Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

City High

Coach: Bill McTaggart (2^nd season)

Last season: 10-14

Returning starters: Chris Watkins, 6-5, Sr.; Ja’Vion Robinson, 5-11, Sr.

Other returning letterwinners: Jack Lampe, 5-11, Sr.; Jack Rogers, 5-11, Sr.; Iyon Harris, 5-11, Sr.; KP Estremera, 6-3, Sr.

Newcomers to watch: Coden Kurtz, 5-11, Soph.; Davion Hopkins, 6-0, Soph.; Jude Foley, 6-2, Jr.

Top returning scorers: Chris Watkins 14.1; Ja’Vion Robinson 5.2

Top returning rebounders: Chris Watkins 6.8; Iyon Harris 2.2

Headliner: Senior forward Chris Watkins will look to build off of a breakthrough junior season in which he led the Little Hawks in scoring at 14.1 points per game while earning Mississippi Valley Conference all-division honors. The 6-foot-4 Watkins shot 56 percent from the floor and averaged 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.

Keep an eye on: On a roster filled with potential breakthrough players keep an eye on senior guard Ja’Vion Robinson who made 16 starts last season averaging 5.2 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.

Circle the date: December 19 vs. West High. City High hosts cross-town rival West High in the first of two regular season meetings between the two squads and will be seeking to snap a five-game losing streak to the Trojans.

Breakdown: City High will look to pick up where it left off last season after winning seven of its final 10 games a year ago under first-year head coach Bill McTaggart.

Watkins and Robinson return with starting experience for the Little Hawks but plenty of players with experience return along those two.

Senior guards Jack Lampe (3.4 ppg), Iyon Harris (4.2 ppg) and Jack Rogers (1.7 ppg) all saw action last season along with senor forward KP Estremera (3 ppg).

McTaggart also expects sophomores Coden Kurtz and Davion Hopkins and junior Jude Foley to step into key roles this season.

West High

Coach: Jason Kern (1^st season)

Assistant coaches: Ryan Lee; Mike Cronk; Marcus Hall

Last season: 15-8

Returning starters: Henry Elser, 6-0, Sr.; Ethan Headings, 6-2, Sr.

Other returning letterwinners: Jack Jensen-Fitzpatrick, 6-0, Sr.; Owen Harms, 6-3, Sr.; Greg Ford, 6-1, Sr.

Newcomers to watch: Neal James, 6-1, Jr.; Corey Davis, 5-7, Jr.; Ahmet Toz, 6-1, Soph.; Lowden Van Daele, 6-2, Sr.; Kyle Henkenius, 6-2, Jr.

Top returning scorers: Ethan Headings 7; Henry Elser 2.8

Top returning rebounders: Ethan Headings 2.3; Henry Elser 1.5

Headliner: Senior Ethan Headings enters the season coming off a breakthrough football season and will attempt to carry that success over to the hardwood. Headings averaged 7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game last season while shooting 47 percent from the floor.

Keep an eye on: Senior guard Henry Elser is a prime candidate for a big-time breakthrough season. Elser was solid last season in a limited role a year ago averaging 2.8 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. An excellent perimeter shooter, expect major improvement from 3-point range from Elser who made 15 3’s last season.

Circle the date: December 2 vs. Clear Creek Amana. The Jason Kern era officially gets underway with a home game against Clear Creek Amana in the season opener.

Breakdown: It will be a new look West High squad in nearly every way this season.

Former West Branch head coach Jason Kern takes over for Steve Bergman who stepped down after 35 seasons.

The Trojans will look different on the court as well with five of its top seven scorers from last season gone.

Headings and Elser give Kern a pair of strong players to build around while seniors Jack Jensen-Fitzpatrick (2.7 ppg), Owen Harms (.7 ppg) and Greg Ford (2.5 ppg) all return with experience.

Kern will be looking for several players to step up in a larger role this season and juniors Neal James, Corey Davis and Kyle Henkenius, senior Lowden Van Daele and sophomore Ahmet Toz will all be on that list of contributors.

Liberty High

Coach: Ryan Kelly (6^th season)

Assistant coaches: Luke Posivio; Brayden Adcock; Seth Schroeder; Garrett Rettig; Brian Motley; Chris Voss

Last season: 2-21

Returning starters: Jeremiah Washpun, 5-9, Jr.; Brady Randall, 6-3, Jr.; Rylen Schweitzer, 6-3, Sr.

