MaxPreps 2016-2017 Iowa preseason boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Highlight of Iowa City West High School
Check out footage of one of the state's top basketball teams.
 

1. Valley (West Des Moines)
2015-16 record: 21-3
Head coach: B.J. Windhorst

The Tigers look to defend their 2015 Class 4A title behind 6-foot-6 post Quinton Curry, who led Valley in the championship game with 16 points and nine rebounds. Curry – a senior, 4.0-plus student and one of the top Iowa prospects – mans the paint with authority and worked not only on his ability to defend bigger post players, but on his perimeter shooting. He is joined this season by seniors Jack Whipple, Reese Skinner, Bryce Jeffers, Nate Dennis and 6-9 post Charley Crowley.

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2. Iowa City West
2015-16 record: 22-5
Head coach: Steve Bergman



The Trojans, despite losing 6-7 Tanner Lohaus to graduation, will still have plenty of size as they look to rebound after a Class 4A title loss to Valley. The McCaffery brothers – 6-6 senior Connor McCaffery and 6-7 sophomore Patrick McCaffery – have a basketball pedigree with father, Fran, the men's coach at the University of Iowa. Connor, who looks to play both basketball and baseball at the University of Iowa, will be joined by 6-2 guard Devontae Lane and shooting guard Marshawn Yarbrough.

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3. Xavier (Cedar Rapids)
2015-16 record: 14-7
Head coach: Matt Jenkins The Saints bring back experience from winning the Class 3A title along with playoff standouts Jackson Joens and Matthew Mims. Joens, the 6-3 swingman, was instrumental in upset wins over Pella in the semis and Wahlert in the title tilt. Joens dropped 22 on Pella and 18 on Walhert on 5 of 7 shooting. Mims, a 6-0 point guard, should handle the backcourt and the Saints also look to get sibling help from 6-3 senior Bryce Schulte and sophomore brother Quinn Schulte.

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4. Pleasant Valley
2015-16 record: 23-2
Head coach: Steve Hillman

After a trip to the Class 4A semifinals, the Spartans look to replace big backcourt losses with 6-5 junior Brian Dayman and 6-1 swingman Caleb Carius. Dayman averaged 5.1 points last season behind a senior-heavy post lineup. Carius, whose older brother Will graduated, looks to carry on the family tradition. They will be joined by senior point guard Trevon Montgomery.



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5. Pella
2015-16 record: 25-2
Head coach: Mark Core

The Dutch look to go deep in Class 3A with senior Ryan Van Wyk at the helm. As a junior, Van Wyk averaged 14.9 points per game and 9.5 rebounds. Pella lost to eventual 3A champ Xavier in the semifinals last season. Joining Van Wyk will be Donovan Holterhaus, who averaged seven points per game last season. The 6-4 post will also be joined in the paint by big body Jordan Weppler (6-5, 235).