Conference Preview: Top of Iowa East

The Teams   Central Springs (6-16, 76.4% of scoring returning): In senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2221601' first='Javont' last='Froiland'] (17.5), the Panthers have one of the most dynamic offensive players in the division on their side. Froiland is a versatile three-level scorer who puts pressure on opposing defenses with his ability to get to the cup, and he's also a good passer who gets his teammates involved, dishing out a team-high 3.5 assists a game last season. Max Fingalsen (9.5) and Carson Grady (6.4) are the other notable returnees, and this is a team that loses just two players from last year's roster, so they'll have quite a bit of experience.   Nashua-Plainfield (12-11, 30.3%): The Huskies have a significant hole to fill in the backcourt following the graduation of Bo Harrington, who poured in over 23 points a game last season. Their second leading scorer also graduated, and in total, only two of their top six return. Tucker Franzen (7.2) and [player_tooltip player_id='2235353' first='Matthew' last='Malven'] (7.1) are the key names to watch here. Both are capable ball-handlers and playmakers, and both are also capable of playing off the ball and knocking down shots. There will be a lot of opportunity for them to get shots off with Harrington gone, and look for sophomores Landon Foelske and [player_tooltip player_id='2731860' first='Jase' last='Hansen'] to step into bigger roles this season. This is a program that has hovered around the .500 mark for most of the last five years, but it's hard to see them getting back there this season.   Newman Catholic (20-5, 18.6%): The Knights lost a few all-time program greats to graduation in Douglas Taylor and Max Burt, who take a combined 40.2 points, 17.1 rebounds, and 10.4 assists a game with them. They also lost Noah Hamilton, who averaged 10.2 points and 8.4 rebounds himself. Needless to say, they have a ton of production to replace. Senior Toby Kesten (5.6) and juniors Cal McGuire (4.2) and Colin Bleile (2.2) are the only returnees with any significant experience. Newman generally has a pretty strong athletics program, but with so much production to replace, it's hard to see them competing on a nightly basis with the top teams in the league.   North Butler (11-12, 53.1%): The top two scorers from last year's team have graduated, but everyone else who saw playing time last season returns, so the Bearcats will have a good amount of experience taking the floor this winter. Senior forward Hunter Rademaker (8.2, 6.0 rebounds) is the headliner, an efficient interior scorer who is solid on the glass. Kamdon Boos (4.6), Brady Austin (4.0), and Carson Lewis (3.5) will be the primary options on the perimeter, and Ryan Austin (3.7) provides some additional size and rebounding. Rademaker will need to develop into a go-to option offensively, but the experience that a majority of the roster gained last year will be very helpful for this group.   Northwood-Kensett (8-14, 75.2%): If you're looking for a team to potentially rocket up the league standings this season, look at the Vikings. Four of their top five scorers last season were sophomores, including their top two, so this is a group that was very young last season and should benefit from all the time they got. [player_tooltip player_id='1436503' first='Colby' last='Eskildsen'] (14.8, 9.6 rebounds) is the star of the group, a do-it-all wing with good size at 6-5/6-6. He led the Vikings in every major category, and his versatility on both ends of the floor is his calling card. [player_tooltip player_id='1587391' first='Kooper' last='Julseth'] (11.7) is another reliable ball-handler who can score from all three levels. Eskildsen and Julseth complement each other well, and then you have classmates Evan Lorenzen (8.1) and Carter Anderson (7.0) returning as well. This group will need to clean up their ball security (16.4 turnovers a game) and improve from the arc (27.7 3P%) if they want to make a big jump, but there is a good amount of talent and experience returning.   Osage (18-5, 68.4%): The Green Devils bring back three double-figure scorers from last year's team - junior [player_tooltip player_id='1759935' first='Madden' last='Uhlenhopp'] (16.4), sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1765543' first='Quinn' last='Street'] (14.3), and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1376718' first='Max' last='Knudsen'] (10.0), giving them a trio of viable scoring threats who can take over a game on any given night. All three are capable of playing with or without the ball, and they share the ball well. Those three will be heavily relied on, especially early in the season, as they are the only returnees who saw much playing time last season. This is a program that prides itself on playing good defense, and that should be the case again, and with their trio of returning scorers, they should be able to put up points on just about anyone on the schedule. They split with West Fork last season, and there is a real chance that those two games this year end up deciding the division race.   