Mississippi Valley Conference: Final Standings Predictions
As we finish off our previews of the Mississippi Valley Conference I will predict the results of the upcoming season. In review, last year Civic Memorial finished undefeated in the conference. The standings were: 1. Civic Memorial 10-0 2. Jerseyville…
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Continue ReadingAs we finish off our previews of the Mississippi Valley Conference I will predict the results of the upcoming season.
In review, last year Civic Memorial finished undefeated in the conference. The standings were:
1. Civic Memorial 10-0
2. Jerseyville 7-3
3. Highland 7-3
4. Triad 2-8
5. Mascoutah 2-8
6. Waterloo 2-8
This year I would see some of the same with the top 3 fighting it out for the top honors. Triad will be in a stronger position for 4th place and Mascoutah and Waterloo fighting for 5th and 6th. Here are my predictions.
- Until you knock off the champs they are still the champs. It seems as if the town of Bethalto has created a girls basketball factory. Because they lost a strong senior class and have a key injury in Sophomore Tori Standefer, some might think the the Lady Eagles will fall from the top. To me, more importantly CM has too much talent to be taken down. I believe that Junior standouts Kourtland Tyus and Anna Hall will team with sophomore new starters Hannah Sontag and Harper Buhs to form an outstanding nucleus for Coach Denney. There is talent coming in the freshman class and potential contributors just waiting their turn. While I know they will get a battle, until I see them get knocked off they have my vote.
- I believe that Highland will be the second best team and give CM the biggest challenge. New coach Clint Hamilton has a strong back court in Ellie Brown and Emmy Nyquist to lead his team. Megan Kronk really showed last year that she can put the ball in the basket and will be a key contributor this year. Bella LaPorta and Taylor Kesner are two young posts that will be counted on inside. These two 6 footers could be the key to Highland finding a way to get past CM.
- Jerseyville has a very strong team but I believe they are 3rd in this tough conference. Clare Breden and Abby Manns are very good young players that will lead this team to many wins this year. Senior Hannah Hudson will battle on the inside and get key rebounds night in and night out. The key for Coach Strebel will be finding those other girls that can contribute each night and provide the extra scoring and rebounding that is needed.
- Triad will be looking to the 8 players senior class to help them take a step up towards competing to be in the upper tier in this strong conference. Ali Barisch and Heather Rood will be counted on to lead the team from their guard spots. Krista Cochran, Caleigh Miller and Molly Suess are other key seniors that will need to contribute on a nightly basis if they are going to take that step forward.
- Mascoutah and Waterloo are both coming off tough seasons with 3 and 4 wins respectively. Both teams lost their leading scorers from last year and are attempting to rebuild their program. I have seen some young talent in the Mascoutah program and they are putting in the work.The girls are playing AAU in the spring and summer to get the extra work. I will pick Mascoutah to take the 5th spot and Waterloo the 6th.
This is an excellent conference and the games between the top 3 will be classic battles. I cannot wait to catch some of the Mississippi Valley action and see if new Coach Clint Hamilton can lead the Highland team past Coach Jonathon Denney and the Civic Memorial Lady Eagles.