Winter Sports Preview - 2016

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW Thursday, November 17, 2016 | wcfcourier.com | SECTION C

METRO BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Next wave of local stars ready to shine

Metro teams poised to make some noise this season

COURIER FILE PHOTO‌

Waterloo West’s Tahya Campbell heads toward the basket as Cedar Rapids Washington’s Joniqua Clark defends last season.

DOUG NEWHOFF

doug.newhoff@wcfcourier.com‌

Individually, several of the ‌ state’s top high school boys’ basketball players lit up the scoreboards in Waterloo and Cedar Falls last season.

Tim Doering was sensational at Waterloo Christian on his way to the top of the school’s career scoring list. Isaiah Wade jumped into the Waterloo East program and gave the Trojans’ opponents fits. Tra’Von Fagan teamed with A.J. Green to give Cedar Falls a potent 1-2 punch on the way to the state tournament. Joe Duggan and Teion Sales shined through a difficult season for Waterloo Columbus. Amel Kuljuhovic and Gabe Pepin provided plenty of highlights for Waterloo West.

Most of those players have moved on, several to college programs.

Now, as the 2016-17 season nears, it’s what they see collectively that has the metro area’s coaches excited.

At West, head coach Cliff Berinobis has just two returning players from last year’s 6-16 squad.

“We’re going to be really young as far as who we’re putting on the floor,” says Berinobis. “We graduated eight seniors who played most of the minutes. But I’m really anxious to see what’s going to happen this year. We’ve got a lot of kids and a tremendous group of young kids.”

Waterloo East coach Steve McGraw is cautiously optimistic, as well, as the Trojans try to take the next step from a .500 season.

“I think we made strides in understanding what we needed to do to get better, and hopefully that continues this year,” notes McGraw.

At Columbus, coach Ben Barnett’s team won just two games a year ago, but gained some valuable experience while competing in one of the unforgiving North Iowa Cedar League.

“Last year was the first year for a lot of them in terms of getting any meaningful varsity minutes,” Barnett points out. “I think they come back this year with more growth and an understanding of just how hard it is. This summer they had some of their most aggressive workouts, and I think the kids are really ready to sink their teeth into the season.”

Cedar Falls won’t have Fagan

METRO GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Girls teams leaning on experience Cedar Falls, West return key players from a year ago NICK PETAROS

nick.petaros@wcfcourier.com‌

TIFFANY RUSHING, COURIER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER‌

Waterloo East’s Ja’Cee Clark, right, pressures Oelwein’s Hunter Logan, left, during a game at East last season. creating havoc on the block, but the Tigers return Green and a handful of other veterans and will add some promising sophomores to the mix.

“We definitely lost a couple of key guys we will miss, but we’re pretty excited about who we have back, too,” says coach Ryan Schultz.

New coaches take over at Waterloo Christian in Lucas Segerstrom and at Valley Lutheran in Brad Hamlyn.

Cedar Falls‌

Any team that builds around a player like 6-foot-2 guard A.J. Green (17.8 ppg, 47.3 percent 3-point shooter) is in a good place. The uncommitted Division I recruit is just a junior, but he’s already got two seasons of varsity basketball under his belt.

The Tigers also return starter Isaiah Johnson (6.0 ppg), along with Ben Gerdes, Luke Loecher and Daniel Martinson. Schultz is also looking forward to seeing

how sophomores Logan Wolf, Jackson Frericks and Reese Gardner fit in.

“We have some experience at the guards, but we’ll have to ask some guys to step up as far as our bigs are concerned,” says Schultz.

“We’ve kind of got to feel out what we have. Guys change so much year to year, we have to find out what their strengths are. We try to form the system around our guys and not try to form our guys around the system.”

Treyshawn Labeaux, who averaged 10 points per game for Cedar Falls as a sophomore last season, has reportedly transferred to Waterloo West.

Waterloo East‌

McGraw sees a lot to like on COURIER FILE PHOTO‌ his roster of returning players, starting with Ja’Cee Clark (4.5 Waterloo West’s Carondis Harrisppg, 3.4 apg), Raheem Nick- Anderson, right, and Cedar Falls’ elson (9.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and Taylen Alexander chase after a loose ball during a game last Please see METRO BOYS, Page C2 season.

‌A familiar cast returns for Cedar Falls and Waterloo West girls’ basketball teams looking to build on strong finishes from this past season. In total, five of the six metro squads bring back the core of their teams from a year ago.

Cedar Falls found the most success of the group.

Despite the graduation of allstate guard Emma Gerdes, Cedar Falls returns nine letterwinners from a 22-3 team that reached the Class 5A state semifinals. Guard Ally Conrad started on each of the Tigers’ past two state-qualifying squads and headlines a large senior class.

“Emma was a great leader for our team last year,” Cedar Falls head coach Gregg Groen said.

“This year, we’re going to have seven seniors on the team. Hopefully, some of those kids will step into that role Emma had last year as a senior, and they can lead the same way she did to continue to help push this team forward.”

Juniors Kiana Barney, a UNI women’s basketball commit who played in the past two state tournaments, and Cynthia Wolf, a 6-foot-3 center who also was an impact player on the state finalist volleyball team, are also valuable weapons. Barney averaged 10.9 points a game last season and Wolf averaged 10.4 points and 7.2 rebounds. Both were also tough defenders.

“It’s a big step from that sophomore to junior year, not only playing ability but leadership ability,” Groen said. “I think those two are really going to step up and mature. I’m excited to see Please see METRO GIRLS, Page C4

METRO WRESTLING

Under construction: Local teams building Coaches strive to restore teams’ winning culture JIM NELSON

jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com‌

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‌Long-time coach Jay Llewellyn of Waterloo East will enter the 2016-17 wrestling season as the dean of coaches in the metro area.

Denny Boleyn, in his second season at Waterloo Columbus, has the next-longest tenure.

Cedar Falls and Waterloo West will both be under first-year head coaches this season, although both individuals are familiar names to the metro wrestling community.

Ethan Wiechmann has been a longtime assistant at Cedar Falls and will serve as the Tigers’ interim head coach this season with a pair of more familiar names assisting him — former Tiger two-time state champion Michael Kelly and four-time state champion Nick Moore.

“The biggest thing is trying to create some excitement around the program,” Wiechmann said.

“We’ve got to create a culture of we are going to work hard, take pride in what we do and have fun.”

Taking over at Waterloo West is former Northern Iowa fourtime NCAA qualifier Alex Dolly.

“Expectations ... I think the biggest thing is convincing the kids in this school that it can be

done,” Dolly said. “Look at the football team and what they did this year. We’ve got to get the kids in this school convinced that we can become relevant again with the kids we have in this school.”

Cedar Falls‌

The Tigers return state qualifier Bryce Pilcher, who figures to be at either 170 or 182. Pilcher went 1-2 at 170 at last year’s state tournament with a two-point loss to the eventual state runner-up and a one-point loss to the wrestler who finished seventh.

BRANDON POLLOCK, COURIER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER‌ “One of the things I appreciate about Bryce most is the West Des Moines Valley’s Austin Stotts tries to push off Cedar Falls’ Bryce Pilcher during their 170-pound consolation match at last year’s state Please see WRESTLING, Page C7 tournament.

2016-17 Winter Sports Preview

C2 | Thursday, November 17, 2016

The Courier

Metro boys From C1

Tyus Phillips.

“I think we’ve got a really good point guard in Ja’Cee Clark,” says McGraw. “He won’t surprise the coaching staff, but I think he’ll surprise other people with how good a player he is. He makes everybody else better around him.

“Another kid who will probably have a really, really good year is Raheem Nickelson. He started last year as a junior. And Tyus Phillips will be a lot better this year. He’s 6-7, 230 or 240. We’ve never been blessed at East with a lot of size, but he fits that bill of being a true big guy. He’s a very intelligent kid who just needs to listen and believe.”

Behind those three veterans are another seven players who saw varsity action a year ago and some sophomore and freshman talent that could help.

It may take a few weeks for the Trojans to hit their stride.

“We have some guys who won’t be with us until after Christmas, and that’s always a concern,” notes McGraw. “Some of them haven’t figured out yet that they’ve got to MATTHEW PUTNEY, COURIER PHOTO EDITOR‌ be students first and basketball players second.”

Waterloo Columbus’ Joe Duggan, right, clears the ball over Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s Josh Cooley during a game last season.

Waterloo West‌

The Wahawks may be rebuilding, but they’ve got a construction crew like few others.

Junior Carondis Harris-Anderson is the top returnee (8.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.4 apg).

“I’m looking for big things from him this year,” says Berinobis.

“He’s starting to blossom and I think he’ll have a big year. Then we’ve got a tremendous group of young kids in the freshman class coming in and we’ve got to see where they fit in.”

