Preseason All-Conference Teams: SICL East

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year:</strong> 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731700' first='Chase' last='Haifley'] (Keota)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keota pretty comfortably won the division last year, and despite some significant losses to graduation, they should be considered the favorite again. Haifley is their best player, a dynamic lead guard.</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='2731700' first='Chase' last='Haifley'] (Keota): 16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 3.1 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best passers in small-school basketball, Haifley is equally adept as a scorer and a playmaker. He can play downhill and get into the teeth of the defense seemingly whenever he wants, where he's a threat to both score and facilitate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2886798' first='John' last='Berg'] (Sigourney): 14.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 1.3 blocks, 64.0 FG%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A walking double-double, Berg uses his physicality and non-stop motor to his advantage. He can bully smaller defenders and has the athleticism to outrebound bigger players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906474' first='Cole' last='Long'] (Iowa Valley): 14.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long had a really productive sophomore year for the Tigers, and following the graduation of All-State forward Caleb Haack, he'll have ample opportunity to stuff the stat sheet on a nightly basis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 Everett Bender (English Valleys): 12.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.2 steals, 1.3 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bears won just four games last season, but they were extremely young. Bender led the team in scoring and steals, and can score from all three levels. With their top seven scorers returning, they should be more competitive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 Kane Axmear (English Valleys): 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 50.2 FG%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another part of the Bears' strong 2027 class, Axmear led the team in rebounding last season and was the only player to shoot above 50% from the floor. His activity in the paint on both ends of the floor is highly valuable for EV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 Solon Yates (Sigourney)<br>2028 Christian Tripses (English Valleys)<br>2027 Ike Molyneux (Sigourney)<br>2026 Jackson Vittetoe (Keota)<br>2026 Owen Ary (Iowa 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 Brayden Wood (Sigourney)<br>2027 Ben Axmear (English Valleys)<br>2027 Layne Peska (Iowa Valley)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2843729' first='Noah' last='Etzel'] (Iowa Valley)<br>2028 Zavier Pedersen (Iowa Valley)<br>2028 Jordan Tremmel (Sigourney)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->