Conference Preview: MAC
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The Teams Assumption (13-10, 51.3% of scoring returning): The Knights lost leading scorer Rico Byrd to graduation, but bring back three of their top five from last season, and also add a pair of talented transfers to the rotation. Junior…
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Assumption (13-10, 51.3% of scoring returning): The Knights lost leading scorer Rico Byrd to graduation, but bring back three of their top five from last season, and also add a pair of talented transfers to the rotation. Junior guard Damyen Jackson Damyen Jackson 6'0" | PG Assumption | 2025 State IA (12.7) led the team in assists last season and is the top returning scorer. He’s a tough guard who can knock down shots off the dribble or the catch, create for his teammates, and he’s a solid defender. Junior wing Braylon Thomsen Braylon Thomsen 6'4" | SF Assumption | 2025 State IA (9.6, 44.9 3P%) is a really good off-ball weapon who moves and really shoots it at a high level off the catch, and Joey Funderburk Joey Funderburk 6'6" | PF Assumption | 2025 State IA (4.1) is another solid ball-handler and decision-maker. They were then boosted by the additions of Navon Shabazz Navon Shabazz 6'4" | CG Assumption | 2026 State IA and Kayvion Hodges Kayvion Hodges 6'3" | SF Assumption | 2025 State IA , giving the Knights one of the best starting fives in 3A. Shabazz is a skilled 6-4 combo guard who has moved back to the Quad Cities after spending a few years in Florida. He already holds offers from a handful of Division I schools as just a sophomore, and he’ll provide Assumption with a dynamic three-level scorer and shot creator. Hodges averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds a game at Muscatine as a sophomore and will give the Knights an athletic wing who can defend on the ball and get to the rim. Senior forward Joe Tallman (2.9), a 6-8 rim protector, could be an X-factor for this group. If he takes a step forward and provides some interior defense and scoring, this team could push PV and North Scott at the top of the league. They should be considered a serious contender in 3A.
Bettendorf (15-7, 62.7%): Bettendorf played really good basketball after the holiday break, going 11-4 in their last 15 games, including a win over Pleasant Valley. The Bulldogs were really good defensively, allowing just over 52 points a game, and that should be the case again this season. They’re led by Caden Wilkins Caden Wilkins 6'7" | SF Bettendorf | 2024 State #196 Nation IA (19.9, 10.3 rebounds), a three-level scorer on the wing who can take over games in the blink of an eye on either end of the floor. He’s the top-ranked player in the senior class and will be looking to lead the ‘Dogs to his first state tournament. Senior forward Asher Wade Asher Wade 6'7" | C Bettendorf | 2024 State IA (9.2, 6.8 rebounds) is a really good defensive player, anchoring their unit on that end of the floor, while Ben Kerkoff (4.3) is a big wing at 6-6/6-7 who can really shoot it from deep, helping space the floor. Bettendorf added a pair of talented transfers to their roster in Tre’von Coney Tre’von Coney 6'2" | SG Bettendorf | 2024 State IA and Cailen Shadrick Cailen Shadrick 6'2" | SF Davenport North | 2025 State IA , who came from Davenport North and West, respectively. Coney is an athletic 6-3 wing who averaged nearly 18 points a game, while Shadrick is a skilled wing who creates looks for his teammates at a high level. He’ll provide them with some playmaking and physicality on the perimeter. Look for forward Amari Washington Amari Washington 6'4" | SF Bettendorf | 2025 State IA to give Bettendorf some good minutes this season as well, a big, physical forward who can also step out and stretch the floor. Wilkins is the best returnee in the league, and he has more talent around him than he has ever had at Bettendorf.
