Conference Preview: Rolling Valley

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ar-We-Va (12-10, 67.7% of scoring returning): </strong>With three of their top four scorers returning to a team that finished above .500 and that was largely competitive in their losses to the top teams in the league, Ar-We-Va could be a team that jumps up and pushes Coon Rapids-Bayard and Woodbine at the top of the conference if a few things break their way. Senior wing Blayne Smith (14.2, 7.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists) is the leading returning scorer, rebounder, and passer, and he'll be the focal point of the attack on both ends of the floor. Junior Wyatt Ragaller (11.4), and senior Wade Ragaller (7.5), also return to provide scoring alongside Smith, while junior Tyson VonGlan (6.9 rebounds) wasn't a scorer last season but was dominant on the glass. This is a team that pounds the glass hard on both ends of the floor, helping offset some of the struggles they have from 3-point range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Boyer Valley (6-17, 68.4%): </strong>Four players who averaged between 7.7 and 9.3 points per game last season return for the Bulldogs, giving them a balanced quartet of players to build around this winter. Michael Davis (9.3) is the top returning scorer, while Levi Reineke (7.8, 7.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists) is probably the most important returnee with the work he does on the glass and as a facilitator. The offense flows through him, and as he goes, Boyer Valley will go this season. A pair of sophomores, Brody Koski (8.0) and Tristen Burkhart (7.7), were productive as freshmen and should improve this season. Don't be surprised to see the 'Dogs approaching .500 this season and building towards the 2025-26 season, when all of those players will return again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CAM (12-10, 70.0%): </strong>Another team that should be improved and could push the top teams in the league if a few things go their way, the Cougars bring back a pair of double-figure scorers and three of their top four overall. They'll be led by junior forward Collin Bower (13.7, 10.4 rebounds), who was dominant on the glass as a sophomore and should be even better as a junior. Chase Jahde (13.5) gives them some perimeter scoring and playmaking, as does Chase Spieker (9.0, 3.0 assists), giving them a pair of senior guards who are reliable ball-handlers and playmakers in the backcourt. CAM is a school that generally has pretty strong athletes and they should be able to find some faces to fill in alongside their returning trio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coon Rapids-Bayard (19-5, 72.4%):</strong> Of the Crusaders five losses last season, three came at the hands of Woodbine and Madrid, a pair of elite-level teams in Class 1A, and the other two losses came by a combined three points. All that to say that this group was <em>really</em> close to having a special season. With three of their top four scorers returning, that special season come become a reality this year. [player_tooltip player_id='1765521' first='Cal' last='Heydon'] (20.4, 9.0 rebounds) is a do-it-all junior wing who can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. He has the size to shoot over defenders, the handles to blow by them, and the toughness to bang in the paint. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2906452' first='Caden' last='Oswald'] (8.0, 4.1 assists) and senior Parker Hays (4.4, 3.1 assists) give them a pair of skilled ball-handlers and playmakers, and junior forward Gavin Heiderscheit (5.2) was a solid contributor in the paint on both ends of the floor. The Crusaders have a promising 2027 class, led by Oswald, that they will lean on more this season as well. With Heydon, arguably the best individual player in the league, leading the way, CRB will push Woodbine at the top of the conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Exira-EHK (19-5, 17.8%): </strong>The Spartans haven' thad a losing season since 2013-14, so despite losing over 80% of their production from last year's team, they should remain a formidable foe. They are going to be inexperienced, with eight of the top nine scorers graduating, leaving just senior Josh Nelson (11.6, 7.5 rebounds). That said, Nelson is a pretty darn good place to start building, a promising forward who controls the glass, can protect the paint, and score inside and out at an efficient clip. He'll need to carry the load, especially early on, and while Exira probably won't compete with Coon Rapids or Woodbine at the top, they'll be a team that you won't want to play by February.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Glidden-Ralston (8-14, 65.0%):</strong> The Wildcats return their top two scorers from last year's team, giving them some reason for optimism for improvement heading into this season. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2630703' first='Jonathan' last='Bergmeier'] (15.8) is one of hte top returning scorers in the conference, and he gives them a dynamic three-level scorer who can control the game with the ball in his hands. Colby Wallace (8.8, 5.5 rebounds) will hold down the paint alongside Waylon Hein (4.4 rebounds), and the 'Cats should be pretty strong as a team rebounding. Will they shoot it well enough from 3-point range (25.8% as a team last season) to make a major improvement in the win column?