Preseason All-Conference: Missouri River
Player of the Year: 2019 Conner Groves, Sergeant Bluff-Luton
You could make really strong arguments for Groves, Sioux City East guard Aidan Vanderloo or Sioux City West guard Cliff McCray as the POY in the MRAC this winter. Each of them stuff the stat sheets, are efficient scorers and can take over a game when needed. But we’ll give the slight edge to Groves, who leads a Sergeant Bluff-Luton team that we expect to see at the top of the league this winter, and one that should be among the top two or three in Class 3A.
First Team
2019 Conner Groves, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (15.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 66 3PM, 41.5 3P%)
This league figures to be a battle between Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Sioux City East and potentially Sioux City West. This tough lead guard routinely finishes at the rim, makes contested shots and does all the little things to help make the Warriors great.
2019 Aidan Vanderloo, Sioux City East (16.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 52.7 FG%, 52 3PM, 52.5 3P%)
Perhaps the best pure shooter in the state, Vanderloo will be tasked with taking on an even larger scoring role this year for the Black Raiders following the graduation of Van Rees. He may not get as many clean looks as he’s used to, but with his stroke, it won’t matter.
2019 Cliff McCray, Sioux City West (14.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 3.3 steals, 54.6 FG%)
The future Southwest Minnesota State standout led the league in assists and steals last year, while ranking among the top six in scoring and rebounding. An athletic 6-3 lead guard, he’s capable of dominating games on both ends of the floor for the Wolverines.
2019 Sam DeMoss, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (11.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 52.0 FG%)
The 6-2 senior guard has been a key piece on back-to-back state tournament teams for SB-L, and will be looking to help Groves and Daniel Wright lead them back to Des Moines for a third trip. He’s a capable perimeter shooter and ball handler who slots in nicely next to Groves in the backcourt.
2020 Daniel Wright, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (10.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 53.3 FG%, 42.6 3P%, 89.3 FT%)
One of the more intriguing players in the state, Wright is a 6-6 combo forward who led the Warriors in assists last season, is capable of getting red hot from the arc and can post up smaller defenders. His versatility is a major weapon for SB-L.
Second Team
2019 Cameron Lukavsky, Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson
2019 Trent Frerichs, Sioux City North
2019 Nick Opsahl, Sioux City North
2019 Jack Peterson, Sioux City East
2021 Jadin Johnson, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln
Honorable Mentions
2019 Adien Belt, Sioux City West
2019 Hunter Walker, Sioux City North
2020 Jaleque Dunson, Sioux City East
2019 Hunter Hendrix, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln
2019 Omar Maldonaldo, Sioux City West
2019 Robert Mosey, Sioux City West
2019 Javonte Keck, Sioux City East
2019 Tyler Reiss, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln
2019 Tommy Schiltz, Sioux City Bishop Heelan
2020 Sayvion Armstrong, Sioux City East
2020 Quran Owens, Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson