By Tad Dorsey
GPAC Conference Standings
| GPAC | OVERALL | |
| Jamestown | 0-0 | 3-0 |
| #7 Morningside | 0-0 | 2-0 |
| RV Dordt | 0-0 | 1-0 |
| Briar Cliff | 0-0 | 2-1 |
| Doane | 0-0 | 2-2 |
| Concordia | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| Hastings | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| Mount Marty | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| Dakota Wesleyan | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| RV Northwestern | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Midland | 0-0 | 0-1 |
- #7 Morningside started their season playing in the Kansas Wesleyan Classic. The preseason favorites in the GPAC started out strong. In their first game they defeated the host Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes 79-73. They started the game slowly, falling behind 9-0 early. A 17-6 run mid first half gave them a ten-point lead they wouldn’t give up. They closed out the game by going 7-8 at the line late. The Mustangs were led by Trey Brown going 7-9 with 17 points and 6 rebounds. Trey Powers contributed going 4-9 (3-5 from three) with 15 points. They followed that up by defeating Southwestern 77-64. In this matchup the Mustangs found themselves down 30-28 after a defensive oriented first half. The 2nd half was an entirely different game, as Morningside shot 62% in the final frame. Morningside had 4 double digit scorers in this game, led by Zach Imig with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals. Morningside starts the season 2-0 and will be back in action November 11th at Jamestown to kick off conference play.
- RV Dordt also played at Kansas Wesleyan, defeating the host Coyotes 83-80 in their only game of the week. This was a very competitive basketball game as the score would indicate. Dordt has a great mix of experienced leadership and younger playmakers. Freshman big Jacob Vis was productive in this game, making several key shots and grabbing some key rebounds. His rebound and put back late in the first half helped Dordt to a 40-36 halftime lead. It seemed like Dordt had the game put away early on in the 2nd half, but KWU rallied and made it close late. Late in the game Cade Bleeker hit a go ahead shot, and Garrett Franken extended the lead on the next possession. Vis ended the game going 6-10 with 15 points and 4 rebounds. Jesse Jansma finished with 17 points. Franken added 14 points and 5 rebounds. The Defenders are 1-0 and they face RV Bellevue on Friday and Viterbo on Saturday in the Northwestern/Pizza Ranch Classic
- RV Northwestern has not played yet this season. They open the season at Dakota State on Tuesday, before hosting the Northwestern/Pizza Ranch Classic, facing Viterbo on Friday and RV Bellevue on Saturday.
- Jamestown had a productive first week, winning three games. They opened the season with a blowout victory beating Oak Hills 122-75. Mason Walters led the way in this one, posting a double double by halftime, with 23 points and 11 rebounds before halftime. He finished with a career 35 points on 15-19 shooting and 15 rebounds. The Jimmies were balanced, having 4 other double-digit scorers. In their second game they defeated Presentation 93-73. This game was much more competitive, especially early on. The Jimmies trailed for much of the first half after falling behind 7-0 out of the gates. A basket from Brock Schrom midway through the first half ignited a 12-0 Jimmie run which gave them a 39-30 lead. Another 12-0 run early in the 2nd half pushed the lead to 21, and from there they held the lead. Walters posted another double-double, with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Cole Woodford was efficient, going 7 for 10 (4-6 from 3) with 19 points. The Jimmies ended the week with a solid 94-69 victory over their rivals Valley City State. The Vikings came to play early, leading 10-9, but the Jimmies again took advantage of some big runs. An 18-9 run gave them a 28-18 lead with 7:43 left in the first half. From there they dominated. The biggest stat in this game was the Jimmies’ strength on the glass, outrebounding VCSU 49-19. Mason Walters again was big, posting his third double double in three games, posting 30 points on 11-13 shooting (8-8 at the line) and 13 rebounds. He’s had a great week. Jack Talley added 14 points and 8 rebounds. The Jimmies start 3-0 and are off until hosting #7 Morningside for their GPAC opener on November 11th.
- Briar Cliff started their season going 2-1. The Chargers lost a hard-fought opener to RV Bellevue, 82-79 in Sioux City. BCU built a 6-point lead in the first half and extended it to 10 early in the 2nd half. Bellevue tied it with 10 minutes left to go and maintained a close lead throughout the rest of the game. Ethan Friedel led the way for the Chargers, going 6-7, 5-6 from 3 scoring 18 points. Nick Hoyt went 6-10, 6-8 from 3, with 18 points. The Chargers next competed in the Bellevue Classic. Their first game was a 98-85 victory over Dickinson State. The Chargers shooting led the way in this game. Their first half shooting was off the charts, as there was one stretch where they connected on threes in six consecutive possessions. This led to a 54-32 halftime led. Dickinson State battled in the 2nd half, trying to get back in the game, but the lead proved to much to overcome. Jaden Kleinhesselink led the way with an 8-12 shooting night for 22 points and 9 rebounds. Friedel had another solid game from 3, connecting on six of ten threes and adding 20 points. Conner Groves contributed 15 points off the bench, hitting 5-7 from 3. Briar Cliff finished the week getting revenge on RV Bellevue with a 64-56 victory to close the Bellevue Classic. This was a much more defensive matchup, especially early on. The Bruins held a 29-26 halftime lead. During the 2nd half the Chargers found enough of an offensive spark to go up by 12 and hold on for an 8-point victory. Quinten Vasa led the way with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Quinn Vesey added 15 points and 8 rebounds. Kleinhesselink added 12 points and 12 rebounds for the double double. The Chargers are 2-1, and face Presentation on the road Wednesday, before traveling to face Dakota State on Saturday.
