Trojans will bring a new lineup out on to the hardwood“Trust the process.” Those are John Izer’s words about his Turkey Valley boys hoops squad. He’s ready to get the season started. Turkey Valley lost four starters from a squad last winter and went 12-11 overall and 7-9 in the UIC (sixth place). TV’s lone starter back is junior forward Logan Busta – an honorable mention UIC pick last year. “We’re an easy scout right now. Nobody knows the names of seven out of our 10 guys – unless you’re talking football,” said Izer. “J.D. (Kruse) and Logan – we’ll be asking a ton out of them.” Kruse did start three games last year but was more or less a key reserve on Izer’s squad – who like to push the ball up the floor in a fast-paced, high-energy style of hoops play. Izer said the physical size of his players will give the team another reason to continue focusing on setting a break-neck pace against their opponents — no one on Izer’s roster is taller than 6-2. “We’re going to have periods where we’re going to have a hard time scoring,” said Izer. “We need to generate some stuff. We’re going to have to generate some turnovers. We’re going to have to find some fast breaks and Logan can lead all of that. He’s one of the best at leading all that.” Justin Izer – the coach’s son – was the head girls hoops coach at South Winneshiek last year but will be his father’s top assistant this winter. Also on John Izer’s coaching staff are Steve Busta and Adam Hanson. Those four coaches will attempt to mold a team brimming with potential and talent. Izer is excited about a new bunch who will take center stage in Jackson Junction and help turn over a new leaf – hopefully the winning variety for all the red, black and white-clad Trojans this winter. “They’re going to be thrown in,” said John Izer. “They’re hungry in practice. They’re wanting to work. They’ve been real easy to work with so far.” Izer’s projected lineup – at least the one that recently played North Fayette Valley in Monona during a jamboree scrimmage – will be Busta and Kruse, as well as sophomores Cale Langreck, Jordan Kriener and Kaden Schmidt. “That sophomore class – I’ve got a great lock-down man-to-man defender in there. I’ve got a guy who’s full of energy and just won’t stop,” John Izer added. The starters TV lost due to graduation from a year ago are seniors Oliver Schmitt (first team all-conference), Caleb Kurtenbach (honorable All-UIC), Russell Nieman and Braylen Byrne. TV’s newcomers will help fill the void. John Izer said he’ll play eight or nine deep on his roster – at least that’s the plan before the Christmas break rolls around. “They’re working hard. They want to be challenged. They’re not whiny about what we’re doing. They’re asking for it,” said Izer. “We’ve got a good group.” Trojan juniors Tucker Reicks and Alex Hanson will also look to shine for Izer and his Trojans this winter. “We’re going to ask a lot of Tucker Reicks,” said John Izer. “He’s gotten bigger. He’s gotten stronger. We’re going to push him inside a little bit just because we like the way he works inside. Alex’s our best 3-point shooter.” TV’s starting rotation could also be a fluid situation until everything falls into place. “We’re mixing and matching,” said Izer. “We gotta get combinations down.” Schmidt – the Trojans’ leading rusher last year on the football field – has impressed the TV head coach so far during his first taste of varsity hoops play. “He’s quick. He’s tough. He doesn’t bring a lot of scoring, but he brings a lot to the defensive side,” John said. Langreck averaged 2.2 points and made good on three three-point shots during his freshman season. TV lost more than 60 percent of its scoring from last year. Busta is the Trojans’ top scorer back as he averaged 9.4 points per game and over five rebounds a contest. The Turkey Valley signal caller out on the gridiron knows how to distribute the rock as well as the pigskin as evident by his average of 4.2 assists a game. His 96 assists total led TV in that category. Kruse is a jumping-jack that can bounce out of the gym with his athletic ability and racked up over seven points of offense a contest and 5.2 rebounds a game. TV senior Jonah Orvis, junior Wyatt Maklenburg, sophomores Treyton Franzen and Jayden Rausch as well as freshman Caleb Kriener will also look to contribute to the Trojans’ cause this winter. John Izer also stated that his team can’t be afraid to get dirty, get on the floor and come up with those 50-50 loose balls. “I believe we’ve got guys that want to do that,” said Izer. Kee High was the conference champ (15-1) last season, while NFV and MFL MarMac tied for second at 13-3. South Winn and Postville tied for third with 9-7 league marks. “Our conference is loaded this year. North Fayette was in the substate game. Kee was in the substate game. South Winn brings everybody back and they are loaded with athletes,” said John Izer. “It’s about as tough of a conference as we’ve seen for a long time.”
