KING, JOHNSON NAMED FIRST-TEAM ALL-BIG TEN

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa senior defensive backDesmond King and senior defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson have been named first-team All-Big Ten by vote of league coaches.  The defensive honorees were announced by the Big Ten Conference Tuesday on BTN.  Offensive award winners will be announcedWednesday evening.

King was also named first team by vote of Big Ten media, while Johnson was named second-team by the media.  Junior linebackerJosey Jewell, who led the Big Ten in tackles, was named second-team by both coaches and media.

Hawkeye defensive players who earned honorable mention recognition include sophomore end Parker Hesse, who was tabbed by both groups, senior cornerback Greg Mabin (coaches) and junior tackle Nathan Bazata (media).  

The Big Ten also announced special teams players who were recognized, with King being named as the second-team return specialist by both coaches and media.  Senior punter Ron Coluzziearned third-team honors from both groups.

King, a native of Detroit, earned first-team honors for the second straight year.  He recorded 53 tackles and seven pass break-ups, while also collecting two interceptions.  King has 13 career interceptions to tie for fourth on Iowa’s career list.  He previously was named a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award, Bednarik Award, and Lott IMPACT Trophy.

King has handled the majority of kickoff and punt returns for the past two seasons.  He averaged 9.8 yards on 25 punt returns and 27.2 yards on 25 kickoff returns this season, ranking among Big Ten leaders in both categories.  His career-long 44-yard punt return led to a touchdown in Iowa’s 40-10 win over No. 15 Nebraska.

Johnson earned first-team honors for the first time in his career after earning honorable mention recognition as a junior.  The native of Lombard, Illinois, led Iowa with 7.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss.  His tackle for a safety was a key play for the Hawkeye defense in a 14-13 win over third-ranked Michigan.  Johnson finished the regular season with 54 tackles.

Jewell, a Decorah, Iowa, native, earned second-team recognition for the second straight season.  His 114 tackles tied for the Big Ten lead, and he also led Iowa with eight pass break-ups.  Jewell recorded 10 tackles or more in six of 12 games while leading the team in tackles for the second straight season.

Mabin, who missed the final three games of the season because of injury, earned Big Ten recognition for the first time in his career.  He started 33 games throughout his career, including 29 straight.  Mabin is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who collected 37 tackles, three pass break-ups, and one forced fumble in nine games.

Hesse earned honorable mention honors from both coaches and media after being named to the league’s freshman team a year ago.  He recorded 33 tackles in 11 games, missing the Iowa State game because of injury.  He also had 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two pass break-ups, and one forced and one recovered fumble.

Coluzzi made the most of his one season with the Hawkeyes.  The native of Naperville, Illinois, joined the Iowa program as a graduate transfer.  He averaged 41.2 yards per punt, with 13 punts of 50 yards or more.  Coluzzi placed 22 of his 68 punts inside the 20 and had just five touchbacks.  Iowa opponents had just 10 returns in 12 games, with 33 Coluzzi punts resulting in a fair catch.

Senior running back LeShun Daniels, Jr., earned Iowa’s Sportsmanship Award, which honors one player from each conference team. Daniels leads Iowa in rushing (198-1,013) and has scored 10 rushing touchdowns.  He is the first Hawkeye to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season since 2011.  The native of Warren, Ohio, has 1,843 career rushing yards.  He is a two-year member of Iowa’s Leadership Group.

Tigers Move On To 2016-17 With Momentum

Members of the 2016-17 Tipton girl’s basketball team are, front row, l-r: Tiffany Schott, Samantha DeMoss, Danielle Kilburg, Bryanna Simmermaker, Madison Conrad, and Hunter Humphrey. Second row: Emily Hermsen, Zoe Rezac, Laken Hermiston, Allison Ryan, Cassidy Eicher and Laressa Stout. Back Row: Kailee Meyer, Rylee Conrad, Amanda Smith, Kamryn Chapman, Jamie Kofron, Bailey Schmidt, Zoe Comstock and Morgan Wendel. Photo by Ryan Stonebraker. 

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor, Tipton Conservative

TIPTON — Longtime Tipton Tiger girl’s basketball coach Chad Rezac enters his 9th season with one of the most interesting teams he has had in over five years.  The Tigers are preparing to for the River Valley Conference like everyone else this time of year.  The Tigers could have pieces in place and a truckload of potential to get back to their pressure defense, transition offense that helped them to multiple trips to the state tournament and made seating a premium in the Tipton middle school gymnasium.  Rezac, one of the longest tenured coaches in the conference and in school history, has a few things up his sleeve.

