Conference Preview: River Valley North

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anamosa (9-14 last season, 36.1% of scoring returning):</strong> Half of the Blue Raiders' losses last season came by single digits, so this group was pretty close to having a record above .500. They lost three of the top four scorers from that group, but bring back standout wing [player_tooltip player_id='1765552' first='Tristan' last='Faille'] (11.8, 39.8 3P%), a big wing with size who can shoot it at a high level. [player_tooltip player_id='2624055' first='Adam' last='Brophy'] (7.0, 6.8 rebounds) will be the headliner in the paint, and a few role players from last year's group return. They'll need to find some ball-handling and depth, but Faille is really good and looks primed to breakout as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beckman Catholic (12-11, 85.8%): </strong>A pair of big-time junior scorers return for the Blazers in [player_tooltip player_id='2419787' first='Jake' last='Wegmann'] (19.8, 45.0 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='2754692' first='Tayveon' last='Barnhart'] (13.5, 38.5 3P%), giving them one of the best one-two punches in the league. Wegmann is a versatile 6-5 wing who can score from anywhere on the floor, defend multiple positions, and create quality looks for his teammates, while Barnhart is a talented ball-handler and shooter off the dribble. [player_tooltip player_id='2772346' first='Noah' last='Kluesner'] (6.6) had a solid freshman year and can score inside and out, while seniors Brendan Engler (6.2) and Andrew Schlarmann (2.8, 3.1 assists) are both experienced role players. The Blazers got another boost with the addition of Monticello guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765519' first='Brady' last='Gogel'], who averaged 7.7 points and 5.8 assists per game for the Panthers last season. He'll give them a veteran presence in the backcourt who can set his teammates up and protect the ball. Beckman will be one of the best teams in the division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bellevue (12-12, 99.1%): </strong>The Comets flashed potential last season, beating Beckman Catholic and Monticello, and they bring back all but 13 points from that group. They'll be led by a quartet of seniors in [player_tooltip player_id='2530470' first='KeShawn' last='DeShaw'] (13.8, 8.9 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='1765510' first='Cameron' last='Casel'] (12.0, 3.8 assists), [player_tooltip player_id='2413527' first='Spencer' last='Abbott'] (11.1), and [player_tooltip player_id='2413528' first='Owen' last='Putman'] (8.9), each of whom have a ton of varsity experience. Eight players who averaged at least 4.2 points per game last season return, so this group is going to be super deep, and if they can cut down the turnovers (15.2) and improve their shooting (29.3 3P%), they could not only be a real threat to win this league, but also to make some serious, serious noise in Class 1A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Camanche (3-19, 15.5%):</strong> The top four scorers, and five of the top six, from last year's team graduated. Junior forwards Jackson Lynch (4.5, 5.0 rebounds) and Pierson Draper (2.8, 4.2 rebounds) are the only two returnees with significant experience and will be asked to carry a heavy load this winter. Without much returning for the Indians, it will probably be another pretty long winter in Camanche.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cascade (19-4, 38.8%): </strong>With the graduation of Jackson Lieurance, the Cougars lost one of the best players in school history. Five of the top eight scorers graduated, but they do bring back a standout wing in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1978108' first='Mick' last='Hoffman'] (15.6, 39.5 3P%), a sharpshooting wing who can knock down shots off both the dribble and the catch routinely. Tyler Smith (5.5, 3.8 assists) returns to lead the team in the backcourt, having led the team in assists last season, and Brody Otting (2.8) saw some time last season. Those three are the only returnees with much experience, but this is a program and community that routinely wins a ton of games, and that should continue with lots of new faces this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maquoketa (7-15, 74.7%): </strong>Big-time scorer [player_tooltip player_id='2413548' first='Nolan' last='Ehlinger'] (21.8) returns to lead what could be a potent Cardinals offensive attack. He's one of the top returning scorers in the state, with the ability to fill it up from all three levels. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2731850' first='Parker' last='Burmeister'] (10.8, 5.3 assists) gives them an experienced guard in the backcourt who can set his teammates up, and role players Brayden DeForest (7.7, 5.5 rebounds) and Tate Streets (3.9, 5.7 rebounds) give them some athleticism and rebounding. Turnovers were a big issue for the Cards last season, giving it away nearly 18 times per game. If they can clean that up, they could make a pretty significant jump this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Monticello (18-5, 54.1%): </strong>The Panthers have been a consistent contender over the last few decades, and that should continue this winter. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1765541' first='Conley' last='Schauf'] (21.2, 43.4 3P%) is a high-level scorer who can fill it up from all three levels at a highly efficient clip. He'll once again be the focal point of the offensive attack. [player_tooltip player_id='2886871' first='Alex' last='Jamison'] (5.9) is a long, athletic defender who should be the headliner for the group on that end of the floor, and Lincoln Schneiter (5.7, 5.2 rebounds) was a quality role player last season. Look for a solid group of sophomores to step into bigger roles this season, and for freshman point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2894718' first='Hayden' last='Hackney'] to step in and immediately become a big-time contributor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northeast (18-6, 56.1%): </strong>The Rebels bring back a trio of double-figure scorers in sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2523908' first='Jaxen' last='Christiansen'] (15.8), junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2420792' first='Emerson' last='Kreinbrink'] (12.2, 64.7 FG%), and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2731868' first='Colby' last='Gray'] (11.0, 35.5 3P%). Christiansen was fantastic as a freshman, showcasing his ability to score from anywhere on the floor, play with or without the ball, and impact the game defensively. He'll be a star for the Rebels. They need to fill in a lot of gaps in terms of rotation pieces, but that trio will be the best trio in the conference and should carry them to the top.</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. Northeast<br>2. Beckman Catholic<br>3. Monticello<br>4. Bellevue<br>5. Cascade<br>6. Maquoketa <br>7. Anamosa<br>8. Camanche</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>The top four in this division could end up going in any order, and always strong Cascade will be formidable again. We'll give the nod to Northeast, who is usually the best defensive team of the group, and who has the best trio of players.</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='1765541' first='Conley' last='Schauf'] (Monticello): </strong>A ton of talent returns in the North Division, but we'll side with the senior from Monticello, an explosive scorer who can impact the game at a high level 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='1765541' first='Conley' last='Schauf'] (Monticello)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2886871' first='Alex' last='Jamison'] (Monticello)<br>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2894718' first='Hayden' last='Hackney'] (Monticello)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413548' first='Nolan' last='Ehlinger'] (Maquoketa)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731850' first='Parker' last='Burmeister'] (Maquoketa)<br>2026 Brayden DeForest (Maquoketa)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419787' first='Jake' last='Wegmann'] (Beckman Catholic)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754692' first='Tayveon' last='Barnhart'] (Beckman Catholic)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765519' first='Brady' last='Gogel'] (Beckman Catholic)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2772346' first='Noah' last='Kluesner'] (Beckman Catholic)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2523908' first='Jaxen' last='Christiansen'] (Northeast)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420792' first='Emerson' last='Kreinbrink'] (Northeast)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731868' first='Colby' last='Gray'] (Northeast)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978108' first='Mick' last='Hoffman'] (Cascade)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2530470' first='KeShawn' last='DeShaw'] (Bellevue)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765510' first='Cameron' last='Casel'] (Bellevue)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413527' first='Spencer' last='Abbott'] (Bellevue)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413528' first='Owen' last='Putman'] (Bellevue)<br>2027 Jack Kirk (Bellevue)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765552' first='Tristan' last='Faille'] (Anamosa)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2624055' first='Adam' last='Brophy'] (Anamosa)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->