Central DeWitt (6-16, 55.9%): After reaching the 3A championship game in the 2021-22 season, we expected the Sabers to take a step back in the 2022-23 year due to a number of major losses to graduation. And they took a major step back, dealing with injuries to their key returnees throughout the year and stumbling to just six wins. They bring back a pair of double-figure scorers in junior forward Ryan Watters Ryan Watters 6'6" | PF Central DeWitt | 2025 State IA (14.6) and senior forward Landon Schroeder Landon Schroeder 6'6" | PF Central DeWitt | 2024 State IA (10.7), giving them a pair of efficient interior scoring threats who can hold down the painted area on both ends of the floor. Watters in particular has a chance to be one of the best players in the league, a mobile 6-6/6-7 forward who can stretch the floor, create off the dribble, and control the glass. Senior point guard Gus Pickup Gus Pickup 6'0" | PG Central DeWitt | 2024 State IA (6.4, 4.8 assists) was a starter on that runner-up team and provides some experience in the backcourt, while Mitchell Maher (5.0, 54.2 FG%) is another big body in the paint who scores at an extremely efficient clip. The Schroeder-Watters-Maher frontline goes 6-6, 6-6, 6-5, giving the Sabers a ton of size, and if sophomore guard Brady Meadows Brady Meadows 5'6" | PG Central DeWitt | 2026 State IA can step in alongside Pickup and provide some perimeter scoring, this team could surprise some people.
Clinton (0-22, 45.9%): The River Kings were winless last season, and with the improvements that a lot of teams in the league have made, they will struggle to compete on a nightly basis again this season. They’re led by a talented junior guard in DeAndre Smith DeAndre Smith 6'4" | PF Davenport North | 2025 State IA (13.2), an athletic slasher who can get to the bucket and create for others. Kinnick Belitz (4.5) and Tayton Castle (2.0) are the other key returnees. Smith is a dynamic player, but there just isn’t enough around him right now for them to compete against the top teams in the league.
Davenport Central (14-8, 28.1%): The Blue Devils lost their top two scorers to transfer, with both Jamarion Readus Jamarion Readus 6'3" | SG North Scott | 2024 State IA and Anthony Gott Anthony Gott 6'8" | C North Scott | 2024 State IA heading over to North Scott, leaving a significant hole on the perimeter and in the paint. Tsuirad Moore Tsuirad Moore 5'11" | PG Davenport North | 2024 State IA (7.3) is the top returning scorer, and the only among the top six who is back. Maddox Sullivan (5.2) appeared in 18 games and was productive off the bench; they’ll need him to step into a bigger role and thrive. The other name to keep an eye on here is junior point guard Elias Vargas Elias Vargas 5'9" | PG Davenport Central | 2025 State IA , who had a productive summer with the QC Shockers. He’s small, but quick and a good ball-handler and playmaker. This group lacks experience, but they’ll be athletic and quick, and they’ll look to create some chaos on the defensive end as a result.
Davenport North (7-15, 27.8%): The Wildcats are another team that lost a significant piece to transfer, with Tre’von Coney Tre’von Coney 6'2" | SG Bettendorf | 2024 State IA transferring to Bettendorf, taking nearly 18 points a game with him. His departure and the graduation of Nolan Mosier leaves junior guard Michael Harris Michael Harris 6'0" | SG Davenport North | 2025 State IA (7.7) as the top returnee. Harris is a quick guard who can play downhill and get to the rim, and he’ll be asked to be a scorer and playmaker for this team. Look for senior guard Chris Moss (5.4) to step into a bigger role as well. Moss was lights out from deep last season, knocking down nearly 54% of his 3-point attempts (albeit on limited attempts). This is another team that will be pretty inexperienced, but they have a few backcourt pieces to build around.
Davenport West (13-10, 37.0%): The Falcons also lost a player to transfer, with Cailen Shadrick Cailen Shadrick 6'2" | SF Davenport North | 2025 State IA leaving for Bettendorf. This is a program that will have to deal with the devasting loss of Jermilyn Gardner Jermilyn Gardner 5'8" | PG Davenport West | 2024 IA , who tragically died in a drowning accident over the summer. Gardner was an infectious personality who will be greatly missed. Idris Thomas Idris Thomas 6'4" | SF Davenport West | 2024 State IA (11.4) and Davante Bradford Davante Bradford 6'3" | SF Davenport West | 2024 State IA (9.8) return to lead the way for West, giving them a pair of experienced options. Thomas is good on the glass on both ends of the floor and is a solid finisher around the rim, while Bradford is a big wing who can create off the dribble and get his teammates involved. Look for junior guard Elijah Reid-Scott Elijah Reid-Scott 6'1" | PG Davenport West | 2025 State IA (1.7) to step into a bigger role this season, providing some more ball-handling and playmaking.