This will be a statement year for the Tigers program after having to overcome adversity from last year.  Last season All-State caliber player Alex Wiese was having an All-State season (15.4 ppg, 10.0 rpg) when she went down with a season ending ACL tear with five games left in the regular season.  To that point, the Tigers were 8-9 and had all the momentum.  After, the Tigers had to shuffle their line-up.  One of the finds in the last six games was then freshman guard/forward Amanda Smith.  Smith is back after averaging 6.5 points a game over the final six games.  Smith averaged 3.2 points a game for the season and led the Tigers in scoring in their 55-53 win over Wilton at home.  

Later, in the offseason, Wiese transferred to Iowa City Regina, leaving a longer term hole in the Tigers roster.  Instead of collapsing in team sports, Tipton rallied and had one of the best softball seasons in some time.  Then this fall, the volleyball team had a 25-match win season and were ranked for the second straight season.  Now it is basketball’s turn to show that their program is bigger than one player.

“We have worked on culture on our team.  We all know what happened last season and on paper it looks like a lot of adversity with who is not on this team.  That is over though.  We are working on being together and are rallying around having a good season,” said Tipton coach Chad Rezac.

Back for the Tigers are second leading scorer Emily Hermsen (9.1 ppg) and third leading scorer Jamie Kofron (6.8 ppg).  Both are sophomores.  Also returning are starting guards Zoe Rezac and Kailee Meyer to go with Smith to help the Tigers form a strong core of returning players.

Gone are Wiese and graduated seniors Caitlin Himes (6.5 ppg, 88 rebounds), Alyssa Crock and Sami Pruess.

Rezac said that the strength of of the Tigers team will be its depth in guard play, with the Tigers possibly going six deep at the position.  The Tigers have two upperclassmen guards (Meyer and Rezac) and their leading returning scorer also is a guard (Hermsen).

“Our guard play will be key.  We can put pressure on people on defense and get out and run on offense.  We will play a lot of four guard sets and try to take advantage of our speed and quickness.  We are going to try to be pesky on defense,” he said.

Having Kofron back will be important too.  Kofron, an all-conference volleyball selection this past fall, brings that experience back to a sport where she will play a bigger role this year.  

New faces this year fighting for playing time are juniors Samantha DeMoss, Tiffany Schott and Allie Ryan, sophomores Laken Hermiston and Hunter Humphrey and freshman Kamryn Chapman.

Rezac lists concerns are how quickly his team adjusts to the changes on offense and defense.

“We are putting in a lot of new things on offense and defense.  How well will we do that against teams other than when we practice against ourselves early at least will be a concern,” he said.

The Tigers will not leave Cedar County until their fifth game of the season on Saturday, December 10 at Midland.  Tipton starts the season with three home games (Mid-Prairie, Camanche, West Branch) before traveling to Durant on Friday, December 9 for their first road game.

The Tigers host North Cedar and Wilton before Christmas and will play five of their seven, pre-Christmas games at home.  The Tigers travel to North Cedar for a non-conference game on Saturday, January 21 and host Columbus Junction in early February in their other non-conference game.

Tipton Tigers

2015-16 Record: 8-14

2015-16 RVC Record: 6-12

2015-16 Postseason: 2/13 - North Cedar 55, Tipton 35.

Returning Starters (4/5): Kailee Meyer (3.6 ppg), Emily Hermsen (9.1 ppg), Jamie Kofron (6.8 ppg), Amanda Smith (3.2 ppg), Zoe Rezac (2.3 ppg).

2015-16 All-Conference RVC Picks: Alex Wiese - RVC Elite Team, Caitlin Himes - RVC Honorable Mention.

2016-17 Roster: Seniors — Kailee Meyer, Rylee Conrad.  Juniors — Zoe Rezac, Samantha DeMoss, Tiffany Schott, Allie Ryan.  Sophomores — Hunter Humphrey, Emily Hermsen, Amanda Smith, Laken Hermiston, Jamie Kofron.  Freshman — Kamryn Chapman.

Knights Look For Continued Improvement This Season

Members of the 2016-17 North Cedar girl’s basketball team are front row, l-r: Lexus Crist, Kourtney Bendixen, Emily Hay, Lakaya Lyon and Darby Hawtrey. Second row: Assistant coach Victor Curley, Tessa Fields, Grace Proesch, Leah Crock, Nicole Sander, Anna Petersen and head coach Glenn Hay. Photo by Ryan Stonebraker.

