Conference Preview: River Valley South

<h4>The Teams</h4> Durant (4-18): The top two scorers are back for the Wildcats in juniors [player_tooltip player_id="1240074" first="Nolan" last="DeLong"] (14.9) and Garrett Hollenback (9.4). In addition to their scoring, the tandem combined to pull down 12.6 rebounds a game last season, leading the team. This is a team that didn’t shoot it very well from the arc (22.3%) last season, and they struggled with turnovers (16.7). They lose their top ball-handler, so ball protection could be an issue again this season. With DeLong and Hollenback returning, they should be able to score a bit, but defense and ball security will be questions. [caption id="attachment_1026946" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Carter-Harmsen.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1026946 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Carter-Harmsen-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Harmsen[/caption] Mid-Prairie (15-8): Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1158414" first="Carter" last="Harmsen"] (18.3) is a major matchup problem at 6-5/6-6 and with his all-around skill set. He’s the type of player that can fill it up from all three levels, but he’s also someone that you can station at the high post and let him pick apart the opposing defense with his court vision and passing. [player_tooltip player_id="1167728" first="Alex" last="Bean"] (9.5, 37.3 3P%) is a good shooter who benefits from Harmsen’s playmaking ability, while senior forward Ethan Kos (7.1) gives the Golden Hawks a physical presence in the paint. Will Cavanagh (5.0, 35.5 3P%) gives them some additional shooting, and point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1235039" first="Jackson" last="Pennington"] (4.3, 4.4 assists) is a true point guard who thrives on getting others involved. Four of the Golden Hawks’ losses came by four or fewer points last season, and they bring back 79% of their scoring. This team should be considered the favorite in the division, and a real threat to make it to the state tournament. Regina (7-12): Three starters, and five who started at least one game last season, return for the Regals, giving them a solid core to build around. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1158459" first="Coltrae" last="Kerschen"] (11.6, 39.6 3P%) is one of the best shooters in the conference and should have a huge senior year following the graduation of Ashton Cook. Charlie Crigger (6.4) is an efficient scorer, and junior guard Jack Tierney (4.8) may have the ball in his hands more this year following the graduations of the Regals’ top two assisters last season. Look for increased production out of sophomore wing Nolan McDonald (1.7), who had some good moments as a freshman. The Regals should be a more balanced team this season, and Kerschen’s shooting will make them dangerous against anyone. Tipton (8-14): Three players who averaged at least 5.0 points a game last season return for the Tigers in Boby Ryan (8.2), Cody Bohlmann (5.6), and Davis Webb (5.0). Webb finished second on the team in rebounding last season, Ryan led them in assists, and Bohlmann is an efficient scorer on the wing. The Tigers don't have a go-to scorer and should have another balanced attack this season. West Branch (19-3): The Bears got off to a strong 12-0 start last season and fell just short of the state tournament, losing to Beckman Catholic in the substate finals. They lost their top two scorers from that team, but bring back a quartet of talented perimeter threats in Thomas Gould (9.6), [player_tooltip player_id="1171662" first="Holden" last="Arnaman"] (5.6), Peyton Miller (5.1), and Brady Knoop (2.5). Arnaman started for the Bears last year as a freshman, and he’ll be the focal point of this program for the next three years. He can score or facilitate, and he’s a strong on-ball defender. He’s coming off a really strong summer and should emerge as one of the best players in the conference this year. Gould is an experienced scorer on the wing who can shoot it or drive. All of the size from last season’s team is gone, but West Branch generally is able to find a few football players to step in and provide physicality and rebounding in the paint. If they’re able to find some of those kids to go with their talent on the perimeter, they should remain at or near the top of the division. West Liberty (4-16): The Comets struggled to score last season, averaging just 37.3 points a game, but bring back leading scorer Caleb Wulf (13.8, 7.4 rebounds), who led the team in every major category. Senior wing Jahsiah Galvan (5.5, 5.6 rebounds) is the type of athlete who can make a major impact on both ends of the floor. This team will struggle to compete against the top teams in the division again but will be able to grab a few wins against less athletic teams. [caption id="attachment_1254557" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Caden-Kirkman2.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1254557 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Caden-Kirkman2-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Kirkman[/caption] Wilton (11-12): The Beavers haven’t posted a record above .500 since the 2015-16 season when they finished 16-9, but that should change this year. They ended last year strong, winning five of their final seven games, including a win over West Branch, and bring back their top three scorers from that group. They’re headlined by junior big man [player_tooltip player_id="1167686" first="Caden" last="Kirkman"] (18.6), arguably the best player in the division, and one of the best in 2A. The 6-6/6-7 big has excellent hands and footwork around the rim, is working to extend his range, and is a force in the paint on both ends of the floor. In addition to his scoring, he pulled down 11.0 rebounds and blocked over 4 shots a game. Jackson Hull (8.4) led the team in assists last season, while Clayton Guyer (5.2) gives them some additional experience and scoring on the perimeter. Sophomore wing Landyn Putman (4.9) was the team’s top perimeter shooting threat last season and is also back. In Kirkman, Wilton has a dominant force on both ends of the floor. If they can protect the ball and shoot it a little better from the arc (25.1% last year), they could be very dangerous.   <h4>Projected Order of Finish</h4> 1. Mid-Prairie 2. West Branch 3. Wilton 4. Regina 5. Durant 6. Tipton 7. West Liberty Analysis: Mid-Prairie should be the best team in the division this season, led by Harmsen and with a number of quality role players returning around him. West Branch is probably the best program in the division and will remain competitive, and Wilton has a dominant big man who will keep them in the running.   <h4>Preseason Player of the Year</h4> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158414" first="Carter" last="Harmsen"], Mid-Prairie: In addition to being a dominant scorer, Harmsen is a talented passer who can take over games with his court vision and creative passing. He’s a versatile scorer and playmaker who just edges out Wilton’s [player_tooltip player_id="1167686" first="Caden" last="Kirkman"] for this honor.   <h4>Players to Watch</h4> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158414" first="Carter" last="Harmsen"], Mid-Prairie 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167728" first="Alex" last="Bean"], Mid-Prairie 2022 Ethan Kos, Mid-Prairie 2022 Will Cavanagh, Mid-Prairie 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167686" first="Caden" last="Kirkman"], Wilton 2022 Jackson Hull, Wilton 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158459" first="Coltrae" last="Kerschen"], Regina 2022 Charlie Crigger, Regina 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171662" first="Holden" last="Arnaman"], West Branch 2022 Thomas Gould, West Branch 2022 Peyton Miller, West Branch 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1240074" first="Nolan" last="DeLong"], Durant 2023 Garrett Hollenback, Durant 2022 Caleb Wulf, West Liberty 2022 Jahsiah Galvan, West Liberty 2022 Bob Ryan, Tipton