11/25/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - One can skip the spinning wheels in analyzing the South Egyptian Conference and the dominance of Mounds Meridian.

During its most recent stay in the league (since 2001) Meridian has won 17-of-25 regular season championships.

Enough said.

Not much more needs to be said about the Bobcats and their two consecutive long journeys into the postseason, either.

Coach David Davis led the program to a 101-42 mark in four seasons before leaving to coach at perennial powerhouse Paducah (KY.) Tilghman at the end of 2024-25.

Some of the kids who played at Meridian last winter left and joined him at Tilghman but the cupboard is far from bare as the Bobcats look to defend their title.

Another player from the Bobcats' super-sectional team moved to Murphysboro while one of the players in the state from the past two seasons is no longer eligible to play after reaching the age limit for the IHSA.

Unfortunately Antonio Flenoid, Jr. has no eligibility remaining.

That's five players who were important to the Elite Eight run that new head coach Malcolm Larry will need to replace.

The rest of the conference will look to take advantage of the Meridian misfortune.

The team that finished second in the South Egyptian Conference, Century, also suffered from graduation losses.

Three senior starters for Coach Jake Parr have departed.

Marion Agape Christian also felt the losses with four graduates who were starters for Coach Dan Stevens' club that ended up finishing fourth in the state in the Illinois Association of Christian School state tournament.

Elverado and second season head coach Aaron Wright has some talented/experienced players heading into 2025-26, with four starters returning from the 11-16, 4-4 team.

Cobden mentor Karl Sweitzer lost just two seniors from the roster last spring with the majority of the varsity minutes returning from the 13-win squad.

Dongola and Coach Russ Marsh had no need to attend graduation last season for his players because none of them were wearing a cap and gown.

The returning kids look to be improved with an extra year of varsity experience coming into the season after an 11-15 season in 2024-25.

Both Egyptian and Joppa-Maple Grove will have new coaches running the show this season.

The Pharaohs will have Coach Jim Smith in charge, stepping in to lead a team that lost four seniors and a bunch of late season games last winter.

The Rangers turn to Lorenzo Duncan, a former standout player for Cairo “back in the day” as well as a former college and professional player.

Duncan inherits a unit with four seniors from last winter gone after a 3-24 season.

Shawnee managed just two wins last season, none of which were in the conference (0-8) from the 2-25 campaign.

Any of the teams wanting to make a legitimate challenge to the Meridian supremacy will need to raise their collective games far more than just a notch.

The past three seasons for the Mounds Meridian Bobcats were special in that they made long runs into the state finals each season.

A second place finish in the state in 2023-24 was sandwiched in between a pair of super-sectional appearances.

The Bobcats fell short on a rally at the Charleston Super-sectional last March, losing to Effingham St. Anthony in overtime to end up 26-9.

Every team that defeated Meridian last winter won at least 20-games.

The overall mark of the clubs was a mind-blowing 231-57.

Four of the teams won regionals and St. Anthony ended up fourth in 1A.

Much of the personnel who were part of that successful run have left.

Coach David Davis accepted a job at Paducah Tilghman in Kentucky and three of the main players from Meridian (Max Russel, Latarus Johnson and Gregory Johnson) followed him South.

Another would-be starter for Meridian (Airrion Swansey) transferred to Murphysboro.

Of course graduation took its toll.

Four key participants (Colin Monan, Shamar Easley, Fanelle Woodson, Diontae Reed) left after their senior year.

But the empty uniform that will be the most difficult to fill is that of Antonio Flenoid, Jr.

Flenoid, Jr. was a starter in what was technically his freshman and sophomore seasons.

But since he had some hardships in and out of school, he became too old to participate after just two seasons.

He is now 19 and past the limit for the Illinois High School Association athletic activities.

New head coach Malcolm Larry, who was an assistant for Meridian last season and a former player at this program, takes over the job as head coach.

Although the losses of the players from a year ago will hurt, the ones coming back have the opportunity to add to the already triumphant legacy left by their predecessors.

Five-ten senior Javionne Ranson will now be a three-year starter and four-year varsity player at Meridian and the Bobcats' record with him in uniform is 77-29.