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor, Tipton Conservative

CLARENCE — First year coach Glenn Hay enters his second year at the helm of the North Cedar Knight girl’s basketball program.  Last season, Hay led the Knights to a 8-16 record, two wins better than the previous season when North Cedar was 6-17.  Hay, by all accounts, had the Knights playing their best basketball at the end of the season.

Some of the differences with Hay in charge were that the Knights scored 10 more points per game last year (45.3) than the year before; the Knights scored almost 200 more season points than the previous year; the Knights had just over 90 more assists than the year before, and 70 more steals than the previous year.  All that added up meant a better brand of basketball and an opponent that by the end of the season, no one wanted to play.

Hay said that he had a handful of players come to many of the summer open gyms, something which he has already seen results from.

“It was big (to have them come in).  We had 5 kids come to a lot of open gyms.  We didn’t have enough kids to go to a team camp.  We did take kids to Wilton a couple of Sundays.  We have kids in multiple things and they got better,” said Hay.

Gone from last year is guards Camryn Bunge (7.7 ppg. 52 made 3’s) and Becca Ahrendsen (6.1 ppg) and forwards Meranda Thimmes (11.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg.), Kaylee Entwisle and Madison Hawtrey.  Thimmes was the Knight leading rebounder and scorer last season and was a River Valley Conference North Division selection.  The Knights lost three starter from last year (Thimmes, Bunge, Ahrendsen) and return starters Emily Hay and Darby Hawtrey.

Hay, a senior point guard, led the RVC North in assists (113) and steals (109) last season.  She got to the free throw line 75 times and pulled down 68 rebounds.  Hawtrey averaged 6.3 points a game and had 49 rebounds and 17 assists as a sophomore last year.

Hay said that his team’s strength will be that they will be able to score points this season.

“We are going to be able to score points this year.  We have kids that can spot up from the perimeter and there is a lot of potential for points to come from our post players.  I think if you score around 40-50 points you can win a lot of games in the conference,” said Hay.

Also back are seniors Lakaya Lyon and Kourtney Bendixen and juniors Tessa Fields, Lexi Crist, Grace Proesch, Anna Petersen and Leah Crock.  Nicole Sander also will see time on the varsity squad.

Hay said that his concerns will likely change by game.  The Knights are athletic, but do not have a lot of experience back from last year with significant court minutes.

“Match ups will be a big concern for us.  We can’t get in foul trouble early in the season.  We need a few kids to develop so we can improve our depth,” Hay said.

“We are going to have new faces in bigger roles and how quickly they get used to varsity play will tell a lot about our season,” he said.

North Cedar will play non-conference games at Calamus-Wheatland on November 28, home against Easton Valley on December 17 and at Lisbon on January 28.  The Knights will play nine games before Christmas with home games against Camanche, Durant, Monticello, Bellevue and Easton Valley.  

The Knights annual games with Tipton will be December 13 at Tipton and January 21 at home.

North Cedar Knights

2015-16 Record: 8-16

2015-16 RVC Record: 4-13

2015-16 Postseason: 2/13 - North Cedar 55, Tipton 35; 2/16 - Durant 54, North Cedar 40

Returning Starters (2): Emily Hay (6.3 ppg, 113 assists, 109 steals), Darby Hawtrey (6.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg).

2015-16 All-Conference RVC Picks: Meranda Thimmes - RVC North Divisional Team; Emily Hay - RVC North Divisional Team; Darby Hawtrey - RVC Honorable Mention.

2016-17 Roster: Seniors — LaKaya Lyon, Kourtney Bendixen, Emily Hay.  Juniors — Tessa Fields, Lexi Crist, Grace Proesch, Anna Petersen, Darby Hawtrey, Leah Crock.  Sophomore - Nicole Sander.

New Faces Dot Wildcats Roster This Year

Members of the 2016-17 Durant girl’s basketball team are front row, l-r: Aubrey Werthmann, Emily Seligman, Amanda Wiese, Autumn Wiese and McKenzie Moeller. Middle row: Kelly Alexander, Emilee Voss, Kaitlyn Wiese and Hannah Happ. Back row: Lauren Ralfs, manager Jayln Bullard, head coach Doug Frett, assistant coach Shelby Paustian and Brittany Kahl. Absent: Annie Taylor, manager Tori Dierikx. Photo by Ryan Stonebraker. 

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor, Tipton Conservative

DURANT — The Durant girl’s basketball team lost a lot of players from last year’s Regional Final team that lost on a last second shot by West Branch.  The Wildcats finished the season 18-6.  The two year run the Wildcats had with two Regional Final appearances and 34 combined wins were the best back-to-back seasons in a long time for the program.  

