Conference Preview: Pride of Iowa

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bedford (21-4, 52.2% of scoring returning): </strong>The Bulldogs were a dominant defensive team last season, allowing just 41.1 points a game, and they held teams under 40 points on 10 different occasions. They bring back four players with starting experience and three of their top five scorers from last year return in all. They're led by junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1874772' first='Cal' last='Peterman'] (11.3, 6.5 rebounds), a mobile big man who protects the paint defensively, turning away nearly two shots a game last season. Senior forward Silas Walston (8.1, 6.0 rebounds) pairs with Peterman to give Bedford a pair of bigs who control the glass on both ends of the floor. Senior guard Conner Nally (7.4, 4.5 assists) led the team in assists last season and returns to headline the backcourt. He also led the team in steals, averaging nearly four thefts a game. Bryson Ewart (4.8) is the other notable returnee for the 'Dogs, giving them a quartet of experienced players for what should be a very balanced team. They may not contend for the conference crown, but they should be competitive on a nightly basis and with their stout defense, they'll be tough to play against. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central Decatur (17-5, 24.3%): </strong>The Cardinals have been one of the best, most consistent, programs in the conference over the last decade, averaging over 16 wins a year during that time. They may struggle to replicate that success this season, however, after losing six of their top seven scorers. Senior guard Sam Boothe (8.8, 3.5 assists) is the top returnee, while junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2721736' first='Nash' last='Dykes'] (4.8) saw time in every game last season, providing some scoring off the bench. The Booth-Dykes tandem in the backcourt will be one of the better ones in the conference, but there will be a ton of new faces joining the rotation alongside them. There is too much talent and tradition for this program to bottom out, but they probably won't be competing at the top of the league this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Union (5-18, 100.0%): </strong>Everyone returns for the Eagles, so there is some reason for optimism and hope for improvement in the win column. Seniors Seth Hudson (15.0), Rason Grail (12.0), and Austin Lack (9.3, 8.5 rebounds) lead the way. Lack led the team in rebounding, assists, and steals, while Hudson and Grail are both solid scorers on the perimeter. They'll need to cut down the turnovers (16.0) and play better defense if they want to add many more wins, but the experience they gained last season should be beneficial. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lenox (14-10, 41.7%): </strong>The Tigers lost a pair of double-figure scorers to graduation, but bring back star wing, junior [player_tooltip player_id='1951830' first='Gabe' last='Funk'] (18.2), who was near the team lead in nearly every major category last season. In addition to his scoring prowess, Funk led the team in assists (4.8) and was second in rebounding (9.0) and steals (2.6). He's an efficient 6-1 scorer who posted 51-40-68 shooting splits last season, and he should be even better as a junior. Carter Reed (8.4, 35.1 3P%) gives them some additional perimeter scoring and shooting, while a trio of sophomores figure to step into bigger roles after playing sparingly as freshmen - Dawson Evans, Laramie Stoaks, and Cade Cordell. Depth could be a question, especially early, but with Funk leading the charge, Lenox figures to be a factor within the league. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Martensdale-St Marys (3-19, 74.4%): </strong>After a remarkable run of success over the previous six years, we knew the Blue Devils would take a step back last season, and that certainly happened, as they took a lot of lumps from teams that were probably anxious to "get back" at them after the Devils beat up on them for years. They bring back their top two, and four of the top five, from that team, so they should be headed back in the right direction this season. Senior forward Jaxson Bowlin (11.1) led the team in scoring and blocks last season and was second in rebounding, and will be the focal point on both ends of the floor. Jack Osborn (5.5), Cooper Oberbroeckling (4.4), and William Denny (4.4) are also seniors who will contribute, while sophomores Travis White (3.2) and Jack Gavin (1.0) represent the next wave of talent coming through. They'll struggle to compete with the top teams again most likely, but they're in the progress of building it back up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mount Ayr (21-3, 36.9%): Mount Ayr has been one of the dominant programs in the POI over the last six seasons, averaging 19.5 wins a year during that stretch, so despite losing both of their double-figure scorers from last year's team, expect to see the Raiders in the mix again this season. Replacing Jaixen Frost and Braydon Pierson, who combined to average 35.