Conference Preview: Tri-Rivers West

The Teams   Alburnett (20-4, 57.3% of scoring returning): The Pirates were dominant defensively last season and explosive offensively, a pretty good combination to have. They ranked first in scoring defense in 2A, giving up just 42.4 points a game, and they paired that with an offensive attack that routinely had big nights behind the likes of returnees [player_tooltip player_id='1751109' first='Braydon' last='Osborn'] (16.0) and [player_tooltip player_id='1751108' first='Jordan' last='Caton'] (13.9), a pair of big-time scoring threats on the perimeter. Osborn is a long, athletic wing who can score from all three levels, and he also led the Pirates in rebounding last season. He shot 38% from the arc last season and has the ability to create looks for himself and his teammates. Caton is a quick guard who creates his own shot at a high level, and he's an adept shooter off both the dribble and the catch, knocking down 42% of his 3-pointers last year. Following the graduation of lead guard Adam Neighbor, Caton figures to have the ball in his hands a ton this year, an area in which he should thrive. Payton Baker (4.3) is the other key returnee, another capable ball-handler who dished out over three assists a game and can take some of the ball-handling pressure off of Caton. Baker also shot 40% from the arc, giving this team three great shooting threats. They're still below North Linn within the division, but they're going to be dangerous and could make some noise in 2A.   Central City (15-10, 83.1%): The Wildcats bring back three double-figure scorers from last year's team in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1759950' first='Matthew' last='Klostermann'] (15.0, 4.6 assists) and seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1376721' first='Mekhi' last='Benton'] (15.0) and Aiden Klostermann (10.4, 40.4 3P%). The younger Klostermann brother was the team's leader in scoring and assists, and is a quick guard who loves to play downhill and attack the rim, while the elder Klostermann is the best perimeter shooting threat on the team. He buried over 40% of his 3-point attempts last season and helps space the floor to allow his younger brother room to drive or Benton room to operate on the block. Speaking of Benton, he's an athletic forward who can score around the rim efficiently or step out and occasionally stretch the floor. The Klostermann-Klostermann-Benton trio will be among the best in the conference, and if they have some other pieces step up and develop, they could potentially push Alburnett for second in the division.   East Buchanan (10-12, 34.3%): The Buccaneers lost their top two scorers from last year's team, leaving seniors Trystin Russell (8.4) and Hunter Bowers (5.9) as the top returnees. Russell led the team in assists last season and figures to have the ball in his hands a ton this year, while Bowers was solid on the glass and was one of their most efficient offensive weapons. The only other returnee with any significant experience is Noah Valenzuela (3.3), who appeared in all 22 games last season, largely off the bench.   Edgewood-Colesburg (5-18, 73.8%): After losing a ton of production from the 2021-22 team that won 21 games, a significant drop was expected last year for the Vikings. The good news is that: (a) They improved greatly down the stretch, winning three of their last five games; and (b) They bring back seven of the top eight scorers from that team. Junior Pryce Rochford (10.7) tied for the team lead in scoring and assists last year and returns to lead the charge, but he is far from alone. Fellow junior Will Wiskus (8.0, 7.6 rebounds) led the team in rebounding and will anchor the team defensively and on the glass, while seniors Caden Cole (6.6) and Zander Knipper (2.8) return with valuable experience. Ed-Co isn't going to contend for the division title by any means, but don't be surprised if they double last year's win total.   Maquoketa Valley (16-8, 70.4%): The Wildcats lost leading scorer Avery Holtz to graduation, and his 17.1 points and 4.0 assists a game are certainly a big loss. That said, every other player who saw significant time last season returns. They're led by senior forward Lance McShane (11.0, 7.0 rebounds), an efficient interior scorer who has shown some ability to step out and stretch the floor. Kody Hoeger (9.9) provides some additional scoring on the perimeter, while Treyton Cook (7.8, 2.2 assists) and Toby Grimm (4.6, 3.2 assists) will be the primary facilitators. Four players saw some varsity minutes as freshmen last season and should step into bigger roles, which will benefit them not only this year, but moving forward as well. The 'Cats are clearly behind North Linn and Alburnett, but they split with Central City and will battle it out with the other Wildcats for a top-3 finish.   