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<p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year: </strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381425' first='Mason' last='Watkins'] (West Burlington)</p>
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<p>The future North Florida guard will battle it out with Holy Trinity Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='1622174' first='Luke' last='Hellige'] for this honor, and it should be a fun one to track throughout the year. We'll give the slight edge to Watkins, pacing a West Burlington team that we'll be picking to win the division again this season.</p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First Team</strong></p>
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<p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381425' first='Mason' last='Watkins'] (West Burlington): 21.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.2 steals, 50.8 FG%, 41.5 3P%</strong></p>
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<p>A high IQ, efficient scoring guard who can fill it up from all three levels, Watkins paced West Burlington's first ever trip to the state tournament last season, and will be hungry to lead them further this year. He handles it well, is a tremendous shooter off both the dribble and the catch, and is an impact defender.</p>
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<p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1622174' first='Luke' last='Hellige'] (Holy Trinity Catholic): 23.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 53.7 FG%, 42.6 3P%</strong></p>
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<p>Hellige is one of the best-kept secrets in the state, a multi-faceted scoring threat who can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. He has good size on the wing, listed at 6-4, allowing him to shoot over defenders, which he does at an incredibly high clip, but he can also put the ball on the floor and attack the rim, where he's a really good finisher.</p>
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<p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1596452' first='Max' last='Griffin'] (Mediapolis): 16.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals</strong></p>
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<p>Griffin had a really solid sophomore year for the Bulldogs, leading the team in scoring and ranking second in rebounding. He's a skilled guard who can play downhill and attack the rim going in either direction as well as knock down shots from 3-point range. He's a solid defender who moves his feet well and uses his quick hands to pick opposing ball-handlers clean.</p>
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<p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397997' first='Quincy' last='Collins'] (West Burlington): 13.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 55.4 FG%</strong></p>
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<p>Collins is undersized at 5-11, but he's a ridiculous athlete with an explosive first and second jump that he uses to control the glass on both ends of the floor. He's a really good finisher around the rim, can create plays off the dribble, and has the athleticism to provide some defensive versatility as well.</p>
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<p><strong>2025 Jaden Bauer (Danville): 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.7 steals, 51.5 FG%</strong></p>
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<p>A 6-3 combo forward who finishes really well around the rim, Bauer was second on the Bears in scoring last season, and following the graduations of the other four among the top five, he'll have plenty of shot opportunities coming his way this season. He's solid on the glass on both ends of the floor and is a good, active defender who gets his hands on a ton of passes.</p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p>
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<p>2025 Izaak Loeffler (Van Buren County)</p>
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<p>2026 London Franklin (New London)</p>
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<p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2887884' first='Layne' last='Rung'] (Holy Trinity Catholic)</p>
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<p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978106' first='Shay' last='Stephens'] (Notre Dame)</p>
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<p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1978138' first='Will' last='Hayes'] (Central Lee)</p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p>
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<p>2025 Lance Ludens (Mediapolis)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397192' first='Adam' last='Sobczak'] (Holy Trinity Catholic)<br>2026 Owen Swanson (Central Lee)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765537' first='Brigham' last='Porter'] (New London)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2397376' first='Kobe' last='Davis'] (West Burlington)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2429227' first='Carson' last='Morrison'] (Central Lee)</p>
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