Conference Preview: Southwestern

<p>The high school season is almost here in the state of Illinois!  With that we look at some of the top conferences throughout the state and some of the prospects in those conferences!  Today it is the <strong>Southwestern</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Preseason Player of Year</strong></p> <p>Ray’Sean Taylor (Collinsville)</p> <p>This SIU-Edwardsville commit is the top senior in the metro east this season.  Taylor is a dynamic point guard that can score with range on his shot out to beyond the arc being especially effective pulling up on a dime for jumpers.  Taylor is a tenacious player who elevates the play of others around him.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Preseason Conference Favorite</strong></p> <p>This conference featured the 3A and 4A state champs last year.  This year there are two teams that have a chance to make a run in March as the co-favorites in the conference.  Collinsville has been pointing toward this year for a while with their 2020 class led by Taylor and Cawhan Smith in the backcourt.  Fast guards that are pesky defenders.  Up front they have size and toughness in Keydrian Jones and Donte Williams.  East St. Louis claimed the 3A title last year.  They lost most of the key players on that team, but have reloaded with four top 100 seniors.  Point guard Jashawn Anderson played a key role on last year’s group with his ability to push the pace and hit shots.  The highest ceiling prospects that both have D1 ability are center Armond Williams and shooting guard Lashawn Johnson.  Up front Belleville Althoff transfer Patrick Readye will provide rebounding and post scoring.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ranked Prospects to Watch</strong></p> <p>Moory Woods (Alton – 2020)<br /> Ky’Lun Rivers (Alton – 2020)<br /> Jamarkus Gary (Alton – 2021)<br /> Ethyn Brown (Belleville East – 2021)<br /> Braxton Stacker (Belleville East – 2022)<br /> Jordan Pickett (Belleville East – 2023)<br /> Tommie Williams (Belleville West – 2021)<br /> Ruben Howell (Belleville West – 2021)<br /> Ray’Sean Taylor (Collinsville – 2020)<br /> Keydrian Jones (Collinsville – 2020)<br /> Cawhan Smith (Collinsville – 2020)<br /> Donte Williams (Collinsville – 2020)<br /> Nathan Hall (Collinsville – 2021)<br /> Armond Williams (East St. Louis – 2020)<br /> Lashawn Johnson (East St. Louis – 2020)<br /> Patrick Readye (East St. Louis – 2020)<br /> Jashawn Anderson (East St. Louis – 2020)<br /> Ethan Young (Edwardsville – 2020)<br /> Brennan Weller (Edwardsville – 2021)<br /> Jahlil Roundtree (Edwardsville – 2021)<br /> Caleb Valentine (Edwardsville – 2021)<br /> Shaun Riley (O’Fallon – 2021)<br /> Mason Blakemore (O’Fallon – 2021)<br /> Caleb Burton (O’Fallon – 2022)<br /> Dawson Algee (O’Fallon – 2022)<br /> <br /> </p> <p><strong>Top Contenders</strong></p> <ol> <li>Collinsville</li> <li>East St. Louis</li> <li>Alton</li> <li>O’Fallon</li> <li>Belleville East</li> <li>Belleville West</li> <li>Edwardsville</li> </ol>