North Linn (26-1, 61.6%): The Lynx have been the dominant program in the state over the last seven years, compiling a 187-6 record, with four of their six losses coming in state championship games. There's no sign of it slowing down anytime soon either. They lost a pair of big-time players from last year's 1A runner-up roster, but bring back three starters, a slew of bench players, and have a system that just flat out works. The duo of senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1426164' first='Ty' last='Pflughaupt'] (15.8, 7.8 rebounds) and junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1484418' first='Mason' last='Bechen'] (14.8, 47.0 3P%) is the best one-way punch in 1A basketball. Pflughaupt is a long, 6-5 wing who has committed to play his college ball at Upper Iowa, where he'll give the Peacocks a long, switchable defender who can knock down shots from deep, protect the rim, and control the glass. He had a great summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2075572' first='Iowa' last='Prep'] and should have a monstrous senior year. Bechen is an intelligent lead guard who can control the game on both ends of the floor. He's a fantastic shooter both off the dribble and the catch, is able to constantly put pressure on opposing teams with his speed and ball-handling, and is a great passer. [player_tooltip player_id='1751216' first='Breckyn' last='Betenbender'] (8.4, 43.8 3P%) is the other returning starter, a jitterbug who plays fantastic on-ball defense and knocks down his open looks at an extremely high clip. Drew Ries (3.3), Jake Van Etten (3.0), and Cole Griffith (2.3) also return after seeing a good amount of playing time last season. The Lynx just win, win, win, and that will remain the case again this year.   Springville (4-18, 45.2%): The Orioles lost the top two scorers from last year's team to graduation, but bring back a stable of juniors who produced at a pretty high level as sophomores. Connor Williams (6.4, 5.4 rebounds) led the team in rebounding last season and is an efficient option inside the arc. [player_tooltip player_id='2721744' first='Evan' last='Haefner'] (6.1) has shown some ability to shoot it from the arc, while Jayce Ernzen (5.3) and Jordan Goad (4.5) gained some valuable experience last season as well. This is a group that struggled with turnovers last season, giving it away 20.1 times a game, a number that will need to greatly improve if they want to be more competitive.   Starmont (0-22, 100.0%): The Stars were winless last season and only had four games decided by single digits, so there's no place to go but up for this group, which brings back everyone. Junior forward Kyle Sherman (11.5, 6.9 rebounds) is the headliner, while Maddox Vaske (7.0) figures to be the team's primary facilitator. This group really struggled with turnovers last year, giving it away 26.7 times a game, which will really need to improve.   Projected Order of Finish   1. North Linn 2. Alburnett 3. Central City 4. Maquoketa Valley 5. Edgewood-Colesburg 6. East Buchanan 7. Springville 8. Starmont   Analysis: The dominant program in small school basketball continues to roll here. Alburnett will be a formidable foe, while Central City and Maquoketa Valley will both be dangerous as well.   Preseason Player of the Year   2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484418' first='Mason' last='Bechen'] (North Linn): The junior lead guard is in complete control of the game on both ends of the floor for the Lynx, who are once again an overwhelming favorite within the division and open the year at #1 in Class 1A.   Players to Watch   2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484418' first='Mason' last='Bechen'] (North Linn) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1426164' first='Ty' last='Pflughaupt'] (North Linn) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751216' first='Breckyn' last='Betenbender'] (North Linn) 2025 Drew Ries (North Linn) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751109' first='Braydon' last='Osborn'] (Alburnett) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751108' first='Jordan' last='Caton'] (Alburnett) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759950' first='Matthew' last='Klostermann'] (Central City) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376721' first='Mekhi' last='Benton'] (Central City) 2024 Aiden Klostermann (Central City) 2024 Lance McShane (Maquoketa Valley) 2024 Kody Hoeger (Maquoketa Valley) 2025 Treyton Cook (Maquoketa Valley) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731675' first='Brady' last='Wall'] (Maquoketa Valley) 2025 Kyle Sherman (Starmont) 2024 Maddox Vaske (Starmont) 2025 Pryce Rochford (Edgewood-Colesburg) 2025 Will Wiskus (Edgewood-Colesburg) 2024 Trystin Russell (East Buchanan) 2025 Connor Williams (Springville) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721744' first='Evan' last='Haefner'] (Springville)

The Teams