Conference Preview: MAC

The Teams   Assumption (13-10, 51.3% of scoring returning): The Knights lost leading scorer Rico Byrd to graduation, but bring back three of their top five from last season, and also add a pair of talented transfers to the rotation. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1759900' first='Damyen' last='Jackson'] (12.7) led the team in assists last season and is the top returning scorer. He's a tough guard who can knock down shots off the dribble or the catch, create for his teammates, and he's a solid defender. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1759943' first='Braylon' last='Thomsen'] (9.6, 44.9 3P%) is a really good off-ball weapon who moves and really shoots it at a high level off the catch, and [player_tooltip player_id='2397362' first='Joey' last='Funderburk'] (4.1) is another solid ball-handler and decision-maker. They were then boosted by the additions of [player_tooltip player_id='1660062' first='Navon' last='Shabazz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1759902' first='Kayvion' last='Hodges'], giving the Knights one of the best starting fives in 3A. Shabazz is a skilled 6-4 combo guard who has moved back to the Quad Cities after spending a few years in Florida. He already holds offers from a handful of Division I schools as just a sophomore, and he'll provide Assumption with a dynamic three-level scorer and shot creator. Hodges averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds a game at Muscatine as a sophomore and will give the Knights an athletic wing who can defend on the ball and get to the rim. Senior forward Joe Tallman (2.9), a 6-8 rim protector, could be an X-factor for this group. If he takes a step forward and provides some interior defense and scoring, this team could push PV and North Scott at the top of the league. They should be considered a serious contender in 3A.   Bettendorf (15-7, 62.7%): Bettendorf played really good basketball after the holiday break, going 11-4 in their last 15 games, including a win over Pleasant Valley. The Bulldogs were really good defensively, allowing just over 52 points a game, and that should be the case again this season. They're led by [player_tooltip player_id='1171682' first='Caden' last='Wilkins'] (19.9, 10.3 rebounds), a three-level scorer on the wing who can take over games in the blink of an eye on either end of the floor. He's the top-ranked player in the senior class and will be looking to lead the 'Dogs to his first state tournament. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1476936' first='Asher' last='Wade'] (9.2, 6.8 rebounds) is a really good defensive player, anchoring their unit on that end of the floor, while Ben Kerkoff (4.3) is a big wing at 6-6/6-7 who can really shoot it from deep, helping space the floor. Bettendorf added a pair of talented transfers to their roster in [player_tooltip player_id='1288870' first='Tre'von' last='Coney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1288916' first='Cailen' last='Shadrick'], who came from Davenport North and West, respectively. Coney is an athletic 6-3 wing who averaged nearly 18 points a game, while Shadrick is a skilled wing who creates looks for his teammates at a high level. He'll provide them with some playmaking and physicality on the perimeter. Look for forward [player_tooltip player_id='1484416' first='Amari' last='Washington'] to give Bettendorf some good minutes this season as well, a big, physical forward who can also step out and stretch the floor. Wilkins is the best returnee in the league, and he has more talent around him than he has ever had at Bettendorf.   Central DeWitt (6-16, 55.9%): After reaching the 3A championship game in the 2021-22 season, we expected the Sabers to take a step back in the 2022-23 year due to a number of major losses to graduation. And they took a major step back, dealing with injuries to their key returnees throughout the year and stumbling to just six wins. They bring back a pair of double-figure scorers in junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1484410' first='Ryan' last='Watters'] (14.6) and senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1751186' first='Landon' last='Schroeder'] (10.7), giving them a pair of efficient interior scoring threats who can hold down the painted area on both ends of the floor. Watters in particular has a chance to be one of the best players in the league, a mobile 6-6/6-7 forward who can stretch the floor, create off the dribble, and control the glass. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1751225' first='Gus' last='Pickup'] (6.4, 4.8 assists) was a starter on that runner-up team and provides some experience in the backcourt, while Mitchell Maher (5.0, 54.2 FG%) is another big body in the paint who scores at an extremely efficient clip. The Schroeder-Watters-Maher frontline goes 6-6, 6-6, 6-5, giving the Sabers a ton of size, and if sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765533' first='Brady' last='Meadows'] can step in alongside Pickup and provide some perimeter scoring, this team could surprise some people.   Clinton (0-22, 45.9%): The River Kings were winless last season, and with the improvements that a lot of teams in the league have made, they will struggle to compete on a nightly basis again this season. They're led by a talented junior guard in [player_tooltip player_id='1484415' first='DeAndre' last='Smith'] (13.2), an athletic slasher who can get to the bucket and create for others. Kinnick Belitz (4.5) and Tayton Castle (2.0) are the other key returnees. Smith is a dynamic player, but there just isn't enough around him right now for them to compete against the top teams in the league.   