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 (17-8, 57.7% of scoring returning): </strong>The Bulldogs won eight straight games down the stretch last year, going from 9-7 to a 3A state tournament qualifier. They bring back three starters from that group, which was able to score in bunches last season, averaging 68.8 points a game, which ranked 8th in 3A. Athletic junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1288917' first='Ben' last='Helmers'] (18.1, 53.5 FG%) is the headliner here, a creative scorer who can get to the bucket seemingly at will as well as create for his teammates. At 6-3/6-4, he also provides the 'Dogs with a lot of versatility on the defensive end, contesting shots and moving his feet on the perimeter. Fellow junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1484419' first='Alex' last='Manske'] (11.7, 9.8 rebounds) is a skilled big who pounds the glass hard on both ends of the floor, and he also sees the floor really well and is a talented passer out of the post. He's a coveted quarterback prospect, so that aspect of his game certainly makes sense. The other returning starter is point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1587393' first='Landon' last='Welp'] (4.7, 5.3 assists), who isn't a big-time scorer, but he's a talented playmaker who values the ball and doesn't turn it over (2.82 assist-to-turnover ratio). Look for sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2886785' first='Evan' last='Allie'] (3.9) and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2530671' first='Jack' last='Limbaugh'] (2.6) and Devin Larsen (1.6) to step into bigger rotation roles this season as well. They'll battle it out with Clear Lake, Humboldt, and Webster City at the top of the league. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clarion-Goldfield-Dows (4-18, 56.6%):</strong> Two of the top three scorers return for the Cowboys in seniors Carson Nesheim (14.0) and Caden Hankins (8.4), giving them a pair of experienced scoring threats to build around. Both are solid on the glass and can score by getting to the rim. There will be some questions regarding primary ball-handling responsibilities for this group, and they'll need to shoot it better from deep (23.9%) if they want to make a jump up the standings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clear Lake (22-2, 67.3%): </strong>The Lions lost leading scorer Travaughn Luyobya to graduation, which leaves a huge hole in their backcourt. Luyobya led the team in scoring (17.9) and assists (9.5) last season, and replacing him will be extremely difficult. That said, the next five scorers from last year's team are back, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1381416' first='Thomas' last='Meyer'] (14.6, 7.2 rebounds), a 6-5/6-6 forward who is getting heavy Division I football interest. He's an extremely efficient scorer who shot over 71% from the floor last season, and with size, strength, and athleticism, he's tough to slow down. [player_tooltip player_id='1759906' first='Titan' last='Schmitt'] (9.6) is the top returnee in assists and should have the ball in his hands quite a bit this season, while [player_tooltip player_id='2325311' first='Cael' last='Stephany'] (11.6, 40.4 3P%) is a big-time shooting threat who can help space the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='2325304' first='Dylan' last='Litzel'] (4.8, 1.1 blocks) gives them some additional size and athleticism in the paint, turning away shots at a high level off the bench last season and could pair with Meyer to give the Lions a bit of a "Twin Towers" look. Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2124032' first='Carson' last='Riser'] could step in and make a major impact as well with his ability to both shoot it and facilitate. The Lions have been really successful over the last handful of years, averaging 21 wins a year over the last five, and they should be considered the team to beat in the conference. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hampton-Dumont-CAL (7-15, 72.1%):</strong> The Bulldogs have a dominant interior force in [player_tooltip player_id='1171692' first='Scott' last='Harr'] (21.4, 13.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists) leading the way, giving them a physically imposing player in the paint on both ends of the floor. Harr, a mobile 6-6 forward, is a walking double-double who is a difficult matchup for most of the teams in the league. Tucker Heeren (10.0) is another double-figure scorer returning, and he'll share primary ball-handling responsibilities with senior Gavin Meader (5.0), who are the top two returnees in assists. If they can protect the ball a bit better (14.1 turnovers) and get a little better shooting (24.8 3P%), they could get above .500 this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Humboldt (18-5, 50.7%): </strong>The Wildcats led 3A in scoring last season, averaging 77.8 points a game, and they bring back three starters from that group, so expect them to light up the scoreboard again this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1759933' first='Elliott' last='Carlson'] (14.4), [player_tooltip player_id='1938208' first='Evan' last='Hatcher'] (13.6, 8.0 rebounds), and Corey Dettmann (8.3) are the three returning starters, giving them a trio of experienced players, each of whom can score in bunches. Dettmann should step into the primary ball-handling role, while Carlson operates more off the ball, and Hatcher is an interior option who can occasionally step out and stretch the floor. Hatcher did dish out 3.5 assists a game last season, so he can also provide some playmaking out of the post. Mason Van Pelt and [player_tooltip player_id='2511501' first='Coen' last='Matson'] each appeared in at least 45% of the team's games last season and provide some additional