Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Following the holiday break in December area basketball teams have gotten another short break in action this month courtesy of mother nature.

A winter storm that brought snow and then cold temperatures to the area has brought basketball action to a relative standstill over the past few days.

The short break offers an early opportunity to reset the season for the boys basketball teams in the Your Prep Sports area as we approach the midway point of the year.

West High

Record: 8-1

Ranking: Class 4A No. 8

How’d it get here: West High opened the season winning four consecutive games by an average of 20 points and has four in a row following its only loss of the season, a 76-63 setback at 4A No. 10 Linn-Mar on December 15.

Who is standing out: Junior forward Jack McCaffery continues to build on his reputation as one of the best overall players and most difficult matchups in the state. The 6-foot-8 McCaffery leads the Trojans in scoring (16.8), rebounds (7.7), assists (3.7) and blocked shots (2.4).

Who has stepped up: A three-year starter, senior guard Jacob Koch has simply elevated his game to a different level this season. Koch is averaging career-highs in points (15), rebounds (3.7), assists (2.3) and steals (2.2) while shooting 53 percent from the floor including 50 percent (22-44) from 3-point range.

Stat that stands out: West High has five players averaging between 7.3 and 16.8 points in McCaffery (16.8), Koch (15), Julian Manson (11.2), Kareem Earl (10.3) and TaeVeon Stevens (7.3).

Best win: The most recent victory for West High was also the best win of the year for the Trojans, a 57-55 home win over West Des Moines Dowling (5-5) on January 6.

Next game: Friday vs. 4A No. 10 Linn-Mar (6-4)

Toughest remaining game: February 6 vs. 4A top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy (9-0)

What’s next: West High will return to action for the first time since January 6 when it hosts Linn-Mar on Friday. The rematch with the Lions begins a seven-game stretch for West High that features cross-town road games against City High and Liberty High and home games with ranked teams Cedar Falls (January 27) and Cedar Rapids Kennedy (February 6).

City High

Record: 3-6

Ranking: Not ranked

How’d it get here: City High has lost six straight games following its first 3-0 start since 2009 with four losses to teams currently over .500 during that stretch. The Little Hawks have losses to ranked teams Dubuque Senior and West High along with a loss to 7-3 Davenport West.

Who is standing out: Junior point guard Trey Wright is well on his way to his best season leading the Little Hawks in scoring (10.9) assists (3.3 assists) and steals (1.7) all career highs, to go with 3 rebounds per game.

Who has stepped up: Senior forward Kristian Freeman has emerged as an important defender and rebounder for the Little Hawks in his first season as a starter. The 6-foot Freeman is averaging 4.9 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds including 3.3 offensive rebounds per game.

Stat that stands out: City High scored at least 61 points in every game during its 3-0 start but has scored more than 60 points just once during its six-game losing skid.

Best win: City High outscored Marion 38-17 in the second half of a 62-38 win over the Wolves on December 4. The only other losses for Marion (6-3) this season are to unbeaten teams in 4A top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy and 3A fourth-ranked Solon.

Next game: January 16 at 4A ninth-ranked Cedar Falls (6-2).

Toughest remaining game: February 9 at 4A top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy (9-0)

What’s next: City High will play its first game in 11 days when it travels to Cedar Falls on Tuesday and follows with a home game against Western Dubuque (5-5) on January 18 and a road trip to Liberty High (3-5) on January 19. City High has four games remaining with ranked teams, hosting Linn-Mar and West High and traveling to Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

Liberty High

Record: 3-5

Ranking: Not ranked.

How’d it get here: Liberty High got off to a solid 3-2 start with wins over Western Dubuque and City High and losses to sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and eighth-ranked West High. Since the 3-2 start the Lightning have lost three in a row to 4A top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy and defending state runners-up Cedar Rapids Xavier and Waukee Northwest.

Who is standing out: Senior forward Cooper Webb has emerged as an impact player on both ends of the court averaging career-highs of 8.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

Who has stepped up: Freshman point guard Jerimiah Washpun seems to get better every game and is quickly becoming a key playmaker in the Lightning backcourt. Washpun is averaging 6.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 45 percent (9-20) from 3-point range.

Stat that stands out: Senior forward Gage Kampman ranks fourth in Class 4A averaging 2.5 blocked shots per game.

Best win: Liberty High extended its winning streak over City High to four with a 57-48 road win over the Little Hawks on December 15.

Next game: Tuesday at 4A No. 10 Linn-Mar (6-4)

Toughest remaining game: January 29 vs. 4A third-ranked Dubuque Senior (9-0)

What’s next: A rugged schedule doesn’t lighten up any time soon as the Lightning embark on a seven-game stretch that features four games against ranked teams along with games with City High and Cedar Rapids Xavier. The good news for the Lightning is all four ranked opponents in that stretch come to North Liberty. Liberty High hosts Linn-Mar, Cedar Falls (January 23), Dubuque Senior and West High (February 2).

Clear Creek Amana

Record: 4-5

Ranking: Not ranked.

How’d it get here: Clear Creek Amana opened the season with back-to-back losses to 4A teams West High and Liberty High but has gone 4-3 since with losses to 3A fourth-ranked Solon, No. 10 Mount Vernon and a two-point loss at Benton Community.

