Conference Preview: West Central

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ACGC (17-5, 69.8% of scoring returning): </strong>The Chargers lost leading scorer Miles Kading to graduation, but the next 11 scorers from last year's team return, giving them incredible depth. They'll be led by four seniors with a ton of experience in [player_tooltip player_id='1367402' first='Ben' last='Marsh'] (15.7), Austin Kunkle (11.6), Brock Littler (9.3), and Jedd Weinkoetz (6.4). Marsh is probably the team's most explosive scoring option, a player capable of getting to the bucket or hurting teams from the arc. Kunkle is a talented shooter, Littler led the team in assists, and Weinkoetz will hold down the painted area. Juniors Antony Solorzano (3.4) and [player_tooltip player_id='1587392' first='Lance' last='Bunde'] (3.2), and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1416420' first='Noah' last='Kading'] (3.3), will continue to be reliable rotation pieces as well. The Chargers have a ton of talent and experience and could be in line for their best season since the school opened in 2016-17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Des Moines Christian (20-4, 35.6%): </strong>During the QuikStats/Bound era (going back 16 years), the Lions have won at least 16 games each season, posting a 334-50 record (.870) during that stretch. All that to say that despite the fact that they lost nearly 65% of their scoring, there's no reason to think that DMC isn't going to be a major player in the conference and in 2A as a whole yet again. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1171689' first='Landon' last='Craven'] (9.2) is the team's top returning scorer, while seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1240068' first='Carsen' last='Theis'] (7.6), Joel Baynes (2.2), and Max Kirkman (2.0), as well as junior [player_tooltip player_id='1751233' first='Tate' last='Platte'] (2.7), saw significant playing time last season and should be ready to step into bigger roles. Sophomores Joe Clement (1.5) and [player_tooltip player_id='1759901' first='Seaton' last='Ingram'] (1.4) each had some good stretches of play last season as freshmen and should step into more significant roles as well. The Lions are always going to be well-coached, fairly deep, strong defensively, disciplined offensively, and physical. They'll once again win 16+ games and be a team that absolutely nobody wants to see in their postseason bracket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Earlham (8-14, 45.0%):</strong> The Cardinals lost both double-figure scorers from last year's team, but they bring back the next three, giving them an experienced trio to build around. Junior wing Kallin Nicholson (8.4) is a solid three-point shooting threat while sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2397202' first='Blake' last='Reynolds'] (7.5) showed some promise as a three-level scorer and playmaker, dishing out three assists a game last season. Look for him to become a bigger piece of the scoring attack this year and he's on a trajectory to become one of the best players in the conference over the next few years. Senior forward Malakahi Hale (5.8) and junior Walker Hale (2.5) are the other key returnees for this group. Earlham has built up a pretty strong program over the last decade and they bring back an experienced trio. They'll be more competitive than people expect them to be. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Interstate 35 (7-16, 14.9%): </strong>Senior Carson Allen (3.7) is the only returnee who scored more than 28 points last season, so the Roadrunners will be breaking in a lot of new faces this year. Look for seniors Gage Thomas (1.8) and Denny Rankin (1.1) to step into bigger roles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1673889,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/95-Toryn-Severson-scaled-crop-1699x1116-1669503034.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/95-Toryn-Severson-scaled-crop-1699x1116-1669503034-300x197.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1673889" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madrid (17-7, 89.2%): </strong>The top five scorers return for the Tigers, led by a player who has already established himself as one of the state's elite scoring threats in sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1174816' first='Toryn' last='Severson'] (19.0). Severson is a 6-3, high IQ guard who can fill it up from all three levels as well as create for others. He posted 47-41-90 shooting splits as a freshman while putting up 19 points a game, numbers that are unheard of from a freshman, even in small-school basketball. Two other sophomores, [player_tooltip player_id='2398087' first='Fabian' last='Ortiz-Alaniz'] (7.9) and [player_tooltip player_id='2397210' first='Brody' last='Buck'] (5.8), were among the top five scorers last season. Severson, Ortiz-Alaniz, and Buck combined to shoot nearly 42% from behind the arc last season, giving the Tigers a ton of firepower from deep. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1155054' first='Kadyn' last='Severson'] (14.5), Toryn's older brother, led the team in assists last season and is another reliable scorer and ball-handler, while senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1587384' first='Jackson' last='Newell'] (8.5, 7.6 rebounds) provides some size and physicality in the paint. He also blocked 2.4 shots a game, providing rim protection. This team is going to be deep, talented, and led by one of the state's best three-level scorers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ogden (12-11, 40.8%): </strong>Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1240098' first='Jack' last='Christensen'] (13.0, 4.6 assists) is one of the best players in the league, a talented, slashing guard who can break down a defense and get to the bucket routinely as well as create shots for others. He's a great passer who also makes a major impact on the defensive end, swiping 4.2 steals a game last season. Junior forward Keaton Westburg (5.6) and fellow junior guards Quintin Hoskins (2.7) and Carson Van Sickle (2.2) are the other key returnees for the Bulldogs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Panorama (15-9, 53.4%): </strong>The graduations of Jared Wasson and Brice Taylor leave gaping holes in the frontcourt and backcourt, respectively, but the Panthers bring three starters back from a 15-win team and should remain a top-half team in the conference. