Ballin4God Preseason Top 10: Southern Illinois Basketball Rankings
- Russ Conwell
- 8 minutes ago
- 5 min read
With some graduations and transfers heading into this season, the field still has the usual powerhouses like Centralia, Mt. Vernon, and Pinckneyville at the top of the rankings. However, a few smaller schools such as Woodlawn and Webber have climbed into the mix as well. This year’s preseason field has a strong balance of returning talent across all classes, and we’re excited for what should be an electric basketball season in Southern Illinois.
Centralia Orphans (3A)
Last Season: 29–5, Regional Champions (Lost in Sectional Championship to Triad 28–26)
Graduates: Dustyn Collins
Key Returners: Archie Goewey, Kenny Bratton, Devin Meier, Jaxson Hancock, Kruz Jackson
At the top is Centralia. Centralia will look to take another step this season with a strong group returning. They begin their season at the Roxana Hoopsgiving Tournament against the Freeburg Midgets.
Mt. Vernon Rams (3A)
Last Season: 18–11, Regional Champions (Lost in Sectional Semifinals to Triad 43–27)
Graduates: Brogan Holloway, Jake Page, Marlin Price
Key Returners: Dave Barnes, Cale Maurer, Lucas Shelby, Nazavion Nesbit, Eli Prost
Notable Newcomers: Kaden Wilson, Jadan Wilson
Mt. Vernon sits at #2 in the preseason rankings. The Rams lost some seniors but return several players with big game experience. They also added two move-ins, senior Kaden Wilson and his younger brother Jadan Wilson. Mt. Vernon opens its season at the Triad Stove Top Tournament on Wednesday.
Pinckneyville Panthers (2A)
Last Season: 28–4 (Lost in Regional Championship to Althoff Catholic 74–56)
Graduates: AJ Keith, Riley Baursachs, Brady Conway, Lucas Leitz
Key Returners: Tyler McConnell, Ty Laur, Kolton Smith
In the third spot are the Pinckneyville Panthers, coming off a season that many feel ended too soon. The Panthers ran into Belleville Althoff Catholic and lost 74–56. Althoff went on to finish as the 2A State Runner Up. Pinckneyville graduated several key players, most notably AJ Keith and Riley Baursachs who are now at Rend Lake, but they return SIU Carbondale commit Ty Laur, junior Tyler McConnell, and junior Kolton Smith who all played major roles last season.
Marion Wildcats (3A)
Last Season: 22–6 (Lost in Regional Championship to Mt. Vernon 65–49)
Graduates: Kaden Rogowski, Ethan Simmons, Kyan Cole, Reece Anthony
Key Returners: Cam Curry, Blake Blue
At #4 are the Marion Wildcats. They lost several big names but bring back a lot as well. Juniors Cam Curry and Blake Blue will have a chance to take major steps and lead the Wildcats after last season’s regional championship loss.
Woodlawn Cardinals (1A)
Last Season: 19–13 (Lost in Regional Semifinals to Christopher 71–42)
Key Returners: Luke McKay, Baylor Rollie, Tyson Frick, Logan Heater, Ian Bennett
Notable Newcomers: Kyle Cooper, Kylan Moser
Rounding out the top five are the Woodlawn Cardinals. Woodlawn returns its entire starting lineup from last season, and adds All State guard Kyle Cooper from Waltonville along with All Conference guard Kylan Moser from Webber. On paper, this team looks extremely talented, and now the question becomes how well the pieces mesh together. They open the season tonight at home against Metro East Lutheran, and we will have the coverage.
Nashville Hornets (2A)
Last Season: 22–10 (Lost in Regional Semifinals to Breese Central 38–36)
Graduates: Ty Schoenherr, Griffin Briles, Parker Schoenberg
Key Returners: Maddox Ritzel
The Nashville Hornets graduate several important pieces but return Maddox Ritzel, one of the top overall players in Southern Illinois. Nashville is a team that could compete for a regional championship or more. They begin their season at the Wesclin Thanksgiving Tournament against Columbia.
Goreville Blackcats (1A)
Last Season: 32–4, Regional Champions (Lost in Sectional Championship to Meridian 69–63)
Graduates: Cole Tripp, Drake Buffington, Connor Craig
Key Returners: Nick King, Zech Green, Garrett Church
Goreville graduated a lot of production, including All State standout Cole Tripp, but the Blackcats return plenty of talent. Nick King is one of the region’s best returning players. Goreville also brings back shifty guard Zech Green and sharpshooter Garrett Church. They open the season tonight on the road at Gallatin County and then host the Goreville Invitational beginning in early December.
