Preseason All-Conference Teams: Missouri River

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year: </strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754687' first='Ajay' last='Vander Schaaf'] (Sergeant Bluff-Luton)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sioux City East and Council Bluffs Lincoln are probably the top two teams in the conference, but East (balance) and Lincoln (unsure on the top option heading into the year) have some question marks regarding the top player, leaving us with Vander Schaaf, a skilled shooter and playmaker for a Warriors team that will look to push East and CBAL at the top.</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='2520040' first='Kai' last='Chamberlain'] (Sioux City North): 18.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 93.2 FT%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leading returning scorer in the conference, Chamberlain is a quick guard who thrives on playing downhill and getting into the teeth of the defense. He's a nearly automatic free-throw shooter, and his ability to get to the charity stripe puts constant pressure on opposing defenses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754687' first='Ajay' last='Vander Schaaf'] (Sergeant Bluff-Luton): 16.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals, 46.5 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An elite shooting threat, Vander Schaaf knocked down 46.5% of his 3-point attempts as a sophomore for the Warriors, but he wasn't just a shooter. He has really improved as a shot creator and playmaker for his teammates over the last few years, and he's capable of defending either guard spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2366206' first='Jeremiah' last='Slaughter'] (Council Bluffs Lincoln): 10.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 43.8 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Slaughter had a really productive sophomore year for the Lynx, followed it up with a strong spring and summer, and looks primed to truly have a breakout junior year. He's a high-level shooter off both the dribble and the catch, a talented playmaker off the bounce, and a good on-ball defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2523932' first='Kalan' last='Steinbeck'] (Council Bluffs Lincoln): Played last year in Nebraska</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steinbeck played last season across the Missouri River at Blair (NE), where he put together a really strong season as a freshman. A skilled 6-5/6-6 wing who can score from all three levels, he's a smooth all-around offensive weapon who will make an immediate impact for the Lynx.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765514' first='Noah' last='Conley'] (Heelan): 15.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick, talented lead guard who can get to the rim off the dribble, create quality looks for his teammates, and defend on the ball, Conley was great as a junior for the Crusaders following his transfer from Sioux City North. He's versatile, talented, and a leader on the floor for Heelan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 Junior Gatkuoth (Council Bluffs Jefferson)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765550' first='Bilal' last='Yusuf'] (Sioux City East)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2265812' first='Fami' last='Yusuf'] (Sioux City East)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2520031' first='Chris' last='Loggins'] (Sioux City East)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1765551' first='Naef' last='Yusuf'] (Sioux City 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 [player_tooltip player_id='2754699' first='Gavin' last='Ahrendt'] (Sergeant Bluff-Luton)<br>2026 Demari Robinson (Council Bluffs Jefferson)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2204879' first='Kamren' last='Hegna'] (Sioux City West)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731823' first='Kasen' last='Thomas'] (Heelan)<br>2026 Eduardo Frazier (Sioux City West)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978139' first='Isaiah' last='Jervik'] (Sergeant Bluff-Luton)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2772340' first='Kylen' last='Vander Schaaf'] (Sergeant Bluff-Luton)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2114193' first='Jackson' last='Wells'] (Le Mars)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1978104' first='Easton' last='Klement'] (Council Bluffs Lincoln)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->