Meet the 2024-25 Muddy River Sports boys basketball all-area team

QUINCY — Some of the most prolific scorers in the history of their respective high school boys basketball programs showcased their talents throughout the winter, rewriting record books and forcing historians to dig into the archives for “when did that last happen” moments.

It created an all-area team jam-packed with talent and all-state plaudits.

Here is the 2024-25 Muddy River Sports boys basketball all-area team listed in alphabetical order:

Jace Allensworth, Guard, Jr., Quincy Notre Dame

The first season of the Greg Altmix coaching era at QND ended with 17 victories largely because the 6-foot-2 Allensworth continued to show he is one of the steadiest and most unflappable talents in the area. He averaged 14 points and six rebounds per game as the Raiders finished second in the West Central Conference. Allensworth will lead a strong returning nucleus Altmix expects to compete for a regional crown next winter.

Preston Brewer, Forward, Sr., Canton

The best season in the history of the Canton boys basketball team was spearheaded by the leading scorer in program history. The 6-foot-8 Brewer averaged 25.4 points and 11.5 rebounds per game as the Tigers finished 25-6 and as the Class 2 state runner-up. An all-state selection and a Quincy University commit, Brewer was named the Class 2 Player of the Year by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association and was named the Muddy River Sports Player of the Year.

Cooper Knowles, Center, Jr., West Hancock

The 6-foot-8 Knowles was the region’s most imposing defensive force, averaging 13.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.9 blocks as the Titans won 28 games and the West Central Conference championship. Knowles shot 68.9 percent from the field and picked up Illinois Basketball Coaches Association second-team Class 2A all-state honors. He set a new West Hancock single-game record with 12 blocked shots in an overtime victory against Fort Madison (Iowa).

Joey Lagemann, Guard, Sr., Marion County

Lagemann scored more than 1,700 points in his career and was one of the area’s most prolific scorers this winter. The 6-foot Lagemann averaged 24.9 points, 6.4 steals, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, while shooting 53.9 percent from the field, while being named all-district in Class 1 as the Mustangs won 18 games before falling in the district semifinals to Green City.

Bradley Longcor III, Guard, Sr., Quincy High School

The 6-foot-3 Longcor, who was named the MVP of the Western Big 6 Conference, averaged 17.1 points and led the Blue Devils with 149 assists. The Santa Clara signee finished as the second-leading scorer in program history with 1,948 points, fourth in assists with 441 and the all-time leader in 3-pointers. The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association first-team Class 4A all-state selection led Quincy to a 31-4 record and super-sectional berth and finished his four-year varsity career with a 116-19 record.

Quincy Mayfield, Guard, Jr., Monroe City

The 5-foot-10 Mayfield was named the Clarence Cannon Conference Player of the Year after guiding the Panthers to a share of the conference crown as well as titles at the Monroe City Tournament and Tony Lenzini Tournament. Also an all-conference running back, Mayfield averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, while shooting 71 percent from the free-throw line and using his quickness to attack off the dribble.

Jackson McNeff, Forward, Soph., Brown County

The Hornets’ youthful lineup didn’t allow age to matter, winning 25 games and a Class 1A regional championship. McNeff played a crucial role in that at both ends of the floor. A first-team All-Western Illinois Valley Conference selection, the 6-foot-3 McNeff averaged 12.3 points per game while also leading the Hornets in rebounds, blocked shots and field-goal percentage. He averaged 10 rebounds and three blocked shots per game in the regional tournament.

Wesley Robertson, Forward, Jr., Illini West

The reigning Muddy River Sports Player of the Year in baseball proved to be a force on the hardwood as well. The 6-foot-1 Robertson averaged 14.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in leading the Chargers to a 25-win season while picking up Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Class 2A all-state special mention. Robertson, who shot 52 percent from the field, was a first-team All-Prairieland Conference selection.

Blake Schwartz, Guard, Sr., Payson Seymour

In a season that saw scoring records fall by the wayside, the 6-foot Schwartz knocked Paul Lentz off the top spot on the Indians’ all-time scoring list. Schwartz averaged 18 points per game and set the Payson all-time scoring record with more than 1,600 career points with some highlight-reel moments along the way. His buzzer-beating 3-pointer that forced overtime in the championship game of the MVIT led to the Indians beating Mendon Unity for the title.

Lewis Siegfried, Guard, Sr., West Hancock

The Titans loved to get up and down the floor and shoot the three, none as prolific as the 6-foot-3 Siegfried, who has committed to play at Carl Sandburg College next season. Siegfried averaged 13.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists, while leading West Hancock with 75 made 3-pointers. He received Class 2A all-state special mention from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association after leading the Titans to the West Central Conference championship.

Mason Smith, Guard, Sr., Palmyra

A move across the Mississippi River didn’t change what Smith was capable of doing — the 6-foot-3 springboard continued to attack the rim, play above the rim and score when needed. The unanimous All-Clarence Cannon Conference first-team selection averaged 15.5 points per game as Palmyra shared the CCC title with Monroe City. Smith also averaged 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.1 assists per game as the Panthers won a district championship.

Keshaun Thomas, Forward, Sr., Quincy High School

The 6-foot-6 Thomas will be remembered as one of the most relentless rebounders in program history and the most prolific glass cleaner. He broke Tom Lepper’s single-game rebounding record by hauling in 25 in a victory at Sterling and established a new all-time rebounding record with 938 career boards. The first-team All-Western Big 6 Conference selection and Drury University commit averaged 14.2 points and 8.8 rebounds to earn third-team Class 4A all-state honors. He finished his career with 1,447 points.