Conference Preview: Southeast

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1475267,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/Merquiche-Lewis-Jr1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/Merquiche-Lewis-Jr1-300x200.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1475267"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Burlington (17-8, 28.0% of scoring returning): </strong>The Grayhounds got hot late and were a surprise qualifier for the 4A state tournament, riding the strength of their athletic wings. One of those wings, Merquiche Lewis Jr. (13.2), returns. Lewis Jr. is a 6-4 slashing wing who shot 55% from the floor last season, using his length, quickness, and athleticism to get to the bucket seemingly at will. He's also a versatile defender who does a great job getting into passing lanes and turning defense into quick and easy offense. The only other returnee to appear in more than seven games is senior guard JJ Martin (2.9), so they'll have a lot of production to replace and minutes to fill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairfield (10-12, 89.7%): </strong>Seven of the Trojans' 12 losses last season came by single digits, and they bring back the top three, and six of the top seven, from that team, so expect them to turn some of those narrow losses into wins this year. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1167688' first='Max' last='Weaton'] (19.9) is a walking double-double who pulled down over 10 rebounds a game last season and is the type of athletic, mobile big man that thrives at the high school level. He's bouncy, has great hands, and has good touch around the bucket. He leads a talented 2023 class at Fairfield that also includes returnees [player_tooltip player_id='1167747' first='JJ' last='Lane'] (12.9) and [player_tooltip player_id='1469832' first='Tate' last='Allen'] (9.1) on the perimeter. Lane led the team in assists last season, while Allen is a reliable secondary ball handler. Look for Hunter Cecchini (3.0) to step into a bigger scoring role this season, and Ryan Higgins (2.6) is another efficient finisher around the rim who can contribute on the glass. This team was close to competing at a high-level last year, and with everything they have coming back, they should be a real factor at the top of the league. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Madison (18-5, 3.9%): </strong>The Bloodhounds rattled off 15 straight wins to start last season before hitting a four-game losing streak in early February. The top seven scorers from that team graduated, and just 57 total points from last year return, led by junior Leif Boeding, who scored 17 points in his 11 games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keokuk (4-18, 30.4%): </strong>The Chiefs won just four games last season and lose four of their top five scorers, but there is still some reason for optimism heading into this season. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1476968' first='Diego' last='Garcia'] (7.9) is an athletic wing who can attack the bucket and defend on the perimeter, while Blake Chase (2.8) and Brenton Hoard (1.6) saw some time as freshmen and will look to build on that experience. This will be a building year for what is hopefully a better 2023-24 season for Keokuk.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mount Pleasant (9-14, 63.8%):</strong> Last season was the first year in seven in which the Panthers finished with single-digit wins. They lost leading scorer Dewon Trent to graduation, but bring back the next three from last year's team, so they should be improved. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1376720' first='Payton' last='Hagans'] (12.0) had a solid summer with the Barnstormers Black team, showing ability as a three-level scorer and playmaker, while seniors Owen Vansickel (8.5) and Aaiden Ashton (7.1) have plenty of experience and will help form a three-headed attack on the perimeter. The Panthers will have one of the better backcourt in the conference, and that should make them relevant within the league. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1066375,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/141-Etan-Patterson-e1618420509411.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/141-Etan-Patterson-e1618420509411-300x192.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1066375"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Washington (19-4, 38.6%): </strong>The Demons went 9-1 in league play last season, largely rolling through the competition. They'll likely find a bit more resistance this season after losing four of their top five scorers from last year's team. The good news is that leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='956888' first='Ethan' last='Patterson'] (16.1) returns to lead the charge. Patterson, a 6-1 combo guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands, is a three-level scorer who has really improved his playmaking abilities over the last year. The only other returnees with significant experience are senior twins Aden Six (4.6) and Ajay Six (2.1), a pair of lanky wings who can defend on the perimeter or protect the paint with their length. Patterson is one of the best players in the league and should help carry this team to plenty of wins, especially early on as they break in new pieces. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Projected Order of Finish</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Fairfield<br>2. Washington<br>3. Mount Pleasant<br>4. Burlington<br>5. Fort Madison<br>6. Keokuk</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Fairfield was close to having a really nice year last season and brings back a ton from that team. Washington has the best guard in the conference, and Mount Pleasant may have the best trio of guards. Those three should battle it out for the league title this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1443568,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Max-Weaton-Philip-Brown.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Max-Weaton-Philip-Brown-300x200.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1443568"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Preseason Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167688' first='Max' last='Weaton'], Fairfield: </strong>The league's top returning scorer and rebounder, Weaton is an athletic 6-5 big who runs the floor, finishes above the rim, and dominates on the glass. Fairfield should be in the running for the league title this year, and Weaton is their best player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167688' first='Max' last='Weaton'], Fairfield<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167747' first='JJ' last='Lane'], Fairfield<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469832' first='Tate' last='Allen'], Fairfield<br>2023 Hunter Cecchini, Fairfield<br>2023 Ryan Higgins, Fairfield<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956888' first='Ethan' last='Patterson'], Washington<br>2023 Aden Six, Washington<br>2023 Ajay Six, Washington<br>2023 Merquiche Lewis Jr, Burlington<br>2023 JJ Martin, Burlington<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376720' first='Payton' last='Hagans'], Mount Pleasant<br>2023 Owen Vansickel, Mount Pleasant<br>2023 Aaiden Ashton, Mount Pleasant<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476968' first='Diego' last='Garcia'], Keokuk<br>2025 Blake Chase, Keokuk</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->