Benton Rangers (2A)
Last Season: 28–5, Regional Champions (Lost in Sectional Semifinals to Breese Central 41–30)
Graduates: Docker Tedeschi, Grant Owens
Key Returners: Nolan Schafer, Jaxton Wiggs
The Benton Rangers come in at #8. Benton has several question marks heading into the season as many wonder how they will replace Docker Tedeschi and last year’s senior group. With one returning starter in Nolan Schafer, sixth man Jaxton Wiggs, and a large group of seniors along with talented juniors and sophomores, Benton will need to put the pieces together quickly to stay in the top tier of 2A.
Carterville Lions (2A)
Last Season: 18–13 (Lost in Regional Championship to Benton 56–49)
Graduates: Drew Barrington, Parker Poole, Alex Kimbrough
Key Returners: Colton Hawkins, Maddox Gulley
Carterville graduated several major pieces including Parker Poole and Alex Kimbrough, and also lost Drew Barrington who battled injuries throughout his senior season. The Lions still return senior Colton Hawkins, a versatile all around player, and junior guard Maddox Gulley. The loss of the Wilson brothers hurts, but Carterville remains one of the stronger programs in the area.
Webber Trojans (1A)
Last Season: 27–6, Regional Champions (Lost in Sectional Semifinals to Effingham St. Anthony 68–55)
Key Returners: Nathaniel Marlow, Jacob Marlow, Waylon Jones
Webber enters the season with three straight years of 20 or more wins and three straight regional championships. The Trojans are led by All Time Leading Scorer Nathaniel Marlow, who has over 2200 career points heading into the season after averaging more than 30 points per game last year. With the loss of second scoring option Kylan Moser, Webber will need a second scoring threat, and that role could fall to sophomore Jacob Marlow or senior Waylon Jones.
Some other notable teams below and the full rankings below:
Waltonville Spartans (1A)
Last Season: 28–5, Regional Champions (Lost in Sectional Semifinals to Meridian 54-51)
Graduates: Isaiah Lamke
Key Returners: Gage Peterson, Jagger Mayville, Witten Devor
Murphysboro Red Devils (2A)
Last Season: 23-6, (Lost Regional Semifinals to Massac County 59-52)
Graduates: Cade Brooks, Amartez Bankhead, AJ Boese
Key Returners: Cash Brooks, Kemmeon Hale
Carbondale Terriers (3A)
Last Season: 11-19, (Lost in Regional Semifinals to Mt. Vernon 53-36)
Graduates: Coryion Keene
Key Returners: Jaxon Marlow-Evans, Davin Wooley, Mikaiden Greene, Chace Fike
Meridian Bobcats (1A)
Last Season: 26-9, Sectional Champions (Lost in Supersectional to Effingham (St. Anthony) 62-58)
Graduates: Antonio Flenoid, Shamar Easley, Colin Monan, Dionte Reed
Key Returners: Javionne Ranson
Edwards County (1A)
Last Season: 21-10, (Lost in Regional Semifinals to Centralia (Christ Our Rock Lutheran) 47-41)
Graduates: Cy Nelson
Key Returners: Cash Conner, Wyatt Greathouse
Herrin Tigers (2A)
Last Season: 24-8 (Lost in Regional Championship to Centralia 63-48)
Graduates: Kyrese Lukens, Jared Staple, Grady Cox
Key Returners: JJ Gwaltney, Jaxton Faulkenberry
Vienna Eagles (2A)
Last Season: 23-12, Regional Champions (Lost in Sectional Semifinals to Althoff Catholic 69-52)
Graduates: Hunter Webb, Job Winterrowd, Jacob Waters
Key Returners: Silas Krueter
Full Rankings (Numbers in parentheses indicate first place votes):
Centralia 87 (6)
Mount Vernon 79 (3)
Pinckneyville 50
Marion 50
Woodlawn 43
Nashville 38
Goreville 34
Benton 32
Carterville 18
Webber 18
Others receiving votes:
Waltonville 17, Murphysboro 16, Carbondale 11, Meridian 2