SE Illinois News

WATERLOO

It is not much of an exaggeration to say that Waterloo could just use last year's programs for this season's games.

All but one player from the 2015-16 squad is back this season for the Bulldogs, who expect to improve on last season's 8-22 mark.

“A major strength for us would be that we are returning nearly a full team that played for me last year," head coach Dane Walter told the Southeast Illinois News. "Any time you can do that is a positive. Last year was certainly a building year for us. It was my first year here, and I took a team that had zero varsity experience.”

Ben Huels averaged 15.4 points, four rebounds and 1.73 steals per game last season for Waterloo and is joined by fellow double-digit scorer Griffin Lenhardt (10.5 points, 3.43 assists per game). Ross Schrader averaged 9.5 points and 3.5 rebounds, while Dylan Hunt contributed 8.6 points and 5.7 rebounds a game. Hayden Bender (1.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg) is another returning starter.

Walter said he expects the Bulldogs to be in the mix with teams like Triad and Civic Memorial for the Mississippi Valley Conference title.

“These guys have been working hard this summer and early this year," Walter said. "We are looking forward to the season."

SPARTA

Several new faces will be leading the Bulldogs, who went 8-22 last season with a senior-dominated lineup.

“I look for our team to improve as the year gets underway, and I think we will be a very competitive group once we get some game experience under our belt,” head coach Jonathan Norton told the Southeast Illinois News. “It's a process, and I'm looking forward to seeing the growth in this year's group that will hopefully set us up for success in the future.”

Senior forward Naseur Hobbs is expected to be a major inside threat, Norton said.

DUQUOIN

Caleb Vogel, an All-Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference selection last season, enters this season with a chance at reaching 1,000 career points. He averaged 14 points per game in 2015-16.

Other players returning with starting experience from last season's 7-23 squad include Braden Heape and Ashton Smith. Hank Stewart, another returning starter, is out for the season with a torn knee ligament.

“We're excited about the upcoming season and feel we have the players in place to play at a faster pace, but the key is making sure we get the defensive stops we need and rebounding the basketball,” head coach Justin Barrington told the Southeast Illinois News.

WOODLAWN

The Cardinals are coming off a tremendous season – a 29-5 record and fourth place in the Class 1A state tournament.

This season, Blake Wollerman will be starting for the third year after averaging 10 points a game last season. Trey Isaac, who averaged four points a game, also played many minutes in 2015-16 and will be expected to do so again this season.

“We have a totally new group of kids that really like to compete,” head coach Brian Gamber told the Southeast Illinois News. “We are just focusing on continuing to get better every single day. Our expectations are to compete at a high level every game.”

NEW ATHENS

Jaxon Heintz put up 11.1 points per game, with an average of 6.3 rebounds last season for the Yellow Jackets, who went 6-20.

Theo Dudek is back after averaging 6.1 points, and Justin Ruff returns off a season with a 4.9 points-per-game average.

“We bring back a lot of experience from last year's team,” head coach Conrad Widdersheim told Southeast Illinois News. “We have a good balance of post presence with outside shooting.”

Note: Not all schools responded to requests for information from the Southeast Illinois News by press time.