West will also get a boost from the return of Devon Moore, who missed last season while recovering from a broken leg. In addition, Carlton Todd transferred over from Waterloo East, and

Treyshawn LaBeaux may join the program after leaving Cedar Falls High.

Berinobis really likes what Moore and Todd will bring to the team.

“I totally expect Devon and Carlton to bring that football attitude to our basketball team with their leadership and winning attitude,” he offers. “I really look for them to do positive things for us.”

Overall, it will be a team deep in talent.

“We could easily play 10 or 12 kids this year,” said Berinobis.

“If we dress 14 or 15 kids, there would not be much dropoff after the first eight, but we will stress that those guys have to earn their minutes.”

Waterloo Columbus‌

Duggan (13.8 ppg, 38 percent 3-point shooter) and Sales (17 ppg) give Columbus a good combination, but there are plenty of other Sailors ready to help the program take a quantum leap.

“Teion, if he was 6-2 he would be getting recruited by a lot of DI schools,” says Barnett. “He’s quick, he’s a good ball-handler, he’s a feisty defensive player, he has a knack for where the ball is going and he’s a good all-around person and natural leader. The same for Joe. He has great basketball instincts.”

Trey Plunkett adds size and athleticism inside (6-3, 250, 5.1 ppg). Henry Walters, Kyle Boe, Dylan Gantois, Alex Rhomberg

and Tanner Friedly are a year older and more experienced.

Barnett is also excited about sophomores Tristan Wright, Ben Leibold and Alex Zike.

“We’ve got some talented sophomores who have really made strides and progress,” says Barnett. “It’s a good young nucleus coming up and we’ll have to see what they’ve got going on.

“Our league is unforgiving. If you don’t bring your ‘A’ game to any of these games, you’re not going to come away with much.”

Waterloo Christian‌

Segerstrom returns to his alma mater to take over the program where he once played. He’ll be working with a young team and

just two veterans who saw significant action in Luke Zwack (11.0 ppg) and Ethan VanSickle.

“We have a young team, but we are looking forward to the challenge ahead of us, and our goal is to get better every day,” says Segerstrom.

Valley Lutheran‌

The Crusaders will rebuild following the graduation of standouts Blake Carlson (15.6 ppg), David Stone (11.9 ppg) and Eber White (5.1 ppg, 10.4 rpg). Four letterwinners return in Joshua Hamlyn, Trey Berger, Owen Dawson and Ryley Hindman.

“We are going back to the basics,” notes Brad Hamlyn. “I just want to play as a team.”

Metro capsules, schedules

Cedar Falls‌ HEAD COACH: Ryan Schultz 2015-16 RECORD: 20-6 RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (8): A.J. Green, Isaiah Johnson, Ben Gerdes, Luke Loecher, Daniel Martinson, Jacob Lentzkow, Aaron Smoldt, Addison Pace.

2016-17 schedule Nov. 22—at Metro Jamboree, Columbus, TBD, Nov. 29— Crestwood, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 3—at Breakdownsports Inv. (vs. Hopkins, Minn.), 3:45 p.m., Dec. 9—Iowa City High, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 13—at Cedar Rapids Prairie, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 16—at Waterloo West, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 20— Dubuque Wahlert, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 3—at Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 6—Waterloo East, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 7—Indianola, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 10—Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 13—at Dubuque Senior, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 20—Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 24— Linn-Mar, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 27— at Iowa City West, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 31—at Cedar Rapids Xavier, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 3—Waterloo West, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 4—Waverly-Shell Rock, 6:30 p.m., Feb. 7—at Dubuque Wahlert, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 10—at Waterloo East, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 14—Dubuque Hempstead, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 16—at Cedar Rapids Washington, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 20—Class 4A substate, TBD, 7 p.m.

Kalen Burt, Tymaine Beaman, Marrio Wright, Tyreek Green, Tyrese Nickelson, Jordan Jackson.

Raheem Nickelson, Alijah Muhammad, Jovahn Holmes, Tyus 2016-17 schedule Phillips, Nov. 19—at West Delaware Martekas Hall of Pride scrimmage, Nov. Matlock, 22—at Metro Jamboree, CoJoseph lumbus, TBD. Putman, Ramon Dec. 9—Waterloo East, Harrington.

7:30 p.m., Dec. 13—Cedar Rapids Xavier, 7:30 p.m., 2016-17 schedule Dec. 16—Cedar Falls, Nov. 22—at Metro Jamboree, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 17—CrestColumbus, Nov. 29—Waverwood, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 20—at ly-Shell Rock, 7:30 p.m.

Dubuque Senior, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 3—Burlington, 5 p.m., Jan. 6—Iowa City High, Dec. 5—at Oelwein, 7:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., Jan. 7—at Union Dec. 9—at Waterloo West, Community, 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., Dec. 13—at Jan. 10—Dubuque Wahlert, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 13—at Cedar 7:30 p.m., Dec. 16—Iowa Rapids Jefferson, 7:30 p.m., City West, 7:30 p.m., Dec. Jan. 17—at Waverly-Shell 17—at Cedar Rapids WashRock, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 20—at ington, 6:30 p.m., Dec. Cedar Rapids Washing20—at Dubuque Hempstead, ton, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 21—at 7:30 p.m.

Decorah, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 24—Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Jan. 6—at Cedar Falls, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 27—at Wa7:30 p.m., Jan. 10—Cedar terloo East, 7:30 p.m., Jan. Rapids Xavier, 7:30 p.m., 31—at Dubuque Hempstead, Jan. 13—Cedar Rapids Prai7:30 p.m. rie, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 14—at Waukon, 3 p.m., Jan. 20—at Feb. 3—at Cedar Falls, Dubuque Wahlert, 7:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., Feb. 4—at Fort Jan. 24—Cedar Rapids Dodge, 6:30 p.m., Feb. 7— Washington, 7:30 p.m., Jan. Dubuque Senior, 7:30 p.m., 27—Waterloo West, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 10—at Iowa City West, Jan. 31—at Linn-Mar, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 14—at Cedar 7:30 p.m.

Rapids Prairie, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 16—Linn-Mar, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 3—at Iowa City High, Feb. 20—Class 4A substate, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 7—Dubuque TBD. Hempstead, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 10—Cedar Falls, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 14—at Cedar Rapids

Waterloo East‌

HEAD COACH: Steve McGraw 2015-16 RECORD: 12-12 RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (10): Juwon Bradford, Ja’Cee Clark, Tyree Reed,

Denver

Kennedy, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 16— Dubuque Senior, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 20—Class 4A substate, TBD.

Waterloo Columbus‌ HEAD COACH: Ben Barnett 2015-16 RECORD: 2-21 RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (8): Teion Sales, Joe Duggan, Dylan Gantois, Kyle Boe, Tanner Friedly, Henry Walters, Alex Rhomberg, Trey Plunkett.

2016-17 schedule Nov. 22—Metro Jamboree, TBD. Dec. 2—at Hudson, 7:45 p.m., Dec. 6—Denver, 7:45 p.m., Dec. 9—at Union Community, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 13—at Wapsie Valley, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 16—at Aplington-Parkersburg, 7:45 p.m., Dec. 17—at NICL Shootout (vs. Wapsie Valley), 4 p.m., Dec. 20—BCLUW, 7:45 p.m., Dec. 22—at Don Bosco, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 3—at Jesup, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 6—Sumner-Fredericksburg, 7:45 p.m., Jan. 10—DikeNew Hartford, 7:45 p.m, Jan. 12—at Gladbrook-Reinbeck, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 13—Hudson, 7:45 p.m., Jan. 17—at Denver, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 20—Union

Waverly

Waterloo West‌ HEAD COACH: Cliff Berinobis 2015-16 RECORD: 6-16 RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (8): Carondis Harris-Anderson, Devon Moore,

Community, 7:45 p.m., Jan. 24—Wapsie Valley, 7:45 p.m., Jan. 27—Aplington-Parkersburg, 7:45 p.m., Jan. 30—at East Marshall, 7:45 p.m.

Feb. 2—Jesup, 7:45 p.m., Feb. 3—at Sumner-Fredericksburg, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 7—at Dike-New Hartford, 7:45 p.m.

Waterloo Christian‌ HEAD COACH: Lucas Segerstrom 2015-16 RECORD: 12-10 RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (2): Luke Zwack, Ethan Van Sickle 2016-17 schedule Nov. 29—at Meskwaki Settlement School, 8 p.m.

Dec. 2—North Tama, 8 p.m., Dec. 3—at CAL, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 6—Valley Lutheran, 8 p.m., Dec. 8—BCLUW, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 9—at GMG, 8 p.m., Dec. 13—at Colo-Nesco, 8 p.m., Dec. 16—at Tripoli, 8 p.m., Dec. 20—at Riceville, 8 p.m.

