Conference Preview: Iowa Alliance North

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ames (17-8, 56.2% of scoring returning): </strong>The Little Cyclones were once again dominant on the defensive end of the floor last season, allowing just 45.4 points a game, which ranked second in the class. They lost their most important defender from that group, but we all know that Vance Downs is going to have this group playing fantastic team defense, and they should be among the best defensive teams in the state once again. They'll be headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='1476938' first='Jack' last='Wynter'] (14.4, 39.5 3P%), a skilled lefty shooter with good size and length on the perimeter and a pure stroke. He has improved as a ball-handler and playmaker and should be one of the best all-around players in the state as a senior. [player_tooltip player_id='1381418' first='Jamison' last='Poe'] (9.8) is a small but tough and quick guard who is one of the best on-ball defenders in the state, while [player_tooltip player_id='1978102' first='Will' last='Thomas'] (3.6) contributed on both ends as a freshman and will step into a bigger role this season. The Little Cyclones will get an added boost with the addition of [player_tooltip player_id='1381424' first='Abe' last='Vos'] via transfer from Hoover. Vos averaged 5.6 points a game as a sophomore for the Huskies on a senior-laden team, and can provide some shooting to help space the floor. Look for sophomore center [player_tooltip player_id='1765516' first='Marach' last='Dau'] to step into a significant role this season as well, giving them some real size and rim protection in the paint. With their history, their returnees, and the lack of returnees for the rest of the teams in the division, Ames is a clear cut favorite here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Dodge (1-20, 54.1%): </strong>The Dodgers won their first game of the season last year, then dropped 20 straight to close the campaign. Only two of the losses came by single digits, so there is a lot of work to be done with this program. They lost their top scorer and rebounder from that team in Javion Jondle, who averaged 16 and 7, but they bring back the next four scorers, led by a solid group of juniors in Cade Westerhoff (7.8), Drake Warland (4.6), and Carter Woodruff (3.9), giving them a solid base to build around. Look for sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1907683' first='Hunter' last='Horn'] and Tytrell Mosley to step into bigger roles this season as well for the Dodgers. They'll likely struggle to compete on a nightly basis again, but the goal for this season should be to narrow their point deficit (lost by 22.8 points a game last season) and hopefully win a few games, getting some momentum heading into the 2024-25 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marshalltown (12-10, 28.8%): </strong>The Bobcats lost all three double-figure scorers from last year's team - two to graduation and one to transfer. But they bring back two important pieces who combined to start 40 games last season, making them one of the most experienced teams in the division. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1751107' first='Treshaun' last='Brooks'] (9.2, 4.7 assists) is the team's best player, and probably the best non-Ames player in the division. A long, athletic guard who can stuff the stat sheet, he looks primed to have a huge senior season. Carter Giannetto (6.2) is a solid secondary ball-handler who can also play off the ball and knock down shots. He'll be asked to be one of the primary scorers for the 'Cats this season. Brooks and Giannetto returning is probably enough to keep Marshalltown in the second spot in the division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mason City (6-15, 2.8%):</strong> A total of 31 points from last year's roster returns for the Riverhawks, so it's hard to know what to expect from this group heading into the season. Brandon Miller (1.0) and Logan Eide (0.7) are the only returnees and will be asked to step into much larger roles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waterloo East (13-9, 5.1%): </strong>Another team in this division that was decimated by graduation, the Trojans only have a total of 51 points returning from last year's roster. Da'Jon Sharkey (1.7) appeared in 14 games and will be the most experienced player returning. Cameron Roberts (4.3) appeared in just three games last season but was fairly productive in his limited action, averaging 4 rebounds and 2 assists in addition to his 4.3 points. There is enough athleticism and raw talent in the school to avoid completely bottoming out here, but it will be very difficult to come close to replicating last year's success. </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. Ames<br>2. Marshalltown<br>3. Waterloo East<br>4. Fort Dodge<br>5. Mason City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>Given the massive personnel losses that a majority of the teams in the division endured, and the winning tradition of their program, Ames is perhaps the easiest pick to win the division of any division or conference in the state. It would be a significant upset if any of the teams in the division were to knock them off.</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>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476938' first='Jack' last='Wynter'] (Ames): </strong>The Little Cyclones are an overwhelming favorite in the division, and Wynter is their best player. He's a knockdown shooter, solid defender, and is improving as a playmaker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476938' first='Jack' last='Wynter'] (Ames)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381424' first='Abe' last='Vos'] (Ames)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381418' first='Jamison' last='Poe'] (Ames)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978102' first='Will' last='Thomas'] (Ames)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765516' first='Marach' last='Dau'] (Ames)<br>2024 Carter Giannetto (Marshalltown)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751107' first='Treshaun' last='Brooks'] (Marshalltown)<br>2025 Cade Westerhoff (Fort Dodge)<br>2025 Carter Woodruff (Fort Dodge)<br>2025 Drake Warland (Fort Dodge)<br>2024 Ty Adams (Fort Dodge)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1907683' first='Hunter' last='Horn'] (Fort Dodge)<br>2024 Cameron Roberts (Waterloo East)<br>2024 Da'Jon Sharkey (Waterloo East)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->