Conference Preview: Top of Iowa East

<h4>The Teams</h4> [caption id="attachment_1071962" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Angel-Jose.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-1071962 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Angel-Jose-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Jose[/caption] <p><strong>Central Springs (3-19):</strong> The Panthers lost eight games by single digits last season and bring back their top four scorers from that group, so expect them to add some more "W"s to the column this year. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="962657" first="Angel" last="Jose"] (16.5) is the top returning scorer, and has to be one of the most improved players in the state over the last four years. He’s a 6-4 power forward who works hard on the offensive end, can score around the bucket, and can stretch the floor a bit as well. Senior lead guard [player_tooltip player_id="1235043" first="Drew" last="Kelley"] (6.2) is a stat-sheet stuffing guard who also averaged 8.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game, while junior wing Jacob Prymer (5.9) gives them some more perimeter shooting. With only one rotation piece gone from last year’s team, they should be improved.</p> <p><strong>Nashua-Plainfield (10-11):</strong> The Huskies lost do-it-all guard Austin Bienemann to graduation, but bring back a double-figure scorer in junior guard Bo Harrington (10.7), who led the team in assists per game last season. He’s a fairly efficient guard who can score from all three levels, and he does a good job protecting the ball. Harrington is the only returnee who averaged more than 2.9 points a game last season, with Joel Winters (2.9), Max Hilegas (2.8), and Aiden Lamborn (2.8) as the other returning players who saw playing time last season. This team will lack perimeter shooting, and will take a step back following the loss of Bienemann, but Harrington should keep them competitive and around the 8-9 win mark this season.</p> [caption id="attachment_1308838" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/121-Douglas-Taylor-crop-2096x1377-1634304742.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1308838 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/121-Douglas-Taylor-crop-2096x1377-1634304742-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Taylor[/caption] <p><strong>Newman Catholic (17-5):</strong> It has been 37 years since the Knights qualified for the state tournament, but this year’s team could be the one to break that long drought. They bring back 83% of their scoring from a 17-win team that was upset in the opening round of the postseason last year by North Iowa. The top four scorers are back, led by a pair of Iowa baseball commits in juniors [player_tooltip player_id="956891" first="Douglas" last="Taylor"] (17.5, 7.3 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id="956889" first="Max" last="Burt"] (8.8, 6.3 assists). Taylor is a long, athletic wing who thrives playing downhill and attacking the rim, while Burt is a high IQ lead guard who scores and facilitates at a high level. They’re joined on the perimeter by wing [player_tooltip player_id="1158510" first="James" last="Jennings"] (13.0), another strong scoring threat, while junior forward Noah Hamilton (8.9) is a physical presence in the paint. Bennett Suntken (5.4) gives them another quality shooting threat on the perimeter. This team struggled at times defensively last season, allowing 76.0 points a game in their five losses, so the defense needs to improve when they play the better teams on the schedule. But this should be the team to beat in the division this season, and one of the best teams in 1A.</p> <p><strong>North Butler (7-15):</strong> The Bearcats got off to a solid 4-2 start last season, including a win over Osage, before losing 13 of their final 16 games. They bring back three of their top four scorers from that team, so they’re hoping to replicate more of the early success and keep building some momentum for this program. Junior wing Corbin Lewis (10.6) is the top returning scorer, while senior forward Nathan Hawker (6.4) is the top rebounder. There were several freshmen on the varsity roster last season, and some of them may step into bigger roles this year, continuing that upward trajectory. This should be a building year for North Butler.</p> <p><strong>Northwood-Kensett (7-13):</strong> The Vikings lose four of their top five scorers to graduation, leaving senior wing Jason Hanson (7.6) as the top returnee. Look for junior wing Lamonte Sims (3.1) to emerge as a secondary scoring threat for N-K, but they will likely find themselves near the bottom of the division again this season with the number of new faces they’ll have on the floor.