Conference Preview: CIML Metro

<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Teams</strong></span></p> <p><strong>East (0-22)</strong>: After an 0-22 overall record in 2019-2020 season, East does return a good portion of their scoring and players. Leading them will be James Jefferson with 10.6 points per game. The Scarlets played a lot of players this past season, but they couldn’t figure out how to control the ball as they were turning the ball over at a rate of 23.4 turnovers per game. If they are going to improve their record and performances they will need to take care of the ball. A positive going the Scarlets direction is the fact that they return some cohesiveness to their team. Along with Jefferson they return scoring from Greg Weaver Horton (7.4), Derrick Troncoso (7.0), and Blessing Gbambo (6.0). This will help that they won’t have to get used to each other and will have some comradery already within the team. I don’t expect East to go winless this year again, but it will be tough sledding.</p> <p><strong>Hoover (8-14)</strong>: Potentially the youngest team in this conference, let alone, the whole CIML, Hoover will be one to watch not only this year but for the next couple of years as they build up and on from last year. Hoover is led by a pair of Sophomores, [player_tooltip player_id="956876" first="Chase" last="Henderson"] (17.0) and [player_tooltip player_id="956869" first="Elijah" last="Vos"] (11.3). Henderson is arguably the best PG in his 2023 class, and Vos is a top 5 player in the class as well. Henderson has quicks, high IQ, and deep shooting ability whereas Vos is a finesse player who is nearly automatic from mid-range, shoots it from 3, and provides matchup nightmares for opponents. Another bright player who will be returning Hoover by way of North is [player_tooltip player_id="727866" first="Manny" last="Austin"]. Austin started his prep career with the Huskies and for his Senior year will look to bring more scoring on the perimeter after Junior guard Jonathan Beverlly has moved to Ames High School. Size is something Hoover has inside and will use a combination of players to man the paint. I do think the Huskies are capable of a higher 3pt % as they hit 34% of their perimeter shots a year ago. The Huskies could contend for a conference title but will need some growth from their young roster a year ago. </p> <p><strong>Lincoln (13-10)</strong>: Ending the conference season on a high note tying for the lead in the conference after splitting the season series with North, Lincoln will need to replace 4 of their top scorers from a year ago in order to repeat that success. The Railsplitters will be in a rebuilding year, but do have some players who will look to impact the team. The one name that has been floating around is incoming Freshman, Trovary Cavil. The Guard is advanced for his age and should see quality time at the varsity level. A Junior who saw significant playing time this past season is a hard-worker all over the floor is Aidan Cord (5.6). Senior Ryan Rand (3.9) and Junior Victor Hatungimana (0.6) were names that I saw this Fall who could make an impact on this team as well. </p> <p><strong>North (12-11)</strong>: At the end of the season this past year, the Polar Bears had their top scorer, [player_tooltip player_id="796110" first="Malik" last="Allen"], move to Waukee High School. With that being said, the Polar Bears bring back a nice core of players without Allen. The player leading the pack in scoring is Senior [player_tooltip player_id="727901" first="Diondre" last="Taylor"] (19.2). The second player is [player_tooltip player_id="964810" first="Deavin" last="Hilson"] (8.7) who provides a strong presence on the boards and an efficient perimeter shooter. Even without Allen, North will be a force to reckon with with the way Taylor can score the ball with anyone in the state, and do so on all levels but can put defenders on skates with quickness. For the fast paced Polar Bears, they were only averaging 11 turnovers per game a year ago, and they will look to keep that at a steady or even improve by bringing that down a point or two. Senior guard, Tharonn Locure (5.4 points) will be relied upon to bring shooting from the outside 30% 3pt, and another scoring threat to the offense. </p> <p><strong>Ottumwa (13-10)</strong>: Bringing back arguably the best player in the conference will help any team, but then bringing back 90% of the remaining scoring along with it will certainly bring a smile to Coach Neil Hartz face. [player_tooltip player_id="727889" first="Trae" last="Swartz"], 23.1 points per game, is the returning leader on this team and at 6’4 provides a matchup nightmare for opposing teams. Swartz shot it from the perimeter at a 47% 3pt, but also 56% from the field entirely. He is joined by returning senior Joe Hammer (10.0) and a host of other role players who will to provide a spark to the lineup around Swartz. Senior Kie Glosser could be a key component who provides a deep ball threat as he shot it at a 44% clip this past season. Ottumwa finished the season 4th in the conference but is a team I’m looking to take a step up and compete for that top spot this season.</p> <p><strong>Roosevelt (7-15)</strong>: To round out the conference, Roosevelt loses their leading scorer from a year ago, just like Lincoln and North do, in [player_tooltip player_id="721205" first="Romanique" last="Hellems"] (15.7). Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="964873" first="Jakari" last="Bradley"] (9.1) seems primed to take over the reigns for the Roughriders. Behind Bradley though, this will be a team looking for some youngsters to step up and fill a role. Senior Ethan Lovan played a significant time this past season and poured in 4.9 points and will need to help shoulder the scoring load. Other names to watch are three sophomores in Jamison Patton (4.2), George Williams (2.6) and Sam King who hasn’t played varsity yet for the Roughriders, but will look to bring shooting and solid guard play to the offense. King is someone who has impressed in the summer and fall seasons at various tournaments and camps. The final record may or may not show it this year, but look for Roosevelt to compete in this league going forward. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Projected Order of Finish</strong></span><br /> 1. Hoover<br /> 2. Ottumwa<br /> 3. North<br /> 4. Roosevelt<br /> 5. Lincoln<br /> 6. East</p> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>This conference could go any of 3 or 4 ways. Predicting Hoover to win this conference was not an easy decision, but I think Hoover is in prime position to also take this conference with the young talent they have and I think Henderson and Vos are the real deal to help Hoover. Teams should not sleep on Ottumwa either, with Swartz leading the pack and having a solid core of returning players to support him, they should be competing for the top spot as well. North has lost a few key players from this past season, but they always seem to consistently reload with talent to compete. The dark horse who could have their young players show up is Roosevelt. Also hard to forget Lincoln ended the season atop the conference this past season, but will need a young core to learn and grow quickly if they want to compete for the top. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Preseason Player of the Year</strong></span></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="727901" first="Diondre" last="Taylor"], <strong>Des Moines North (2021)</strong>: 19.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 44.5% FG</p> <p>This was a tough decision as I think [player_tooltip player_id="956876" first="Chase" last="Henderson"],[player_tooltip player_id="727889" first="Trae" last="Swartz"] and a dark horse candidate in [player_tooltip player_id="956869" first="Elijah" last="Vos"] have a good chance of claiming this title as well. Taylor gets the nod here as I think he’s only scratched the surface on what he can with the ball in his hands. This past season he averaged 19 points, but with Allen going to Waukee, the opportunities will be a plenty for him to have an even bigger impact on scoring, even on a state view. He will need to cut down on turnovers, but I think he’s fully capable of doing so.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Players to watch</strong></span></p> <p>James Jefferson, East (2021)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="956876" first="Chase" last="Henderson"], Hoover (2023)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="956869" first="Elijah" last="Vos"], Hoover (2023)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="727866" first="Manny" last="Austin"], Hoover (2021)</p> <p>Trovary Cavil, Lincoln (2024)</p> <p>Aidan Cord, Lincoln (2022)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="727901" first="Diondre" last="Taylor"], North (2021)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="727889" first="Trae" last="Swartz"], Ottumwa (2021)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="964873" first="Jakari" last="Bradley"], Roosevelt (2021)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>