Conference Preview: Iowa Star South

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Baxter (14-9 last season, 61.2% of scoring returning): </strong>Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1460951' first='Eli' last='Dee'] (29.0, 52.5 FG%) is one of the best pure scorers in the state, regardless of class, and returns to lead the Bolts. He's a fantastic shooter, a skilled playmaker off the dribble, and an agile, long defender. They lost the next two scorers from last year's team, taking 24.9 points and 14.4 rebounds with them, but sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2972088' first='Maddux' last='Tuhn'] (4.8) and seniors Cael Wishman (4.4) and Stadan Vansice (2.9) should step into complementary roles alongside Dee. Dee is clearly the best player in the division, and he'll carry this group to the top of the division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BCLUW (3-20, 71.3%): </strong>The top three scorers return for the Comets in seniors Wyatt Gould (9.8), Aiden Frank (9.5), and [player_tooltip player_id='2766434' first='Daniel' last='Zoske'] (7.2), giving them a strong trio to build around. All three are capable scorers and good on the glass. The Comets lost four games by single digits last season, and while they may not turn those three wins into 15, they should be much more competitive this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Collilns-Maxwell (18-4, 56.0%): </strong>The Spartans bring back a pair of double-figure scorers in seniors Paden Myers (17.0, 6.3 rebounds) and Cooper Wierson (11.2, 6.1 rebounds), giving them a pair of skilled scoring threats to build around. Myers is a talented three-level scorer, while Wierson will be the team's playmaker. Senior forward Dalton Martin (5.7, 5.5 rebounds) will give them an interior scorer and rebounder as well. With three big contributors returning, and some role players who saw time last season also returning, Collins-Maxwell will battle it out with Baxter at the top of the division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colo-Nesco (16-8, 28.4%): </strong>The Royals lost their top three scorers from last year's 16-win team, but do bring back a pair of key contributors in seniors Jack Angell (7.3) and Brady Handsaker (6.9). That tandem will be asked to carry a heavy load, especially early on while new players get acclimated to bigger roles. Outside of a three-year stretch from 2019-2021, the Royals have been a traditionally strong program, winning double-figure games every year in the Bound era outside of those three. So while they lost a lot of production, they should have the talent ready to step in and replace them and at least remain competitive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GMG (9-14, 55.8%): </strong>The Wolverines lost a pair of double-figure scorers from last year's team, but bring back a pair as well in seniors Rider Kupka (15.4) and Jonas Buchanan (12.9, 8.3 rebounds), giving them a strong duo to build around. Buchanan is a force on the glass on both ends of the floor, and Kupka is a talented playmaker and scorer in the backcourt. Juniors Ethan Klemesrud (5.7, 5.1 rebounds) and Connor Bryant (5.6) give them some more experience and scoring. Klemesrud will pair with Buchanan to give them some strong players in the paint and on the glass, and this is a group that should be pretty deep, balanced, and physical. If a few things break their way, they could find themselves contending at the top of the division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meskwaki Settlement (2-17, 74.7%): </strong>Meskwaki brings back 75% of their production from last year's team, so there should be some improvement here. They weren't very competitive last season, with a point differential of -35.2, but should be able to trim a good chunk off of that number this year. Gerald Sanache (11.0) is the top returning scorer, and is joined by Sevastian Scabbyrobe (7.8) and Jarvis Bear (7.6) as reliable scorers. They'll need to improve their ball security (20.5 turnovers a game) and shooting (25.7 3P%) if they want to make a real jump.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Tama (12-10, 64.5%): </strong>If you're looking for a team that could make a jump up the standings this winter and challenge Baxter at the top, it could be the Redhawks. They bring back four of their top five scorers, led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2887863' first='Kayler' last='Morris'] (16.0), who led the team in scoring and assists last season. He's a talented guard who can impact the game on both ends of the floor with his speed and IQ. Big things are expected from junior forward Brayton Cibula (10.5, 9.1 rebounds), who could average a double-double this season. [player_tooltip player_id='2768533' first='Kayvin' last='Morris'] (5.4, 2.5 assists) gives them another good playmaker in the backcourt, and Griffin Hall, Jordan Dostal, and James Brandhorst all saw some valuable time last season and should step into bigger roles this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valley Lutheran (0-14, 34.1%): </strong>The Crusaders were winless last season, averaging just 24.3 points per game and turning it over 20.1 times a contest. They lost three of the top four scorers from that group, with Zane Schmitz (4.3, 5.1 rebounds) the top returnee. It figures to be another long winter for the Crusaders in this division. </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. Baxter<br>2. Collins-Maxwell<br>3. North Tama<br>4. GMG<br>5. Colo-Nesco<br>6. BCLUW<br>7. Meskwaki Settlement<br>8. Valley Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Baxter has the best player in the division, and should be considered the favorite, but they'll get tested by Collins-Maxwell, North Tama, and potentially even GMG. The division race likely comes down to the head-to-head meetings between the Bolts and Spartans.</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='1460951' first='Eli' last='Dee'] (Baxter): </strong>One of the top returning scorers in the state, Dee is a dynamic three-level scoring threat who posted 53-41-89 shooting splits last season. The Bolts are the team to beat in the division, and he's clearly their best player. Easy pick here.</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='1460951' first='Eli' last='Dee'] (Baxter)<br>2026 Paden Myers (Collins-Maxwell)<br>2026 Cooper Wierson (Collins-Maxwell)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2887863' first='Kayler' last='Morris'] (North Tama)<br>2027 Brayton Cibula (North Tama)<br>2026 Rider Kupka (GMG)<br>2026 Jonas Buchanan (GMG)<br>2027 Ethan Klemesrud (GMG)<br>2026 Wyatt Gould (BCLUW)<br>2026 Aiden Frank (BCLUW)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2766434' first='Daniel' last='Zoske'] (BCLUW)<br>2027 Gerald Sanache (Meskwaki Settlement)<br>2028 Jarvis Bear (Meskwaki Settlement)<br>2027 Sevastian Scabbyrobe (Meskwaki Settlement)<br>2026 Jack Angell (Colo-Nesco)<br>2026 Brady Handsaker (Colo-Nesco)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->