South Central Preview

In my high school basketball watching, I follow two conferences very closely. The South Central conference since my alma mater and the town I live in Wisconsin Dells is in it and the Big Eight because it is the best conference around that is close enough for me to drive to. I will be making predictions for the outcome of both of these conferences and will be trying to predict each teams final conference record. I will be predicting the South Central first and the Big Eight will follow within the next couple days.

As always the South Central will come down to two teams, Wisconsin Dells and Adams Friendship. The past 10 years one of these two teams has won the conference, with Adams winning early and the Dells starting to win conference as of recent. Last year Adams won the conference beating Wisconsin Dells twice but, the Dells got the last laugh as the upended Adams in the regional final, on their way to state. Both Dells and Adams Friendship are head and shoulders about the rest of the conference and should handle the rest of the conference fairly easily as long as they don't over look anyone. After Adams and the Dells it will really be a mess, as any of the four remaining teams can beat any of the other four teams. Conference predictions to follow . . .

1. Wisconsin Dells 9-1
Adams Friendship 9-1
3. Nekoosa 4-6
Wautoma 4-6
5. Mauston 3-7
6. Westfield 1-9

Wisconsin Dells- Is led by a very good back court in 5'11 senior Ryan Wenkman, who was huge in the Chiefs run to state, and junior 5'10 Jade Royston who is top 50 in his class. The Chiefs have always been a very balanced team that also plays great man to man defense. This year should be no different. Everyone will score their share of points and should keep games fairly low scoring with their defense. When the games are in clutch situations the ball will be in the experienced back courts hand. A big lift for the Chiefs may be the presents of 6'9 sophmore Nate Gibson. Gibson doesn't need to score a ton but, just needs to make his presents felt on defense and on the glass on both offensive and defensive side. Chiefs will probably split will Adams Friendship. Theres no telling if each team will win at home or on the road both scenarios have happened in the past.
Adams Friendship- The Green Devils have hands down the best player in the conference in 6'4 junior Tommie Gaston. Gaston is a top 20 junior in the state and is one of the most athletic players in the state. The one question mark is who will step up in the scoring if Gaston is struggling. AF should limit their turnovers with the return of Gaston and four year varsity player 5'11 senior Ben Pease. Pease isn't a big scorer but, does a good job of bringing the ball up the court and setting the offense and should provide senior leader ship. As always Adams will be running their 1-3-1 defense which always gives teams problems and should keep games low scoring which is what the Devils want. Team all this up with on of the top coaches in the state Steve Klass who is in his 17th year of coaching.
Nekoosa- Honestly I don't know much about the Papermakers but, they return seven players that made some impact last year which gives them the experience over the rest of the conference. Nekoosa will more then likely beat Westfield twice and then split with Mauston and Wautoma.
Wautoma- Wautoma also brings back lots of experience like but, will be greatly hurt though with the loss of star player Jeremiah Grothe. Like Nekoosa the Hornets will probably play about .500 ball against the bottom four teams in the conference.
Mauston- The Golden Eagles return only two players that played significant minutes last year. They have one true star in Trevor Hannes but, without much help Mauston will remain towards the bottom of the conference.
Westfield- Pioneers return four year starter Justin Hess but, outside of him they really don't have much. They may surprise a team or two but, it will be another long season for Westfield.

That's my run down of the SCC, the Big Eight will follow within the next couple days.