Returning letter winners set to lead the 2024-25 South Winn boys’ basketball team are (l-r) Kaden Barton-Franzen, Matson Winings, Braiden Todd, Carson Streeter and Nolan Sabelka. (Photo by Becky Walz)
There’s excitement in the South Winn boys’ basketball program.
With five returning letter winners and several young players ready for their time to shine, there’s potential for a strong year for the Warriors.
Leading the squad for his third season is Derek Taylor. He will be assisted by Mitchell Herold and Logan Schweinefus.
A look at last year
The Warriors of 2023-24 featured just three seniors and a host of underclassman, who already had seen plenty of time on the floor.
South Winn saw lots of ups and downs on the hardwood that culminated in a fourth-place finish in the Upper Iowa Conference, finishing the league schedule 9-7 and 15-9 overall.
Taking round one 65-21 over Clayton Ridge, the Warriors survived Edgewood-Colesburg 65-60 in round two before falling to Kee in the Class 1A semifinal game 59-56.
Following the conclusion of the year, four Warriors were named all-conference. Sophomore Matson Winings was named to the first team, averaging 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds a game. He had a team high 34 blocks.
Senior Kole Hageman was named to the second team, contributing a total of 309 points for the season or 13.4 points a night with 123 rebounds, 62 steals and 66 assists.
Then-junior Nolan Sabelka was named honorable mention. He was third in steals for the Warriors with 45, along with 52 assists, 49 rebounds and 86 points for the season.
Braiden Todd was an honorable mention selection. During his sophomore campaign he averaged 12.5 points a night; however, he led the Warriors in assists with 96. Todd also had 52 steals and 87 boards.
Back strong
In addition to Winings, Sabelka and Todd, the Warriors have two other players who earned a letter.
Junior Carson Streeter was sidelined with an injury during the 2023-24 season but finished with a 15.6 points per game average. Through the nine games he played, he racked up 36 steals, 47 assists and 58 rebounds.
Kaden Barton-Franzen will be back at a forward position. As a junior he averaged 4.8 points and 4.7 rebounds a game.
They will be joined by senior Irving Flores; juniors Carver Wenthold, Brad Dahl, Cale Kleppe and Logan Tieskoetter; and freshman Jordan Einck.
Season forecast
Coach Taylor believes the size of his squad will make for an excellent defensive team, especially in Class 1A.
“We also have scoring talent as we have guys that can create and finish all over the floor. The experience with the five starters playing big minutes last year and the hunger from losing a tough district final has put us in a great place to get back to and go further this season,” he said.
While the Warriors have much experience to rely on this season, the coaches are still looking to find those athletes who have the ability to consistently hit the deep ball to expand the outside shooting.
“I am also concerned about our depth,” noted coach Taylor. “I have a lot of returning talent, but who is going to step up into the rotation to be the sixth, seventh and eighth guys off the bench?”
While Coach Taylor fully expects to see the Warriors competing for the conference title, he has his eye out for the talent held by North Fayette Valley and Kee as well. And that will depend on keeping the injury bug away.
“We never really played at full strength after the first two weeks of the season last year and this is one of the most talented groups of athletes South Winn has had in a long time. He concluded, if we can stay healthy, I think there is a lot of potential if we work hard and stay the course.”
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