Wow.

That is the best word to describe the 2022-23 high school boys basketball season.

And there were plenty of wow moments from start to finish.

Burlington and Notre Dame made plenty of noise, as did WACO and Winfield-Mount Union.

Holy Trinity might have been the most improved team in the area, while Mediapolis had its moments, as well.

Mount Pleasant won a thrilling battle in the Southeast Conference, while Fort Madison showed signs it will be back again soon to contend.

But the season belonged to New London and West Burlington.

West Burlington won its first 19 games, swept the SEI Superconference South Division and advanced to a Class 2A substate final before falling.

New London had a tumultuous season, overcoming numerous obstacles to punch its ticket to the Class 1A state tournament for the first time in six seasons.

Merquiche Lewis, Jr., sr., Burlington

Lewis, a 6-foot-5 swingman, could do everything on the court. He led Class 4A in scoring most of the season, finishing with a 24.1 points per game average, second-best in the state. Lewis, the Southeast Conference Player of the Year and a third team all-state selection, was a defensive stalwart. He averaged 9.3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3.3 steals per game while shooting 53.8 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from 3-point range.

Brady Martin, jr., West Burlington

Martin was one of several marksmen for the Falcons, a big reason they went 22-2, won the SEI Superconference South Division and came within two points of advancing to the state tournament for the first time in school history. Martin averaged 17 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 3 steals and shot 44.9 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from 3-point range.

Payton Hagans, jr., Mount Pleasant

Hagans was off to a blazing start before a foot injury kept him out of the Panthers’ final three games. He earned first team all-conference honors in leading the Panthers to a conference championship. He averaged 20.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.4 steals per game and shot 45 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from 3-point range.

Luke Hellige, so., Holy Trinity

Hellige was one of the most improved players in the area, stepping up big in clutch situations for the 9-13 Crusaders. The 6-4 swingman could score inside or outside, shooting 50.3 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from 3-point range. He averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals and earned first team all-conference accolades.

Blaise Porter, sr., New London

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Porter has proven himself to be one of the state’s best players and New London’s best player ever over the last four seasons. The first team all-state pick and SEI Superconference South Division Player of the Year averaged 25 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2 steals and 1 block for the 19-7 Tigers, who qualified for the state tournament for the first time in six seasons. The Truman State University recruit shot 52.1 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from behind the arc.

Kade Benjamin, sr., New London

Benjamin, an Oklahoma State University track and field recruit, played his best basketball down the stretch after returning from injury. The 6-6 post averaged 19.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 3.7 blocks per game, eighth-best in the state. Benjamin shot 66.1 percent from the field, 17th-best in the state.

Hunter Hughes, jr., WACO

Hughes helped the Warriors stay in the top five in Class 1A most of the season before they were stunned by Winfield-Mount Union in districts, finishing with a 21-2 record, including 16-0 in the SEI Superconference North Division. Hughes averaged 15.6 points, 5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.3 steals per game and shot 52.4 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from 3-point range.

Cam Buffington, jr., Winfield-Mount Union

The University of Iowa football recruit was an unstoppable force on the court. The 6-4 forward was a a handful in the paint, averaging 19.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. He shot 58.5 percent from the field for the 19.5 Wolves.

Caiden Gourley, sr., Danville

The 6-6 shooting guard was a matchup nightmare for opposing teams with his ability to shoot from the perimeter. Gourley averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.4 steals per game and shot 54.5 percent from the field for the 14-8 Bears.

Carsen Jones, sr., Notre Dame

At 6-8, Jones posed problems for a lot of teams in the conference. The first team all-South Division pick averaged 13.8 points, 8.7 rebounds,1.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game and shot 58.1 percent from the field He helped the Nikes to a 17-6 season, including 11-3 and second place in the South Division.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Ryan O’Hern, West Burlington

O’Hern did his best coaching job in his final season as head coach of the Falcons, leading West Burlington to a 22-2 record and a South Division title with a 14-0 record.

O’Hern led the Falcons to a substate final for the third time in his five season. The Falcons lost to Pella Christian, 54-53.

O’Hern put together a 75-40 record in his five years at West Burlington, including 55-23 in the SEI Superconference South Division.

O’Hern has accepted a position as Activities Director for grades 7-12 in the Humboldt School District for the 2023-24 school year.