Conference Preview: Iowa Star South
In this article:
The Teams Baxter (15-7): The Bolts were great against non-Meskwaki teams last year in league play, but have major holes to fill following the graduations of Cole Damman Cole Damman 5'8" | PG Baxter | 2020 State IA and Carter…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Teams
Baxter (15-7): The Bolts were great against non-Meskwaki teams last year in league play, but have major holes to fill following the graduations of Cole Damman Cole Damman 5'8" | PG Baxter | 2020 State IA and Carter Nelsen. That duo combined to average 37.4 points a game last season. Roy Heer (7.7), Cody Damman (5.8), Kael Johnston (5.0) and Andrew Klemme (2.3) all saw significant playing time last season, but one of them will need to emerge as the go-to guy for this group.
Collins-Maxwell (7-15): The Spartans really struggled down the stretch last year, going 1-10 in their last 11 games and allowing 67.8 points a game (which includes allowing 27 to Valley Lutheran in the lone win). Mason Markley (10.5) is the lone returnee among the top five from last season, and will be asked to step into the primary scoring role. Luke Huntrods (5.0) and Jace Huntrods (3.6) return after solid freshmen seasons and will be asked to become key contributors.
Colo-Nesco (3-19): The Royals lose the top three scorers from last year’s team, with Tanner Ingle (3.6) the top returnee. Five players who saw significant time are back, but they’ll all have to adjust to much larger roles this year.
GMG (5-17): The Wolverines won five games last season (two each against Colo-Nesco and Valley Lutheran, and one against Clarksville). They bring back senior forward Avery Bryant Avery Bryant 6'3" | PF GMG | 2021 State IA (14.9), who pulled down 8.5 rebounds a game to go with his scoring. Four of the top five scorers return, and if they can take better care of the ball this year, they should be a bit more competitive against the better teams in the league.
Meskwaki Settlement (18-5): The Warriors rolled through teams in the division last year, winning all 13 games against divisional teams by an average of 34.8 points a game. They bring back their top four scorers from that group, and 92% of their scoring overall returns. They’re led by do-everything guard Taurice Grant Taurice Grant 5'11" | PG Meskwaki Settlement School | 2021 State IA (15.8), who stuffed the stat sheet to the tune of 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 5.1 steals a game last year. Victor Balderas Victor Balderas 6'2" | PF Meskwaki Settlement | 2021 State IA (14.4) and Osceola Tyon (10.7) are talented scorers alongside Grant, and Tiernan Wanatee Tiernan Wanatee 5'11" | SG Meskwaki Settlement | 2021 State IA (9.5), Evan Nelson (5.3) and Larnell Velaquez (5.1) provide depth. The Warriors like to apply constant pressure against teams, and that will allow them to continue to overwhelm teams in the division. This should be a team that is fighting for a spot in Des Moines come late February and early March.
North Tama (8-14): The Redhawks lose a huge piece in Ryan McLean Ryan McLean 6'3" | PF North Tama | 2020 State IA , who averaged 17.7 points and 9.4 rebounds last season. Adam Greiner (10.1) is the top returnee, but is the only one of the top five scorers from last year who is back. They’ll need to get majorly increased production from role players like Devin McKinley (3.5) and Evan Waller (3.0).
Valley Lutheran (0-16): The Crusaders scored more than 30 points just once last season and lost games by an average of 52 points a game. Donovan Elmore (3.9) is the leading returning scorer.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Meskwaki Settlement
2. Baxter
3. North Tama
4. Collins-Maxwell
5. GMG
6. Colo-Nesco
7. Valley Lutheran
Analysis: It’s Meskwaki Settlement, then a big gap here. The Warriors rolled through the division last year and bring nearly everything back.
Preseason Player of the Year
Taurice Grant Taurice Grant 5'11" | PG Meskwaki Settlement School | 2021 State IA , Meskwaki Settlement (2021): 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 5.1 steals
The leader of the division’s best team, Grant stuffs the stat sheet on both ends of the floor in a way that is matched by few players in the state. The impact that he makes on both ends is what sparks this potent Warriors team.
Players to watch
Taurice Grant Taurice Grant 5'11" | PG Meskwaki Settlement School | 2021 State IA , Meskwaki Settlement (2021)
Victor Balderas Victor Balderas 6'2" | PF Meskwaki Settlement | 2021 State IA , Meskwaki Settlement (2021)
Osceola Tyon, Meskwaki Settlement (2022)
Tiernan Wanatee Tiernan Wanatee 5'11" | SG Meskwaki Settlement | 2021 State IA , Meskwaki Settlement (2021)
Avery Bryant Avery Bryant 6'3" | PF GMG | 2021 State IA , GMG (2021)
Mason Markley, Collins-Maxwell (2021)
Adam Greiner, North Tama (2022)