Durant graduated a big senior class of 9 players, including starters Janey Botkins (14.4 ppg 80 made 3’s), Shannon Telsrow (10.5 ppg, 64 steals, 63 assists), Brinn Grunder (6.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and Miranda Cox (5.1 ppg).  Botkins plays and starts for the Simpson women’s basketball team and Grunder is at Upper Iowa on a track scholarship.

This year’s team will be different.  The Wildcats will be a young team and returning to lead them is senior starter and All-RVC South Division player Aubrey Werthmann.  Werthmann averaged 10.1 points a game and was second on the team last year with 33 made three pointers.  She was second in rebounding (99), assists (59) and Steals (45).  Werthmann became a fine option on the wing last season when teams tried to hold Botkins’ scoring attempts down, especially from the perimeter.  Werthmann scored in double figures in 12 of the 24 Durant games last year and led the Wildcats in scoring in three games.  She had a season high of 17 points in wins over Calamus-Wheatland and NE Goose Lake and 16 points in two other games.

Seniors Autumn Wolf (3.8 ppg, 66 rebounds), Kate Alexander and Emilee Voss also return.  Also back is sophomore Hannah Happ.

“We will have a young team with inexperience at the varsity level,” said Durant girl’s basketball coach Doug Frett.  

“Other than Aubrey and Autumn, we don’t have a lot of scoring back and we will be looking for kids to step up,” he said.

Durant will get an infusion of talent from a junior varsity team that hovered around .500 last season.  Coming up from that team will be sophomores Hannah Happ a quick guard and Annie Taylor, along with juniors McKenzie Moeller, Kaitlyn Wiese, Lauren Ralfs, Brittany Kahl, Emily Seligman and Amanda Wiese.

“We lost a lot of players from last year with a big senior class.  We will be fine out there though, it may take some time.  We have to get confidence in our shots and it will take awhile to get comfortable on the court with a lot of new faces in bigger roles this year,” said Frett.

Durant will miss two possible contributors this year in sophomores Ruby Kappeler and Kamryn Meyer.  Kappeler a guard and Meyer a forward earned All-Conference honors this past softball season and in volleyball this past fall.  That experience would have help guide the young Wildcat team.

Durant will rely on the inside-out potential of Werthmann and Wolf to start the season until the young players get their feet wet.

“Their development will be key to not only this year, but next year too.  We could be one of the most experienced teams in the RVC going into next season,” said Frett.

“A big thing will be getting them on the floor, getting the experience and getting a lot of minutes.  It is all different speed at the varsity level as well as the physical play of the RVC.  They have worked hard and played well so far,” he said.

The Wildcats play the first of three non-conference games to start the season at Mount Pleasant.  The Wildcats travel to Bellevue Marquette before Christmas break and host Midland after Christmas break.  Durant plays 10 games before Christmas break, six of which are on the road.

Durant Wildcats

2015-16 Record: 18-6

2015-16 RVC Record: 13-5

2015-16 Postseason: 2/16 - Durant 54, North Cedar 40; 2/19 - Durant 66, Bellevue 49; 2/22 - West Branch 44, Durant 42

2015-16 All-Conference RVC Picks: Janey Botkins (14.4 ppg) Elite Team; Aubrey Werthmann, Shannon Telsrow - RVC South Divisional Team; Brinn Grunder - RVC Honorable Mention.

Returning Starters (1): Aubrey Werthmann (10.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 59 Assists, 45 Steals).

2016-17 Roster: Seniors — Emilee Voss, Aubrey Werthmann, Kelly Alexander, Autumn Wolf.  Juniors — Amanda Wiese, Emily Seligman, Brittany Kahl, Lauren Ralfs, Kaitlyn Wiese, McKenzie Moeller.  Sophomores — Hannah Happ, Annie Taylor.

Beavers Look To Chase RVC South Leaders This Season

Members of the 2016-17 Wilton girl’s basketball team are front row, l-r: Kaylee Ford, Hannah Christensen, Kali Milder, Falloyn Grunder and Shelby Oien. Middle row: Taylor Goldermann, Aubrey Putman, Emily Lange, Kortney Drake and Lexi Maurer. Back row: Head coach Jeremy Putman, Linsey Ford, Hallie Speed, assistant coach Samantha Reid, assistant coach Tom Austin. Photo by Ryan Stonebraker. 

