Preseason All-Conference Teams: WaMaC East

<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Brayson-Laube.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1254546" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Brayson-Laube-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /></a>Preseason Player of the Year:</strong> </span>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956878" first="Brayson" last="Laube"], Marion</p> <p>This should be a pretty good race between Laube and Gallagher, but we’ll give the edge to the talented guard from Marion who is coming off an explosive summer with the Iowa Barnstormers. An impressive athlete and elite shooting threat, Laube should put up some huge numbers for the Wolves.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>First Team</h4> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956878" first="Brayson" last="Laube"], Marion: 15.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 44.1 3P%, 76.5 FT%</strong></p> <p>The division’s leading returning scorer, Laube has really worked to improve his playmaking and shot creation skills, and he should be an absolute monster this season. He’s already established himself as one of the state’s elite shooters, and now he’s adding the ability to get to the rim and finish above it. Watch out.</p> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1067659" first="Padraig" last="Gallagher"], Beckman Catholic: 13.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 blocks, 50.7 FG%, 43.0 3P%, 75.0 FT%</strong></p> <p>When leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id="964934" first="Mason" last="White"] went down with an injury last season, the Blazers promising season appeared to be in trouble. But the 6-5 Gallagher stepped up his game and became a dominant three-level scoring threat. A big wing with a silky stroke, he can score in bunches, and he does so efficiently.</p> <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="784988" first="Blake" last="DeMoss"], West Delaware: 9.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.7 steals</strong></p> <p>A heady lead guard who limited turnovers (less than one a game last year), DeMoss is a solid all-around player who contributes on both ends of the floor for the Hawks. With four of the top five scorers graduating, he’ll be asked to become a bigger scoring threat, something he is capable of doing.</p> <p><strong>2022 Kinnick Pusteoska, Solon: 8.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 65.0 FG%</strong></p> <p>A physical and efficient 6-5 big man, Pusteoska has good hands and footwork around the rim, and he runs the floor well. With Solon losing five of their top six scorers, his leadership will be heavily relied upon.</p> <p><strong>2023 Alex Mota, Marion: 7.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals. 86.7 FT%</strong></p> <p>A standout on the gridiron who holds a handful of Power 5 football offers, Mota will pair with Laube to give Marion one of the best backcourts in 3A. He’s an excellent athlete who can get to the rim, knock down shots from the arc, and defend, serving as a great complementary piece for Laube.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Second Team</h4> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158501" first="Cael" last="Hodges"], Marion</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158470" first="Logan" last="Goedken"], Beckman Catholic</p> <p>2022 Max Keller, Marquoketa</p> <p>2022 Luke Kehrli, West Delaware</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235013" first="Ethan" last="Combs"], Maquoketa</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Honorable Mentions</h4> <p>2022 Logan Burchard, Beckman Catholic<br /> 2022 Jake Quillin, Solon<br /> 2023 Kasey Coakley, Maquoketa<br /> 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171688" first="Jackson" last="Kutcher"], Mount Vernon<br /> 2024 Joe Rhomberg, Mount Vernon<br /> 2023 Jackson Kirsch, Marion</p>