Preseason All-Conference Teams: WaMaC East

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year:</strong> 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376687' first='Jake' last='Benzing'] (Solon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376687' first='Jake' last='Benzing'] (Solon): 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 52.0 FG%, 46.1 3P%, 84.6 FT%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171688' first='Jackson' last='Kutcher'] (Mount Vernon): 16.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 steals, 39.4 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376688' first='Joe' last='Rhomberg'] (Mount Vernon): 10.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.9 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325525' first='Vince' last='Steinbrech'] (Solon): 9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals, 80.2 FT%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Aidan Bernard (Independence): 12.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 49.0 FG%, 43.1 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bernard was really good for the Mustangs as a sophomore, finishing second on the team in scoring and rebounding, and with the transfer of [player_tooltip player_id='1288893' first='Tanner' last='Michael'], he'll have even more opportunities this season. He can score from all three levels at an efficient clip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 Jake Beatty (Independence)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 Gehrig Turner (Solon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1874777' first='Griffin' last='Lott'] (West Delaware)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476987' first='Myles' last='Davis'] (Marion)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325516' first='Rylen' last='Stiegelmeyer'] (Solon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 Josh Beatty (Independence)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751227' first='Payton' last='Hodges'] (Marion)<br>2024 John Beswick (West Delaware)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376710' first='Evan' last='Brase'] (Mount Vernon)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325432' first='Jordan' last='Fischer'] (Marion)<br>2024 Austin Knight (Solon)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397355' first='Joe' last='Briesemeister'] (Mount Vernon)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->