Conference Preview: WaMaC West

The Teams Benton Community (12-9, 11-8): The Bobcats bring back just 19% of their scoring from last season, losing the top four scorers from that group. Clay Krousie (6.2), Grant Embretson (4.0) and Turner Schroeder (4.0) are the top returnees, and the only three who scored more than 18 points last season. Krousie is a good perimeter shooter (18-31 3P, 58.1% last year), while Embretson is an efficient forward who shot 65.5% from the floor last year. This group has a lot of production to replace, but Benton has proven year after year that they're going to put firepower on the floor. This year should be no exception, even if we don't know who the go-to scorers are going to be quite yet.   Center Point-Urbana (14-8, 13-7): CPU closed the season really strong last season, going 10-3 after the holiday break, with those three losses coming by a combined 10 points. They'll look to carry some of that momentum into this season. The Stormin' Pointers bring back two of their top three scorers in Kole Tupa (11.7) and Caleb Andrews (7.0). Tupa is a long, versatile big man who can stretch the floor, protect the rim and run the floor. He led the team in rebounding last season and should have a big senior year. Alex Wade (4.9) returns after leading the team in assists and should serve as the primary ball handler again, while Ethan Sells (3.0) gives them some more experience. The Pointers led 3A in scoring defense last season, allowing just 45.1 points a game, and they should be strong on that end again this season. Anytime you play that type of defense, you'll win plenty of games.   Clear Creek-Amana (11-9, 10-8): Four starters return for the Clippers, and five of the top seven scorers return to a team that lost four games by five or fewer points last season, meaning this group was really close to being a 15-win team with a fairly young roster. The trio of Tyler Schrepfer (12.1), CC Withrow (11.4) and TJ Bollers (10.2) gives them a well balanced scoring group, while Nick O’Connor (8.8) will be asked to combine with Schrepfer to give them some shooting ability. Withrow is an efficient wing who shot 54% from the floor, and knows that his strength is inside the arc. Bollers, a 6-5 junior, is one of the better football prospects in the Midwest, and his strength and athleticism in the paint can create all sorts of problems for smaller teams in the WaMaC. Brock Reade (4.1) is the other key returnee, and don’t be surprised to see the sophomore trio of Kyle Schrepfer, Gavin Zillyette and Ben Swails start to produce this year. The Clippers have lots of experience coming back, and if they can improve on the defensive end (42nd in 3A last year allowing 60.0 a game), they can turn some of those narrow losses into wins this year. Get that number down to 54 points a game or so, and this could be a State team, given the right draw.   Independence (3-19, 3-17): The Mustangs struggled on both ends of the floor last year, ranking 57th in 3A in scoring offense and 53rd in scoring defense (out of 64 teams). They bring back three of their top four, and four of their top six, from that group, so with the continuity and experience, they should be a bit better. They lose leading scorer Sean Geertsema, who averaged 11.5 points a game, but bring back their next three in Logan Schmitt (8.5), Ethan McCormick (8.8) and Blake Bartz (7.2). McCormick should emerge as the go-to scorer this year after leading the team with 48 made 3s (at a 40.7% clip). Schmitt made 26 3s of his own, and Bartz chipped in 19, giving the 'Stangs some shooting. Kaleb Lamphier (5.5) is the other key returnee. He should be the team's primary ball handler, distributing the ball to these shooters. Indy needs to improve on the defensive end if they want to make a jump this season.   South Tama (0-21, 0-19): A year after giving Xavier everything they could handle in the substate final, the Trojans endured a winless season. And after everything they lost from that group, it was probably to be expected. The issue is that Keith Keahna graduated, taking over 40% of last year's scoring with him. And this group struggled to score with him on the court, ranking 63rd (of 64) in 3A at just 37.4 points a game. Matt Wiese (4.6) is the top returnee, while Tyrin Lasley (3.9), Eli Keahna (3.6) and Sonny Demarce (3.2) are the other key returnees. This group will likely struggle to win a game against this season.   Vinton-Shellsburg (8-11, 6-10): The Vikings lose their top two scorers from last year's team. Sam Griffith (8.1) and Jose Wilson (6.1) are the top returnees, with CJ Rickels (4.5) providing some additional experience. This group really struggled from the arc (29.6%) and the free throw line (54.6%) last year, and those numbers will both need to improve if they want to push for a .500 finish this year.   Williamsburg (5-16, 5-13): Williamsburg was largely non-competitive last year, with only four of their 16 losses coming by single digits. But there is some reason for optimism, as six of the top seven from last year's team return for the Raiders, in a division that suffered a lot of key personnel losses. Kaden Wetjen (13.2) led the team in every major category last year and returns, as does Levi Weldon (7.6). Draven Williams (6.3) is a solid athlete in the frontcourt, while Ryan Cavett (4.7), Austin Burns (3.4) and Gabe Schlabaugh (2.0) all saw plenty of time last season. With the amount of experience this group has, they should be improved, but they still have a ways to go before they can be considered a real contender in the WaMaC.   Projected Order of Finish 1. Clear Creek-Amana 2. Center Point-Urbana 3. Benton Community 4. Williamsburg 5. Vinton-Shellsburg 6. Independence 7. South Tama Analysis: The difference between the East and West divisions of the WaMaC is stark. CCA and CPU have to be considered the favorites here, with the most returning talent, but Benton is always loaded with offensive talent and could surprise.   Preseason Player of the Year 2021 CC Withrow, Clear Creek-Amana: 11.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 54.0 FG% This division lost a lot of scoring firepower. You could make a solid argument for any of three CCA players to earn the POY honor (Withrow, Tyler Schrepfer or TJ Bollers), but we’re going with Withrow, the most efficient of the three. He ranked second on the team in scoring, assists and steals and shot 54% from the floor. The Clippers should be the team to beat in the division, and Withrow is one of several reasons why.   Biggest Sleeper 2021 Brock Reade, Clear Creek-Amana: Part of a strong junior class at CCA, Reade should be a key contributor for the Clippers this season off the bench. He's a decent shooter and solid secondary ball handler.   Players to Watch 2021 CC Withrow, Clear Creek-Amana 2020 Tyler Schrepfer, Clear Creek-Amana 2021 TJ Bollers, Clear Creek-Amana 2020 Nick O'Connor, Clear Creek-Amana 2020 Kaden Wetjen, Williamsburg 2021 Levi Weldon, Williamsburg 2020 Draven Williams, Willamsburg 2020 Kole Tupa, Center Point-Urbana 2020 Caleb Andrews, Center Point-Urbana 2020 Alex Wade, Center Point-Urbana 2020 Ethan McCormick, Independence 2020 Logan Schmitt, Independence 2020 Blake Bartz, Independence 2020 Kaleb Lamphier, Independence 2020 Sam Griffith, Vinton-Shellsburg 2020 Jose Wilson, Vinton-Shellsburg 2020 Clay Krousie, Benton