Other returning letterwinners: Cale Baldwin, 6-3, Sr.; Chase Goodheart, 5-9, Soph.; Peyton Brooks, 5-10, Sr.; Jake Stapleton, 6-3, Sr.; Asher Kahn, 5-9, Sr.

Newcomers to watch: Brooks Anderson, 5-10, Jr.; Braden Franklin, 6-0, Sr.; Jacob Karstens, 6-2, Jr.

Top returning scorers: Jerimiah Washpun 19; Brady Randall 9

Top returning rebounders: Brady Randall 4.6; Jerimiah Washpun 4.3

Headliner: Junior point guard Jerimiah Washpun emerged as one of the top guards in the state last season when he ranked ninth in Class 4A in scoring at 19 points per game to go with 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game during a breakout sophomore season.

Keep an eye on: Senior guard Rylen Schweitzer is a candidate for a breakout season after averaging 4 points and 1.6 rebounds per game while starting 20 games last season.

Circle the date: December 12 vs. City High. The Lightning get a measuring stick type game early at home against cross-town rival City High which swept Liberty High in a pair of games last season.

Breakdown: With three returning starters Liberty High appears poised for a major step forward after a two-win season a year ago.

Washpun has emerged as one of the most dynamic point guards in the state and will direct a Liberty High squad that should have the ability to put points on the board.

Schweitzer and Randall return with starting experience along with sophomore Chase Goodheart who started six games last season as a freshman and averaged 7.9 points per game.

Cale Baldwin, Peyton Brooks and Jacob Stapleton are all candidates to see larger roles this season as Liberty High looks to have a deep rotation.

Clear Creek Amana

Coach: Brandon Clubb (9^th season)

Assistant coaches: Mark Stern; Carol Russell; Trey McAleer, Chuck Wolfe

Last season: 19-5

Returning starters: None.

Other returning letterwinners: Beckett Boeset, 6-2, Jr.; Ethan Vice, 6-2, Jr.

Newcomers to watch: Carson Meskimen, 6-1, Soph.; Avery Sorensen, 6-4, Jr.;

Top returning scorers: Beckett Boeset 5.4; Ethan Vice 1.6

Top returning rebounders: Beckett Boeset 3; Avery Sorensen .8

Headliner: Junior Beckett Boeset will look to make a major jump this season after spending the past two seasons playing a reserve role. Boeset was solid off the bench last season averaging 5.4 points, 3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game and should see those numbers soar this season.

Keep an eye on: Similar to Boeset, senior Ethan Vice is a multi-year varsity contributor looking to excel in an expanded role this season. Vice averaged 1.6 points per game last season but will be a key for an inexperienced Clipper team.

Circle the date: December 19 at Williamsburg. A new-look Clear Creek Amana team closes out a tough stretch to end the December schedule with a road game at rival Williamsburg that could provide a boost going into the holiday break.

Breakdown: Coming off a 19-5 season that included an overall WAMAC Conference title the Clippers must restock the cupboard after losing all five starters and their top six scorers from that squad.

Despite the losses there is talent returning and upcoming for veteran coach Brandon Clubb.

Boeset and Vice return with varsity experience and should excel in larger roles this season while Clubb is excited about the potential of sophomore Carson Meskimen and junior Avery Sorensen.

The Clippers have a challenging schedule early with 4A opponents Liberty High and West High before the break but should be in the thick of the WAMAC West race against this season.

Solon

Coach: Jared Galpin (6^th season)

Assistant coaches: John Harris; Sam Zoske; Elijah King

Last season: 18-6

Returning starters: Maddox Kelley, 5-10, Jr.; Grant Gordon, 6-2, Jr.

Other returning letterwinners: Simon Einwalter, 6-2, Jr.; Tanner Heims, 6-3, Sr.; Kade Hoeper, 6-1, Jr.

Newcomers to watch: Tate McCollum, 5-10, Jr.; Luke Merrick, 6-2, Soph.; Owen Bock, 6-0, Soph.

Top returning scorers: Maddox Kelley 8.7; Grant Gordon 6.8

Top returning rebounders: Maddox Kelley 3.3; Grant Gordon 3.3

Headliner: Junior guard Maddox Kelley returns as the top returning scorer and rebounder for Solon after averaging 8.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while ranking second on the team with 2.6 assists and leading the Spartans with 2.8 steals per game.

Keep an eye on: The more he played last season the better junior guard Grant Gordon player in his varsity debut season. Gordon averaged 6.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game and did his best work down the stretch and will look to build on that late-season surge this season.

Circle the date: December 16 vs. Mount Vernon. Solon hosts WAMAC conference rival Mount Vernon in the first of two regular season meetings after the teams split a pair of matchups last season.