Rockford (0-21, 69.2%): The Warriors really struggled on the defensive end last season, allowing over 73 points a game, which ranked 143rd (out of 145 teams) in 1A. They lost their leading scorer from that group but bring back two double-figure scorers in seniors Nic Groven (13.1) and Marshawn Taylor (11.8), so scoring doesn't figure to be an issue this season. With the firepower that a majority of the division is returning, it's hard to imagine this group being much more competitive, however, unless significant improvement is made on the defensive end.   Saint Ansgar (7-15, 79.4%): The Saints lost five games by single digits last season and bring back five of their top six from that group, so there is some reason to believe that they could turn some of those losses into wins this year. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2325508' first='Hunter' last='Hillman'] (13.6, 8.7 rebounds, 4.0 blocks) was a dominant force in the paint last season on both ends of the floor, protecting the rim and controlling the glass. Tyler Remster (7.6, 4.7 assists) returns to headline the backcourt, a solid ball-handler and playmaker who likes to get his teammates involved, while Carsen Sparrow (10.1) is the team's top perimeter scoring threat. Drew Powers (5.5) and Jayce Schwiesow (2.3) are the other key returnees here. If the Saints can clean up their turnover issues (19.3 a game), they could make a major jump. This is a program that has won 14 games over the last three years - clean up the turnovers and they have a chance to match that total this year.   West Fork (17-5, 85.3%): The top four scorers return for the Warhawks, including a pair of electric scorers in the backcourt in senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1476981' first='Cayde' last='Eberling'] (16.4) and [player_tooltip player_id='1454905' first='Sage' last='Suntken'] (14.5, 39.9 3P%). Eberling is at his best when he's playing downhill and getting to the rim, while Suntken is the sharpshooter of the group. Both of them can play with or without the ball in his hands, which allows them to play to their strengths. Gavin Cronk (8.2) and Edison Maske (7.8) are also returning starters who provide some additional scoring without demanding shots, fitting into their roles alongside West Fork's two stars. Junior forward Cannen Vold (1.6), a 6-5 big man, could be an X-factor for this group. He played sparingly last season, but if he's able to take another step in his development, he'll provide some needed size, rebounding, and paint protection. West Fork struggled with turnovers last season, giving it away 17 times a game, an uncharacteristic number for this program, but if they can clean that up, this team will not only be a frontrunner in the league, but could be a serious contender in Class 1A.   Projected Order of Finish   1. West Fork 2. Osage 3. Northwood-Kensett 4. Saint Ansgar 5. Newman Catholic 6. North Butler 7. Nashua-Plainfield 8. Central Springs 9. Rockford   Analysis: West Fork and Osage are a pretty clear-cut top two in the division this year following the heavy losses to graduation that Newman Catholic suffered. Northwood-Kensett and Saint Ansgar should both be improved, and I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them pick off a team that they aren't expected to at some point this season. The division race probably comes down to the two head-to-head meetings between the Warhawks and Green Devils.   Preseason Player of the Year   2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1454905' first='Sage' last='Suntken'] (West Fork): An efficient wing who can torch teams from deep, get his teammates involved, and ice games away at the line as well as anyone, Suntken gets the nod over teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1476981' first='Cayde' last='Eberling'] here. The Warhawks are probably the team to beat in the division.   Players to Watch   2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1454905' first='Sage' last='Suntken'] (West Fork) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476981' first='Cayde' last='Eberling'] (West Fork) 2024 Gavin Cronk (West Fork) 2024 Edison Maske (West Fork) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1436503' first='Colby' last='Eskildsen'] (Northwood-Kensett) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1587391' first='Kooper' last='Julseth'] (Northwood-Kensett) 2025 Evan Lorenzen (Northwood-Kensett) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759935' first='Madden' last='Uhlenhopp'] (Osage) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765543' first='Quinn' last='Street'] (Osage) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376718' first='Max' last='Knudsen'] (Osage) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2221601' first='Javont' last='Froiland'] (Central Springs) 2024 Max Fingalsen (Central Springs) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325508' first='Hunter' last='Hillman'] (Saint Ansgar) 2024 Carsen Sparrow (Saint Ansgar) 2024 Tyke Remster (Saint Ansgar) 2024 Nic Groven (Rockford) 2024 Marshawn Taylor (Rockford) 2024 Hunter Rademaker (North Butler) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2235353' first='Matthew' last='Malven'] (Nashua-Plainfield)

The Teams