Conference Preview: CIML

The Teams   Ankeny (10-12 last season, 79.8% of scoring returning): The Hawks were up-and-down last season, posting really impressive wins over Linn-Mar, Johnston, Dallas Center-Grimes, and Dowling Catholic, but they also had a very odd blowout loss to Southeast Polk (74-36). [player_tooltip player_id='1977422' first='Rio' last='Aguirre'] (20.0, 5.2 assists) is one of the best all-around offensive players in the state. He's a skilled three-level scorer, playmaker, and contributes on the glass on both ends. [player_tooltip player_id='2381210' first='Jasani' last='Campbell'] (12.4) is a good perimeter scorer and playmaker, and role players [player_tooltip player_id='2731746' first='Drew' last='Sorensen'] (7.7), Kael Roush (3.5), and Samuel Cowart (2.4) each saw a good amount of time last season. They'll get a boost with the addition of point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2519960' first='Cayden' last='Clark'], a transfer from Centennial, who will allow both Campbell and Aguirre to operate off the ball a bit more this season.   Centennial (5-17, 19.8%): The Jaguars lost their top six scorers from last year's team to either graduation or transfer, leaving a very young group this winter. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='2519258' first='Keaton' last='Kasperbauer'] (2.1) is the most talented returnee and should become the focal point of the attack this winter. He's a big wing at 6-4/6-5 who can shoot it from 3, create quality looks off the dribble, and impact the game with his length defensively. This is going to be a young group, and you can expect to see significant contributions from sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2520083' first='McClain' last='Gorsh'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2523927' first='Trey' last='Crawford'], a pair of talented guards who will be the pieces to build this program around for the next few years alongside Kasperbauer. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2530483' first='Hunter' last='Runchey'] also figures to play a significant role this season. The Jags are probably the pick to finish at the bottom of the league this year, but they should use this as a building year for the future with all their young talent.   Dowling Catholic (15-8, 80.0%): Five of the top six scorers return for the Maroons, who were much better than expected last season. [player_tooltip player_id='2617486' first='Charles' last='Crane'] (11.4, 7.8 rebounds, 3.3 blocks) is the team's top player, a dynamic two-way forward who protects the rim as well as anyone in the state, and his offensive game, while still a work in progress, is solid. He has committed to play and serve at the Naval Academy. [player_tooltip player_id='2731790' first='Noah' last='Martens'] (12.0, 3.9 assists) is the team's top returning scorer, while [player_tooltip player_id='1978098' first='Nathan' last='Jenkins'] (8.3), [player_tooltip player_id='2204869' first='Giovanny' last='Quiles'] (8.0), and [player_tooltip player_id='1383390' first='Maddox' last='Coppola'] (6.7) are each also capable of scoring 15 points on any given night. That gives them five quality scoring threats who can beat you in a multitude of ways. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2443978' first='Alfred' last='Kolee'] (2.5), a really good athlete who can protect the rim and finish above it, as well as [player_tooltip player_id='2125403' first='Sam' last='Ralston'] (1.2), will provide some depth. This group is going to be big, athletic, and physical.   Johnston (14-9, 50.4%): The Dragons allowed just 45.4 points per game last season, which ranked 2nd in 4A behind only Ames, and they had some really good wins over Waukee, Dowling Catholic, and Valley. They bring back lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765517' first='Tino' last='Daye Jr'] (16.4), one of the best playmakers and isolation scorers in the state. He has the ball on a string, is great in the mid-range, and does a nice job playing with pace. In addition to his work on the offensive end, he's also a solid on-ball defender. [player_tooltip player_id='2419846' first='Nicare' last='Cavil'] (7.2) is another good on-ball defender, as are [player_tooltip player_id='2384619' first='Ahvyance' last='Taylor'] (2.9) and [player_tooltip player_id='2148648' first='Emri' last='Jones'] (1.1). The Dragons have a ton of high-level perimeter defenders to throw at teams, and their speed and discipline on that end make them really tough to crack. Look for juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2199094' first='Jaden' last='Houser'], [player_tooltip player_id='2419751' first='Darren' last='Grandon'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2116043' first='Joshua' last='Jenkins'], all talented wings with length, to step into the rotation and become big contributors this season as well.   Southeast Polk (9-15, 59.9%): Dave Stubbs comes over from Grand View Christian, where he had remarkable success, and will take over a Rams program that lost their leading scorer but bring back five rotation pieces. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1736401' first='Emmanuel' last='Tete'] (9.8) and [player_tooltip player_id='1978116' first='Grady' last='Braunschweig-Norris'] (9.8) are the headliners of the group, a pair of talented guards who can score from all three levels. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2530477' first='Max' last='Johnson'] gives them another playmaker in the backcourt, and freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2919825' first='Sean' last='Sinnott'] could be a key contributor early on as well. The Rams will get a boost from a few players who come over from [program_tooltip program_id='2270834' first='Iowa' last='United']'s JV team as well, giving them some length and athleticism. Stubbs will have some weapons as his disposal, but is there enough to compete with the top teams in the CIML?   Urbandale (11-12, 56.4%): The top two scorers return for a J-Hawks team that improved tremendously as the season progressed, winning 10 of their last 14 games. [player_tooltip player_id='1950542' first='Davis' last='Hardersen'] (14.6) and [player_tooltip player_id='1978111' first='Jake' last='Pargeon'] (10.0) are the top returnees. Both are capable three-level scoring threats who can play with or without the ball in their hands. [player_tooltip player_id='2886810' first='Caden' last='Burns'] (5.0, 54.3 FG%) was a solid contributor last season and returns to man the middle, and senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1978101' first='Quentin' last='Teeter'] will give them some length and playmaking on the perimeter, transferring over from Waukee Northwest. This group was playing really good ball at the end of last season, brought back a good amount of production, added a solid transfer, and should be really competitive this season.   