Breakdown: Solon must replace three starters including its top two scorers from a squad that finished 18-6 and advanced to the 3A substate title game a year ago but has talent returning.

Kelley and Gordon give the Spartans a solid backcourt duo to build around while juniors Simon Einwalter (2.1) and Kade Hoeper (1.7 ppg) and senior Tanner Heims (2.9 ppg) all return with experience.

Solon will get a boost from the addition of Waukee Northwest transfer Tate McCullum and head coach Jared Galpin expects sophomores Luke Merrick and Owen Bock to earn spots in the Spartan rotation.

Regina

Coach: Paul Rundquist (3^rd season)

Assistant coaches: Dylan Klynsma; Stephen Christopherson; Tyler Craig; Eddie Peterson

Last season: 19-4

Returning starters: Drew Greve, 6-0, Sr.; Will Litton, 6-5, Jr.; Tate Wallace, 6-3, Jr.; Ben Wade, 6-9, Soph.

Other returning letterwinners: Trey Streb, 5-10, Jr.; Corbin Daniel, 5-10, Jr.

Newcomers to watch: Emmett Burke, 5-10, Sr.; Jack O’Leary, 5-10, Sr.; Miles Nuzback, 6-2, Jr.

Top returning scorers: Will Litton 16.8; Tate Wallace 16.2

Top returning rebounders: Will Litton 8.9; Tate Wallace 5.4

Headliner: The reigning River Valley Conference South Division player of the year junior Will Litton is coming off a stellar season in which he averaged 16.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

Keep an eye on: Junior Tate Wallace joins Litton to give the Regals one of the best post duos in Class 2A. Wallace averaged 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game last season while shooting 58 percent from the floor.

Circle the date: December 13 at Solon. An early season test for the Regals comes on the road against Class 3A Solon after the Spartans defeated Regina 66-56 last season in Iowa City.

Breakdown: With four starters returning from a team that won 19 games and advanced to the 2A substate semifinals Regina is seeking a second state tournament trip in the past three seasons.

Litton and Wallace headline a strong group of returners that includes senior point guard Drew Greve who averaged 9.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, a team-high 5.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game last season.

Sophomore Ben Wade, a 6-foot-9 forward, returns after averaging 4.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots per game as a freshman.

Juniors Trey Streb (1 ppg) and Corbin Daniel will seek to take on bigger roles this season along with transfers Miles Nuzback, Jack O’Leary and Emmett Burke.

Nuzback averaged 6.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game last season at Carroll and Burke averaged 15.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2.9 steals per game last season at Lone Tree.

West Branch

Coach: Kaleb Duwa (1^st season)

Assistant coaches: Cooper Kabela; Grant Meth

Last season: 11-13

Returning starters: Jayden Harris, 5-10, Sr.; Brandon Pedersen, 6-2, Sr.; Brennen Dale, 6-1, Sr.

Other returning letterwinners: Lincoln Naber, 6-3, Sr.; Michael Montgomery, 6-4, Sr.

Newcomers to watch: Cody Maddux, 5-10, Jr.; Sawyer Jeffries, 6-1, Jr.; McGavin Smith, 6-0, Jr.; Bryce Anderson, 6-2, Jr.; Grayson Johnson, 6-2, Sr.

Top returning scorers: Jayden Harris 18.8; Brandon Pedersen 10

Top returning rebounders: Brandon Pedersen 4.6; Brennen Dale 4.6

Headliner: Senior point guard Jayden Harris emerged as one of the best players in the River Valley Conference last season averaging 18.8 points, 2.5 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game a will look to build on that with another stellar season.

Keep an eye on: Senior Brandon Pedersen showed flashes of impressive talent last season when he averaged 10 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1 assists per game while shooting 42 percent from the floor and making 30 3-pointers.

Circle the date: December 16 vs. Regina. The Bears host defending RVC South Division champion Regina in a key pre-holiday RVC clash.

Breakdown: Former assistant coach Kaleb Duwa takes over for Jason Kern as the head coach and inherits a talented roster capable of battling for a RVC South Division title.

Harris and Pedersen return to give the Bears one of the top backcourt combos in the conference and senior guard Brennen Dale returns with two years of starting experience.

Dale averaged 5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game last season and is poised for a strong senior season.

Seniors Lincoln Naber and Michael Montgomery give the Bears a post presence after combining to average 7.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game last season.

The talent is in place for West Branch to soar past its 11 wins from last season and the Bears could be a factor in the RVC South Division race down to the wire.

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