Ranson also has a distinction of playing in three-consecutive super-sectionals.

Ranson was third on the scoring average list at 9.9 p.p.g., making him the top scoring returnee behind Monan (16.4 p.p.g.) and Flenoid, Jr. (19.1 p.p.g.).

Another senior; 5-11 guard/forward Cassius Woodson, should step into an important role.

Five-ten sophomore guard Marcus Hines Jr. along with 5-9 sophomore Ahmad Jackson will also be in the running for the starting assignments stepping up to varsity.

Hines is the son of former Meridian player Marcus Hines who was a standout for Meridian back in 2004, winning the Class A "Slam Dunk Contest" at the state finals.

Coach Larry mentioned a couple of freshmen who will be in the running for varsity minutes from the start.

Arthaniel Davis, Jr., a 5-9 guard, and 5-8 guard Jeremiah Glover look ready to help out.

Jasarius Mabon-Ware, a 5-10 junior, was on the varsity last year and has some prime time game experience.

Tashaun Westbrook, a 6-foot sophomore, adds more depth to an already deep, talented group.

Add Makiyah Blankenship, a 6-1 junior, to the crowded list that will help Coach Larry keep the pressure turned up on the opposition.

Ranson will likely add his name to the Meridian history of 1,000-point scorers this coming season.

The schedule, other than the SEC games, will once again be challenging by design.

A mix of powerhouse 1A, 2A and 3A teams in three pretty strong tournaments will test the Bobcats early and often.

“This years' team will see players that did not contribute much last season step into bigger roles since some players transferred out and graduated. This team will continue to play the 'Meridian Way' which has always been tough defense with fast paced offense,” said Coach Larry, who was a starter on the 2007-08 state-ranked Bobcats' team that was upset in the regional championship game at Trico. “Javionne will be the team captain and will command the offense. He is a quick guard that can get to the basket at will. Woodson will play a crucial part in this years team success with Hines and Jackson going from playing freshman basketball last year to playing big time varsity minutes this year.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: Although he doesn't have any eligibility remaining in high school Antonio Flenoid, Jr., according to Coach Larry, is working on getting his high school education with the hopes of playing at the next level. ABV wishes him well. FYI, there are no age limits in NCAA sports.

One of the young head coaches in southern Illinois that has done well for himself and his program is Coach Jake Parr.

His Century Centurions' program has prospered since his arrival in 2023-24.

In his two seasons, Coach Parr is 39-23 overall, winning 21-games last winter and ended up behind just Mounds Meridian in the conference standings.

Considering he inherited a team that hadn't produced a winning record in a few years, Coach Parr has exceeded expectations.

But in the world of “what have you done for me lately?” Century will look to keep the program in and upward trajectory in 2025-26.

Coach Parr will head into the season minus some key players who were part of the flourishing turnaround.

Samuel Perez was a senior guard who was a multi-year starter for Century.

Seniors Caden Crain and and Jarel Soloman also graduated and Coach Parr also lost a key transfer in Bryce Windings to nearby Egyptian.

But the rest return with starting guard Adam Taake leading the way.

Taake, a 6-3 senior, was one of the key contributors to the club last winter that went 7-1 in the South Egyptian while winning both the Cobden Thanksgiving Tournament and Dongola Christmas Tournament.

Century also took third at the Cobden Holiday Tournament.

They even produced a first round regional win before a semifinal loss to Goreville ended the run.

Look for 5-7 junior guard Tyler Windings to start for Century after some late season starts year ago.

Six-one junior guard Landyn Walshon has been a steady player for Coach Parr, coming off of the bench for the past two seasons in important games.

Mason Rentfro, a 6-2 junior, showed big time improvement over the summer for the Centurions.

Six-two senior Drew Dillow came off of the bench last season and had some early season big games for Century, picking up the MVP honor at the Cobde Thanksgiving Tournament.

“I'm really excited about our team and I am excited so see who will take advantage of open opportunities on the team. This group seems to embrace being challenged and are very competitive,” said Coach Parr.

