Conference Preview: Twin Lakes

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alta-Aurelia (12-11, 31.0% of scoring returning): </strong>The Warriors lost four of their top five scorers from last year's team, including both double-figure scorers. The lone returnee among that top five is junior forward Adam Stephan (9.4, 5.7 rebounds), who is a solid piece to start building around in the paint. He blocked a shot a game last season and is an efficient finisher around the bucket. Classmates Camden Reinert (4.0) and Sam Sennert (1.9) each saw a fair amount of time last season, and seniors Lucas Baker (2.0), William Kueny (1.8), and Peyton Meyer (1.3) all gained some experience last season as well. Alta probably won't be in contention for a league title, but they should push to finish around .500 again this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Sac County (18-5, 20.1%): </strong>The Raiders figured to be a contender in the conference again this season, despite losing 10 seniors from last year's roster, but then they were dealt another blow with the transfer of [player_tooltip player_id='2617537' first='Ryan' last='Clair'] to Kuemper Catholic. Clair averaged 19 and 11 last season, leading the team in both categories, and he leaves a big hole in the paint. Sam Julin (12.0, 39.5 3P%) is the only returnee among the top 11 scorers from last year's team. He's a good shooter who can knock down shots both off the dribble and the catch, and he'll be asked to do a ton for the team this season. This is a program that has won double-digit games in every season in the Bound era (2007-08), so the bottom isn't going to fall out here, but they probably won't be a factor in the league race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emmetsburg (18-6, 98.7%): </strong>The E-Hawks bring all but 20 points back to a team that won 18 games, setting themselves up to make some serious noise this season. They're extremely balanced, with five players averaging between 9.2 and 14.2 points per game last season, and each of them are capable of leading the team in scoring on any given night, which makes them difficult to defend. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1874771' first='Byron' last='Maina'] (14.2, 41.4 3P%) is the headliner of the group, an athletic guard who can score from all three levels. [player_tooltip player_id='2519988' first='Gavin' last='Swanson'] (11.2, 4.5 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='2520001' first='Carson' last='Baak'] (9.2, 4.6 assists) give them a pair of skilled playmakers in the backcourt, and Carter Hudson (10.7, 7.5 rebounds) controls the painted area on both ends. [player_tooltip player_id='2520000' first='Kale' last='Fank'] (9.5) is the last of the quintet, a talented wing who does a little bit of everything and rounds out the group well. Several role players return as well, giving Emmetsburg perhaps the deepest roster in the conference. It'll be them, Manson-Northwest Webster, and Newell-Fonda at the top of the league, with the E-Hawks probably considered the favorite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GTRA (11-11, 87.8%): </strong>If you're looking for a team to make a leap this season in the Twin Lakes, it may be the Titans, who bring back their top three, and seven of the top eight scorers, from a team that finished .500 last season. Senior Kasey Hough (17.7) is a big-time scorer in the backcourt who can play with or without the ball in his hands, while junior [player_tooltip player_id='2731683' first='Teagan' last='Hanson'] (9.0, 5.1 assists) is a talented playmaker who does a great job protecting the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='2519956' first='Sullivan' last='Hall'] (12.0, 8.6 rebounds, 2.5 blocks) is a raw, but intriguing, 6-11 big man who dominates the game as a rim protector and rebounder, and if he has developed his offensive game in the off-season, watch out because with his pure size, he'll be tough to slow down. GTRA struggled to compete with the top-tier teams on the schedule last season, but with all the experience they have back, they should be more competitive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Manson-Northwest Webster (16-8, 96.9%): </strong>The Cougars have one of the elite scorers in the state on their side in senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2398114' first='Logan' last='Moline'] (25.0, 9.2 rebounds), an explosive and talented wing who does a great job attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line routinely. He's a dominant scorer who can take over games on either end of the floor, but he's far from alone, as the top seven scorers are back from a 16-win team. [player_tooltip player_id='1587314' first='Kelan' last='Koval'] (15.3) is another quick, athletic guard who does a great job putting pressure on the defense with his ability to attack off the bounce. Matt Condon (8.6, 3.4 assists) led the team in helpers last season, and Grant Pohlman (8.5) gives them some size. With a ton of experience back on a team that saw a lot of success last season, the Cougars should be considered one of the top three contenders in the conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newell-Fonda (13-10, 79.8%): </strong>A young Mustangs team got off to a slow 2-5 start last season before catching fire and really improving as the season progressed. A proud program with a ton of tradition, they'll be looking to get back into the league race this season with the return of their top three, and five of the top six, scorers. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2731864' first='Jacksyn' last='Hogrefe'] (15.1) is a skilled perimeter scorer, while seniors Max Carlson (12.7), Mason Hoberman (11.0), and Guyson Lyman (9.6, 4.2 assists) provide a ton of experience and leadership. The 'Stangs play an up-tempo style that loves to force turnovers and use their depth to their advantage, and they should be one of the deepest teams in the league. They probably aren't quite good enough to knock off Emmetsburg at the top of the league, but they're one of the top three teams in the league without a doubt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pocahontas Area (3-18, 37.6%): </strong>The Indians lost four of the top five, and five of their top seven, scorers from last year's team. Gabe Ehn (7.4) and Christian Valenzuela (4.4) are the top returnees, and several other role players who saw some time last season return. Scoring wasn't a big issue for Pokey last season, and despite losing a ton of production, if they can improve a bit on the defensive end (71.2 points per game allowed last season), they could double their win total.