NUIC Basketball Preview

East Dubuque is hoping a run at a State championship in 1A is not elusive this season.

The senior-dominated team advanced to the Super Sectional two years ago and the Sectional final last year. They again are led by the over 6 foot 2 trio of  Hunter Sherman, Layne Boyer, and Payton Heller. They won their first six outings this year including a nine-point win over Winnebago. East Dubuque is 60-17 over the last two seasons.

While the Warriors should win the NUIC West. Polo is favored to win the NUIC East.

Polo has returned 6 foot 4 senior all-conference center Justin Young along with Braiden Soltow and Brady Webb. They are unbeaten after their first five games. River Ridge with Ben Crist and Jacob Speer are off to a 6-0 start. Lena-Winslow will be tough with returning starters in Parker Magee, Cafe Benson and Sean Ormiston all from the Panthers state semifinal football team.

Milledgeville with Nate Rahn will be solid again and are off to a 5-1 start of the season. Aquin has sophomore William Gustafson as the only returning starter. The Bulldogs are off to a 3-1 start.

Other top players are Forreston's Brayden Fyock and Dakota's Carter Drake. Eastland's Kaden Henze. Pearl City has the twin combination of Jayden and Jarod Kempel and Brock and Braden Smargiassi.

Stateline Sports Hub. NUIC Boys Basketball.

1. East Dubuque.
2. Polo.
3. River Ridge
4. Milledgeville.
5. Lena-Winslow.
6. Aquin.
7. Forreston.
8. Pearl City.
9. Eastland.
10. Warren.

NUIC Girls Basketball

1. East Dubuque 7-1.
2. Aquin 7-1.
3. Eastland 6-2.
4. Stockton 5-1.
5. Dakota 6-2.
6. River Ridge/Scales Mound 5-1.
7. Amboy 5-0.
8. Ashton/Franklin Center 6-2.
9. Galena 4-2.
10. Durand 4-2.