Conference Preview: CIML

The Teams   Ankeny (18-7 last season, 27.0% of scoring returning): The Hawks were hit hard by graduation, losing 73% of their scoring, but in junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1977422' first='Rio' last='Aguirre'] (13.3, 42.2 3P%), they have one of the best scorers in the conference. He's a skilled three-level scorer who does so effortlessly. [player_tooltip player_id='2511594' first='Luke' last='Anderson'] (3.8, 43.3 3P%) is a solid shooter who moves well without the ball in his hands and he should see an increase in his role. Look for sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2617515' first='Jasani' last='Campbell'], one of the most talented scorers in the 2027 class, to step in and become a major contributor this season as well. The roster received a boost with the addition of [player_tooltip player_id='2413576' first='LaMarious' last='Clark'], a talented and athletic junior wing who played a lot of minutes as a sophomore at Cedar Rapids Prairie. Like any Des Moines metro team, Ankeny won't lack in talent, just in experience.   Centennial (17-7, 10.9%): Another team that was hit hard by graduation is the Jaguars, who lost their top five, and seven of their top eight scorers. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1951818' first='Will' last='Smith'] (4.4) is the top returnee, while [player_tooltip player_id='1940158' first='Cabryn' last='Klingner'] (2.1, 38.9 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1951816' first='Rex' last='Jensen'] (1.2) are the only other returnees who saw significant time last season. Look for sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='2419749' first='Evan' last='Abbott'] to step into a starring role and be the team's go-to scorer. He's a talented three-level option who can play with or without the ball in his hands. Newcomers [player_tooltip player_id='2530483' first='Hunter' last='Runchey'], [player_tooltip player_id='2519965' first='Owen' last='Liechti'], [player_tooltip player_id='2519258' first='Keaton' last='Kasperbauer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2519960' first='Cayden' last='Clark'] figure to play significant roles, and they'll get a boost with the addition of Des Moines Christian transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2398006' first='Sean' last='Tunks'], who averaged more than 18 points a game for the Lions last season.   Dowling Catholic (12-12, 9.4%): The Maroons got hit the hardest by graduation of any team in the league, losing their top four, and eight of their top nine, from last year's team. That leaves junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1383390' first='Maddox' last='Coppola'] (4.5) as the only returnee who saw any significant playing time last season. Coppola is a tough, talented guard who can create plays for his teammates as well as score himself, but he'll be tasked with a heavy burden, especially early in the year. Look for senior wing Lucas Paoli to step into a bigger role this season, and there are big expectations for a talented junior class that includes [player_tooltip player_id='1978098' first='Nathan' last='Jenkins'], Charlie Crane, [player_tooltip player_id='2731790' first='Noah' last='Martens'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2617502' first='Giovanny' last='Quiles']. With so much inexperience on the roster, life in the CIML could be tough, but they'll fight their way to another very respectable season.   Johnston (14-10, 48.9%): The Dragons lost two of their top three scorers, but bring back a good amount of talent, have a big group of sophomores who could step in and contribute immediately, and had their roster buoyed a bit by the addition of a transfer. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1381420' first='Jalen' last='Richardson'] (10.4, 6.0 rebounds) is a versatile, athletic wing who can defend one through five at the high school level as well as create plays off the dribble offensively. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765517' first='Tino' last='Daye Jr'] (7.2) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1592892' first='Prestige' last='Taylor'] (5.7) give them a pair of athletic, quick guards who can create plays, defend at a high level, and score when needed. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2419853' first='Ahvyance' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='2617500' first='Emri' last='Jones'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2419846' first='Nicare' last='Cavil'] are expected to contribute, with all three being quality guards who, like Daye and Taylor, are skilled with the ball in their hands. [player_tooltip player_id='1381421' first='Nitish' last='Sankaranthi'], a Waukee Northwest transfer, gives them some size and length in the paint at 6-7, and if senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='1484411' first='Carter' last='Loney'], a 6-11 center who can protect the rim, can take a leap, this group could be really dangerous, as his size is tough to contend with.   