Submitted photo Bryce Coppock goes to the basket for Newell-Fonda last year.

NEWELL — When Bryce Coppock walks into the Newell-Fonda gym for basketball practice, he takes note of the wall of pride.

The Mustangs are four-time state champions, with boys basketball titles in 1991, ’97, ’99 and 2000. Five other squads have reached the state tournament.

Coppock, a returning all-state junior, is hoping to get his team back to Des Moines for the first time since 2014 this winter.

Newell-Fonda went 17-7 a year ago and finished tied for first in the Twin Lakes Conference at 9-2.

“There have been some phenomenal Newell-Fonda basketball teams in the past,” Coppock said. “With so much previous success, there comes an expectation to succeed every time you step on our floor. This team would love to join the ranks of some of those previous ones.”

Coppock, entering his third season as a starter for the Mustangs, averaged just under 22 points per game a year ago. He made 43 three-pointers and shot 46 percent from the floor, adding 96 assists, 54 steals and 12 blocks.

Despite his strong numbers and honors, Coppock still found holes in his own game.

“Last year, I was relatively inefficient shooting the ball in my eyes,” he said. “That was a point of emphasis in my game improvement this offseason. Along with that, I have also worked to improve my court vision.”

Junior Aden Mahler and senior RJ Rojas are returning starters who posted 10.7 and 7.5 points per contest for Newell-Fonda head coach Shad Coppock last year. Rojas also grabbed almost six rebounds a night, and Mahler three.

Mahler led the team with 53 made triples, shooting almost 44 percent from deep. Rojas was the top rebounder at 139 boards, while adding 52 assists and 50 steals.

“Aden had a great sophomore season shooting the 3-pointer and we look for him to take on more responsibility on defense,” Shad Coppock said. “RJ is our glue guy. He does so many things for this team that holds us together and makes us go.

“We also expect to see some surprises from some of our young kids, as well as others coming off injuries from a year ago.”

Tanner Gerke is also returning letterwinner, with Treyton Mahler back from injury after averaging almost six points as a freshman two years ago.

Newell-Fonda went 17-4 in 2017-18 after starting 0-3, including a seven-game win streak in which they scored over 60 points six times.

“I am very excited with what we have coming back and the improvements our guys have made,” Bryce Coppock said. “We finished very strong (winning 11 of 13 down the stretch), but believe we could’ve done some more damage.

“Our expectations for this season are sky-high, and we can’t wait to get back on the court.”

The Mustangs open their season on Tuesday at home against Spencer.

MUSTANG RETURNING LEADERS

Points: Bryce Coppock, 526

Rebounds: RJ Rojas, 139

Assists: Bryce Coppock, 96

Steals: Bryce Coppock, 54

Blocks: RJ Rojas, 13

Made 3s: Aden Mahler, 53