- Doane started their season with back to back wins, before going 0-2 in the Bellevue Classic. In their opener they defeated Sterling College 84-73. Doane started fast going up 7-0. The Tigers ended the first half on a 9-2 run to take a 46-35 halftime lead. With 6:04 left to play Sterling got within 64-63. Jumpers by Nick Saiz and Zach Witters sparked a 20-10 run to put the game away for the Tigers. Ben Moxness led the way with 17 points and 4 rebounds. Anthony Laravie contributed for 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. The Tigers followed that up with a 75-66 victory over York. This time the Tigers 41-35 at halftime. The second half started out strong for Doane, as they opened up a 22-3 run. The defense for Doane improved mightily after halftime. York shot 54% in the first half and 23% in the second half. Trey Winkler was big off the bench, going 4-8 from the field and 8-8 from the line for 18 points. In their first game of the Bellevue Classic Doane fell to the host Bruins 76-37. This was not a competitive matchup. Anthony Laravie was the only Tiger with more than 4 points, as he had 13 points. Doane was much more competitive in their second game of the classic, falling 68-60 against Dickinson State. Laravie again led the way with 17 points. Moxness had 12 points and 7 rebounds. The Tigers are 2-2. They host Manhattan Christian on Wednesday.
- Concordia started the season 1-1 competing in the Hastings Classic. The Bulldogs lost a competitive 72-69 matchup with Tabor to kick off the season. Concordia had a good first half, leading by a high of 16 (28-12) early on. The held on to a 38-30 lead at halftime. Concordia’s shooting in the 2nd half struggled. Justin Wiersema led the way for CUNE with 16 points and 5 rebounds. The offense bounced back in a big way in their second game, defeating Friends 102-82. Wiersema was strong again, posting 22 points on 8-13 shooting. Carter Kent added 22 points as well. Klay Uher posted 19 points on 7-9 shooting with 6 rebounds. The Bulldogs are back in action hosting Emmaus Bible College on Friday and Manhattan Christian on Saturday.
- Hastings also started the season 1-1 in their own classic. The offense showed out in a big way to start the season with a 119-89 victory over Friends. The Broncos went on a 21-0 run early in the first half to take a 27-9 lead. They never looked back from that lead, going up 56-38 at halftime. The second half was pretty closely matched as the Broncos kept their lead. Mason Hiemstra led the way going 8-13 with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Dashawn Walker made all 7 of his shots, adding 20 points and 10 rebounds. The Broncos fell 94-90 to Tabor in their second game. The first half saw a close lead by Tabor for most of the half, as they lead 44-42 at halftime. Hastings took a 70-67 lead midway through the second half on a three from jared Mattley. Their lead grew to as big as seven. Tabor was able to tie the game at 83, before taking an 88-84 lead with 2:11 to go. They iced the game at the free throw line. Walker led the way, going 13-19 with 31 points and 8 rebounds. Hiemstra added 23 points and 10 rebounds. Mattley contributed 16 points off the bench. Hastings is 1-1, they’ll compete in the Concordia Classic next week, facing Manhattan Christian on Friday and Emmaus Bible College on Saturday.
- Mount Marty split a pair of home games against Oak Hills to start their season. They lost the opener 82-81 in a closely matched affair. The Lancers came out fast, going up 12-1 to start the game. The lead did not last long, as Oak Hills was up 41-39 at halftime. Mount Marty took a lead in the second half, before Oak Hills closed out the game to seal the upset. Elijah Pappas led the Lancers with 16 points on 7-17 shooting, adding 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Jailen Billings went 4-7 from 3, scoring 14 points off the bench. The Lancers got revenge, beating Oak Hills 96-73 in the 2nd game. Mount Marty maintained the lead throughout the game, going up 42-31 at halftime and closing it out in the 2nd half. Billings was strong again, posting 22 points on 8-14 shooting off the bench. Marquise Moore had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the double double. Pappas picked up his own double double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Mount Marty sits at 1-1 and will play in the NAIA Showcase at the Pentagon next week, facing Presentation on Saturday and Valley City State on Sunday.
- Dakota Wesleyan has not played yet. They open their season in the NAIA Showcase at the Pentagon, facing Valley City State on Saturday and Presentation on Sunday.
- Midland lost their only game against Grand View, 83-77. It was a back and forth game. Midland started slow, not scoring until the 3:53 had already passed in the game. Grand View took the lead for good in the 2nd half, despite a late push from the Warriors. Midland is 0-1. They resume play against Concordia on November 10th to start GPAC play.
In these power rankings we have only ranked the 9 teams that have already played.
TAD’S POWER RANKINGS
- Morningside – Strong preseason favorites looked solid in their first games
- Jamestown – Mason Walters is going to be a force this season
- Dordt – Very talented team, several players can step up and make big shots
- Hastings – Offense looked very good the first two games. Can the defense improve?
- Briar Cliff – Defense stepped up in upset of Bellevue.
- Concordia – Lots of inexperience breaking in three new starters. Talented team.
- Doane – Promising start with 2 wins
- Mount Marty – Rough loss to start the year against Oak Hills
- Midland – Lost at home to Grand View
GAMES OF THE WEEK
RV Bellevue vs. RV Dordt Friday 4pm
RV Bellevue @ RV Northwestern Saturday 6pm