experience. This is a team that has really embraced modern basketball, averaging 32 3-point attempts a game last season. They'll need to replace their top two shooters from that group, but expect to see the 'Cats firing it from deep frequently again this season and competing with Clear Lake and Algona at the top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iowa Falls-Alden (9-13, 59.2%):</strong> Two of the top three scorers graduated, leaving senior forward Jaden Damiano (10.3) as the top returnee. Damiano led the team in rebounding last season and should be the focal point for the Cadets this season. The good news is that four other rotation pieces return in juniors Carter Weaver (7.8), Calvin Hutchinson (7.7), and Carter DeBates (2.7), and senior Nick Regan (6.8), giving them five quality players who saw a lot of playing time last season. Regan is the top perimeter shooting threat of the bunch, but Hutchinson also knocked down 32 3-pointers last season, so if those two can help space the floor and allow Damiano some additional room to operate, that would be huge for this team offensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Edmond (5-18, 61.8%): </strong>The Gaels bring back one of the best players in the conference in senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1751221' first='Sam' last='Mericle'] (17.6), a versatile three-level scorer who also contributes on the glass on both ends of the floor. He can take over games as a scorer and should pace a St. Ed's team that will be improved. In all, five of the top six scorers return. A pair of guards will join Mericle in the backcourt and share ball-handling responsibilities in sophomore Jack McElroy (6.9, 2.5 assists) and senior JT Laufersweiler (6.3, 3.5 assists), while junior Andrew Clavy (3.3) and sophomore Grant Galles (2.3) are the other notable returnees. Replacing Jackson Palmer and his 17 points a game will be tough, but with a good amount of experience back, they should be more competitive on a nightly basis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Webster City (18-4, 46.5%): </strong>The Lynx got off to an excellent 16-1 start before stumbling down the stretch a little bit, falling to Heelan in the substate championship game. They lost two of their top three scorers from that group, but bring back one of the best players in the league in senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2284843' first='Briar' last='Klaver'] (14.0, 8.3 rebounds), an extremely efficient scorer who posted 58-39-60 shooting splits last season. Braden Doering (7.2) figures to step into a bigger ball-handling role following the graduations of their top three guards, and [player_tooltip player_id='2511589' first='Jack' last='Larson'] (5.2, 62.0 FG%) is another efficient scorer with some experience. This is a program that is generally pretty competitive, and despite significant personnel losses, that should be the case again. They may not have the depth or top-end talent to compete with Clear Lake or Algona at the top, but they'll push for a top-3 finish and will probably be a team you don't want to see in your substate come February. </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. Clear Lake<br>2. Algona<br>3. Humboldt<br>4. Webster City<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> Perennial power Clear Lake headlines the league, even with the loss of Luyobya. Algona qualified for the 3A state tournament last season and returns a good chunk of the roster, and Humboldt has a lot of experienced pieces coming back. This figures to be one of the most competitive conference races in the state.</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='1288917' first='Ben' last='Helmers'] (Algona): </strong>An athletic combo guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands, Helmers is a skilled playmaker who stuffs the stat sheet for the Bulldogs. </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='1288917' first='Ben' last='Helmers'] (Algona)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484419' first='Alex' last='Manske'] (Algona)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1587393' first='Landon' last='Welp'] (Algona)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2886785' first='Evan' last='Allie'] (Algona)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381416' first='Thomas' last='Meyer'] (Clear Lake)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325311' first='Cael' last='Stephany'] (Clear Lake)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759906' first='Titan' last='Schmitt'] (Clear Lake)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325304' first='Dylan' last='Litzel'] (Clear Lake)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2124032' first='Carson' last='Riser'] (Clear Lake)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171692' first='Scott' last='Harr'] (Hampton-Dumont-CAL)<br>2024 Tucker Heeren (Hampton-Dumont-CAL)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1938208' first='Evan' last='Hatcher'] (Humboldt)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759933' first='Elliott' last='Carlson'] (Humboldt)<br>2024 Corey Dettmann (Humboldt)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751221' first='Sam' last='Mericle'] (St. Edmond)<br>2026 Jack McElroy (St. Edmond)<br>2024 JT Laufersweiler (St. Edmond)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2284843' first='Briar' last='Klaver'] (Webster City)<br>2024 Braden Doering (Webster City)<br>2024 Carson Nesheim (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)<br>2024 Caden Hankins (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)<br>2024 Jaden Damiano (Iowa Falls-Alden)<br>2025 Carter Weaver (Iowa Falls-Alden)<br>2025 Calvin Hutchinson (Iowa Falls-Alden)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->