MBB: American Rivers Conference

[Schipper Strong]

Pat is correct. The conference was extremely balanced and every game was a battle. That could very well prove that all of the teams were mediocre with none standing out. None of the teams were ranked this year other than a one week flash by Central in the first NCAA regional rankings. The next week we were out even though we were winning. I am afraid it could be a quick exit from the tournament. I hope I am wrong.

[Schipper Strong]

There is a silver lining to the abrupt end to Central's season, yes I am reaching. It sounds like senior starters Drew Edwards and Grant Johnson are currently planning to return next year. The Central lineup was very tight this year with primarily 7 players seeing most of the action, the Brand brothers and the starters. Only 5th year player Kade Terrell will be missing next year from that group. The Brand brothers may have to remain first subs as they play too well together to break them up. I know fans will be thrilled that the Sultans of Swat will be back together next year to once again hep Central lead the division in blocked shots. Hopefully Van Gorp can work on his shooting percentage to lead the division next year as well. Much to look forward to for the Dutch.

[Schipper Strong]

Coe beats Loras at Loras 93-86 to win the conference tournament title and playoff berth. Good luck to the Kohawks. I only watched the last few minutes, but it looked like it was a good game.

[SpartyBlue]

Most Valuable Player    School    Year    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Josh Van Gorp $    Central    Jr.    C    Pella, Iowa/Pella Christian

Defensive Player of the Year    School    Year    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Cael Schmitt ! &    Coe    Jr.    G    Dubuque, Iowa/Wahlert Catholic

First Team    School    Year    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Grant Johnson    Central    Sr.    F    Van Meter, Iowa/Van Meter
Cael Schmitt ! &    Coe    Jr.    G    Dubuque, Iowa/Wahlert Catholic
TJ Schnurr    Coe    Jr.    F    Algona, Iowa/Bishop-Garrigan Catholic
Jaylin McCants #    Dubuque    So.    G    Galesburg, Ill./Galesburg
Ali Sabet !    Loras    Jr.    G    Glenview, Ill./Maine East
Peter Lash !    Nebraska Wesleyan    So.    G    Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian School
Easton Darling    Simpson    Jr.    G    Winterset, Iowa/Winterset
Jack Molstead # ^    Wartburg    Sr.    G    Charles City, Iowa/Charles City


Second Team    School    Year    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Zane Neubaum # @    Buena Vista    Jr.    G    Rockwell City, Iowa/South Central Calhoun
Kade Terrell    Central    5th Year    G    Montrose, Colo./Montrose
Sam Kilburg ! @    Dubuque    Jr.    G    Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott
Keegan Zimmerman %    Dubuque    Sr.    F    Eureka, Ill./Eureka
Tyler Bass    Loras    So.    G    Washington, Ill./Washington
Ben Gill #    Luther    Jr.    C    Sydney, Australia/Newington College
Keagan John $    Wartburg    5th Year    G    New Hampton, Iowa/New Hampton
Drew Olson !    Wartburg    5th Year    G    Osage, Iowa/Osage Community School


Honorable Mention    School    Year    Pos.    Hometown/High School
Drew Edwards    Central    Sr.    G    Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie
Brock Simon * # ~    Dubuque    Sr.    G    Cascade, Iowa/Cascade
Walker Andrew    Nebraska Wesleyan    Sr.    F    Littleton, Colo./Heritage
Carter Glenn    Nebraska Wesleyan    So.    G    Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln East
Landon Torneten $    Nebraska Wesleyan    Jr.    F    Council Bluffs, Iowa/Abraham Lincoln
Andrew Gibb    Simpson    Jr.    G    Fort Dodge, Iowa/St. Edmond
Codey Hicks    Wartburg    Sr.    C    Cedar Falls, Iowa/Janesville

Previous Honors
* - 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year
! - 2021-22 First Team All-Conference
# - 2021-22 Second Team All-Conference
$ - 2021-22 Honorable Mention
& - 2020-21 First Team All-Conference
@ - 2020-21 Second Team All-Conference
~ - 2020-21 Defensive Player of the Year
% - 2020-21 Honorable Mention
^ - 2019-20 Honorable Mention

[SpartyBlue]

Coe @ Wash U in the first round of the NCAA.  Upset alert! 

[Schipper Strong]

In addition to the honors SpartyBlue posted, 1st year head coach Joe Steinkamp was named Coach of the year. Congratulations to all!

[TheOsprey]

Coe @ Wash U in the first round of the NCAA.  Upset alert!

That's a big ask.  I felt Coe is so hot right now, that they would possibly win that first game.  However,  Wash U might be at another level for the underdog and they will be well prepared in their gym.  Goodluck and congrats on the great run by this squad.

[Pat Coleman]

Coe @ Wash U in the first round of the NCAA.  Upset alert!

That's a big ask.  I felt Coe is so hot right now, that they would possibly win that first game.  However,  Wash U might be at another level for the underdog and they will be well prepared in their gym.  Goodluck and congrats on the great run by this squad.

I am guessing that a Pat Juckem-coached team will never take Coe lightly.

[Schipper Strong]

A late congratulations to Josh Van Gorp on his selection to the NABC All American 3rd team. The first player in Central history to do so. Even more awesome is that he is a Pella local, graduating from Pella Christian High School. Way to represent Josh! Love it when the local players stay in town and do well.

[Greek Tragedy]

Any word on seniors returning? Central has 2, Dubuque has 6, Neb Wes has 3, Wartburg has 3, but also has 3 5th yr players. Loras and Coe only have 1 listed senior in their top 8.

[doolittledog]

With Iowa Wesleyan shutting down I'm curious if any from their basketball team will end up in the ARC.  They were 27-3 last season. 

[Greek Tragedy]

With Iowa Wesleyan shutting down I'm curious if any from their basketball team will end up in the ARC.  They were 27-3 last season.

Yeah, they were 27-3, but do you have any idea if any of those opponents were any good?

https://www.iwtigers.com/schedule/22/1

[SpartyBlue]

With Iowa Wesleyan shutting down I'm curious if any from their basketball team will end up in the ARC.  They were 27-3 last season.

Considering that IWU's roster was made up entirely of out of state, in fact out of midwest players, and being NAIA they probably received some athletic scholarship money, I'd highly doubt if anyone moves to the ARC. 

[Greek Tragedy]

I think I recall Neb. Wesleyan's Peter Lash was in the transfer portal last year and then returned. Is he planning on finishing out his athletic career at the school? I haven't heard anything about him entering the portal again. I think Neb. Wes. could be a good team next season, especially if Lash returns.

[Goldy97]

Major ARC move! Former Wartburg 1st-team all-conference G Jack Molstead has joined Chris Martin and Loras. Big, big transfer get. Duhawks have quite the core heading into 23-24.