Conference Preview: MAC

The Teams   Assumption (19-8 last season, 49.6% of scoring returning): The defending 3A state champs were set to be absolutely dominant this season, slated to return nearly 90% of their scoring. Then they lost [player_tooltip player_id='1660062' first='Navon' last='Shabazz'] (United Prep) and [player_tooltip player_id='1759902' first='Kayvion' last='Hodges'] (Muscatine) to transfer, losing 25 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals per game. That said, this is still a very talented roster that will have a chance to not only compete at a high level in the MAC, but have a real chance to repeat in Class 3A. [player_tooltip player_id='1759900' first='Damyen' last='Jackson'] (15.9, 2.8 assists) was unbelievably good during the Knights title run, named captain of the All-Tournament team as a result. He can create quality plays off the dribble, getting to the rim for finishes, finding teammates, and knocking down shots off the bounce. [player_tooltip player_id='1759943' first='Braylon' last='Thomsen'] (8.6), [player_tooltip player_id='2397362' first='Joey' last='Funderburk'] (7.1), and [player_tooltip player_id='2511468' first='Isiah' last='Rose'] (4.7) all return as well, giving them three more long, athletic weapons who can defend multiple positions. [player_tooltip player_id='2617544' first='Synceare' last='Simons'] transfers in from East Moline United Township, and he'll give them another long, athletic, and skilled guard who can create off the dribble.   Bettendorf (18-7, 44.5%): Long-time assistant Alvin Vesey takes over as the head coach for the Bulldogs, a team that lost three of their top four scorers from a state semifinalist. That said, Bettendorf is a school that is always going to have good athletes and plenty of players to field the roster with. They'll be led by the senior quartet of [player_tooltip player_id='1951786' first='Ben' last='Kerkhoff'] (10.0, 43.8 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='2397255' first='Cole' last='Odefey'] (6.6, 4.8 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='1484416' first='Amari' last='Washington'] (4.8), and [player_tooltip player_id='2511528' first='Jackson' last='Laver'] (3.4), all of whom saw a lot of playing time last season. Kerkhoff, a Wayne State commit, is one of the best shooters in the state and will be the focal point of the attack this season. Odefey is a great athlete on the wing with defensive versatility, and Washington is a big body who can play inside and out. The 'Dogs will once again be a good defensive team that uses their length and athleticism as a team to their advantage, and they should be seen as a serious contender in the league.   Central DeWitt (9-14, 51.4%): In senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1484410' first='Ryan' last='Watters'] (16.0, 8.5 rebounds), the Sabers have one of the best players in the conference leading the charge. An athletic 6-6 forward who can score inside and out, defend multiple positions, and pound the glass, he's a matchup nightmare capable of having huge games. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765533' first='Brady' last='Meadows'] (5.2, 4.1 assists) does a nice job getting his teammates involved and limiting turnovers, and [player_tooltip player_id='2811905' first='Max' last='Burgmeier'] (4.0), [player_tooltip player_id='2731756' first='Hudson' last='Krukow'] (3.2), and Caleb Olson (1.1) each saw some time last season and will be key contributors.   Clinton (0-22, 73.4%): The River Kings were winless last season and had only three games decided by single digits, so there's nowhere to go but up. Mharlo Guy (7.2) is the team's top returning scorer, and he, Jordan Coleman (6.4, 5.7 rebounds), and [player_tooltip player_id='1978129' first='Kade' last='Wheatley'] (4.3) should be the team's top three again. Winning a game or two would be a major step in the right direction for the program.   Davenport Central (10-13, 63.2%): The Blue Devils bring back their top two, and three of the top four, scorers from last year's team, so an above .500 finish should be in the cards this season. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1978112' first='Carter' last='Light'] (12.4) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1951794' first='Elias' last='Vargas'] (10.1) will form one of the better backcourts in the conference. Both are good playmakers who handle it well, and they put constant pressure on opposing defenses with their ability to create off the dribble. [player_tooltip player_id='1484414' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] (7.6) is another skilled playmaker with the ball in his hands, and a few other rotation pieces also return.   Davenport North (12-11, 48.8%): The Wildcats bring five of their top eight back from last year's team, but must replace two of the top three scorers, so there is some talent from the top of the roster that needs to be replaced. [player_tooltip player_id='2511598' first='Tenerick' last='Brady'] (9.6, 39.6 3P%) is an athletic guard who can knock down shots off the dribble and the catch, and [player_tooltip player_id='1484415' first='DeAndre' last='Smith'] (8.2, 41.9 3P%) also provides some three-level scoring. Look for Darrien Manning (4.8), Jazire McDuffy (3.3), and Johnale Johnson (2.8) to step into bigger roles alongside that tandem, giving them five reliable pieces. The 'Cats will also be adding [player_tooltip player_id='2617479' first='Cailen' last='Shadrick'] to the lineup, a talented playmaker on the wing who has spent time at several schools in the Quad Cities. The senior wing has really good vision and is a physical player who can create for his teammates. He'll be a welcome addition to the rotation, getting Brady and Smith good, open looks on the perimeter.   Davenport West (16-7, 31.2%): The Falcons have to replace three of their top four scorers from last year's team, but do bring back four rotation pieces, including senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2230499' first='Elijah' last='Reid-Scott'] (10.1). He's a talented guard who can create off the dribble. He has good vision and is a talented passer and versatile scorer. [player_tooltip player_id='1759942' first='Michael' last='Harris'] Jr (6.7), [player_tooltip player_id='2721785' first='Keylin' last='Lacourse'] (4.2), and [player_tooltip player_id='2731774' first='Caden' last='Green'] (3.0) all saw some time last season and return to give the Falcons some experience. West probably takes a bit of a step back this season following the significant losses to graduation they suffered, but they'll still be a competitive group.   