Preview and Predictions: Big Eight

<p>Looking ahead to the 2019-20 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Big Eight Conference...</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2018-19 STANDINGS</strong></p> <p>1. Madison East (17-1)</p> <p>2.  Madison La Follette (14-4)</p> <p>3. Madison Memorial (13-5)</p> <p>4.  Sun Prairie (12-6)</p> <p>5. Middleton (10-8)</p> <p>T-6. Madison West (7-11)</p> <p>T-6. Janesville Craig (7-11)</p> <p>8. Verona  (6-12)</p> <p>T-9. Janesville Parker  (2-16)</p> <p>T.9 Beloit Memorial (2-16)</p> <p><strong>PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH</strong></p> <p>1.  Sun Prairie</p> <p>2. Madison La Follette</p> <p>3. Madison East</p> <p>4.  Madison Memorial</p> <p>5.  Madison West</p> <p>6. Verona</p> <p>7. Middleton</p> <p>8. Janesville Parker</p> <p>9. Janesville Craig</p> <p>10. Beloit Memorial</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>FIRST-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE</strong></p> <p>G Collin Schaefer - Sr. Sun Prairie</p> <p>G Isaiah Stewart -Sr. Madison La Follette</p> <p>G Anthony Washington - Sr. Madison East</p> <p>G Ben Probst - Sr. Madison La Follette</p> <p>G Dayne Armwald - Sr. Madison West</p> <p><strong>SECOND TEAM</strong></p> <p>G Jaden Bell - Beloit Memorial</p> <p>G/F Keonte Jones - Sr. Madison East</p> <p>F Kyle Yu - Jr. Madison Memorial</p> <p>F Malik Odetunde - Sr. Verona</p> <p>F Delaware Hale - Sr.   Sun Prairie</p> <p><strong>PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Anthony Washington</strong></p> <p>Washington and East were one of the biggest surprises of the season in 2018-19, winning the Big Eight title and losing just once in the regular season.  As a junior, Washington averaged 16.9 points  per game. With the Purgolders losing point guard Montae Thompson, there's no reason to think that Washington's scoring and assist totals won't significantly rise in 2019-20. </p> <p><strong>BREAKOUT PLAYER - Collin Schaefer</strong></p> <p>When Schaefer returned from injury last season, Sun Prairie went 7-2, including six-straight wins that led them to the Division 1 state championship game. That momentum has only carried over since as Schaefer had a huge spring and summer on the travel circuit. A true floor general who can also score, Schaefer averaged just under 12 points per game during a junior season that was cut well short. </p> <p><strong>SURPRISE PLAYER - Derek Gray</strong></p> <p>With La Follette losing <strong>Troy Reeves</strong> and <strong>Donneil Gray</strong>, there's a lot more shots available for La Follette this season. Probst and Stewart are probably going to be the go-to players, but Gray looked really strong during some fall league action.  The Lancers are set to have another outstanding backcourt and will surely create mismatches  with the amount of guards they can play on the floor at one time.</p>