Boys' basketball teams to watch

Area prep boys' basketball teams to watch for the 2015-16 season.

— Anamosa: Blue Raiders were 13-9 last season, but return a ton of firepower. That includes 6-foot-6 center Tyler Zumbach (14.9 points, 6.5 rebounds per game) and guards Kolin Schulte (14.2 ppg, 4.5 assists per game) and Kyle Schepanski (9.1 ppg). Look for Coach Kevin Barnes' team to post a better record, perhaps a much better one.

— Cedar Rapids Kennedy: All Jon McKowen has done since becoming Cougars coach is win. Kennedy was 18-6 last season and made it to 4A state tournament for second straight time. A lot of important pieces from that team graduated, but this appears to be a reload, not a rebuild. Front-court guy Drake Brewster played a lot last season as sophomores, and guard Derick Diggins as a freshman. They'll be key components, as will seniors Matt Gardner and Derek Girling.

— Iowa City West: Trojans had their string of three consecutive Class 4A championships stopped in last year's semifinals by eventual champion North Scott. That was West's only loss in 26 games. Four starters return, including University of Iowa commit Connor McCaffery, Northern Iowa signee Tanner Lohaus and Indian Hills Community College commit Wali Parks. Devontae Lane has an offer from Iowa State. Add freshman Patrick McCaffery (Connor's brother) to the mix, and this team is absolutely loaded. Again.

— Linn-Mar: It has been three years since the Lions qualified for the state tournament, an eternity for a program that went nine straight years (from 2004 through 2012), winning a first-round game all nine. Linn-Mar was 18-5 last season, losing to Cedar Rapids Kennedy in a substate final. Senior point guard Jordan Bohannon (an Iowa signee) leads the way, with Cedar Rapids Washington transfer Jared Printy (a Western Michigan signee) combining with him to make a dynamic backcourt. Interior play again is a question mark.

— Monticello: Coach Tim Lambert's club went 21-3 last season. Four starters are back, including first-team all-River Valley Conference forward Derek Manternach and second-teamer Matt Manternach. It'll be interesting to see how the Iowa High School Athletic Association divvies up what is a traditonally strong area of the state in Class 2A when it comes to postseason pairings. This appears to be a state tournament caliber club.

— North Linn: Lynx went 18-6 last season and return all five starters, including all-conference guys Brandon Stepanek and Ryan Miller. A very good freshman class includes guard Jake Hilmer, son of head coach Mike Hilmer, who is supposed to be quite a player. Hall of Famer Bob Hilmer, Mike's father, has joined the staff at NL and brings 789 wins in 50 years to the table. The Lynx are the class of the Tri-Rivers Conference, and it's not even close.

— Others On The Radar: Belle Plaine (first state tournament trip last season), Cascade (47th and final Cougars team for legendary coach Al Marshall), Highland (four starters back from 18-5 team), Jesup (16-8 last season, all five starters return), Montezuma (four starters back from 21-4 team).