Conference Preview: Bluegrass

The Teams   Ankeny Christian (17-8, 56.3% of scoring returning): ACA has been one of the most consistently winning programs in small-school basketball over the last few decades, averaging 17.9 wins a year over the last 19 years (Bound era). The Eagles bring back leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='2906492' first='Jed' last='Rood'] (12.9) to lead the way, and despite losing the next three scorers from last year's team, they should be formidable once again, especially within Bluegrass play. Juniors Marcus Pedersen (6.7) and Hudson Davis (4.4) and seniors Tyson Fincham (5.1) and Isaac Venema (5.0) all return alongside Rood with plenty of experience and will give the Eagles a number of potent scoring threats. This should be one of the deepest teams in the league, and with their consistent success, this is the team to beat.   Diagonal (0-17, 100.0%): The Maroons were winless last season but bring back everyone from that team, so there could be a bit of improvement this year. After posting a -33.1 point differential last season, anything less would be nice progress. Senior forward Owen Whittington (12.2, 5.9 rebounds) is the top returnee, and there are four sophomores who saw time last season and will be the future of the program.   Lamoni (6-14, 66.7%): The Demons were pretty competitive for a 6-win team, with five losses coming by single digits last season. They bring back leading scorer Kelan Stevenson (10.9, 8.6 rebounds), and in all, three of the top four scorers return. Sophomores Tyson Lloyd (6.2) and Cody Burton (4.7) each saw a ton of playing time last season and should take a step forward alongside Stevenson. If they can clean up the turnovers (19.6 a game) a bit, trimming that down to 14-15 a night, they could push for a .500 finish.   Melcher-Dallas (3-17, 49.7%): The Saints have to replace their top two scorers from last year's team, with both double-figure scorers graduating. The next four scorers return, giving them a quartet of players to build around this season. Senior Reece Chiabotta (8.8) is the top returnee, joined by juniors Austin Remster (4.9, 6.1 rebounds) and Colton Cox (4.4), and senior Evan Schrader (2.3). After posting a -25.1 point differential last season, any improvement would be a nice step in the right direction.   Moravia (13-11, 81.2%): Moravia has become a pretty consistent contender in the Bluegrass over the last half-decade, and with their top three, and five of the top six, scorers returning, they should be considered one of the teams to beat heading into 2025-26. Senior forward Declan DeJong (13.0, 10.5 rebounds) is the headliner of the group, an athletic, physical forward who controls the glass on both ends of the floor and finishes effectively around the rim. Sophomore guard Casen Woodward (7.8) is the team's top playmaker in the backcourt, leading the team in assists last season, while Chase Hanes (7.5), Grantland McDaniel (5.7), and Kale Moore (5.1) give them a number of reliable scorers with experience. In DeJong, they have arguably the best player in the conference, and they'll have plenty of depth alongside him.   Mormon Trail (10-12, 64.4%): The Saints have to replace Owen Anderson, who averaged 19 points and 4 assists last season, but bring back a pair of double-figure scorers in seniors Lane Flesher (11.8, 7.7 rebounds) and Levi Evans (10.1, 6.5 rebounds), giving them a pair of really good options to build around. Flesher blocked 2.5 shots a game last season and is a dominant force in the painted area, while Evans can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. Noah Arnold (6.6) leads a good group of sophomores who saw experience as freshmen, and junior forward Ben Eslick (4.5, 5.4 rebounds) gives them some additional rebounding and toughness. This could be a sneaky contender if a few things break their way.   Moulton-Udell (4-16, 100.0%): Everyone returns to the Eagles, led by senior Cameron Swarts (16.1, 9.6 rebounds). He was really good last season, and he's joined by senior forward Mait Moossen (6.1, 12.2 rebounds, 5.7 blocks) who was a true force in the paint last season. Guard play was an issue last season, turning it over nearly 23 times a game, and that number has to improve if they want to compete.   Murray (13-8, 30.1%): The Mustangs have a lot of production to replace following the graduations of their top three, and four of their top five, scorers from last year's team. That leaves junior AJ Clarke (8.0, 5.0 rebounds) and senior Daniel Gard (3.6) as the lone returnees with much experience. Murray is one of those small-school programs that is a consistent winner, winning double-figure games every year in the Bound era, and despite losing a ton of production, they'll be a contender again.   Seymour (11-9, 91.1%): If anyone is going to challenge Moravia and Ankeny Christian at the top of the league, it's probably the Warriors, who bring back their top four scorers and seven of their top eight. Senior forward Gavyn Jellison (17.4, 7.2 rebounds, 1.9 blocks) is a dominant interior presence on both ends of the floor, and Callon Spurgeon (11.5, 6.2 rebounds) gives them another strong presence inside the arc and on the glass. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2714974' first='Drayden' last='Miller'] (7.7, 3.9 assists, 4.3 steals) is coming off a really nice freshman year and will be an excellent lead guard who can set his teammates up and pressure opposing ball-handlers. This group handled pretty much everyone except ACA and Moravia last year, and those are two big hurdles to clear, but this group should compete at a high level.   Twin Cedars (6-12, 67.5%): Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1765540' first='Holden' last='Roberts'] (15.4, 6.3 rebounds) is one of the top players in the league and looks primed to have a great senior year. He posted 49-43-78 shooting splits last season and led the Sabers in scoring, rebounding, and assists. Kaden Kloster (6.1), Brock Micetich (4.4), and Tobin McDanel (4.0) were all solid contributors last season and return alongside Roberts to serve as complementary pieces. Unlike many teams that struggle, the Sabers actually protected the ball pretty well last season, averaging just 9 turnovers a game, and if they can keep that type of ball security up, they should be improved this season.   Projected Order of Finish   1. Ankeny Christian Academy 2. Moravia 3. Seymour 4. Murray 5. Mormon Trail 6. Twin Cedars 7. Moulton-Udell 8. Lamoni 9. Melcher-Dallas 10. Diagonal   Analysis: This league likely comes down to the head-to-head meetings between ACA and Moravia, which both went to ACA last year. We'll give the Eagles the edge here. Seymour and Murray could both have a say in this race as well, both capable of knocking off one of those top two on a given night.   Preseason Player of the Year   2026 Declan DeJong (Moravia): It figures to be the Mohawks and Ankeny Christian battling it out at the top of the league this winter, and DeJong is the top returnee on either team. After averaging a double-double last season, what does he have in store as a senior?   Players to Watch   2026 Declan DeJong (Moravia) 2028 Casen Woodward (Moravia) 2027 Chase Hanes (Moravia) 2026 Gavyn Jellison (Seymour) 2026 Callon Spurgeon (Seymour) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2714974' first='Drayden' last='Miller'] (Seymour) 2026 Cameron Swarts (Moulton-Udell) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765540' first='Holden' last='Roberts'] (Twin Cedars) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906492' first='Jed' last='Rood'] (Ankeny Christian) 2027 Marcus Pedersen (Ankeny Christian) 2026 Lane Flesher (Mormon Trail) 2026 Levi Evans (Mormon Trail) 2028 Noah Arnold (Mormon Trail) 2026 Kelan Stevenson (Lamoni) 2028 Tyson Lloyd (Lamoni) 2026 Owen Whittington (Diagonal) 2026 Reece Chiabotta (Melcher-Dallas) 2027 AJ Clarke (Murray)

The Teams