Conference Preview: Iowa Alliance North
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The Teams Ames (17-8, 56.2% of scoring returning): 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…
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Ames (17-8, 56.2% of scoring returning): 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 Jack Wynter Jack Wynter 6'3" | SG Ames | 2024 State IA (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. Jamison Poe Jamison Poe 5'8" | PG Ames | 2025 State IA (9.8) is a small but tough and quick guard who is one of the best on-ball defenders in the state, while Will Thomas Will Thomas 5'10" | SG Ames | 2026 State IA (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 Abe Vos Abe Vos 6'2" | SG Ames | 2025 State IA 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 Marach Dau Marach Dau 6'5" | C Ames | 2026 State IA 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.
Fort Dodge (1-20, 54.1%): 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 Hunter Horn Hunter Horn 6'5" | SF St. Edmonds | 2026 State IA 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.
Marshalltown (12-10, 28.8%): 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 Treshaun Brooks Treshaun Brooks 6'0" | PG Marshalltown | 2024 State IA (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.
Mason City (6-15, 2.8%): 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.
Waterloo East (13-9, 5.1%): 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.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Ames
2. Marshalltown
3. Waterloo East
4. Fort Dodge
5. Mason City
Analysis: 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.
Preseason Player of the Year
2024 Jack Wynter Jack Wynter 6'3" | SG Ames | 2024 State IA (Ames): 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.
Players to Watch
2024
Jack Wynter
Jack
Wynter
6'3" | SG
Ames | 2024
State
IA
(Ames)
2025
Abe Vos
Abe
Vos
6'2" | SG
Ames | 2025
State
IA
(Ames)
2025
Jamison Poe
Jamison
Poe
5'8" | PG
Ames | 2025
State
IA
(Ames)
2026
Will Thomas
Will
Thomas
5'10" | SG
Ames | 2026
State
IA
(Ames)
2026
Marach Dau
Marach
Dau
6'5" | C
Ames | 2026
State
IA
(Ames)
2024 Carter Giannetto (Marshalltown)
2024
Treshaun Brooks
Treshaun
Brooks
6'0" | PG
Marshalltown | 2024
State
IA
(Marshalltown)
2025 Cade Westerhoff (Fort Dodge)
2025 Carter Woodruff (Fort Dodge)
2025 Drake Warland (Fort Dodge)
2024 Ty Adams (Fort Dodge)
2026
Hunter Horn
Hunter
Horn
6'5" | SF
St. Edmonds | 2026
State
IA
(Fort Dodge)
2024 Cameron Roberts (Waterloo East)
2024 Da’Jon Sharkey (Waterloo East)