For what it's worth, since I'll undoubtedly forget about some teams, I'll start the discussion of the best 4A and 3A teams. Should be a great season of hoops, with the usual surprises and dark horses. Probably a little more wide-open this year than most years, especially 3A, but also 4A..
4A Top Ten
1. Iowa City West. Strong front court and tough back court. Patrick McCaffery, anyone?
2. Dubuque Senior- Veteran team with five solid seniors led by Noah Carter.
3. North Scott- Another veteran outfit with terrific guards.
4. Des Moines North- Locure and company ready for a deep run.
5. Cedar Falls- Green may be gone, but a lot of strong players return.
6. Bettendorf- Yes, Mr. Carton is still there with some talented newcomers/transfers around him.
7. Cedar Rapids Prairie could be ranked higher with the twins back in the tough MVC.
8. Waukee is always good, it seems.
9. Valley of West Des Moines is consistently competitive.
10. Dubuque Hempstead is young but very talented with the Duax brothers.
Contenders- West Des Moines Dowling; Pleasant Valley, West Waterloo, CR Kennedy.
3A Top Ten
1. Oskaloosa lost a lot of talent, but can build on Foster and others. Question is their guards.
2. Glenwood. Defending champion is superbly coached and really impressed me last year.
3. Davenport Assumption. This may be the year all pieces fall in place.
4. Sergeant Bluff-Luton. Relying on what others say about this talented team.
5. Cedar Rapids Xavier. Lost some studs, but wealth of tall talent returns.
6. Norwalk- Des Moines- area power reloads.
7. Pella- returns some talent to build on
8. Sioux City Heelan hopes to return to state prominence.
9. Carroll. Solid team returns some experience.
10. Solon- Another traditionally solid program.
Contenders- Waverly- Shell Rock, Dubuque Wahlert, Fairfield, Mt. Pleasant, DC-G.
4A Top Ten
1. Iowa City West. Strong front court and tough back court. Patrick McCaffery, anyone?
2. Dubuque Senior- Veteran team with five solid seniors led by Noah Carter.
3. North Scott- Another veteran outfit with terrific guards.
4. Des Moines North- Locure and company ready for a deep run.
5. Cedar Falls- Green may be gone, but a lot of strong players return.
6. Bettendorf- Yes, Mr. Carton is still there with some talented newcomers/transfers around him.
7. Cedar Rapids Prairie could be ranked higher with the twins back in the tough MVC.
8. Waukee is always good, it seems.
9. Valley of West Des Moines is consistently competitive.
10. Dubuque Hempstead is young but very talented with the Duax brothers.
Contenders- West Des Moines Dowling; Pleasant Valley, West Waterloo, CR Kennedy.
3A Top Ten
1. Oskaloosa lost a lot of talent, but can build on Foster and others. Question is their guards.
2. Glenwood. Defending champion is superbly coached and really impressed me last year.
3. Davenport Assumption. This may be the year all pieces fall in place.
4. Sergeant Bluff-Luton. Relying on what others say about this talented team.
5. Cedar Rapids Xavier. Lost some studs, but wealth of tall talent returns.
6. Norwalk- Des Moines- area power reloads.
7. Pella- returns some talent to build on
8. Sioux City Heelan hopes to return to state prominence.
9. Carroll. Solid team returns some experience.
10. Solon- Another traditionally solid program.
Contenders- Waverly- Shell Rock, Dubuque Wahlert, Fairfield, Mt. Pleasant, DC-G.
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