Tabbed as members of the Turkey Valley varsity team this season are (front, l-r) Jordan Kriener, Kaden Schmidt, Jayden Rausch, Logan Busta, Caleb Kriener, Wyatt Maklenburg, Cale Langreck, Tucker Reicks; (back) head coach John Izer, Mitchell Kriener (manager), Treyton Franzen, JD Kruse, Alex Hanson, Jonah Orvis, assistant coach Justin Izer and volunteer coach Adam Hanson. (Photo by Becky Walz)
“Trust the process.”
Those are John Izer’s words about his Turkey Valley boys hoops squad.
He’s ready to get the season started.
Turkey Valley lost four starters from a squad last winter and went 12-11 overall and 7-9 in the UIC (sixth place). TV’s lone starter back is junior forward Logan Busta – an honorable mention UIC pick last year.
“We’re an easy scout right now. Nobody knows the names of seven out of our 10 guys – unless you’re talking football,” said Izer. “J.D. (Kruse) and Logan – we’ll be asking a ton out of them.”
Kruse did start three games last year but was more or less a key reserve on Izer’s squad – who like to push the ball up the floor in a fast-paced, high-energy style of hoops play.
Izer said the physical size of his players will give the team another reason to continue focusing on setting a break-neck pace against their opponents — no one on Izer’s roster is taller than 6-2.
“We’re going to have periods where we’re going to have a hard time scoring,” said Izer. “We need to generate some stuff. We’re going to have to generate some turnovers. We’re going to have to find some fast breaks and Logan can lead all of that. He’s one of the best at leading all that.”
Justin Izer – the coach’s son – was the head girls hoops coach at South Winneshiek last year but will be his father’s top assistant this winter. Also on John Izer’s coaching staff are Steve Busta and Adam Hanson. Those four coaches will attempt to mold a team brimming with potential and talent.
Izer is excited about a new bunch who will take center stage in Jackson Junction and help turn over a new leaf – hopefully the winning variety for all the red, black and white-clad Trojans this winter.
“They’re going to be thrown in,” said John Izer. “They’re hungry in practice. They’re wanting to work. They’ve been real easy to work with so far.”
Izer’s projected lineup – at least the one that recently played North Fayette Valley in Monona during a jamboree scrimmage – will be Busta and Kruse, as well as sophomores Cale Langreck, Jordan Kriener and Kaden Schmidt.
“That sophomore class – I’ve got a great lock-down man-to-man defender in there. I’ve got a guy who’s full of energy and just won’t stop,” John Izer added.
The starters TV lost due to graduation from a year ago are seniors Oliver Schmitt (first team all-conference), Caleb Kurtenbach (honorable All-UIC), Russell Nieman and Braylen Byrne.
TV’s newcomers will help fill the void. John Izer said he’ll play eight or nine deep on his roster – at least that’s the plan before the Christmas break rolls around.
“They’re working hard. They want to be challenged. They’re not whiny about what we’re doing. They’re asking for it,” said Izer. “We’ve got a good group.”
Trojan juniors Tucker Reicks and Alex Hanson will also look to shine for Izer and his Trojans this winter.
“We’re going to ask a lot of Tucker Reicks,” said John Izer. “He’s gotten bigger. He’s gotten stronger. We’re going to push him inside a little bit just because we like the way he works inside. Alex’s our best 3-point shooter.”
TV’s starting rotation could also be a fluid situation until everything falls into place.
“We’re mixing and matching,” said Izer. “We gotta get combinations down.”
Schmidt – the Trojans’ leading rusher last year on the football field – has impressed the TV head coach so far during his first taste of varsity hoops play.
“He’s quick. He’s tough. He doesn’t bring a lot of scoring, but he brings a lot to the defensive side,” John said.
Langreck averaged 2.2 points and made good on three three-point shots during his freshman season.
TV lost more than 60 percent of its scoring from last year. Busta is the Trojans’ top scorer back as he averaged 9.4 points per game and over five rebounds a contest. The Turkey Valley signal caller out on the gridiron knows how to distribute the rock as well as the pigskin as evident by his average of 4.2 assists a game. His 96 assists total led TV in that category.
Kruse is a jumping-jack that can bounce out of the gym with his athletic ability and racked up over seven points of offense a contest and 5.2 rebounds a game.
TV senior Jonah Orvis, junior Wyatt Maklenburg, sophomores Treyton Franzen and Jayden Rausch as well as freshman Caleb Kriener will also look to contribute to the Trojans’ cause this winter.
John Izer also stated that his team can’t be afraid to get dirty, get on the floor and come up with those 50-50 loose balls.
“I believe we’ve got guys that want to do that,” said Izer.
Kee High was the conference champ (15-1) last season, while NFV and MFL MarMac tied for second at 13-3. South Winn and Postville tied for third with 9-7 league marks.
“Our conference is loaded this year. North Fayette was in the substate game. Kee was in the substate game. South Winn brings everybody back and they are loaded with athletes,” said John Izer. “It’s about as tough of a conference as we’ve seen for a long time.”
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