These aren’t the only quality boys’ basketball teams in the area this season. But it’s a pretty good start to the list.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy

Coach: Jon McKowen (11th season)

2022-23 record: 22-1

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Top players: Micah Schlaak (6-7, senior), Cyrus Courtney (6-2, senior), Trey McKowen (5-11, junior), Trevan Krumrei (6-4, senior), Landon Dieters (6-7, junior), Griffin Gerdes (6-2, senior), Joe Bean (6-3, senior), Marty Blakey (6-4, senior), Rashad Gatewood (6-0, senior).

Synopsis: Cougars went unbeaten in the regular season for the first time in school history, was the top seed in Class 4A at the state tournament and was shocked by eighth-seeded Pleasant Valley in the quarterfinals. The great guard duo of Kenzie Reed and Colby Dolphin graduated, but there is a ton of talent return, as well as three significant transfers in Bean (Cedar Rapids Xavier), Blakey and Gatewood (both Cedar Rapids Jefferson).

Alburnett

Coach: Jeff Christopherson (29th season)

2022-23 record: 20-4

Top players: Jordan Caton (5-9, senior), Braydon Osborn (6-2, senior), Matthew Neighbor (6-3, junior), Payton Baker (5-11, senior), Logan Borrett (5-9, senior).

Synopsis: Caton and Osborn combined to score 30 points per game, so that’s a good starting point for Coach Christopherson, who has built a very good program. The only negative is Alburnett is solidly a Class 2A school now after years of being on that 1A-2A border.

North Linn

Coach: Mike Hilmer (32nd season)

2022-23 record: 26-1

Top players: Breckyn Betenbender (5-10, senior), Ty Pflughaupt (6-4, senior), Mason Bechen (6-1, junior), Cole Griffith (5-9, junior), Drew Ries (5-10, junior), Jake Van Etten (6-0, senior).

Synopsis: Seven straight state tournament appearances, six straight years in a state championship game. This is a remarkable program. This edition of the Lynx will have a lack of size, but it’ll get in your grill full court defensively as always and has three returning starters in Betenbender, Pflughaupt and Bechen.

Decorah

Coach: Jonathan Carlson (11th year)

2022-23 record: 14-8.

Top players: Ben Bockman (6-3, senior), Matthew Bockman (6-1, senior), Kaiden Quandahl (6-3, senior), Andrew Rhodes (6-2, junior), Trey McCain (6-0, senior), Zach Driscoll (6-0, junior), Cael LaFrentz (6-9, sophomore).

Synopsis: Decorah qualified for the state tournament in Class 3A two years ago but lost outstanding point guard Trey McCain last season for an ACL injury. He’s back for his senior season, joined by MFL MarMac transfer Zach Driscoll, an all-stater who helped the Bulldogs gets to state in 2A last season. Ben Bockman was a second-team all-stater last season. Matthew Bockman, Quandahl and Rhodes also started. This team is loaded.

Iowa City West

Coach: Steve Bergman (37th season)

2022-23 record: 12-11

Top players: Kareem Earl (6-4, senior), Jacob Koch (6-1, senior), TaeVeon Stevens (6-0, junior, Jack McCaffery (6-8, junior), JuJu Manson (6-0, sophomore).

Synopsis: An uncharacteristic so-so season in 2022-23 for West, but it was bamboozled by an injury to Earl. He’s back and healthy and one of five returning starters. McCaffery is widely considered a top 100 player nationally in the junior class. There is some good talent beyond the five starters. Don’t expect 12-11 again.

Solon

Coach: Jared Galpin (7th season)

2022-23 record: 18-6

Top players: Jake Benzing (6-4, senior), Gehrig Turner (6-1, senior), Vince Steinbrech (6-2, senior), Rylan Stiegelmeyer (6-1, senior), Cole Buffington (5-11, senior).

Synopsis: Benzing’s an all-state player and one of three returning starters, joining Turner and Steinbrech. Those three were Solon’s leading scorers last season. The Spartans aren’t big but senior laden. They lost in a substate final last season to Newton. Can they take the next step this season?

Monticello

Coach: Tim Lambert (25th season)

2022-23 record: 17-7

Top players: Preston Ries (6-2, senior), Carson Lambert (6-3, junior), Conley Schauf (6-1, sophomore), Jack Lambert (5-11, junior), Brady Gogel (6-0, sophomore), Peyton Schilling (6-1, senior).

Synopsis: Monti faced a mountain of injuries last season, yet found itself back in the state tournament. That made it four trips in a row to Des Moines. Four starters return, led by Iowa football commit Ries. The only graduated starter was a big one in guard Tate Petersen, perhaps the top player this program has produced. Could it be five in a row for these Panthers? Wouldn’t be a surprise to see them in the 2A field.

Area conference predictions (winners)

MVC MISSISSIPPI DIVISION – Dubuque Senior

MVC VALLEY DIVISION – Cedar Rapids Kennedy

WAMAC EAST DIVISION – Solon

WAMAC WEST DIVISION – Williamsburg

RIVER VALLEY NORTH DIVISION – Monticello

RIVER VALLEY SOUTH DIVISION – West Branch

TRI-RIVERS EAST DIVISION – Bellevue Marquette

TRI-RIVERS WEST DIVISION – North Linn

NORTH IOWA CEDAR EAST DIVISION – Jesup

NORTHEAST IOWA – Decorah

SOUTH IOWA CEDAR EAST DIVISION – Keota

SOUTH IOWA CEDAR WEST DIVISION – Lynnville-Sully

UPPER IOWA – MFL MarMac

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