Boys Basketball: Players and teams to watch

TEAMS

Linn-Mar - Lions should begin the season ranked No. 1 in Class 4A. Lost just twice in 2009-10, including a tough one to Southeast Polk (41-38) in state tournament semifinals. Went on to finish third and returns top two scorers inUNI recruit Matt Bohannon and top-50 junior recruit Marcus Paige. Shooting guard Shane Benton has signed with D-I North Dakota. There's also size with 6-foot-7 senior Josh Montague and 6-6 Ian McBrayer.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson - Finished 18-5 last season, losing in first round of 4A state tourney to Sioux City East, 51-43. Three starters return in Jarrod Uthoff, Taylor Olson and Alec Saunders. The 6-8 Uthoff is Wisconsin commitment who averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds last season. A fourth potential returning starter (point guard Teyshawn Campbell) moved out of state with his family.

Cedar Rapids Washington - Warriors lost to Ames in first round of 4A tourney last season, 57-44. Top two scorers return in Iowa commit Josh Oglesby and Wes Washpun, who also will be a Division I college player. Alex Carr gives Warriors three returning starting guards. Key will be inside play.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy - Cougars lost eight games last season, six by one or two points. Top players include Kyle Lamaak, Christian French and Jake Misener, who will miss part of early season with shoulder injury. Must shoot better.

Iowa Mennonite - Always good, always well coached by Dwight Gingerich. School with no nickname went 22-3 in 2009-10. Top returnee is guard Chance Miller, who averaged 11.5 points per game last season as freshman. Ethan Gingerich and Jackson Brokaw are other top returning players.

Western Dubuque - State qualifier a season ago in Class 3A. 6-3 senior guard Zach Otting is the top player. He was an all-stater by the Iowa Newspaper Association, averaging 18.5 ppg.

Solon - Spartans finished 25-3 last season, finishing 2A runner-up to Western Christian. Zach Velez-Westphal, Nick Day and Jesse Carson are atop returnees. Solon's 1-3-1 zone defense gives it a chance in every game.

Iowa City Regina - Regals were 16-6 a season ago. Center Brady Lehman (16 ppg, 7.3 rpg) gives Regina good starting point. Plenty of good athletes here that have little time switch from football mode to basketball mode.

Maquoketa Valley - Wildcats were 17-4 last season and top four scorers return: Derek Dzaboff, Colt Feltes, Kyle Whitman and Jared Kracke.

PLAYERS

Jarrod Uthoff (Cedar Rapids Jefferson) - The 6-8 senior burst onto the scene last season by averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds per game. Versatile inside-outside player who has signed with the University of Wisconsin.

Josh Oglesby (Cedar Rapids Washington) - A 6-5 senior who has signed with the Iowa Hawkeyes. A shooter, he averaged 16.2 points per game last season and shot 40 percent from 3-point range.

Wes Washpun (Cedar Rapids Washington) - Springy senior averaged 15.1 points per game, led team with 91 assists and was second in rebounding despite being only 6-1. Has been offered D-I scholarships by North Dakota State and South Dakota State.

Marcus Paige (Linn-Mar) - There are some biggies after the 6-foot junior lefty point guard, including Kansas. Averaged 13.9 points per game and shot 57 percent from the field last season, though was slowed late by mononucleosis. Had almost a two-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio.

Matt Bohannon (Linn-Mar) - The 6-4 senior shooter will be third member of his family to play D-I college hoops, following older brothers Jason (Wisconsin) and Zach (Air Force). Northern Iowa commit averaged team-best 17.4 points per game last season.

Shane Benton (Linn-Mar) - Signed with D-I North Dakota despite averaging just 7.2 points per game in 2009-10. A 6-3 shooting guard with good jumping ability.

Kasey Semler (Marion) - Three-year starter at guard averaged team-best 16 points per game last season. Was named to Iowa Newspaper Association Class 3A all-state third team.

Zach Otting (Western Dubuque) - Another third-team all-stater in 3A. The 6-3 senior guard averaged 18.8 points. His 351 field-goal attempts ranked fourth in 3A.