Davenport Central (14-8, 28.1%): The Blue Devils lost their top two scorers to transfer, with both [player_tooltip player_id='1751096' first='Jamarion' last='Readus'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1171691' first='Anthony' last='Gott'] heading over to North Scott, leaving a significant hole on the perimeter and in the paint. [player_tooltip player_id='1476986' first='Tsuirad' last='Moore'] (7.3) is the top returning scorer, and the only among the top six who is back. Maddox Sullivan (5.2) appeared in 18 games and was productive off the bench; they'll need him to step into a bigger role and thrive. The other name to keep an eye on here is junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1951794' first='Elias' last='Vargas'], who had a productive summer with the QC Shockers. He's small, but quick and a good ball-handler and playmaker. This group lacks experience, but they'll be athletic and quick, and they'll look to create some chaos on the defensive end as a result.   Davenport North (7-15, 27.8%): The Wildcats are another team that lost a significant piece to transfer, with [player_tooltip player_id='1288870' first='Tre'von' last='Coney'] transferring to Bettendorf, taking nearly 18 points a game with him. His departure and the graduation of Nolan Mosier leaves junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1759942' first='Michael' last='Harris'] (7.7) as the top returnee. Harris is a quick guard who can play downhill and get to the rim, and he'll be asked to be a scorer and playmaker for this team. Look for senior guard Chris Moss (5.4) to step into a bigger role as well. Moss was lights out from deep last season, knocking down nearly 54% of his 3-point attempts (albeit on limited attempts). This is another team that will be pretty inexperienced, but they have a few backcourt pieces to build around.   Davenport West (13-10, 37.0%): The Falcons also lost a player to transfer, with [player_tooltip player_id='1288916' first='Cailen' last='Shadrick'] leaving for Bettendorf. This is a program that will have to deal with the devasting loss of [player_tooltip player_id='1376725' first='Jermilyn' last='Gardner'], who tragically died in a drowning accident over the summer. Gardner was an infectious personality who will be greatly missed. [player_tooltip player_id='1945654' first='Idris' last='Thomas'] (11.4) and [player_tooltip player_id='1751175' first='Davante' last='Bradford'] (9.8) return to lead the way for West, giving them a pair of experienced options. Thomas is good on the glass on both ends of the floor and is a solid finisher around the rim, while Bradford is a big wing who can create off the dribble and get his teammates involved. Look for junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2230499' first='Elijah' last='Reid-Scott'] (1.7) to step into a bigger role this season, providing some more ball-handling and playmaking.   Muscatine (6-17, 19.0%): The Muskies were going to be a potential sleeper team to leap up the league standings this season, but then they lost Luke Wieskamp and [player_tooltip player_id='1759902' first='Kayvion' last='Hodges'] to transfers, depleting the team of their top four scorers when factoring in a pair of graduation losses. Wieskamp has moved on to a prep school in Arizona, while Hodges transferred to Assumption. That leaves junior guard Ralph Hoeper (7.0) as the top returnee. Expect to see sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1517427' first='Talan' last='Becker'] (1.6) step into a much larger role this season. He's a skilled, long wing who can score from all three levels. He needs to add significant strength to his frame, but he's talented.   North Scott (17-6, 67.9%): In Dave McLaughlin's first season at the helm, the Lancers won 17 games and had four losses come by single digits, a pretty remarkable debut. They bring back the top four scorers from that group, and add a pair of skilled transfers, so this is a group that will be a real threat to PV at the top of the league, and in 4A in general. [player_tooltip player_id='1256295' first='Kavon' last='Phillips'] (14.5, 8.0 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='1171656' first='Kyler' last='Gerardy'] (12.4), and [player_tooltip player_id='1476964' first='Brennan' last='Reid'] (11.9) are all senior returnees who averaged double digits last season, giving them a trio of experienced players who complement each other well. Phillips is a high-upside wing who does a little bit of everything. He defends multiple positions, creates off the dribble, and is great on the glass. Gerardy is a tough point guard who plays great on-ball defense and creates for his teammates, and Reid is a knockdown shooter with length and great size on the wing. Payton Watkins (8.6, 40.9 3P%) is a junior guard who gives them some additional shooting and floor spacing, allowing Phillips and newcomers [player_tooltip player_id='1751096' first='Jamarion' last='Readus'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1171691' first='Anthony' last='Gott'] more room to operate. Readus and Gott both came to North Scott from Davenport Central. Readus averaged just under 19 points a game last season, while Gott is a bouncy big man who blocked 2.6 shots a game last season. This team should be deep, balanced, and talented.   