PREVIEW: Arkansas Valley-Chisholm Trail Division III

<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Photo Courtesy (Israel Potoczny, Prep Hoops)</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prep Hoops Kansas takes a look at the upcoming season in the Arkansas Valley-Chisholm Trail Conference (AVCTL).</span></p> <p><b>Arkansas Valley-Chisholm Trail Division III<br /> </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Augusta (18-7, 6-4)<br /> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buhler (6-14, 3-6)<br /> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Circle (12-9, 7-2)<br /> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">El Dorado (7-13, 3-6)<br /> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">McPherson (15-6, 9-1)<br /> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Winfield (2-18, 0-9)</span></p> <p><b>Augusta (18-7, 6-4)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key losses: Zac Burton (6’1, G).</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Augusta appears poised to challenge for a league title as they are armed with the league’s top returning big man in Zach Davidson, as well as talented performers in Jaren Jackson and Justin Clausing. Jackson is coming off a strong junior season and is a well-rounded performer who will be counted on for a big senior season in 2019-20.</span></p> <p><b>Buhler (6-14, 3-6)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key losses: NA</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buhler essentially returns its entire roster from a team that went 3-6 in league play last season, and adds a pair of talented players in 2021 PG Max Alexander and 2020 G/F Myles Thompson. Mix in key returners Isaac LeShore and Isaiah Hernandez and the Crusaders are poised for a breakout season in 2019-20.</span></p> <p><b>Circle (12-9, 7-2)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key losses: Jude Warren (6’0, PG), Eric Hollinger (6’2, F), Cole Allison (6’1, P)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Circle losses one of the state’s most underrated performers in 2018-19 in PG Jude Warren who was named the league’s Co-MVP after averaging 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists. To Thunderbirds will also have to replace seniors Eric Hollinger and Cole Allison who played key roles last season.</span></p> <p><b>El Dorado (7-13, 3-6)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key losses: Cameron Clausing (6’4, F), Jarin Koehler (6’1, G), Cody Wittenberg (6’2, F).</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">El Dorado is set to lose a significant amount of talent from its 2018-19 roster, including forwards Cody Wittenberg and Cameron Clausing. The Wildcats will be looking to a host of players who will be counted on to step up this season in a big way.</span></p> <p><b>McPherson (15-6, 9-1)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key losses: (Max Alexander, 6’0, PG), Jake Alexander (6’5, G/F)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Few teams in the AVCTL lose more from its 2018-19 roster than McPherson who will have to replace all-league performer Jake Alexander to graduation and 2021 PG Max Alexander to transfer. McPherson has had quite a run on the hardwood but will be looking to senior first-team all-league performer Cody Stufflebean and a host of others to keep things rolling in 2019-20.</span></p> <p><b>Winfield (2-18, 0-9)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key losses: Jacob Weber (6’4, F)</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Winfield is coming off a tough run in 2018-19 and will be looking to a crop of varsity newcomers and players who will need to take on new and bigger roles at the varsity level to help the Vikings take a step forward. Winfield  will be looking to replace forward Jacob Weber, a tough, no-nonsense performer who put together a strong career for the Vikings. </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>