</p> <p><strong>Osage (14-8):</strong> Annually one of the best defensive teams in 2A, the Green Devils took a step back on that end of the floor last year, allowing 54.5 points a game. While that number was still good enough for them to finish with a +5.7 point differential, it’s not nearly what we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from Osage. Look for them to place an emphasis on that end of the floor this year. They lost leading scorer Eric Bobinet to graduation. He scored 17.3 points a game and will obviously be a big loss. But they bring back their next four scorers, and six of the next seven, so they’ll have plenty of experience and talent returning. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="962681" first="Nathan" last="Havel"] (12.0) led the team in rebounding last season, and lead guard [player_tooltip player_id="1235038" first="Tyler" last="Oberfoell"] (9.0) led them in assists. Max Knudsen (6.8) is coming off a strong freshman season and should be relied upon as a perimeter scoring threat. If Osage can improve on the defensive end, they can push Newman Catholic at the top of the division.</p> <p><strong>Rockford (8-12):</strong> Kolton Lyman (8.4, 8.3 rebounds) led the Warriors in rebounding last season and finished third in scoring. He’s the top returnee to a team that struggled to score at times, averaging just 46.3 points a game. He pulled down 2.6 offensive boards a game, and that constant attacking of the offensive glass will be key for this team if they want to improve as an offensive unit. Bryce Larson (5.0) will have the ball in his hands quite a bit after the Warriors top two ball handlers graduated. </p> <p><strong>Saint Ansgar (5-17):</strong> The top three scorers from last year’s team graduated, leaving seniors Jex Schutjer (4.4), Griffen Carlson (3.6), and Kasey Hemann (3.5) as the top returnees for the Saints. This team struggled with turnovers last season (20.1 a game), and that number will need to improve if they want to be more competitive this season.</p> <p><strong>West Fork (20-4):</strong> West Fork is always a strong program, but they’ll have their work cut out for them this season following the graduations of the top seven scorers from last year’s 20-win team. The top returnees are senior forward Edison Caspers (2.6) and sophomore Cayde Eberling (1.5). In all, only 5% of their scoring output from last season returns, which makes it difficult for us to project them heading into this season. That said, the Warhawks have averaged 21.9 wins a year over the last 14 seasons, so expect to see a bunch of players step up and keep this team at or near the top of the TOI East.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Projected Order of Finish</h4> <p>1. Newman Catholic<br /> 2. West Fork<br /> 3. Osage<br /> 4. Nashua-Plainfield<br /> 5. Central Springs<br /> 6. Rockford<br /> 7. North Butler<br /> 8. Northwood-Kensett<br /> 9. Saint Ansgar</p> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Newman Catholic should be considered the team to beat in the division, bringing back their top four options from a 17-win team. West Fork is always strong, and despite heavy personnel losses, they should be competitive again, and if Osage improves defensively, they'll be dangerous as well.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Preseason Player of the Year</h4> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956891" first="Douglas" last="Taylor"], Newman Catholic:</strong> The Knight have three viable candidates for this honor, but we’re siding with the leading returning scorer and rebounder. A long, athletic wing who has committed to play baseball at Iowa, Taylor can fill it up in bunches and he rebounds at a high level.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Players to Watch</h4> <p>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956891" first="Douglas" last="Taylor"], Newman Catholic<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158510" first="James" last="Jennings"], Newman Catholic<br /> 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956889" first="Max" last="Burt"], Newman Catholic<br /> 2023 Noah Hamilton, Newman Catholic<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962657" first="Angel" last="Jose"], Central Springs<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235043" first="Drew" last="Kelley"], Central Springs<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962681" first="Nathan" last="Havel"], Osage<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235038" first="Tyler" last="Oberfoell"], Osage<br /> 2024 Max Knudsen, Osage<br /> 2022 Ben Miller, Osage<br /> 2023 Bo Harrington, Nashua-Plainfield<br /> 2023 Corbin Lewis, North Butler<br /> 2022 Kolton Lyman, Rockford<br /> 2022 Jason Hanson, Northwood-Kensett</p>