Conference Preview: Hawkeye Ten

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Atlantic (4-18 last season, 75.4% of scoring returning): </strong>The Trojans bring back their leading scorer and six of their top seven from last year's group, so with that much experience returning they should be improved. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2413616' first='Gavin' last='McLaren'] (12.9, 6.0 rebounds) is the top returnee, a long, athletic wing who can get to the rim and control the glass. Grant Petty (7.5) provides some more perimeter scoring, and while senior guard Hudson McLaren (2.9, 3.3 assists) isn't much of a scorer, he is a good playmaker who can get his teammates involved well. Shelton Mualla (6.8, 5.3 rebounds) will control the paint, and Hunter Nelson 93.7), Sawyer Tarrell (2.6), and Gage Cross (2.2) each saw a fair amount of time last season. The Trojans don't have the horses to contend for the league title, but they should be improved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clarinda (13-11, 78.9%): </strong>Senior forward Sam Kline (13.0, 7.2 rebounds) led the Cardinals in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, and blocks last season and will once again be the focal point of the attack. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2921207' first='Cooper' last='Baumgart'] (8.2) was really productive as a freshman and will step into a secondary scoring role this winter as well as play a big role as a playmaker. Seniors Warner Schmitt (7.5), Noah Harris (5.4), [player_tooltip player_id='2854243' first='Aidan' last='Johnson'] (3.7), and Kaiden Ropp (2.6), and junior Ryan Wagoner (6.5) all saw a lot of time last season and return as big parts of the rotation. With seven of the top eight scorers returning to a 13-win team that had five single-digit losses last season, Clarinda should push for a top-3 finish in the conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Creston (11-11, 31.1%):</strong> The Panthers lost four of their top five scorers to graduation, but bring back a double-figure scorer in junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2481793' first='Rhett' last='Driskell'] (11.1, 35.8 3P%), who could emerge as one of the best scorers in the conference this year. He can score from all three levels, play with or without the ball in his hands, and is an active defender. Tanner Ray (3.6) and Cael Barton (3.2) are the only other returnees with much experience, so a lot is going to be asked to Driskell, especially early in the year when a slew of newcomers are getting acclimated to bigger roles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Denison-Schleswig (2-20, 96.3%): </strong>The Monarchs bring back the top five scorers from last year's team, so they should be improved. Senior Blaine Grady (10.1, 8.1 rebounds) was solid last season, leading the team in scoring and rebounding, while junior forward Wilson Riphin (4.1, 7.1 rebounds) will give them additional size and toughness in the paint. Turnovers were a real issue for D-S last winter, giving it away 21.1 times per game, and that number will need to greatly improve if they want to be more competitive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Glenwood (19-5, 39.0%): </strong>The Rams have to replace four of their top six scorers, but bring back one of the top guards in the conference in [player_tooltip player_id='2731811' first='Jack' last='Johnson'] (10.8, 4.2 assists), who will give them a leg up on a nightly basis against a majority of the teams in the league. He'll be joined in the backcourt by Colin Steele (7.4, 34.9 3P%), who gives them a solid shooting threat alongside Johnson, and you can look for breakouts from sophomore wing Evan Stanislav (3.2) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2617551' first='Xavier' last='Bowmaker'] (3.0), who should emerge as reliable scoring threats alongside Johnson. Despite losing more than 60% of their scoring production, the Rams will continue to be a real threat in the Hawkeye Ten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Harlan (9-13, 63.3%): </strong>The Cyclones lost six games by single digits last season and bring back a pair of big-time scorers in senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2731820' first='Dallas' last='McDowell'] (17.3, 3.3 assists, 37.6 3P%) and junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2754668' first='Kobe' last='Klaassen'] (13.4, 6.7 rebounds). That duo should have no problems putting the ball in the bucket, but they'll need to find some pieces to fill out the rest of the rotation alongside them. Harlan has been one of the most consistent winning programs in the state over the last 40-50 years, and while they aren't operating at quite the same level that they were earlier this decade, they should still be formidable with McDowell and Klaassen leading the charge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kuemper Catholic (22-2, 74.7%): </strong>The Knights were one of the top teams in 2A last season, averaging nearly 83 points a game. They were upset by Union in the substate final and will be on a revenge tour this winter. They bring back the top four scorers from that group, and seven of the top nine. They'll be paced by senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765513' first='Ryan' last='Clair'] (15.0, 6.6 rebounds), who was fantastic in his first year with Kuemper following his transfer from East Sac County. He's a force in the paint on both ends of the floor and will be dominant again this season. Junior guards [player_tooltip player_id='2420805' first='Dylan' last='Schon'] (13.6) and [player_tooltip player_id='2420798' first='Griffin' last='Glynn'] (10.0) were both excellent last season, largely off the bench. Both are quality three-level scorers who can create quality looks off the dribble and the catch. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1765503' first='Brock' last='Badding'] (12.3, 37.8 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='2519974' first='Jack' last='Badding'] (8.2) are both really good shooters off both the dribble and the catch who can each create quality looks for their teammates. Jordan Tryon (3.1) gives them some more athleticism on the wing, and Nash Leonard (2.7) could step into bigger role this season as well. This is going to be far-and-away the deepest team in the league, and the most talented. They open the year at #1 in our 2A rankings and should roll through the Hawkeye Ten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lewis Central (12-10, 79.0%): </strong>The young Titans got off to a strong 10-2 start before stumbling down the stretch last season. The top three scorers, and six of the top seven, return, so this group should be improved and more consistent this winter. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='2523891' first='Carter' last='Thielen'] (13.8) is one of the best scorers in the state's 2028 class, a big, skilled wing with great footwork, a pure stroke, and good ball-handling. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2754694' first='Charles' last='Schaben'] (10.0, 7.1 rebounds) is great on the glass, as is senior forward Jimmy Scott (5.2, 5.2 rebounds). Ramon Ware (9.8, 41.4 3P%) gives them some shooting, Ty Paulson (6.3) some more wing scoring, and sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2523897' first='Evan' last='Lillie'] (2.8, 2.7 assists) is a skilled playmaker who should be a bigger factor as a sophomore. With all the valuable experience the young Titans gained last season, they should be able to compete at a high level for a greater chunk of the season this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Red Oak (8-15, 52.6%):</strong> Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2379147' first='Reese' last='Montgomery'] (15.5, 13.1 rebounds) is one of the top players in the conference. He was a walking double-double last season, showed the ability to score inside and out, and he has some defensive versatility with his length and athleticism. Carson Roeder (9.1, 3.5 assists) will have the ball in his hands a lot, the leading returnee in assists, and sophomore guard AJ Beeson (2.4) should step into a bigger role. The Tigers lost three players who combined to average 25.3 points per game last season, and will need to find some pieces to fill in the rotation alongside Montgomery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shenandoah (5-17, 87.4%): </strong>Shenandoah won just five games last season, but bring back both double-figure scorers and all but one contributor from last year's roster, so this group should be improved. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2772321' first='Carter' last='Sells'] (15.1) was one of the leading freshmen scorers in the state last season and will be the headliner of the attack. He can score from anywhere on the floor as well as create for his teammates. He'll be joined in the backcourt by Joe O'Rourke (6.5, 3.2 assists), a senior playmaker. Junior forward Gabe Buttry (10.9, 6.6 rebounds) is the team's top rebounder and interior defender. If the 'Stangs can improve a bit from distance (28.3 3P%) and the free-throw line (53.7%), they could add several wins to their record this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Albert (14-11, 57.0%):</strong> The Falcons lost their leading scorer to transfer, but bring back the next three, giving them a solid trio to build around this winter. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2509580' first='Colt' last='Spencer'] (11.7, 7.0 rebounds, 52.6 FG%) and [player_tooltip player_id='2523893' first='Cooper' last='Hamilton'] (8.3) were both very productive as freshmen last season and should be the focal points for the program for the next three years. Noah Narmi (7.0), a senior guard, is the other key returnee. The Falcons lost five games by four points or less last season, so they were really close to having a pretty special season. Despite losing their leading scorer, they should be pretty darn good again this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Projected Order of Finish</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Kuemper Catholic<br>2. Glenwood<br>3. Lewis Central<br>4. St. Albert<br>5. Clarinda<br>6. Harlan<br>7. Red Oak<br>8. Creston<br>9. Shenandoah<br>10. Denison-Schleswig<br>11. Atlantic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Kuemper Catholic is an overwhelming favorite in the Hawkeye Ten this season. They won 13 league games by an average of 38.5 points per game last season and bring back a majority of the roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Preseason Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765513' first='Ryan' last='Clair'] (Kuemper Catholic): </strong>Take your pick from any number of Kuemper players, but we'll go with Clair, who controls the game in the painted area on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765513' first='Ryan' last='Clair'] (Kuemper Catholic)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765503' first='Brock' last='Badding'] (Kuemper Catholic)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420805' first='Dylan' last='Schon'] (Kuemper Catholic)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2519974' first='Jack' last='Badding'] (Kuemper Catholic)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420798' first='Griffin' last='Glynn'] (Kuemper Catholic)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2523891' first='Carter' last='Thielen'] (Lewis Central)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754694' first='Charles' last='Schaben'] (Lewis Central)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731820' first='Dallas' last='McDowell'] (Harlan)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754668' first='Kobe' last='Klaassen'] (Harlan)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2379147' first='Reese' last='Montgomery'] (Red Oak)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2772321' first='Carter' last='Sells'] (Shenandoah)<br>2028 Aiden Buttry (Shenandoah)<br>2026 Sam Kline (Clarinda)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413616' first='Gavin' last='McLaren'] (Atlantic)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2509580' first='Colt' last='Spencer'] (St. Albert)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2523893' first='Cooper' last='Hamilton'] (St. Albert)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2481793' first='Rhett' last='Driskell'] (Creston)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731811' first='Jack' last='Johnson'] (Glenwood)<br>2026 Blaine Grady (Denison-Schleswig)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->