Looking back and ahead: Southwestern Conference

Throughout the next week we will take a look back at the conferences in southern Illinois and  the results of the 2017-2018 season. We will look at the standings and the All Conference/Top players that will return for the 2018-2019 season. we will share a little insight and then later on in the summer/fall we will get more in depth by team in a full preview of next season. We will begin with the Southwestern Conference. The final standings for last year were: <ol> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt">1. Edwardsville 14-0</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt">2. O'Fallon 11-3.</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt">3. Belleville East 11-3</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt">4. East St Louis 6-8</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt">5. Collinsville 6-8</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt">6. Alton 4-10</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt">7. Belleville West 4-10</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 12pt">8. Granite City 0-14</span></li> </ol> Since going 12-2 in the 2008-2009 season Edwardsville has only lost one conference game. With a strong senior class the Tigers were able to again get through the conference without a loss. Coach Blade's team took an undefeated season in to the state tournament where they came home with the 4th place trophy. Belleville East gave the Tigers all they wanted and more in the Regional Championship game and look ready to have a strong season. All conference players returning for 2018-2019 include: <ul> <li>B'Aunce Carter 5'11 Senior Belleville East</li> <li>Kaylah Rainey 5'7 Senior Belleville East</li> <li>Mya Glanton 6'0 Senior East St Louis</li> <li>Shania Nun 6'1 Junior Belleville West</li> <li>Faith Liljegren 5'6 Junior Collinsville</li> <li>Querra Love 5'4 Junior Edwardsville</li> <li>Makayla Best 5'6 Junior O'Fallon</li> <li>Ivoree Lacy 6'0 Junior Alton</li> <li>Ashley Schloer 5'7 Senior O'Fallon</li> <li>Darriel Hicks 5'8 Senior East St Louis</li> <li>Bryce Dowell 5'7 Senior Belleville East</li> </ul> The upcoming season should be an exciting one in the conference, which loses Granite City this year, as Edwardsville tries to reload and continue their dominance of the conference standings. Belleville East may be without Rainey for part or all of the year as she was reported to have suffered a knee injury during the summer. If so, they will have to rely heavily on the inside play of Carter and the athleticism of Dowell and others to make up for the Northwestern commit. East St Louis made a strong run in the 3A playoffs and looks to maintain that momentum into the 2018-2019 season. More detailed previews of each team will be coming over the next few months as we look forward to what should be a great conference race. <ol> <li></li> </ol>