Tigers return all five starters

MARENGO — The Iowa Valley boys’ basketball team returns its entire roster from last season in which they finished 9-14.

The only change will be the team’s head coach.

Josh Konicek has been an assistant for the Tigers the last five seasons. He now steps into the head coaching role.

“I learned so much these past five years and am excited to finally get to take things over,” Konicek said.

“I have a great assistant coach in Phil Grant, who was at Colfax-Mingo before he came here,” Konicek said. Grant has head-coaching experience that Konicek can rely on if he needs to, he said.

“This is a great community who deserves to see some great basketball, and I am glad Iowa Valley trusted me to bring that to them,” Konicek said.

The biggest returner for the Tigers is unanimous first team all-conference honoree Caleb Haack. Haack was also named third team all-state in Class 1A last season.

Haack managed a double-double in his junior campaign, averaging 21 points and 13 rebounds per contest.

Other key returners include Owen Ary, Cole Long and Layne Peska.

The Tigers are in position to improve on last season’s record.

“We have an incredibly talented young core with a couple of veteran guys around them with speed and tons of skill,” Konicek said.

“Their goals are very high. Hopefully what they accomplished this season in football will carry over to basketball.”

With some of the Tigers’ younger players having experience under their belt, Konicek hopes to see some of the load taken off Haack offensively.

“We relied heavily on Caleb last season, as we had so many freshmen and sophomores playing,” Konicek said.

“With that year under them, their roles will expand a bunch, and I can't wait to see what they can all do.”

The Tigers will scrimmage Springville at the English Valleys Jamboree Nov. 25.

The regular season kicks off with two home games versus English Valleys and Keota Dec. 3 and Dec. 6.