He will turn to some incoming freshman that could help out early in the season; Izzy Sampson, Dalton Hartline and Noah Whitaker made the list for Coach Parr, who was a standout player at Anna-Jonesboro and an ABV first team 2A all-south selection in 2017-18.

“We have a lot of opportunity for players to step up on the basketball team this year and have bigger roles for the team,” said Coach Parr. “We have a big freshmen class that had some success at the junior high level and participated in a couple of varsity shootouts this past summer who could see themselves on the varsity floor. We are much bigger than what we have been size wise this upcoming season. I think Adam (Taake) will take a big step up on the offensive end of the floor. He's had some really good moments in his career and adds the most experience on the court for us. I think Tyler (Windings) is going to make a great impact on our team. He scores the ball pretty well and runs the court really well. He's taken a big step in learning how to control the tempo of the game. Landyn (Walshon) has the ability to be a really solid player in the conference. He been apart of the rotation on the team for for the past two seasons. He has shown flashes in the past of scoring the ball and defending at a high level.”

As most of you are aware of, Marion Agape Christian is the only program in the ABV coverage area that isn't a full member of the Illinois High School Association, therefore the Knights are ineligible for IHSA postseason tournaments in any sport.

However they can play member schools their conference (South Egyptian) and non-conference games along with regular season tournaments.

Whether or not they will become a full member will be up to the school.

Last season the program saw four key seniors, three of which were starters for head coach Dan Stevens.

TJ Kukorola, Jacob Stearns, Maddox Dillon and Logan Comerford took a bunch of value with them out the door.

Agape Christian ended up 12-15 overall, 5-3 in the SEC for a respectable third place finish.

Coach Stevens will look to two of the returning players who started.

Junior Jeremiah Hoyle, a 6-2 guard/forward, is back.

The other starter is Camden Reed, a 5-10 senior, who moved up the ladder and started some games in 2024-25.

Agape has other players expected to be in uniform.

Six-foot junior Justin Sesock and 5-11 senior Jonah Seals were the first two off of the list from Coach Stevens.

Three others from the junior class were mentioned; 6-1 Stephen Sellars, 5-10 Jacob Miller and 5-11 Maxton Dillon.

“This will be an inexperienced team but I expect them to be improved,” said Coach Stevens. “I expect that our team to improve shooting the ball this season. The conference will be very competitive.”

In 2024-25 Coach Karl Sweitzer and his Cobden Appleknockers finished right in the middle of the pack in the SEC, going 4-4 in the league and a respectable 13-17 overall.

The postseason stay, like most in this conference besides Mounds Meridian, was brief.

The Appleknockers got “knocked out” in the opener against Cairo in the Goreville Regional, 73-31.

Perhaps the best of what happened last season heading into 2025-26 is that just two of the roster spots were occupied by seniors (Kohen Moore, Thomas Coleman).

Although both will be missed, the ones back have experience and will try to improve.

Cobden won their first four games at their own Thanksgiving tournament before losing the title game 49-41 to Century.

They didn't fare as well in their Christmas event, losing in the consolation title game to Zeigler-Royalton.

But Coach Sweitzer is hoping to see some improvement this winter with the ones returning being a year older.

Four of the players back started as juniors a season ago.

Five-nine guard Matthew Howell is back for the Appleknockers.

His backcourt mate is 5-10 guard James Eagle.

Two forwards return who started; 6-3 Kingston Kuhn and 6-foot Tommy Quertermous.

Those four logged the extra time last season in anticipation of a better 12th grade year.

Cobden will field more seniors on the roster with experience.

Six-foot Daniel Tomas, 5-10 Gabe Haynes, 6-3 Jansen Nance and 6-foot Juan Osorio-Barbosa will have ample chances for minutes.

Coach Sweitzer mentioned a 6-foot junior Kyler White, who transferred in from Carterville, who could step right into playing time.

Five-eleven sophomore Tyler Shoemate and 5-9 junior Eric Daville also made this list of kids that will need to provide depth.

“We expect to have eight seniors this season, making it the most experienced team we've had in some time. With four of them being returning starters, hopefully we can take another step forward this season and compete with everyone on our schedule,” said Coach Sweitzer, who is also a Cobden graduate.

