Preseason All-Conference Teams: SICL West

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year: </strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3343999' first='Dane' last='Strong'] (Montezuma)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once again it figures to be Montezuma and Lynnville-Sully battling it out atop the West Division this winter, and with Strong returning, the Braves may have the slightest edge heading into the season. He's a versatile inside-out weapon who is also a force on the glass on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3343999' first='Dane' last='Strong'] (Montezuma): 14.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.7 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong was really good as the secondary option alongside high-scoring guard Brady Boulton last season, and he'll step into the primary scoring role as a senior. He's capable of shooting from the arc, but is at his best when he's operating from about 15 feet and in. He's strong on the glass, a good athlete, and a strong finisher at the bucket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3620656' first='Sean' last='McCulloch'] (HLV): 13.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.7 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCulloch isn't the most efficient scorer, shooting 31% from the floor last season, but he's asked to do a lot for HLV and will be among the top scorers in the division again this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 Jace Lewis (Colfax-Mingo): 12.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 36.2 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile scorer who can bury shots from distance or attack off the dribble, Lewis was the only Tigerhawk to average in double figures last season and he should have plenty of opportunity to have big scoring nights as a senior. With their top five scorers back, look for C-M to be improved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419827' first='Will' last='Van Vark'] (Lynnville-Sully): 11.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.3 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Van Vark is coming off a really impressive junior year in which he led the Hawks in assists, was second in scoring, and showcased his ability to score inside and out throughout the winter. Lynnville-Sully is always one of the top two teams (Montezuma) in the SICL, and this year will be no exception because of Van Vark.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3531688' first='Talen' last='Holland'] (Montezuma): 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 56.0 FG%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holland was extremely efficient as a sophomore, shooting 56% from the floor as the Braves' third scoring option. Following the graduation of Brady Boulton, he'll be asked to step into a bigger scoring role as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 Maddox Rhoads (BGM)<br>2027 Wyatt Carpenter (Colfax-Mingo)<br>2027 Cameyon James (Lynnville-Sully)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3681788' first='Karson' last='Van Maanen'] (Lynnville-Sully)<br>2028 Wyatt Jay (Colfax-Mingo)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 Lance Milton (HLV)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2757678' first='Travis' last='Castaneda'] (North Mahaska)<br>2028 Caleb Hol (North Mahaska)<br>2028 Robby Tometich (BGM)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->