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1256305' first='Braylon' last='Dawes'] (12.0) was second on the team in scoring and assists last season and is a talented shooter and playmaker who can play with or without the ball in his hands. The continued development of junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1587394' first='Maddox' last='Hammerstrom'] (7.6) will be huge for this team. Hammerstrom dished out 2.3 assists a game last season and if he's able to continue to play with the ball in his hands more, allowing Dawes to move without the ball like he does so well, they could be a potent offensive team. Braedon Draper (9.9) provides some senior leadership and rebounding. A number of new faces will fill rotation roles, but the Dawes-Hammerstrom-Draper trio should be really good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasantville (12-10, 30.6%): </strong>Mason Scheve, who averaged 25 points a game, graduated, leaving a huge hole in the backcourt for the Trojans. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1725069' first='Dayson' last='Leerhoff'] (13.0, 9.7 rebounds) nearly averaged a double-double last season and will be the focal point of the offense this season, while senior guard Parker Sheets (3.6) dished out nearly three assists a game last season and will be the team's primary ball handler. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Van Meter (20-3, 33.3%): </strong>Another program in this league that has developed into an elite 2A program over the last handful of years, the Bulldogs have averaged 21 wins a season over the last six seasons. So, like Des Moines Christian, even though they lost the top four scorers from that group, expect to see the Bulldogs right back in contention this winter. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1240069' first='Aydn' last='Netten'] (8.3) is the top returning scorer. He's an athletic wing who is at his best when he's playing downhill and using his athleticism to finish around the bucket. Carter Durflinger (5.9) is a good ball-handler and decision-maker, while Michael Steinfeldt (3.1) gives this team some size in the paint. Gus Rosener (2.9) shot it really well from the arc last season, albeit on limited attempts, and should become a major contributor for this team to help stretch the floor. Van Meter is always loaded with good athletes and they're going to play excellent defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Central Valley (5-18, 79.9%): </strong>A solid junior class returns to lead the Wildcats, who should be improved this season. [player_tooltip player_id='2221605' first='Landon' last='Osberg'] (10.5) led the team in scoring, while Nate Gerling (9.5) was the man on the glass, pulling down over seven rebounds a game last season. Braylen Taylor (9.1) is the team's top perimeter shooting threat, which is important for a team that generally struggled to shoot it from the arc last season (25.9%). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Woodward-Granger (1-21, 94.7%): </strong>The Hawks won just one game last season but bring back their top six scorers from last year's team, including a quintet of seniors with plenty of experience. Brody Nardini (13.6) led the team in scoring and rebounding last season, while Carter Moran (8.5) led the team in assists. Dane Polich (7.6), Collin Nardini (6.8), and Josh Hultman (5.7) are each capable of leading the team in scoring on a given night. They'll still struggle to compete against the top teams in the conference on a nightly basis, but they should be improved and pick up a few more wins this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note: </strong>Woodward Academy is also in the West Central but is a residential facility with complete roster turnover every year.</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. Madrid<br>2. ACGC<br>3. Des Moines Christian<br>4. Van Meter<br>5. Panorama<br>6. Earlham<br>7. Ogden<br>8. Pleasantville<br>9. West Central Valley<br>10. Interstate 35<br>11. Woodward-Granger</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>The games between the top four teams in the league will be must-see this season, as any of those four teams are capable of winning the conference. Madrid and ACGC are the upstart newcomers, with Van Meter and Des Moines Christian being the perennial contenders. We'll give the slightest edge to a Madrid team that brings back the most from last season as well as our preseason pick for Player of the Year in [player_tooltip player_id='1174816' first='Toryn' last='Severson'].</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>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1174816' first='Toryn' last='Severson'], Madrid: </strong>Severson is coming off an incredibly productive freshman season in which he averaged 19 points on 47-41-90 shooting. A high IQ guard who can score from all three levels, get others involved, and impact the game defensively, he's on a trajectory to get his name in the record books if he continues to improve. </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>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1174816' first='Toryn' last='Severson'], Madrid<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1155054' first='Kadyn' last='Severson'], Madrid<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1587384' first='Jackson' last='Newell'], Madrid<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2398087' first='Fabian' last='Ortiz-Alaniz'], Madrid<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367402' first='Ben' last='Marsh'], ACGC<br>2023 Austin Kunkle, ACGC<br>2023 Brock Littler, ACGC<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240098' first='Jack' last='Christensen'], Ogden<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1256305' first='Braylon' last='Dawes'], Panorama<br>2023 Braedon Draper, Panorama<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1587394' first='Maddox' last='Hammerstrom'], Panorama<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1725069' first='Dayson' last='Leerhoff'], Pleasantville<br>2023 Brody Nardini, Woodward-Granger<br>2023 Carter Moran, Woodward-Granger<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240069' first='Aydn' last='Netten'], Van Meter<br>2023 Carter Durflinger, Van Meter<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171689' first='Landon' last='Craven'], Des Moines Christian<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240068' first='Carsen' last='Theis'], Des Moines Christian<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2221605' first='Landon' last='Osberg'], West Central Valley<br>2024 Nate Gerling, West Central Valley<br>2024 Braylen Taylor, West Central Valley<br>2024 Kallin Nicholson, Earlham<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397202' first='Blake' last='Reynolds'], Earlham</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->