24—Clarksville, 8 p.m., Jan. 31—GMG, 8 p.m.

Feb. 3—at North Tama, 8 p.m., Feb. 4—Cedar Valley Christian, 4:30 p.m., Feb. 7—at Don Bosco, 8 p.m.

Valley Lutheran‌ HEAD COACH: Brad Hamlyn 2015-16 RECORD: 4-15 RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (4): Joshua Hamlyn, Owen Dawson, Trey Berger, Ryley Hindman.

2016-17 schedule Nov. 21—at North Linn Jamboree, Nov. 29— North Tama, 8 p.m.

Dec. 2—at CAL, 8 p.m., Dec. 3—Clarksville, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 6—at Waterloo Christian, 8 p.m., Dec. 9—Riceville, 8 p.m., Dec. 10—Central City, 5 p.m., Dec. 13—at Tripoli, 8 p.m., Dec. 16—Meskwaki Settlement School, 8 p.m., Dec. 20—at Don Bosco, 8 p.m.

Jan. 3—at Dunkerton, 8 p.m., Jan. 6—Janesville, 8 p.m., Jan. 7—at Clarksville, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 10—CAL, 8 p.m., Jan. 17— Tripoli, 8 p.m., Jan. 20—GMG, 8 p.m., Jan. 24—at Colo-Nesco, 8 p.m., Jan. 26—Postville, 8 p.m., Jan. 31—at Janesville, 8 p.m.

Jan. 3—at West Central, 8 p.m., Jan. 6—Don Bosco, 8 p.m., Jan. 7—at Central City, 4:30 p.m., Jan. 10—Janesville, 8 p.m., Jan. 13—Meskwaki SetFeb. 3—at Riceville, 8 p.m., tlement School, 8 p.m., Jan. Feb. 7—Dunkerton, 8 p.m., 17—Colo-Nesco, 8 p.m., Jan. 20—at Dunkerton, 8 p.m., Jan. Feb. 9—at BCLUW, 6 p.m.

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2016-17 WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

The Courier

Thursday, November 17, 2016 | C3

AREA BOYS’ BASKETBALL

NE Iowa has plenty of star power Area teams coming off stellar 2015-16 season DOUG NEWHOFF

doug.newhoff@wcfcourier.com‌

‌Northeast Iowa enjoyed a great boys’ basketball season a year ago.

Dike-New Hartford went 25-1 and didn’t lose until the Class 2A state tournament. Gladbrook-Reinbeck put together a 24-4 season that included a win over 22-4 Jesup in the 1A state tourney. Janesville was 21-4, Aplington-Parkersburg went 18-4, Osage finished 20-5 with an opening-round loss at state, Waverly-Shell Rock was 18-6, AGWSR went 17-7 ...

With many of the key players from those teams returning and a wealth of talented young players whose time has come, the 2016-17 season could be even better.

Consider the North Iowa Cedar League.

In the West Division, Gladbrook-Reinbeck will be favored.

Class 1A player of the year Joe Smoldt has been keeping opposing coaches up at night for the past three years, and he’s back for one more run at a state championship.

Only one returning player in the state — Jay Small of Hinton — averaged more points per game last season than Smoldt’s 25.3.

Overall, the Upper Iowa University recruit led the state with 708 points a year ago. The sharpshooting guard connected on 43 percent of his 222 attempts from 3-point range and contributed 4.8 assists and 2.9 steals per contest.

“It starts with Joe Smoldt,” notes G-R head coach Scott Kiburis. “He’s just an excellent player. He’s constantly working on his game and improving during the offseason mornings and evenings.

It’s fun to watch him work at his game.

“He’s working with a lot of our younger kids on their own time, which is awesome to see. He has become a true leader.”

The Rebels suffered one setback when leading rebounder Tyler Pierce (7.3 points per game) suffered a torn ACL early last summer.

He’s out until at least midseason.

On the other hand, Kiburis does return regulars Matt Roeding (7.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and Caden Kickbush (5.2 ppg), while Thomas Mussig, Mason Skovgard, Walker Thede and Jackson Kiburis are varsity veterans ready to step into larger

COURIER FILE PHOTO‌

Waverly-Shell Rock’s Austin Phyfe, right, works against Dubuque Wahlert’s Sage Maiers during a substate game last season.

KEVIN E. SCHMIDT PHOTOS, QUAD-CITY TIMES

Joe Smoldt of Gladbrook-Reinbeck looks for a way past Jesup’s Kyle DeBerg during the state tournament last March. roles.

AGWSR is another team to be reckoned with again in the NICL West. The Cougars return one of the league’s top players in Nathan Karsjens (16.9 ppg), as well as Jay Janssen (9.1 ppg) and Mason Eilderts (6.6 ppg).

Then there’s the NICL East. Top to bottom, it’s loaded with quality players and quality teams.

Dike-New Hartford returns five senior letterwinners who played extensively, including third-year starters Ben Latusek (10.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and Connor Blough (10.5 ppg) and talented Royce Weber.

The Wolverines also welcome a talented group of juniors who enjoyed plenty of success last year as sophomores.

The players who filled reserve roles last season know what it takes to play at a high level.

“We probably had as good of practices some days as the games we played because of the competitiveness we had,” points out head coach Greg Moore. “They got challenged each day at practice and just got better.”

Jesup coach Joe Smeins lost

seven seniors who were integral to the J-Hawks’ success last season, but will reload around returning starters Ethan Wyant (18.3 ppg), Tyler Lienau (13.7 ppg) and Drew Schmit (8.7 ppg).

“We return an all-state point guard (Wyant), an all-district player (Lienau) and an all-conference player (Schmit),” notes Smeins, whose team will move up to Class 2A this season. “That’s a really good place to start.

“Defensively, we need to find those one or two guys who we can match up on somebody, and rebounding will be a concern.”

Aplington-Parkersburg is positioned for another strong season, as well. The Falcons graduated an outstanding senior class, but bring back three starters in Cade Alberts (12.5 ppg, 41 percent 3-point shooter, team-best 38 steals), sophomore Carter Cuvelier (9.6 ppg, 49 percent 3-point shooter, 5.0 rpg) and junior Coby Hoff, along with Alec Oberhauser, who came on late in the season.

“One key for us is we will have to make shots,” says head coach Aaron Thomas. “It’ll be the first

time in a lot of years that we dont have a true, big post player in the middle. We’ll have to rebound the basketball. And last year was a very good season, but we were not as good defensively as the year prior when we went to the state tournament. That’s something we need to get better at every day all year long.”

Any team that rises to the top in the NICL will be a force to reckon with on the postseason trail. In fact, there isn’t a team in the league that isn’t mentioned by most of the coaches as both improved and formidable.

“Arguably, top to bottom, I think our league might be even better this year,” says Jesup’s Smeins. “Even when we cross over to the West, it’s a tough night. It’s a great league, and last year it really prepared us. It only makes us all better. It’s a great advantage for all the teams in our league.”

Outside the NICL, several other teams figure to be among the best in their leagues and their classes.

Osage lost its two leading scorers, but returns the next five and eight letterwinners, six of whom

saw extensive action for last year’s 20-5 Green Devils. Drew Olson is the top returning scorer (11.5 ppg), while Lucas Schwamman (7.4), Nathan Bushbaum (6.0) and Ben Grimm (4.5) were key contributors.

Waverly-Shell Rock has a strong tradition of success, and that is likely to continue. The Go-Hawks return 6-foot-9, twotime all-stater and University of Northern Iowa signee Austin Phyfe (13.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.0 blocks per game) in the frontcourt and a veteran backcourt featuring second-team all-conference starter John Stensland (7.7 ppg, 42 percent 3-point shooter), Jackson Little and Luke Velky, who worked his way into the varsity rotation as a freshman last season.

“I really like this team coming back,” says coach Nate Steege, who will add more talent from a junior class that went 17-3 a year ago and a sophomore group that was 18-3 as freshmen.

“We’ve been very fortunate,” notes Steege. “This last year, we had two really good groups. Those incoming juniors have had a lot of success along the way and there are a lot of pieces there that will be very helpful this year. The sophomore group went 18-3 as freshmen without their best player, Luke Velky, who played varsity and with Mosai Newsom (6-foot-6 forward) playing with them only half the time.” Let the games begin.

AREA GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Waverly-Shell Rock has chip on its shoulder Gut-wrenching loss in regional final drives Go-Hawks NICK PETAROS

nick.petaros@wcfcourier.com‌

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A gut-wrenching end ‌ to the 2015-16 basketball season gave Waverly-Shell Rock girls’ basketball coach Greg Bodensteiner a glimpse into the future. It’s a bright outlook for a GoHawks squad that figures to be one of area’s strongest this upcoming season.

