Conference Preview: Raccoon River

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ADM (20-4 last season, 40.6% of scoring returning): </strong>The Tigers lost a trio of double-figure scorers from a 20-win team, but should still be considered one of the top two or three teams in the conference heading into the season. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1978130' first='Hudson' last='Lorensen'] (15.8, 51.0 FG%, 43.2 3P%) is one of the best pure scorers in the state, and with more shot opportunities this season, he'll showcase exactly that. He's a remarkably efficient three-level scorer who doesn't force anything, and he can play with or without the ball in his hands. Classmate [player_tooltip player_id='1978146' first='Hudson' last='Shull'] (6.3) is the other notable returnee for the group, the primary ball-handler and playmaker with a high IQ and understanding of the game. Look for juniors Caleb Oberhoffer (2.4), [player_tooltip player_id='2520020' first='Hayden' last='Dohlman'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2811924' first='Wyatt' last='Schweiger'] (1.9), as well as sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1978115' first='Trey' last='Bryte'] (1.3), to step into bigger roles alongside the Hudson boys, and how they adjust to the bigger roles probably determines the ceiling of this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ballard (16-9, 76.1%): </strong>Four of the top five scorers return to a Bombers team that reached the 3A state tournament last season. They'll be led by junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'] (17.0, 5.6 assists, 3.0 steals), one of the best two-way guards in the state. He's extremely quick with the ball in his hands, changes directions without losing speed in the blink of an eye, and can get to the rim seemingly whenever he wants. The Bombers are then able to put a ton of shooting around him in the form of [player_tooltip player_id='2397342' first='Jackson' last='Brown'] (14.5, 43.8 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='2398123' first='Mason' last='Gatchel'] (6.0, 37.7 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='1759945' first='Miles' last='Mudd'] (5.4, 45.2 3P%), helping space the floor to give Gibson more room to operate. The X-factor for this group could be sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2419750' first='Parker' last='Miller'] (4.8), who played well in limited minutes as a freshman. If he's able to give them some length, rim protection, and rebounding in the paint, they have enough scoring to be one of the top teams in Class 3A and the team to beat in the RRC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bondurant-Farrar (15-10, 48.1%): </strong>Despite losing a ton of production from the undefeated 2022-23 team, the Bluejays still found their way to Des Moines in March, with a chance to defend their 3A state title. They bring back a pair of double-figure scorers from that group in [player_tooltip player_id='2397237' first='Cole' last='Miller'] (12.8, 7.2 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='2397327' first='Hudson' last='McConnell'] (11.5, 47.6 3P%), giving them a great foundation to build around heading into this season. Miller is a three-year starter with a tremendous mid-range game, great vision, and passing instincts. McConnell is one of the best shooters in the state, as evidenced by his nearly 48% from 3-point range last season, and will get a few more shots heading his way this season. Jerze Simonson (3.6), Jake Trusy (1.0), Maxson Simmons (1.4), and [player_tooltip player_id='2617495' first='Drake' last='Pfaltzgraff'] will all need to step into bigger roles and be productive, but Travis Evans has built this into a pretty darn strong, and consistent, contender, and with Miller and McConnell leading the charge, the Jays will be heard from in the RRC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Boone (3-18, 98.3%): </strong>The Toreadors bring back their top six scorers, and all but one player from last year's team, so some improvement should be expected. Seniors Wes Van Pelt (10.5), Braden Brooks (9.0), and [player_tooltip player_id='2511498' first='Tyson' last='Shivers'] (8.4, 10.4 rebounds) are the headliners of the group, while junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2520033' first='Jude' last='Baumgardner'] (7.8) could be the key to just how much better this team could be this season. Ball security should be a point of emphasis for Boone this season after turning it over 17 times a game last season. If they can trim that number down to 12-13, they'll be more efficient offensively and could turn several losses into wins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carlisle (4-18, 60.7%): </strong>The Wildcats bring back two of their top three, and five of their top seven, scorers from last year's team, so they should be improved. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2721719' first='Calvin' last='Frey'] (11.7) led the team in scoring and rebounding last season and will be the focal point of the attack again this season. Carson Guthrie (8.7) figures to be the team's top perimeter shooting threat, and sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2754714' first='Trey' last='Osterhaus'] (2.4) could take another step forward this season after contributing as a freshman. The 'Cats will be improved, but in this loaded league, it's hard to see them winning many more games than they did last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carroll (12-11, 31.5%): </strong>The Tigers have to replace their top three scorers from last year's team, but bring back a pair of big contributors in [player_tooltip player_id='2413644' first='Jared' last='Mohr'] (8.7) and Stone Sibenaller (6.8) that will give them a solid foundation to build around. Mohr is an athletic forward who can score inside and out and control the glass on both ends of the floor, while