The Big South Preview

Ryan James October 2, 2019 @ 05:42 PM

The Big South Conference has an East and a West, and today we look at both in the Big South Preview at NHR. Conference Commentary Top Ten in State: Waseca, Marshall The Jays will start the season as the number one team in the state in Class AA returning three starters and their top three reserves (all juniors). Waseca having few or no seniors could lead to a loss or two, and no matter how many guys are back replacing Malik Willingham isn't easy. There could be a few bumps but Waseca has a strong PG (Dufault), a standout big (Morgan), a big time athlete (Willingham), and a lot of young juniors ready for bigger roles. Marshall is still in Class AAA so there will be no games with Waseca at state but playing during the year should be excellent once again. The Tigers have pieces of all kinds giving them a squad that could make a run at the state title game. Marshall's big man pair of Puetz and Black will be tough to manage for most while the Barker/Nance backcourt is continuing to grow. Potential Top Ten: St Peter, JCC St. Peter surprised people a year ago with a run to the state tournament a year ago but they are now a Class AAA team so the trip won't be quite as easy. Most of the line-up is back including one of the state's top guys around the basket in Wyatt Olson. Expectations will be high. JCC has a pair of players in Rudy Voss and Andrew Hesebeck that could get them into the top ten in Class AA. They were 18-10 a year ago and have a real shot at 20 plus wins. Compete with Most: Blue Earth, Fairmont, Worthington Blue Earth was near .500 and brings nearly everything back from last year. Cameron Anderson and Caelan Sanders lead the Bucs. Fairmont doesn't bring quite as much back but Wyatt Frank is the best player and could lift them to a level just about Blue Earth again. Worthington continues to produce players but do they have enough? Year after year they have a player or two that must be gameplanned for but the team comes up just short. Rebuilding: St. James, New Ulm, Redwood Valley More changes at New Ulm, Reece Melby is a heck of a player though. If there is more around him they could take a step forward. St. James losses a lot so matching the 18 wins will be tough. So many questions remain in the west. Redwood Valley made state with a ton of seniors but it took months for the to develop a winning feel. What's next? Luverne's Isaiah Bartels is strong but is there enough around him?   19-20 Conference Predictions Big South East <ol> <li>Waseca</li> <li>St. Peter</li> <li>Blue Earth</li> <li>Fairmont</li> <li>St. James</li> <li>New Ulm</li> </ol> Big South West <ol> <li>Marshall</li> <li>Jackson County Central</li> <li>Worthington</li> <li>Redwood Valley</li> <li>Luverne</li> <li>Pipestone Area</li> <li>Windom Area</li> </ol>   Preseason All Big South First Team Andrew Morgan, Waseca (Jr) Ryan Dufault, Waseca (Jr) Wyatt Olson, St. Peter (Sr) Noah Puetz, Marshall (Sr) Rudy Voss, Jackson County Central (Sr)   Second Team Bryce Lance, Marshall (Jr) Kyreese Willingham, Waseca (Jr) Wyatt Frank, Fairmont (Sr) Terbuto Ochothow, Worthington (Jr) Cameron Anderson, Blue Earth (Jr)   Third Team Andrew Hesebeck, Jackson County Central (Sr) Isaiah Bartels, Luverne (Sr) Caelan Sanders, Blue Earth (Sr) Josh Johnson, St. Peter (Sr) Matthew Hmiekewski, Marshall (Sr)   Fourth Team Yahya Black, Marshall (Sr) Zach Hoehn, Waseca (Jr) Reece Melby, New Ulm (Sr) Jack Hested, Fairmont (Sr) Grant Strukel, Blue Earth (Sr)   Fifth Team Brock Bruns, Worthington (Jr) JT Tinklenberg, Pipestone Area (Sr) Bryant Haas, Redwood Valley (Sr) Zach Jorgensen, Fairmont (Soph) Josh Barker, Marshall (Jr)