Conference Preview: SICL West

<p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>The Teams</strong></span></p> <p><strong>BGM (17-6):</strong> The Bears lost highly productive guard [player_tooltip player_id="801955" first="Noah" last="Beck"] to graduation. Beck led the team in every major statistical category, so they have a lot of production to replace. The good news is that three of the top five scorers return in Grant Hall (8.3), Jacob Moel (7.1) and Trase Kriegel (6.2), so they do have some experienced players returning. Look for this to be a much more balanced attack this year, and they should remain competitive.</p> <p><strong>Colfax-Mingo (14-8):</strong> The Tigerhawks lost leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id="801880" first="Brady" last="Berkey"] to graduation, but bring back four players who averaged between 8.4 and 11.8 points a game, so they have a good amount of production returning. Jake Nichols (11.8, 9.8 rebounds) is the leading returnee, a strong, athletic forward who can control the glass on both ends of the floor. David Rague (9.5) will be the team’s primary ball-handling option, while Cole Bracewell (8.6) and Zach Steenhoek (8.4) provide some additional scoring punch. Bracewell is the team’s top perimeter shooting threat. With four key players back, look for C-M to challenge BGM and North Mahaska for second in the division. </p> <p><strong>HLV (7-17):</strong> The Warriors will likely take a big step back this year following the graduation of their top five scorers from last year's team. Beau York (3.7) is the top returnee and will be asked to step into the leading scorer role. </p> <p><strong>Lynnville-Sully (5-16):</strong> The Hawks lose three double-figure scorers, and four of their top five scorers overall. Mason Rodibaugh (7.6) is the top returnee, and look for increased production out of sophomores Conner Maston (4.4) and Preston Rodibaugh (4.1). It might be another long winter for L-S, but they have some pieces in place to start building towards something in the next few years. </p> [caption id="attachment_1040495" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Trey-Shearer.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1040495 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Trey-Shearer-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="796108" first="Trey" last="Shearer"][/caption] <p><strong>Montezuma (25-3):</strong> The Braves finished third in 1A last year, and have dominated this division of late. They won their 12 games against divisional foes by an average of 25.9 points a game last season, and bring back their top four scorers from that group. Lead guard [player_tooltip player_id="796108" first="Trey" last="Shearer"] (25.2), a Truman State signee, is probably the best player in 1A, a dynamic playmaking guard who is a threat to explode for 40 on any night. [player_tooltip player_id="796146" first="Cole" last="Watts"] (17.7) and [player_tooltip player_id="956886" first="Masin" last="Shearer"] (8.2) join him in the backcourt, giving the Braves a ton of shooting and quickness on the perimeter, while junior big man [player_tooltip player_id="962629" first="Eddie" last="Burgess"] (11.4, 10.5 rebounds) controls the paint. Look for increased production out of sophomore guard Gavin Strong (1.3), who will be asked to help replace some of the things that Brayden Arendt did for them last year. This group should have no issues with any of the teams in the division, and will be one of the top contenders for the 1A state crown this year.</p> <p><strong>North Mahaska (12-10):</strong> The Warhawks were pretty competitive against the non-Montezuma (and Ankeny Christian) portion of their schedule last year, and return 98.5% of their scoring. Three of their top four scorers last year were freshmen, and often times the biggest improvement that is made is between the freshman and sophomore seasons, so watch out for that group. Braden Steel (10.2, 7.6 rebounds) was one of the most productive freshmen in the state last season, and Lane Harmon (9.3) and Nash Smith (9.2) also had strong freshmen campaigns. Addy Bollman (9.5), Blake Readshaw (7.5) and Dylan Klinker (6.7) provide additional scoring punch, and the top 12 scorers in all return, giving them plenty of depth. North Mahaska has a bright future, and it starts this year. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Projected Order of Finish</strong></span><br /> 1. Montezuma<br /> 2. North Mahaska<br /> 3. Colfax-Mingo<br /> 4. BGM<br /> 5. Lynnville-Sully<br /> 6. HLV</p> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> This is one of the easiest decisions to make around the state. The Braves dominated the division last year, and bring back their top four from that group. North Mahaska should be much better, and could make some noise in the postseason.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Preseason Player of the Year</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="796108" first="Trey" last="Shearer"], Montezuma (2021):</strong> 25.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.4 steals, 61.6 FG%, 43.7 3P%</p> <p>Shearer is probably the best player in 1A basketball, with his ability to fill it up from anywhere at a highly efficient clip. A lightning quick guard who has the ball on a string, he’s nearly impossible for defenders to slow down at this level.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Players to watch</strong></span></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="796108" first="Trey" last="Shearer"], Montezuma (2021)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="956886" first="Masin" last="Shearer"], Montezuma (2023)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="796146" first="Cole" last="Watts"], Montezuma (2021)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="962629" first="Eddie" last="Burgess"], Montezuma (2022)</p> <p>Braden Steel, North Mahaska (2023)</p> <p>Addy Bollman, North Mahaska (2021)</p> <p>Lane Harmon, North Mahaska (2023)</p> <p>Nash Smith, North Mahaska (2023)</p> <p>Jake Nichols, Colfax-Mingo (2021)</p>