Orion was picked as the favorite to win a competitive TRAC West boys basketball race in WRMJ’s preseason conference coaches poll.
The Chargers finished three points ahead of second-place Sherrard, followed by Riverdale, Mercer County, Monmouth-Roseville and Rockridge in that order.
All six coaches in the TRAC West participated. They were asked to rank the teams in their division, excluding themselves, 1-5. A first-place vote received five points, a second-place vote received four points, and down the line to a fifth-place vote receiving one point.
The poll results are below, followed by a preview of each team in the conference. The number in parentheses represents how many first-place votes a team received.
2025-26 Preseason TRAC West Boys Basketball Coaches Poll
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orion (3) | 23 |
| 2 | Sherrard (2) | 20 |
| 3 | Riverdale (1) | 17 |
| 4 | Mercer County | 14 |
| 5 | Monmouth-Roseville | 10 |
| 6 | Rockridge | 6 |
Orion Chargers
Head Coach: Larry Anderson (5th season: 63-64)
2024-25 Record: 25-8, 6-4 TRAC West
Postseason: Lost in 2A regional final to Sherrard 75-64
Orion won 25 games last season and enters the 2025-26 campaign newly classified into the 1A postseason.
The Chargers bring back the top returning scorer in the conference, senior guard Kyler Owens (20.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists per game), who earned special mention all-state honors from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and was a unanimous first-team all-conference selection last year. 6-foot-6 senior Will Clarke (5.8 points, 2.6 rebounds per game) and junior Joe Norton (2.9 points, 2.7 rebounds per game) each logged a significant number of minutes for Orion last season as well. Orion is replacing four seniors who each started all 33 games the team played last season. The Chargers were the only team in the conference to pick up a win over last year’s league champion, Sherrard.
Orion starts the season by hosting the 10 & 32 Tip-Off Classic. The Chargers play United in their season opener on Monday. Orion’s conference opener is at home against Mercer County on Dec. 5.
Sherrard Tigers
Head Coach: Alex Johnson (10th season: 164-93, 4th season at Sherrard: 69-23)
2024-25 Record: 30-4, 9-1 TRAC West
Postseason: Lost in 2A sectional final to Manual 62-49
Sherrard is coming off a school-record-breaking 30-win season in 2024-25, which saw the Tigers claim an outright conference championship, a regional title, and a Sweet 16 appearance.
Sherrard returns its starting backcourt with senior guards Carter Brown (9.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists per game) and Ryder Veronda (8.0 points per game). Both shot better than 35% from the 3-point line last season. Brown is a four-year starter for the Tigers and was named a first-team all-conference player last season. Sherrard had three starters and four of its top six rotation pieces from last season depart to graduation, including its two top scorers, Rylan Carton and James Blackwell, who both earned first-team all-conference nods and IBCA all-state recognition.
The Tigers open the new season in Oregon against Indian Creek on Monday. Sherrard’s first conference game is at Rockridge on Dec. 5.
Riverdale Rams
Head Coach: Alex Kelly (7th season: 99-75)
2024-25 Record: 21-10, 5-5 TRAC West
Postseason: Lost in 2A regional final to Rock Falls 61-58
Riverdale has won 20+ games in back-to-back seasons and was one possession away from claiming the program’s third consecutive regional title last year.
The Rams bring back a pair of juniors who have started since their freshman season, Jackson Tegeler (6.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists per game) and Paxton Kiddoo (7.5 points, 2.6 assists per game). Sophomore guard Colton Clark averaged 6.3 points per game and shot 48% from the 3-point line as a freshman last year. Riverdale will have to replace its two leading scorers from a year ago, including 6-foot-7 senior Aris Morgan (10.5 points, 7.6 rebounds per game), who transferred to Rock Island for his senior season.
The Rams begin the season hosting Rock Falls on Monday. Riverdale’s TRAC West opener is at home against Monmouth-Roseville on Dec. 5.
Mercer County Golden Eagles
Head Coach: Tim Sedam (7th season: 94-80)
2024-25 Record: 14-18, 2-8 TRAC West
Postseason: Lost in 2A regional semifinal to Orion 39-38
Mercer County closed its first season in the TRAC strong by winning seven of its final 10 games and two of its last four conference contests, including an upset of Rockridge, after beginning the season 7-15 and 0-6 in the league.
The Golden Eagles return four starters and all but one player who played major minutes last season. Mercer County’s leading scorer last year graduated, but junior guard Brady McPeek (13.6 points, 3.6 rebounds per game, 39% 3-point percentage) was named a second-team all-conference player. Senior guard Holden DeMuth (6.3 points, 3.6 assists per game) is a three-year starter in the Golden Eagles’ backcourt, and fellow senior Spencer Andresen averaged 9.4 points per game in just 11 appearances last year.
Mercer County begins the season taking on Alleman on Monday at the 10 & 32 Tip-Off Classic in Orion. The Golden Eagles play at Orion to open TRAC West play on Dec. 5.
Monmouth-Roseville Titans
Head Coach: Chuck Grant (30th season: 467-333)
2024-25 Record: 12-19, 1-9 TRAC West
Postseason: Lost in 2A regional quarterfinal to Kewanee 48-43
Monmouth-Roseville enters the 2025-26 season with IBCA Hall of Fame head coach Chuck Grant back in his second year of his second stint leading the program.
The Titans bring back three starters from last year’s team, including leading returning scorer Nick Huston (7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds per game), who was a first-team 3A all-state selection in football this fall. Junior Lars Bergren (7.5 points, 3.4 rebounds per game) and senior Cee Sarcomo (5.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists per game) were also mainstays in the Titans’ starting five last year. Senior Clay Casteel (6.1 points per game) logged a lot of minutes for Monmouth-Roseville last season as well.
Monmouth-Roseville backed out of the 10 & 32 Tip-Off Classic in Orion due to getting a late start to the season with the Titans’ football program advancing to the Class 3A quarterfinals. Monmouth-Rosville’s season opener is at West Hancock on Dec. 3. The Titans begin the conference slate at Riverdale on Dec. 5.
Rockridge Rockets
Head Coach: Jordan Harris (3rd season: 48-18)
2024-25 Record: 22-11, 7-3 TRAC West
Postseason: Lost in 2A regional final to Macomb 42-41
Rockridge comes into the 2025-26 season with a nearly completely new look roster.
The Rockets lost four starters from last year’s team, including Landon Bull, a four-year starter and three-time all-stater, and Landon Wheatley and Caleb Cunico, both three-year starters for the program. Rockridge’s lone returning starter is Wade Richhart (8.4 points, 4.9 rebounds per game), who is the only senior in the program. Junior guard Chase Wheatley (1.1 points per game) was the Rockets’ sixth man last season. Junior guard Lucas McKay shot 42.9% from 3-point range in limited minutes last year. Rockridge lost more than 80% of its scoring from last season to graduation.
A brand-new schedule for the Rockets begins with a week at Wethersfield’s Wally Keller Invitational. Rockridge tips off the season against Stark County on Monday. The Rockets host Sherrard in the TRAC West opener on Dec. 5.
WRMJ’s coverage of the TRAC is powered by…
- Midwest Bank, with locations that include Aledo, Andalusia, Monmouth, and Moline
- Local COUNTRY Financial representatives Tracy Bigham, Jason Potter, and John Waugh in Aledo, Brent Bigham in Edgington, and Julie Hessler in Orion.
- Breedlove’s Sporting Goods in Kewanee