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, won't be easy, but two starters and four rotation pieces in total return, so this group does have some experience. They're led by senior Ryce Reynolds (6.9), sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2886911' first='Jackson' last='Ruggles'] (6.7), and junior Tyler Martin (6.6), a triumvirate of capable scorers who can each handle the ball and get teammates involved. Reynolds knocked down nearly 38% of his 3-point attempts last season and figures to step into a primary scoring role. Look for junior forward Jaize Frost (3.1) to step into a major role this season as well for Mount Ayr. This group probably won't rattle off 20 wins, but they'll be in the mix for the POI title again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nodaway Valley (14-9, 30.8%): </strong>The Wolverines lost a ton of production to graduation, with seven of their top eight scorers now gone. But the good news is that the lone returnee among that top eight is a great one in senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1945659' first='Dawson' last='Nelson'] (18.0), who is one of the best players in the league. Nelson is a versatile three-level scorer who can also create quality looks for his teammates off the dribble. He'll be asked to do a lot for this group, but Nodaway Valley is a traditionally strong program that should still find a way to compete for a top-3 finish in the conference. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southeast Warren (11-11, 64.5%):</strong> Leading scorer Cam Seuferer (13.8) returns, headlining a pretty strong 2025 class for the Warhawks that also includes returnees Caden Carruthers (5.9), Brogan Ewing (5.7), and Nathan Lillig (1.1), each of whom figure to step into bigger roles this season. There are also two sophomores ready to take another leap in Jamison Ewing (8.8) and [player_tooltip player_id='2886812' first='Lucas' last='Dirkx'] (3.6). Both were quality role players as freshmen who can provide some scoring, shooting, and playmaking. This is a group that pounded the offensive glass hard last season, pulling down nearly 15 offensive boards a game, and despite losing their two leaders in that category, look for the philosophy to remain the same - extra opportunities equals extra points. This group should finish above .500 for the first time since the 2011-12 season (12-10), and if a few players make a big leap, they could push for a top-3 finish. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southwest Valley (7-15, 89.2%):</strong> The top six scorers return for a Timberwolves team that gained a lot of valuable experience last season. They're led by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1765523' first='Cael' last='Hogan'] (12.6) and senior Roman Keefe (11.5), a pair of quality scorers on the perimeter who pace the team offensively. Seniors Isaac Currin (6.0) and Miller Means (4.6), junior Alex Morgan (4.4), and sophomore Wyatt Mendenhall (3.2) are the other notable returnees. This team is going to be pretty small and could struggle on the glass against some of the more physical teams in the league. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wayne (8-14, 79.7%): </strong>The Falcons bring back all but one rotation player from last year's team, and have one of the best players in the conference returning in senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1751217' first='Rayce' last='Snyder'] (19.2, 9.1 rebounds), a dynamic 6-5 forward who can take over games as a scorer and rebounder. Fellow seniors Connor Pruiett (9.3) and Boudyn White (4.7) return, and expect to see sophomore Karter Murphy (2.5) take another step and provide them with some additional scoring inside the arc. They'll need to clean up the turnovers (17.5 a game) and shoot it better from deep (24.3%) if they want to make a substantial jump, but Snyder should lead them to quite a few wins. </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. Bedford<br>2. Mount Ayr<br>3. Nodaway Valley<br>4. Southeast Warren<br>5. Central Decatur<br>6. Lenox<br>7. Wayne<br>8. Southwest Valley<br>9. East Union<br>10. Martensdale-St Marys</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>This conference has the potential to get a little crazy this year, as the usual powers all lost a substantial amount to graduation. Could Bedford rise up and take advantage?</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='1751217' first='Rayce' last='Snyder'] (Wayne): </strong>There are a number of good options for this honor heading into the season, but we'll side with Snyder, a versatile scorer who led the Falcons in nearly every major category last season.</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='1751217' first='Rayce' last='Snyder'] (Wayne)<br>2024 Connor Pruiett (Wayne)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1945659' first='Dawson' last='Nelson'] (Nodaway Valley)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951830' first='Gabe' last='Funk'] (Lenox)<br>2024 Carter Reed (Lenox)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1874772' first='Cal' last='Peterman'] (Bedford)<br>2024 Silas Walston (Bedford)<br>2024 Conner Nalley (Bedford)<br>2024 Seth Hudson (East Union)<br>2024 Rason Grail (East Union)<br>2024 Austin Lack (East Union)<br>2025 Cam Seuferer (Southeast Warren)<br>2026 Jamison Ewing (Southeast Warren)<br>2025 Caden Carruthers (Southeast Warren)<br>2025 Brogan Ewing (Southeast Warren)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765523' first='Cael' last='Hogan'] (Southwest Valley)<br>2024 Roman Keefe (Southwest Valley)<br>2024 Isaac Currin (Southwest Valley)<br>2024 Jaxson Bowlin (Martensdale-St Marys)<br>2024 Jack Osborn (Martensdale-St Marys)<br>2024 Sam Boothe (Central Decatur)<br>2024 Ryce Reynolds (Mount Ayr)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2886911' first='Jackson' last='Ruggles'] (Mount Ayr)<br>2025 Tyler Martin (Mount Ayr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->