Conference Preview: North Central

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Algona (8-14, 48.0% of scoring returning):</strong> Both double-figure scorers from last year's team graduated, but the next six scorers and two starters return, so the Bulldogs have the pieces in place to fill those roles. Senior guard Caden Weber (8.6, 40.0 3P%) was really good from behind the arc last season and will provide some floor spacing for this group. Senior combo forward [player_tooltip player_id='1587471' first='Simon' last='Feucht'] (5.6) can score inside and out, and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1484419' first='Alex' last='Manske'] (5.2) was very productive on the glass as a freshman. Look for an increased role for sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1288917' first='Ben' last='Helmers'] (2.5), a talented playmaker who can score from all three levels or get others involved. Last year was just the second losing season in the last nine years for Algona, and we expect them to get back to their winning ways this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clarion-Goldfield-Dows (19-4, 5.2%): </strong>No team in the conference was hit by graduation as hard as the Cowboys, who lost their top six scorers and eight of the top nine, leaving senior Nevan Foss (2.3) and junior Carson Nesheim (0.8) as the only returnees who saw time in double-digit games last season. It will be entirely new faces taking the floor this season for CGD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clear Lake (17-6, 46.9%): </strong>The Lions need to find a replacement for Carson Toebe, arguably the best player in school history, but bring back a pair of double-figure scorers in sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1381416' first='Thomas' last='Meyer'] (11.1) and senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1167712' first='Travaughn' last='Luyobya'] (10.0, 7.1 assists), so there is a solid foundation to build around. Meyer was very productive as a freshman, scoring inside and out at a high clip while also leading the team in rebounding, while Luyobya is a quick lead guard who can break down a defense and get to the bucket, and he's a fantastic passer who loves to get others involved. They'll need players like [player_tooltip player_id='2325311' first='Cael' last='Stephany'] (3.5) and [player_tooltip player_id='2325304' first='Dylan' last='Litzel'] (1.3) to step into bigger roles, but Clear Lake is generally a pretty strong program and they should remain competitive in the NCC again this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hampton-Dumont-CAL (11-11, 49.2%):</strong> Double-double machine [player_tooltip player_id='1171692' first='Scott' last='Harr'] (13.6, 10.6 rebounds) returns to lead the Bulldogs. Harr, a 6-4 power forward with great hands, was dominant on the offensive glass last season, pulling down 4.1 offensive boards a game, part of a unit that averaged nearly 12 offensive rebounds, which helps offset their 25.6% shooting from the arc. He's obviously a big-time rebounder, but he's also a talented passer who you can run the offense through. Senior point guard Marco Guerrero (9.4, 5.5 assists) is the other key returnee for this group, leading the team in assists and he's a pest on the defensive end who averaged 3.2 steals a game last season. They'll need to replace a number of role players from last year's team, but Harr and Guerrero will be good pieces to build the rotation around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Humboldt (21-4, 40.1%): </strong>The Wildcats launched over 26 3-pointers a game last season and used that constant threat of the long-ball to make a run to the state tournament before falling to Assumption. They bring back their top two gunners from that group in [player_tooltip player_id='1240078' first='Will' last='Orness'] (13.6, 76 3PM) and [player_tooltip player_id='1469745' first='Joshua' last='Thurm'] (9.4, 46 3PM), so expect to see a similar style of play this season from Humboldt. Outside of Orness and Thurm, however, there isn't much back from this group. Kaleb McCullough (2.8) started six games and appeared in all 25 for the 'Cats last season, but no other returnee appeared in more than six games or attempted more than four shots throughout last season. The good thing about Humboldt's system is that this style is somewhat plug-and-play, and they'll have one of the best duos in the conference. It should be a three-horse race throughout the year between the 'Cats, Clear Lake, and Webster City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iowa Falls-Alden (11-11, 46.9%): </strong>Senior guard Andrew Bicknese (11.3) returns to lead the Cadets after finishing second on the team in scoring and third in rebounding last season. He proved himself to be a capable secondary ball-handler last season and should step into