Preseason All-Conference Teams: WaMaC East

<!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1426254,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Brayson-Laube3.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Brayson-Laube3-300x200.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1426254"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year: </strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956878' first='Brayson' last='Laube'] (Marion)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most dynamic scorers in the state, Laube averaged nearly twice as many points as any other returnee in the division for a Marion team that is far and away the favorite to take home the division title this season. A high-level scorer with the ability to get scorching hot and drop 35+ on any given night, he's an easy pick for POY honors in the East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956878' first='Brayson' last='Laube'] (Marion): 20.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.9 steals, 50.9 FG%, 41.1 3P%, 77.5 FT%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future Augustana (SD) guard firmly established himself as one of the state's elite guards last year, putting up 20 a game and leading the Wolves to the 3A state tournament. He's a dynamic three-level scorer who is armed with one of the quickest releases and deepest ranges of any guard in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367405' first='Alex' last='Mota'] (Marion): 10.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 46.8 FG%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A future Iowa football player, Mota is an athletic, slashing guard who is a strong complement to Laube on the Wolves perimeter. He can create for others and is a versatile defender with the quickness, length, and toughness to defend guards or forwards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171688' first='Jackson' last='Kutcher'] (Mount Vernon): 9.8 points, 52.0 FG%, 60.0 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kutcher missed a large majority of last season but showed everyone what he's capable of when he came back late in the season, draining 12-20 3-pointers in his limited action. Having him back on the floor will be a welcome addition to a Mustangs team that could use some perimeter scoring punch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376688' first='Joe' last='Rhomberg'] (Mount Vernon): 10.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rhomberg is an undersized forward with a non-stop motor that he uses to dominate on the glass on both ends of the floor. He has good hands and is a tough player who doesn't shy away from contact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376687' first='Jake' last='Benzing'] (Solon): 9.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 82.8 FT%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic, slashing wing who led the Spartans in scoring as a sophomore, Benzing looks primed to have a big scoring year as a junior for Solon following a number of losses to graduation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 Brady Erickson (Mount Vernon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376710' first='Evan' last='Brase'] (Mount Vernon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 Hayden Lyness (West Delaware)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 Tyrus Werner (West Delaware)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 Payton Hodges (Marion)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 Jensen Meeker (Mount Vernon)<br>2023 Wyatt Kresser (Independence)<br>2023 Bryce Smith (West Delaware)<br>2023 Maddux Lott (West Delaware)<br>2023 Oaken Foster (Solon)<br>2024 Gehrig Turner (Solon)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476987' first='Myles' last='Davis'] (Marion)<br>2023 Calen Claypool (Marion)<br>2023 Blake Timmons (Solon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->