Preseason All-Conference Teams: Heart of Iowa

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year: </strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381402' first='Emiliano' last='Barrantes'] (Grand View Christian)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is probably the easiest choice of any conference POY honors. Barrantes put up ridiculous numbers against an extremely difficult schedule last year for the Thunder, and with GVC now moving into the Heart of Iowa Conference, he should absolutely dominate again. Averages of 30 points and 20 rebounds aren't outside the realm of possibility for him this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381402' first='Emiliano' last='Barrantes'] (Grand View Christian): 27.4 points, 15.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 3.0 blocks, 61.0 FG%, 77.6 FT%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-9/6-10 big man put up NBA 2K-esque numbers as a junior, followed it up with a sensational spring and summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2270834' first='Iowa' last='United'], and will be among the most dominant players in the state as a senior. He picked up a handful of low-to-mid-major offers as a result of his strong grassroots play, and his two-way ability is rivaled by few in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2287857' first='Brayden' last='Hoben'] (Grand View Christian): 15.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoben was awesome as a sophomore, averaging nearly 16 and 9 while also being a high-level defender and shot maker. He has great size on the wing at 6-5/6-6, a smooth stroke from 3, and he provides versatility on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413533' first='Jameson' last='Scharnberg'] (Grand View Christian): 11.0 points, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 45.0 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scharnberg is a skilled guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands. He creates quality looks for his teammates off the dribble and gets them involved, but he's also a fantastic shooter off both the dribble and the catch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765535' first='John' last='Nelson'] (Nevada): 15.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.5 blocks, 48.0 FG%, 45.3 3P%, 76.4 FT%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson is a big, physical, and hyper-athletic forward who does a little bit of everything for the Cubs. He shoots it really well from deep, scores efficiently around the rim, blocks a ton of shots, and is a force on the glass on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420787' first='Brady' last='Hicks'] (Saydel): 13.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hicks is a talented 6-4/6-5 wing who put together a really strong freshman season for the Eagles, helping lead them to their first winning season since 2009-10. He sees the floor well and utilizes his length to his advantage on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2520010' first='Lincoln' last='Cowell'] (Grand View Christian)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721697' first='Geren' last='Kenney'] (Perry)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Gavin VanGorp (PCM)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721707' first='Owen' last='Myers'] (Perry)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Hunter Reed (Saydel)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 Tate Moulton (Grand View Christian)<br>2025 Easton Gray (Nevada)<br>2025 Adam Ollin (Saydel)<br>2025 Cash Johnston (West Marshall)<br>2025 Kane Williams (Nevada)<br>2026 Cody Long (Roland-Story)<br>2026 Cutler VandeLune (PCM)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->