STORM LAKE, Iowa (Nov. 5, 2026) - Second-year head coach Jeff Horner will have a strong nucleus of last year’s roster back that finished 14-12 overall (7-9 A-R-C) and was defeated on the road at the University of Dubuque in the first round of the American Rivers Conference Tournament.

Last year’s team posted its first overall record over .500 since 2021-22 (15-12, 11-5 A-R-C) and made its way back into the conference tournament after missing out in 2024-25. Seniors Carter Sievers (17.8ppg, 3.5apg, .398% 3-FG) and Kyle Sternberg (9.7ppg, 6.0rpg, 0.8bpg), along with juniors Adam Bryte (12.8ppg, 5.4rpg, .355% 3-FG) and Jayden Brink (14.0ppg, 2.1apg, 1.0spg) are all returning starters who will look to give opponents fits all season.

“These four guys have done an excellent job of leading this program and all had tremendous seasons last year,” says Horner.

Sievers surpassed 1,000 career points in the home finale last season and set career-highs in points (375) and assists (74) and also went to the  free-throw line an astounding 147 times.

“Carter is an excellent leader for our team and will be again this year,” Horner adds. “He is a great scorer, but he is a complete player.”

Brink, who spent time this summer playing on a Division III USA Team on a Brazil Tour, had a breakout year as a sophomore. He played in only 11 games as a freshman and scored a total of 20 points on the year. Last year, he became a regular starter and was second behind Sievers in scoring and was second on the team with 53 made three-point baskets. He also caused havoc on the defensive side with 25 steals.

“Jayden took a huge jump for us last year, especially when Carter was sidelined early on with an injury,” says Horner. “Having him and Carter on our team, I wouldn’t trade our backcourt for anyone in the country!”

One piece that has been maybe lacking within the program in recent years is an overall size presence. Horner has added five guys who are listed at least 6’7” or taller to this year’s roster, including one at 6’10”, in hopes of taking some of the pressure off at both ends of the floor.

“Our guys did a great job competing every night last year despite our lack of size,” he says. “Hopefully with our added size this year, we will not have to double the post as much as we were forced to last season.”

Sternberg and Bryte, who are both listed as 6’5”, were both called on to help fill the void on the defensive end, and their offensive versatility expanded the offense out past the arc. Bryte was the team leader in three-point buckets with 66 while Sternberg added 21. Both guys averaged over 5.0rpg with Sternberg swatting away a team-leading 20 shot attempts.

“We are going to ask Adam to move positions this year,” says the second-year coach. “He has done a great job in the Fall adjusting, and I can’t wait to see him improve even more from a great year last year. Kyle started off a little slow last year, but did a great job after he adjusted to a position change as well. He is a great leader, and I can’t wait to see his improvement from last year!”

Junior Jaden Jones is the only other player returning who appeared in over 20 games last season. He started 11 times and averaged 3.8ppg and 3.5rpg and was second on the team with 66 assists.

Horner has added a dozen newcomers to the roster going into the year. He’s excited for the competition in practice and the development of some of the new faces, but is looking forward to how its non-conference schedule will prepare and challenge them for the tough conference slate that will follow starting in January.

“Our schedule will be significantly better from last year,” he says. “We are playing a lot of teams from the MIAC (Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) and we will head to Daytona Beach (Florida) right before Christmas. Our non-conference games will prepare us for a grueling A-R-C schedule, and I am hoping we can be playing our best basketball heading into those games.”

The Beavers tip-off the season at Augustana College (IL) on Friday, Nov. 6 before turning around the following day to play at UW-Platteville. A week later, the home schedule begins when the team hosts the second annual Central Bank Classic on Nov. 13-14. Horner will lead his team down to Daytona Beach, Fla., on Dec. 19-20 to play games against both Maine Maritime Academy and the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor. The 14-game A-R-C schedule begins on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at defending champion, Nebraska Wesleyan, before the first home conference game is held later that week on Saturday, Jan. 9, against the University of Dubuque. The regular season concludes on Feb. 20 at Coe College.