Pleasant Valley (20-6, 79.2%): The Spartans have averaged 17.7 wins a year over the last 15 years, becoming the program in the MAC under Steve Hillman. The run isn't going to stop anytime soon, with nearly everyone returning from last year's 4A semifinalist. They lost leading scorer Connor Borbeck to graduation, but five players who averaged between 6.5 and 9.4 points a game return in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1256306' first='Caden' last='Rubel'] (9.4), [player_tooltip player_id='1751106' first='Max' last='Muszalski'] (8.4), [player_tooltip player_id='1256301' first='David' last='Gorsline'] (8.3), and [player_tooltip player_id='1376711' first='Coy' last='Kipper'] (8.3, 6.5 assists), and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1759910' first='Max' last='Schmeltzer'] (6.5). The Rubel-Kipper backcourt is one of the best backcourts in 4A, a tough, defensive-minded tandem that complements each other well. Rubel is a really good shooter, while Kipper is one of the best passers in the state. Muszalski, Gorsline, and Schmeltzer are tough, physical players who do most of their damage inside the arc and control the glass. [player_tooltip player_id='1587376' first='Cole' last='Beinborn'] (3.9) is a big wing who can shoot it, while [player_tooltip player_id='1376712' first='Elijah' last='Wallace'] (3.4) provides some more size on the wing. They should also get some production out of juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1288918' first='Levi' last='Hoskins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2170123' first='Camryn' last='Lemoine'], who were standouts on the sophomore team last season, giving PV a ton of depth. This is a group that doesn't care who scores, which makes them really difficult to defend. They share the ball well, are arguably the best defensive team in the state, and they wear teams down with their depth and physicality. This is a real threat to Valley and Kennedy in 4A and the team to beat in the league.   Projected Order of Finish   1. Pleasant Valley 2. North Scott 3. Assumption 4. Bettendorf 5. Central DeWitt 6. Davenport West 7. Davenport Central 8. Davenport North 9. Clinton 10. Muscatine   Analysis: PV leads the way again in the MAC, with their tough, disciplined defense and efficient, balanced offense rising to the top of the league. But North Scott, Assumption, and Bettendorf are all improved and will give the Spartans a run at the top of the league.   Preseason Player of the Year   2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171682' first='Caden' last='Wilkins'] (Bettendorf): Wilkins led the league in scoring and rebounding last season and will be the headliner for a Bettendorf team that should be improved. A versatile three-level scorer with great wing size at 6-6, he can take over games in the blink of an eye. The MAC should be an improved league this season, however, so there will be a number of players who could jump up and snatch this award away from Wilkins.   Players to Watch   2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171682' first='Caden' last='Wilkins'] (Bettendorf) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288870' first='Tre'von' last='Coney'] (Bettendorf) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288916' first='Cailen' last='Shadrick'] (Bettendorf) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476936' first='Asher' last='Wade'] (Bettendorf) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1660062' first='Navon' last='Shabazz'] (Assumption) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759902' first='Kayvion' last='Hodges'] (Assumption) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759943' first='Braylon' last='Thomsen'] (Assumption) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759900' first='Damyen' last='Jackson'] (Assumption) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1256295' first='Kavon' last='Phillips'] (North Scott) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751096' first='Jamarion' last='Readus'] (North Scott) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171656' first='Kyler' last='Gerardy'] (North Scott) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476964' first='Brennan' last='Reid'] (North Scott) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171691' first='Anthony' last='Gott'] (North Scott) 2025 Payton Watkins (North Scott) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376711' first='Coy' last='Kipper'] (Pleasant Valley) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1256306' first='Caden' last='Rubel'] (Pleasant Valley) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751106' first='Max' last='Muszalski'] (Pleasant Valley) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1256301' first='David' last='Gorsline'] (Pleasant Valley) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759910' first='Max' last='Schmeltzer'] (Pleasant Valley) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2170123' first='Camryn' last='Lemoine'] (Pleasant Valley) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1587376' first='Cole' last='Beinborn'] (Pleasant Valley) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376712' first='Elijah' last='Wallace'] (Pleasant Valley) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484410' first='Ryan' last='Watters'] (Central DeWitt) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751186' first='Landon' last='Schroeder'] (Central DeWitt) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484415' first='DeAndre' last='Smith'] (Clinton)

The Teams