Conference Preview: SEISC North

<p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>The Teams</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Columbus (3-19):</strong> New coach Miguel Villagrana will have some work to do following the graduation of [player_tooltip player_id="801956" first="Eric" last="Valdez"], a 19.6 point-a-game scorer. Brody Frost (7.7) is the leading returnee, while Mason Hodges (5.9, 5.6 rebounds) gives them some ability on the glass. There has been some talk about some younger talent, particularly with some shooters, coming up the ranks.</p> <p><strong>Highland (20-5):</strong> The Huskies enjoyed a great season, racking up 20 wins before falling to a very good Springville team in the postseason. They’ll have an almost entirely new roster, as only 51 total points return from last year’s roster. Colby Stokes (1.6) is the only returnee who scored more than four points last season.</p> <p><strong>Hillcrest Academy (11-10):</strong> The Ravens bring back leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id="964859" first="Eli" last="Ours"] (18.0), and five of their top six scorers from last year’s roster. Six of their 10 losses came by single digits, so they were very close to having a really good year. Expect to see them turn a good number of those losses into wins this year with all the experience they have returning. </p> <p><strong>Lone Tree (14-10):</strong> The Lions have a lot of holes to fill this year, as the top five scorers from last year’s roster graduated. Tyler Bell (4.4) and Alex Viner (4.2) are the top returnees, giving them a somewhat experienced inside-out tandem to start building around. Lone Tree generally has a pretty strong group of athletes in their system, so they won’t bottom out, but this may be the most inexperienced team in the division, which will hurt. </p> <p><strong>Louisa-Muscatine (2-20):</strong> The Falcons lose two of their top three scorers, but bring back everyone else, so they will have plenty of experience on the roster. Senior Emmanuel Walker (10.5) is the top returnee, while Dawson Wehrle (7.3) and Jared Woerly (7.2) will be asked to step into bigger roles this year. </p> <p><strong>Mediapolis (9-14):</strong> Leading scorer Drew Schroeder (14.3) returns for the Bulldogs, which gives them a solid piece to build around. Cole Lipper (6.1) had a solid freshman year and will be asked to step into a more significant scoring role. Four of the top six from last year’s rotation are back, so Mepo should be fairly competitive, and will push for a top-3 finish in the division. </p> <p><strong>Pekin (19-5):</strong> The Panthers reached the substate final last year before falling to Springville. Unfortunately for them, they move up to 2A this year for postseason play, which will make things a little more difficult. Lead guard [player_tooltip player_id="964895" first="Brady" last="Millikin"] (13.3) returns after leading the team in scoring, assists, and steals last year. Also back is [player_tooltip player_id="964937" first="Brayden" last="Sobaski"] (9.0), a solid scoring guard who shot 38.2% from the arc. With Millikin (44.4%), Sobaski, and Brock Long (38.8%) all back, the Panthers will be able to put a lot of perimeter shooting on the floor. With Millikin and plenty of other experienced players returning, Pekin looks like the favorite to win the division again this year. </p> <p><strong>Wapello (9-12):</strong> Expect major improvement from the Indians, who bring back their top three scorers from a group that was improving late last year. They’re led by do-it-all guard [player_tooltip player_id="962646" first="Maddox" last="Griffin"], who led the team in every major category except blocks, putting up an impressive 16-6-6-4 stat line. If he can improve from the arc (24% as a sophomore), he could become one of 1A’s most dynamic scorers. A pair of forwards, [player_tooltip player_id="964901" first="Caden" last="Thomas"] (14.0) and Rhett Smith (9.8), give the Indians a solid trio to build around. </p> <p><strong>Winfield-Mt. Union (7-16):</strong> It’ll be a largely new-look Wolves team this year, as the top five scorers from last season graduated, and eight of the top nine are gone. The lone returnee who saw time last year is senior forward Bryce Wade (2.0), who contributed a bit off the bench. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Projected Order of Finish</strong></span><br /> 1. Pekin<br /> 2. Hillcrest Academy<br /> 3. Wapello<br /> 4. Mediapolis<br /> 5. Highland<br /> 6. Lone Tree<br /> 7. Louisa-Muscatine<br /> 8. Winfield-Mt. Union<br /> 9. Columbus</p> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Pekin pretty much had their way with this division last year, and they bring back a solid amount of that roster, so consider them the favorite. That said, both Hillcrest and Wapello will be improved and could give the Panthers a run for their money.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Preseason Player of the Year</strong></span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="964895" first="Brady" last="Millikin"], Pekin (2021):</strong> 13.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.2 steals, 44.4 3P%</p> <p>Millikin was the star for the Panthers last year, and led them to one of the school’s best seasons. He has the ability to dominate games without scoring, and he’s a good scoring threat as well.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Players to watch</strong></span></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="964895" first="Brady" last="Millikin"], Pekin (2021)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="964937" first="Brayden" last="Sobaski"], Pekin (2021)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="964859" first="Eli" last="Ours"], Hillcrest Academy (2021)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="962646" first="Maddox" last="Griffin"], Wapello (2022)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="964901" first="Caden" last="Thomas"], Wapello (2021)</p> <p>Drew Schroeder, Mediapolis (2021)</p>