Conference Preview: South Central Association
The South Central Association will again be one of the Ozarks toughest conferences in Southwest Missouri with several programs returning premier players. Mountain Grove has won back-to-back conference titles and returns the conference’s best backcourt led by seniors Treye Collins…
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Continue ReadingThe South Central Association will again be one of the Ozarks toughest conferences in Southwest Missouri with several programs returning premier players. Mountain Grove has won back-to-back conference titles and returns the conference’s best backcourt led by seniors Treye Collins and Brock Coffman. The Panthers are also fresh off their Class 3 Final Four run. Thayer and MV-BT/Liberty will again be in the hunt behind solid returning seniors and Salem will look to reload behind Logan Wolfe. Keep an eye on Ava and senior big man Anthony Rosas, who continues to be the most dominant post player in the league and several big-name coaches join the SCA with Rod Gorman (Houston), Yancey Walker (MV-BT/Liberty) and Mike Mallow (Ava) all making summer moves.
Players to Watch
2018 G Carter Otwell, Mountain Grove
2018 G Cade Coffman, Mountain Grove
2017 G/F Josh Pruett, MV-BT/Liberty
2018 F Shalin Stout, MV-BT/Liberty
2018 F Bryce Duddridge, Willow Springs
2018 G Zyman Langley, Thayer
2020 F Ayden Stone, Thayer
2017 F Anthony Rosas, Ava
2017 G/F Logan Wolfe, Salem
2020 G Isaiah Buse, Houston
Predicted Order of Finish
- Mountain Grove
- MV-BT/Liberty
- Thayer
- Salem
- Ava
- Willow Springs
- Cabool
- Houston
Preseason Awards
Player of the Year: Carter Otwell, Mountain Grove
He’s arguably the best athlete in the SCA and he’s emerging into one of the top point guards in the Ozarks. He can create for himself and others and has a gear that most other guards just don’t have. Otwell averaged 10 PPG, 5 RPG, 5 APG and 3 SPG as a sophomore, but look for him to score more with the graduation of DJ McNew.
Offensive MVP: Anthony Rosas, Ava
He’s been a matchup nightmare in the SCA since his freshman year. At 6-foot-6 with soft hands and good feet he is a major problem on the block. The double-double machine averaged 13 PPG and 8 RPG as a junior and with Mike Mallow taking over the program and several returners back, Rosas will be even more difficult to defend this season.
Defensive MVP: Shalin Stout, MV-BT/Liberty
This could be the year that the 6-foot-8 junior breaks out. Last year he was solid for the Eagles (7.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.9 BPG) but he was still adjusting to his frame. With former MSU-West Plains coach Yancey Walker taking over, Stout will be able to play in transition more which will favor his athleticism. If Liberty is to make a run it’ll coincide with Stout’s development in the post.
Breakout Player: Ayden Stone, Thayer
The Stone Family is officially taking over the SCA. Last year his twin sister – Julie – earned All-SCA honors by leading Thayer in every major stat category. This year will be Ayden’s turn. The 6-foot-5 sophomore is long and rangy with plenty of bounce. He can play on the block but also has a face-up game. Rob Yanders raved about his progression over the summer with Yander’s Law. Stone will be a name to know moving forward.
Top Games
Houston at Cuba (Nov. 22)
Rod Gorman’s first game at Houston. Throw a Hall of Fame coach into an already competitive conference and things could get interesting, especially if he can get freshman guard Isaiah Buse going quickly.
Fair Grove at Mountain Grove (Dec. 22)
A rematch of last year’s Class 3 quarterfinal game. These two teams will likely be state-ranked at the time of this game.
Mountain Grove at Licking (Jan. 10)
Licking returns nearly everyone from last year’s team, but Mountain Grove is the Ozarks’ top dog in Class 3. They share a district and the winner will likely be the No. 1 seed.
Hartville at Mountain Grove (Jan. 20)
Hartville has had Grove’s number recently. Both teams made a trip to Columbia last spring and are looking to do the same this year.
Thayer at MV-BT/Liberty (Feb. 3)
These two always end up playing multiple times each season and each game is chippy and competitive. The winner of this game will have a shot at Grove for the SCA title.
MV-BT/Liberty at Mountain Grove (Feb. 7)
Should Liberty get past Thayer then this game could be for a conference title. These two know each other well and there will be no love lost. Grove has won the last three meetings with each margin reaching double figures.
Salem at Ava (Feb. 7)
Logan Wolfe and Anthony Rosas are two of the best in the league. This game will be huge for two teams trying to work their way into the conference championship conversation.
Thayer at Mountain Grove (Feb. 10)
Thayer is seemingly in rebuild mode, but it’s actually more of a reload. Otwell vs. Langley will be the best point guard matchup in the SCA, but if Ayden Stone can develop quickly, he could give the Panthers some problems.