Conference Preview: MVC Mississippi

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1458175,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Cade-Courbat-new-crop-2693x1768-1652803249.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Cade-Courbat-new-crop-2693x1768-1652803249-300x197.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1458175" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cedar Falls (20-3, 48.1% of scoring returning): </strong>Cedar Falls has accomplished a ton over the last seven years, averaging 21.3 wins a season, and the train isn't going to slow down this season despite losing Trey Campbell, who was one of the best players in the state last season. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='956870' first='Dallas' last='Bear'] (14.1), who has committed to play his college ball at Augustana (SD), is the top returnee. A 6-8 sharpshooter coming off a really good summer with the Barnstormers, Bear looks primed to have a huge senior year as the focal point of the Tigers attack. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1171693' first='Cade' last='Courbat'] (6.6, 2.3 blocks) was excellent defensively last season and had a great summer with Martin Brothers, showing an improved offensive skill set. He should have a breakout junior year that gets him on the radar of mid-major programs around the Midwest. Derek Woods (4.0) saw a lot of time as a role player, and sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1199979' first='Anthony' last='Galvin'] (3.4) should step into the primary ball-handling role for this group. The Tigers have a ton of talent coming up from the sophomore team from last season as well, so they should remain deep and talented. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cedar Rapids Prairie (18-7, 27.0%):</strong> Prairie made it to the 4A semifinals last season, using strong defense and really good guard play to unexpectedly reach the Final Four. They lost a ton of production from that group, but coach Jeremy Rickertsen has done a really good job building this program, constantly competing on both ends of the floor, defending hard, and rebounding. [player_tooltip player_id='1240063' first='Jack' last='Wagemester'] (7.2, 41.1 3P%) is the team's top returning scorer, a long guard with a high basketball IQ who can provide some defensive versatility and shooting. [player_tooltip player_id='1240079' first='Makelle' last='Taylor'] (4.2) is a quick-twitch, powerful athlete who can get to the rim, and junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1376680' first='Reid' last='Burkle'] (3.8) should have a breakout season in a much bigger role. He's a really good athlete who uses his athleticism, size, and physicality to contribute on the glass, and he should take on a heavier scoring load as a junior. Look for the Hawks to once again lean on their ability to rebound, defend, and share the wealth, especially early on as new faces get acclimated to major minutes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1458748,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Traijan-Sain-crop-2705x1777-1652846701-crop-640x421-1652846736.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Traijan-Sain-crop-2705x1777-1652846701-crop-640x421-1652846736-300x197.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1458748" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cedar Rapids Washington (13-10, 86.2%):</strong> The Warriors have been building towards this season for the last three years, with a strong senior class ready to try and get over the hump. The top four scorers return to a team that reached the substate finals last year before losing to Kennedy, led by wing [player_tooltip player_id='956880' first='Traijan' last='Sain'] (17.1), a long, athletic perimeter scoring threat who has really improved his all-around offensive game. When he's engaged, he's also a really good defender who could be one of the best two-way players in the state this season. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1167702' first='Jesse' last='Sellers'] (11.4) and [player_tooltip player_id='1167699' first='Jaden' last='Harris'] (6.9) are quick, dynamic playmakers who can break down a defense and put pressure on opposing ball-handlers, and [player_tooltip player_id='1376684' first='JJ' last='Willis'] (6.6) had a solid year last season showing the ability to score inside and out. This is a team that has steadily improved over the last three years on both ends of the floor, and there is a lot of talent here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>City High (7-16, 31.9%):</strong> Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1240089' first='Shamar' last='Benton'] (11.4) is the lone returnee among the top six scorers from last season, as four graduated and [player_tooltip player_id='1256297' first='TaeVeon' last='Stevens'] transferred across town to Iowa City West. Benton is an athletic guard who can get to the rim seemingly at will, and he'll be asked to shoulder a significant load this year. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1381427' first='Trey' last='Wright'] (3.4) and senior wing Thomas Ksobiech (2.9) are the other returnees who saw time last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1071971,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Duke-Faley.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Duke-Faley-300x197.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1071971" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dubuque Wahlert (16-7, 61.3%): </strong>Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1167700' first='Duke' last='Faley'] (16.5, 7.3 rebounds) leads a Wahlert team that progressively improved throughout the course of last season. Faley, who has committed to throw for Iowa's track and field team, is a 6-6 forward who can score inside and out efficiently, and he led the Golden Eagles in scoring and rebounding last season. They lost a pair of double-figure scorers to graduation, but bring back a tandem of long, athletic, playmaking wings in [player_tooltip player_id='1469744' first='Seamus' last='Crahan'] (8.8) and [player_tooltip player_id='1469746' first='Nolan' last='Berendes'] (8.7) who give the Eagles a lot of size and length on the perimeter. Jack Walsh (3.7), Luke Smith (1.4), and Patrick Fitzgerald (1.1) each saw playing time last season and also return, and expect to see [player_tooltip player_id='1288882' first='Ethan' last='Meyer'], a big, talented sophomore combo forward, to step into a major role. Wahlert is going to be tall, long, and athletic, and they should be one of the best teams in 3A this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liberty (10-13, 79.4%): </strong>Ryan Kelly will have his best team to date this season, with six of the top seven scorers returning for the Lightning. