Preseason All-Conference Teams: MVC Valley

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year: </strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes'] (Cedar Falls)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This POY race likely comes down to Cedar Falls teammates Gerdes and [player_tooltip player_id='1199979' first='Anthony' last='Galvin'], and great arguments could be made for either. We''ll give the slightest edge to Gerdes, the hyper-efficient big man who can protect the paint and seems primed to have a breakout junior year after a fantastic spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes'] (Cedar Falls): 11.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 70.3 FG%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-8/6-9 lefty holds a few Division I offers and should see that list continue to expand over the next 12 months. He's a highly efficient interior scorer with great footwork and touch around the bucket, and he's working to extend his range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1199979' first='Anthony' last='Galvin'] (Cedar Falls): 11.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Galvin is one of the best shooters in the conference, a sniper both off the dribble and the catch who can get scorching hot and carry the Tigers for stretches offensively. He's also a skilled playmaker who does a nice job reading the defense in ball screen actions and making the right play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721792' first='Owen' last='McCleary'] (Wahlert Catholic): 11.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCleary is a long 6-3 wing who can do a little bit of everything on the floor for the Golden Eagles, leading the team in scoring and serving as one of the more versatile defenders on the roster. Wahlert should be one of the most improved teams in 3A this season, and McCleary is one of the biggest reasons why. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759932' first='Reed' last='Strohmeyer'] (Hempstead): 16.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 77.0 FT%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hempstead had a rough year last season, but Strohmeyer was a bright spot, leading the team in scoring and showing the ability to do so from all three levels. He's a long, athletic wing who can play with or without the ball in his hands, and he's an active defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381413' first='Jahlil' last='Manago'] (Waterloo West): 19.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leading returning scorer in the division, Manago is a hyper-athletic, downhill slasher in the backcourt who loves to put constant pressure on defenders with his ability to attack off the dribble. He has good vision and is a willing passer, is a really good finisher around the rim with great body control, and he's one of the best rebounding guards in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397337' first='Jace' last='McDermott'] (Prairie)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1440839' first='Joseph' last='Hudson'] (Waterloo West)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419791' first='Austin' last='Joens'] (Prairie)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759953' first='Keegan' last='Steege'] (Cedar Falls)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288882' first='Ethan' last='Meyer'] (Wahlert Catholic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511484' first='Luke' last='Welbes'] (Wahlert Catholic)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1777914' first='Jaydon' last='Kimbrough'] (Cedar Falls)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2023719' first='Will' last='Wehr'] (Prairie)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765505' first='Parker' last='Berns'] (Waterloo West)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511607' first='Bryce' last='Westemeier'] (Waterloo West)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2523901' first='Halbert' last='Jackson'] (Cedar Rapids Washington)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->