Conference Preview: CIML
The Teams Ankeny (19-5, 60.3% of scoring returning): A young Hawks team may have been a year ahead of schedule last season, racking up 19 wins and a state tournament appearance, dropping a heartbreaker to Johnston in the quarterfinals by…
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Ankeny (19-5, 60.3% of scoring returning): A young Hawks team may have been a year ahead of schedule last season, racking up 19 wins and a state tournament appearance, dropping a heartbreaker to Johnston in the quarterfinals by just two points. Two of their top four scorers last season were sophomores, and in all, four of the top six scorers return. They’re led by the junior tandem of wing Lio Aguirre Lio Aguirre 6'3" | SF Ankeny | 2024 State IA (10.6) and guard Carson Johnson Carson Johnson 5'11" | PG Ankeny | 2024 State IA (9.9). Aguirre is a tough, physical wing with a good feel for the game and the ability to get to the rim or create shots for others, while the oft-injured Johnson is the straw that stirs the drink for this attack. He’s a gifted ball-handler and passer who can really shoot it at a high level from the arc. He’s battled injuries throughout the last two years, but produces at a high level on both ends of the floor when he’s on the court. Senior forwards JJ Kohl JJ Kohl 6'8" | PF Ankeny | 2023 IA (10.3) and Karson Wehde Karson Wehde 6'4" | SG Ankeny | 2023 State IA (6.9) are the other key returnees for the Hawks. Kohl, an Iowa State football commit, is a mobile big man with great hands, soft touch, and excellent court vision, and Wehde is an athletic wing defender who can bump down and bang in the paint as well. The X-factor for this group could be junior Joel Mpore Joel Mpore 6'4" | PF Ankeny | 2024 State IA (3.0), an athletic forward who can rebound and defend multiple positions. Ankeny generally is able to go pretty deep into their bench, and I expect that to remain the same this year with a number of new pieces stepping into the rotation alongside the four main returnees.
Centennial (12-10, 47.6%): The top three scorers from last year’s team graduated, but the next five from the rotation return, giving the Jaguars a solid quintet to build around. Included in that quintet are a trio of juniors that we really like in forwards Reece Robinson (9.7, 6.5 rebounds) and Chase Schutty (3.8, 4.3 rebounds) and point guard Luke Winkel Luke Winkel 6'1" | PG Ankeny Centennial | 2024 State IA (6.5, 40.4 3P%). Robinson is an athletic 6-7 forward who provides versatility and rim protection on the defensive end and he just keeps improving. Schutty is a physical forward who can control the glass, and Winkel was really productive after getting into the starting lineup last year. Role players Evan Bryan Evan Bryan 6'3" | SF Centennial | 2023 State IA (4.2), Easton Pratt (4.0), and Drew Schreurs Drew Schreurs 6'1" | PG Centennial | 2023 State IA (2.8) are solid pieces who understand their role and play hard. Life will be tough in this loaded conference, but this is going to be a team that nobody wants to see in their substate grouping come February.
Dowling Catholic (9-15, 48.5%): Leading scorer Andrew Mauro Andrew Mauro 6'1" | SG Dowling Catholic | 2023 State IA (13.3) returns to headline the Maroons, coming off a strong junior year in which he showed that he can score from all three levels. The bad news is that the next three scorers from last year’s group graduated, taking a lot of size and athleticism in the paint with them. Look for Dowling to be a little more perimeter-oriented this year with junior point guard Joey Coppola Joey Coppola 5'11" | PG Dowling Catholic | 2024 State IA (4.3) stepping into a larger role alongside Mauro in the backcourt. Coppola is a heady lead guard who can get to the bucket, get others involved, and defend on the perimeter. He’s coming off a strong summer with a really good Iowa Battlers team. Davis Scheck Davis Scheck 5'11" | SG Dowling Catholic | 2023 State IA (7.1), the team’s top perimeter shooting threat last season, is the other key returnee for this group. Dowling is always going to have some athletic pieces who can rebound and defend on the interior, but they may struggle at times to keep up with some of the high-powered offensive teams in the conference. Nonetheless, this is going to be the type of physical team that you won’t want to be grouped with in February.