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paton-Churdan (1-19, 97.5%): </strong>The Rockets won just one game last season and bring back all but two players from last year's roster, including standout forward [player_tooltip player_id='2754681' first='Trevon' last='Keely'] (14.6, 6.3 rebounds), who had an extremely productive freshman season. He could be one of the best players in the conference this season, and his growth should allow them to win a few more games this year. Juniors Cayden Stream (7.5) and Phoenix Hartman (7.2) provide some more experience and scoring. This team should grab a few more wins this winter, and will be looking to build towards the 2025-26 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Harrison (6-16, 44.4%):</strong> After a great run of success that included a pair of state tournament appearances, the Hawkeyes took an expected step back last season. They lost three of their top five, including the top two, scorers from last year's team, but bring back senior forward Nolan Birdsall (9.6, 10.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists), who was dominant on the glass as a junior and will be the focal point of the attack this season. Jason Barry (4.9) and Brody Gore (4.0) are the other notable returnees for this group. They won't be a factor in the league race, but they should win a handful of games and be competitive most nights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Woodbine (23-3, 96.6%): </strong>For the first time in the Bound era, Woodbine won more than 16 games last season, breaking through to reach the state tournament, where they gave North Linn a great game for three quarters. The top five scorers from that group return, and they should roll through this league as a result. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1951827' first='Carter' last='Gruver'] (20.2, 4.6 assists) led the team in scoring, assists, and steals last season, and his downhill playing style puts constant pressure on opposing defenses. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1977076' first='Landon' last='Blum'] (13.4) is one of the best athletes in the state, already garnering high-major college interest for his prowess on the football field, and he's a really, really good basketball player as well. At 6-5/6-6, he has great size and length, can score from all three levels, create off the dribble, and defend every spot on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='2413631' first='Jax' last='Pryor'] (10.7, 6.2 rebounds) gives them some size and toughness in the paint, while [player_tooltip player_id='1951828' first='Carson' last='Kelley'] (9.2) and [player_tooltip player_id='2413639' first='Brody' last='Pryor'] (8.9) give them more scoring and experience. The Tigers suffered two league losses last season, both at the ends of Exira-EHK, losses they avenged in the postseason, and it would be a surprise if they lost a league game this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Projected Order of Finish</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Woodbine<br>2. Coon Rapids-Bayard<br>3. CAM<br>4. Ar-We-Va<br>5. Exira-EHK<br>6. Glidden-Ralston<br>7. Boyer Valley<br>8. West Harrison<br>9. Paton-Churdan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>Woodbine should without a doubt be considered the team to beat in the league this winter with everything they have coming back. Coon Rapids-Bayard won't go down without a fight, however, and if their group of sophomores has improved as much as we think they have, they could push the Tigers. CAM and Ar-We-Va should both be improved, and Exira is always strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Preseason Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951827' first='Carter' last='Gruver'] (Woodbine): </strong>The Tigers are overwhelming favorites in the league and Gruver was their most impactful player last season. He'll pair with [player_tooltip player_id='1977076' first='Landon' last='Blum'] to give them a dynamic one-two punch that will dominate games on a nightly basis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951827' first='Carter' last='Gruver'] (Woodbine)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1977076' first='Landon' last='Blum'] (Woodbine)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413631' first='Jax' last='Pryor'] (Woodbine)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951828' first='Carson' last='Kelley'] (Woodbine)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413639' first='Brody' last='Pryor'] (Woodbine)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765521' first='Cal' last='Heydon'] (Coon Rapids-Bayard)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906452' first='Caden' last='Oswald'] (Coon Rapids-Bayard)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754681' first='Trevon' last='Keely'] (Paton-Churdan)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2630703' first='Jonathan' last='Bergmeier'] (Glidden-Ralston)<br>2025 Blayne Smith (Ar-We-Va)<br>2026 Wyatt Ragaller (Ar-We-Va)<br>2026 Collin Bower (CAM)<br>2025 Chase Jahde (CAM)<br>2025 Chase Spieker (CAM)<br>2025 Josh Nelson (Exira-EHK)<br>2025 Nolan Birdsall (West Harrison)<br>2026 Michael Davis (Boyer Valley)<br>2026 Levi Reineke (Boyer Valley)<br>2027 Tristen Burkhart (Boyer Valley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->