Conference Preview: Iowa Star North

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clarksville (4-17 last season, 59.5% of scoring returning): </strong>The Indians were more competitive than most four-win teams last season, so despite losing their leading scorer, there may be a little reason for optimism heading into the 2024-25 season. [player_tooltip player_id='2721652' first='Sam' last='Hoodjer'] (14.0, 2.9 blocks) is one of the top returning two-way players in the conference, a versatile defender and solid interior scorer who can also get his teammates involved. John Stauffer (9.1) and Dawson Barnett (6.0) were each significant contributors last season as well and figure to step into bigger roles this year. If Clarksville can cut the turnovers down a bit, going from 18.5 to maybe 13ish, they could add several more wins this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Don Bosco (14-9, 89.1%): </strong>The Dons went 12-4 against league foes last season, with three of those losses coming by single digits, so this group was very close to being a conference title contender. They bring back the top four scorers, and all but one player, from last year's team, so expect to see this group pushing Dunkerton at the top of the division. [player_tooltip player_id='2425897' first='Zach' last='Belew'] (14.9, 7.2 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='2425891' first='Ben' last='Belew'] (12.5, 7.5 rebounds) are the headliners of the group on the offensive end. Both are athletic forwards who can attack the rim and finish through contact, while classmate David Schmitz (9.2, 37.0 3P%) adds some perimeter shooting. [player_tooltip player_id='2425936' first='Alex' last='Belew'] (6.6, 3.0 assists) is the team's top playmaker in the backcourt and should have the ball in his hands quite a bit this season. They'll need to find a way to replace the athleticism and toughness on the glass of Landon Frost, who averaged over 13 rebounds a game last season, but with nearly the entire roster returning, this group will be competitive and could push for a state tournament trip if the draw goes their way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dunkerton (20-5, 81.3%): </strong>The first year under Dan Knebel was a successful one for the Raiders, a program that is accustomed to big winning seasons. With five of the top six scorers returning, year two should be even better. [player_tooltip player_id='1436496' first='Dylan' last='Marquart'] (17.4, 38.8 3P%) is the top player in the conference and will pace the offensive attack. He's a gifted shooter both off the dribble and the catch, and he has really improved as a playmaker over the last year, creating quality looks for his teammates as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1759946' first='Noah' last='Fuelling'] (15.8) is a really good secondary scorer alongside Marquart, with the ability to score from all three levels, create for his teammates, and he's a solid defender. [player_tooltip player_id='1834827' first='Dalton' last='Weepie'] (10.0, 5.0 rebounds) gives them some size and rebounding, and he showed some ability to occasionally step out and stretch the floor as well, going 12-30 (40%) from 3-point range. [player_tooltip player_id='1587395' first='Mason' last='Michels'] (7.9) and Aiden Hesse (4.5) round out the notable returnees, a pair of experienced guards who can shoot it or create plays. This is a program that knows how to win and has established a winning culture over the last several decades. Marquart and Fuelling are the top tandem in the conference, and they'll carry this group to the top again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Janesville (11-11, 71.4%):</strong> Three of the top four scorers return for the Wildcats, led by the junior tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='2731685' first='Talan' last='Pletz'] (14.1) and Isaac Jones (10.9). Pletz is the team's top returning scorer and is also a solid secondary playmaker who can create plays for his teammates off the dribble and get to the bucket. Jones is the team's top perimeter shooting threat, knocking down 62 3-pointers a year ago, and he complements Pletz well with his off-ball movement. The real difference-maker for this group could be senior forward Gabe Meaney (8.1, 7.9 rebounds, 1.2 blocks), a 6-7 rim protector who could become one of the best two-way players in the league. Daniel Britt (5.0) and Dane Appleby (4.9, 3.8 assists) also return, giving the 'Cats one of the best starting fives in the conference. Janesville was pretty young last season, and that experience will be a benefit heading into the 2024-25 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riceville (9-14, 67.4%): </strong>Dynamic guard [player_tooltip player_id='2617523' first='Johnny' last='Adams'] (17.8) returns to lead the Wildcats after leading the team in scoring and assists as a junior. He's a good athlete who likes to play downhill and attack the rim, using his speed, toughness, and handles to get to the bucket for finishes. He plays with good pace and can impact the game on the defensive end as well. Three other rotation pieces - Aidan Ebert (6.1), Gunnar Smith (5.7), and Jack Adams (4.4, 9.6 rebounds) - return alongside Adams, giving them some experience. With over two-thirds of their scoring returning to a team that went 8-7 after a slow 1-7 start, the 'Cats should be improved and could be a team that pushes for a top-3 finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tripoli (1-21, 67.0%): </strong>The Panthers won just one game last season and lost their leading scorer from that group. The good news for them is that the leading scorer averaged just 8.0 points a game, and they bring back the next three. Hayden Loftsgard (7.6), Tyler Bruns (7.0), and Drew Urbanek (3.5) are the top returnees. This group will really need to cut down on the turnovers (28.0 a game) if they want to add a few more wins to the column this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waterloo Christian (18-7, 37.5%): </strong>The Regents lost a ton pf production off of last year's team following the graduations of Drew Wagner and Jared Aronson (among others). Wagner averaged over 26 points and 11 rebounds a game and will obviously be a huge hole to fill, while Aronson was the team's leader in assists, dishing out nearly seven helpers a game. That said, they have a really good leader coming back in junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2425904' first='Eli' last='Evans'] (14.8, 7.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists), a skilled guard who impacts the game on both ends of the floor. He'll be the floor general, the go-to-scorer, and the team's top perimeter defender. Matthew Krause (7.6) was a solid contributor, and Gavin DeFord (3.5) and Lucas Stickfort (3.0) each saw a good amount of time last season as well, giving them a quartet of experienced players to continue to build with. Evans will be one of the best players in the division, which will keep them afloat and competitive, but it's hard to see them challenging Dunkerton at the top.</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. Dunkerton<br>2. Don Bosco<br>3. Janesville<br>4. Waterloo Christian<br>5. Riceville<br>6. Clarksville<br>7. Tripoli</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>The two head-to-head meetings between Dunkerton and Don Bosco likely decide how this one goes this year. The Raiders swept the series last season, and should be considered the favorite. Janesville and Waterloo Christian will both be pesky, and Riceville should be improved. But this should be considered Dunkerton's division to lose.</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='1436496' first='Dylan' last='Marquart'] (Dunkerton): </strong>The Raiders are a pretty heavy favorite in the division this year, and Marquart is their best player, making this a pretty easy selection. His ability to shoot it from distance as well as create plays off the dribble make him a dynamic offensive weapon.</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='1436496' first='Dylan' last='Marquart'] (Dunkerton)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759946' first='Noah' last='Fuelling'] (Dunkerton)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1834827' first='Dalton' last='Weepie'] (Dunkerton)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1587395' first='Mason' last='Michels'] (Dunkerton)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2617523' first='Johnny' last='Adams'] (Riceville)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2425897' first='Zach' last='Belew'] (Don Bosco)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2425891' first='Ben' last='Belew'] (Don Bosco)<br>2025 David Schmitz (Don Bosco)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2425904' first='Eli' last='Evans'] (Waterloo Christian)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731685' first='Talan' last='Pletz'] (Janesville)<br>2026 Isaac Jones (Janesville)<br>2025 Gabe Meaney (Janesville)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721652' first='Sam' last='Hoodjer'] (Clarksville)<br>2025 John Stauffer (Clarksville)<br>2025 Hayden Loftsgard (Tripoli)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->