Southeast Polk (7-17, 20.7%): The Rams lost leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='1288891' first='Bode' last='Goodman'] to transfer, taking his 20.6 points per game to Waukee Northwest, and then lost the next four scorers to graduation. Junior Grady Braunshweigh-Norris (5.5) was a key contributor last season and returns, as do role players [player_tooltip player_id='2511603' first='Luke' last='Bartlett'] (3.1), [player_tooltip player_id='2511578' first='Rex' last='Smith'] (2.7), [player_tooltip player_id='2511605' first='Sam' last='Zelenovich'] (2.7), and [player_tooltip player_id='1736401' first='Emmanuel' last='Tete']. This is probably the team that finishes at the bottom of the CIML, but they'll be a team you don't want to see in the postseason if you're a non-CIML team because they'll be battle tested.   Urbandale (9-14, 25.1%): The J-Hawks lost their top three, and five of their top seven, scorers to graduation, leaving juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2617490' first='Davis' last='Hardersen'] (5.2), [player_tooltip player_id='2886810' first='Caden' last='Burns'] (5.0), and [player_tooltip player_id='2617514' first='Jake' last='Pargeon'] (4.0) as the top returnees. That trio will be relied upon heavily, especially early in the year as newcomers gain experience. Look for Hardersen, a talented guard who can score from all three levels, to emerge as one of the top scorers in the league this season.   Valley (21-5, 65.0%): The two-time defending champions were set to bring back their top seven scorers, making them an overwhelming favorite to three-peat in Class 4A. Then they lost [player_tooltip player_id='1759897' first='Kyle' last='Cason'] (Dallas Center-Grimes) and star guard Curtis Stinson Jr (Western Reserve Academy) to transfer. While schools around in the CIML and 4A as a whole may have rejoiced after the Stinson news, reports of the Tigers' demise may end up being greatly exaggerated, because this is still the team to beat in the state. Star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'] (14.7), a future Iowa State receiver, is the headliner of the group. He's a freaky athletic guard who can score from all three levels and create quality looks off the dribble. He'll shine in a starring role. Northern Iowa commit [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (10.6, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 2.7 assists) is a gifted two-way power forward who sees the floor extremely well, is the anchor defensively, and can score at the bucket effectively. [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'] is a three-year starter and four-year varsity player who can score from all three levels and impact the game with his length and athleticism. [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] (9.9) is another standout athlete who can really defend and he thrives in transition. Then the Tigers gained [player_tooltip player_id='1170334' first='Jayden' last='Davison'], a solid, quick guard who can play downhill and attack the rim off the bounce. He's a Roosevelt transfer. The CIML and 4A as a whole opened up a bit with the Stinson news, but this roster is still absolutely loaded with talent and athleticism.   Waukee (16-8, 28.8%): Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765524' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'] (12.9, 9.5 rebounds) is a dominant two-way player who can protect the rim well, finish around the bucket, and control the glass. He's also one of the top tight end prospects in the country, holding a number of big-time offers. He'll be asked to be the anchor of the team defensively, and despite losing a lot of talent to graduation, the Warriors will be able to put a lot of perimeter talent and athleticism around him. [player_tooltip player_id='1978110' first='Jaishon' last='White'] (6.4) is a quick guard who loves to play downhill and attack, as does [player_tooltip player_id='2136936' first='Chance' last='Burkett'], a talented junior who can play with or without the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='1587294' first='Caleb' last='Dyvig'] (1.5) is a long, athletic wing who can shoot it from deep, and incoming freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2594655' first='Pete' last='Craig'] is a long, physical wing with good size at 6-5 and the ability to shoot it from deep at a high level. The Warriors gained the services of a pair of talented transfers - [player_tooltip player_id='1765539' first='Max' last='Roach'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1951798' first='Maverick' last='Inman'] - helping add more talent and explosiveness to the roster. Roach averaged 18.4 points and 5.1 assists a game at 3A Oskaloosa as a sophomore and is a really skilled downhill attacker with great vision and handles. Inman, a Waukee Northwest transfer, is a good shooter who can also create plays for his teammates. There is a lot of new talent on the roster, and they should be really competitive again.   