Sibenaller is a quality shooting threat off the catch who moves well without the ball in his hands. [player_tooltip player_id='2413647' first='Mac' last='Collison'] (3.2), Noah Hinners (2.8), and Carter Essick (2.3) each saw some time last season and will step into bigger roles. Carroll has had just one losing season in the Bound era, going 10-14 in 2015-16, so the bottom isn't going to fall out, but they probably aren't a serious contender for the league title this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gilbert (13-10, 63.4%):</strong> Gilbert got off to a slow 2-5 start last season, but played well down the stretch, going 11-5 after the holiday break. That stretch included quality wins over Nevada, Bondurant-Farrar, Carroll, and Humboldt, and gave a glimpse of what could be for them this season. They lost their leading scorer bur bring back the next three and six of the top eight overall. Senior guard Brody Hague (12.9) is the top returning scorer, and he'll pair with junior [player_tooltip player_id='1765542' first='Preston' last='Stensland'] (9.5, 3.1 assists) to give them a really good tandem in the backcourt. Hague thrives with his ability to play downhill and attack the rim, and Stensland is a talented playmaker who can get his teammates involved well. [player_tooltip player_id='2511628' first='Will' last='Hawthorne'] (6.5, 7.0 rebounds) gives them size and toughness in the paint, and [player_tooltip player_id='1765544' first='William' last='Terrones'] (5.8, 4.3 assists) is a really talented point guard who can create quality looks for his teammates. Gilbert is going to be a balanced, deep team that is filled with quality playmakers, and they should do a great job at protecting the ball and icing games away at the free-throw line. If you're looking for someone to jump up and challenge Ballard or ADM at the top of the league, this could be the team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Polk (11-13, 15.3%): </strong>The Comets were hit hard by graduation, losing their top five scorers, leaving Drew Owen (3.1) and Jake Hout (3.0) as the top returnees. The good news is that they return most of the rest of last year's roster, a group that got to practice against some pretty talented players. Look for senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2511544' first='Rocky' last='Bartleman'] and junior guard Eli Pederson, both of whom played well at the Winterset Shootout in June, to be key contributors this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Winterset (15-10, 11.1%): </strong>The Huskies are another team that got hit really hard by graduation, losing the top five, and seven of the top nine, scorers. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2397315' first='Hank' last='Wilmes'] (4.8, 5.0 assists, 2.6 steals) could be one of the better two-way players in the league this season, stepping into a starring role, and look for juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2520006' first='Daxon' last='Weeks'] (2.2) and [player_tooltip player_id='1580274' first='Logan' last='Porter'] (1.0) to step into bigger roles in the backcourt. Josh Henry has a lot of new faces on the roster this season, but he has done a great job building this program into a consistent contender, no matter who is coming back. They're going to use their speed to impact the game on the defensive end and get out in transition, and they'll win a lot of games yet again.</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. Ballard<br>2. ADM<br>3. Gilbert<br>4. Bondurant-Farrar<br>5. Carroll<br>6. Winterset<br>7. North Polk<br>8. Boone<br>9. Carlisle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>This is always one of the most competitive 3A leagues, and this year will be no different. Given everything they have coming back, Ballard should probably be considered the team to beat, but ADM, Gilbert, and Bondurant-Farrar all have state-tournament level teams, and Carroll and Winterset will always be competitive. </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>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'] (Ballard): </strong>The top two-way player in the league, and the best player on what we expect to be the best team, Gibson is the pick here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'] (Ballard)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397342' first='Jackson' last='Brown'] (Ballard)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2398123' first='Mason' last='Gatchel'] (Ballard)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978130' first='Hudson' last='Lorensen'] (ADM)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978146' first='Hudson' last='Shull'] (ADM)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397237' first='Cole' last='Miller'] (Bondurant-Farrar)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397327' first='Hudson' last='McConnell'] (Bondurant-Farrar)<br>2025 Brody Hague (Gilbert)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765542' first='Preston' last='Stensland'] (Gilbert)<br>2025 Connor Rash (Gilbert)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511628' first='Will' last='Hawthorne'] (Gilbert)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765544' first='William' last='Terrones'] (Gilbert)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721719' first='Calvin' last='Frey'] (Carlisle)<br>2025 Carson Guthrie (Carlisle)<br>2025 Wes Van Pelt (Boone)<br>2025 Braden Brooks (Boone)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511498' first='Tyson' last='Shivers'] (Boone)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2520033' first='Jude' last='Baumgardner'] (Boone)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413644' first='Jared' last='Mohr'] (Carroll)<br>2025 Stone Sibenaller (Carroll)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397315' first='Hank' last='Wilmes'] (Winterset)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->