Johnston (21-4, 30.1%): The Dragons have finished runner-up in back-to-back years, and while that may not be in the cards this year, this is still a program filled with quality players that is going to be extremely competitive in this league. The top three scorers from last year’s team graduated, taking a ton of production with them, but four players who saw significant time return in seniors Nathan Ruisch Nathan Ruisch 6'4" | SF Johnston | 2023 State IA (6.9) and Samuel Tornabane Samuel Tornabane 6'6" | PF Johnston | 2023 State IA (6.4) and juniors Jacob Simpson Jacob Simpson 6'5" | SF Johnston | 2024 IA (4.0) and Taye Proctor Taye Proctor 6'0" | SG Johnston | 2024 State IA (2.8). Tornabane is an intriguing player at 6-6 with a ton of length. He shoots it at a really high level from the arc and is a dynamic rim protector. Ruisch and Simpson provide some physicality in the paint, and Proctor is an athletic wing defender. Guard play will be a question heading into the season, but Johnston always has players in the system ready to step into bigger roles, and they will no doubt have someone ready to take over.
Southeast Polk (7-16, 98.5%): The Rams lost just 18 points from last year’s roster to graduation, and all of that experience that this really young team gained last year should be a major benefit this season. They got more and more competitive as the season progressed, playing some really good teams to tight games down the stretch. Senior wing Riley Edwards Riley Edwards 6'3" | SG Southeast Polk | 2023 State IA (19.0) had a breakout junior year, establishing himself as a big-time three-level scorer with some size. He also led the team in assists last season, showing some playmaking skills. Lincoln Cantrall Lincoln Cantrall 6'8" | PF Southeast Polk | 2023 State IA (8.8, 43.7 3P%) is one of the best shooters in the state, and he’s 6-7 to boot, which means that he’s a really difficult matchup. Look for sophomore guard Bode Goodman (7.7), who had some really good moments as a freshman, to take another step this year and emerge as a strong second or third scoring threat. The major question for this group will be whether or not Kadyn Proctor Kadyn Proctor 6'6" | PF Southeast Polk | 2023 IA (9.8, 7.3 rebounds), future Iowa left tackle, plays or not. He provides much-needed size and physicality in the paint, and if he’s not going to play basketball this winter, that will be a significant blow to this team that needs help on the glass.
Urbandale (13-11, 71.0%): The J-Hawks reached the substate final last season, losing to Northwest with the trip to the state tournament on the line. This was a young team that got better and better as the year progressed, going 7-4 down the stretch with only a 12-point loss to Northwest coming by more than three points. They bring back a pair of double-figure scorers in the backcourt in junior Grant Uecker Grant Uecker 6'3" | PG Urbandale | 2024 State IA (11.0, 43.9 3P%) and senior Brice Lange Brice Lange 5'10" | SG Urbandale | 2023 State IA (10.5, 36.6 3P%), which gives them a pair of guards who can play on or off the ball and knock down shots at a high clip. Jack Craig (6.3) was a strong role player last season, scoring inside and out, and senior forward Kai Black (5.9, 5.0 rebounds), an Iowa State football commit, provides length, athleticism, and physicality. The J-Hawks got an added bonus with the addition via transfer of Brevin Phillips Brevin Phillips 6'5" | PF Urbandale | 2024 State IA from Johnston. Phillips is a physical forward who can control the glass, pass out of the post, and score around the bucket. He would’ve been a solid piece for the Dragons and will be a nice addition to Urbandale’s roster. With the strong guard play and shot making the J-Hawks have returning, they should compete in this loaded conference on a nightly basis.
