Scioto Valley Conference (SVC) Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The SVC features teams from across the Southeast Region spanning from Division II and Division III. While the conference did not produce any District Finalists, there was still competitive basketball and should continue to be competitive basketball even beyond this year. See who I expect to shine below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>1. <strong><em>Zane Trace</em></strong>- The defending conference champions are again the favorites to win the SVC as they will be returning 3 of their top 4, with those 3 all being All-District performers a year ago. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1462473' first='Xzander' last='Ream']</strong> (Sr) had a great offseason and returns as the Pioneers best backcourt option. <strong>Nalin Robinson</strong> (Sr) brings some size on the inside and plenty of Varsity experience. <strong>Kyle Stonerock</strong> (Sr) returns as well and will have some size at 6'4. The Pioneers have seniors and experience, everything you need to win the SVC and compete come postseason.</li><li>2. <strong><em>Paint Valley</em></strong>- The Bearcats were just below .500 last year but with the amount of talent lost ahead of them, it should open the door for Paint Valley to move up the standings. <strong>Dax Estep</strong> (Sr) returns and will be the focal point of the Bearcats offense during the season. <strong>Cole Miller</strong> (Sr) also returns and along with Estep provides the upperclassmen needed to challenge. </li><li>3. <strong><em>Westfall</em></strong>- An argument could be made the Mustangs are the #2 team. I have them at #3 due to their struggles against Paint Valley last year. There is no denying Westfall brings back some talented guards in <strong>Casey Cline</strong> (Sr) and <strong>Brody Clark</strong> (Jr). This group had success a year ago against some of the better teams in the conference and with the added year of experience, could be a dark horse in the conference and in Division III.</li><li>4. <strong><em>Unioto</em></strong>- The Shermans played well last year but lose one of the best players in Southeast Ohio last year (DeSean Branson) along with another All-District performer. Returning <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2803639' first='Blake' last='Hoops']</strong> (So) is optimistic for the future as he was one of the better underclassmen a year ago. I wouldn't expect as great of a season but compared to the rest of the conference, the Shermans should at least be in the top 4.</li><li>5. <strong><em>Adena</em></strong>- The Warriors needed a year to rebuild after losing a great senior class the previous year. Their youth showed as they struggled within the conference and overall. <strong>Joedy Ater</strong> (Jr) will be back and now with a year of experience, the Warriors should be much better.</li><li>6. <strong><em>Southeastern</em></strong>- Lose an influential piece in Ethan Carroll from last year. </li><li>7. <strong><em>Piketon</em></strong>- Graduate a great senior class that consisted of 2 All-District players.</li><li>8. <strong><em>Huntington</em></strong>- Struggled within the conference and could face similar problems again.</li></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->