When a team produces just two victories in a season it is tough to be optimistic but head coach Trey Pender at Shawnee thinks the glass is still half full.

Despite losing three seniors from a year ago, the Redskins should be more competitive this winter with four key players returning.

Noah Mayberry, Isaac Wonnell and Jackson Rendleman were the seniors on the 2-25 squad that had a pair of wins over rival Joppa-Maple Grove during two different regular season tournaments.

Goreville put the Redskins out of the state tournament in the regional opener.

In spite of the rough going a year ago, Coach Pender has some kids working on getting better.

The returning players that were part of last season's varsity schedule bring back some solid offensive numbers.

Kyler Jewell, a 6-3 junior, averaged a robust 19.8 points a game as a sophomore and is approaching 1K in career points after a pair of good varsity seasons.

He was also the top rebounder with over seven a game.

Jewell was helped by 6-2 freshman Conner Wilson who enters his sophomore campaign after putting up solid numbers (5.5 points, 4.4 rebounds) on average.

Gabe Ellet, a 5-9 senior, added 5.8 points a night and is a backcourt leader.

Coach Pender is hoping for some improvement from four sophomores, three of which were on the varsity last year.

Six-foot sophomore Brody Maeser, 5-10 sophomore Matthew White, 6-foot sophomore Tyler McHughes and and 5-6 sophomore Terrance Freeman all have minutes available for them to take.

Shawnee will have some new players for Coach Pender to work with.

Brayden Howell is a 5-10 sophomore and Remington Matlock is a 6-2 junior.

Two freshmen enter the program; 5-6 Spencer Griffin and 5-6 Jacob Pickel.

Any of the ones listed here could find themselves playing important roles either starting or coming off of the bench.

“I bring back a lot of guys with varsity experience. We will still be a young team but six of my returners have varsity game experience. I am hoping to use that experience to continue to grow the program and compete this year. At the start of the season, my focus will be on the defensive side of the game. Conference-wise, I would like to be competitive in games. Having potentially five of my starters this year with varsity game experience, I feel like we can compete. Having a kid like Kyler, I feel like he will be able to lead this team the correct way. If teams start double teaming him, or taking his shots away, we now have that varsity experience surrounding him to be able to get other open shots on the floor. I look forward to continuing to build the program here at Shawnee,” said Coach Pender.

Sports official turned head basketball coach Aaron Wright took over a program at Elverado last season and produced a competitive ballclub that should be even more improved in 2025-26.

The Falcons were the third of the teams in the South Egyptian that went four up and four down in league games.

The overall mark of 12-16 included a six-game win streak to begin the month of February before the bottom fell out with four-consecutive losses to close the season, including a loss to regional champion Okawville at the Christopher Regional.

Only one senior; Trenton Shirley, was on the roster a year ago so Coach Wright will have plenty to work with as their season begins with their own Elverado Thanksgiving Tournament.

The returning players for Elverado all have varying degrees of experience.

Four of the players back were starters.

Senior Bo Owens, a 6-1 guard/forward returns for the Falcons.

Six-one forward Kam Hodges was also in the lineup to start.

Coach Wright added 5-10 juniors Hayden Sims and Frankie Guerra into the starting line up last season and that shouldn't change this time around.

The reserve minutes will be earned by 5-9 senior Creo Crow and two sophomores; 5-6 Josh Ruiz and 5-8 Nick Hodges.

Two freshman have a shot; 6-foot Clayton Barnett and 5-6 Josiah Hodges.

“We have 4-of-5 starters back from a 12-16 season a year ago, and a comfort level with my program style and what I want from each position,” said Coach Wright. “I'm expecting a great deal from the returning players to mesh as a team and get better from where we left off last season. We had a good summer and need some younger kids to take a step forward and get some minutes to help us out. We just need to play unselfishly as individuals and take our game to the next level. When we do that, we play much better.”

Head coach Russ Marsh and his Dongola Demons were also 4-4 on the season in the SEC and lost to conference rival Century in the first round of the Goreville Regional.

Without a senior to be found, his roster from last year will be mostly in tact in 2025-26.

