BOYS HOOPS: Optimism in the air for Wolverine boys

New optimism is in the air as Nodaway Valley boys basketball turns the page to a new season this month and the winter sports season begins.

The Wolverines turn the keys of the program over to veteran coach Mick Long, who is a new teacher this year at the high school. There is a renewed sense of optimism in the air as the season starts with many from last year’s roster returning and looking to step into significant roles on this year’s team.

“We have a lot of talent in the gym this year,” Long said. “We have spent a lot of time getting to know each other and that has been good. We have really put a lot of work into getting ready for the season with open gyms and playing a lot of basketball. We have a lot of kids who are excited to play this year.”

The biggest change, save for a new coach, will be the departure of senior Dawson Nelson from last year. Nelson averaged 24.3 points per game last year with 535 points on the season. He also shot 85% from the free throw line. He was the only all-conference pick off of last year’s version of the Wolverines.

“Dawson was a great player, but he is not coming back in the gym doors to suit up. We have a lot of spots open and that has created a lot of competition so far,” said Long.

This year’s roster has swelled to 19 players with a balance of guys among the four classes. NV will have four seniors, six juniors, five sophomores and four freshman. Ten players return who have on-court varsity experience.

The top two returners in scoring will be seniors Paul Berg and Ben Hoover. The duo are very athletic and combined to average 8.5 points per game last season. Berg was second on the team in rebounding with 5.5 per game and Hoover averaged 3.8 a contest.

Sophomore Ty Rardin and junior Titus Hamer each return also, having started 19 of 22 games last year apiece. Also back on the team are Luke and Paul Kading, Jacob Fry, Dyllan Shannon, Parker Schneider, Garrett Welsch and Christian Putney. The expectation is that this group of players will all be competing with each other for the most playing time, whether that’s a starter role or coming off the bench.

Long can clearly see what he has from watching practices.

“We have some athleticism and speed and hope to use that. We have some length and hope that will cause problems for teams defensively,” he said. “It’s exciting to get going and I have been happy with the work and their effort so far.”

The Wolverines opened the season Monday at Clarinda — the first of five non-conference games this year. The Wolverines will also play non-conference road games at Atlantic, Panorama and Earlham. Nodaway Valley will have home non-conference games against CAM and Interstate 35 that will end the season.

The Wolverines' home opener was Tuesday when Mount Ayr was in town, the first of four home games before Christmas Break.

Five home games wait for NV after the holidays.Long said the Pride Of Iowa Conference should be competitive this season, especially since the conference is going to a true champion format with home-and-home games for all nine league members.

Long said that Mount Ayr, Lenox and possibly Southeast Warren will be picked for the top this year.

For classification reasons, the sharing agreement for boys basketball was officially dropped with Orient-Macksburg for this season because no players from O-M showed interest in playing.