Photo courtesy of Iowa Central Athletics: Iowa Central sophomores in 2025-26 for the men’s basketball team include (left to right): Jordan Cain, CJ Mitchell, Aleix Sempere, Jalen Wynter and Tashun Pender.

For the second straight year, the Iowa Central men will be under new leadership.

This time, though, it’s a familiar face.

Mason Denholm was promoted from assistant to head coach after Ryan Kirsch took a position on Bryan Petersen’s staff at South Dakota State University. Denholm helped the Tritons to a 20-win season a year ago and appearance in the regional tournament title game.

“I’m very lucky and fortunate to take over at Iowa Central,” Denholm said. “We have tremendous leadership that supports our program, and championship growth from out staff and our team both on and off the court.

“The first few months have been great, having a strong group of young men to be around every day in workouts and practices.”

Denholm played at Grand View University and has been on prior staffs with the Vikings and Wayne State College.

The Tritons are ranked 13th in the NJCAA Div. II preseason Top-25, as the ICCAC features No. 1 and defending national champion Kirkwood, seventh-rated Des Moines Area and No. 19 Iowa Lakes.

ICCAC coaches selected Iowa Central third in the preseason poll behind Kirkwood and DMACC. Last year, the Tritons were third behind the Bears and Eagles in the final league standings, knocking off DMACC in the regional semifinals before being edged by Kirkwood, 63-61, in the championship round.

Along with competing in several exhibitions, Iowa Central already has two official games under its belt, scoring wins over ranked Milwaukee Area Tech and Marshalltown at the Iowa Lakes Classic this past weekend.

“We had a very challenging preseason, playing in two national jamborees in Oklahoma City and Kansas City,” Denholm said. “That really pushed our group to get us ready for our tough schedule.”

The conference opener is set for Nov. 25 at Northeast.

Sophomores Jordan Cain, Jalen Wynter, CJ Mitchell and Aleix Sempere were all regulars a season ago, while classmate Tashun Pender took a redshirt. Cain was a first team all-region selection. Wynter made the second squad.

“Every day is about taking steps in improvement and focusing on the process and the details that impact winning,” Denholm said. “After reaching the regional title game last year, I think our sophomores have the goal to get back in that position and make a national tournament push, which sets the tone for us in practice each day.”

Former Ames High standout Manny Lueth, Dorian Pruitt, Carter Loney and Jon Roberts “will all help provide to our rotation.”

Iowa Central will play seven games at home inside Hodges Fieldhouse before the calendar flips to 2026, including on Friday against North Central Missouri as part of the Great Western Classic. They also host Marshalltown on Saturday.

Denholm will be assisted by Owen King and Caleb Viers. King joins the staff after coaching at Winona State University last year; Viers returns for his second season.

2025-26 IOWA CENTRAL MEN’S BASKETBALL

Roster

Sophomores

Tashun Pender, Madison, Wis.; CJ Mitchell, Omaha; Jalen Wynter, Waterloo; Aleix Sempere, Spain; Jordan Cain, Minneapolis.

Freshmen

Manny Lueth, Ames; Dorian Pruitt, Minneapolis; Tyson Baumgardner, Buford, Ga.; Mason King, Caledonia, Minn.; Jaxson Cathcart, West Des Moines; Simon Gurial, Spain; Victor Hatungimana, Des Moines; Jon Roberts, Elkins Park, Penn.; Jean Lucas Beleoken, France; Carter Loney, Johnston.

Schedule

Nov. 7 — North Central Missouri; 8 — Marshalltown; 14 — vs. Edison State in Boone; 15 — vs. Community Christian in Boone; 19 — Mount Mercy JV; 22 — at Kansas City-Kansas; 25 — at Northeast; 29 — Johnson County.

Dec. 3 — Western Iowa Tech; 6 — at Iowa Lakes; 10 — Kirkwood; 13 — Southwestern; 17 — Central.

Jan. 3 — Iowa Western; 7 — Ellsworth; 10 — at Johnson County; 14 — NIACC; 17 — DMACC; 21 — at Western Iowa Tech; 24 — at Iowa Western; 28 — Ellsworth; 31 — at DMACC.

Feb. 4 — Northeast; 7 — Southwestern; 11 — at Kirkwood; 18 — at Central; 21 — Iowa Lakes; 25 — at NIACC.