Preseason All-Conference Teams: WaMaC East
In this article:
Preseason Player of the Year: 2024 Jake Benzing Jake Benzing 6'2" | SG Solon | 2024 State IA (Solon) With a significant chunk of the roster returning and some key graduation losses to other teams, Solon is the team to…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPreseason Player of the Year: 2024 Jake Benzing Jake Benzing 6'2" | SG Solon | 2024 State IA (Solon)
With a significant chunk of the roster returning and some key graduation losses to other teams, Solon is the team to beat in the division this season, and Benzing is their best, most dynamic player, making this a fairly easy selection.
First Team
2024 Jake Benzing Jake Benzing 6'2" | SG Solon | 2024 State IA (Solon): 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 52.0 FG%, 46.1 3P%, 84.6 FT%
A 6-4 wing who scores with remarkable efficiency, Benzing is one of the purest shooters in the state. He has a quick release off the catch and moves as well without the ball in his hands as just about anyone in the state.
2024 Jackson Kutcher Jackson Kutcher 6'0" | SG Mount Vernon | 2024 State IA (Mount Vernon): 16.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 steals, 39.4 3P%
Another really good shooter in this division, Kutcher is a flamethrower when he gets it rolling with unlimited range on his jumper. He has really improved over the last year as a ball-handler and playmaker, getting his teammates involved well, leading the ‘Stangs in assists last season in addition to his scoring prowess.
2024 Joe Rhomberg Joe Rhomberg 6'1" | SF Mount Vernon | 2024 State IA (Mount Vernon): 10.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.9 steals
Rhomberg is a good athlete who competes hard on the glass on both ends of the floor, playing with a non-stop motor and using his soft hands to control the game in that aspect. He’s a good passer out of the post and a solid finisher at the bucket.
2024 Vince Steinbrech Vince Steinbrech 6'2" | SF Solon | 2024 State IA (Solon): 9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals, 80.2 FT%
Three Solon players could have an argument for first team honors alongside Benzing, but we’ll go with Steinbrech here, who does a really good job on the glass, especially on the offensive end. He’s a solid team defender and reliable decision-maker.
2025 Aidan Bernard (Independence): 12.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 49.0 FG%, 43.1 3P%
Bernard was really good for the Mustangs as a sophomore, finishing second on the team in scoring and rebounding, and with the transfer of Tanner Michael Tanner Michael 6'0" | PG Hudson | 2024 State IA , he’ll have even more opportunities this season. He can score from all three levels at an efficient clip.
Second Team
2024 Jake Beatty (Independence)
2024 Gehrig Turner (Solon)
2025 Griffin Lott Griffin Lott 5'11" | PG West Delaware | 2025 State IA (West Delaware)
2024 Myles Davis Myles Davis 6'1" | SG Marion | 2024 State IA (Marion)
2024 Rylen Stiegelmeyer Rylen Stiegelmeyer 6'1" | SG Solon | 2024 State IA (Solon)
Honorable Mentions
2024 Josh Beatty (Independence)
2024
Payton Hodges
Payton
Hodges
6'1" | SG
Marion | 2024
State
IA
(Marion)
2024 John Beswick (West Delaware)
2024
Evan Brase
Evan
Brase
6'3" | PF
Mount Vernon | 2024
State
IA
(Mount Vernon)
2024
Jordan Fischer
Jordan
Fischer
5'11" | PG
Marion | 2024
State
IA
(Marion)
2024 Austin Knight (Solon)
2025
Joe Briesemeister
Joe
Briesemeister
6'6" | PF
Mount Vernon | 2025
State
IA
(Mount Vernon)