Conference Preview: River Valley North

<h2>The Teams</h2> Anamosa (4-18, 4-16): The Blue Raiders won just 4 games last season, 3 coming against teams in the South division and their lone win in the North coming vs North Cedar (13-10). It will be an uphill battle for the Raiders if they want to make some noise this year. With 3 of their top scorers coming back including [player_tooltip player_id="682294" first="Sam" last="Wilt"], a 6’4 wing that led the team in every statistical category and a player of the year candidate in the conference, along with [player_tooltip player_id="962685" first="Jake" last="Jess"] (8.9), and Trae Klatt (8.5). Anamosa struggled defensively last season and they’ll need to become more consistent on that end of the floor. While some role players will need to step up like Andrew Morris, a 6’6 big who can control the paint. Trending upwards, the Raiders look to build on some much needed experience they gained last season. Bellevue (7-15, 6-13): The Comets are returning only one of their top 5 scorers from last seasons campaign, which included 7 wins and some close losses in conference play. They’ll look to lean on Colby Sieverding who had a solid sophomore season averaging 11.3 points a game. Look for him to have a breakout year, doing the majority of the scoring for a team that will need to find some key role players to step up around him. The Comets struggled offensively last season, shooting a poor field goal percentage and turning it over at an alarming rate. A key to this team’s success moving forward will be finding guys that will take care of the ball. Expect a growing year for this young squad lacking much needed experience. Camanche (23-4, 18-1): Looking to build off a state semifinalist appearance last season, It won’t be an easy task. The Indians are hit hard by graduation, losing 3 of the best players in 2A from a season ago. The trio of [player_tooltip player_id="576971" first="Caleb" last="Delzell"], [player_tooltip player_id="801850" first="LJ" last="Henderson"] & [player_tooltip player_id="801836" first="Cameron" last="Soenksen"] combined for a little over 40 per game last year. With that being said, you couldn’t ask for a better piece to build around then 2022 standout [player_tooltip player_id="682268" first="Zach" last="Erwin"] (9.1), a match-up nightmare at 6’5 the "do it all" forward can stuff the stat sheet night after night in this league. Look for him to build off a big summer on the AAU circuit with the Iowa Mavericks. The Indians will also look for [player_tooltip player_id="796151" first="Jordan" last="Lawrence"] (8.5), an elite on ball defender to become more assertive in the offense this season. Other contributors will include [player_tooltip player_id="962661" first="Mike" last="Delzell"] (4.5) an unselfish lefty who can shoot it at a high clip, [player_tooltip player_id="964881" first="Zayne" last="Feller"] (5.4) a crafty big man who has a high motor along with 2022 Adam Dunlap, a crafty slasher at the guard position who saw limited minutes, playing mostly JV last season. Look for them, as well as others to step up & fill the roles on a team that lost so much. If the Indians can find leadership early on, look for them to remain a contender in class 2A, where they are currently 9th in our preseason rankings. This is a team that has built a winning culture in recent years & a new group that is looking to make a name for themselves. Cascade (15-9, 12-7): The Cougars went 12-5 after winter break last season with 3 of the losses coming to Monticello, one to Camanche and one to Regina. Looking to build off the strong finish to what some would consider a "down year" for a program with so much success. Graduating their top 4 scorers, it may be a difficult task for first year head coach Nate McMullen. They’ll need to find pieces to fit around Cooper Rausch (5.6) and Eli Green (3.8), look for 2023 big man Cole McDermott to fill the role in the paint this season. Once again, be prepared to see the stifling 2-3 zone from the Cougars this season. Zone allows them to control the pace of play, holding opponents to only 38 points per game last season & giving themselves a chance in almost every game. The good news is, they aren’t the only team that was hit hard by graduation, lookout for a young savvy team to surprise some people this winter. Monticello (21-3, 17-1): After a stellar "19-20" season, highlighted by the Panthers first state appearance in 60 years. The question is, where do they go from here? The answer is up, not only do they return all 5 starters, they are also moving up a class to 3A this season. With a group of savvy veterans who have been playing together for 4 years at the varsity level now, it’s hard to imagine anyone else being the favorite in the RVC North this season. Leading the way for the Panthers is 2021 sensation [player_tooltip player_id="796120" first="Justin" last="Recker"] (17.2) highlighted more below. Accompanying Recker is one of the best shooting casts in the state, including 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="964837" first="Luke" last="Lambert"] (10.0) a 6’4 guard who you can always count on to make the right play. Luke can fill the score sheet up as well, on any given night he might be close to a triple double. At the wing will be [player_tooltip player_id="964856" first="Connor" last="Lambert"] (7.8) who brings experience, shooting ability and more length to the team. At the other guard Monticello is led by [player_tooltip player_id="956879" first="Tate" last="Petersen"] (9.5) a sharpshooter who will handle the rock & make plays for others. Coming in at 18th in the new class of 2023 rankings, look for