Conference Preview: SEISC South
The Teams (2016-17 record in parenthesis)
Cardinal, Eldon (2-21): Its top two scorers are gone from last season’s two-win team, and it could be another rough go for the Comets this winter.
Central Lee (11-13): The Hawks start their season on Nov. 28th at West Burlington, and will rely heavily on senior Evan Doyle this season. He’s a preseason 2nd-team all-conference selection.
Danville (18-6): Max Wilcox is one of the best 2019 guards in the state, and he brings back 16.6 points per game. Danville is always good, and this season will be no different.
Holy Trinity (10-12): Its top six scorers from a season ago were all seniors, and it will be a new-look squad taking the floor for the Crusaders this winter. Look for senior Collin Thornton to take the reins and possibly lead the team in scoring this season.
New London (21-4): There’s star-power galore in New London this season, and the Tigers feature a trio of 2019 guys that could carry them back to the state tourney each of the next two seasons; that’s Isaac McSorely, Mason Porter and Keontae Luckettt.
Notre Dame (13-10): Jett Tjaden is a preseason 1st-team all-conference selection, and the Nikes will try and improve upon last season’s 13-win team with a mostly new-look squad.
WACO (4-19): The Warriors nabbed three of their four wins last season in the final seven games, and with all but one player returning who played regular minutes, there’s reason to be moderately optimistic in Wayland this season.
Van Buren Community (6-16): Like WACO, Van Buren struggled last season. Also like WACO, Van Buren has has a wealth of experience coming back. In fact, every single player comes back from last season’s six-win squad.
West Burlington (18-4): Five regular contributors return from last season’s 18-win squad, that’s the good news. The bad news: It’s top two scorers, Tate Snodgrass and Caleb Hoenig are graduated. Regardless of the latter, the Falcons should find themselves in the win column plenty again this season.
Projected Order of Finish
- New London
- Danville
- West Burlington
- Central Lee
- Notre Dame, Burlington
- Van Buren Community
- Holy Trinity
- WACO
- Central Lee
Analysis: New London not only has a chance to only be very good this season, but next season, too; and after a trip to the State Tournament last March, there’s a possibility they could be back at “The Well” the next two seasons. Danville has a chance to compete for a conference title, per usual. And with the bottom teams returning tons of players, expect no easy outs this season in the SEISC South.
Preseason Player of the Year: Mason Porter, New London (2019)
For two seasons now, this 6-foot-2 wing has been posting monster numbers for the Tigers, and did so last winter while leading then to a state tourney berth. He can do a little bit of everything, and dominates at the 1A level. Porter will post huge numbers this season and next for New London.
Biggest Sleeper: Collin Thornton, Holy Trinity (2018)
The top six scorers last season for the Crusaders last season were seniors, that means there’s lost of productivity that needs to be accounted for. Look no further than 5’10 senior guard, Thornton. He’s the leading returning scorer, and he should be the guy to lead the team this season.