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sioux Central (7-14, 94.4%):</strong> Another team in the league that could take a major leap this season are the Rebels, who bring back their top five scorers and six of the top seven. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2731640' first='Owen' last='Mills'] (16.0) and Jack Christian (11.6) are a pair of big-time scorers who can take over the game as scoring threats. Jaylen Champ (8.3) and Koen Glover (7.5) are also viable scorers, and a pair of sophomores who saw time as freshmen - Sawyer Hollesen and Max Wittmaack - should step into bigger roles this season. This group was pretty competitive last season despite winning just seven games, and they should be improved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Central Calhoun (17-6, 45.1%): </strong>The Titans have enjoyed a nice run of success over the last handful of years, and despite losing nearly 20-point scorer Gavin Batta to graduation, they should be strong again behind senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2721807' first='Cole' last='Higgins'] (15.3), one of the top returning scorers in the league. Higgins is a tough guard who can play downhill or knock down shots off the dribble or catch. Andrew Anderson (7.3, 3.5 assists, 40.9 3P%) gives them some playmaking and shooting in the backcourt, and Charlie Nattress (2.1), Grady Isaacs (1.5), Kaden Dorman (1.1), and Carson Shaver (1.0) give them some experience. This group will compete with the top teams in the league behind the Higgins-Anderson tandem.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southeast Valley (2-18, 48.1%): </strong>The Jaguars lost both double-figure scorers from last year's team, but bring back a pair of seniors with a ton of experience in Brady Hanson (6.1) and [player_tooltip player_id='2511601' first='Cole' last='Lundgren'] (5.2, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 blocks) to lead the charge this season. Lundgren is one of the top rim protectors in the conference, a high-level shot blocker who can provide some toughness in the paint. Casey Hanson (3.9), Ian Brunner (3.5), and Logan Jaeschke (2.5) all saw a good amount of playing time as freshmen and will take another step as sophomores. It may be another tough winter in Gowrie, but their trio of sophomores should provide some reason for optimism in coming years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Storm Lake, St. Mary's (0-22, 70.9%): </strong>The Panthers have fallen on hard times, averaging just 18.5 points per game last season, including three games in which they failed to break double-digits. A once-proud program is now looking to just regain the ability to be competitive on a nightly basis. Junior Brendon Petersen (4.0) is the top returning scorer, and eight players who saw playing time last season return, giving them some experience. Becoming more competitive should be the goal this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Bend-Mallard (5-18, 25.9%): </strong>Both double-figure scorers, and three of the top four, graduated from last year's team, leaving sophomore Abner Zaugg (6.3, 5.1 rebounds) as the top returnee. Zaugg put together a solid freshman season and will be the headliner of the team this season. Houston Nielsen (3.0) some some time as a playmaker in the backcourt, and Clint Fehr (1.7) played a bit as a forward. West Bend-Mallard is probably a bottom-3 team in the league this season, but they should be encouraged by Zaugg.</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. Emmetsburg<br>2. Newell-Fonda<br>3. Manson-Northwest Webster<br>4. South Central Calhoun<br>5. GTRA<br>6. Sioux Central<br>7. East Sac County<br>8. Alta-Aurelia<br>9. Southeast Valley<br>10. Pocahontas Area<br>11. West Bend-Mallard<br>12. St. Mary's, Storm Lake</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>The top teams in the league return a ton of production, which should make this a really fun three-or-four team race to watch unfold, while GTRA and Sioux Central should both be much improved. The balanced E-Hawks are the team to beat.</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='2398114' first='Logan' last='Moline'] (Manson-Northwest Webster): </strong>Moline is one of the top returning scorers in the state, regardless of class, and he'll keep the Cougars competitive at the top of the league with Emmetsburg. He's a strong, athletic guard who can attack the rim and finish through contact as well as defend at a high level.</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='2398114' first='Logan' last='Moline'] (Manson-Northwest Webster)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1587314' first='Kelan' last='Koval'] (Manson-Northwest Webster)<br>2026 Kasey Hough (GTRA)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2519956' first='Sullivan' last='Hall'] (GTRA)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731640' first='Owen' last='Mills'] (Sioux Central)<br>2026 Jack Christian (Sioux Central)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1874771' first='Byron' last='Maina'] (Emmetsburg)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2519988' first='Gavin' last='Swanson'] (Emmetsburg)<br>2025 Carter Hudson (Emmetsburg)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2520000' first='Kale' last='Fank'] (Emmetsburg)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2520001' first='Carson' last='Baak'] (Emmetsburg)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721807' first='Cole' last='Higgins'] (South Central Calhoun)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731864' first='Jacksyn' last='Hogrefe'] (Newell-Fonda)<br>2025 Mason Hoberman (Newell-Fonda)<br>2025 Guyson Lyman (Newell-Fonda)<br>2025 Max Carlson (Newell-Fonda)<br>2025 Sam Julin (East Sac County)<br>2026 Adam Stephan (Alta-Aurelia)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->