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor, Tipton Conservative

WILTON — There is a lot of excitement in Wilton for their girl’s basketball program this winter and rightfully so.  The excitement started this past summer with a fine softball season and carried over into the volleyball season.  This past fall the Beaver volleyball team netted 32 wins and a state ranking in the 2A IGHSAU poll.  That momentum could roll into basketball as many of the players on those teams will be playing basketball.  Add in senior Kaylee Ford’s run to the state cross-country meet, and you can see why there is excitement.  The Beavers hope to crack the double digit win total for the first time since a 14-8 season in 2009-10, six seasons ago.

“Our kids have raised their play.  They expect success in basketball this winter just like the other seasons before this.  We have had good softball and volleyball seasons and our kids are ready to keep it going into this season,” said Wilton head coach Jeremy Putman.

The Beavers return their top four scorers and many other leaders or near leaders in all of the measureable statistical categories.  Wilton will have four seniors in Kaylee Ford (2.4 ppg, 26 assists, 20 steals), Hannah Christensen (4.9 ppg, 73 rebounds, 30 assists, 30 steals), Hallie Speed and Falloyn Grunder who returns to the team after missing most of last year due to injury.  Ford and Christian were starters along with returning starters Kortney Drake (12.7 ppg., 89 rebounds, 64 steals, 54 assists) and Emily Lange (10.2 ppg, 141 rebounds, 39 blocked shots).  Drake led Wilton in scoring and Lange was second while Lange led Wilton in rebounding and blocked shots.  Drake went to the free throw line 103 times and led Wilton in steals and assists.  Drake and Lange earned all-conference honors last year.

Other returners are Aubrey Putman (10.1 ppg, 123 rebounds), Lexi Maurer (1.5 ppg), Kali Milder and Linsey Ford.  Taylor Goldermann also returns after injury for her

“With the returners we have, we have a lot higher expectations this season. Our athletes will help.  We are quick.  Our main players are kids that play multiple sports.  They will take us a long way,” said Putman.

Putman said that the Beavers put in new sets for offense over the summer and they have really concentrated on beefing up their defense and rebounding this preseason with an eye toward cleaning up their fundamentals.

Putman listed two concerns that need to be fixed this year and that is defense and rebounding.  Both have been down in recent seasons after being a staple of the program.

“We were a poor defensive team last year.  We have worked a lot on our defense this preseason, defensive drills and rebounding and I think we will be better this year.  We are going to score a lot of points this year but, we can’t give up the amount of points we did last year or we are not going to have the season we think we can,” said Putman.

“As far as rebounding, we usually are a good team.  However, last year we took a dip.  Rebounding sparks our fast break, we are a good fast breaking team, if we can’t play defense and get rebounds, we are not going to be able to get out and run,” he said.

Wilton will have five home games before Christmas break with West Branch, Cascade, Mid-Prairie, Iowa City Regina and Durant.  The Beavers will play six home games after Christmas break.

Non-Conference games on the Beavers schedule are at Columbus Junction on December 1, at home against Wapello on Saturday, January 7 and home against Louisa-Muscatine on Monday, January 30.

Wilton Beavers

2015-16 Record: 5-19

2015-16 RVC Record: 1-17

2015-16 Postseason: 2/13 - Wilton 40, Louisa-Muscatine 35; 2/16 - West Branch 68, Wilton 33

2015-16 All-Conference RVC Picks: Kortney Drake - South Divisional Team, Emily Lange - Honorable Mention.

Returning Starters (4): Kaylee Ford (2.4 ppg), Kortney Drake (12.7 ppg), Hannah Christensen (4.9 ppg), Emily Lange (10.2 ppg).

2016-17 Roster: Seniors — Kaylee Ford, Falloyn Grunder, Hannah Christensen, Hallie Speed.  Juniors — Lexi Maurer, Taylor Goldermann, Kali Milder.  Sophomores — Kortney Drake, Emily Lange, Shelby Oien, Aubrey Putman, Linsey Ford.

Tigers Look To Challenge For the RVC South

Members of the 2016-17 Tipton boy’s basketball team are front row, l-r: Kael Jauron, Elliott Cummins, Jesse Lieser, Craig Shaffer, Andrew Comstock, Joey Butler and Eli Lindsey. Second row: manager Chloe Garvis, McKenna O’Leary, Austin Mente, Ben Ellis, Colby Kleppe, Landan Hill, Michael Bornsen, Colby Walsh, manager Danielle Unruh. Third row: Coach Jacob Reinhardt, Blake Wilkins, Logan Hoffman, Brendon Claussen, Daulton Mente, Zach Ford, Hunter Tenley, Frank Bierman, Andrew Stewart, Coach Gene Schroeder. Back row: Coach Deon Nelson, Blaise Thumma, Bryce Deerberg, Connor Hermiston, Luke Becker, Jacob Tischuk, Quinten Mesick, Jared Hightower, Trent Pelzer, head coach Matt Fouch. Photo by Darren Miller.

