Conference Preview: Twin Lakes

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alta-Aurelia (4-18 last season, 57.3% of scoring returning): </strong>Two of the top three scorers from last year's team graduated, but four players who averaged between 3.5 and 7.6 points per game return, giving them a solid group to build around. Sam Sennert (7.6, 6.5 rebounds) is the top returning scorer and rebounder, while Camden Reinert (5.6), Gabe Olsen (4.6), and Braden Aronson (3.5) give them some experience. This group was excellent on the offensive glass lats season, averaging 13 offensive rebounds a game, very valuable for a team that struggled offensively, grabbing extra possessions routinely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Sac County (8-15, 38.5%): </strong>The Raiders have to replace their top three scorers, which is obviously a significant loss, but the next seven return, giving them some experienced pieces to build around this winter. Junior Zach Jacobsen (6.3) and senior Landon Sporrer (5.7) are the top returnees and will be asked to carry the load offensively. Sporrer was second on the team in assists per game last season and should be the team's go-to playmaker. Last year was the first season in the Bound era in which East Sac didn't win double-figure games, so despite losing a lot of production, don't be surprised if there is a bit of a bounce back to "normal" here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emmetsburg (16-6, 23.3%):</strong> Following the best three-year stretch they've had in years, the E-Hawks will probably fall back down a bit within the league this winter. They lost the top four scorers from last year's team, and one of their top bench players. They return junior Cooper Chizek (7.1) and sophomore Marc Maina (5.5), giving them a solid young tandem to build around for the next few years, but the rest of the roster this winter will be largely new faces or deep bench players stepping into bigger roles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GTRA (11-11, 55.1%):</strong> Stat-sheet stuffing senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2731683' first='Teagan' last='Hanson'] (18.5, 5.9 assists) returns to lead the Titans. Junior forward Landen Dietrich (7.5, 6.4 rebounds) gives them some size and rebounding, while they'll get backcourt boosts from senior returnees Jaxson Schnell (4.6, 2.4 assists) and Lucas Girres (4.3, 2.0 assists). Had Sullivan Hall, who averaged 12.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game last season stayed instead of moving to Minnesota, this group could have been a sleeper to win the league. Nonetheless, Hanson will be among the best players in the conference, which will make them a team that needs to be taken seriously. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Manson-Northwest Webster (19-6, 22.1%):</strong> The Cougars lost their top three, and four of their top five, scorers to graduation, leaving junior [player_tooltip player_id='2853853' first='Coy' last='Moline'] (7.1, 53.6 FG%) as the top returnee. Moline was really efficient as the fourth option last season, and should step into the lead role without much issue. [player_tooltip player_id='2853852' first='Charlie' last='Sturgis'] (4.5) and Isaiah Daggett (2.4), fellow juniors, are the only other returnees with much experience, so there will be a lot of new faces taking the floor this winter for the Cougs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newell-Fonda (15-9, 48.4%): </strong>The Mustangs bring back leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='2731864' first='Jacksyn' last='Hogrefe'] (18.4), a high-volume scorer who can fill it up from anywhere on the floor. They'll need to replace some major contributors, with the second, third, and fourth leading scorers graduating. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2382581' first='Jackson' last='Bellcock'] (7.2) was solid as a role player last season and will step into a bigger role, as will sophomores Gunnar Baron (3.0), Kinnick Kaufman (1.6), Jack Olsen (1.3), and Thomas Mercer (1.3), who each saw some time last season. The 'Stangs routinely win 15-18 games a season, and this year should be no exception with arguably the best player in the conference on their side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pocahontas Area (5-17, 68.5%): </strong>Karson Welander (13.7, 2.8 assists) returns after being one of the most productive freshmen in the state last season. He led the Indians in scoring and steals, while ranking second in rebounding and assists. Christian Valenzuela (7.9, 3.1 assists) led the team in helpers last season and also returns, as does Collin Dreith (7.3), who can provide some additional perimeter scoring. Look for sophomores Blake Bunda (4.0), Gabe Halligan (1.8), and Xander Small (1.5) to step into bigger roles following their freshmen campaigns as well. This team is going to be young, but they should be improved and able to use this year as a building year for 2026-27 when they could be one of the better teams in the