Southern Ohio Conference Preview
The Southern Ohio Conference looks to be quite a fun one to watch this season. Several teams look to be making strides in their game and could be challengers across the board. While I only highlight 2 “Contenders” below, there…
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Continue ReadingThe Southern Ohio Conference looks to be quite a fun one to watch this season. Several teams look to be making strides in their game and could be challengers across the board. While I only highlight 2 “Contenders” below, there are at least 5-6 teams in the Conference that could very likely be in the District tournament by the end of the year. Take a look at the SOC going into 2022.
Contenders
Waverly– The Tigers may arguably be the best team in the Southeast District regardless of division. This was a team in the District Finals last year and they are returning a lot of those top guys. It starts with Trey Robertson Trey Robertson 5'10" | PG Waverly | 2022 State OH (Sr) who has been of the Southeast Ohio’s best Point Guards for several years now. He has a solid guard in the backcourt with Mark Stulley (Jr) and a dominating athlete in Will Futhey (Sr), a D1 football prospect. Their division will be competitive, but the Tigers have the experience and personnel to be the best team in the SOC and should see themselves in the District Finals again in 2022.
Lucasville Valley– The Indians are returning much of their team that finished as a District Runner-Up in 2021. 3 of the top 4 to be exact are back and the experience of postseason success should lift this group over some of the normal contenders in the conference. George Arnett (Jr) and Bryce Stuart (Sr) are the 1-2 punch the Indians rely on and form one of the better duos in the entire conference. Throw in sophomore Jace Copley and the Indians do have a good core to build around. Valley should be able to at least finish in the top 2 in their division with Waverly being the only team I’d say having more talent back to beat them.
Clay- Panthers lose their two best players which raises questions of how they will rebound from a 4-19 season in 2021?
Glenwood– Tigers likely won’t return to State Semifinals losing so much talent from that team. Grady Jackson (Sr) returning is promising in the backcourt but is it enough to win their division?
Green- Bobcats have their best player back in Levi Sampson (Jr) from a near .500 team. Can Green get over the hump and get above .500 in 2022?
Notre Dame- Titans likely the best team in this division and return 2 of their top 3. Johnathan Strickland (Sr) and Dylan Seison (Jr) lead the group.
Ironton St. Joe- Lose their top 4 from last season and will struggle with lack of experience returning.
Symmes Valley- 2 of the top 3 are gone from last year. Can Eli Patterson (Sr) keep this team competing?
Latham Western- Indians return 2 of their top 3, including Kolten Miller (Sr), but is it enough to take out Notre Dame in the division?
Beaver Eastern- Struggled last year in their division and don’t have the depth to challenge the contenders in the conference.
Minford- Falcons could be a dark horse this season with a solid group returning from last season. Trenton Zimmerman (Sr) is the well oiled engine leading this team.
Northwest– Return Connor Lintz (So) after a solid freshman campaign. Hard to lean on an underclassman this year with the strength within the division.
Oak Hill- Oaks will try to forget last year’s 2-21 season.
Portsmouth West- The Senators are losing 3 of their top 5, but the two returning seniors (Noah Coleman and Jesse Dixon) are enough to keep West right in the mix.
South Webster- The Jeeps return their top 2 (Trae Zimmerman and Cam Carpenter) seniors and add highly talented freshman Eli Roberts. Very sneaky team that could contend for a District Title.
Wheelersburg- Pirates will have a little less talent than they’re used to this season, losing plenty of guys to graduation and transfers. Eli Swords (Sr) is back and will continue the tradition of toughness and competiveness at Wheelersburg.