Valley (23-3, 5.7%): The three-time defending champions will have a very, very different look this winter. BJ Windhorst stepped down as coach, with young assistant Brian Ricke taking over. They lost the top five scorers, and nine of the top 11, either to graduation or in the case of [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'], early enrollment to play football. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2272195' first='Keane' last='Jorgensen'] (3.2) had some really nice moments last season as a role player and is the top returnee. [player_tooltip player_id='1978118' first='Ryder' last='Knapp'] transfers in from Waukee, and Will Clayton, [player_tooltip player_id='2617540' first='Sam' last='Strawn'], and Donault Moore each got to practice for the last few years against some of the best players in the state. The largest school in the state is going to have some talent, but they will certainly take a pretty significant step back this year.   Waukee (18-7, 75.0%): The Warriors bring back four of the top five scorers from a state tournament team, led by a talented trio of seniors. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765524' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'] (18.3, 8.8 rebounds) is headed to Texas A&M to play both football and basketball and is the headliner of the group. He's a big, athletic 6-7 forward who can score inside and out, shooting 45% from the 3-point line last season. He's also a strong rim protector and good rebounder. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='1978110' first='Jaishon' last='White'] (14.7) and [player_tooltip player_id='1765539' first='Max' last='Roach'] (8.2) give them a pair of skilled playmakers who can create quality looks for themselves and their teammates at a high level. Look for sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='2594655' first='Pete' last='Craig'] (7.0) to only continue to improve after starting every game last season as a freshman, obviously a rarity at a 4A school as good as Waukee. The Warriors will get a bit of a boost of athleticism and length on the perimeter as well with the addition of Waukee Northwest transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2823296' first='Landon' last='Hanson']. This is probably the second best team in the CIML, behind only their crosstown rival.   Waukee Northwest (23-4, 54.9%): Fresh off a runner-up finish, Northwest will be back with a vengeance this winter. The Wolves will be led by a pair of seniors who have signed to play at Big Ten schools, wing [player_tooltip player_id='1978099' first='Colin' last='Rice'] (12.5, 7.2 rebounds, 1.6 blocks) and forward [player_tooltip player_id='1643192' first='Landon' last='Davis'] (10.1, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 blocks). Rice, headed to play at Nebraska, is a long, athletic 6-7 wing who can score from anywhere on the floor, handle the rock, and defend multiple positions. Davis, signed to play at Illinois, is a modern big man who runs the floor, can space the floor, and is a dominant rim protector. Those two will be the headliners of the group, but they're far from the only options. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2419793' first='Mack' last='Heitland'] (6.9, 48.6 3P%) is an elite shooter who takes full advantage on the open looks he's able to get playing alongside such talent, and sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2478747' first='Nash' last='Kooken'] didn't play much last season on varsity but was one of the best players in the state throughout the summer. He picked up offers from Arizona State and Oregon and should step into a big role this season. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1756989' first='Isaiah' last='Oliver'] (4.9) was a good role player for them last year, using his plus athleticism to impact the game on both ends of the floor. The potential breakout player to watch here is sophomore wing JT Wandera, who opens the year on the varsity roster. At 6-4, he can use his length to impact the game on both ends and could provide some depth. The Wolves are talented, huge, and looking to finish the job this winter.   Projected Order of Finish   1. Waukee Northwest 2. Waukee 3. Dowling Catholic 4. Johnston 5. Ankeny 6. Urbandale 7. Valley 8. Southeast Polk 9. Centennial   Analysis: The best league in the state is once again loaded with talent. Northwest has a pair of Big Ten commits leading the way and is the clear favorite, but there are four real state title threats in this league, and several other teams that can beat anyone on any given night.   Preseason Player of the Year   2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978099' first='Colin' last='Rice'] (Waukee Northwest): The future Nebraska wing is one of the best two-way players in the state and should put up huge numbers for the Wolves now that this is his team.   Players to Watch   2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978099' first='Colin' last='Rice'] (Waukee Northwest) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1643192' first='Landon' last='Davis'] (Waukee Northwest) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2478747' first='Nash' last='Kooken'] (Waukee Northwest) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419793' first='Mack' last='Heitland'] (Waukee Northwest) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765524' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'] (Waukee) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978110' first='Jaishon' last='White'] (Waukee) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765539' first='Max' last='Roach'] (Waukee) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2594655' first='Pete' last='Craig'] (Waukee) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1977422' first='Rio' last='Aguirre'] (Ankeny) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2381210' first='Jasani' last='Campbell'] (Ankeny) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765517' first='Tino' last='Daye Jr'] (Johnston) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1950542' first='Davis' last='Hardersen'] (Urbandale) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978111' first='Jake' last='Pargeon'] (Urbandale) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2617486' first='Charles' last='Crane'] (Dowling Catholic) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731790' first='Noah' last='Martens'] (Dowling Catholic) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2204869' first='Giovanny' last='Quiles'] (Dowling Catholic) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978098' first='Nathan' last='Jenkins'] (Dowling Catholic) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978116' first='Grady' last='Braunschweig-Norris'] (Southeast Polk) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1736401' first='Emmanuel' last='Tete'] (Southeast Polk) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2519258' first='Keaton' last='Kasperbauer'] (Centennial)

The Teams