With two of his top players out with injury, Bodensteiner couldn’t help but take pride in the resolve his team displayed in its most recent game. It took Mason City a 3-pointer in the waning seconds of regulation and another trey as time wound down in overtime to defeat Waverly-Shell Rock, 55-54, in the Class 4A regional final round.

The Mohawks faced less resistance at the state tournament as they went on to win Class 4A’s championship.

“At the time it was devastating because it was a one-point overtime loss,” Bodensteiner said. “We had TIM HYNDS, SIOUX CITY JOURNAL‌ the lead in both the end of Waverly-Shell Rock’s Payton Draper goes up for a shot during regulation and end of the game and it didn’t work the 2015 state basketball tournament. Now a senior, Draper out. We didn’t probably will be among a key group of leaders for a Go-Hawk squad plan on Mason City going looking to earn a return trip to Des Moines.

to the state tournament and winning three games.

“As much as they can take some frustration away from that experience, they can take some confidence away from it, as well.”

Waverly-Shell Rock returns three starters and five letterwinners from that talented 2015-16 team. The group includes Katie Harken, a 5-foot-10 forward who averaged 12.1 points and 5.1 rebounds while also serving as a strong 3-point threat. She missed the end of last season with a broken ankle and torn ligaments in her knee, but will be ready for the start of this season. Fellow forward Grace Reyerson, who missed the Mason City game with a concussion, is also part of a class of five senior leaders.

“We had some kids who got experience playing in a game like that (Mason City game) last year who really weren’t in our ro-

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tation the whole season,” Bodensteiner said. “We’re hoping that pays off as we get to add Katie and Grace back in.”

Payton Draper, a 6-1 guard who averaged 11.7 points and 4.5 rebounds, is one example of the type of tall and athletic players occupying spots on this year’s Go-Hawk roster.

Senior guards Rachel Byle and Kelsey Young are also back with experience, while juniors Abbey Thier (5-10) and Jayme Willemssen (6-0) add height to complement sophomore Olivia Phillips, who lettered as a freshman a year ago.

“We’re going to be huge,” Bodensteiner said. “We’re going to be able to play five kids 5-10 to 6-1 and they all have some guard skills.

Hopefully we can utilize some mismatches with our size and still handle the ball effectively.”

Elsewhere in the North-

east Iowa Conference, a Crestwood program that made state tournament appearances in 2014 and 2015 appears primed for another strong run in Class 3A. The guard tandem of twin sisters Ellie Friesen (19.2 points) and Emily Friesen (8.1 points) that led Osage’s state-qualifying team in scoring a year ago, transferred into town. Post Shannon Pisney, who was a big part of the Cadets’ 2015 state semifinal run, is also back after suffering an ACL injury.

“One of the things I was most happy about this summer when they moved into our district is they just give us nice leadership,” Sickles said, addressing the Friesen sisters’ addition.

“They’re two positive kids that have tremendous work ethic, and a lot of kids feed off that.

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what they can add to the team this year from last year.”

Also back among the returning starters is senior guard Reilly Johnson, who missed the end of last season with a knee injury. Fellow senior guard Calli Johnson started in her place. Senior guards Hannah Bermel, Taylor Becker and Madison Schulte join junior post Hailey Paup as returning letterwinners.

Newcomers in transfer Aleah Cook, sophomore guard Olivia Remmert and freshman guard Emerson Green provided additional depth to a roster Groen feels will allow him to use a larger rotation.

“We are going to have a little more depth this year than we’ve TIM HYNDS, SIOUX CITY JOURNAL‌ had the last couple years, especially at guard,” Groen said. “Hopefully Cedar Falls’ Kiana Barney, left, and Hailey Paup defend against Ankeny Centennial’s Kendyl Lindaman during a with that experience we can get off state tournament semifinal last season. to a good start.” coming back and we’re excited through the last three years will do ver’s coaching staff, including the Waterloo West‌ about the season. They’ve worked nothing but help prepare them to previous four as head coach.

O’Brien has eight letterwinners Cedar Falls was the only team hard in the offseason.” be leaders.” that defeated Waterloo West over Seniors Tahya Campbell and NaTracia Ceaser is back after av- back from last year’s 3-20 team, the final month of last season. Aliyah Robinson are four-year eraging 11.7 points and serving as many of whom are strong multiTony Pappas enters his 37th season contributors who earned all-con- one of West’s leading rebounders sport athletes who have been a as head coach with all five starters ference recognition a year ago. and defenders during her freshman part of the Sailors’ recent success and two other letterwinners back Campbell led West with averages campaign. She’s coming back from in volleyball, softball, soccer and from that team poised on build on of 13.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.5 knee surgery, but still figures to be tennis. its 10-13 record.

Senior Grace Surma averaged a assists, 3 steals and nearly a block an impact player.

“Our defense came together and a game. Robinson posted nearly “Hopefully, she’ll be fully re- team-high 7.5 points a year ago, offensively we continued to grow identical assist, steal and block covered,” Pappas said. “She’s a key while Kiki Cabrera returns as the team’s leader in rebounds and asand improve,” Pappas said, ad- numbers while averaging 8.7 piece to our puzzle.” sists. dressing his team’s strong 2015-16 points a game. finish. “I think we’ve even stepped “I think they’ll both do a good Waterloo Columbus‌ O’Brien noted that he’s seen both of those up another level over job for us and be positive leaders,” Cory O’Brien is set to begin his plenty of toughness and effort the course of the summer.

Pappas said. “The experience of first season at Waterloo Columbus along with good leadership from “We have a lot of experience going through what they’ve gone after serving nine seasons on Den- his players. The coach feels gains

still need to be made in several fundamental parts of the game, including shooting and limiting turnovers.

“We have a lot of good athletes,” O’Brien said. “We’re going to try and play to those strengths, play uptempo and create havoc on defense.”

Waterloo Christian‌

Carmen Wipf takes over as head coach at Waterloo Christian, which lost four starters from last year’s team, but has five incoming freshmen set to contribute. Senior guard Sydney Nystrom is the leading holdover. Nystrom averaged 9.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals.

“This year will be a challenge for us as we face many talented teams in the Iowa Star,” Wipf noted.

“However, we are excited about strong numbers in our freshman class for this year and several years to come.”

Waterloo East‌

Despite going 1-21 a year ago, East returns a talented young core of players. That group is headlined by state track champion Kerris Roberts’ 13.7 points a game, and the 12 points a game Amanee Clark averaged. Both are entering their sophomore seasons.

Valley Lutheran‌

Valley Lutheran didn’t have any seniors on last year’s 2-19 team.

Junior Emma Armbrecht led the way a year ago with averages of 9.6 points, 6 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.

Metro capsules, schedules Union, 6:15 p.m., Dec. 13 – at Wapsie Valley, 6:15 p.m., Dec. 16 – at Aplington-Parkersburg, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 20 – BCLUW, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 22 – at Don Bosco, 6:30 p.m..

Cedar Falls‌ HEAD COACH: Gregg Groen

Jan. 3 – at Jesup, 6:15 p.m., Jan. 6 – Sumner-Fredericksburg, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 10 – Dike-New Hartford, 6:30 p.m., Jan. RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (9): Ally 12 – at Gladbrook-Reinbeck, 6:15 p.m., Jan. Conrad, Kiana Barney, Cynthia Wolf, Calli 13 — Hudson, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17 – at Denver, Johnson, Reilly Johnson, Hannah Bermel, 6:15 p.m., Jan. 20 – Union, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 24 Taylor Becker, Madison Schulte, Hailey Paup. – Wapsie Valley, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 27 – Aplington-Parkersburg, 6:15 p.m., Jan. 30 – at East 2016-17 schedule Nov. 21– at East Metro Jamboree, TBD, 6 p.m., Marshall, 6:15 p.m.

Nov. 29 – at Dubuque Hempstead, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2 – Jesup, 6:30 p.m., Feb. 3 – at Dec 2 – Cedar Rapids Washington, 7:30 p.m., Sumner-Fredericksburg, 6:15 p.m.

Dec. 6 – Cedar Rapids Xavier, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 9 – at City High, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 10 – at Decorah, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 13 – Cedar Rapids HEAD COACH: Hannah Krenz Prairie, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 16 – Waterloo West, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 20 – at Dubuque Wahlert, 2015-16 RE7:30 p.m.

CORDS: 2-19, 2-16 Iowa Star Jan. 6 – at Waterloo East, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 7 – Ballard, 3:30 p.m., Jan. 10 – Cedar RapRETURNING ids Jefferson, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 13 – Dubuque LETTERWINNERS Senior, 7:30 p.m., Jan.14 – Union, 6:30 p.m., (9): Addyson Jan. 20 – at Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 7:30 p.m., Kaune, Katelyn Panning, Emma Liger, Kelsey Jan. 21 – at New Hampton, 6:30 p.m., Jan. L’Heureux, Ardis White, Alyssa Schroeder, 24 – at Linn-Mar, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 27 – Iowa Emma Armbrecht, Elsa Swanson, Abigail City West, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 3 – at Waterloo Krohn.

West, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 7 – Dubuque Wahlert, 2016-17 schedule 7:30 p.m., Feb. 10 – Waterloo East, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 22 – Dunkerton, 6:30 p.m., Nov. 29 – Feb. 11 – at Indianola, 6:30 p.m.

North Tama, 6:30 p.m.

2015-16 RECORDS: 223, 12-1 MVC

Valley Lutheran‌

Columbus‌

Dec. 2 – at CAL, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 3 – Clarksville, 5 p.m., Dec. 6 – at Waterloo Christian, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 9 – Riceville, 6 p.m., Dec. 10 – Central City, 3 p.m., Dec. 13 – at Tripoli, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 16 – Meskwaki Settlement, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 20 –at Don Bosco, 6 p.m.

HEAD COACH: Cory O’Brien 2015-16 RECORDS: 3-20, 2-14 NICL East RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (8): Grace Surma, Olivia Fain, Kiki Cabrera, Lily Chirstensen, Hanna Clasen, Sydney Schultz, Fran Roche, Kayla Sproul.

2016-17 schedule Nov. 21 – at East Metro Jamboree, Waterloo East, 8:15 p.m., Nov. 29 – Columbus at DikeNew Hartford, 7:45.

Dec. 2 – at Hudson, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 3 –vs.

North Fayette Valley (at Wartburg), 7 p.m., Dec. 6 – Denver, 6:10 p.m., Dec. 9 – at

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“We have some nice pieces coming back with them. We’ve just got to find out early where the pieces are going to fit. ... We have some very talented kids, but we’re going to have to

Jan. 3 – at Dunkerton, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 6 – Janesville, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 7 – Clarksville, 5 p.m., Jan. 10 – CAL, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 17 – Tripoli, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20 – GMG, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 24 – Colo-NESCO, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 26 – Grundy Center, 6:15 p.m. Jan. 31 – at Janesville, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 3 – Riceville, 6 p.m., Feb. 9 – at BCLUW, 6:30 p.m.

be unselfish.”

In Class 1A, Turkey Valley returns its top four scorers (Shelby Reicks, Emily Busta, Morgan Kuennen, Sadie Nymeyer) from last year’s 26-1 state finalist team. Senior Kayla Gebel also saw minutes on that squad.

“They’re excited for this

season,” co-head coach Carletta Nymeyer said. “I think they’re looking at the fact they didn’t quite get their ultimate goal. That’s something as seniors that they’re really going to work hard to want to be there again.”

Elsewhere in 1A, the Janesville team Turkey

6:15 p.m., Dec. 6 – Linn-Mar, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 9 – at Waterloo West, 6 p.m., Dec. 13 – Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 16 – at Iowa City West, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 20 – Dubuque Hempstead, 7:30 p.m.

Waterloo Christian‌ HEAD COACH: Carmen Wipf 2015-16 RECORDS: 3-19, 3-14 Iowa Star

Jan. 6 – Cedar Falls, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 10 – at Cedar Rapids Xavier, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 13 – at Cedar Rapids Prairie, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 20 – Dubuque Wahlert, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 24 – at Cedar Rapids Washington, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 27 – Waterloo West, 6 p.m.

RETURNING LETTERWINNER (1): Sydney Nystrom.

2016-17 schedule Nov. 29 – at Meskwaki Settlement, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 3 – City High, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 7 – at Dubuque Hempstead, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 10 – at Cedar Falls, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 2 – North Tama, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 3 – at CAL, 5 p.m., Dec. 6 – Valley Lutheran, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 8 – BCLUW, 6 p.m., Dec. 9 – at GMG, 4:30 p.m., Dec. 13 – at Colo-NESCO, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 16 – at Tripoli, 5 p.m., Dec. 20 HEAD COACH: Tony – at Riceville, 3:30 p.m.

Pappas

Waterloo West‌

Jan. 3 – at West Central, 6 p.m., Jan. 6 – Don Bosco, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 7 – at Central City, 3 p.m., Jan. 10 – Janesville, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 13 – Meskwaki Settlement, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 17 – Colo-NESCO, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 20 – at Dunkerton, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 24 – Clarksville, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 31 – GMG, 6:30 p.m.

2015-16 RECORDS: 1013, 5-8 MVC RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (7): Aliyah Robinson, Tahya Campbell, NaTracia Ceaser, Tae’anna Phillips, Jada Draine, Alonnie Young, Mackenzie Wehr.

2016-17 schedule Feb. 3 – at North Tama, 6:30 p.m., Feb. 4 – Nov. 19 – at West Delaware, TBA, Nov. 21 – at Cedar Valley Christian, 3 p.m., Feb. 7 – at Don East Metro Jamboree, Sumner-FredericksBosco, 6:30 p.m. burg, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 25 – Wahawk Tournament, Fairfield, TBA, Nov. 26 – Wahawk Tournament, TBD, Nov. 29 – Cedar Rapids Prairie, 7:30 p.m.

HEAD COACH: William Muhammad Dec. 2 – at Linn-Mar, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 6 – Dubuque Hempstead, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 9 – at 2015-16 RECORDS: 1-21, Waterloo West, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 13 – at Cedar 0-13 MVC Rapids Xavier, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 16 – at Cedar RETURNING LETTERFalls, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 – Dubuque Senior, WINNERS (10): Havelyn 7:30 p.m.

Anderson, Amanee Clark, Jan. 6 – at City High, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 7 – at Nia Crowley, Angel Dickens, Jessica Hyke, Shamya Jenkins, Kerris Roberts, Olivia Shan- Union, 5 p.m., Jan. 10 – at Dubuque Wahlert, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 13 – Cedar Rapids Jeffernon, Haile Sims, Tamia Sisk. son, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 14 – at Turkey Valley, 2016-17 schedule 6:30 p.m., Jan. 17 – Waverly-Shell Rock, Nov. 21 – Metro Jamboree, Columbus, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 20 – Cedar Rapids Washing8:15 p.m., Nov. 25 – vs. TBA (Wahawk Tourton, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 24 – at Cedar Rapids Kennament), 5 p.m., Nov. 26 – vs. TBA (Wahawk nedy, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 27 – at Waterloo East, Tournament), TBD, Nov. 29 – Cedar Rapids 6 p.m.

Kennedy, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 3 – Cedar Falls, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 4 – Fort Dec 1 – at Marshalltown, 7:45 p.m., Dec. 2 – at Dodge, 5 p.m., Feb. 7 – at Dubuque Senior, Dubuque Senior, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 5 –Oelwein, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 10 – Iowa City West, 7:30 p.m.

Waterloo East‌

Valley eliminated last postseason returns several key players from a 15-9 squad, led by all-stater Victoria Hazard and her 19.7 points per game average.

In Class 2A, Grundy Center graduated scoring leader Katie Lindeman (17.2 points) from a 22-2 team that reached the regional fi-

nals. Brooke Flater and Hailey Wallis averaged nearly 10 points a game as freshmen for the Spartans, who feature plenty of youthful talent that contributed to the previous season’s success.

North Iowa Cedar League East schools Sumner-Fredricksburg (18-5) and Dike-

New Hartford (16-7) are also coming off successful seasons.

In Class 3A, Union didn’t graduate any of its top 10 scorers from last year’s 20-3 team. Kaeli Block’s 12.5 points per game and 4.6 rebounds lead a large, battle-tested class of talented senior athletes.

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2016-17 WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

The Courier

Thursday, November 17, 2016 | C5

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: PRESSURE POINTS

Top teams have to handle pressure Full-court defense a weapon that can make a difference NICK PETAROS

nick.petaros@wcfcourier.com‌

‌A Class 3A semifinal between Pocahontas Area and Cherokee turned out to be the treat of last year’s girls’ state basketball tournament.

The two teams used full-court pressure defense to create quick transition baskets, while also constantly racing down the court and netting shot after shot to the tune of a record-shattering, 10291 four-quarter final.

Crestwood coach Doug Sickles remembers running up against the Pocahontas press during his team’s 2015 state semifinal run.

Playing in a Northeast Iowa Conference filled with half-court defenses, it was a challenging change of pace.

“When we played Pocahontas a couple years ago, their full-court press really helped them not let us run what we wanted,” Sickles said.

“It changed our style of play.

“One of the goals of the fullcourt press is to speed up the other team and get away from your strengths. If you’re running full-court press, you usually have to make sure you have five pretty good athletes on the court because the downfall is if you get a team that can really break it, you can really punish the press.”

