Preseason All-Conference Teams: Hawkeye Ten

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year:</strong> 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367398' first='Jacob' last='Birch'] (Harlan)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harlan controlled the league pretty much from start-to-finish last season, and Birch was their best player. The Cyclones should be the team to beat in the conference again, and Birch is a pretty easy selection as the POY as a result. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367398' first='Jacob' last='Birch'] (Harlan): 15.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 49.6 FG%, 41.0 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leading scorer for the conference's best team, Birch is an efficient wing scorer who shot it really well from behind the arc as a junior. He's a good athlete with physicality who can get to the rim and rebound well on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240101' first='Caden' last='Johnson'] (Glenwood): 18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.2 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson led the league in scoring and assists as a junior, and will once again be the focal point for a Rams team that should be among the most improved in 3A. If they are going to be a real contender in the league, he'll need to be great. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376714' first='Max' last='DeVries'] (Red Oak): 15.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part of a dynamic one-two punch of 2024s at Red Oak, DeVries led the Tigers to the 2A state tournament last year for the first time since 1993. If he improves his efficiency numbers as a junior, he could lead the league in scoring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367445' first='Carson' last='Seuntjens'] (Denison-Schleswig): 14.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leading scorer for the Monarchs as a junior, Seuntjens is also a quality secondary ball-handler who can get others involved when he's not hunting his won looks. D-S could push Harlan at the top of the league this season, and Seuntjens is a major reason why. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167729' first='Bradley' last='Curren'] (Harlan): 13.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 47.3 FG%, 75.4 FT%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Curren led the Cyclones in assists and finished second in scoring as a junior, helping pace an attack that was arguably the best in the conference. His ability to both score and facilitate is key for a Harlan team that should roll through the conference. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376690' first='Colton' last='Rasmussen'] (Atlantic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 Colin Lillie (St. Albert)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 Hunter Gilleland (Red Oak)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1288884' first='Dawson' last='Gifford'] (Kuemper Catholic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469784' first='Aidan' last='Hall'] (Harlan)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288927' first='Michael' last='Kasperbauer'] (Kuemper Catholic)<br>2023 Carter Pellett (Atlantic)<br>2024 DJ Vonnahme (Kuemper Catholic)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376724' first='Luke' last='Wiebers'] (Denison-Schleswig)<br>2023 Kyle Strider (Creston)<br>2023 Zac Kelsey (Glenwood)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325320' first='Lance' last='Arkfeld'] (Denison-Schleswig)<br>2023 Colby Souther (Lewis Central)<br>2023 Wyatt Schmitt (Clarinda)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->