Conference Preview: Southeast

The Teams Burlington (6-15)*: The Grayhounds make the transition from the MAC to the Southeast this year, giving the league six teams. After playing against the likes of North Scott, Bettendorf and the Davenport schools, the drop down to the Southeast should make the Hounds much more competitive. They bring back their top four scorers from last year's team, led by junior guards Michael Alexander (11.7) and Brendon Hale (7.7), and sophomore guard Nate Spear (7.3). That trio combined to make 101 3-pointers last year. Alexander is a quick lead guard who led the team with 66 assists (against 41 turnovers) and made 3s (43). He should be the one to benefit the most from the drop down in leagues. Amarion Davis (6.0) is another key returnee, while Hunter Johnson (4.4) figures to be the team's top rebounding option. After playing against bigger, more talented schools in previous years, Burlington should find themselves winning more games this season against schools that are significantly smaller than them.   Fairfield (18-4, 9-0): The Trojans used a senior-dominated lineup to run through the conference last year, winning all nine league games by an average of 16.3 points a game. Unfortunately, the top five scorers from that team graduated. Drew Martin (4.3) is the top returnee. He shot 53.7% from the field off the bench, while Landon Kooiker (3.5) is the top returnee on the wing. Outside of those two, not much experience returns. After having their way with the rest of the teams in the league last year, it may be time for some of those teams to get some revenge this time around.   Fort Madison (7-14, 3-6): The Bloodhounds lost eight games by single digits last season, and bring back two of their top three scorers from that group. They're led by senior big man Jayden Fedler (14.5), who led the team in scoring and rebounding last season, while shooting 58.5% from the field. Dayton Davis (8.7) and Parker Denning (5.0) are the top returnees on the perimeter. Davis led the team in steals and was second in assists last season, but he'll need to limit turnovers this season. The returnees shot just 36-147 (24.5%) from behind the arc last season, and that number will need to improve if the 'Hounds are going to rack up some more wins.   Keokuk (8-14, 2-7): The Chiefs were pretty close to being a quality team last season, as 10 of their 14 losses came by single digits. They bring back 78.6% of their scoring, and eight of their top nine scorers, from last year's team. The piece they need to replace is a big one, literally, in 6-11 big man Alex Wolter, who averaged 11.3 points and blocked 68 shots, but the rest of the key pieces from last year return, and they should be improved. They'll be led by Anthony Potratz (13.0), who led the team in scoring and steals last season. He'll be joined in the backcourt by Tyjai Mueller (10.9) and Isaiah Seay (8.0). Mueller led the team with 41 made 3s last season, and Seay contributed 37 of his own. As a team, the Chiefs need to improve in a few key areas - 3-point shooting, free throw shooting and turnovers. They shot just 25.8% from the arc, 54.3% from the charity stripe, and had 366 turnovers (against 231 assists). Improve in those three areas across the board (especially the free throw shooting given how many close games this team tends to play), and they should get that record well above .500.   Mount Pleasant (11-10, 5-5): The Panthers, like many teams in this conference, struggled to shoot the ball from the perimeter last season, shooting just 24.7% from 3. They also struggled to protect the ball, with 287 turnovers against just 106 assists. Keegan Kohorst (10.4) is the top returnee, while Jaxon Hoyle (5.5) flashed some strong moments during the Iowa Dynasty Fall League, and looks like he's primed to step into a bigger role. Brody Bender (3.4) led the team in rebounding last season and is another key returnee. This group was solid on the defensive end last year, allowing just 52.2 points a game (good for 12th in 3A). Part of that can be attributed to a deliberate pace on the offensive end, but they'll need to be strong on the defensive end again if they want to finish above .500.   Washington (9-10, 4-5): The Demons lose leading scorer Cade Hennigan, but bring back their next five from last year's team, so this group looks primed to make a jump in the conference. Trevor Quigley (9.6) is the top returning scorer. He led the team with 23 made 3s last season. He'll be joined in the backcourt by Luke Turner (8.9), who led the team with 74 assists. Trashaun Willis (8.8) returns as an athletic combo forward, while Ethan Hunt (7.5) and Kasen Bailey (4.5) give them some more experience. If this team can improve on their free throw shooting (60.9% last year), they could push Keokuk and Burlington for the league crown. Those free throws will come in handy given how tight a lot of the conference games should be.   Projected Order of Finish 1. Keokuk 2. Burlington 3. Washington 4. Fort Madison 5. Mount Pleasant 6. Fairfield Analysis: We wouldn't be surprised to see any of the top four teams winning this conference. There are a ton of close games played in this league, and we'll give the slight edge to Keokuk and all the experience they have returning.   Preseason Player of the Year 2021 Anthony Potratz, Keokuk: 13.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.7 steals You could make a solid argument for either Potratz or Fort Madison's Jayden Fedler for the POY honor, but we'll give the edge to Potratz, the best player on a Keokuk team we think will be better than Fort Madison. He led the Chiefs in scoring and steals last season.   Biggest Sleeper 2020 Jaxon Hoyle, Mount Pleasant: The 6-2 senior wing was a role player last year, and should step into a much larger role this season. He showed some good flashes during the Iowa Dynasty Fall League, and should be a key player this year for the Panthers.   Players to Watch 2021 Anthony Potratz, Keokuk 2020 Tyjai Mueller, Keokuk 2021 Isaiah Seay, Keokuk 2021 Callum Tackes, Keokuk 2020 Jayden Fedler, Fort Madison 2022 Dayton Davis, Fort Madison 2020 Parker Denning, Fort Madison 2020 Keegan Kohorst, Mount Pleasant 2020 Jaxon Hoyle, Mount Pleasant 2021 Michael Alexander, Burlington 2020 Brendon Hale, Burlington 2020 Trevor Quigley, Washington 2020 Luke Turner, Washington 2021 Trashaun Willis, Washington 2020 Ethan Hunt, Washington 2022 Kasen Bailey, Washington 2020 Drew Martin, Fairfield