Conference Preview: Iowa Star South

<h4>The Teams</h4> <p><strong>Baxter (13-8):</strong> The Bolts’ eight losses last season came by an average of 5.25 points a game, so they were extremely close to having a special season. They bring back the top four scorers, and seven of the top eight, from that team, so expect to see them challenging Meskwaki at the top of the division. Junior wing Cody Damman (14.1) is the leading returning scorer, while seniors Rory Heer (9.3) and Nate McMinamen (8.0), junior [player_tooltip player_id="1240107" first="Carson" last="Scroggins"] (8.2), and sophomore Treyton Travis (4.9) round out an experienced group of returnees. Following the graduation of Kael Johnston, who tied for the team lead in assists, expect to see Damman have the ball in his hands more this year, showcasing his playmaking abilities and getting others involved. The Bolts did a solid job last year of limiting turnovers, and if they can continue with that, they’ll have a chance to unseat the Warriors at the top.</p> <p><strong>Collins-Maxwell (7-15):</strong> The Spartans lost their leading scorer to graduation, but return everyone else from last year’s team, so there is some reason for optimism. Junior forward Luke Huntrods (11.5) and senior Austin Kepple (10.2) return as double-figure scorers, and senior guard Weston Kahler (8.7) led the team in assists last season. The Spartans crash the offensive glass hard, pulling down over 12 offensive rebounds a game last season, and if they can cut down on the turnovers (18.6 a night), they’ll be a more efficient and dangerous offensive team. </p> <p><strong>Colo-Nesco (8-13):</strong> Sophomore forward Lucas Frohwein (9.5) returns after leading the Royals in scoring and rebounding last year as a freshman. Kenny Cutler (7.0) led the team in assists, and Bradley Thomas (5.4) and Ephram Muntz (3.4) also return with experience. If Frohwein can take another step forward, Colo could make a jump up the standings this season.</p> <p><strong>GMG (9-10):</strong> The Wolverines got off to a strong 5-1 start last year before faltering following the holiday break. They have to replace leading scorer Avery Bryant, who averaged just under 17 points a game last season but bring back their next three scorers in sophomores Jabari Woodbury (8.5) and Austin Vaverka (7.4), and senior Kooper Gill (8.3). Vaverka led the team in assists and steals last season, giving them a solid lead guard to run the show. Woodbury and Gill also each averaged at least 2.5 assists a game, so the Wolverines will have a trio of ball-handlers that they can trust. Replacing Bryant and Zach Krull’s production on the glass (combined for 15.2 rebounds a game) will be tough.</p> <p><strong>Meskwaki Settlement (20-4):</strong> The Warriors absolutely rolled through this division last year, winning 14 divisional games by an average of 25.4 points a game. They lose three starters, and four of their top five scorers, from that group, but return the best player in the league and should be expected to finish atop the division again. They’ll be led by senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1158486" first="Osceola" last="Tyon"] (16.6), a versatile and athletic scoring threat who can fill it up from all three levels. Larnell Velaquez (4.8) will be the primary ball-handling threat after dishing out 3.6 assists a game, and Dayvin Guevara (2.6) saw some time last year as well. They don’t bring back a lot, but Meskwaki has proven year after year that they can find talent that fits into their pressing, up-tempo style, and they should be the best team in the division again. <em><strong>(Writer’s note: We learned after publishing that [player_tooltip player_id="1158486" first="Osceola" last="Tyon"] has transferred to South Tama, leaving Larnell Velaquez as the top returnee for the Warriors.)</strong></em></p> <p><strong>North Tama (9-14):</strong> Four starters, and the top five scorers, return to a Red Hawks team that showed some of their potential late last year with a postseason win over Baxter. [player_tooltip player_id="1158504" first="Gabe" last="Kopriva"] (16.2), a senior scoring wing, returns as the leader, while fellow seniors Devin McKinley (9.5) and [player_tooltip player_id="1158446" first="Adam" last="Greiner"] (9.5) will pair with Kopriva to comprise a veteran backcourt. Junior forward Michael Schrier (4.1) isn’t much of an offensive threat, but he pulled down 7.9 rebounds a game last year, including 3.8 offensive, so he’ll control the painted area. With lots of experience returning to a team that improved as the year went on, expect to see North Tama above .500 this season and contending for a top-3 finish in the division.</p> <p><strong>Valley Lutheran (0-19):</strong> The Crusaders struggled offensively last year, with just four games in which they scored 40+ points. The top three scorers return from that group, led by senior guard Donovan Elmore (9.2, 41.4 3P%), a strong shooting threat from the arc. Junior guard Adric Schmitz (8.1) also returns, but no other player averaged more than 3.3 points a game last year. With a bunch of players returning, they should be a bit more competitive this year, but they just don’t have the talent or numbers to compete consistently.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Projected Order of Finish</h4> <p>1. Meskwaki Settlement<br /> 2. Baxter<br /> 3. North Tama<br /> 4. Collins-Maxwell<br /> 5. Colo-Nesco<br /> 6. GMG<br /> 7. Valley Lutheran</p> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Meskwaki was the best team in the division last year, and despite their personnel losses, they should be considered the favorite again. Baxter brings back a ton of experience from a team that was really close to having a special year last season and will push Meskwaki at the top, while North Tama could present some issues for those top two on any given night. <em><strong>(Writer’s note: We learned after publishing that Osceloa Tyon has transferred from Meskwaki to South Tama. Drop the Warriors down to third in the division, and move Baxter and North Tama up.)</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Preseason Player of the Year</h4> <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158486" first="Osceola" last="Tyon"], Meskwaki Settlement:</strong> The Warriors rolled through this division last year, running up a 12-0 record against divisional foes, and the high-scoring Tyon was a big reason why. A quick and versatile guard who can impact the game on both ends of the floor, he’s a strong three-level scorer for the league’s best team.</p> <p><em><strong>(Writer’s note: We learned after publishing that Tyon has transferred to South Tama. North Tama wing [player_tooltip player_id="1158504" first="Gabe" last="Kopriva"] is our new preseason POY selection.)</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Players to Watch</h4> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158486" first="Osceola" last="Tyon"], Meskwaki Settlement<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158504" first="Gabe" last="Kopriva"], North Tama<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158446" first="Adam" last="Greiner"], North Tama<br /> 2022 Devin McKinley, North Tama<br /> 2023 Cody Damman, Baxter<br /> 2022 Rory Heer, Baxter<br /> 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1240107" first="Carson" last="Scroggins"], Baxter<br /> 2023 Luke Huntrods, Collins-Maxwell<br /> 2022 Austin Keppe, Collins-Maxwell<br /> 2022 Weston Kahler, Collins-Maxwell<br /> 2024 Lucas Frohwein, Colo-Nesco<br /> 2022 Donovan Elmore, Valley Lutheran<br /> 2024 Jabari Woodbury, GMG<br /> 2022 Kooper Gill, GMG<br /> 2024 Austin Vaverka, GMG</p>