High School Preseason Top 10: Class 1A Power Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are at the tip-off of high school basketball season in the state of Iowa. With that in mind, I still need to cover the 1A Class and their Preseason Power Rankings before we get too far into Week 1 of the season. In the article below I will be dropping our Preseason Top 10 Power Rankings for this Class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#10: Algona Garrigan High School </strong>(26-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#9: Calamus-Wheatland High School </strong>(19-6) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8: Riceville High School </strong>(23-2)<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#7: East Buchanan </strong>(15-7)<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#6: Council Bluffs St. Albert High School </strong>(17-7)<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5: Woodbine High School </strong>(23-2) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 3/5 starters &amp; most of their bench. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The common situation that we see with a lot of teams in the 1A Class is their competition level or lack of. Woodbine only lost twice last season and it was at the hands of two teams that were very skilled - individual wise. The same situation is going to be prevalent this winter. They should dominate most of their competition during the regular season but does that translate for a run at the State Playoffs? I'm not so sure. This is another group that will sit around the Top 5 all year as long as they take care of their business. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>During the 2022-2023 season, Woodbine attempted over 1500 shots throughout 25 games. This is one of the higher amount of shot attempts by a team throughout the state which means a few things. They get a lot more possessions then their opponents and that is caused by their defense. This defense is the same thing that the Tigers are going to need this winter. Don't get it twisted, defense can win championships and I wouldn't put that past anyone who wants it enough. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4: Martensdale-St. Marys High School </strong>(21-5) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 4/5 starters &amp; most of their bench. A roster that houses a handful of different collegiate level players, is one that will put together another winter to remember. They should sit around the Top 5 all year long and be in the conversation for playing for a state title before it's all said and done. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Each season Martensdale starts off their season with a challenge. They play up against a very tough opponent and this helps set the tone for the rest of their season. Over the past few years, the opponent has been the Solon Spartans. The Spartans are my 3A favorites to win it all this winter for their Class. This contest is a tune-up game for both sides. Both parties learn what they need to work on moving forward and that can help tremendously against some of the teams they will each face. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Obviously the goal every season is to bring home a championship but you need to take it one step at a time. If you run before you walk, you are going to trip and that's my outlook for this team. If they take it one game at a time, they could make the State Tournament and compete for a 1A title. They just need to get there and anything can happen. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3: Newell-Fonda High School </strong>(24-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Retuning 2/5 starters &amp; most of their bench. The main option on both sides of the ball for this team returning will be Senior [player_tooltip player_id='314161' first='McKenna' last='Sievers']. Other then that, there is going to be some other varsity experience coming back but they are going to have to make up for 500+ shot attempts from a season ago.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The strategic play of the Mustangs is what helped carry them last season along with their skilled position players. In most occasions, their offensive fire power and defensive prowess was just too much pressure for opponents and they will look to duplicate that this winter. If they can confuse the opponent and target their weaknesses throughout a contest, they will win a lot of games. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of the best rebounding teams as a whole last year was Newell-Fonda. They brought it just over 900 rebounds throughout 27 games, including grabbing almost 400 boards on the offensive side alone. This is another dominate stat that they will look to repeat again this winter. If they can come close, it's going to mean that they had a very good year as a whole. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2: Remsen St. Mary's High School </strong>(24-2) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning all 5 starters. Throughout all classes in Iowa, there are not many teams that return their entire starting 5 from last year. That is the case with Remsen St. Mary's this winter. This varsity roster will return 10/11 players from the 2022-2023 season, 8 of them being Seniors. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>From an outside perspective, this team plays as one of the fastest in 1A. About 40% of their shot attempts a season are from behind the three point arc and that says a lot about their team objectives. They currently house the players to run this system efficiently. If they can continue that this winter, they will bet up of most teams from deep. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>When you account for the domination of this team and program last season, while taking into account the facts that I mentioned above with the experience factor on their side. Remsen St. Mary's could be a favorite to bring home the 1A title in 2024. It may take a few things to fall in their favor, that are not in their control, but it's more than possible. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1: North Linn High School </strong>(23-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Returning 4/5 starters &amp; most of their bench. With a roster that housed 16 different players throughout the entirety of the season, the Lynx's will bring back 13 of those players this winter. Giving them not just the advantage of having players with superior skill in this 1A Class compared to most but the experience to win during meaningful contests. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This season the Lyxn's are going to have a good shot to put together another memorable regular season leading into the playoffs. During their 2022-2023 campaign, they made a total of around 675 shots in total on the floor. Out of these 675 makes, 459 of them came off of assists. Meaning that this team is making the extra pass to their teammates most of time. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The importance of getting to the free throw line is another factor that made a huge impact on the Lyxn's season in 2022-2023 and they are looking to replicate that. Throughout their 25 games, they shot a total of 300 free throws. Out of these 300 free throws, they made around 200 as a team. It's important to get to the line for a few reasons and North Linn will look to do that more and more each game this winter. Demonstrating their Will and Physical dominance on their opponents. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->