Preseason All-Conference Teams: Upper Iowa (Big)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year: </strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3590858' first='Cody' last='Sobolik'] (Crestwood)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This division race figures to come down to Crestwood, the defending champion, and a Waukon team that returns a lot of talent and firepower. Sobolik was the Cadets' third leading scorer last season, but is the type of raw, athletic forward who looks primed to have a breakout junior year and lead Crestwood to another league crown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3590858' first='Cody' last='Sobolik'] (Crestwood): 10.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.1 blocks, 60.6 FG%, 44.0 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sobolik, an athletic, rangy 6-7 forward, could be one of the breakout players in the state this season. He can score inside and out, defend one through five, and is capable of creating for his teammates. He could be primed for a huge junior year for the Cadets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906515' first='Vaughn' last='Stegen'] (Waukon): 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.9 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leading returning scorer for an Indians team that will be looking to push Crestwood at the top of the league, Stegen is an athletic guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands. He's a solid shooting threat, burying just under 37% of his 3-point attempts, and he can also attack off the bounce. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2386373' first='Drake' last='Sir'] (Crestwood): 13.8 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 40.5 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-3 guard with good size and a pure stroke, Sir buried 40.5% of his 3-point attempts last season and is also capable of playing downhill and putting pressure on opposing teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2772324' first='Talin' last='Hemann'] (Waukon): 13.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.7 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hemann is one of the most versatile defenders in the conference, capable of switching on the perimeter as well as protecting the paint in a major way. His versatility doesn't end on the defensive end, however, as he's also a talented passer and interior scoring threat offensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 Kendrick White (North Fayette Valley): 11.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White was a force on the glass last season, averaging 2.7 offensive rebounds a game, which helped contribute to his 11+ point scoring average. With three of their top four scorers returning the TigerHawks could be a sleeper team in the Upper Iowa Big Division this winter, looking to push Waukon and Crestwood at the top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 Tristan Bacon (MFL MarMac)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2828851' first='Chayton' last='Smith'] (New Hampton)<br>2028 Jordan Einck (South Winneshiek)<br>2028 Ethan Carter (New Hampton)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3344412' first='Issiah' last='Moudy'] (Waukon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 Carson Laures (New Hampton)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3219063' first='Hayden' last='Thompson'] (North Fayette Valley)<br>2028 Kye Rausch (New Hampton)<br>2027 Drew Stolka (North Fayette Valley)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3684357' first='Tate' last='Cummings'] (Crestwood)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2873937' first='Zander' last='Mehmert'] (Crestwood)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->