Click Here to Listen to an interview with Head Coach Troy Larson

Click Here to Listen to an interview with sophomore Keshawn Pegues 

It's been 306 days since the Iowa Lakes Men's Basketball team took the court. The Lakers finished the 2019-2020 season with a record of 26-6, which placed them 2nd in the league and ranked 10th in the country. The Lakers also led the country in 3-point percentage. Three sophomores continued onto the next level at NCAA Division 1, NCAA Division 2, and NAIA schools. Justin Brookens was named 1st Team All-American, 1st Team All-Region, ICCAC Player of the Year and Male Athlete of the Year. 

Head Coach Troy Larson is entering his 14th season with the Lakers and is looking forward to coaching this year's team, "We have been blessed over the last 10 years to have really good group of guys who sacrifice for the good of the team.  This group fits that mold as well.  We have good size and athletic ability so we should be able to defend and rebound." 

The Lakers open the season ranked #7 in the NJCAA preseason rankings. For the 2020-2021 season the Lakers have three returning players that played significant minutes last season. Keshawn Pegues, a 6'4" sophomore from Davenport, Iowa, had an impressive freshman campaign. Pegues started 29 out of 32 games, averaging 12.5 points per game with a field goal percentage of 50%, making him the second lead scorer on the team behind Brookens. Pegues grabbed 8.6 rebounds per game putting him at 46th in the country. He also accumulated 10 double-doubles on the season. Pegues finished the season a 1st Team All Region XI performer, ICCAC Player of the Week twice, and NJCAA National Player of the Week once. Another returning starter for the Lakers is Kevin Cook, a 6'7" sophomore from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Cook started 31 out of 32 games last season and averaged 9.3 points per game, 6.8 rebounds, and shot 53.2% from the floor. Dillon Carlson, a 6'3" returning sophomore from Ankeny, Iowa, appeared in all 32 games and averaged 8.8 points per game, 2.5 rebounds per game, shot 47.7 % from the field and 43.8% from behind the arc. 

These returners are helping Coach Larson set the tone for the incoming freshmen.  Coach Larson is looking forward to starting games this season, "Need to continue to improve on our understanding of how to be college basketball players.  Started to embrace the grind the last 45 days of the fall semester.  We are anxious to get everyone back and start working." 

The Lakers also have some key freshman that are looking to contribute to the program. Caleb Johnson, a 6'1" Freshman from Baltimore, Maryland, attended Archbishop Curley High School where he averaged 19.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Johnson helped his team to a school championship. Colton Schutt, a 6'5 freshman from Yorkville, Illinois, attended Yorkville Christian High School and averaged 14.6 points per game. Ozzie Meiborg, a 6'1" freshman from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, attended Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School and averaged 17 points and 3 assists per game. Joseph Owens, a 6'6" freshman from Dekalb, Illinois, attended Dekalb High School where he averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds per game. Johnathan Oden, a 6'6" freshman from Chicago, Illinois, attended Legal Prep High School where he averaged 19.3 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game.

Two other student athletes look to have an immediate impact for the Lakers as well.  Xzavier Jones from Milwaukee, WI is a 6'4" NCAA D2 transfer from Northern Michigan who averaged 12 pts and 8 rebs at Martin Luther HS.  Ryan Hall in a 6'5" PG from Kettering, OH who has a NCAA D1 scholarship offer from Wright State after averaging 18 pts, 4 assists, and 3 rebs a game at Kettering Fairmont High School.  

 When asked where he sees his team ending in the league, Coach Larson replied by saying, "As always, the league will be good.  Should be 4 to 5 teams with a chance to win it.  If you win our league you have a chance to win a national championship".  "It will also be a fun and interesting year as we are playing all teams twice in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference including Indian Hills, Southeastern, Northeast NE, and Marshalltown."  Recently released NJCAA ranking has Iowa Lakes 7th in the NJCAA with league schools Kirkwood (#1), NIACC (#11), and DMACC (#15).  Also Indian Hills was ranked #4 at the NJCAA Div 1 level.

The Lakers are looking forward to playing their first game January 20th against Iowa Western in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Troy Larson enters his 14th season at the helm of Iowa Lakes Men's Basketball with an overall record of 279 wins and 133 losses.  Over the last eight seasons Iowa Lakes has averaged 23 wins a season including winning two regular season championships, finishing  2nd three times, and third twice.  The Lakers have played in three regional final games including advancing to the national tournament in 2013.

OTHER: Interviews attached with Coach Larson & sophomore Keshawn Pegues

Link to Roster: https://iowalakesathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/roster

Link to Schedule: https://iowalakesathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/schedule

Photo ID: Photo of Keshawn Pegues & Troy Larson attached.   

MEDIA: For more information, please contact Head Men's Basketball Coach Troy Larson at (712) 362-7915 or the Iowa Lakes sports information office at (712) 362-7928.