The Western Big 6 had the 4A state champion and multiple 20-plus win teams. There is still a lot of talent sprinkled throughout the league that should make for another exciting and competitive year.
Galesburg
A relatively young group a year ago, Galesburg is hoping to take a step forward in a tough quad city region. Ian Dominique is a returning leader for the group with a few years of experience under his belt. The senior guard has a quick release and will be a volume outside shooter once again. They guard-heavy lineups will follow suit, with a number of good shooters and dribble-drive players. Junior Tyree Taylor gives them some length and floor spacing on the perimeter, sophomore Leslie Kelley is a quick penetrator who finishes well, and fellow 2026 guard Jackson Sibbing is a stronger bodied shooter who will see a significant bump. Look for seniors Jackson Hillhouse and Talen Davis to make big impacts as well.
Moline
One of the more impressive state championship teams in recent memory, Moline lost their Iowa-bound duo in Owen Freeman and Brock Harding, along with a few other key pieces. But the stage is set for some players to emerge. 6-foot-6 junior guard Braden Freeman does everything on the floor, from handling the ball against pressure, shooting from the perimeter, to defending one through five. He’s going to be a stud and will be a juiced-up Swiss-Army knife for this team. Another returner, Trey Taylor, is a three-year player who will create mismatches with his strength and touch inside. Now around 6-foot-5, he should also be a standout in the conference.
There will be some inexperience in the backcourt, but they did have an impressive sophomore team with some size to add to this group. 6-foot-6 wing Zach Hendrickx has a good frame and can play on the perimeter. Peyton Olmstead (6-foot-5) and Aiden Versluis (6-foot-5) also give them some size and toughness up front. Senior Vinablo Adrahougbeta is going to slot into the lineup and add value as a rangy, athletic wing who has ideal physical tools. Keep an eye on freshman Brady Welch. A bit undersized, but he’s got a tight handle, has range, and can make things happen off the bounce.
Quincy
Quincy is the team returning the most pieces and has the talent to win over 25 games once again. Three-year starting point guard Bradley Longcor is a special playmaker and floor general. His vision, feel, and efficient shot making were already strengths as an underclassmen. Longcor has now put on noticeable muscle that will only aid his ability to work in ball screens and get to his spots. Division 1 programs continue to reach out. 6-foot-5 guard Camden Brown is also back and healthy, which will be an important factor for this team’s ceiling. A legitimate D2-level prospect, Brown is lanky and skilled on and off the ball.
Senior guard Ralph Wires is also back to bolster the backcourt. An active defender and trusted playmaker from last year’s team, he will be key to aid in ball-handling duties while giving them a tertiary scorer. Big man Keshaun Thomas has been up since he was a freshman and is still going to be able to bully opponents on a regular basis. Everything he does won’t show up on the stat sheet, but the physicality and energy are infectious. Junior guards Kamren Wires and Dom Clay are also back to up the tempo along with promising sophomore Milton Whitfield.
Rock Island
There has been a string of gifted guards at Rock Island for quite a while. After some explosive scoring stretches last year, senior guard KJ LaMonte is going to have a memorable season as a primary option. Lanky and smooth at 6-foot-3, LaMonte poses a tough cover. He will be joined in a senior-heavy backcourt by Dezmund Jackson, a terrific defender who will be a larger threat offensively, and Larry Olivier Jr., a spark plug who can also turn defense into offense. Expect the usual up-tempo style from Rock Island.
Sterling
Many of the key players come back from a team who took 3A state champion Metamora down to the wire during the sectional. A dynamic inside-out duo in Andre Klaver and Lucas Austin will lead the way. Both standouts on the football field, Klaver had a breakout junior year as a multi-level scorer while Austin was a knockdown stretch big who used his size inside to rebound and post up. Austin (6-foot-7, 265 pounds) is a high-level lineman recruit who is even stronger now, but he would be welcomed by a number of college basketball coaches. Klaver will one again be among the top scorers in the conference. There are a lot of returning pieces to bolster this group. I’d expect junior Kaedon Phillips to excel as more of a ball-handler this year.
United
Another Big 6 team who went over 20 wins, there are signs for optimism. Sophomore Synceare Simons is one of the rising stars in the area. A flashy playmaker who can really score the ball, Simons will be a big piece for United and could be their go-to player. Jasiah Massey also gained some experience as a freshman and junior big James Webster is back as well. Sophomore Max Colgan will give them quality minutes on the wing. The maturity from last year may have graduated, but the is a talented group of youth to build around.