Valley (20-4, 40.6%): The Tigers lost a lot of production from a team that was playing fantastic basketball down the stretch last season, but they have the best 2025 class in the state ready to take over the reins. The tandem of point guard Curtis Stinson Jr Curtis Stinson Jr 6'5" | PG Valley | 2025 State #157 Nation IA (9.5) and wing Kiki Deng Kiki Deng 6'4" | SG Valley | 2025 State IA (6.8) are ready to step into starring roles as sophomores. Stinson, the son of the former Iowa State standout of the same name, is already one of the top two-way guards in the state. He’s strong, athletic, and has an elite understanding of the game. He defends at a high level, gets others involved, and gets to the rim routinely. Deng is an athletic, slashing wing who can score from all three levels and defend on the perimeter. Two other 2025s could be ready to contribute this season in big man Trevin Jirak Trevin Jirak 6'9" | C Valley | 2025 State #349 Nation IA and guard Xzavion Robinson Xzavion Robinson 6'1" | PG Valley | 2025 State #342 Nation IA . Neither played varsity ball last year, but are really talented pieces who can step in and contribute immediately. Trevian Carson Trevian Carson 6'4" | SG Valley | 2023 State IA (6.0) was a major contributor last year and will provide some much-needed senior leadership. He’s a really talented passer and versatile defender. While 60% of last year’s scoring is gone, the strength of the 2025 class and the return of Carson, in addition to being the biggest school in the state, filled with other pieces ready to step in, Valley should remain a major player not just in this league but in 4A as a whole.
Waukee (14-11, 99.8%): All but three points from last year’s roster return for the Warriors, who exceeded expectations last season by winning 14 games with a roster that had no varsity experience heading into the season. So they were already going to be considered a legitimate contender within the league and in 4A. Then they re-added Omaha Biliew Omaha Biliew 6'8" | SF Link Academy | 2023 #14 Nation FL to the roster and expectations have now skyrocketed for this group. Biliew spent his sophomore season at Waukee, helping lead the Warriors to the state championship, then spent his junior year at Link Academy (MO). He’s now back at Waukee, and the five-star prospect who is ranked within the top-10 by most recruiting services, is ready to dominate. He really took his offensive game to another level during his year at Link, and his ability to dominate games on both ends of the floor will be unrivaled in the state. He’ll join a group that gained a ton of valuable experience last season and will be led by big man Vance Peiffer Vance Peiffer 6'7" | C Waukee | 2023 State IA (12.2, 6.7 rebounds) and guard Cade Littlefield Cade Littlefield 6'1" Waukee | 2023 IA (11.0, 49.4 3P%). Both were excellent last season for the Warriors and they play really well together. Junior Mason Costello Mason Costello 6'3" | SG Waukee | 2024 State IA (9.0) has a ton of potential on the offensive end, and six other players who averaged at least 3.3 points a game last year are back as well. The Warriors also added Skyler Yazzie Skyler Yazzie 6'4" | SF Waukee | 2023 State IA via transfer from Van Meter, who averaged 9.1 points and shot 37% from deep, and they expect freshman big man Evan Jacobsen to contribute as well, meaning this group could easily go 12-deep this season. That type of depth will allow them to play fast and apply all sorts of pressure on the defensive end, knowing they’ll have plenty of reinforcements ready to come in.
Waukee Northwest (20-5, 95.4%): In their first year as a school the Wolves rolled to 20 wins and spent a majority of the season ranked within the top 3 in 4A. They bring back nearly everything from that team and will open the year ranked #1 by us in the class. Pryce Sandfort Pryce Sandfort 6'7" | SF Waukee Northwest | 2023 State #123 Nation IA (26.6, 10.3 rebounds) is the headliner, but this team will be able to go deep into their bench with talented scoring threats. Sandfort, an Iowa commit, is the frontrunner for Mr. Basketball and is one of the most dominant two-way players we’ve seen in Iowa in several years. His ability to shoot it, put it on the floor, and defend multiple positions provides Northwest with so much versatility. He’s joined by a pair of double-figure scorers in Cade Kelderman Cade Kelderman 6'0" | PG Waukee Northwest | 2023 State IA (16.0, 43.4 3P%) and Henry Manning Henry Manning 6'1" | SG Waukee | 2023 State IA (10.9, 38.2 3P%) as well as junior guard Grant Tigges Grant Tigges 6'4" | SG Waukee Northwest | 2024 State IA (8.8, 44.8 3P%). When you pair that trio with Sandfort, you have a quartet of players who can shoot over 40% from behind the arc, and the Wolves’ ability to torch teams from deep can turn competitive games into laughers in a hurry. Look for sophomore wing Nitish Sankaranthi Nitish Sankaranthi 6'7" | SF Waukee Northwest | 2025 State IA (1.5) to step into a bigger role this season after spending most of last year with the sophomore team. He holds an offer from South Dakota State and is a long, versatile defender. Northwest is loaded.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Northwest
2. Waukee
3. Valley
4. Ankeny
5. Centennial
6. Johnston
7. Urbandale
8. Southeast Polk
9. Dowling Catholic
Analysis: This league is going to be an absolute war all year long, with four teams ranked within the top-five in 4A to open the year by us (Northwest 1, Waukee 2, Valley 4, Ankeny 5). Clearly all four of those teams are viable state tournament teams, while Centennial, Johnston, Urbandale, and Southeast Polk could also make deep postseason runs if things break their way. There won’t be any easy games in this conference.
