MVC powers West, Wahlert atop 1st Gazette boys' basketball poll

CEDAR RAPIDS — They lost a week ago to a team from Minnesota, but that doesn't mean the Iowa City West Trojans aren't the best big-school boys' basketball team in Iowa.

West assumes the top spot in Class 4A in the first Gazette rankings of the season. The other No. 1s are Dubuque Wahlert (3A), Western Christian (2A) and Gladbrook-Reinbeck (1A).

This is the third year The Gazette has compiled its own rankings.

West is 3-1 after a pair of blowout wins last week against Keokuk and Waterloo West. That was a solid bounce back from a 72-64 loss Dec. 5 to Apple Valley (Minn.) at a tournament in the Twin Cities.

Apple Valley's top players, Gary Trent Jr. and Tre Jones, are being pursued by the likes of Duke, Kentucky, Arizona and Michigan State. West's Connor McCaffery had 28 points in that game.

He, of course, is the junior son of Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery and has committed to the Hawkeyes. West's Tanner Lohaus has signed with Northern Iowa and Wali Parks with juco power Indian Hills. Junior guard Devontae Lane also is a Division I college player.

Behind West in 4A is Pleasant Valley (4-0), which was 4A runner-up last season. Both teams were beaten at the state tournament by champion North Scott.

West Des Moines Valley checks in at third, with Ankeny fourth and Cedar Falls fifth. Valley and Ankeny are 4-0, CF 3-0.

Wahlert is attempting to win its third consecutive 3A title. The Golden Eagles (4-0) feature Iowa signee Cordell Pemsl. The 6-foot-8 senior is averaging 21 points in the early going.

After Wahlert, it's Chariton (4-0), Harlan (3-0), Algona (5-0) and Sioux City Heelan (3-1) in that order. Cedar Rapids Xavier (2-1) checks in at No. 9.

Western Christian (2-0) is another traditional basketball power. Defending 2A champ Treynor (4-0) is ranked right behind the Wolfpack, followed by Pella Christian (5-0), Cascade (4-0) and Sioux Center (4-0).

In 1A, defending champ Gladbrook-Reinbeck is off to a strong 3-0 start, as it attempts to go back to back. West Hancock (5-0), Boyden-Hull (3-1), Colo-NESCO (5-0) and Jesup (4-0) are two through fifth, respectively.

Meskwaki Settlement School (5-0) and North Linn (4-0) are ninth and 10th.

Below are the entire rankings.

CLASS 4A

1. Iowa City West (3-1)

2. Pleasant Valley (4-0)

3. West Des Moines Valley (4-0)

4. Ankeny (4-0)

5. Cedar Falls (3-0)

6. Waukee (2-1)

7. Des Moines Hoover (3-1)

8. Ames (3-1)

9. Council Bluffs Lincoln (3-0)

10. Linn-Mar (2-2)

CLASS 3A

1. Dubuque Wahlert (4-0)

2. Chariton (4-0)

3. Harlan (3-0)

4. Algona (5-0)

5. Sioux City Heelan (3-1)

6. Spencer (4-0)

7. Pella (4-0)

8. Atlantic (4-0)

9. Cedar Rapids Xavier (2-1)

10. Sergeant Bluff-Luton (2-2)

CLASS 2A

1. Western Christian (2-0)

2. Treynor (4-0)

3. Pella Christian (5-0)

4. Cascade (4-0)

5. Sioux Center (4-0)

6. Carroll Kuemper (4-0)

7. Northeast Goose Lake (6-0)

8. Dike-New Hartford (4-0)

9. Ridge View (5-0)

10. Osage (4-0)

CLASS 1A

1. Gladbrook-Reinbeck (3-0)

2. West Hancock (5-0)

3. Boyden-Hull (3-1)

4. Colo-NESCO (5-0)

5. Jesup (4-0)

6. IKM-Manning (4-0)

7. South O'Brien (4-0)

8. Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire (5-0)

9. Meskwaki Settlement School (5-0)

10. North Linn (4-0)

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com