Conference Preview: South Central

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Albia (9-13 last season, 52.7% of scoring returning):</strong> The Blue Demons were dealt a significant blow before last season even started when star wing [player_tooltip player_id='2297904' first='Gage' last='Chance'] went down with a season-ending injury. Chance averaged 19.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists on 58-38-61 shooting splits as a sophomore and will be back on the floor this winter for Albia, which is essentially adding an All-State player to the roster. The good news for the Demons is that Chance's absence last year allowed forward [player_tooltip player_id='3343972' first='Isaac' last='Helm'] (19.9, 8.9 rebounds) to step into a starring role, and the Helm-Chance tandem will be arguably the best in the league this winter. Role players Bryson Reed (3.6) and Beau Buckingham (3.2) return with experience as well. Albia probably still doesn't have the depth of talent to challenge Knoxville at the top of the league, but they'll be in contention for a top-2 finish. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cardinal (4-19, 27.4%): </strong>The Comets lost the top three scorers from a four-win team, so expectations probably aren't terribly high heading into 2026-27. Juniors Greyson Johnson (6.6) and Bode Ferrell (5.2) are the lone notable returnees, so there will be a lot of new faces on the floor this winter in Cardinal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Centerville (16-6, 49.9%): </strong>Centerville had their best season in a decade last season, winning 16 games on the strength of an elite scoring season from Malachi Rice, who averaged north of 30 points per game. He and third leading scorer Conner Petoyan graduated, but the rest of the rotation returns, led by juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2772325' first='Abram' last='Decena'] (11.1) and [player_tooltip player_id='3684342' first='Kayden' last='Rice'] (8.1). Decena will be the team's lead playmaker after finishing second in both scoring and assists per game last season, while Rice could become the go-to scorer this winter. Several other rotation pieces return, so while they may not have the high-end talent at the top of the roster that they did last season, they'll be a more balanced team which could lead to nearly equivalent success this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chariton (11-12, 89.8%):</strong> If you're looking for a team to leap up and challenge Albia for the second spot in the league this winter, it may be the Chargers, who bring back their top three and seven of their top eight scorers. They'll be led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='3620619' first='Connor' last='Shore'] (17.0, 3.0 assists), a three-level scorer who can also create plays for his teammates. Sophomore guard Kane Schooley (9.5) should make a leap after a solid freshman campaign, and junior Keagan Evans (8.2, 37.9 3P%) is a solid shooting threat. Three other players who averaged between 4.2 and 5.2 points per game return, giving them some experience alongside their "Big Three". This could be the deepest non-Knoxville team in the league, and that will be an advantage on a nightly basis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clarke (5-17, 60.4%): </strong>The bad news is that the Indians lost their leader in scoring, rebounding, and assists from a five-win team. The good news is that they bring back a lot of experience, with the next five scorers returning. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2772063' first='Peyton' last='Lynn'] (13.9) will be the headliner, while Jordyn Deleon (8.6, 3.2 assists) figures to be the lead guard who initiates the offensive attack. A lot will be asked of those two players to carry the offense and matching last year's five-win total should be considered a pretty good year for Clarke. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Davis County (2-20, 71.1%):</strong> The Mustangs won just two games last season and only had one of their losses decided by single digits, a season-opening setback against EBF. Junior Peyton Schooley (9.0) and senior Bryson Sprouse (8.3) are the top notable returnees and should be the focal points of the offensive attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (8-15, 75.9%): The lone double-figure scorer from last year's team graduated, but every other rotation piece returns, so this will be a deep and experienced team filled with seniors. Austin Langstraat (9.9), Emmett Holohan (8.8, 6.2 rebounds, 1.6 blocks), and Dalton Brinegar (5.4) are the top returning scorers, each bringing a little something different to the table. The Rockets won't have the high-end talent that some of the other teams in the league have, but they'll be deep, balanced, and should be competitive against most of the teams in the conference. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Knoxville (20-4, 79.0%):</strong> The Panthers have absolutely dominated the league in recent years, winning their 14 conference games by an average score of 83.9-37.3 last season. With three of their top four scorers returning, including the best player in the conference in [player_tooltip player_id='2231637' first='Lincoln' last='Norris'] (22.8, 45.2 3P%), they look like a very heavy favorite again this year. Norris is an elite shooter with unlimited range, and he's in line to become the state's all-time most prolific 3-point shooter. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3344389' first='Jackson' last='Reed'] (10.2, 53.6 FG%), Eli Fuller (4.0, 57.5 FG%) and [player_tooltip player_id='3344397' first='Tristan' last='Stevenson'] (7.7, 60.0 FG%), and juniors Alex Kelley (5.0, 54.8 FG%) and Jacob Mitrisin (4.0) also return with plenty of experience alongside Norris. The biggest question this year is probably whether or not anyone comes within 20 points of the Panthers during league play. </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. Knoxville<br>2. Albia<br>3. Chariton<br>4. Centerville<br>5. Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont<br>6. Clarke<br>7. Davis County<br>8. Cardinal</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>The South Central is Knoxville's world, and everyone else is just living in it. Albia and Chariton will battle it out for the second spot, but nobody will realistically challenge the Panthers at the top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Preseason Player of the Year</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2231637' first='Lincoln' last='Norris'] (Knoxville):</strong> The Panthers have dominated the league over the last few years, and will continue to do so this winter. Norris' ability to shoot it and create for his teammates is rivaled by few around the state, regardless of class or conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 Lincon Norris (Knoxville)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3344389' first='Jackson' last='Reed'] (Knoxville)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3344397' first='Tristan' last='Stevenson'] (Knoxville)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3343972' first='Isaac' last='Helm'] (Albia)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2297904' first='Gage' last='Chance'] (Albia)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3620619' first='Connor' last='Shore'] (Chariton)<br>2029 Kane Schooley (Chariton)<br>2028 Keagan Evans (Chariton)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2772063' first='Peyton' last='Lynn'] (Clarke)<br>2027 Jordyn Deleon (Clarke)<br>2028 Peyton Schooley (Davis County)<br>2027 Bryson Sprouse (Davis County)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2772325' first='Abram' last='Decena'] (Centerville)<br>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3684342' first='Kayden' last='Rice'] (Centerville)<br>2027 Austin Langstraat (Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont)<br>2027 Emmett Holohan (Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->