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor, Tipton Conservative

TIPTON — The Tipton boy’s basketball team has soared to new heights under head coach Matt Fouch the past three seasons.  The Tigers have improved by 10 wins over that time including jumping seven wins last season from five in the 2013-14 season to a 12-11 season a year ago.  The Tigers didn’t lose more than two games in a row all season.  One, three game win streak; two, two-game win streaks.

“It’s very exciting getting ready for the season.  We lost some of our leaders from last year in Derek, Trent, Logan and Mitchell.  The first days of practice, we have been working on finding new leaders and establish who our go to guys will be,” said Tipton basketball coach Matt Fouch.

Tipton led the River Valley Conference South division in made three pointers (165) and attempted (485).  The Tigers also led the South in free throw percentage with as a team, going 71.6-percent.  Tipton was second in the RVC South in made free throws with 281.

Defensively, Tipton led the South in steals with 204 and was second in rebounding as a team, averaging 25.0 per game.  Tipton did a good job taking care of the basketball as well as they were second in the South with the fewest turnovers on offense with 221 for the season, or a little over 9.5 per game.

Despite that, the Tigers gave up a lot of points last season.  Tipton led the South in points scored per game with an average of 61.7 including seven games with 70 or more points.  However, the Tigers also gave up a South worst 60.5 points a game, including 10 games of 60 or more points.

That fact, has the attention of Fouch as the preparation for the new season began.

“We are really working on our defense.  We have a new philosophy and that is exciting.  Our defense is ahead of our offense and that is exciting, knowing how good our offense will be.  We lacked in defensive intensity last year.  so far, that is not the case,” said Fouch.

Gone from last season are starting guards Derek Nebergall and Trent Schroeder along with key reserves Logan Ralston and Mitchell Penningroth.

Nebergall was was a first team All-RVC South selection after leading the Tigers in scoring with a 14.3-point average.  He led the Tigers in steals (51) and was second in assists (46).  Schroeder was a honorable mention selection after averaging 7.8 points a game.  He had 30 made three pointers, 61 rebounds, 38 assists and 29 steals.  Ralston recorded 41 rebounds and averaged 1.3 points a game while Penningroth had 11 steals and 15 rebounds.  Nick Charves and Matt Penningroth also graduated from last year’s team.

Back are second, third and fourth leading scorers in Mark Becker, Adam Hermsen and Matt Pelzer.  

Becker was one of the top shooters in the RVC last year, making 58 three pointers and averaging 12.3 points a game.  He also shot 83-percent from the free throw line to lead the Tigers.  Becker was a 1st team all conference selection.  He was second on the team in rebounds with 90 and tied for the team high with 52 assists.  

Hermsen averaged 10.7 points a game and made 47 three pointers.  He shot 76-percent from the free throw line and led Tipton in rebounding with 102. He also had 39 steals.  Pelzer averaged 8.8 points a game and made 30 three pointers.  He had 81 rebounds and tied Becker in assists with 52.

Also back are Zack Howell (1.9 ppg, 35 rebounds), Brendan Claussen, Zach Ford, Nate Moeller and Daulton Mente.

“We have some guys that are fighting for playing time in a bench role. There is opportunity to step up and there is competition in the gym right now.  We’ll have to see how this works out,” said Fouch.

Tipton will be road warriors, sort of, to start the season.  The Tigers begin the season at Mid-Prairie on Tuesday, December 1.  The Tigers will play their first home game of the season on Friday, December 11th when they host Durant.  Tipton will play eight of their thirteen post Christmas break games at home.  The Tigers will play the first of two games with North Cedar on Tuesday, December 15 in Clarence.  North Cedar will come to Tipton on Saturday, January 23.

Tipton will play non-conference games at home against Midland and a road game against Washington.

Knights Could Be Sleeper Team In RVC North

Members of the 2016-17 North Cedar boy’s basketball team are front row, l-r: Alex Woodward, Ethan Sahr, Andrew Reif, Jake Jensen, Carter Johnson, Seb Curley and Keon McCullough. Back row: head coach Scott Jackson, Tyler Alexander, Brice Sahr, Aaron Woodward, Logan Minar, Owen Meyer, Greg Hansen, Brady Lehrman, coach Les Koering and coach Dan Kedley. Photo by Ryan Stonebraker. 

