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<p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year: </strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978109' first='Christian' last='Stacy'] (WACO)</p>
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<p>The North Division looks pretty wide open heading into this season, and without a clear cut favorite at the top of the division, the POY race could be pretty wide open as well. Stacy is the leading returning scorer in the division, and the Warriors may be the team to beat.</p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First Team</strong></p>
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<p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978109' first='Christian' last='Stacy'] (WACO): 19.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.6 steals</strong></p>
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<p>The leading returning scorer in the division, Stacy is a threat to drop 25 on you on any given night, and he can do so in a variety of different ways. He handles it well, can shoot it from the arc, and is fantastic playing downhill and getting to the bucket for finishes.</p>
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<p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2886826' first='Justyn' last='Faulkner'] (Wapello): 16.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.4 steals, 1.1 blocks</strong></p>
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<p>A stat-sheet stuffing guard, Faulkner was great for the Indians as a junior, leading the team in every category. At 6-1, he's a versatile, athletic guard who impacts the game in a major way on both ends of the floor.</p>
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<p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2103624' first='Emmett' last='Burke'] (Lone Tree): 15.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.9 steals</strong></p>
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<p>A quick guard who can score from all three levels as well as create plays for his teammates, Burke was excellent in his junior year for the Lions, leading the team in scoring, assists, and steals. He has great vision and plays with pace.</p>
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<p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754662' first='Ellis' last='Hills-Carrier'] (Columbus): 15.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.2 blocks</strong></p>
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<p>A long, lanky wing who can guard one through four at this level, Hills-Carrier is a versatile player on both ends of the floor. He can put the ball on the floor and create quality shots for himself and his teammates.</p>
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<p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2887859' first='Cole' last='Millikin'] (Pekin): 14.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.5 steals, 81.8 FT%</strong></p>
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<p>A quick guard who loves to play downhill and use his speed to attack the rim, Millikin gets to the free-throw line routinely, where he converts at a nearly 82% clip. He's a good on-ball defender with quick hands and feet. </p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p>
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<p>2026 Bryce Hazelett (Highland)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906554' first='Kinnick' last='Richenberger'] (Wapello)<br>2026 Nolan Glick (Pekin)<br>2026 Reece Holbrook (Lone Tree)<br>2027 Oscar Cline (Louisa-Muscatine)</p>
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<p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p>
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<p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906526' first='Kale' last='Bailey'] (Hillcrest Academy)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2822660' first='Holden' last='Hughes'] (WACO)<br>2026 Domonic Garcia (Lone Tree)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2519950' first='Rowan' last='Miller'] (Hillcrest Academy)<br>2027 Drake Marin (Columbus)<br>2027 Henry Adam (Pekin)<br>2026 Cade Willoz (Lone Tree)</p>
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