Petersen to stand out in his sophomore campaign. A key to the success of this team in the past has been on the defensive end of the floor, and their ability to share & take care of the ball. I don’t see that changing heading into this year. Look for them to sit down and take away opponents first option with an elite on ball defender such as [player_tooltip player_id="964892" first="Ty" last="Kehoe"]. The Panthers are going to be a must see for high school basketball fans in Eastern Iowa. North Cedar (13-10, 10-8): The Knights fared pretty well in a tough North division last season with the help of some senior leadership. Losing their top two scorers they will look to some of their role players from last season to lead the way. This team will be highlighted by Kael Unrich (11.3), an athletic guard who led the team in steals, while also shooting 38% from deep in limited attempts. Helping Kael will be Gage Walshire (10.1), a 6’0 forward who plays bigger than he is, averaging 6.7 rebounds per game last season. Look for North Cedar to call on some new guards early in the season to help with scoring. It will be a tough road for the Knights in a conference that is never easy. Northeast (13-10, 11-8): Another team that will be hurt by the graduation of some scoring guards. Unlike the others, the Rebels have some key pieces returning this season as well. One of the bright spots will be their big man, [player_tooltip player_id="964947" first="Judd" last="Swanton"] (9.0), while also pulling down 7.6 rebounds per game, Swanton is a strong kid, who has a high motor & it shows. Another key contributor back from last years squad will be 2022 Cade Hughes (6.2). a lengthy forward who can step out and knock down the deep one, Hughes is a match-up problem for most teams & I expect him to step up and fill a much larger role this season. Northeast is a program that normally excels on the defensive end, they weren’t great at getting stops last season, so look for them to get back on track with this long athletic group.   Projected Order of Finish 1. Monticello 2. Camanche 3. Anamosa 4. Northeast 5. Cascade 6. Bellevue 7. North Cedar Analysis: Monticello looks to run away with it this year, unless Camanche can put the pieces back together quick and battle for the top spot. Anamosa should be a team on the rise, while Northeast will be in the mix if they can find some scoring as well. Cascade, Bellevue and North Cedar were all hurt by graduation, but don’t be surprised if one of these three makes a late push.   Preseason Player of the Year 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="796120" first="Justin" last="Recker"], Monticello: 17.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.2 assist, 1.4 blocks, 1.3 steals<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Justin-Recker.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1064097 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Justin-Recker-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Recker, a 6’6 forward who can beat you inside & out, he has the speed to get around you, the length and bounce to score at the rim as well as the touch to shoot it from anywhere. He will be one of the most dominant players in the state once again and a nightmare of a match-up for anyone who has to play him. The leader of this team, he will "wow" you almost every night with a highlight play, if you haven’t had a chance to see him, I urge you to this winter. Biggest Sleeper 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962661" first="Mike" last="Delzell"], Camanche: 4.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.5 assist Delzell is the younger brother of Caleb (Kirkwood) although their games aren’t the same, they both have a high basketball IQ and always seem to make the right play. Mike could step into a perfect role with the Indians this season, shooting it at around 38% from deep last year look for him to breakout much like he did on the gridiron this fall. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Zach-Erwin-1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1026949 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Zach-Erwin-1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>Players to watch 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="964881" first="Zayne" last="Feller"], Camanche 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682268" first="Zach" last="Erwin"], Camanche 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962661" first="Mike" last="Delzell"], Camanche 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="796151" first="Jordan" last="Lawrence"], Camanche 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="796120" first="Justin" last="Recker"], Monticello 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="964837" first="Luke" last="Lambert"], Monticello 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="964856" first="Connor" last="Lambert"], Monticello 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="964892" first="Ty" last="Kehoe"], Monticello 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956879" first="Tate" last="Petersen"], Monticello 2024 Preston Ries, Monticello 2021 Kael Unruh, North Cedar 2021 Gage Walshire, North Cedar 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="964947" first="Judd" last="Swanton"], Northeast 2022 Cade Hughes, Northeast 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682294" first="Sam" last="Wilt"], Anamosa 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962685" first="Jake" last="Jess"], Anamosa 2021 Trae Klatt, Anamosa 2021 Cooper Rausch, Cascade 2023 Cole McDermott, Cascade 2022 Colby Sieverding, Bellevue