Conference Preview: Iowa Star South

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Baxter (20-2, 30.4% of scoring returning): </strong>It was a special year for the Bolts last season, with their two losses coming to Dunkerton and Madrid, a pair of teams that qualified for the 1A state tournament. They dominated the league, winning games by an average of 33 points a game. However, they lost four of their top five scorers from that group to graduation, leaving senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2325277' first='Treyton' last='Travis'] (12.6) and junior off-ball guard Perrin Sulzle (5.1) as the only two returnees with significant experience. Travis is a really good athlete who stuffs the stat sheet on both ends of the floor, and he puts constant pressure on opposing teams with his quickness and toughness. Sulzle was really good as a sophomore, knocking down 38.2% of his 3-point attempts and will step into a bigger role this season. There are a number of younger players on the roster who got experience against some really talented players in practice last season, so they should remain competitive near the top of the division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BCLUW (6-15, 68.1%): </strong>The Comets lost their leading scorer and rebounder to graduation, but bring back nearly every other player from last year's rotation, so there is some reason for optimism heading into the season. Senior guard Cael Keller (11.3) is the top returnee and should slot into the primary ball-handling and scoring role. Hayden Schleisman (6.4) and [player_tooltip player_id='2721707' first='Owen' last='Myers'] (4.6) give them some size and rebounding, and Logan Scafferi (4.2) is a viable shooting threat who will pair well with Keller on the perimeter. This group doesn't have the overwhelming talent to compete at the top of the division, but a .500 record could be within range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Collins-Maxwell (12-11, 33.2%): </strong>Four of the top five scorers from last year's team have graduated, but the lone returnee among that top five is a good one in junior forward Josef Dvorak (10.4, 8.6 rebounds), a physically imposing presence in the paint who scores efficiently and controls the glass on both ends of the floor. He was particularly dominant as an offensive rebounder, pulling down an eye-popping 5.6 offensive boards a night as a sophomore. There will be some questions about who is going to handle the ball, which is a concern as they turned it over more than 17 times a game last season, but Dvorak should have a great year and be able to overpower several teams on the schedule. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colo-Nesco (14-8, 76.5%): </strong>The Royals got fire midway through January last year, running off 10 straight wins before a 2-point loss to Collins-Maxwell to open postseason play. With five of their top six scorers returning, they'll be looking to carry that momentum into this season and should be considered the favorite in the division. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1476992' first='Lucas' last='Frohwein'] (18.3, 9.1 rebounds) is an efficient offensive weapon who scores around the bucket at will, and he's also a skilled passer who sees the floor well. Our pick for POY honors in the division, he should have a huge senior season. Gannon Short (8.5) is the team's top perimeter scoring threat, while Breckin Clatt (5.5, 4.7 assists) is a solid lead guard who limits turnovers and gets his teammates involved. Drew Banks (4.5) and Mark Bower (4.3) also saw significant playing time and return. Look for a pair of sophomores - Brady Handsaker and Jack Angell - to step into bigger roles this season as well for the Royals. This team should be deep, and they have the most dynamic player in the division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GMG (6-16, 70.6%):</strong> The Wolverines dropped eight straight games to close last season after battling to a respectable 6-8 mark. With three of their top four scorers, including their top two, returning, they'll be looking to turn that late-season swoon around and play good basketball from start-to-finish this year. [player_tooltip player_id='2204873' first='Jabari' last='Woodbury'] (15.6) is a stat-sheet stuffing wing who averaged 6.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.4 steals a game in addition to his scoring last season. Colin Teske (9.0) is a reliable secondary ball-handler, and Kaleb Gill (7.8) and Grady Dieleman (5.5) provide some additional scoring on the perimeter. In Woodbury, they have one of the better players in the division, but they'll need to protect the ball better (18.3 turnovers a game) if they want to make a jump.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meskwaki Settlement (0-16, 74.5%): </strong>It was a long year for the Warriors last season, going winless and losing by an average score of 74-13. The top four return in Tenoch Snow, Devin Hoag, Ray Tahahwah, and Bralan Thompson, so they have some experienced players. Playing more competitive games would be a step in the right direction this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Tama (6-16, 71.2%): </strong>The RedHawks bring back a pair of double-figure scorers in junior Josh Dostal (15.3) and senior Jared Dvorak (10.9). Henry Hansen appeared in just one game last season, but he was really good in that game, putting up 10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block, and if he's able to stay healthy, this group could be ready to take a leap up the league standings. In addition to that returning trio, junior Chaz Hall (4.8) and sophomores Kayler Morris (3.9) and James Brandhorst (1.4) gained some valuable experience last year and will provide some help as role players. </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. Colo-Nesco<br>2. Baxter<br>3. GMG<br>4. North Tama<br>5. Collins-Maxwell<br>6. BCLUW<br>7. Meskwaki Settlement</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>Colo-Nesco ended last year on fire and brings back a good chunk of that roster, making them the favorite here. But Baxter has some talent remaining from a 20-win team and won't go away quietly. GMG and North Tama should be improved, while Collins-Maxwell and BCLUW both have a chance to be competitive. </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='1476992' first='Lucas' last='Frohwein'] (Colo-Nesco): </strong>The top returning scorer and rebounder in the division, Frohwein is a mobile 6-3 forward who controls the painted area on both ends of the floor for the Royals.</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='1476992' first='Lucas' last='Frohwein'] (Colo-Nesco)<br>2025 Gannon Short (Colo-Nesco)<br>2025 Breckin Clatt (Colo-Nesco)<br>2025 Mark Bower (Colo-Nesco)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2204873' first='Jabari' last='Woodbury'] (GMG)<br>2025 Colin Teske (GMG)<br>2025 Grady Dieleman (GMG)<br>2024 Kaleb Gill (GMG)<br>2025 Josh Dostal (North Tama)<br>2024 Jared Dvorak (North Tama)<br>2024 Henry Hansen (North Tama)<br>2025 Chaz Hall (North Tama)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325277' first='Treyton' last='Travis'] (Baxter)<br>2025 Perrin Sulzle (Baxter)<br>2025 Josef Dvorak (Collins-Maxwell)<br>2024 Cael Keller (BCLUW)<br>2024 Hayden Schlesiman (BCLUW)<br>2025 Owen Meyers (BCLUW)<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->