Muscatine (6-17, 19.0%): The Muskies were going to be a potential sleeper team to leap up the league standings this season, but then they lost Luke Wieskamp and Kayvion Hodges Kayvion Hodges 6'3" | SF Assumption | 2025 State IA to transfers, depleting the team of their top four scorers when factoring in a pair of graduation losses. Wieskamp has moved on to a prep school in Arizona, while Hodges transferred to Assumption. That leaves junior guard Ralph Hoeper (7.0) as the top returnee. Expect to see sophomore wing Talan Becker Talan Becker 6'5" | SF Muscatine | 2026 State IA (1.6) step into a much larger role this season. He’s a skilled, long wing who can score from all three levels. He needs to add significant strength to his frame, but he’s talented.
North Scott (17-6, 67.9%): In Dave McLaughlin’s first season at the helm, the Lancers won 17 games and had four losses come by single digits, a pretty remarkable debut. They bring back the top four scorers from that group, and add a pair of skilled transfers, so this is a group that will be a real threat to PV at the top of the league, and in 4A in general. Kavon Phillips Kavon Phillips 6'7" | SF North Scott | 2024 State IA (14.5, 8.0 rebounds), Kyler Gerardy Kyler Gerardy 6'0" | PG North Scott | 2024 State IA (12.4), and Brennan Reid Brennan Reid 6'7" | SF North Scott | 2024 State IA (11.9) are all senior returnees who averaged double digits last season, giving them a trio of experienced players who complement each other well. Phillips is a high-upside wing who does a little bit of everything. He defends multiple positions, creates off the dribble, and is great on the glass. Gerardy is a tough point guard who plays great on-ball defense and creates for his teammates, and Reid is a knockdown shooter with length and great size on the wing. Payton Watkins (8.6, 40.9 3P%) is a junior guard who gives them some additional shooting and floor spacing, allowing Phillips and newcomers Jamarion Readus Jamarion Readus 6'3" | SG North Scott | 2024 State IA and Anthony Gott Anthony Gott 6'8" | C North Scott | 2024 State IA more room to operate. Readus and Gott both came to North Scott from Davenport Central. Readus averaged just under 19 points a game last season, while Gott is a bouncy big man who blocked 2.6 shots a game last season. This team should be deep, balanced, and talented.
Pleasant Valley (20-6, 79.2%): The Spartans have averaged 17.7 wins a year over the last 15 years, becoming the program in the MAC under Steve Hillman. The run isn’t going to stop anytime soon, with nearly everyone returning from last year’s 4A semifinalist. They lost leading scorer Connor Borbeck to graduation, but five players who averaged between 6.5 and 9.4 points a game return in seniors Caden Rubel Caden Rubel 6'0" | PG Pleasant Valley | 2024 State IA (9.4), Max Muszalski Max Muszalski 6'5" | PF Pleasant Valley | 2024 State IA (8.4), David Gorsline David Gorsline 6'2" | SG Pleasant Valley | 2024 State IA (8.3), and Coy Kipper Coy Kipper 5'8" | PG Pleasant Valley | 2024 State IA (8.3, 6.5 assists), and junior Max Schmeltzer Max Schmeltzer 6'4" | PF Pleasant Valley | 2025 State IA (6.5). The Rubel-Kipper backcourt is one of the best backcourts in 4A, a tough, defensive-minded tandem that complements each other well. Rubel is a really good shooter, while Kipper is one of the best passers in the state. Muszalski, Gorsline, and Schmeltzer are tough, physical players who do most of their damage inside the arc and control the glass. Cole Beinborn Cole Beinborn 6'4" | SF Pleasant Valley | 2025 State IA (3.9) is a big wing who can shoot it, while Elijah Wallace Elijah Wallace 6'6" | PF Pleasant Valley | 2024 State IA (3.4) provides some more size on the wing. They should also get some production out of juniors Levi Hoskins Levi Hoskins 6'3" | SF Pleasant Valley | 2025 State IA and Camryn Lemoine Camryn Lemoine 6'0" | PG Pleasant Valley | 2025 State IA , who were standouts on the sophomore team last season, giving PV a ton of depth. This is a group that doesn’t care who scores, which makes them really difficult to defend. They share the ball well, are arguably the best defensive team in the state, and they wear teams down with their depth and physicality. This is a real threat to Valley and Kennedy in 4A and the team to beat in the league.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Pleasant Valley
2. North Scott
3. Assumption
4. Bettendorf
5. Central DeWitt
6. Davenport West
7. Davenport Central
8. Davenport North
9. Clinton
10. Muscatine
Analysis: PV leads the way again in the MAC, with their tough, disciplined defense and efficient, balanced offense rising to the top of the league. But North Scott, Assumption, and Bettendorf are all improved and will give the Spartans a run at the top of the league.
