Conference Preview: War Eagle

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Akron-Westfield (7-15 last season, 38.1% of scoring returning):</strong> The Westerners bring back leading scorer and rebounder [player_tooltip player_id='1978143' first='Reegan' last='McKee'] (15.0, 8.7 rebounds), giving them a really good base to build around. That's the good news. The bad news is that the next four, and six of the next seven, scorers graduated, leaving sophomore Ronan Higman (2.3) as the only other returnee alongside McKee. McKee is a versatile, skilled combo forward who posted 49-42-63 shooting splits last season, and he's able to defend multiple positions. He'll be one of the best players in the league, but without much else returning, it's hard to see Akron-Westfield winning more than seven games this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gehlen Catholic (14-9, 95.9%):</strong> The top seven scorers return to a Jays team that won 14 games last season, so expectations should be really high in Le Mars this year. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2407451' first='Mason' last='Small'] (14.0, 6.6 rebounds) shot 68.5% from the floor last season, pacing the offensive attack. Four senior guards - Nolan Teel (8.7), Dane Lehmann (8.4), Carson Arens (7.9), and Dylan Lubben (4.6) - each averaged over two assists per game last season, giving them a number of playmakers to put in alongside Small. If the Jays are going to win at a high level, they'll need to improve in a few areas - ball security (15.7 turnovers per game) and free-throw shooting (54.2%).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>George-Little Rock (1-21, 72.2%): </strong>The Mustangs won just one game last season, but they bring back four of their top five scorers, including junior Wyatt Minter (10.0), who led the team in scoring last season. Cash Sandbulte (4.8) and Patrick DenHartog (4.2) are the other notable returnees for the 'Stangs. This is going to be a really, really young group again, with three juniors and a sophomore comprising their top four returnees. Improving ball security and becoming more efficient offensively will be big for the Mustangs, and any improvement in that regard will be a nice step forward leading into the 2026-27 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Harris-Lake Park (3-17, 61.4%):</strong> The Wolves lost their leading scorer and rebounder from last year's team, but bring back the next three in Mason Ahrenstorff (9.9), Karter Evans (6.2), and Seth Goodell (5.2), giving them an experienced trio to build around this winter. Turnovers were a huge issue last season, giving it away over 23 times per game, and that number clearly needs to improve if they're going to win more games this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn (8-14, 91.8%):</strong> The Hawks lost five games by single digits last season and bring back their top four, and six of their top seven, scorers from that group. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2853881' first='Isaac' last='Schierholz'] (14.3, 7.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists) stuffs the stat sheet on both ends of the floor, providing some real versatility as a playmaker and defender. Sophomores Caden Douma (12.8) and Jackson Vogt (6.9) were both really productive as freshmen, while senior wing Lawton Schiphoff (7.0) gives them some additional perimeter scoring. Role players Alex Billings (4.4, 4.3 rebounds) and Kolby Douma (3.0) also return, giving them six reliable pieces returning. HMS should be much improved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hinton (16-7, 76.5%): </strong>A pair of double-figure scorers return for the Blackhawks in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2413648' first='Logan' last='Kempema'] (15.6, 6.1 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='2731835' first='Karver' last='DeGroot'] (12.2). Kempema is a skilled wing who can score, rebound, and facilitate, while DeGroot is their top shooting threat. Logan Coffee (6.3), Dawson Spies (5.7), and Cole Friessen (3.0) each return with experience. This group lost just twice against league opponents last season, a 4-point loss to Gehlen Catholic and a 23-point setback against St. Mary's. With three of the top four scorers returning, and a number of role players back to a 16-win team, they should be considered one of the favorites to win the league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MMCRU (23-3, 67.0%): </strong>The Royals are riding high after winning the Class A football championship, and several players from that group will be headlining the basketball team. They bring back the top two scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='1765534' first='Brayson' last='Mulder'] (12.8) and [player_tooltip player_id='3041731' first='Wyatt' last='Alesch'] (10.1), alongside role players Kamden Bork (6.3), Brandon Dreckman (6.0), Michael Schmillen (4.6), and Eli Schlenger (3.1). Mulder impacts the game on both ends of the floor at a high level, using his athleticism, length, and IQ to score, defend, and create quality looks at a high clip. This is going to be a tough, athletic, physical group that defends well (16.8 steals per game), shares the ball at a high level (19.0 assists), and will be really deep. This is one of the teams to beat not only in the War Eagle, but could be one of the best teams in 1A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sibley-Ocheyedan (2-21, 87.2%): </strong>The Generals make the move from the Siouxland to the War Eagle this winter, and that step down in competition should be beneficial for them long-term. The top three, and all but one player from last year's roster, return, and while they aren't going to win the league, they should win many more games this year than they did in the Siouxland. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2756998' first='Alex' last='Kruger'] (12.8, 7.3 rebounds) and seniors Gavin Stanton 910.6) and Dawson Kreykes (8.3) give them a strong trio to build this year's roster around. Kruger is a force on the glass on both ends of the floor and a versatile scoring threat. The Generals need to clean up the turnovers (20.9) if they want to make significant improvement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South O'Brien (17-7, 50.4%): </strong>The Wolverines are always one of the top programs in the War Eagle, stout defensively in their 2-3 zone and efficient on the offensive end. They lost their leading scorer but bring back senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2791362' first='Jaden' last='Kreber'] (15.0, 6.1 rebounds), who will be one of the best players in the conference. Gabe Moermond (7.5, 2.9 assists) headlines the backcourt, while role players Brody Van Beek (4.5) and Brady Riedemann (2.7) will be asked to take a step up as complementary pieces this year. With one of the best players in the league, a strong defensive identity, and some depth, South O'Brien will be one of the top contenders in the league this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Mary's, Remsen (21-5, 5.2%):</strong> The Hawks have been on an incredible run of success over the last decade, averaging 22.2 wins per year over the last ten. Unfortunately it may finally be time for them to take a bit of a step back with the top seven scorers graduating. That leaves sophomore Dalton Klein as the top returning scorer, and he averaged 2.0 points per game last season. This is a program who has built their identity on playing fantastic defense, limiting turnovers, and playing efficient, balanced offensive basketball. The Ruden brothers are fantastic coaches, and they'll still have the Hawks as a formidable matchup for teams, but there is just so much talent and experience to replace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trinity Christian (7-15, 49.7%): </strong>The Tigers lost two of their top three scorers, but bring back senior forward Luke De Jong (9.9, 8.6 rebounds), which gives them a quality big man to build around. De Jong averaged 3.2 offensive rebounds a game last season and shot nearly 51% from the floor, and he'll be the focal point of the attack this winter. Tyce Klein (4.5), James Postma (4.4), and Bryce Uittenbogaard (3.8) each return with experience as well. If the Tigers can take better care of the ball (19.5 turnovers a game), they could improve by a few wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Sioux (8-14, 46.6%): </strong>Leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='2530660' first='Gavin' last='Gerritson'] (14.0) returns to lead the Falcons. He's a quick, athletic guard who led the team in scoring and assists last season, and he should be one of the best guards in the league this winter. Blake Wiggins (7.6, 4.7 rebounds) will be the focal point in the paint. With Gerritson leading the way, the Falcons should win some games. The ultimate success will come down to the role players and how they develop alongside Gerritson.</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. MMCRU<br>2. South O'Brien<br>3. Gehlen Catholic<br>4. Hinton<br>5. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn<br>6. Sibley-Ocheyedan<br>7. St. Mary's, Remsen<br>8. Akron-Westfield<br>9. West Sioux<br>10. Trinity Christian<br>11. George-Little Rock<br>12. Harris-Lake Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>The top four teams in this league could be placed in pretty much any order, but we'll side with the Royals, who were excellent last season, won at the highest level possible on the gridiron, and are looking to add some hardwood hardware to their trophy case.</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='2413648' first='Logan' last='Kempema'] (Hinton): </strong>This POY race looks pretty open, with a lot of talent and scoring returning to the conference. Kempema's ability to score and facilitate should be on full display for a Blackhawks team that will be among the top contenders in the league. </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='2413648' first='Logan' last='Kempema'] (Hinton)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731835' first='Karver' last='DeGroot'] (Hinton)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2791362' first='Jaden' last='Kreber'] (South O'Brien)<br>2026 Gabe Moermond (South O'Brien)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978143' first='Reegan' last='McKee'] (Akron-Westfield)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2853881' first='Isaac' last='Schierholz'] (Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn)<br>2028 Caden Douma (Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn)<br>2028 Jackson Vogt (Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765534' first='Brayson' last='Mulder'] (MMCRU)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='3041731' first='Wyatt' last='Alesch'] (MMCRU)<br>2026 Kamden Bork (MMCRU)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2530660' first='Gavin' last='Gerritson'] (West Sioux)<br>2026 Blake Wiggins (West Sioux)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2407451' first='Mason' last='Small'] (Gehlen Catholic)<br>2026 Nolan Teel (Gehlen Catholic)<br>2026 Dane Lehmann (Gehlen Catholic)<br>2026 Carson Arens (Gehlen Catholic)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2756998' first='Alex' last='Kruger'] (Sibley-Ocheyedan)<br>2026 Gavin Stanton (Sibley-Ocheyedan)<br>2026 Dawson Kreykes (Sibley-Ocheyedan)<br>2027 Wyatt Minter (Harris-Lake Park)<br>2026 Luke De Jong (Trinity Christian)<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->