Waukee Northwest (15-9, 23.8%): The Wolves lost six of their top eight scorers to either graduation or transfer, but no team in the state was as heavily impacted in a positive way by transfers as Northwest. They bring in Southeast Polk transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1288891' first='Bode' last='Goodman'], who averaged more than 20 points a game as a junior for the Rams. He's a talented shot maker who can score from all three levels as well as create quality looks for his teammates. Then, when Drake hired Ben McCollum, he brought with him his two sons, [player_tooltip player_id='2119115' first='Peyton' last='McCollum'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2530471' first='Tate' last='McCollum']. Peyton is a 1,000+ point scorer in Missouri and gives them another skilled guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands. Younger brother Tate may see a bit of action, but figures to be a more important player in the next few years. Then, when United Prep opened in Des Moines and hired Dean Oliver, he brought with him his son Isaiah Oliver, an athletic guard who was one of the top guards in Wisconsin's 2026 class. He gives them more size, length, athleticism, and playmaking with the ball in his hands. Then we get to the returnees - [player_tooltip player_id='1643192' first='Landon' last='Davis'] (6.5, 3.5 blocks), [player_tooltip player_id='1978099' first='Colin' last='Rice'] (2.5), and [player_tooltip player_id='2419793' first='Mack' last='Heitland'] (5.6, 40.6 3P%). Davis is one of th ebest defenders in the state, an elite rim protector with great timing and instincts as a shot blocker. He holds an offer from Drake. Rice had as good a summer as any player in the state, grabbing a handful of Division I offers as a result, and with his long 6-8 frame and ability to score from all three levels, he'll be an extremely tough matchup on a nightly basis. Heitland, a sophomore, is a high-level perimeter shooting threat who moves really well without the ball in his hands. The Wolves are going to be deep, talented, and really, really long. They should be excellent on both ends of the floor.   Projected Order of Finish   1. Valley 2. Waukee Northwest 3. Waukee 4. Johnston 5. Ankeny 6. Centennial 7. Dowling Catholic 8. Urbandale 9. Southeast Polk   Analysis: The CIML will once again be absolutely loaded and extremely difficult to win games on a nightly basis. There continues to be a ridiculous amount of talent on all of these rosters. Valley has the winning pedigree and despite losing a pair of big-time players from the roster, they'll still loaded and know how to win. Northwest opens the year as our #2 team in 4A, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them at the top of the league either, and every other team in the league will be dangerous come postseason play.   Preseason Player of the Year   2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'] (Valley): The hyper-athletic guard will have a chance to put up huge numbers for the two-time defending state champs this season, as he should have the ball in his hands a ton. He's explosive in transition, a terror on the defensive end, and a skilled shooter and playmaker.   Players to Watch   2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'] (Valley) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (Valley) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'] (Valley) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] (Valley) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288891' first='Bode' last='Goodman'] (Waukee Northwest) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2119115' first='Peyton' last='McCollum'] (Waukee Northwest) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978099' first='Colin' last='Rice'] (Waukee Northwest) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1643192' first='Landon' last='Davis'] (Waukee Northwest) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419793' first='Mack' last='Heitland'] (Waukee Northwest) 2026 Isaiah Oliver (Waukee Northwest) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381420' first='Jalen' last='Richardson'] (Johnston) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765517' first='Tino' last='Daye Jr'] (Johnston) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1592892' first='Prestige' last='Taylor'] (Johnston) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765524' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'] (Waukee) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951798' first='Maverick' last='Inman'] (Waukee) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978110' first='Jaishon' last='White'] (Waukee) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765539' first='Max' last='Roach'] (Waukee) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1977422' first='Rio' last='Aguirre'] (Ankeny) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2617515' first='Jasani' last='Campbell'] (Ankeny) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419749' first='Evan' last='Abbott'] (Centennial) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2519960' first='Cayden' last='Clark'] (Centennial) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1383390' first='Maddox' last='Coppola'] (Dowling Catholic)

The Teams