Conference Preview: NICL East

<h4>The Teams</h4> [caption id="attachment_1148917" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Jayden-Mackie-crop-2791x1833-1615514370.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1148917 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Jayden-Mackie-crop-2791x1833-1615514370-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Mackie[/caption] Aplington-Parkersburg (22-4): Coming off a semifinal appearance in Class 2A, the Falcons are without a doubt the team to beat in this division. Our preseason #3 team in the class returns over 73% of their scoring, with four of the top five scorers returning. They’re led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="751418" first="Jayden" last="Mackie"] (14.4), who erupted for 34 points on 13-14 shooting in the Falcons’ quarterfinal win over Van Meter, and another 21 on 9-17 in their semifinal loss to Boyden-Hull. He’s a talented scorer and facilitator who has worked hard on his jumper, and it certainly showed during that run. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1167691" first="Garrett" last="Hempen"] (12.2) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1171686" first="Gavin" last="Thomas"] (9.4) give the Falcons a dynamic trio of perimeter scoring threats, while [player_tooltip player_id="962633" first="Christian" last="Haugstad"] (8.4, 7.3 rebounds) gives them some size and rebounding in the paint. Elijah Switzer (4.8), Cooper Hoff (2.7), and Kael Schoneman (1.1) provide additional experience and shooting as role players. This is always an explosive offensive team, and they should be deep and talented again. The question for this team will be whether or not they can defend well enough to make a run to Championship Friday. Columbus Catholic (3-19): The Sailors bring back their top two scorers in seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1235040" first="Carter" last="Gallagher"] (14.3) and Ben Trost (8.6). Gallagher is a solid scorer and distributor who also dished out a team-high 5.0 assists a game last season, which accounted for 55% of the team’s helpers. Expect to see some increased production out of fellow senior Dallas Westhoff (4.8), an efficient scorer who showed an ability to stretch the floor. With four of the top six scorers returning, Columbus should be a bit more competitive this season. Denver (19-6): One of the best seasons in Cyclones’ history ended in disappointment, a substate final loss to Aplington-Parkersburg. Four starters graduated, taking nearly 56 points a game with them. That leaves senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="962686" first="Caylor" last="Hoffer"] (12.2, 44.0 3P%) as the lone returning starter. Hoffer is a good place to start, a fantastic shooter and good ball-handler and decision-maker who can get others involved while limiting turnovers. Seniors Mitchell DeVries (3.7) and Hunter Shollenbarger (2.7) saw a good amount of playing time last season and will be asked to step into much larger roles. Hoffer should be one of the best players in the division, but the Cyclones will be hard pressed to match last year’s success with the immense personnel losses. Dike-New Hartford (19-3): The Wolverines were one of the best offensive teams in the state last season, but lose a massive chunk of that production following the graduations of all five starters. Those five accounted for 81% of the team’s scoring last season, and will obviously be major pieces to replace. Senior Cale Jensen (4.4) stepped into the starting lineup following an injury to Dane Fuller last season, and fellow senior Brewer Eiklenborg (6.5) is the top returning scorer. The Wolverines are a program that re-loads, not rebuilds, and they should be solid again despite the major personnel losses. They’ll once again be a high-powered offense because of their system, and they’ll be deep again. Hudson (7-15): The Pirates got off to a really slow 1-12 start last season before closing the season strong. They lost their top two scorers from that group, but bring back a trio of players who saw significant playing time as freshmen last season and will be the focal points of the program for the next three years in Lyle Olsen (6.5), Camden Davis (6.3), and [player_tooltip player_id="1288893" first="Tanner" last="Michael"] (4.0). Olsen is a good shooting threat who buried 46% of his 3-point attempts last season, and the trio are all solid perimeter options. Hudson loses a lot of experience, and it may be a bit of a rough year this season, but with their three sophomores to continue building around, the future of the program is bright. Jesup (12-11): The J-Hawks were a potent offensive team last year, averaging 68.3 points a game, and they bring back three of their top four scorers from that group. They’ll be led by senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1158441" first="Carson" last="Lienau"] (18.4, 9.7 rebounds), an efficient scorer who shot 65% from the floor last season. He runs the floor well and finishes with either hand around the bucket. They’ll be able to flank him with some talented options on the perimeter in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1153046" first="Jack" last="Miller"] (10.7, 37.2 3P%) and senior [player_tooltip player_id="1235018" first="Parker" last="McHone"] (9.9, 5.0 assists). Miller had a very productive freshman year as a shooter and has worked to improve his all-around scoring abilities, while McHone is a talented playmaking guard who thrives on getting others involved. Fellow senior Corbin Fuelling (6.1) was a solid contributor last year and brings some more scoring and experience to this group. They’ll need to improve on the defensive end if they want to be considered a legitimate contender after giving up 72.5 points a game in their 11 losses last season. Sumner-Fredericksburg (8-15): The Cougars showed some of their potential last season, posting quality wins over Wapsie Valley, South Winneshiek, and Dunkerton, but they lacked consistency. They bring back a pair of double-figure scorers in seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1158514" first="Peyton" last="Schmitz"] (14.8) and [player_tooltip player_id="1235028" first="Klay" last="Seehase"] (12.6), giving them a great foundation to build around. Schmitz is the headliner on the perimeter and should be the team’s primary ball-handler after finishing second in assists last season, while Seehase averaged a double-double, pulling down 10 rebounds a night. Brennan Duffy (2.4) is the only other returnee with significant experience. The Schmitz-Seehase tandem will be one of the best in the division, but this team will need to find some quality role players to fill in the holes. Union (6-16): The Knights struggled defensively last season, giving up 70+ points in 11 of their 22 games. They bring back their top three scorers from last year’s group in senior Grant Behrens (11.6), junior Ty Lorenzen (8.9), and senior TJ Freeland (8.7). That gives them a solid, experienced core to build around. Freeland led the team in assists last season, dishing out 3.5 helpers a night, and Lorenzen is a solid shooting threat. Union struggled to score at times last year, averaging 48.7 points a game, but with the experience they have coming back, they should be a bit more efficient this season and that number should increase. [caption id="attachment_1321277" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/113-Gunner-Meyer-crop-1596x1048-1635950122.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1321277 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/113-Gunner-Meyer-crop-1596x1048-1635950122-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Meyer[/caption] Wapsie Valley (17-5): The Warriors need to replace two very strong lead guards, but bring back a solid group of talent, with four of their top six scorers back. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="962601" first="Gunner" last="Meyer"] (12.6) and junior big man [player_tooltip player_id="956883" first="Mason" last="Harter"] (11.6, 9.5 rebounds) are the top returnees, a strong inside-out tandem who should be one of the best one-two punches in 1A. Meyer is an athletic wing who can score from all three levels, posting solid 44-39-61 shooting splits last season. He should have the ball in his hands more this year, showing his playmaking talents. Harter, a Sigourney transfer, was really strong on both ends fo the floor, blocking a shot a game to go with efficient scoring and rebounding. Parker Landsgard (7.2) and [player_tooltip player_id="1240097" first="Andrew" last="Westpfahl"] (6.9) are the other key returnees for this group. Landsgard does most of his scoring inside and the arc, while Westpfahl gives them some big-time shooting. Following the graduations of Blayde Bellis and Kobe Risse, they’ll need to find someone who can handle and distribute the ball consistently, but there is still a good amount of talent, athleticism, and size in the system. They should be very competitive again.   <h4>Projected Order of Finish</h4> 1. Aplington-Parkersburg 2. Wapsie Valley 3. Jesup 4. Dike-New Hartford 5. Denver 6. Sumner-Fredericksburg 7. Hudson 8. Union 9. Columbus Catholic Analysis: A-P is the clear choice here, as they open the season ranked #3 in our Class 2A poll. With their firepower, they’re a legitimate threat to win the 2A title, and they should be able to control this division from start-to-finish. Wapsie Valley, Jesup, and D-NH will also be competitive.   <h4>Preseason Player of the Year</h4> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="751418" first="Jayden" last="Mackie"], Aplington-Parkersburg: The Upper Iowa signee was arguably the standout performer of the entire state tournament last March, showcasing his all-around scoring talents and putting up points in bunches with efficiency. He’s a good athlete who can score from all three levels and facilitate, and is the best player on the league’s best team. This is a fairly easy selection.   <h4>Players to Watch</h4> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="751418" first="Jayden" last="Mackie"], Aplington-Parkersburg 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167691" first="Garrett" last="Hempen"], Aplington-Parkersburg 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171686" first="Gavin" last="Thomas"], Aplington-Parkersburg 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962633" first="Christian" last="Haugstad"], Aplington-Parkersburg 2022 Elijah Switzer, Aplington-Parkersburg 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158441" first="Carson" last="Lienau"], Jesup 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1153046" first="Jack" last="Miller"], Jesup 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235018" first="Parker" last="McHone"], Jesup 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962601" first="Gunner" last="Meyer"], Wapsie Valley 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956883" first="Mason" last="Harter"], Wapsie Valley 2022 Parker Landsgard, Wapsie Valley 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1240097" first="Andrew" last="Westpfahl"], Wapsie Valley 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235040" first="Carter" last="Gallagher"], Columbus Catholic 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158514" first="Peyton" last="Schmitz"], Sumner-Fredericksburg 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235028" first="Klay" last="Seehase"], Sumner-Fredericksburg 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962686" first="Caylor" last="Hoffer"], Denver 2022 Grant Behrens, Union 2022 TJ Freeland, Union