Iowa high school boys’ basketball 2021-22: 8 area teams to watch

Kennedy's Kenzie Reed (25) passes the ball away during the second quarter of their game at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)

Certainly there are many others. But here are eight area teams to watch for the 2021-22 Iowa high school boys’ basketball season.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy

2020-21 record: 15-8

2020-21 postseason: Lost in overtime to Johnston in 4A substate finals

Coach: Jon McKowen

Key returners: Kenzie Reed, junior (9.9 ppg, 5.8 apg); Colby Dolphin, junior (8.1 ppg). Jackson Bowman, senior (6.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg); Connor Jeffords, senior (2.1 ppg); Jack Schissel, senior (2.0 ppg); Craig Mills, senior (3.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg).

Synopsis: Throw Jefferson transfer Carson Blietz (10.4 ppg) into the mix, and Kennedy’s guard court is as good as any around. Always well coached, with a unique defense that is difficult to play against.

Cedar Rapids Prairie

2020-21 record: 4-9

2020-21 postseason: Lost to Linn-Mar in 4A substate opener

Coach: Jeremy Rickertsen

Key returners: Jake Walter, senior (16 ppg); Elijah Ward, senior (12.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg); Everett Koch, senior (5.1 ppg); Gabe Burkle, senior (10.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg in 2019-20); Geramie Hardaway, senior (2.9 ppg); Moses Each, senior (1 ppg; 2 rpg).

Synopsis: COVID outbreak made it a disjointed 2020-21 season, so discount the overall record. Ward and Walter have started for three seasons. Burkle missed all last season because of a knee injury. That trio makes this a dangerous team.

Cedar Rapids Washington

2020-21 record: 14-8

2020-21 postseason: Lost 4A substate final to Cedar Falls

Coach: Justin Decker

Key returners: Traijan Sain, junior (11.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.3 apg); Jesse Sellers, junior (9.7 ppg); Jaden Harris, junior (8.2 ppg); Will Hodges, sophomore (4.2 ppg).

Synopsis: Most wins at the school last season since 2014-15. That came with three sophomore starters and a freshman as the first guy off the bench. If the Warriors can get some consistent inside production from someone, they could be very good.

» Boys’ basketball preview: 16 area players to watch

Decorah

2020-21 record: 17-7

2020-21 postseason: Lost in 3A substate finals to Western Dubuque

Coach: Jonathan Carlson

Key returners: Joseph Bockman, senior (14 ppg); Jacob Pipho, senior (9.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg); Trey McCain, sophomore (5.6 ppg, 2.0 apg); Sean Murphy, junior (4.3 ppg).

Synopsis: A program on the rise. Northeast Iowa Conference title and substate finals appearance in the last two seasons. Can the Vikings take that next step and get to the state tournament?

Iowa City West

2020-21 record: 4-9

2020-21 postseason: Lost to Ottumwa in 4A substate opener

Coach: Steve Bergman

Key returners: Pete Moe, senior (21.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg); Christian Barnes, senior (10.5 ppg, 3.7 apg); Kareem Earl, sophomore (7.3 ppg); Savion Taylor, junior (5.8 ppg).

Synopsis: Youth, inexperience and COVID made last season uncharacteristically poor for West. Expect a strong rebound. Bergman is one of the best coaches in state history. The pedigree of Moe, Barnes and Earl doesn’t get much better. Their dads all were former Iowa Hawkeyes (Jeff, Val and Acie, respectively).

Marion

2020-21 record: 14-8

2020-21 postseason: Lost in 3A substate opener

Coach: Pete Messerli

Key returners: Brayson Laube, junior (15.5 ppg); Cael Hodges, senior (8.7 ppg); Alex Mota, junior (7.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg); Boede Rahe, senior (3 ppg, 3.5 rpg).

Synopsis: Team that likely will try and play uptempo and should compete to be the best team in the Wamac Conference.

Mid-Prairie

2020-21 record: 15-8

2020-21 postseason: Lost in Class 2A district final

Coach: Daren Lambert

Key returners: Carter Harmsen, senior (18.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg); Ethan Kos, senior (7.1 ppg); Alex Bean, junior (9.5 ppg); Will Cavanagh, senior (5 ppg, 5 rpg); Jack Pennington, senior (5 ppg, 5 apg).

Synopsis: The Golden Hawks return 90 percent of scoring from a team that was 14-5 in the River Valley Conference and played in the district finals for the first time in 10 years.

North Linn

2020-21 record: 26-1

2020-21 postseason: Class 1A state tournament runner-up

Coach: Mike Hilmer

Key returners: Austin Hilmer, senior (17.3 ppg); Tate Haughenbury, junior (15.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg); Dylan Kurt, senior (14.1 ppg); Ben Wheatley, junior (10.2 ppg); Cade Haughenbury, senior (9.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg); Gunner Vanourney, senior (4.2 ppg).

Synopsis: Virtually everyone back, state championship contender.

Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com