) has some experience in the paint. Like Clayton Ridge, they were pretty solid on the defensive end, allowing 53.5 points a game last year, but they averaged just 44.6 and lose most of that production. They’ll need to be really strong on the defensive end if they want to win games.
MFL-Mar-Mac (12-9, 12-5): If you’re looking for a team to jump up and challenge Turkey Valley this year, it’s probably the Bulldogs, who bring back everyone except for Sam Koeller, who was fifth on the team in scoring last season, and Joe Dodgen, who didn’t score. They’ll be led by one of the league’s best duos in 6-4 forward Tyler Kurth (15.6) and 6-1 guard Cedrick Drahn (12.8, 41 3PM). Kurth led the team in scoring and rebounding last season, while Drahn was the team’s top shooter and led them in assists and steals. Caden Stuckman (7.2, 39 3PM) and Gavin Hertrampf (6.7, 25 3PM) give the ‘Dogs a few more shooting threats to surround Kurth with, and look for junior guard Cayden Ball (5.0, 14 3PM) to emerge as a big-time shooter as well. He made 42.4% of his attempts last season from behind the arc and should have a bigger role this year. The issue for MFL is the defensive end of the floor. In their nine losses last season, they allowed 68.6 points a game (45.9 in 12 wins). They have to play better defense against the better teams on their schedule. If they can do that, there is more than enough offensive firepower here to make some noise.
North Fayette Valley (14-8, 13-3): The Hawks got off to a strong 9-1 start last season before stumbling down the stretch, going just 5-7 in their final 12 games. The good news is that the top two scorers from that group return in Kole Johnson (12.2) and Brennan Imoehl (9.6), who combined to shoot 59.4% from the floor last season. Those two were also the top two rebounders on the team. The bad news is that they’re the only returnees who scored more than 22 points last season, and there isn’t much shooting on this roster, which could be an issue. NFV always has a strong athletics program, and they’ll surely find some pieces to plug in next to Johnson and Imoehl, who will control the paint on both ends of the floor, but unless they find some real shooting threats, or a dynamic perimeter scorer who can drive it, they may struggle to consistently score enough to be considered with the likes of Turkey Valley and MFL.
Postville (9-12, 7-9): The Pirates pretty much did what was expected of them last season. They beat the teams they were supposed to beat, and got beaten (usually handily) by the better teams on the schedule. Two of the top three scorers return in Collin Bacon (11.6) and Gabe Loera (8.1). Bacon led the team in rebounding and steals last season, while Loera finished second in made 3s with 30, albeit at just a 20.8% clip. Robert White (2.9) and Collin Malcolm (1.6) are the only other returnees who saw much time last season. This group struggled to score last season (43.6 points a game), and likely will again this season. They’ll have enough to beat the Kees, Central Elkaders and West Centrals of the world, but they look destined to finish in a similar position to last year.
South Winneshiek (13-8, 13-4): The Warriors were incredibly competitive last season, with all but one of their eight losses coming by less than 10 points. They lose a significant amount of firepower from that group, with two of their top three scorers graduating in Levi Lukes and Cole Klimesh, who combined to average over 27 points a game. But they still bring back nearly 65% of their scoring output from last year, and should challenge MFL and Turkey Valley atop the league. Jacob Herold (13.0) is the leading returning scorer. He led the team with 29 made 3s last season, and also dished out a team-high 64 assists. Collin Wiltgen (9.2) is a solid interior presence, while Jaron Todd (7.7) and Noah Tieskotter (5.3) can do a little bit of everything. There is plenty of experience returning for South Winn, and Herold should emerge as one of the conference’s best players this season.
Turkey Valley (18-5, 14-2): Four starters, and the top five scorers, return from last year’s team for the Trojans, giving them plenty of experience, especially when you consider they’re essentially getting back a fifth starter in Keegan Balk, who missed all of last season after starting as a sophomore. Ethan Leibold (17.6, 13.2 rebounds) is a walking double-double and a highly efficient post player who shot just under 61% from the floor. Eli Nymeyer (8.2), Eli Reicks (7.7) and Kannon Leuenberger (2.5) are the other returning starters, while Garrett Kurtenbach (6.3) and Kalvin Langreck (4.0) provide some scoring punch off the bench. This group was really strong on the defensive end last year, ranking sixth in 1A, allowing just 43.7 points a game. Look for them to be really strong on that end again. With plenty of experience returning and a strong defensive core, this group could make their first trip to Des Moines since 2010, and is the heavy favorite to take the league title.
West Central (1-18, 1-13): Things have been rough for the Blue Devils since Ethan Steinbronn graduated several years ago, and last year was no exception, ranking 137th in 1A in scoring offense, and 139th in defense. Aidan Nelson (10.4) is the top returnee. He was second on the team in scoring and led them in rebounding last season. Anthony Martin (2.3) and Logan Wescott (3.4) are the other key returnees. This group turned the ball over 461 times last season (over 24 a game), with 136 assists. It’s impossible to win games when you’re giving the opposition that many extra possessions, and unfortunately, it’ll probably happen again this year.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Turkey Valley
2. MFL-Mar-Mac
3. South Winneshiek
4. North Fayette Valley
5. Postville
6. Clayton Ridge
7. Kee
8. Central Elkader
9. West Central
Analysis: Turkey Valley looks like a decent favorite here, as they should ride Ethan Leibold and a strong defense to the top of the league again. But MFL and South Winneshiek certainly have the firepower to trip them up.
Preseason Player of the Year
2020 Ethan Leibold, Turkey Valley: 17.6 points, 13.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 60.8 FG%
One of just a handful of players around the state to average a double-double last season, Leibold was dominant for the Trojans, accounting for 32% of the team’s scoring and 42% of their rebounds.
Biggest Sleeper
2021 Cayden Ball, MFL-Mar-Mac: The 5-11 junior guard shot 42.4% from behind the arc last season on limited attempts and dished out 42 assists as a secondary ball handler. With an increased role this year, he should emerge as one of the area’s top shooters.
Players to Watch
2020 Ethan Leibold, Turkey Valley
2020 Eli Nymeyer, Turkey Valley
2020 Eli Reicks, Turkey Valley
2022 Garrett Kurtenbach, Turkey Valley
2020 Tyler Kurth, MFL-Mar-Mac
2020 Cedric Drahn, MFL-Mar-Mac
2020 Caden Stuckman, MFL-Mar-Mac
2020 Gavin Hertrampf, MFL-Mar-Mac
2021 Jacob Herold, South Winneshiek
2021 Collin Wiltgen, South Winneshiek
2020 Jaron Todd, South Winneshiek
2021 Kole Johnson, North Fayette Valley
2020 Brennan Imoehl, North Fayette Valley
2020 Collin Bacon, Postville
2020 Gabe Loera, Postville
2021 Aiden Nelson, West Central
2021 Hazen Loan, Central Elkader
2022 Caleb Helle, Clayton Ridge