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor, Tipton Conservative

CLARENCE — There is a lot of excitement in the Northern part of Cedar County as the 2016-17 boy’s basketball season begins.  Despite limping to  6-17 overall record last season, there is plenty to be optimistic about for North Cedar.  Coach Scott Jackson returns seven players from last year’s team and a lot of potential as the new season starts.

“We had some injuries to seniors and our juniors had to step up and be leaders and that is tough coming up from the junior varsity level.  We didn’t have a big senior class last year and some of the leadership fell on them,” said Jackson.

North Cedar won their season opener at Calamus-Wheatland 58-42 but then lost their next six to start the season 1-6.  North Cedar won four River Valley Conference games including two in a season high three-game winning streak in late January and early February.  Wins at West Branch (62-44) and at home against Lisbon (65-56) and Bellevue (52-42) were highlights of hte season.  

“We have a lot of guys back and hopefully, this year we will win more.  I am confident that they will look at last year, and think to themselves that they don’t want their senior year to be like that this year, and do something about it,” said Jackson.

North Cedar returns three starters from last season in guard Carter Johnson and forwards Jacob Jensen and Aaron Woodward.  All are seniors and want to leave their mark this season.  Johnson led North Cedar in scoring last year with 8.7 points a game and got to the free throw line 60 times.  He had 23 made 3’s, 41 rebounds and 32 assists.  Jensen averaged 2.3 points a game and had 43 rebounds and Woodward averaged 6.6 points a game and had 62 rebounds.

Gone from last year are senior guards Ian Malaby (injured most of the season), Jacob Holst (4.3 ppg, 25 steals, 20 assists) and Myles Shedeck and forward Cody Fields (3.5 ppg, 93 rebounds, 34 assists, 32 steals).

There will be no where to go but up for the Knights this year.  North Cedar was near the bottom of the RVC North in scoring per game (43.3), field goal attempts (978) and rebounding.

“Our preseason work has been going well.  We have come together and embraced the team concept this year that we are better together than on our own.  They want to show people that they can get the job done,” said Jackson.

“The key to our season will be if we can stay together, play together and work well as a team and if they do, good things will happen.  The talent is there, the size is there and we can shoot the basketball.  They have to do it together,” he said.

North Cedar’s season hopes will rely on how consistent they play will be.  Besides the returning starters back North Cedar has returners Andrew Reif, Logan Minar, Brice Sahr, Mason Minar and Greg Hansen.

Logan Minar is one of four Knights over 6-feet, 4 inches, giving the Knights one of their tallest teams in program history.  Minar averaged 8.7 points and pulled down 83 rebounds in just over half of a season of play.

“We haven’t changed a whole lot over the years.  Our system works well for the kids we have.  Logan - 6-6, Mason 6-5, Owen 6-5, Aaron 6-3, Jake 6-1.  We have some size this year.  We have some kids that can dunk the basketball too.  It’s a tribute to our weight program we have here,” said Jackson.

North Cedar will get a shot in the arm with freshmen Keon McCullough and Ethan Sahr and sophomores Alex Woodward and Tyler Alexander.  Some or all could be called on for help at the guard position.

North Cedar opens the season at Calamus-Wheatland and Cascade.  The Knights host Durant on December 2 in their home opener.  The Knights host Easton Valley before Christmas and travel to Lisbon in late January for their non-conference games.  North Cedar also hosts Tipton for a non-conference game on January 21.  The first Tipton-North Cedar game will be in Tipton on December 13.

North Cedar Knights

2015-16 Record: 6-17

2015-16 RVC Record: 4-14

2015-16 Postseason: 2/15 - Anamosa 66, North Cedar 32.

2015-16 All-Conference RVC Picks: Cody Fields - RVC Honorable Mention.  

Returning Starters (3): Jacob Jensen (2.3 ppg), Carter Johnson (8.7 ppg), Aaron Woodward (6.6 ppg).

2016-17 Roster: Seniors — Andrew Reif, Jacob Jensen, Carter Johnson, Aaron Woodward, Logan Minar, Brice Sahr.  Juniors — Seb Curley, Greg Hansen, Brady Lehrman, Owen Meyer, Mason Minar.  Sophomores — Alex Woodward, Tyler Alexander.  Freshmen — Keon McCullough, Ethan Sahr.

