Boys' basketball: Teams to Watch

CLASS 1A

Keota ---- Went 21-2 last season and returns top two scorers Cody Uphold and Joe Saresky and four of top five. Top four rebounders also are back. Should be a handful for South Iowa Cedar League foes ... again.

Central City ---- We'll add perennial power Iowa Mennonite to this list, too. But let's talk about the Wildcats, who went 18-6 a season ago and return three of their top four scorers (John Rochford, Jeffrey Stevens and Mason Nielsen), as well as their top two rebounders.

CLASS 2A

Dyersville Beckman ---- The Blazers are usually good, and this season should be no exception. Returnees include 6-foot-10 center Joe Ament (10 points per game, 5 rebounds per game) and fellow starter Blake Olderding (12.3 PPG, 5 RPG), as well as six other lettermen. Beckman was 19-6 last season.

Cascade ---- Yeah, Dubuque County has some good basketball. Cougars were 20-4 last season and, like Beckman, are usually good. Just about everyone returns with one big exception: leading scorer and rebounder Nate Trumm.

CLASS 3A Marion ---- Is there life after Amry Shelby? We'll find out. The graduated guard did everything for the Indians last season, including leading them to the state tournament. Watch for junior sharpshooting guard Casey Semler to step up his game.

Washington (Iowa) ---- The Demons were just 9-12 last season, but there are not many teams around who return firepower like guards Isaac Gardner and Alex Vogel. They averaged over 15 points per game each a year ago.

CLASS 4A

Linn-Mar ---- Six state tournament top-four finishes in a row for the Lions, including second place to Ames last season. A lot of talent has graduated, but a lot is still here, including sophomore point guard Marcus Paige, a major Division I college recruit. The beat goes on.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy ---- Terrific 2008-09 season (21-2) that ended a game shy of the state tournament. Should be a motivating factor for a team that won with stifling defense a year ago. Kyle Lamaak, Max Martino, Austin Christensen and Christian French among the players to watch.