a bigger playmaking role as a senior following the graduation of Blake Janssen. Junior forward Jaden Damiano (9.0) was strong on the glass on both ends of the floor, and seniors Kaden Steffen (4.1) and Kacen Boyer (2.5) each saw significant time last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Edmond (8-14, 33.0%): </strong>Three of the top four scorers graduated, leaving senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1332729' first='Jackson' last='Palmer'] (9.6) as the top returnee. Palmer led the team in assists last season and is a good place to start building, as he can get others involved as well as score from all three levels. Junior Sam Mericle (5.5) shot 50% on 44 3-point attempts last season, so while the sample size was fairly small, he showed the ability to shoot it and should step into a bigger role this season. The Gaels will have a lot of new faces in their rotation, but Palmer and Mericle will be a solid backcourt to build around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Webster City (12-10, 71.1%): </strong>The Lynx bring back more than any other team in the conference, returning their top two scorers and four of the top five from last year's team. They'll be headlined by the backcourt trio of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1367401' first='Jaime' last='Grossoehme'] (14.3, 47.9 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1167725' first='Ty' last='McKinney'] (12.5), and Jayce Neuroth (5.5). Grossoehme established himself as one of the state's elite shooting threats last year, burying 70 3-pointers at a nearly 48% clip, while McKinney and Neuroth are both capable ball-handlers and decision-makers who can lead the offense. Junior combo forward [player_tooltip player_id='2284843' first='Briar' last='Klaver'] (4.3) was productive last season as a role player, showing that he can score inside and out as well as rebound effectively on the defensive end. The Lynx were one of just two teams in the league to beat Humboldt last season, and they bring back a ton, so expect to see them in the running for the league crown. </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. Webster City<br>2. Humboldt<br>3. Clear Lake<br>4. Algona<br>5. Hampton-Dumont-CAL<br>6. Iowa Falls-Alden<br>7. St. Edmond<br>8. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>This should be one of the most competitive league races around the state this year, with good arguments to be made for any of the top three. We also expect Algona to be improved and a tough team to play on a nightly basis. Don't be surprised to see the Bulldogs pick off one or two of those teams at the top. At the end of the day, we'll side with a Webster City team that was one of just two to beat Humboldt last season and brings the most back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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='1240078' first='Will' last='Orness'], Humboldt: </strong>You could make strong arguments for a handful of players here, but we'll side with Orness, who led the Wildcats to the 3A state tournament last year. Only two players in the state fired up more 3-pointers than Orness last season. He's a high-volume shooter who is capable of getting scorching hot and lighting up the scoreboard in a hurry. We project Humboldt to compete for the league title again this season, and he's their best player. </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='1240078' first='Will' last='Orness'], Humboldt<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469745' first='Joshua' last='Thurm'], Humboldt<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171692' first='Scott' last='Harr'], Hampton-Dumont-CAL<br>2023 Marco Guerrero, Hampton-Dumont-CAL<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367401' first='Jaime' last='Grossoehme'], Webster City<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167725' first='Ty' last='McKinney'], Webster City<br>2023 Jayce Neuroth, Webster City<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2284843' first='Briar' last='Klaver'], Webster City<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167712' first='Travaughn' last='Luyobya'], Clear Lake<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381416' first='Thomas' last='Meyer'], Clear Lake<br>2023 Andrew Bicknese, Iowa Falls-Alden<br>2024 Jaden Damiano, Iowa Falls-Alden<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1332729' first='Jackson' last='Palmer'], St. Edmond<br>2024 Sam Mericle, St. Edmond<br>2023 Caden Weber, Algona<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484419' first='Alex' last='Manske'], Algona<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1587471' first='Simon' last='Feucht'], Algona<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288917' first='Ben' last='Helmers'], Algona</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->