Conference Preview: Corner

The Teams   East Mills (18-6, 99.0% of scoring returning): The Wolverines reached the substate semifinals last season and bring back nearly everything from that group. They're led by senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1167727' first='Mason' last='Crouse'] (20.2), a player who can score from all three levels and stuff the stat sheet on both ends of the floor. Fellow senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1409590' first='Braden' last='West'] (13.8, 7.7 rebounds) is a powerful athlete in the paint who can protect the rim and throw down dunks on opposing teams. He had a solid summer with the OSA Crusaders and looks primed to carry that momentum into the winter. East Mills is clearly the best team in the conference and should roll through the competition in this league on most nights.   Essex (2-19, 83.0%): The top two, and four of the top five, scorers return from last year's team, led by juniors Tony Racine (10.0, 9.0 rebounds) and Qwintyn Vanatta (6.6, 11.8 rebounds). That pair is dominant on the glass on both ends of the floor, and their work on the offensive glass in particular is invaluable, helping gain some extra possessions. The Trojans struggled with turnovers last season (over 23 a game), and that number will need to come down into the mid-to-high teens if they want to win a few more games this year.   Fremont-Mills (8-15, 61.0%): The Knights have a substantial hole to fill following the graduation of Jake Malcolm, who averaged nearly 20 points a game, but they bring back four starters and should be improved as a result of that experience returning. They'll be led by a sextet of seniors with plenty of experience in Taylor Reed (13.5), Paxten VanHouten (4.9), Brady Owen (4.5), JT Mahaney (4.0), Ike Lemonds (3.5), and Kyler Owen (3.2). Unlike many small schools, Fremont-Mills was good at protecting the ball last season, turning it over just 12 times a game while dishing out over 14 assists a game. Look for them to be much improved and in the race for the second spot in the conference.   Griswold (4-17, 71.9%): Senior forward Kamron Brownlee (12.5) led the team in scoring and rebounding last year and returns to lead the Tigers. He's a good athlete with some physicality who will be looking to lead this group to some improvement on both ends of the floor. Peyton Cook (5.1) and Zane Johnson (1.3) saw significant playing time last season as freshmen and should step into bigger roles this season.   Sidney (14-8, 32.9%): In the QuikStats/VarsityBound/Bound era, the Cowboys have never finished below .500, and despite significant losses to graduation, don't expect this to be the first season in which that happens. Both double-figure scorers, and three of the top four from last year, graduated, but a pair of sophomores in Breadon Godfread (8.0) and Grant Whitehead (4.6) look like they're ready to step into leading roles as the new faces of the program. No matter how much production they lose, Sidney is going to be competitive and a factor in the league race.   Stanton (15-8, 46.5%): The Vikings were the only conference team to hand East Mills a loss last season, beating the Wolverines in the conference tournament championship game. They lose leading scorer and rebounder Carter Johnson to graduation, but bring back a pair of double-figure scorers in sophomore Evan Gettler (10.6) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2221596' first='Nolan' last='Grebin'] (10.3), so there are pieces here to build around and sustain the success that the Stanton community has come to expect. Both are capable perimeter scoring threats and playmakers who can take over games.   Note: Clarinda Academy is also part of the Corner Conference but is a residential facility with complete roster turnover each year.     Projected Order of Finish   1. East Mills 2. Stanton 3. Sidney 4. Fremont-Mills 5. Griswold 6. Essex   Analysis: East Mills lost just once to a league opponent last year and bring back 99% of their scoring from that group. They're the clear favorite in the conference, followed by perennial contenders Stanton and Sidney.     Preseason Player of the Year   2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167727' first='Mason' last='Crouse'], East Mills: The best player on the best team in the league, Crouse was a pretty easy selection for this honor. He's a versatile three-level scorer who had a dominant junior year, averaging over 20 points a game on 50% shooting.     Players to Watch   2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167727' first='Mason' last='Crouse'], East Mills 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1409590' first='Braden' last='West'], East Mills 2023 Davis McGrew, East Mills 2024 Zach Thornburg, East Mills 2023 Taylor Reed, Fremont-Mills 2023 Kamron Brownlee, Griswold 2025 Peyton Cook, Griswold 2023 Landon Pelzer, Griswold 2025 Evan Gettler, Stanton 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2221596' first='Nolan' last='Grebin'], Stanton 2025 Breadon Godfread, Sidney 2024 Tony Racine, Essex 2024 Qwintyn Vanatta, Essex

The Teams