Preseason All-Conference Teams: Western Iowa

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year:</strong> 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978103' first='Alec' last='Lovely'] (Treynor)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lovely is a skilled guard with great handles, a great first step, and a lightning-quick trigger off the dribble. He has fantastic vision and loves to create plays for his teammates. Treynor has largely been in control of the conference over the last decade, and if that is going to continue, it'll be because Lovely was great.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978103' first='Alec' last='Lovely'] (Treynor): 10.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.5 steals, 1.0 blocks, 40.8 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite ranking third on the team in scoring last year, you could certainly make an argument that Lovely was the most important player for the Cardinals last season, on a team loaded with talented seniors. He's a quick guard who doesn't back down from anyone, seemingly playing better the bigger the moment is. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420786' first='AJ' last='Harder'] (Tri-Center): 16.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.5 steals, 41.7 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harder was extremely productive as a freshman for the Trojans, leading the team in scoring and assists while also showing some real value on the defensive end. He's a quick, high IQ guard with a great feel for the game and the ability to score from all three levels. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759951' first='Luke' last='Sternberg'] (AHSTW): 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 3.5 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sternberg is a stat-sheet stuffing wing who does a great job utilizing his length on the defensive end, contesting shots and getting into passing lanes, as evidenced by his 3.5 steals per game. If he can become a bit more efficient with his jumper this year, he could put up some big-time numbers as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765538' first='Ben' last='Ramsey'] (IKM-Manning): 15.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 39.0 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ramsey is another quality shooting threat in a league that seems to be filled with them. He shoots it well both off the dribble and the catch, and following the graduations of the other three players who comprised last year's top four, he'll have a lot of shots available. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721441' first='Wes' last='Vana'] (Logan-Magnolia): 13.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An active 6-2 guard who loves to contribute on the glass from his perimeter spot, Vana led the Panthers in scoring and was second in rebounding 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>2026 Collin Harder (AHSTW)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Aaron Olsen (Audubon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 Layton Maasen (Missouri Valley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 Austin Christensen (Audubon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 Adam Roden (Logan-Magnolia)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Camden Soukup (AHSTW)<br>2026 Tyler Baatz (Tri-Center)<br>2026 Chase Newland (Tri-Center)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731691' first='Garrett' last='Luett'] (Underwood)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413619' first='Corbin' last='Thien'] (Treynor)<br>2026 Cael Witt (Tri-Center)<br>2027 Cole Jeppesen (Riverside)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->