Beavers Have Four Returners

Members of the 2016-17 Wilton boy’s basketball team are, front row, l-r: Jake Said, Chandler Redington, Kaleb Timmsen, Tyler Hartman, Cole Rabedeaux and Nathaniel Fagner. Back row: Austin Pleggenkuhl, Jacob Shepherd, Jake Fratzke, Matt Paustian and Brady Barrett. Photo by Ryan Stonebraker. 

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor, Tipton Conservative

WILTON — Last season was a good one for the Wilton boy’s basketball team.  The Beavers finished 16-9, challenged for the River Valley Conference South title and advanced to a class 2A Substate game.  The Beavers will return a handful of players from that team who will look to make a mark of their own.

Wilton boy’s basketball coach Mark Patterson said that his team will have a different look to it this season.

“We know that we basically have a whole new team,” said Patterson.  

“We had to approach things differently this season.  In terms of experience we lost a lot.  We are having to go a little slower and re-teach things and get an idea of who fits where this year.  We have been here before.  It’s high school and that happens, you are not always going to have kids back,” he said.

Back this year are seniors Brady Barrett, Matt Paustian, Nate Fratzke and Kaleb Timmsen.  Paustian averaged 4.6 ppg, made 12 three pointers, had 65 rebounds and 25 assists.  Timmsen is the only starter back and averaged 3.6 ppg.  He shot 63-percent from the free throw line.  Timmsen was the third leading rebounder last season with 85 and he also had 22 assists and 20 steals.  Fratzke had 1.6 ppg and Barrett averaged nearly one-point a game last season.

“I think the kids are eager to get going with the season.  Preseason practices have been competitive.  They recognize that there are spots open.  They need to understand that their will be more adversity than in the past and we’ll be ok,” said Patterson.

Gone from last season are all-conference players Javin Drake, Zach Randolph, Jon Henessee and Jake Lenker.

Drake was a River Valley Conference Elite Team selection.  He was the leading scorer in the RVC South with a 19.3-point average.  He had 36 three pointers, got to the free throw line 120 times and shot 76-percent, and led Wilton in rebounding with 175 rebounds.  He also had 60 assists and 40 steals.

Randolph, Henessee and Lenker were on the RVC South Divisional team.  Randolph led the team in made three pointers with 44 and got to the free throw line 91 times while shooting almost 70-percent from the line.  Randolph averaged 14.3 points a game and had a team high 94 assists and 63 steals.

Henessee averaged 9.2 points a game and had 132 rebounds.  Lenker, who is not out this year, averaged 8.5 points a game and made 23 three pointers.

Patterson said that he will be interested in seeing how his team does shooting wise.  One question mark will be perimeter shooting.  The Beavers lost a lot of producation from the three-point line, graduating or losing their top-3 long range shooters.

Wilton’s roster is young with 15 kids either a freshman or sophomore.  The Beavers have 11 sophomores out this season.

“We have a big group of sophomores and a few of them could dress on our varsity team this year to give the varsity guys some breaks.  We’d like to keep as many of them together as we can,” said Patterson.

Patterson said that he and his staff have had a lot of teaching going on in the preseason.

“It’s been fun, we (coaches) have been getting back to covering things that you haven’t had to in the past because we have had returners back.  The kids have been working hard and our goal is to be playing our best basketball at the end of the season,” said Patterson.

WIlton begins the season at home against West Branch on November 29.  Wilton will play four of their first five games of the year at home.  After a game on December 1 at Columbus Junction, home games with Cascade, Mid-Prairie and Iowa City Regina are next.  Wilton will play the first of two games against Durant right before Christmas break on December 20 at home.  The Beavers travel to Durant on January 13.

Wilton plays non-conference games at Columbus Junction and have home games with Wapello and Louisa-Muscatine after Christmas break.

Wilton Beavers

2015-16 Record: 16-9

2015-16 RVC Record: 10-8

2015-16 Postseason: 2/15 - Wilton 49, Mid-Prairie 35; 2/18 - Wilton 67, Louisa-Muscatine 57; 2/23 - Iowa City Regina 65, Wilton 43.

Returning Starters (1): Kaleb Timmsen (3.6 ppg.).

2015-16 All-Conference RVC Picks: Javin Drake - RVC Elite Team; Zach Randolph - RVC South Divisional Team, Jon Hennessee - RVC South Divisional Team, Jake Lenker - RVC South Divisional Team.

2016-17 Roster: Seniors — Brady Barrett, Jake Fratzke, Matt Paustian, Kaleb Timmsen.  Juniors — Cole Rabedeaux, Jacob Shepherd, Jake Said, Tyler Hartman.  Sophomores — Jared Townsend, Ashton Stoelk, Chase Miller, Garrett Bohnsack.