Who is standing out: Junior Andrew Rotzoll has taken a large step forward in his second varsity season leading the Clippers in scoring at 16.6 points per game while shooting 48 percent (23-48) from 3-point range to go with 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.9 assists per game.

Who has stepped up: Senior point guard Haiden Hardy has rounded out his all-around game and is filling the stat sheet as well as anyone in the WAMAC Conference averaging 15 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

Stat that stands out: Clear Creek Amana is allowing 71.6 points per game in five losses and is holding opponents to 46.3 points per game in four wins.

Best win: Clear Creek Amana controlled the game from the outset, scoring 46 first-half points in a 78-50 win over Independence (5-4) on December 5.

Next game: Tuesday at South Tama (2-7)

Toughest remaining game: January 19 at Williamsburg (5-2)

What’s next: With just one of its next four games against a team with a winning record an opportunity to gain momentum is waiting for Clear Creek Amana. After a home game with South Tama the Clippers face road trips to rival Williamsburg (5-2), Indianola (0-8) and Vinton-Shellsburg (1-6) before a rematch with Benton Community.

Solon

Record: 10-0

Ranking: Class 3A No. 4

How’d it get here: One of only two remaining unbeaten teams in Class 3A, Solon has won 10 straight games to open the season including three in a row in January. The Spartans have scored at least 70 points five times and have had just two games decided by fewer than nine points.

Who is standing out: An all-stater last season, senior guard Jake Benzing continues to play at a high level leading the Spartans in scoring (18.6) and rebounding (5.6) while shooting 50 percent from the field and averaging 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Who has stepped up: Senior guard Vince Steinbrech has emerged as a solid second option alongside Benzing and ranks second on the team in scoring with 13.5 points and leads the Spartans with 3 assists and 2.4 steals per game.

Stat that stands out: Solon has outscored opponents by an averaging of 17.6 points per game, the fifth highest point differential in 3A.

Best win: Solon held off Grinnell (8-2) 73-64 on December 8 and that win continues to get better as the Tigers have won five in a row including a road win at Williamsburg.

Next game: Tuesday against Class 3A No. 10 Mount Vernon (9-2)

Toughest remaining game: January 23 at Marion (6-3).

What’s next: After returning to action on Tuesday against rival Mount Vernon the Spartans have back-to-back road trips to Independence (5-4) and Marion (6-3). Seven of the final 11 games for Solon come against teams currently above .500 including two contests with Mount Vernon and a January 27 home game against Regina (10-2).

Regina

Record: 10-2

Ranking: Not ranked.

How’d it get here: Regina opened the season with back-to-back losses to Class 3A opponents Maquoketa and Benton Community and has rattled off 10 consecutive win since. The Regals are 6-0 against River Valley South Division competition and has won those games by an average of 17.5 points per game.

Who is standing out: Senior guard Michael Martin has been outstanding this season averaging a team-high 18.3 points to go with 4.8 rebounds and two steals per game.

Who has stepped up: Freshman Tate Wallace has provided an immediate boost for the Regals ranking second on the team in points (10.8) and rebounds (4.9) per game to go with 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals.

Stat that stands out: Regina has allowed more than 50 points just twice and is holding teams to 46.1 points per game during its 10-game winning streak.

Best win: Regina took an early lead in the RVC South Division race with a 58-50 win at West Branch (8-4) on December 12.

Next game: Thursday at Durant (0-12)

Toughest remaining game: January 27 at Class 3A fourth-ranked Solon (10-0)

What’s next: Regina’s road trip to Wilton on Tuesday has been postponed due to the weather so the Regals will get back in action on Thursday at winless Durant. The Regals have their toughest stretch of the season coming up starting with a matchup with 2A third-ranked Monticello (10-0) at the RVC Shootout at Maquoketa on January 20. A road trip to Tipton (4-6), a home rematch with West Branch (8-4) and the trip to Solon (10-0) follow.

West Branch

Record: 8-4

Ranking: Not ranked.

How’d it get here: West Branch has won four of its last five games after a 4-3 start to the season that included losses to teams with a combined record of 30-2. The lone loss for West Branch during its last three games was at Camanche (3-6) but the Bears have won two straight over Cascade (5-3) and Wilton (6-4).

Who is standing out: Senior point guard Holden Arnaman continues to play at an all-state level leading the Bears in scoring (23.2) and assists (4.3) while shooting 51 percent from the field including 54 percent (50-92) from 3-point range.

Who has stepped up: Senior forward Reese Trepanier continues to improve and is averaging 16.7 points, 9.5 rebounds. 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 52 percent from the field.

Stat that stands out: West Branch leads Class 2A in 3-point shooting, connecting at a 42.9 percent clip from beyond the arc.

Best win: West Branch handed Cascade (5-3) just its third loss of the season with a 63-58 victory on January 4. The other two losses for the Cougars were a four-point loss to 2A third-ranked Monticello and a six-point loss to 4A Dubuque Hempstead.

Next game: Tuesday at Mid-Prairie (4-5)

Toughest remaining game: January 28 against 2A No. 7 Pella Christian (7-2)

What’s next: The road trip to Mid-Prairie on Tuesday starts a challenging string of five consecutive road games for West Branch. The Bears have road games at Lisbon (8-4), Maquoketa (6-3), West Liberty (3-6) and Regina (10-2) before returning home to face seventh-ranked Pella Christian.

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