Conference Preview: West Central

<h4>The Teams</h4> [caption id="attachment_1290549" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/139-Miles-Kading.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1290549 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/139-Miles-Kading-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Kading[/caption] ACGC (17-6): Last year was their best season since 2012-13, when they won 20 games. Their 17 wins last season were more than the previous two seasons combined, and despite losing a pair of double-figure scorers, things are looking pretty good for this program. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1161172" first="Miles" last="Kading"] (11.2) led the team in assists last season, and is coming off a huge summer as a scoring guard for the Chargers. Junior Ben Marsh (8.0) and senior Charlie Crawford (6.3) were key players last season and have plenty of quality experience as well. They’ll need to break in a number of new pieces this year, but the Kading-Marsh-Crawford trio should be one of the best in the conference, and they should be good enough to compete for a top-3 finish in the league again. [caption id="attachment_1219273" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Adam-Witty-HS-crop-3002x1971-1624132424.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1219273 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Adam-Witty-HS-crop-3002x1971-1624132424-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Witty[/caption] Des Moines Christian (22-3): The Lions have never won fewer than 16 games during the QuikStats/VarsityBound era (the last 15 seasons), posting a 314-46 record (.872) record during those 15 years. They lose four starters off of last year’s state semifinalist team, but they’ll be competitive yet again. That’s just what DMC does. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="962669" first="Adam" last="Witty"] (14.5), a big, physical wing who gets to the rim, using his strength to bully his way to the bucket for finishes, leads the way. He’s also a capable shooter, and has improved his playmaking abilities as well. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1171689" first="Landon" last="Craven"] (2.8) was a strong role player for them last year as a freshman, knocking down nearly 36% of his 3-point attempts, and he should step into a secondary scoring role this year. Elliott Flynn (2.2), Josh Shank (1.9), and Micah Brandenburg (1.8) each saw some playing time last season, and junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1240068" first="Carsen" last="Theis"] (0.9) also looks primed to step into a bigger role this season. Earlham (13-8): The Cardinals lose a pair of double-figure scorers, but bring back the next three options from last year’s 13-win team in seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1234976" first="Darrell" last="Matchem"] (9.6), Dominic Braet (8.2), and Kaden Frank (7.5). Matchem is a small, but lightning-quick and athletic lead guard who thrives on using his quickness to get to the bucket for finishes or to get others involved. He led the team with 4.0 assists a game last season and has the ability to control games even when he isn’t scoring. Braet led the team in rebounding, and is also the type of player that an offense can run through, while Frank is a talented shooter who will pair well with Matchem on the perimeter. The Matchem-Braet-Frank trio should win them plenty of games and keep them around a similar record to what they had last season. Interstate 35 (5-14): The Roadrunners bring back a pair of big-time scorers in seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1158503" first="Kale" last="Day"] (16.9) and Jace Bedwell (13.9), which should make them a bit more competitive this season. Day is a versatile three-level scorer who also led the team in assists last year, pulling down 7.5 a game. Bedwell is the team’s top ball-handling option, dishing out 3.3 assists. Also returning is senior wing Cade Ward (5.0), giving them a bit more perimeter scoring punch. If they want to make a marked improvement in the "W" column this year, the focus will need to be on the defensive end, as they allowed 63.1 points a game last season, which ranked 86th in 2A (out of 96). Improvement in that department will lead to more wins. Madrid (11-11): The Tigers got off to a slow 3-7 start before getting hot near the end of January and running off a five-game winning streak. They lose a pair of double-figure scorers from that team, but bring one back in junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1155054" first="Kadyn" last="Severson"] (12.2), a solid shooting threat who also dished out 2.4 assists a game last season, good for second on the team. Senior forward Brady Leonard (6.3, 7.5 rebounds) is a strong and physical force in the paint and on the glass, but he’s the only other major returnee for Madrid. This program has won double-digit games in seven of the last eight seasons, and they should be right around that range again this year. Ogden (12-10): The Bulldogs lose their leading scorer, but bring back the next five, so expect to see them make a jump up the league standings this year. They’re led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1234979" first="Ty" last="Heeren"] (12.3, 47.4 3P%), one of the state’s elite shooters. Junior lead guard [player_tooltip player_id="1240098" first="Jack" last="Christensen"] (9.6) and seniors Lane Snedden (9.5) and Noah Lingren (6.4) also return on the perimeter to give the ’Dogs a very talented quartet to build around. Snedden and Christensen combined to dish out 7.4 assists a game, while Lingren pairs with Heeren to provide lots of shooting. Abraham Christensen (3.0) will be relied upon to provide some size and toughness in the paint for an undersized team. With a bevy of shooters, and lots of experience coming back, Ogden could push for a top 3 or 4 finish in the conference. Panorama (18-5): The Panthers have had a solid run of success over the last three seasons, but they should take a step back this season after losing their top five scorers, and six of their top seven, from last year’s team. Senior Brice Taylor (6.7) is the top returnee, but expect to see senior power forward [player_tooltip player_id="1234978" first="Jared" last="Wasson"] (3.4) make a major leap this season. A 6-4 forward with good hands and touch around the bucket, he may be the team’s top scorer this year. Keep an eye out for sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1256305" first="Braylon" last="Dawes"], who wasn’t on the varsity roster last year. He should make a major impact this year with his ability to stretch the floor. He’s a great shooter who moves well off the ball. Following the heavy personnel losses, Panorama will take a significant step back in the league standings, but they have some intriguing pieces that will make them an interesting and potentially dangerous team. [caption id="attachment_1070714" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Mason-Scheve.