Preseason Player of the Year
2024 Caden Wilkins Caden Wilkins 6'7" | SF Bettendorf | 2024 State #196 Nation IA (Bettendorf): Wilkins led the league in scoring and rebounding last season and will be the headliner for a Bettendorf team that should be improved. A versatile three-level scorer with great wing size at 6-6, he can take over games in the blink of an eye. The MAC should be an improved league this season, however, so there will be a number of players who could jump up and snatch this award away from Wilkins.
Players to Watch
2024
Caden Wilkins
Caden
Wilkins
6'7" | SF
Bettendorf | 2024
State
#196
Nation
IA
(Bettendorf)
2024
Tre’von Coney
Tre’von
Coney
6'2" | SG
Bettendorf | 2024
State
IA
(Bettendorf)
2025
Cailen Shadrick
Cailen
Shadrick
6'2" | SF
Davenport North | 2025
State
IA
(Bettendorf)
2024
Asher Wade
Asher
Wade
6'7" | C
Bettendorf | 2024
State
IA
(Bettendorf)
2026
Navon Shabazz
Navon
Shabazz
6'4" | CG
Assumption | 2026
State
IA
(Assumption)
2025
Kayvion Hodges
Kayvion
Hodges
6'3" | SF
Assumption | 2025
State
IA
(Assumption)
2025
Braylon Thomsen
Braylon
Thomsen
6'4" | SF
Assumption | 2025
State
IA
(Assumption)
2025
Damyen Jackson
Damyen
Jackson
6'0" | PG
Assumption | 2025
State
IA
(Assumption)
2024
Kavon Phillips
Kavon
Phillips
6'7" | SF
North Scott | 2024
State
IA
(North Scott)
2024
Jamarion Readus
Jamarion
Readus
6'3" | SG
North Scott | 2024
State
IA
(North Scott)
2024
Kyler Gerardy
Kyler
Gerardy
6'0" | PG
North Scott | 2024
State
IA
(North Scott)
2024
Brennan Reid
Brennan
Reid
6'7" | SF
North Scott | 2024
State
IA
(North Scott)
2024
Anthony Gott
Anthony
Gott
6'8" | C
North Scott | 2024
State
IA
(North Scott)
2025 Payton Watkins (North Scott)
2024
Coy Kipper
Coy
Kipper
5'8" | PG
Pleasant Valley | 2024
State
IA
(Pleasant Valley)
2024
Caden Rubel
Caden
Rubel
6'0" | PG
Pleasant Valley | 2024
State
IA
(Pleasant Valley)
2024
Max Muszalski
Max
Muszalski
6'5" | PF
Pleasant Valley | 2024
State
IA
(Pleasant Valley)
2024
David Gorsline
David
Gorsline
6'2" | SG
Pleasant Valley | 2024
State
IA
(Pleasant Valley)
2025
Max Schmeltzer
Max
Schmeltzer
6'4" | PF
Pleasant Valley | 2025
State
IA
(Pleasant Valley)
2025
Camryn Lemoine
Camryn
Lemoine
6'0" | PG
Pleasant Valley | 2025
State
IA
(Pleasant Valley)
2025
Cole Beinborn
Cole
Beinborn
6'4" | SF
Pleasant Valley | 2025
State
IA
(Pleasant Valley)
2024
Elijah Wallace
Elijah
Wallace
6'6" | PF
Pleasant Valley | 2024
State
IA
(Pleasant Valley)
2025
Ryan Watters
Ryan
Watters
6'6" | PF
Central DeWitt | 2025
State
IA
(Central DeWitt)
2024
Landon Schroeder
Landon
Schroeder
6'6" | PF
Central DeWitt | 2024
State
IA
(Central DeWitt)
2025
DeAndre Smith
DeAndre
Smith
6'4" | PF
Davenport North | 2025
State
IA
(Clinton)