Conference Preview: NICL West

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AGWSR (3-18 last season, 64.3% of scoring returning): </strong>The good news for the Cougars is that they bring back five of their top six scorers, including standout junior wing Bo Starr (14.6, 6.8 rebounds). The bad news is that while they bring back that much production, it only ranks fourth in the division in terms of returning scoring. so it's hard to see them improving much on last year's three wins. Blake Williams (6.7) gives them a secondary scorer, and Trace Eiten (3.6) and Ryne Pickering (3.6) provide some more experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Marshall (7-15, 55.4%): </strong>The Mustangs bring back the least amount of production in the division, which is pretty incredible given the fact that they bring back a pair of double-figure scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='2425910' first='Leland' last='Hamilton-Youngbird'] (12.1) and Jackson Bidwell (11.1). That tandem can both shoot it from 3-point range or get to the bucket, and they should have no issues scoring. The issue for the 'Stangs in recent years has been on the defensive end, especially against the upper-level teams on the schedule. Improvement on that end will be the only way they can make a marked improvement in their record in this strong division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gladbrook-Reinbeck (21-6, 74.9%): </strong>One of two state-qualifying teams in the division, the Rebels punched their ticket to the Class 1A state tournament and gave Marquette Catholic all they could handle in the quarterfinals. They have a great one-two punch in the painted area in senior forwards [player_tooltip player_id='2397981' first='Michael' last='Boyd'] (14.0, 7.3 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='2397276' first='Drew' last='Eilers'] (12.3, 10.3 rebounds), a pair of highly efficient scorers who dominate the glass on both ends of the floor. Boyd is a lanky combo forward who can also step out and knock down shots from the 3-point line, while Eilers is a more traditional big. The Rebels are able to put a lot of shooting around that tandem as well in the form of [player_tooltip player_id='2820164' first='Austen' last='Mathern'] (8.8, 35.8 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='2204862' first='Brandon' last='Mathern'] (5.2, 36.3 3P%), while junior guard Hudson Clark (5.6, 3.1 assists) is a talented passer and ball-handler. An experienced team and a program that is accustomed to winning and winning big, it'll be Gladbrook-Reinbeck and Grundy Center again at the top of the division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grundy Center (20-4, 72.0%): </strong>Grundy's football program has had ridiculous levels of success over the last five years, and their basketball program is looking to replicate that immense success. They reached the state tournament in Class 2A last season and gave runner-up Hudson a great game in the quarterfinals. They bring back six of their top eight from the rotation, and should be poised to make another lengthy postseason run this winter. [player_tooltip player_id='1478357' first='Jalen' last='Kirkpatrick'] (16.0, 53.6 FG%) is the headliner of the group, a lengthy, skilled wing who can score from all three levels, get his teammates involved, and defend multiple positions. [player_tooltip player_id='1759911' first='Tiernan' last='Vokes'] (10.4) is a tough wing who rebounds well, creates plays, and provides defensive versatility, and the quartet of [player_tooltip player_id='1759941' first='Brayden' last='Wallis'] (8.1), [player_tooltip player_id='2413534' first='Judd' last='Jirovsky'] (6.0), [player_tooltip player_id='2820148' first='Ryker' last='Thoren'] (4.9), and Brody Zinkula (4.2) gives them a multitude of scoring options. This is a group that always shares the ball really well, averaging over 20 assists a game last season, and their ball movement and depth makes them really difficult to slow down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Hardin (10-13, 66.9%): </strong>The Tigers bring back a pair of big scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='2511486' first='Traven' last='Wheeler'] (13.5, 8.8 rebounds) and Jaxson Drury (13.3), giving them a dynamic tandem to build around this season. Wheeler is a remarkably efficient interior scorer with a great second jump that he uses to control the glass, while Drury is more of a perimeter-oriented threat. Those seniors are joined by an intriguing group of 2026s - Sam Benson (5.9), [player_tooltip player_id='2617513' first='Jake' last='Balvanz'] (4.7), Preston Dolash (2.2), and Clayton Cable (2.0) - who should be ready to step into bigger roles. An above .500 record is within reach for this group, but it's hard to see them pushing either Gladbrook-Reinbeck or Grundy Center 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. Grundy Center<br>2. Gladbrook-Reinbeck<br>3. South Hardin<br>4. East Marshall<br>5. AGWSR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> It'll be Grundy and Gladbrook-Reinbeck again at the top of the division, and after sweeping the season series last season the edge has to go to the Spartans. Both teams are capable of making some serious noise in the postseason in their respective classes.</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='1478357' first='Jalen' last='Kirkpatrick'] (Grundy Center): </strong>Kirkpatrick is the best two-way player in the division, a long 6-6 wing who can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. He shoots it well from 3-point range, can defend multiple positions, and is strong on the glass. Grundy is the team to beat, and Kirkpatrick is their best player. </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='1478357' first='Jalen' last='Kirkpatrick'] (Grundy Center)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759911' first='Tiernan' last='Vokes'] (Grundy Center)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2413534' first='Judd' last='Jirovsky'] (Grundy Center)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759941' first='Brayden' last='Wallis'] (Grundy Center)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2820148' first='Ryker' last='Thoren'] (Grundy Center)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397981' first='Michael' last='Boyd'] (Gladbrook-Reinbeck)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397276' first='Drew' last='Eilers'] (Gladbrook-Reinbeck)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2820164' first='Austen' last='Mathern'] (Gladbrook-Reinbeck)<br>2026 Hudson Clark (Gladbrook-Reinbeck)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2204862' first='Brandon' last='Mathern'] (Gladbrook-Reinbeck)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511486' first='Traven' last='Wheeler'] (South Hardin)<br>2025 Jaxson Drury (South Hardin)<br>2026 Bo Starr (AGWSR)<br>2026 Blake Willems (AGWSR)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2425910' first='Leland' last='Hamilton-Youngbird'] (East Marshall)<br>2026 Jackson Bidwell (East Marshall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->