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-1070714 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Mason-Scheve-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Scheve[/caption] Pleasantville (8-15): The Trojans have the conference’s top scorer in senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="962684" first="Mason" last="Scheve"] (18.8), a dynamic three-level scorer who gets to the rim and shoots it at a very high level from the arc. He’s also a solid defender, swiping 2.2 steals a game last season. Taylon Mount (6.2) gives them some more shooting, and Jake DeJoode (3.4) will be relied upon to provide some rebounding and physicality in the paint. Scheve will win them games against the lower-tier teams in the conference, and keep them competitive against the middle-tier teams. Van Meter (17-7): The Bulldogs qualified for their fourth state tournament in the last five years last season, and bring back 85% of their scoring from that team. They’re one of the best athletic programs in the state at the small-school level, using their size, physicality, athleticism, and tough defense to win games in a multitude of sports. Last year was their worst defensive season in a while, but they still allowed just 48.0 points a game. They bring back their top three, and nine of their top 10, scorers from last year’s team, led by a trio of double-figure scorers in guard [player_tooltip player_id="784980" first="Chris" last="Schreck"] (13.0) and [player_tooltip player_id="1158469" first="Casey" last="Trudo"] (10.6), and big man [player_tooltip player_id="1158438" first="Clark" last="Fiala"] (11.1). Schreck is the focal point of their attack on both ends of the floor, a quick and pesky lead guard who can get to the rim, knock down 3s, and he’s a pest on the defensive end with his quickness and hands. Fiala is an eraser at the back end of the defense, blocking 2.5 shots a game last season, and Trudo is a versatile wing scorer. Those three seniors are joined by a number of juniors who return - Carter Durflinger (6.1), [player_tooltip player_id="1240075" first="Skyler" last="Yazzie"] (4.4), Ben Gilliland (2.7), [player_tooltip player_id="1240069" first="Aydn" last="Netten"] (2.3), Michael Banks (1.5), and Gus Rosener (1.2). Look for Netten, an athletic, slashing wing, to make a bigger impact this season. With nine rotation pieces back for the ’Dogs, they’ll be loaded with experience, talent, and defensive-minded pieces. This is the team to beat in the conference, and one of the best in 2A. West Central Valley (3-19): The Wildcats were winless in league play last season, but bring back a talented scoring forward in senior Hunter Keller (13.9), along with a pair of sophomores who saw plenty of playing time last season as freshmen in Nate Gerling (5.9) and Landon Osberg (1.1). Keller led the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists last year, and Gerling showed the ability to score inside, rebound, and distribute the ball. They shot just 32.5% from the floor as a team, and that will need to improve if they want to compete on a nightly basis. Woodward-Granger (9-14): The Hawks posted a few impressive wins last season over ACGC and Central Decatur, and also had seven losses by single digits. They had a balanced attack last season that featured seven players who averaged between 6.0 and 9.6 points a game, but only two of them return in juniors Brody Nardini (8.0) and Carter Moran (6.7). Nardini led the team in rebounding last season and is the team’s most efficient scoring option, while Moran is a solid shooter who can stretch the floor. The only other returnee who saw much time last year is Collin Nardini (2.5), so there will be a lot of new faces taking the floor this season.   <h4>Projected Order of Finish</h4> 1. Van Meter 2. Des Moines Christian 3. ACGC 4. Ogden 5. Earlham 6. Madrid 7. Panorama 8. Pleasantville 9. Woodward-Granger 10. Interstate 35 11. West Central Valley Analysis: The battles between Van Meter and Des Moines Christian should be a ton of fun to watch this season, and will likely decide the conference. ACGC should continue their upward trajectory, while Ogden should be very improved.   <h4>Preseason Player of the Year</h4> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962669" first="Adam" last="Witty"], Des Moines Christian: Witty led the Lions in scoring last season and shot over 61% from the floor. He’s a physical wing who gets to the bucket routinely, and he should put up big numbers for one of the top teams in the conference.   <h4>Players to Watch</h4> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962669" first="Adam" last="Witty"], Des Moines Christian 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962684" first="Mason" last="Scheve"], Pleasantville 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158503" first="Kale" last="Day"], Interstate 35 2022 Jace Bedwell, Interstate 35 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1161172" first="Miles" last="Kading"], ACGC 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="784980" first="Chris" last="Schreck"], Van Meter 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158438" first="Clark" last="Fiala"], Van Meter 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158469" first="Casey" last="Trudo"], Van Meter 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1240069" first="Aydn" last="Netten"], Van Meter 2022 Hunter Keller, West Central Valley 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1234979" first="Ty" last="Heeren"], Ogden 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1240098" first="Jack" last="Christensen"], Ogden 2022 Lane Snedden, Ogden 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1155054" first="Kadyn" last="Severson"], Madrid 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1234976" first="Darrell" last="Matchem"], Earlham 2022 Dominic Braet, Earlham 2023 Brody Nardini, Woodward-Granger