Preseason All-Conference Teams: WaMaC East

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year: </strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413532' first='Kellen' last='Haverback'] (Mount Vernon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The East Division looks like a four-horse race heading into this winter between Mount Vernon, Center Point-Urbana, Marion, and Solon, meaning that this is also a pretty wide-open POY race. Haverback is the division's leading returning scorer and can stuff the stat sheet on both ends of the floor for the Mustangs. He'll open the year as the favorite.</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='2413532' first='Kellen' last='Haverback'] (Mount Vernon): 16.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.3 steals, 1.3 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile two-way wing who can score from anywhere, defend multiple positions, and play on or off the ball, Haverback does it all for the Mustangs and will be the focal point of the game plan on a nightly basis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765520' first='Cooper' last='Grimm'] (Center Point-Urbana): 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.6 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long, skilled wing with a great feel for the game, Grimm gets his teammates involved at a high level. He puts his teammates in positions to succeed, can get to the rim for finishes, and uses his length effectively on the defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413508' first='Kinnick' last='Covington'] (Center Point-Urbana): 10.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 61.4 FG%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A great rebounder with a non-stop motor, Covington is a threat to record a double-double on a nightly basis for the Stormin' Pointers. He's a really efficient finisher around the bucket with soft hands and great touch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754695' first='Jaryn' last='Griffith'] (Marion): 10.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 42.0 3P%, 86.2 FT%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A marksman from behind the arc, Griffith will be the team's lead ball-handler, playmaker, and perimeter scoring threat as a junior for the Wolves. He shoots it really well off both the dribble and the catch and is an intelligent guard who can set his teammates up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2448279' first='Brooks' last='Coates'] (Marion): 7.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 52.8 FG%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bouncy, athletic rim protector, Coates is a menace on the defensive end, averaging over two blocks per game as a sophomore and altering the way that opposing teams can attack the Wolves. He finishes above the rim with authority, rebounds well on both ends, and is a force in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2886825' first='Cayle' last='Estling'] (Center Point-Urbana)<br>2026 Dawson Fuelling (Independence)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754674' first='Tait' last='Rahe'] (Marion)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2530471' first='Tate' last='McCollum'] (Solon)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906433' first='Maddox' last='Kelley'] (Solon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2906429' first='Grant' last='Gordon'] (Solon)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906497' first='Seth' last='Rushford'] (Mount Vernon)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2828827' first='Paul' last='Beswick'] (West Delaware)<br>2027 Lucas Lopata (Center Point-Urbana)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906500' first='Luke' last='Rushford'] (Mount Vernon)<br>2027 Stratton Ellyson (Mount Vernon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->