While the majority of girls’ basketball teams have transitioned to using presses as only an occasional tempo-setter, running into a solid pressing team in a tournament environment can present quite the challenge.

“I remember watching the state tournament last year and that’s the way Keokuk played,” Waverly-Shell Rock coach Greg Bodensteiner said. “Watching Keokuk I was thinking, ‘How would we prepare for that?’

“We can’t even mimic it with the kids we have in practice. One of the things we’ll do is we play against seven defenders in practice breaking pressure. It’s tough not to see something all year and then run into it in a really important situation.”

Class 1A returning finalist Turkey Valley is among a large group of small schools that have found

TIM HYNDS, SIOUX CITY JOURNAL‌

Cherokee’s Paityn Hagberg was part of a defense that supplied frequent full-court pressure on Ellie Friesen and her Osage team in last March’s Class 3A state quarterfinal. Cherokee lost its next game of the tournament, 10291, to Pocahontas Area in a match-up of similar styles. success with the press. Co-head “As a whole it has gotten to game,” Nymeyer said. “We usually coach Carletta Nymeyer says it has where watching a 1A game can be try to go full court the whole time. made games more entertaining. just as exciting as watching a 4A “We just want to keep it up-

tempo, apply that pressure as much as possible to keep teams off guard in the respect that they may end up with kids that really don’t touch the ball that have to get the ball when we keep maintaining that pressure on them.”

That aggressive mentality takes an investment from the entire team.

“I know when we started this a couple years ago, they kind of turned up their noses and weren’t too thrilled with it,” Nymeyer added. “But after they got into it and were getting steals that maybe they weren’t getting before, I think they really started to like it.”

The pool of more experienced ball handlers available at larger schools tends to make the press less prevalent. Still, Mississippi Valley Conference programs like Cedar Rapids Washington and Cedar Rapids Xavier have found consistent success with their depth and constant full-court pressure.

“The biggest thing with the press is I think kids lose their composure because they’re being attacked from all different ways,” Cedar Falls coach Gregg Groen said. “You’re putting them in tough situations and it’s the kids who have the confidence in their passing and dribbling abilities are the ones who seem not to panic under those type of situations and usually have the most success.

“Every once in a while you are going to turn the ball over. That’s why they’re pressing you. It’s just how you respond to it. Are you going to let it compound where you make a couple (turnovers) in a row or do you keep your composure?”

Personnel can also dictate whether a team is more prone to press. The increased potential for foul calls makes it necessary for pressing teams to have depth.

A lack of front-court size can sometimes facilitate a desire to use more full-court pressure.

“This year’s team is a prime example,” Waterloo West coach Tony Pappas said. “We’re undersized. We don’t have one player on our whole roster that’s six foot or above. Now we’ve got to extend the game.

“If you’re more undersized and have got quick athletes, then you probably have to press more.

That’s probably what we’ll end up doing a little more this year than normally.”

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: MAKING A POINT

Turkey Valley attack in good hands with Reicks Trojans’ guard one of state’s best at her position NICK PETAROS

nick.petaros@wcfcourier.com‌

00 1

‌JACKSON JUNCTION — Great athletes have an uncanny ability to pick themselves up after getting knocked down.

Before growing into one of the state’s top point guards, Shelby Reicks was once a junior high basketball player working on ball-handling drills with longtime coach Carletta Nymeyer. They’d start on their feet, move to their knees, sit down, lay down and get back up while keeping a constant dribble.

“I told the girls you never know when you get in a game and you might need to do that,” Nymeyer said.

“Sure enough, it happened to Shelby when she got knocked down and was dribbling the ball and got up again.”

Years later, Reicks would find herself helping to pick her Turkey Valley basketball team up off the canvas in the 2016 Class 1A state championship game against Springville. The Trojans overcame a 15-point deficit with 4 minutes, 51 seconds remaining in the third quarter to take a lead early in the fourth quarter on Reicks’ steal and layup.

Springville went on to

win that championship game, 49-48, on a pair of late free throws, handing Turkey Valley its only loss of the 2015-16 season. Yet, the heart displayed on that night gives reason for optimism the Trojans will once again be championship contenders.

“In the second half, they didn’t lay down, they stayed after it,” Nyemeyer said. “I think she (Reicks) really helped her teammates get to that point of fighting back and she really helped lead the way.”

Reicks earned first-team all-state honors following that junior season in which she averaged 15.7 points on 45 percent shooting with 6.8 assists, 4.8 steals, 1.5 3-pointers and nearly a blocked shot a game. Turkey’s Valley 26-1 record, however, were the only numbers she worried about.

“Just win the game,” Reicks said, addressing her role on the team. “I do my best

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TIM HYNDS, SIOUX CITY JOURNAL‌

Turkey Valley’s Shelby Reicks drives on Springville’s Madi Wagaman during the Class 1A state championship game last season at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. every single game to help us win, whether it be shooting the ball, whether it be passing the ball. Whatever my role is for that game, I just want us to win.”

Nymeyer, whose daughter Sadie joins Reicks in a group of six returning seniors who

have helped put Turkey Valley basketball on the map, has been coaching this core group since third grade — working alongside Dan Stepan as a co-head coach once they reached high school.

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petition on the Iowa Magic and Northeast Iowa Thunder, Reicks has enjoyed the team aspect of the sport.

“It’s been pretty awesome just being able to grow up with the same teammates,” Reicks said. “You really get to know how each other play. You know what other’s going to do on the court and it’s really nice to be able to have that close-knit group of friends on and off the court.”

In Reicks, Nymeyer sees a steady hand and calming presence who takes a lot of self-pride in how she performs.

“Her physical has grown right along with her mental side of the game,” Nymeyer said. “She’s a pretty coolheaded performer out there.

Nothing seems to razz her up.”

Driven in the aftermath of last year’s narrow championship defeat, Reicks and her teammates are determined to elevate themselves

this season.

“We came really far,” Reicks said. “We were the first (girls’ basketball) team in school history to make it to state. So making it to the state championship was a great accomplishment. I don’t think we were ashamed whatsoever. We were really happy with how we did. We would have just liked to win one more game.”

The point guard knows everyone is on the same page entering the upcoming season for a program that generated some of the largest crowds at last year’s state tournament.

“A couple years back we’d have fans in the stands, it was a decent amount,” Reicks said. “But now when you come to games, the stands are filled, out in the hallway is filled. It’s awesome to see the amount of support we’re getting and knowing the hard work from third and fourth grade is really paying off.”

2016-17 WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

C6 | Thursday, November 17, 2016

The Courier

PREP WRESTLING: HELP ON THE WAY

Metro teams long for return to glory days Youth programs provide hope for success in near future JIM NELSON

jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com‌

First-year Waterloo West ‌ wrestling coach Alex Dolly has an idea on how to return high school wrestling to its glory days in the metro area — consolidate all the club teams.

“I think we have too many teams. We have the Future Trojans. We have the Evansdale Wolves. We have the Sailor Mat Club. We have the Wahawk Club,” Dolly said. “We’re too divided up.

We need to get our best kids the best partners.

“Let’s bring them together to push each other to get better, give our kids more opportunities to get better. When we get to the high school level, that is where we can duke it out.”

Dolly’s theory is one wrestling

coaches and wrestlers share on daily basis — iron sharpens iron, as they like to say.

When the metro was producing individual state champions and state championship teams on an annual basis there was one team that was credited with being the best — the Wahawk Club.

Dolly isn’t saying that needs to be the case now. He just wants to get the conversation started.

Dolly, like his metro coaching brethren, wants to see things get back to what it was.

“Our club was nearly non-existent last year,” Dolly said. “We had less than 30 kids. We had a sign-up the other day and we had 30-plus kids sign up, 27 of them are new to the sport. That is great, but I want to get it to 40 or 50.”

Last February, the metro area had three wrestlers qualify for the state tournament and just one placewinner, East’s Omar Begic.

The best finish of any metro team in the last five years was 10th by

West in 2014.

Since 2010, the metro has had three two-time state champions — Kyven Gadson of East, Michael Kelly of Cedar Falls and Marcus Harrington of West, but Charlie Jones of Columbus in 2012 is the only other individual champion.

Currently, most of the metro head coaches feel like their club teams are set to produce some big-time talent.

Waterloo East coach Jay Llewellyn is looking forward to his program’s future as both the Future Trojans and the Evansdale Wolves are set to provide the Trojans with seasoned, well-traveled wrestlers with tons of experience.

“Our program is going to start seeing the benefits of our youth programs,” Llewellyn said. “I’m excited about it. We have four or five from the eighth-grade class and three or four from the seventh grade class and we have a bunch of good ones at the lower levels.

“I’m worried about our im-

mediate future as we graduate a big, strong senior class, but the long-term future looks really promising.”