Although he lost a starter who transferred out of state, the rest return from the 11-16 team returns.

Included on the roster for this winter is returning starter and near 1K scorer Caleb Gaddis.

The 6-1 junior is a few points short of 1,000 and he has a shot at 2K if he stays healthy and he led the Demons in almost every category last season.

Gaddis has been a starter since his freshman season for Coach Marsh and a team leader.

He will get help from the three other returning starters.

Daniel Holderfield, a 6-1 senior forward, is back for the Demons.

Sophomore Isaiah Lieberman, a 5-9 guard, also will suit up as with 6-1 sophomore forward Ben Flores.

Eyen Sheppard, a 6-1 junior, will also be part of the process and rotation for Coach Marsh.

Brian Neal, a 5-10 junior who didn't play last season, returns as will 5-7 sophomore Jessie Welch.

Five-five sophomore Sebastion Turner and a boatload of freshmen will enter the program.

Coach Marsh is looking for the freshmen to push for playing time.

Bowen Graves, a 5-7 guard, 5-9 guard Ruger Chick and 5-7 JJ Johns will provide backcourt relief along with 5-8 Konner Duty.

Six-foot Daylon Williamson, and 6-1 Nathan Aden and Avery Golliher round out a solid freshman batch that could prove to be successful for Dongola in the future.

“This team is young but very much improved. It should be very interesting season and I can't wait to get started,” said Coach Marsh.

A new head coach with some talent returning is the story from Egyptian this winter as the Pharaohs welcome the 2025-26 season.

The new mentor is Jim Smith, who takes over from John Dillard and has four key players, three from last season and one transfer into the program, to begin the year.

Four seniors from last winter (Kendrick Williams, Matt Neal, Jordan Mann and Jacob Webb) are gone from a squad that finished 9-20, 2-6 in 2024-25.

On the other side of the coin, four seniors return, three were starters from a year ago while another transferred in.

Darmarion Clark, a 6-2 senior, started for the Pharaohs as a junior.

Another holdover starter is Will Lessar, a 6-1 senior.

Six-foot senior Keaton Pearman also started a season ago.

Bryce Windings, a 5-8 senior, comes to the program from Century where he was a varsity player for the Centurions as a junior.

Two other seniors; 5-5 Jimmy Easton and 5-9 Calub Dover, will be part of the battle for the fifth starting assignment.

One sophomore with game experience from last winter is 5-4 Aiden Stephens.

After that, Coach Smith will turn to a group of freshmen who have a shot at playing every night in the varsity.

Five-five Bently Mathis, 5-3 August Levins, 5-7 Brayden Bagby and 5-7 Reese Turner were listed by Coach Smith as potential reserves.

“We will depend on Clark and Windings for points and Lessar and Pearman for defense and rebounding,” said Coach Smith.

Duncan was a standout player at Cairo, Alabama-Huntsville, Sam Houston State and also professional basketball over seas.

He was part of one of the best Cairo teams in its storied history, the 1980-81 Class A third place squad.

With just three victories in 27 contests a year ago, Coach Duncan and his returning players have a bunch of work to do.

The three wins were over Egyptian, Shawnee and Mayfield (KY.) Northside Baptist.

The Rangers were no match for Crab Orchard in the opening round of the 1A regional, losing 87-57.

The ones not returning after graduation are Marcus Stallings, Brandon Pease, AJ Lyle and Braiden Hooks, who were key players on the Rangers' roster a year ago.

It helps to have a guard with experience returning and Coach Duncan has one in in 6-1 junior Aiden Messer.

Sophomore Braden Ford, a 5-9 guard, was also part of the program as a freshman as was 6-2 sophomore Caiden Conley.

Six-one junior Cameron Waldon and 6-2 junior Casey Cohoon were also listed by Coach Duncan.

One senior; 6-foot senior Alex Reems, will be part of the lineup shuffle.

Coach Duncan has some incoming freshmen to work with.

Five-nine Preston Jeffords, 6-foot Timothy Smith, 5-11 Peyton Ritter and 5-9 Kenley Harris can earn their way into playing time by working hard, according to Coach Duncan.