Conference Preview: Missouri River

<h4>The Teams</h4> [caption id="attachment_1290535" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/128-Matthew-Noll.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1290535 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/128-Matthew-Noll-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Noll[/caption] Bishop Heelan (6-16): It was a rough year last season for the Crusaders, winning just four league games, sweeping both North and Council Bluffs Jefferson, but there is some reason for optimism heading into the 2021-22 campaign. That was a very young team, and they bring back the top seven scorers from it. They’ll be led by senior forward Nick Miller (10.8), who led the team in scoring and rebounding last season. The backcourt should be improved with more experience, headlined by junior [player_tooltip player_id="1288894" first="Carter" last="Kuehl"] (8.5), senior Levi Meis (7.6), and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1288898" first="Beau" last="Chamberlain"] (4.9). Kuehl is coming off a strong summer and fall, particularly as a shooter, and he should be ready to make a big impact on the perimeter. The Crusaders also add [player_tooltip player_id="1171695" first="Matthew" last="Noll"], one of the top players in Iowa’s 2024 class, to their rotation this year. Noll is a long 6-5/6-6 wing who can really shoot it. He was arguably the best player on a very good Martin Brothers 15U team this summer, and should be a big-time contributor. Expect to see a much more competitive Heelan squad this year. Council Bluffs Jefferson (1-21): The Yellow Jackets won just one game last year, a 3-point win over Sioux City North. The good news is that leading scorer and rebounder [player_tooltip player_id="1158507" first="Austin" last="Schubert"] (11.9) returns to give them a veteran presence to build around. Seniors Reese Schlofeld (6.3), Lane Toman (3.7), and Jaiden Adams (2.8) all saw significant time last season and return as well. [caption id="attachment_1224660" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Josh-Dix.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1224660 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Josh-Dix-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" /></a> Dix[/caption] Council Bluffs Lincoln (19-5): The Lynx rolled through conference play last year, going 15-0 against league foes and winning games by an average score of 68-41. Knowing that the MRAC isn’t going to prepare them very well for postseason play, they’ve scheduled very aggressively this season. Their schedule features games against out-of-state powers like Bellevue West, Millard North, and Grand Island, all of Nebraska; Sunrise Christian Academy of Kansas; and Minneapolis North. There are also games against Dowling Catholic and Valley, and scrimmages against Ames and Waukee Northwest. Simply put, they are trying to test themselves as much as possible. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="682266" first="Josh" last="Dix"] (19.4) is one of the best wings in the Midwest, and he has signed to play his college ball at Iowa. At 6-5, Dix is a stat-sheet stuffing wing who dominates the game on both ends of the floor. He can really shoot it, gets to the bucket at will, and dished out 4.3 assists a game last season. He’s also a fantastic defender who uses his length really well on that end to jump passing lanes or contest shots. Fellow senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="784974" first="Jamison" last="Gruber"] (11.9, 4.3 assists) is coming off a really strong summer, showcasing an improved jumper. In Gruber and Dix, the Lynx have a pair of very talented guards who take care of the ball and can fill it up. JR Knauss (3.3) was a solid role player last year, and senior big Jake Duffey (2.7) has some potential in the paint. There is also some young talent in the system that could contribute. The Lynx are the class of western Iowa, and the non-conference schedule should pay some dividends this year. Le Mars (17-6): The Bulldogs were extremely successful in their second year in the MRAC, compiling 13 wins against league competitions, with their lone conference losses coming to 4A power CBAL. The ’Dogs lose a pair of double-figure scorers, but bring back senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1158466" first="Caleb" last="Dreckman"] (10.0, 43.1 3P%), an elite shooting threat to lead the charge. Fellow senior shooter Brady Williams (7.9, 39.8 3P%) gives them a pair of high-powered shooting threats, which will be key in keeping this group competitive as they find more depth. Cal Eckstaine (4.4) and [player_tooltip player_id="1235017" first="Konnor" last="Calhoun"] (4.0) also saw significant playing time last year, but outside of those four, there isn’t much coming back. There may be some growing pains early on for the ’Dogs, but they should be a highly competitive group with the type of shooting that will make them a viable threat to upset anyone. Sergeant Bluff-Luton (17-8): The Warriors got off to a really slow 1-4 start last year and were hovering around .500 before February. Then they got hot, running off 11 straight wins before losing to eventual champion Pella in the state semifinals. This school has become a fixture in Des Moines, making their fifth consecutive state tournament appearance last year, and while they’ll have a difficult time getting back following the graduations of the top four scorers, coach Adam Vander Schaaf is one of the best in the state and this program is operating at a high level. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="962638" first="Jacob" last="Imming"] (7.6) is the top returning scorer, while junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1167745" first="Tyler" last="Smith"] (7.1) also saw significant time last year. This group is always strong defensively, and that should continue this season. They’ll certainly have some rough stretches during the season with their inexperience, but expect to see Vander Schaaf getting this group rolling in February and a real threat in 3A again. [caption id="attachment_1070408" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Van-Dyke-e1619112082793.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1070408 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Van-Dyke-e1619112082793-300x236.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="236" /></a> Van Dyke[/caption] Sioux City East (13-10): The longtime MRAC stalwarts finished with double-figure losses for the first time in the QuikStats/VarsityBound era (dating back to 2006-07) last season, and lost big-time scorer [player_tooltip player_id="1056594" first="DaVares" last="Whitaker"], who moved back to Arkansas after spending a year in Sioux City. Whitaker averaged nearly 25 points a game and will be a big piece to replace. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1158432" first="Bie" last="Ruei"] (11.9) is the top returning scorer, and junior combo forward [player_tooltip player_id="1167750" first="Brandt" last="Van Dyke"] (6.6) could be in line for a major breakout year for the Black Raiders. Van Dyke is a versatile scoring threat with great size and length, and he may be the biggest beneficiary of Whitaker’s departure. Expect to see East continue to put up points in bunches, and they may even get back to their big winning ways with a more balanced attack this season. Sioux City North (4-18): The Stars lose leading scorer Evan Helvig to graduation, but bring back the next six scorers from last year’s team that pulled off a late-season upset over West. North struggled to put the ball in the bucket consistently last season, averaging just 42.2 points a game, which is a bit unusual in the high-tempo, free-flowing MRAC. Senior Carter Pinney (7.5) is the top returnee, while fellow senior Jake Beargeon (4.1) gives them an experienced backcourt to build around. [caption id="attachment_1166808" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Keavian-Hayes.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1166808 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Keavian-Hayes-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Hayes[/caption] Sioux City West (11-11): The Wolverines were dealt a blow when [player_tooltip player_id="962663" first="Keeon" last="Hutton"], a nearly 17-point-a-game scorer, moved to Wichita. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1167668" first="Keavian" last="Hayes"] (17.4) returns, however, giving them their leading scorer and a dynamic ball-handler to lead the way. The problems for West have come on the defensive end of the floor. In their 11 wins last year, they allowed 52.3 points a game, but in the 11 losses, that number ballooned up to 74.4 points. Of course, those losses came against much better teams, but they have to find a way to either slow the game down, or play better defense if they want to be considered a serious contender. Lamarion Mothershead (7.9), Master Brooks (3.1), and Mabior Akuien (3.0) return with experience, and Mothershead should step into a secondary scoring role effectively. Hayes is a star, but defense and the role players will determine just how good this team can be.   <h4>Projected Order of Finish</h4> 1. Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln 2. East 3. Le Mars 4. Sergeant Bluff-Luton 5. West 6. Heelan 7. North 8. Council Bluffs Jefferson Analysis: It’s all CBAL in this league this year. The Lynx dominated league opponents last year, and bring back a significant chunk from that team. East may actually be better this year with a more balanced attack, while Le Mars, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, and West will all be dangerous teams as well.   <h4>Preseason Player of the Year</h4> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682266" first="Josh" last="Dix"], Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln: This was perhaps the easiest selection of any conference in the state. The Iowa signee is a dynamic two-way player who stuffs the stat sheet and scores at a highly efficient clip. He has an outstanding feel for the game, knowing when he needs to take over as a scorer, or getting others involved. The do-it-all wing is also one of the top two contenders for Mr. Basketball this season.   <h4>Players to Watch</h4> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682266" first="Josh" last="Dix"], Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="784974" first="Jamison" last="Gruber"], Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167668" first="Keavian" last="Hayes"], Sioux City West 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962663" first="Keeon" last="Hutton"], Sioux City West 2023 Lamarion Mothershead, Sioux City West 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158432" first="Bie" last="Ruei"], Sioux City East 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167750" first="Brandt" last="Van Dyke"], Sioux City East 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158507" first="Austin" last="Schubert"], Council Bluffs Jefferson 2022 Nick Miller, Heelan 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1288894" first="Carter" last="Kuehl"], Heelan 2022 Levi Meis, Heelan 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1288898" first="Beau" last="Chamberlain"], Heelan 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158466" first="Caleb" last="Dreckman"], Le Mars 2022 Brady Williams, Le Mars 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962638" first="Jacob" last="Imming"], Sergeant Bluff-Luton 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167745" first="Tyler" last="Smith"], Sergeant Bluff-Luton