Southern Ohio Conference (SOC) Preview
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The SOC had a historic year sending a team to the State Semifinals as well as 2 other District champions and a District runner-up. The conference is going to be good yet again and should be fun to watch. (SOC…
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Continue ReadingThe SOC had a historic year sending a team to the State Semifinals as well as 2 other District champions and a District runner-up. The conference is going to be good yet again and should be fun to watch.
(SOC I)
- 1. Notre Dame– Tough program that is returning Dominic Sparks (Sr) who stands at 6’7 and is back from an All-District campaign last year.
- 2. Green– The Bobcats weren’t the best team last year, but they bring back quite a few guys, including the top player in the division in Levi Sampson (Sr). Returning Gabe McBee (Jr) will be a help too.
- 3. Ironton St. Joseph– Bringing back quite a few guys including Kai Coleman (Sr) from a season ago.
- 4. Western– Regional Runner Up last season, but lose a legendary senior class from 20+ win team. Drew Haggy (So) is one of the better young players and is back.
- 5. Glenwood– Losing 2 of their top 3. Myles Beasley (Sr) will be leaned on heavily.
- 6. Sciotoville East– Didn’t have a great year, but return their top 2 in Landehn Pernell (Sr) and Austin Baughman (Jr).
- 7. Symmes Valley– Lose a large amount of seniors from the 17 win team, and their top returning player (Brayden Webb) transferred to Raceland, KY. Not bringing back much beyond them.
- 8. Clay– Really struggled to compete last year and not returning enough pieces to move much this year.
(SOC II)
- 1. Minford– Last season’s #1 seed in Division III return arguably the best player in the division and conference in Myles Montgomery Myles Montgomery 5'9" | PG Minford | 2025 State OH (So). Also bringing back Adam Crank (Sr) from that team and should again be one of Southeast Ohio’s best teams.
- 2. Lucasville Valley– Indians will be without 2 of their top 3 from a Regional Semifinalist team in Division IV a year ago. Now move up to Division III and return Jace Copley Jace Copley 6'3" | SG Lucasville Valley | 2024 State OH (Sr) for another run in a new division.
- 3. South Webster– Younger team that has the potential to jump up the standings. Eli Roberts Eli Roberts 6'7" | SF South Webster | 2025 State OH (So) is back and is one of the best young prospects in Southeast Ohio and bring in another highly touted freshman in Hunter Barnard (Fr). Will miss services of 2 All-District players that graduated.
- 4. Northwest– Could be the most improved team in Southeast Ohio. Return 2 juniors in Connor Lintz and Tanner Bolin from a year ago. Young team a season ago and now more experienced.
- 5. Wheelersburg– Pirates surprised many with their District title last year, but graduate most of those top guys. Should still be competitive but won’t be at the level they were last season.
- 6. Portsmouth West– Somewhat underperformed at 10-12 compared to what we expected, but have an All-District player back in Ryan Sissel (Sr) to lean on.
- 7. Waverly– Made the State Semifinals last year, but lose an amazing senior class and will have a heck of a time repeating or competing in the conference.
- 8. Oak Hill– Could make some moves returning their top 2 from a season ago, led by Aiden Hall (Sr) and Kade Kinzel (Sr)
- 9. Beaver Eastern– Return Neil Leist (Sr), but not enough to challenge.