league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sioux Central (12-10, 99.5%):</strong> All but six total points return for the Rebels, so the entire roster is back for a team that went 9-5 against league competition last season. They'll be led by a trio of double-figure scorers in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2731640' first='Owen' last='Mills'] (16.8, 4.8 assists), Koen Glover (11.1, 5.9 rebounds), and Jack Christian (11.0). All three are capable of leading the team in scoring on any given night. Juniors Sawyer Hollesen (5.7) and Max Wittmaack (2.8), and seniors Boden Bright (2.8) and Titus Koster (2.7) figure to round out the primary rotation. With three big scorers and the entire roster back, this is the team to beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Central Calhoun (13-10, 57.7%):</strong> The Titans have won double figure games in all but two seasons during the Bound era, a program that routinely competes in this league. They have to replace their leading scorer, but bring back three players who averaged between 8.1 and 10.7 points per game. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2404347' first='Evan' last='Myers'] (10.7, 5.8 rebounds), junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2853486' first='Garrett' last='Krause'] (8.1), and senior forward Charlie Nattress (8.8, 6.5 rebounds) are the notable returnees, while you can also expect sophomores Halas Steig (1.6) and [player_tooltip player_id='2853835' first='Cade' last='Higgins'] (1.5) to step into bigger roles this winter. With three reliable scorers returning, and a few players who could take a leap, SCC should be one of the top contenders in the league this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southeast Valley (12-11, 28.2%):</strong> Junior guard Casey Hanson (8.7, 38.2 3P%) is the only returnee among the top six scorers from last year's team, so expect him to carry a heavy offensive load. The only other returnees with any notable experience are Logan Jaeschke (3.5, 5.9 rebounds) and Nick Field (2.7). After winning just three combined games in the previous two years, they won 12 last season behind the strength of Drake Warland, who averaged nearly 25 points per game. It's hard to see them replicating that success this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Storm Lake, St. Mary's (0-23, 40.6%): </strong>The Panthers were winless last season, had just one game decided by single digits, and had their top returning player transfer to Storm Lake. There's nowhere to go but up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Bend-Mallard (4-19, 67.6%): </strong>The top two scorers return for the Wolverines in junior forward Abner Zaugg (12.3, 9.5 rebounds) and sophomore Kacen Flynn (9.1, 7.0 rebounds), a tandem that will give them a lot of production in the paint on both ends of the floor. Turnovers were an issue last season, giving it up 23 times a game, but with Zaugg and Flynn returning, if they can trim the turnovers down to even 16-17 a game, they'll be much more competitive on a nightly basis. </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. Sioux Central<br>2. Newell-Fonda<br>3. South Central Calhoun<br>4. GTRA<br>5. Emmetsburg<br>6. East Sac County<br>7. Manson-Northwest Webster<br>8. Pocahontas Area<br>9. West Bend-Mallard<br>10. Alta-Aurelia<br>11. Southeast Valley<br>12. Storm Lake, St. Mary's</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>This league looks pretty wide open this season, with any of the top four having an argument for the top spot. Sioux Central brings everyone back, and that type of continuity puts them at the top of the league.</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='2731864' first='Jacksyn' last='Hogrefe'] (Newell-Fonda):</strong> Hogrefe is a big-time scorer who can fill it up from anywhere on the floor as well as create quality looks for his teammates. Newell-Fonda is a real contender in the league, and he's the biggest reason why.</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='2731864' first='Jacksyn' last='Hogrefe'] (Newell-Fonda)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2382581' first='Jackson' last='Bellcock'] (Newell-Fonda)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731683' first='Teagan' last='Hanson'] (GTRA)<br>2027 Landon Dietrich (GTRA)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731640' first='Owen' last='Mills'] (Sioux Central)<br>2026 Koen Glover (Sioux Central)<br>2026 Jack Christian (Sioux Central)<br>2028 Karson Welander (Pocahontas Area)<br>2026 Christian Valenzuela (Pocahontas Area)<br>2027 Abner Zaugg (West Bend-Mallard)<br>2028 Kacen Flynn (West Bend-Mallard)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2404347' first='Evan' last='Myers'] (South Central Calhoun)<br>2026 Charlie Nattress (South Central Calhoun)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2853486' first='Garrett' last='Krause'] (South Central Calhoun)<br>2027 Casey Hanson (Southeast Valley)<br>2026 Sam Sennert (Alta-Aurelia)<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->