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1288867' first='Da'Shon' last='Fisher'] (17.4) is the standout, an athletic rim punisher who has really improved his jumper throughout the last few years, turning into a deadly all-around offensive weapon. [player_tooltip player_id='1469777' first='Luke' last='Ramsey'] (8.0) was a solid secondary scorer last season, and [player_tooltip player_id='1469748' first='Christian' last='Barney'] (5.5), who moved from Cedar Falls before the start of last season, provides some athleticism, physicality, and versatility on both ends. [player_tooltip player_id='1376683' first='Trey' last='Hughes'] (5.1) and [player_tooltip player_id='1376679' first='Graham' last='Beckman'] (4.7) are both solid shooting threats who should get plenty of open looks alongside Fisher. The X-factor for this team will be junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1288908' first='Gage' last='Kampman'] (4.5, 1.4 blocks), a raw, long, athletic rim-running big man who can protect the bucket and switch defensively. As he continues to develop and play more, he'll only continue to grow as an offensive threat, and he makes this a better defensive team. With Fisher leading the charge and a lot of experienced pieces returning, Liberty will be in the running for the division crown and could be in line to make their first state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1456740,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Davis-Kern-new-crop-2734x1795-1652709748.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Davis-Kern-new-crop-2734x1795-1652709748-300x197.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1456740" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linn-Mar (12-11, 53.8%):</strong> In sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'] (10.1), the Lions have one of the best 2025 prospects in the state lacing them up for them, which is obviously a good thing. Kern, a 6-8 forward, is the prototype of a modern big man - he can handle it and create shots for himself, he can stretch the floor, he can score on post touches, and he can protect the rim defensively. He was really good as a freshman, had a great summer with Martin Brothers, and should emerge as one of the state's best players as a sophomore. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1167731' first='Jackson' last='Severson'] (8.7) led the team in assists last season and is also a really talented shooter, while the senior forward tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='1240071' first='Ian' last='Mindrup'] (5.9) and [player_tooltip player_id='1469588' first='Ian' last='Bettis'] (5.0) will give them some size and physicality in the paint. Look for sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1514455' first='Mason' last='Matson'] to emerge as a major contributor for the Lions this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Western Dubuque (9-14, 33.4%): </strong>The Bobcats lost a lot of production from last year's team, with four of their top five scorers graduating. The lone returnee among that top five is senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1367404' first='Daviyon' last='Gaston'] (12.0), a quick wing who can get to the rim for finishes as well as create looks for others. Senior forward Caleb Klein (4.9) is the only other returnee who saw significant time last season. WD will have a ton of new faces taking the floor for them this season and it could be a long year in this loaded division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Projected Order of Finish</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Cedar Falls<br>2. Wahlert<br>3. Washington<br>4. Liberty<br>5. Linn-Mar<br>6. Prairie<br>7. Western Dubuque<br>8. City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>The race for the top spot could go to any of the top four teams in this projection. Cedar Falls has been the best program over the last several years, and they have plenty of talent, but they also have the most production to replace of the major contenders. Each of the top four teams are legitimate state tournament contenders, and Linn-Mar and Prairie are going to be really difficult teams to play on a nightly basis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1537975,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/dallasbearrr-crop-510x335-1659756040.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/dallasbearrr-crop-510x335-1659756040-300x196.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1537975" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Preseason Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956870' first='Dallas' last='Bear'], Cedar Falls: </strong>You could go in a number of directions for this selection (Bear, Fisher, Sain, Faley, and Kern are all reasonable choices), but we'll side with the 6-8 sharpshooter who will be the best player on the team we expect to be the best in the division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956870' first='Dallas' last='Bear'], Cedar Falls<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171693' first='Cade' last='Courbat'], Cedar Falls<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1199979' first='Anthony' last='Galvin'], Cedar Falls<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1288867' first='Da'Shon' last='Fisher'], Liberty<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469777' first='Luke' last='Ramsey'], Liberty<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376679' first='Graham' last='Beckman'], Liberty<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469748' first='Christian' last='Barney'], Liberty<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288908' first='Gage' last='Kampman'], Liberty<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376683' first='Trey' last='Hughes'], Liberty<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956880' first='Traijan' last='Sain'], Cedar Rapids Washington<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167702' first='Jesse' last='Sellers'], Cedar Rapids Washington<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167699' first='Jaden' last='Harris'], Cedar Rapids Washington<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167700' first='Duke' last='Faley'], Wahlert<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469744' first='Seamus' last='Crahan'], Wahlert<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469746' first='Nolan' last='Berendes'], Wahlert<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'], Linn-Mar<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167731' first='Jackson' last='Severson'], Linn-Mar<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240071' first='Ian' last='Mindrup'], Linn-Mar<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367404' first='Daviyon' last='Gaston'], Western Dubuque<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240089' first='Shamar' last='Benton'], City<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240063' first='Jack' last='Wagemester'], Prairie<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->