Preseason All-Conference Teams: Iowa Alliance North

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year: </strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765516' first='Marach' last='Dau'] (Ames)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ames is going to be considered the team to beat in the IAN until proven otherwise, no matter how many players they lose to graduation. Dau, an impactful two-way player with his size, length, and athleticism, will be the top player for the Little Cyclones on both ends of the floor as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765516' first='Marach' last='Dau'] (Ames): 8.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.9 blocks, 71.7 FG%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dau is a dominant interior defender with great timing as a shot blocker, and he'll be the focal point of the Little Cyclones' defense that will once again be among the best in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413554' first='Kyle' last='Smith'] (Marshalltown): 17.7 points. 7.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.4 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leading returning scorer in the division, Smith can score from all three levels, control the glass on both ends of the floor, and is an impactful defender with a knack for jumping passing lanes and turning defense into offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2204885' first='Marcele' last='Whitner'] (Mason City): 13.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long, athletic wing who can score from all three levels, Whitner impressed as a shooter last season, knocking down 37.4% of his 3-point attempts, which opens up the rest of his offensive attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731853' first='Ty' last='Sanchez-Evans'] (Mason City): 11.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.4 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An active rebounder and scorer, Sanchez-Evans was a strong 1B to Whitner's 1A last season and if the Riverhawks are going to be an improved team this season, a possibility with seven of the top eight scorers back, Sanchez-Evans will be a big part of it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2381208' first='Drake' last='Gersema'] (Marshalltown): 9.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gersema stuffs the stat sheet for the Bobcats, leading the team in assists and steals while also showing some scoring potential with his ability to create off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 Reggie Pederson (Fort Dodge)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2618810' first='Hayden' last='Zuspann'] (Fort Dodge)<br>2026 Jacob Hayes (Marshalltown)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978102' first='Will' last='Thomas'] (Ames)<br>2028 Gianna Gary (Waterloo East)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 Owen Rickers (Mason City)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906539' first='Jameer' last='Falls'] (Mason City)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2887857' first='Jeremy' last='Waters-Wright'] (Waterloo East)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2673006' first='Drayden' last='Witt'] (Mason City)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2381217' first='Taevon' last='Feeley'] (Fort Dodge)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2523904' first='Isaiah' last='Thomas'] (Waterloo East)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->