Muscatine (5-17, 94.2%): Ten of the Muskies' 17 losses last season came by single digits, including six by two possessions or less. They bring back all but one player from that roster, and add in [player_tooltip player_id='1759902' first='Kayvion' last='Hodges'], who was one of the best players on Assumption's 3A title team last season. He averaged 10.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game last season, and is one of the best, most versatile defenders in the state. Seniors Ian Church (11.8) and [player_tooltip player_id='2605429' first='Cade' last='Daufeldt'] (8.2), juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1517427' first='Talan' last='Becker'] (9.3), [player_tooltip player_id='1574870' first='Spencer' last='Biah'] (6.9), and [player_tooltip player_id='1868399' first='Nate' last='Lukkarinen'] (2.5), and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2419783' first='Sam' last='Church'] (10.7) all return as well, giving the Muskies a number of scoring threats. This team is going to be pretty deep, and they should be much improved with the addition of Hodges and the additional experience they gained last year.   North Scott (16-7, 26.2%): The Lancers are going to be incredibly young this season, with their varsity roster comprised of three freshmen, 10 sophomores, and two seniors. That said, they are also going to be ridiculously talented. In [player_tooltip player_id='2309944' first='Josiah' last='Harrington'] (13.3, 46.5 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='2107245' first='Zane' last='Rus'], they have the two best sophomores in the state. In [player_tooltip player_id='2595605' first='MarQwan' last='Morgan'], [player_tooltip player_id='2595698' first='Marcus' last='Morgan Jr'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2523928' first='Vasaun' last='Wilmington'], they have three of the top five or six freshmen in the state. And then throw in sophomores like [player_tooltip player_id='2116035' first='Miller' last='Haedt'] (1.5), [player_tooltip player_id='2419854' first='Drew' last='Fischer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2124067' first='Michael' last='Gordon'], they have a number of other skilled players who will fill out the rotation. A highly intelligent, skilled team that will be about as athletic as any, the Lancers are probably going to have some ups-and-downs, as should be expected with a team this young, but their talent is undeniable.   Pleasant Valley (17-6, 12.9%): Steve Hillman has done a great job building the Spartans program into a consistent contender, so despite losing their top five scorers from last year's team, expect PV to once again be a factor in the MAC. [player_tooltip player_id='1759910' first='Max' last='Schmeltzer'] (3.3, 4.0 rebounds) is the top returning scorer and rebounder and he has played a lot of quality minutes for them over the last few years. [player_tooltip player_id='1587376' first='Cole' last='Beinborn'] (2.8) is a solid option on the wing, and [player_tooltip player_id='1288918' first='Levi' last='Hoskins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1951788' first='Ashton' last='Olson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1587290' first='Anthony' last='Gorman'], and Camryn LeMoine are all talented players who will be stepping into bigger roles. This is a program that is always good defensively and disciplined offensively. That won't change, even with a number of new faces taking the floor.   Projected Order of Finish   1. North Scott 2. Assumption 3. Bettendorf 4. Muscatine 5. Pleasant Valley 6. Davenport Central 7. Davenport North 8. Davenport West 9. Central DeWitt 10. Clinton   Analysis: This is going to be a really interesting league race. North Scott is one of the most talented teams in the state, but they're going to be extremely young. Assumption has a lot of talent back from a state title team, Bettendorf and PV are always good, and Muscatine could take a major leap with the addition of Hodges, the talent returning, and all the narrow losses last season.   Preseason Player of the Year   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2309944' first='Josiah' last='Harrington'] (North Scott): Harrington ended his recruitment early by committing to play at Iowa State, and the Cyclones are getting a really, really good one. He shoots it incredibly well from distance and has improved his ability to create off the dribble. He'll be the focal point of a North Scott team that will be extremely young, but extremely talented.   Players to Watch   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2309944' first='Josiah' last='Harrington'] (North Scott) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2107245' first='Zane' last='Rus'] (North Scott) 2028 Vasuan Wilmington (North Scott) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2595605' first='MarQwan' last='Morgan'] (North Scott) 2028 Marcus Morgan (North Scott) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759900' first='Damyen' last='Jackson'] (Assumption) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759943' first='Braylon' last='Thomsen'] (Assumption) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2617544' first='Synceare' last='Simons'] (Assumption) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397362' first='Joey' last='Funderburk'] (Assumption) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484410' first='Ryan' last='Watters'] (Central DeWitt) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951786' first='Ben' last='Kerkhoff'] (Bettendorf) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397255' first='Cole' last='Odefey'] (Bettendorf) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484416' first='Amari' last='Washington'] (Bettendorf) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759902' first='Kayvion' last='Hodges'] (Muscatine) 2025 Ian Church (Muscatine) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419783' first='Sam' last='Church'] (Muscatine) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1517427' first='Talan' last='Becker'] (Muscatine) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2605429' first='Cade' last='Daufeldt'] (Muscatine) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978112' first='Carter' last='Light'] (Davenport Central) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951794' first='Elias' last='Vargas'] (Davenport Central) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484414' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] (Davenport Central) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2230499' first='Elijah' last='Reid-Scott'] (Davenport West) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511598' first='Tenerick' last='Brady'] (Davenport North) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2617479' first='Cailen' last='Shadrick'] (Davenport North) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484415' first='DeAndre' last='Smith'] (Davenport North)

The Teams