2020-21 Preview: Badger South

<p>Looking ahead to the 2020-21 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Badger South Conference...</p> <p><strong>PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH</strong></p> <p>1.  Monroe</p> <p>2. Stoughton</p> <p>3. Milton</p> <p>4. Edgewood</p> <p>5.  Monona Grove</p> <p>6. Oregon</p> <p>7. Fort Atkinson</p> <p>8.  Watertown</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>THE FAVORITE  - MONROE</strong></p> <p>The Cheesemakers fell short of expectations last season, finishing second in the league. However, Monroe is primed for a big run, returning their top five scorers from a year ago. We know this team can put up big offensive numbers. How far they get in March will be determined on the defensive end. Four of their six losses last season came when the Cheesemakers gave up 70 points or more.</p> <p><strong>TOP CHALLENGER -  STOUGHTON</strong></p> <p>The Vikings always feel like they’re better than expected. Stoughton is coming off a 21-3 season and will have to replace Michigan Tech bound [player_tooltip player_id="811849" first="Adam" last="Hobson"] and and a few key seniors.  [player_tooltip player_id="804915" first="Cael" last="McGee"] will keep the Vikings near the top. If senior [player_tooltip player_id="804948" first="Reece" last="Sproul"] and junior [player_tooltip player_id="865860" first="Luke" last="Fernholz"] can take big steps forward, Stoughton will be  challenging  for their second-straight conference title. On paper, Stoughton doesn't have the best talent, but defensively, they've got the size and versatility to give everyone problems. </p> <p><strong>DARK HORSE - MILTON</strong></p> <p>Milton was a young team last season and should take a big step forward with their top six scorers all back from last season. The duo of [player_tooltip player_id="865836" first="Jack" last="Campion"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1036046" first="Sam" last="Burdette"] was good enough to keep them in a lot of games and even win a couple of upsets. With more depth and experience in 2020-21, the Red Hawks should challenge for the conference crown. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>PRESEASON FIRST-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE</strong></p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="801151" first="Carson" last="Leuzinger"] - Jr. - Monroe</p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="865836" first="Jack" last="Campion"] - Jr. -  Milton</p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="804957" first="Lance" last="Nelson"] - Sr. - Monona Grove</p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="804915" first="Cael" last="McGee"] - Sr. - Stoughton</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="701965" first="Cade" last="Meyer"] - Sr. -  Monroe</p> <p><strong>SECOND TEAM</strong></p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="880006" first="Erik" last="Victorson"] - Sr. - Oregon</p> <p>G  Isandro Jimenez - Sr. - Edgewood</p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="1036046" first="Sam" last="Burdette"] - Sr. - Milton</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="865840" first="Nathan" last="Gapinski"] - Jr. - Watertown</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="801147" first="J.T." last="Seagreaves"] - Jr. - Monroe</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>PLAYER OF THE YEAR - [player_tooltip player_id="701965" first="Cade" last="Meyer"]</strong></p> <p>No idea how Meyer was a second-team pick last season after ranking second in the league in scoring and rebounding. The UW-Green Bay commit is a highly athletic forward that  can stretch the floor from 3-point range.  As a junior, Meyer put up 18.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. He’ll likely improve upon those numbers in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>MOST IMPROVED PLAYER -  [player_tooltip player_id="865840" first="Nathan" last="Gapinski"]</strong></p> <p>Playing on a senior-laden team, Gapinski flew under the radar last season, averaging 7.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Heading into 2020-21, there’s no doubt who has to be the  main focal point for Watertown.  A strong, athletic forward who can run in the open floor and shows flashes of being a mismatch problem, Gapinski has a chance to greatly increase his production from last season. </p> <p><strong>SLEEPER TO WATCH - Carson Baker</strong></p> <p>Baker averaged nearly 10 points per game as a sophomore for Fort Atkinson. The 5-foot-9 guard shows some impressive quickness on the ball and with his 3-point shooting ability, can force defenders to pick their poison.</p>