Southeast Conference Preview
The Southeastern Conference has belonged to Spring Grove for a while now and that isn’t likely to change this winter. After that, there’s a big mix of teams that didn’t win much last year that should be much improved and…
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Continue ReadingThe Southeastern Conference has belonged to Spring Grove for a while now and that isn’t likely to change this winter. After that, there’s a big mix of teams that didn’t win much last year that should be much improved and teams that won a lot last year that might be due for a regression.
State Contender: Spring Grove
The Lions head into the year as one of the elite teams in Class A. Chase Grinde might be is one the best players in the state and looks to put a cap on a great career with a trip to state. The senior forward averaged 23 points per game last year. He’ll have help this year too as Brock Schuttemeier is back after averaging just less than 10 points per game. Alex Folz and Ethan Matzke saw solid minutes as freshmen and could be breakout candidates.
In the middle: Grand Meadow, Glenville-Emmons, Lanesboro, Mabel-Canton, Schaeffer Academy, Randolph
Grand Meadow won 22 games a season ago and while the Superlarks lose three of their top players, they shouldn’t fall off completely. Three of their top six players are back as Connor King, Wes Ojulu and Mark Cotton return to keep the Superlarks in the mix near the top of the conference.
Glenville-Emmons won nine games a year ago but could be poised to surprise some people. Derek Van Ryswyk is a double-double machine and Seth Chapek joins him as another all-conference caliber player. Carter Dahlum is also back, which gives the Wolverines three double-figure scorers heading into the year.
Lanesboro won seven games last year but could be in line to double that total this year as Cole Schwichtenberg is one of the top players in the conference. Layton Howerton and Collin Scott are back as well which means the Burros are experienced in the backcourt.
Mabel-Canton won eight games last year but returns a lot of talent as well. Pierce Lind was one of the team’s best players as a sophomore and Ryan Kuhn was a solid spark in the backcourt. Both guys should be much-improved this winter. Brenden Kerns is back as well.
Schaeffer Academy could see an uptick in wins as well this winter as the Lions bring back their two top players in Josiah Nelson and Micah Hunskor. Both guys averaged double-digits last year and both could be all-conference type players this season.
Randolph loses five solid seniors from last year but the Rockets’ best overall player is back as Grant Otte is back after averaging 18 points per game a year ago. Otte could lead the league in scoring this winter but the Rockets will have to get younger players to come along as the year goes on.
Rebuilding: LeRoy-Ostrander, Lyle/Austin Pacelli, Houston, Hope Lutheran
LeRoy-Ostrander won five games a year ago and lost its best player to graduation in big man Josh Royston. Seth Royston is back after averaging 12 points per game a year ago and the Cardinals have a lot of young guys back so they could certainly win more games.
Lyle/Austin Pacelli lost its top four players including Braden Kocer and Noah Jiskra. The Athletics had a very nice season last year but will likely need to rely on unproven players early in the year.
Houston had a fantastic year in 2015-16, winning 22 games. But the Hurricanes graduate their top three scorers in Austin Peplinski, Micah Schutte and Trevor Lundberg.
Hope Lutheran has one of the top players in the conference in junior forward Josiah Sandcork. But the Patriots won just two games last year despite his excellence. They may win more games this year and if they do, Sandcork will have his fingerprints all over it, but he’ll need a lot more help than he got last year.
Conference Power Ranking
- Spring Grove
- Grand Meadow
- Glenville-Emmons
- Lanesboro
- Mabel-Canton
- Schaeffer Academy
- Randolph
- LeRoy-Ostrander
- Lyle/Austin Pacelli
- Houston
- Hope Lutheran
Preseason All SEC
First Team
Chase Grinde, Spring Grove, Sr.
Grant Otte, Randolph, Sr.
Derek Van Ryswyk, Sr. Gleville-Emmons
Josiah Sandcork, Hope Lutheran, Jr.
Cole Schweichtenberg, Sr. Lanesboro
Second Team
Josiah Nelson, Schaeffer Academy, Sr
Brock Schuttemeier Spring Grove, Sr.,
Alex Folz, Spring Grove, So.
Connor King, Grand Meadow, Sr.
Pierce Lind, Mabel-Canton, Jr.
Third Team
Wesley Johnson, Houston, Sr.
Micah Hunskor, Schaeffer Academy, Sr.
Seth Chapek, Glenville-Emmons, Sr.
Ryan Kuhn, Mabel-Canton, So.
Seth Royston, LeRoy-Ostrander, Sr.