The level of play through the unofficial midway point of the boys basketball season has been spectacular.
As we head into 2024, a number of area teams have staked their cases as potential players to make deep postseason runs. Dubuque Senior and Bellevue Marquette remain unbeaten, while four other area squads have just one loss apiece. Several others will be quite dangerous, as well.
Here is a midseason progress report of some area boys basketball teams that could make some noise in 2024:
TOP OF THE KEY
Dubuque Senior (7-0) — Much like last year when they won their first 10 contests, the Rams are off to another sizzling start. Senior is currently ranked No. 4 in the Iowa AP poll, third in the IHSAA debut rankings and already has a top-five win over Linn-Mar. Jacob Williams has been sensational, averaging 20.6 points and 9.4 rebounds, and has been aided by supplemental scoring from Tevin Schultz (11.7 ppg), Cooper Porter (7.7 ppg), Drake Medinger (6.4 ppg), Josh Brauer (6.1 ppg), Jalen Johnson (5.8 ppg) and Nick Kennedy (5.7 ppg). Defensively, the Rams’ size causes havoc, allotting their opponents just 50 points per game so far.
Bellevue Marquette (9-0) — After last year’s heartbreaking defeat that left it one game shy of reaching state for the first time since 2006, Marquette looks like a team on mission to reach Des Moines in 2024. The Defenders currently rank fifth, regardless of class, in points per game at 77 and are outscoring opponents by an average of 31.6 points. Spencer Roeder (15.1), Eli Scott (13.2), Caden Kettmann (11.8) and Kannon Still (11) are all averaging double figures in scoring in Marquette’s up-tempo offense. Currently third in the Iowa AP poll and second in IHSAA rankings, the Defenders will be a fun team to watch the rest of the way.
Scales Mound (11-1) — The tiny school on the tip of Northwest Illinois continues to produce big results. Following back-to-back trips to the Class 1A state tournament, the fifth-ranked Hornets show no signs of slowing down. Senior all-stater Thomas Hereau has picked up right where he left off last year, averaging 20.1 points, 5 assists and 3.8 steals. Evan Cogan has put up 8.4 points and 6.3 assists per game and Seth Birkett has seen his role increase at 9 points per game. The Illinois postseason is always a gauntlet, but the Hornets appear ready to make a run at a third straight trip to Champagne.
Potosi (8-1) — Coming of a 21-win season, a regional title and a conference championship, the Chieftains look every bit as dangerous in the early stages of this season. Returning WBCA Division 5 honorable mention all-stater Gavin Wunderlin leads the charge averaging 14.7 points per game, while Dawson Weber (10.8) and Aidan Uppena (10) also hit double figures on average. Potosi is allowing just more than 46 points on average, so the Division 5 No. 4-ranked Chieftains are getting it done defensively as they hope to make a push to state for the first time in school history.
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Darlington (8-1) — The defending SWAL champions have a ton of firepower and are looking to avenge last year’s disappointing end to the season where three of their four total losses came over the final seven games. The Division 4 No. 4-ranked Redbirds are led by returning honorable mention all-stater Will Murray who is averaging 21.1 points per game. Broker Buschor (16.3), Brady Long (10.6) and Reagan Jackson (10.1) have shown to be consistent scorers on a team that has put up 77.9 on average.
Maquoketa (6-1) — The Cardinals showed they would be a team worthy of attention with a successful season as brand-new members of the River Valley Conference last season. So far this season, Maquoketa hasn’t disappointed. The Cardinals are averaging 72.9 points per game with Tye Hardin (20.4), Ty Hinz (19) and Carter Meyer (14.6) all scoring at a double-digit clip. Behind its fast-paced style of play, the Cardinals look to continue ascending toward a state tournament berth for the first time since 1987.
POISED TO MAKE NOISE
Bellevue (6-3) — The Comets shot out of the gate this season at 5-0, but have sputtered a bit since, dropping three of their last four. Still, with playmakers Hunter Putman (16.1 ppg), Cameron Casel (11.3 ppg) and Spencer Abbott (11.3 ppg), this is a dangerous team. Look for Bellevue find its groove in the season’s second half and be ready to make a push in the 1A postseason.
Galena (8-5) — Another team that hasn’t quite found its footing, but could be dangerous down the stretch. Connor Glasgow has proven over the last two years to be one of the elite scorers in Illinois Class 1A, and at 24 points per game so far this season, he has the ability to lead the Pirates to some big wins.
Cascade (5-2) — The Cougars have shown flashes of brilliance early on. Their two losses have come by a combined 10 points. At 20.1 points and nearly 4 steals per game, Jackson Lieurance has proven to be one the top players in the River Valley Conference. Nathan Schockemoehl (10.3 ppg) and Mick Hoffman (13.6 ppg) provide scoring depth as well.
River Ridge (9-5) — The Wildcats, somewhat quietly, have put together an impressive start as they look for their first winning season since 2018-19. Damon Dittmar (15.9 ppg) and Joe Winter (12 ppg) are averaging double figures in scoring. It will be interesting to see how River Ridge fares as the NUIC schedule ramps up after the holiday break.
Platteville (5-2) — The Hillmen currently carry a five-game winning streak after dropping their first two games of the season to Division 4 top-ranked Mineral Point and No. 4 Darlington. Platteville is led by a bevy of double-digit scorers in Lucas Ludlum (15 ppg), Davyn Edge (13.7 ppg), Zach McClain (11.7 ppg), Myron Reuter (10.4 ppg) and Simon Boebel (10 ppg). At 79.3 points per game, the Hillmen look to not only make a run at an SWC title, but its first trip to the state semifinals since 1967.
