Conference Preview: Southeast

The Teams Burlington (12-10): The Grayhounds made the move from the MAC to the Southeast Conference last season, and it was a good move for them, a much better fit competitively. They were 6-4 against league foes last season, and they should be even better this season with 91.4% of the scoring returning. They’re led by quick guard [player_tooltip player_id="727916" first="Michael" last="Alexander"], who averaged 15.4 points a game last season. He’s a great athlete who thrives on getting to the bucket and putting pressure on the defense. [player_tooltip player_id="962667" first="Amarion" last="Davis"] (9.8) and Brendon Hale also return in the backcourt, with Hale back as the lead guard after dishing out 4.1 assists a game. In all, eight players who averaged at least 5.0 points a game return, so this group should be deep, and they’ll be among the contenders to win the conference. Fairfield (2-20): We knew things would be tough for the Trojans last season after graduating nearly every player who saw time, and they did struggle to a 2-20 finish. A number of freshmen saw playing time last season, however, which will be beneficial for the program moving forward. Max Wheaton (8.9) was the team’s second-leading scorer last season, and will be asked to become the go-to option. Fellow sophomores JJ Lane (5.5) and Tate Allen (3.3) also saw significant playing time last season and will be key pieces for this program for the next three years. Fort Madison (6-16): The Bloodhounds lose five of the top seven scorers from last season, but bring back one of the league’s better players in junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="962688" first="Dayton" last="Davis"] (11.6), a versatile player who can do a little bit of everything and a young man who should see his numbers skyrocket this year. Miles Dear (5.0) is the only other returnee who saw much time last season, so there will be a lot of new faces making an impact for the ’Hounds this year. Keokuk (16-8): After a pair of tight losses to start last season, the Chiefs ran off 11 straight wins before stumbling a bit down the stretch. They bring back the preseason player of the year [player_tooltip player_id="796170" first="Anthony" last="Potratz"], a senior wing who averaged 15.9 points and 5.7 rebounds a game last season. In all, four of the top five scorers are back for Keokuk. [player_tooltip player_id="965114" first="Isaiah" last="Seay"] (11.2), MJ Davis (6.1) and Callum Tackes (5.6) are strong role players alongside their standout Potratz, and the Chiefs will have a chance to make a postseason run. Mount Pleasant (12-11): Mount Pleasant came out of the holiday break strong last season, putting together a six-game winning streak that included a win over 4A Cedar Rapids Washington. They stumbled a bit down the stretch, going 4-6 in their last ten games, and they lose five of their top six scorers from that group. Senior Brevin Wilson (10.4) is the only returnee who saw significant playing time last season, and will be asked to be the go-to player this year and to carry this group while new players adjust to bigger roles. [caption id="attachment_1066261" align="alignright" width="200"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/50-Kasen-Bailey.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1066261 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/50-Kasen-Bailey-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a> Bailey[/caption] Washington (14-7): The Demons split their two meetings with Keokuk last season, and return their top three scorers from that group. Look for a breakout season from junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="962644" first="Kasen" last="Bailey"] (13.4), who put together a strong summer with the Iowa Barnstormers. An athletic, slashing wing who can also fill it up from deep (42.3 3P%), he looks primed to have a huge season. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="956888" first="Ethan" last="Patterson"] had a very productive freshman season, averaging 10.1 points and shooting 36% from the arc. The other key returnee is senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="964869" first="Trashaun" last="Willis"] (9.3). Willis is a highly athletic, long forward who can impact the game on both ends of the floor with his size and athleticism. They have a lot of rotation pieces to fill, as scorers 4-7 graduated, but their top three will be the best in the conference.   Projected Order of Finish 1. Washington 2. Keokuk 3. Burlington 4. Mount Pleasant 5. Fort Madison 6. Fairfield Analysis: The three-horse race at the top of this league should actually be fairly entertaining this year. The Demons went 9-1 against league teams last season and bring back their top three scorers, so we're giving them the edge. But it wouldn't surprise us to see any of the Washington-Keokuk-Burlington group at the top of the conference come February.   Preseason Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id="962644" first="Kasen" last="Bailey"], Washington (2022): 13.4 points, 42.3 3P% Bailey is coming off a really strong summer with Iowa’s best grassroots program, and looks primed to have a huge junior season for the Demons. His ability to fill it up from all three levels will be on full display for the Southeast’s best team. Players to watch [player_tooltip player_id="962644" first="Kasen" last="Bailey"], Washington (2022) [player_tooltip player_id="956888" first="Ethan" last="Patterson"], Washington (2023) [player_tooltip player_id="964869" first="Trashaun" last="Willis"], Washington (2021) [player_tooltip player_id="796170" first="Anthony" last="Potratz"], Keokuk (2021) [player_tooltip player_id="965114" first="Isaiah" last="Seay"], Keokuk (2021) [player_tooltip player_id="727916" first="Michael" last="Alexander"], Burlington (2021) Brendon Hale, Burlington (2021) [player_tooltip player_id="962667" first="Amarion" last="Davis"], Burlington (2022) Max Wheaton, Fairfield (2023) [player_tooltip player_id="962688" first="Dayton" last="Davis"], Fort Madison (2022) Brevin Wilson, Mount Pleasant (2021)