At Columbus, which has not had a state qualifier since 2013, Sailor head coach Denny Boleyn’s program will have less than 20 participants this year but is set to receive help, including a big seventh-grade class.

“We have real good numbers at the lower level and a lot of guys with big time tournament experience. There are some kids who when they get here as freshmen will make a difference at the varsity level,” Boleyn said.

At Cedar Falls, head coach Ethan Wiechmann says the numbers have remained steady for the Tigers.

“Our junior high programs have some of the best numbers we’ve ever had, close to 30 or so,” Wiechmann said. “Our club team ... we’ve had 20-30 kids showing up on a regular basis.”

Waverly-Shell Rock coach Eric

Whitcome says the high school club’s number is around 30 and at the lower levels it is close to 80. Those numbers are down from five years ago when the GoHawks were attracting 100-120.

“Part of the big reason for the decline of all our area clubs is all these super clubs and there are so many more options,” Whitcome said. “For us to stay around 7080, I’m really happy with those numbers.”

Whitcome has other theories about what has caused numbers to decline.

“Kids don’t want to work.

It comes down to that. A lot of that I really feel is lifestyle,” Whitcome said. “Lifestyles have changed from years ago. Part of that is a lot of things are handed to us and you don’t always have to work for everything you want whether that is tangible or intangible.

“Sometimes now you don’t have to work as hard for something as you did years ago.”

AREA WRESTLING: DONNY SCHMIT

Wapsie wrestler Donny Schmit learns from his success State title run a journey of discovery for Wapsie wrestler JIM NELSON

jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com‌

‌FAIRBANK — Lessons can be learned in victory as much as in defeat.

Wapsie Valley of Fairbank junior wrestler Donny Schmit definitely learned a lot about himself last year on his way to the 106-pound Class A state individual title.

In his first-round match last spring, Schmit faced Rockford’s Will Portis, a wrestler he had never beaten in four previous meetings.

But with a belief it was his time to shine, Schmit topped Portis 9-4 in that match.

“Probably that anything can be done,” Schmit said of what he learned from that win. “A lot of people are underdogs, but you have to push that aside and tell yourself you can do it and one win is a step to the next.”

With each win he posted last spring at Wells Fargo Arena, Schmit gained confidence right up until he beat Samuel Loyd of New London, 5-3, to become Wapsie Valley’s first individual state champion since Cory Davis in 1995.

A summer later and roughly 14 pounds of muscle bigger, Schmit enters the 2016-17 season hoping to make it back-to-back trips to the top of the podium.

“You start off with the same

feeling,” Schmit said. “You know what you want. You know how you got to the top and you know what it takes to get what you want.”

Schmit said he expects to start the season at 120 and says much of his offseason work was spent on getting better on his feet and being a better wrestler from the top position where he says he wants to be able to build on leads by scoring more points.

But other than two or three camps, including one with his team, and some open wrestling room workouts, Schmit took the bulk of the summer off.

“I did a lot of work in the weight room,” Schmit said. “I didn’t add a lot of weight, I’m just a little bigger.

But I really took a couple of months off to refresh, rethink on what I’ve got to do once the season starts.”

Warriors head coach Danny Adams said it wasn’t like Schmit did nothing during the offseason to improve.

“He’s improved a lot. His confidence has improved a lot,” Adams says. “He has improved on his feet. He wants to take down the high-caliber kids and when he takes them down he wants to keep them there.

“He probably only took a little bit of July off. But the thing about Donny is once the season starts, he goes hard and he puts a lot of focus on that.

“Right now, he is focused and seems calm and anxious for a new season.”

Schmit also understands he’s no

MATTHEW PUTNEY, COURIER PHOTO EDITOR

Wapsie Valley’s Donny Schmit, left, celebrates after beating New London’s Samuel Loyd, 5-3, for the Class 1A 106-pound state championship last season. longer the first-time state qualifier he was at the beginning of last year’s state tournament, but rather the defending champion.

“I look at it as everybody is 0-0 right now and no one is better than anyone else,” Schmit said. “I treat it like the next match is one I have to get.”

2016 STATE CHAMPIONS

285 – Gannon Gremmel (Dub. Hempstead)

220 – Gavin Dinsdale (Webster City)

Class 2A‌

285 – Carter Isley (Albia)

State wrestling champions

106 – Matthew Randone (Assumption)

Class 1A‌

Class 3A‌ 106 – Kyle Biscoglia (Waukee) 113 – Brody Teske (Ft. Dodge) 120 – Jack Wagner (Bettendorf) 126 – Triston Lara (Ft. Dodge) 132 – Grant Stotts (W.D.M. Valley) 138 – Nelson Brands (I.C. West) 145 – Michael Zachary (W.D.M. Dowling)

113 –Justin Portillo (Clarion-Gold.-Dows)

106 – Donny Schmit (Wapsie Valley) 113 – Brock Henderson (North Linn)

120 – Josh Portillo (Clarion-Gold.-Dows)

120 – Bryce West (Highland)

126 – Brock Rathbun (Center Point-Urbana)

126 – Alex Thomsen (Underwood)

132 – Keaton Geerts (New Hampton)

132 – Briar Cochran (Moravia) 138 – Nick Williams (Lisbon)

138 – Ryan Leisure (Clear Lake)

145 – Carter Happel (Lisbon)

152 – Colton Clingenpeel (C.B. Thomas Jefferson)

145 – Bryce Leshen (Albia)

152 – Conner Shulista (Alburnett)

152 – Matt Malcom (Glenwood)

160 – Sal Arzani (Interstate 35)

160 – Shea Hartzler (Linn-Mar)

160 – Zach Johnston (ADM)

170 – Tanner Sloan (Alburnett)

170 – Marcus Coleman (Ames)

170 – Chase Shiltz (Creston/O.M.)

182 – Austin Lentz (Ogden)

182 – Max Lyon (West. Dubuque)

182 – Luke Erickson (Mediapolis)

195 – Slade Sifuentes (Lake Mills)

195 – Sam Cook (Ft. Dodge)

195 – Izaak Shedenhelm (Denver/ Tripoli)

220 – Colton Hansen (Newman)

220 – Wyatt Wriedt (North Scott)

285 – Tim Butcher (NW Webster)

BRANDON POLLOCK, COURIER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER‌

Schmit works toward a takedown of Wapello’s Devon Meeker during the state tournament semifinals.

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2016-17 Winter Sports Preview

The Courier

Wrestling

Thursday, November 17, 2016 | C7

AREA WRESTLING PREVIEW

From C1

leadership he has brought to our room,” Wiechmann said. “He wrestled well recently at the USA Preseason Nationals. Really looking forward to seeing what he can do this season.”

Cedar Falls also returns a bunch of veteran wrestlers, including Gabe and Jakey Penrith, Tanner Doyle, Brock Weidenbacher and Christian Simpson, to name a few of what could potentially be a 40-man roster for the Tigers.

“We are really excited to get going. I feel like we have a lot of good pieces and now it is just a matter of getting them in the right spot,” Wiechmann said.

Waterloo Columbus‌

Help is on the way for Columbus and Boleyn, but it is still a year or two away.

Boleyn will have fewer than 20 wrestlers in his room when the season starts and expects each night his team will be giving up six or seven forfeits.

Top returners for the Sailors are district qualifier Kaleb Boleyn, a pair of third-place sectional finishers in Collin and Ethan Schmitz, as well as Zach Holton.

“We are basically starting over,” Boleyn said. “We’ve had five head coaches in the last 6-7 years. That doesn’t help with continuity. The school knows where we are at and understands Ws will be hard to earn this year.

“But our numbers at the club level are good and we have a big seventh-grade class with a lot of guys who

BRANDON POLLOCK, COURIER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Waterloo East’s Omar Begic rolls Sioux City West’s Jesse Ramirez on the way to a state tournament pin a year ago. have been wrestling in bigGordon, Gleiter and time tournaments.”

Johnson all finished third at districts last year. In order for East to take another Waterloo East‌ East fell a win short of step, Llewellyn says the ana winning dual record last swer is simple.

“Our lightweight guys ... year, finishing 13-14 on the season, and with a strong they’ve got to wrestle betgroup of seniors among ter,” Llewellyn said. “We 12 returning starters, the have some guys banged up Trojans are looking to make from football and we might that winning season hap- not be full strength right away, but we should be pen.

Everything starts with full strength by Christmas. two-time state placewinner We’re excited to get going.”

Omar Begic at heavyweight.

But upper weight guys like Waterloo West‌ Tyrell Gordon, Eric Gleiter Eight letterwinners greet and Payne Johnson all qual- Dolly in the Wahawk room, ified for Fargo Nationals led by 2015 state qualifier this past summer and give Sam Gerst.

“We have to build up our East a formidable lineup.

