Conference Preview: Tri-Rivers East
THE TEAMS Bellevue Marquette (13-8): The Mohawks lost over 70% of their scoring with the graduations of C.J. Michels, Tanner Sieverding and Zach Kettman, meaning they’ve got a lot of production to replace. Nate Brinker (7.1) is back after a…
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Continue ReadingTHE TEAMS
Bellevue Marquette (13-8): The Mohawks lost over 70% of their scoring with the graduations of C.J. Michels, Tanner Sieverding and Zach Kettman, meaning they’ve got a lot of production to replace. Nate Brinker (7.1) is back after a solid sophomore season, as are Blayne Banowetz (4.8) and Justin Herrig (2.6). Outside of the productive group of seniors, this is a team that was heavy on sophomores last year, but the question is whether or not they are ready to fill the massive holes left by those losses. Look for the Mohawks to fall towards the bottom of the division with the amount of returning talent the rest of the teams have.
Calamus-Wheatland (10-12): The Warriors return 95% of their scoring from what was the highest scoring team in the division a year ago. They’re led by a trio of double figure scorers in Brett Kelting (15.7), Garrett Rickels (13.3) and younger brother Hunter Rickels (11.0). Garrett is a high-level perimeter shooter (40.9 3P%), while Hunter has the ball in his hands more, dishing out 94 assists last year. Kelting is an all-around scoring threat who also led the team in rebounding and blocked 36 shots to boot. The Warriors also bring back four other players who averaged between 2.9 and 7.6 points a game, giving them plenty of experience. Look for them to challenge for the division title.
Cedar Valley Christian (1-19): The top four scorers return from last year’s group, led by Travis Geels (11.0). They’ll need to greatly improve on the 29.9% they shot from the floor last season, but with the amount of experience they have returning, they may be able to bump that one win up to three or four.
Easton Valley (21-3): The River Hawks dominated this division last season, and have finished no worse than second in the division since it was formed for the 2013-14 season. They’ll have some work to do if they want to repeat that success with their top three scorers gone. The cupboard isn’t empty, however, with Dustin Lippens (7.1), Logan Miller (7.3) and Cam Wilhelm (4.6) all returning. Miller (6-3) and Wilhelm (6-4) give them some nice size on the interior and are efficient scorers, while Lippens can help stretch the floor. Routinely one of the top small school programs in the area, you can’t count this group out, and they should be right back in the hunt for another division crown.
Midland, Wyoming (10-13): Led by perhaps the division’s best player in Alex Martens (20.0), the Eagles figure to improve on last season’s 10-win mark, as they bring back seven of their top eight scorers from last season, including the top three. Point guard Connor Harms was one of the top assist men in the state last season (sixth leading returnee, regardless of class), and with a more experienced supporting cast around him, he could improve on the 142 dimes he dished out last year. This group should contend for the division crown.
Prince of Peace Prep (13-10): The top four scorers return for an Irish team that finished 5-5 in the division last year. They’re led by Seth Moeller (14.3) and Will Andersen (9.5), with Aeden Marlowe (7.7) and Devin Bilek (7.6) also contributing in a big way. With what they’ve got coming back, they should be competitive again, but it’s hard to project much of a move upwards when the other teams bring back as much as they are.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Easton Valley
2. Calamus-Wheatland
3. Midland, Wyoming
4. Prince of Peace Prep
5. Bellevue Marquette
6. Cedar Valley Christian
Analysis: Easton Valley ran through this division last year, posting a 10-0 record. While they lose some key pieces, they’re also the most consistent program in the league and bring back enough to still be considered the favorite. Second place through fourth place is entirely up for grabs, and while we would be surprised to see one of those teams jump up to knock off Easton Valley, we wouldn’t be completely shocked. This figures to be one of the better 1A league races.
Photo Credit: Daryl Schepanski (Journal-Eureka.com)PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Alex Martens, Midland, Wyoming, 2017: 20.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 78.2 FT%
Martens is an all-around offensive threat who is the division’s leading returning scorer, and third leading rebounder. He showed how explosive he can be with a 37 point game last season, and he should lead the division in scoring again as he looks to lead his Eagles to a division title.
BIGGEST SLEEPER
Logan Miller, Easton Valley, 2018: Playing in a somewhat limited role last season, Miller averaged 7.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in the 12 games he played, while shooting 58.1% from the floor. With that type of efficiency and a bigger role available, he should have a huge year.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alex Martens, Midland, Wyoming, 2017
Connor Harms, Midland, Wyoming, 2017
Seth Moeller, Prince of Peace Prep, 2017
Will Andersen, Prince of Peace Prep, 2017
Aeden Marlowe, Prince of Peace Prep, 2017
Brett Kelting, Calamus-Wheatland, 2017
Garrett Rickels, Calamus-Wheatland, 2017
Hunter Rickels, Calamus-Wheatland, 2019
Travis Geels, Cedar Valley Christian, 2017
Logan Miller, Easton Valley, 2018
Dustin Lippens, Easton Valley, 2017