Conference Preview: WaMaC West

<h4>The Teams</h4> <p><strong>Benton (1-21):</strong> The Bobcats won just a single game last season but got much more competitive as the season progressed, going from a -21.6 point differential in December to -12.9 in January, and -10.8 in February. They bring back everyone from last year’s roster, so expect to see that improvement continue into this season, and they should add some more wins onto their record as a result. Senior forward Aiden Harris (10.2) led the team in scoring and rebounding last season, while senior guard Colin Buch (8.9) led them in assists. Juniors Blake Daugherty (8.7) and Noah Franck (4.8), and senior Nate Polansky (4.4), provide some perimeter shooting as well for the ’Cats. While they aren’t going to compete for the division crown, they should be a much-improved team that competes on a nightly basis. </p> <p><strong>Center Point-Urbana (9-14):</strong> The top three scorers graduated for the ’Stormin Pointers, leaving senior guard Gabe Hansen (6.2) and junior wing Easton Tupa (5.0) as the top returnees. Hansen is a quality lead guard who had more assists than turnovers last season and led CPU in helpers, while Tupa is a versatile wing who can score in a multitude of ways. Senior wing Kanon Tupa (3.5) provides some additional ball-handling and playmaking ability on the perimeter. Coach Mike Halac has turned CPU’s program into a pretty consistent contender, and while they may not have the horses to push CCA or Williamsburg at the top of the division, they’ll be a tough out every night.</p> <p><strong>Clear Creek-Amana (17-6):</strong> The high-powered attack from CCA will look a little different this season following the graduations of four of their top five scorers from last year’s team. That group averaged 69.6 points a game. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1158465" first="Kyle" last="Schrepfer"] (11.1, 42.5 3P%) is a great place to start for this team. A catch-and-shoot specialist who thrived working off the ball and getting open looks, he’ll have the ball in his hands a bit more this season, but should still be able to shoot it at a high level. Fellow senior forward Ben Swails (7.2) is an efficient scorer who does a majority of his damage inside the arc, but he showed that he is capable of stepping out and knocking down jumpers, canning 11 of 27 3-pointers last year (40.7%). The Clippers have become a potent offensive team over the last few seasons, a free-flowing offense that chucks up a ton of 3s, and that shouldn’t change this year. Despite not returning much, consider CCA a real contender in the West.</p> <p><strong>Independence (8-14):</strong> The Mustangs have posted just one winning season in the last 13 years (16-8 in 2017-18), but with three key returnees, they may have a chance to break through and get into double figures this year. Senior big man [player_tooltip player_id="1234982" first="Michael" last="Kascel"] (10.3) led the team in scoring and rebounding last season. He’s a mobile big who runs the floor and protects the painted area, and he crashes the glass hard on both ends of the floor. Senior guards Daniel Brock (7.6) and Sawyer Wendling (7.2) provide some experience in the backcourt, and if they can find someone among the other rotational returnees to step up and into a bigger role, they could push for several more wins this season.</p> <p><strong>South Tama (1-17):</strong> The Trojans lose leading scorer Eli Keahna, but bring back a trio of players who saw significant playing time last season in sophomores Gavin Bridgewater (7.2) and Tommy Tyynismaa (3.6), and senior Kendall Balderas (3.4). But the big news for this team is the addition of Meskwaki Settlement transfer [player_tooltip player_id="1158486" first="Osceola" last="Tyon"], an athletic guard who impacts the game on both ends of the floor with his ability to score from all three levels, defend, and facilitate. He averaged 16.6 points and 2.4 assists last year for the Warriors and should make a major impact on this team. </p> <p><strong>Vinton-Shellsburg (10-12):</strong> The Vikings lose their top six scorers from last year’s team, leaving senior Kaden Kingsbury (2.0) as the top returnee. Less than 7% of last year’s scoring output returns, so it may be a long year for V-S.</p> [caption id="attachment_1290445" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/53-Derek-Weisskopf.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1290445 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/53-Derek-Weisskopf-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Weisskopf[/caption] <p><strong>Williamsburg (10-11):</strong> Four of the top five scorers from last year’s team return, led by our preseason POY selection in sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="1171685" first="Derek" last="Weisskopf"] (13.8). A well-built, physical, and athletic wing, Weisskopf scores from all three levels, rebounds, and defends well on the perimeter. Will DeSmet (8.6) and [player_tooltip player_id="1235015" first="Jake" last="Weber"] (8.4) are a pair of experienced seniors who impact the game on both ends - DeSmet with his rebounding, and Weber with his passing and quick hands. Ethan Harman (5.9) is an efficient scorer inside the arc who should become a bigger contributor as well. With Weisskopf leading the way, expect to see the Raiders battling it out with CCA at the top of the league.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Projected Order of Finish</h4> <p>1. Clear Creek Amana<br /> 2. Williamsburg<br /> 3. Independence<br /> 4. Center Point-Urbana <br /> 5. Benton<br /> 6. South Tama<br /> 7. Vinton-Shellsburg</p> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Williamsburg brings more back, but CCA has proven over the last few seasons that they have some horses and can re-load into their up-tempo system. Their two meetings this year could decide the division.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Preseason Player of the Year</h4> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171685" first="Derek" last="Weisskopf"], Williamsburg:</strong> A physically imposing sophomore wing, Weisskopf had a big freshman season and could average between 18-20 points a game as a sophomore for the Raiders. He scores from all three levels and is a great athlete.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Players to Watch</h4> <p>2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171685" first="Derek" last="Weisskopf"], Williamsburg<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235015" first="Jake" last="Weber"], Williamsburg<br /> 2022 Will DeSmet, Williamsburg<br /> 2023 Ethan Harman, Williamsburg<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158465" first="Kyle" last="Schrepfer"], Clear Creek Amana<br /> 2022 Ben Swails, Clear Creek Amana<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1234982" first="Michael" last="Kascel"], Independence<br /> 2022 Daniel Brock, Independence<br /> 2022 Sawyer Wendling, Independence<br /> 2022 Aiden Harris, Benton<br /> 2022 Colin Buch, Benton<br /> 2023 Blake Daugherty, Benton<br /> 2024 Gavin Bridgewater, South Tama<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158486" first="Osceola" last="Tyon"], South Tama<br /> 2022 Gabe Hansen, Center Point-Urbana<br /> 2023 Easton Tupa, Center Point-Urbana</p>