“When I started four numbers,” Dolly said. “We years ago we had 10 fresh- had a lot of seniors who men sign up and we still were on the fence and I have seven or eight of those think we got most of them guys who are seniors now back on board. The hope is and I’m proud of them,” to have 40.”

Trojan head coach Jay Gerst and Cameren HapLlewellyn said. “They’ve pel both posted winning stuck around and done marks for a Wahawk team everything we have asked. that managed just two dual Gleiter is going to be the victories a year ago. Two class Valedictorian. Just seasons ago, Gerst won 29 been a great group of guys.” matches.

Metro capsules, schedules Allen, Antonio Rodriguez, Ryan Valenzuela, Nathan Nielson, Tyrell Gordon, Dalyne King, Eric Gleiter, Payne Johnson, Chryshaun Taylor, Brayden Good, Ethan Cahoe.

Waterloo Columbus‌ HEAD COACH: Denny Boleyn 2015-16 RECORD: 5-23 RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kaleb Boleyn, Ethan Schmitz, Collin Schmitz, Zach Holton, John Cannon.

Waterloo East‌ HEAD COACH: Jay Llewellyn 2015-16 RECORD: 13-14 RETURNING LETTERWINERS: Omar Begic, Isaiah

Cedar Falls‌ HEAD COACH: Ethan Wiechmann 2015-16 RECORD: 10-14 RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Clint Boevers, Justin Campbell, Anthony Chiatello,

Tommy Custer, Tanner Doyle, Nathan King, Gabe Penrith, Jakey Penrith, Bryce Pilcher, Christian Simpson, Dakota Southworth, Jacob Taylor, Brock Weidenbacher, Tanner Mostek.

Waterloo West‌ HEAD COACH: Alex Dolly 2015-16 RECORD: 2-23 RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Evan Baker, Javontay Burris, Sam Gerst, Cameren Happel, Teme Larson, Jacob McKnight, Jacob Oliver, Larry Rodriguez.

Composite schedule‌ Nov. 29 — Columbus, Independence, New Hampton at Charles City

West at C.R. Jefferson, East at Dub. Senior, Columbus at Hudson.

Dec. 1 — Cedar Falls, Iowa City High at C.R. Prairie, I.C. West, East at Linn-Mar, Waterloo West at Dubuque Senior, Denver-Tripoli, Union at Columbus

Dec. 16-17 — Cedar Falls, East, West, Columbus at Battle of Waterloo.

Jan. 2 — East, Columbus at West.

son Invitational, Cedar Falls at West Des Moines Valley Invitational, West at Bettendorf Tournament, Columbus at Hudson Invitational.

Jan. 19 — East at Cedar Falls, West at Dub. Hempstead, Columbus, GRNT at Waspie Valley

Jan. 5 — Cedar Falls at West, Jan. 21 — East at WaverDub. Hempstead at East, East ly-Shell Rock Tournament, Marshall/GMG, Sumner-FredCedar Falls at Urbandale ericksburg at Columbus.

Tournament.

Dec. 8 — Cedar Rapids PraiJan. 7 — Cedar Falls at CrestJan. 24 — Columbus, AP-GC, rie at West, C.R. Jefferson, wood Tournament, East at Sumner-Fredericksburg at Dub. Wahlert at East, Dub. New Hampton Tournament, Jesup.

Senior, C.R. Kennedy at Cedar Columbus at Tripoli TournaFalls, Columbus, Dike-New Jan. 26 — NICL Tournament ment.

Hartford at AGWSR at Columbus Jan. 12 — C.R. Kennedy at Dec. 10 — Cedar Falls at East, Dub. Wahlert, I.C. West Jan. 28 — Mississippi ValUnion Invitational, East at ley Conference Supermeet at West, Linn-Mar at Cedar Oelwein Tournament, West at Falls, Columbus vs. BCLUW at at West, Columbus at NICL Western Dubuque Duals, CoConference Tournament at Eldora. lumbus at Nashua-Plainfield Parkersburg Jan. 13 — West at Bettendorf Tournament.

Feb. 2 — Cedar Falls, Dub. Tournament.

Dec. 15 — Cedar Falls at CeHempstead at C.R. WashingJan. 14 — East at C.R. Jefferdar Rapids Xavier, Linn-Mar, ton, East, West at C.R. Xavier.

Dec. 3 — West, Columbus at Keith Young Invitational, East at Independence Invitational.

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BRANDON POLLOCK, COURIER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER‌

New Hampton’s Keaton Geerts celebrates his 132-pound state title last season.

New Hampton has sights on a trophy Chickasaws ready to end long state tourney drought JIM NELSON

jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com‌

‌It was 1993 when New Hampton won its sixth state wrestling championship.

However, it will have been a decade this February when the Iowa state wrestling championships roll around at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines since the Chickasaws have finished third or better.

This might be the year the tradition-rich New Hampton program breaks through with a top-three performance. In fact, many consider the Chickasaws the team to beat in Class 2A. New Hampton returns four state medal-winners, including the 36th individual state champion in school history and Northern Iowa recruit Keaton Geerts. Additionally, after the Christmas break, the Chickasaws will add twotime state finalist Michael Millage as a transfer from Crestwood.

“We’re going to embrace the target on our backs, embrace the challenge,” New Hampton head coach Nick Hemann says.

Without counting Millage, Geerts or state podium finishers Dylan Robinson and Noah Fye, the Chickasaws return nine other varsity regulars who helped New Hampton finish third in the State Duals.

The addition of Millage, which gives the Chickasaws 68 returning state tournament points, 17 more than Glenwood has returning, was a huge get.

“It was a family decision to move,” Hemann explains. “Mike has been real impressive and has really made a positive impact on our guys with the way he goes about his business and his hard work ethic.

I’ve been impressed with his focus.”

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Good Luck, Dons!

Despite the loss of Millage, Crestwood will return three state placewinners (29 state tournament points) — Kaden Anderlik, Ryan Steffen and Trae Pecinovsky — as well as state qualifer Jacob Knutson.

In all, there are 12 area returning state placewinners in Class 2A. In Class 1A, a pair of area teams could figure in the team race in Des Moines, including traditional power Don Bosco.

The Dons, owners of 16 top-two state tournament finishes with 10 titles, have not finished among the top three teams in the 1A field at the state tournament since winning their 10th title in 2012. It’s the longest topthree drought for Don Bosco since a six-year span from 1994-99.

There is plenty of firepower in the tank for Don Bosco to make a move back into the 1A elite as the Dons return six state qualifiers (including 2015 qualifier Jeremy Schmitz) and three wrestlers who reached the podium — Gable Fox, Logan Lutgen and Walker Even.

That means the Dons return 35 of the 46 state tournament points they scored last February when they finished just six points out of third.

“I like what we have coming back, for sure,” Dons’ head coach Tom Hogan says. “I think what we’ve got is pretty solid. I especially like our chances to compete for a trophy in Des Moines in the traditional tournament.”

Don Bosco will be low on numbers again and might not be full-strength until closer to Christmas with the Dons’ run to the 8-player state football championship game, but a problem Hogan won’t face this year is having an abundance of kids who wrestle in the lower weight divisions.

A year ago, the Dons had 14 kids who could’ve wrestled from 106 to 120, forcing

some of them to wrestle up in weight. This year, Hogan is going to be able to spread out his lineup, but is still in search of a couple more upper weight wrestlers.

“We’ve got guys who have gotten a little bigger so we won’t have so many 106-pound wrestlers,” Hogan laughed.

Another 1A team to watch is Danny Adams’ squad at Wapsie Valley of Fairbank. The Warriors returning state champion Donny Schmit, in addition to two other state qualifiers — Kaleb Krull and Colin Schrader.

“We have 24 or 25 kids out and we are going to be able to field a full lineup, which is huge,” Adams notes. “We are very junior-dominated, but it is a good class, full of leaders.”

Waverly-Shell Rock hopes to make some noise in Class 3A this winter on the strength of five state qualifiers. The Go-Hawks tied for fourth last year with 72 points and return 37 of those points, highlighted by 138-pound state runner-up Austin Yant’s return, as well as fourth-place 152 finisher Zack Wagenhoffer.

Dylan Albrecht (106), Derick Wyatt (113) and Bryson Hervol (120) also are returning state qualifiers.

Despite that returning experience, the bulk of the Go-Hawks’ lineup will be underclassmen.

“We will be young, start around nine underclassmen,” W-SR head coach Eric Whitcome says. “Right now, overall, we are kind of filling in. We had a bunch of guys close in weight and those guys have done a good job of spreading themselves out.

“It is kind of amusing sometimes that we’ve been written off the last few years, but then we put together a great state tournament. We try to tell people that is expected from our guys every season — that our best wrestling comes at the end of the year.”

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C8 | Thursday, November 17, 2016

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