Preseason Player of the Year
2023 Pryce Sandfort Pryce Sandfort 6'7" | SF Waukee Northwest | 2023 State #123 Nation IA , Waukee Northwest: Sandfort is the best player on the team that we expect to be the best in 4A this season. He’s a dominant three-level scorer who can also control games on the defensive end with his length. He could put together one of the most impressive stat lines we’ve seen this season.
Players to Watch
2023
Pryce Sandfort
Pryce
Sandfort
6'7" | SF
Waukee Northwest | 2023
State
#123
Nation
IA
(Northwest)
2023
Cade Kelderman
Cade
Kelderman
6'0" | PG
Waukee Northwest | 2023
State
IA
(Northwest)
2023
Henry Manning
Henry
Manning
6'1" | SG
Waukee | 2023
State
IA
(Northwest)
2024
Grant Tigges
Grant
Tigges
6'4" | SG
Waukee Northwest | 2024
State
IA
(Northwest)
2025
Nitish Sankaranthi
Nitish
Sankaranthi
6'7" | SF
Waukee Northwest | 2025
State
IA
(Northwest)
2023
Omaha Biliew
Omaha
Biliew
6'8" | SF
Link Academy | 2023
#14
Nation
FL
(Waukee)
2023
Vance Peiffer
Vance
Peiffer
6'7" | C
Waukee | 2023
State
IA
(Waukee)
2023
Cade Littlefield
Cade
Littlefield
6'1"
Waukee | 2023
IA
(Waukee)
2024
Mason Costello
Mason
Costello
6'3" | SG
Waukee | 2024
State
IA
(Waukee)
2025
Curtis Stinson Jr
Curtis
Stinson Jr
6'5" | PG
Valley | 2025
State
#157
Nation
IA
(Valley)
2025
Kiki Deng
Kiki
Deng
6'4" | SG
Valley | 2025
State
IA
(Valley)
2023
Riley Edwards
Riley
Edwards
6'3" | SG
Southeast Polk | 2023
State
IA
(Southeast Polk)
2023
Lincoln Cantrall
Lincoln
Cantrall
6'8" | PF
Southeast Polk | 2023
State
IA
(Southeast Polk)
2023
Kadyn Proctor
Kadyn
Proctor
6'6" | PF
Southeast Polk | 2023
IA
(Southeast Polk)
2024
Lio Aguirre
Lio
Aguirre
6'3" | SF
Ankeny | 2024
State
IA
(Ankeny)
2024
Carson Johnson
Carson
Johnson
5'11" | PG
Ankeny | 2024
State
IA
(Ankeny)
2023
JJ Kohl
JJ
Kohl
6'8" | PF
Ankeny | 2023
IA
(Ankeny)
2023
Andrew Mauro
Andrew
Mauro
6'1" | SG
Dowling Catholic | 2023
State
IA
(Dowling Catholic)
2024
Grant Uecker
Grant
Uecker
6'3" | PG
Urbandale | 2024
State
IA
(Urbandale)
2023
Samuel Tornabane
Samuel
Tornabane
6'6" | PF
Johnston | 2023
State
IA
(Johnston)
2023
Nathan Ruisch
Nathan
Ruisch
6'4" | SF
Johnston | 2023
State
IA
(Johnston)