SEC Friday: It all comes down to this

There’s nothing better than an end of the season race between some of the top teams in the state. That’s exactly what fans and spectators will see play out with in the final Southeast Conference matchups of the season.

Now three-time defending SEC Conference champions No. 3 Washington (16-3, 8-1) can make it an outright conference title with a win over Keokuk (4-14, 0-9) on Friday. If it’s anything like the last time these two met, a 65-49 victory for Washington, the Demons will find themselves at the top once again.

For Washington, this is also a game to get back on track after suffering just their third defeated of the season, coming from the hands of the No. 6 team in 2A, Williamsburg.

With a loss and a Fort Madison (15-3, 7-2) win, the Demons and Bloodhounds will share the SEC title.

The Bloodhounds have a tough contest, facing the team that added the first blemish to their then perfect record run, a tough gritty Burlington Greyhound (12-7, 7-2) squad. The Greyhounds also have a chance to tie for the SEC title with a win and a Washington loss.

For the Panthers of Mt. Pleasant (8-11, 3-6), this is a chance to secure sole possession of fourth in the conference. For the Fairfield Trojans (8-10, 2-7), it’s a chance to take a piece of fourth.

It’s sure to be an exciting matchup. In the last meeting between the two teams, the Panthers edged the Trojans 50-48 in Fairfield. The Trojans held a 33-31 lead heading into the fourth, but a 19-15 fourth by the Panthers put them on top.

Fairfield has been red-hot of late, winning four straight including a tight three point loss to then No. 1 Fort Madison.

Mt. Pleasant will be looking to end a two game skid, after previously winning four straight. The Panthers fell to Burlington and to Ottumwa by two.

On the girls side of things, Fairfield (12-7, 6-3) and Mt. Pleasant (10-10, 4-5) are facing off in what history says will be an epic clash.

Just this season the Trojans and Panthers put together one of the better performances of the year in a down to the wire slugfest. Thanks to a Delaney Breen game winner, Fairfield was able to edge the Panthers 52-48.

The clash between Fairfield and Mt. Pleasant is the sole SEC girls game of the week.

SEC BOYS BASKETBALL STANDINGS

1. Washington 8-1, 16-3

T-2. Fort Madison 7-2, 15-3

T-2. Burlington 7-2, 12-7

4. Mt. Pleasant 3-6, 8-11

5. Fairfield 2-7, 8-10

6. Keokuk 0-9, 4-14

SEC GIRLS BASKETBALL STANDINGS

1. Keokuk 10-0, 17-3

T-2. Fort Madison 6-3, 15-4

T-2. Fairfield 6-3, 12-7

4. Mt. Pleasant 4-5, 10-10

5. Washington 2-8, 3-17

6. Burlington 0-9, 0-18