Preseason All-Conference Teams: Pride of Iowa

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year: </strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2886911' first='Jackson' last='Ruggles'] (Mount Ayr)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leading returning scorer in the league, Ruggles is a hyper efficient guard who can dominate games as both a scorer and facilitator. Mount Ayr is probably the team to beat in the league heading into this season, and he's the biggest reason why.</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='2886911' first='Jackson' last='Ruggles'] (Mount Ayr): 19.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.2 steals, 50.0 FG%, 43.5 3P%, 79.6 FT%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After averaging just under 20 points a game as a junior, what does Ruggles have in store for his senior season? He's a talented guard who plays with pace, can create off the dribble for himself and his teammates, and he's a fantastic shooter off both the dribble and the catch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765523' first='Cael' last='Hogan'] (Southwest Valley): 16.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.7 steals, 40.0 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hogan is small, listed at 5-8, but he's quick and dynamic off the dribble, shooting it at a high clip and putting constant pressure on opposing guards with his ability to create shots for himself and his teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 Jase Pettit (East Union): 14.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.9 steals, 2.2 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles had a rough year last season, winning just two games, but Pettit was a bright spot, averaging a double-double and showcasing his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor on a nightly basis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2886812' first='Lucas' last='Dirkx'] (Southeast Warren): 13.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-0 wing who can do a bit of everything on the floor, Dirkx was a really good second option alongside star Cam Seuferer last season, and he'll step into the starring role as a senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 Paxon Applegate (Central Decatur): 11.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals, 64.7 FG%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-2 big man who can control the glass on both ends of the floor, Applegate pulled down 3.1 offensive boards a game as a junior for the Cardinals, helping gain valuable extra possessions for a team that struggled at times to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 Jaedyn Schoolcraft (Wayne)<br>2026 Gage Swan (Wayne)<br>2026 Blake Boyd (Central Decatur)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2496427' first='Jamison' last='Ewing'] (Southeast Warren)<br>2026 Wyatt Mendenhall (Southwest Valley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 Colton Wright (Martensdale-St Marys)<br>2026 Asher Norman (Central Decatur)<br>2026 Jack Gavin (Martensdale-St Marys)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2610941' first='Ty' last='Rardin'] (Nodaway Valley)<br>2027 Jensen Waigand (East Union)<br>2026 Tate Dugan (Mount Ayr)<br>2026 Pheolan Kelley (East Union)<br>2028 Jack Reed (Lenox)<br>2026 Laramie Stoaks (Lenox)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->