Conference Preview: NICL Central

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1218786,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Gavin-Thomas-crop-2954x1940-1624053076.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Gavin-Thomas-crop-2954x1940-1624053076-300x197.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1218786" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aplington-Parkersburg (21-3, 53.8% of scoring returning): </strong>The high-powered Falcons rolled through league play last season and were already expected to be pretty good again this season, then they added a pair of transfers from 4A schools that should make a major impact as well. We'll start with the returnees, where the tandem of senior [player_tooltip player_id='1167691' first='Garrett' last='Hempen'] (15.6, 4.5 assists) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1171686' first='Gavin' last='Thomas'] (13.5) will give the Falcons the best backcourt in the conference. Both are reliable ball handlers and playmakers who can play with or without the ball in their hands, and both are really good three-level scoring threats. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1476974' first='Cooper' last='Hoff'] (6.8, 43.8 3P%) is a knockdown shooter off the catch who is a really good complement to Hempen and Thomas, and junior forward Kael Schoneman (2.0) could step into a bigger role this season as well. The Falcons also added Waterloo East transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1167721' first='Martez' last='Wiggley'] (14.4, 7.2 rebounds) and Cedar Rapids Washington guard [player_tooltip player_id='1171663' first='Will' last='Hodges'] (4.2, 3.0 assists), a pair of players who contributed at a high level in the MVC and now drop down to 2A competition. Wiggley will provide some size and athleticism in the paint, while Hodges is a cat-quick guard who can break down a defense and create chaos on the defensive end. A-P is clearly the team to beat in the division and in the NICL as a whole and will be a real contender in Class 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Columbus Catholic (4-19, 31.8%): </strong>The Sailors lost both double-figure scorers from last year's team to graduation, but bring back a pair of young pieces to build their program around for the next few seasons in sophomore forward Myles Gardner (7.3, 5.8 rebounds) and junior guard Leo Christensen (6.0). Gardner was extremely productive on the offensive glass as a freshman, pulling down over three offensive rebounds a game, and that activity will be huge for a team that doesn't shoot it particularly well from the arc. The exception to that is Christensen, who shot 37.1% from behind the arc as a sophomore. He should step into a bigger role this season. Look for juniors Nick Merrifield (3.4), Jackson Mudd (2.3), and Andrew Robinson (1.8) to step into more significant roles this season as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Denver (17-7, 25.6%): </strong>The Cyclones were a potent offensive team last season, averaging 68.6 points a game behind the strength of Caylor Hoffer and Mitchell DeVries, who combined to average nearly 38 points a game last season. Unfortunately, both of those players graduated, leaving junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1476937' first='Eli' last='Ricketts'] (8.1, 45.5 3P%) as the top returnee. Ricketts is ready to take a major leap into a primary scoring role after a strong summer with the Barnstormers Black team. He's a dynamic shooter who can also create for others. Anticipate a major leap from sophomore Talen LaFrentz (1.8) as well, stepping into a secondary role for the Cyclones. Seniors Ethan Schoville (4.3), Clayton Liddle (2.2), and Kasey Wirtjes (1.5) each saw a fair amount of time last season and will provide some senior leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dike-New Hartford (9-14, 36.1%):</strong> New head coach Alex Tagtow will have some holes to fill as both double-figure scorers from last year graduated, leaving senior guard Braxten Johnson (7.0) as the top returning scorer. Johnson led the Wolverines in assists last season and is a solid three-level scoring threat. Seniors Benton Bixby (5.1) and Jerek Hall (5.0), and sophomore Colin Meester (2.5), are the other key returnees for this group. DNH has been a really strong program, with last season being the first year they've won fewer than 15 games since 2008-09. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hudson (7-16, 100.0%): </strong>The Pirates were extremely young last season, with four sophomores leading the team in scoring in [player_tooltip player_id='1476978' first='Camden' last='Davis'] (18.0), [player_tooltip player_id='2325381' first='Lyle' last='Olsen'] (11.0), Oliver Thompson (9.0), and [player_tooltip player_id='2325396' first='Culin' last='Ugrin'] (8.4). Davis led the team in scoring and rebounding (8.5) and is a really good athlete who can control the game on both ends of the floor. Olsen led the team in assists (3.8) and steals (2.0), while Thompson (38.5 3P%) is the team's best perimeter shooting threat. Everyone returns from a team that took their licks last season and should be much improved. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Projected Order of Finish</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Aplington-Parkersburg<br>2. Hudson<br>3. Denver<br>4. Dike-New Hartford<br>5. Columbus Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> The Falcons would have been considered a pretty substantial favorite in this division before adding Wiggley and Hodges. Those additions make them one of the biggest favorites of any team in any conference around the state. Hudson should be improved and Denver will once again be a potent offensive team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1290492,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/87-Garrett-Hempen.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/87-Garrett-Hempen-300x200.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1290492" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Preseason Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167691' first='Garrett' last='Hempen'], Aplington-Parkersburg:</strong> You could go with any number of Falcons for this honor, but we'll side with Hempen, the straw that stirs the drink for their high-powered attack. He's a high IQ guard who can quickly fill it up from all three levels or get others involved at a high clip. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167691' first='Garrett' last='Hempen'], Aplington-Parkersburg<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171686' first='Gavin' last='Thomas'], Aplington-Parkersburg<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167721' first='Martez' last='Wiggley'], Aplington-Parkersburg<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171663' first='Will' last='Hodges'], Aplington-Parkersburg<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476974' first='Cooper' last='Hoff'], Aplington-Parkersburg<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476978' first='Camden' last='Davis'], Hudson<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325381' first='Lyle' last='Olsen'], Hudson<br>2024 Oliver Thompson, Hudson<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325396' first='Culin' last='Ugrin'], Hudson<br>2023 Drew Hansen, Hudson<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476937' first='Eli' last='Ricketts'], Denver<br>2025 Talen LaFrentz, Denver<br>2023 Braxten Johnson, Dike-New Hartford<br>2023 Benton Bixby, Dike-New Hartford<br>2023 Jerek Hall, Dike-New Hartford<br>2025 Myles Gardner, Columbus Catholic<br>2024 Leo Christensen, Columbus Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->