Turning the page: SEC boys hoops

The Southeast Conference boys basketball season is three games in. The holiday break gives all six teams a chance to step back and reassess after a fast paced start to the season before the campaign resumes in 2026.

Keokuk has set the tone and remains the only unbeaten SEC team after three games. The Chiefs (4-1, 3-0) have just one loss to No. 5 Pella, the No. 5 ranked team in Class 3A, and have defeated Burlington, Fairfield and Washington in conference play so far.

Reigning SEC Player of the Year Jaxon Clark looks poised to retain the honor this season. He’s averaging a staggering 37.8 points per game and dropped 51 in the Chiefs’ win over Fairfield on Dec. 19. He also leads the league in rebounding at 17.8 per game.

Washington also had its hands full with Clark, but the 78-42 defeat remains its only loss in conference play. The Demons are tied with Burlington at 2-1 in the SEC with wins over Fairfield and Mt. Pleasant. They also have the second best overall record among conference teams at 5-2.

The Demons are propelled by a trio of double digit scorers in Drew Conrad (15.6 points per game), Nic Stone (12.9) and Rajan Roth (12.1). They also average the fewest points allowed per game in the SEC at 53.

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Fairfield and MP both sit at 1-5 overall, including 1-2 starts to SEC play. Both teams lost to Washington and have wins over Ft. Madison - the Bloodhounds (0-6) are the only winless SEC team heading into the new year.

The Panthers also suffered a defeat to Burlington. MP has dealt with some injury woes, playing without Noah Lange and Ryan Helling, who both ranked in the top three on the team in scoring last season.

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Sophomore Isaiah Lange has been a bright spot so far, averaging 12.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Aiden Humble has built off his All-SEC honorable mention honor a year ago, averaging 12.3 points.

Fairfield’s other defeat in league play came against Keokuk. In nonconference play, the Trojans also came narrowly close to victories over Ottumwa and Hillcrest Academy, losing both by a combined 10 points.

Ethan Bisgard has led the way, scoring 13.8 points per game. Eli Zillman has been a strong presence in the paint, averaging 7.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.

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Here are the current SEC boys basketball standings, leaders and the upcoming games for all six teams.

2025-26 SEC standings

1. Keokuk 4-1 (3-0)

2. Washington 5-2 (2-1)

2. Burlington 3-4 (2-1)

4. Fairfield 1-5 (1-2)

4. Mt. Pleasant 1-5 (1-2)

6. Ft. Madison 0-6 (0-3)

Scoring leaders

1. Jaxon Clark (SR), Keokuk - 37.8 ppg

2. Jett Morris (SO), Burlington - 17.4 ppg

3. Nolan Guzman (SR), Ft. Madison - 17.2 ppg

4. Drew Conrad (SR), Washington - 15.6 ppg

5. Ethan Bisgard (JR), Fairfield - 13.8 ppg

6. Nic Stone (JR), Washington - 12.9 ppg

7. Isaiah Lange (SO), Mt. Pleasant - 12.7 ppg

8. Aiden Humble (SR), Mt. Pleasant - 12.3 ppg

9. Rajan Roth (SR), Washington - 12.1 ppg

10. Michael Kantzavelos (SR), - 11.0 ppg

Rebounding leaders

1. Jaxon Clark (SR), Keokuk - 17.8 rpg

2. Isaiah Lange (SO), Mt. Pleasant - 9.2 rpg

3. Eli Zillman (SR), Fairfield - 8.3 rpg

4. Rajan Roth (SR), Washington - 8.3 rpg

5. Andrew Myers (SR), Fairfield - 5.8 rpg

6. Keegan Heaton (JR), Mt. Pleasant - 5.3 rpg

7. Grayson Lowery (JR), Mt. Pleasant - 4.8 rpg

7. Nolan Smith (SR), Fairfield - 4.8 rpg

7. Ezekiel Groves (SO), Ft. Madison - 4.8 rpg

10. Nic Stone (JR), Washington - 4.6 rpg

10. Cj Chandler (SR), Burlington - 4.6 rpg

Assist leaders

1. Michael Kantzavelos (SR), Burlington - 4.0 apg

2. Drew Conrad (SR), Washington - 3.6 apg

3. Andrew Myers (SR), Fairfield - 3.5 apg

3. Aurelio Jaciunde (SO), Ft. Madison - 3.5 apg

5. Jaxon Clark (SR), Keokuk - 3.0 apg

6. Brody Clark (JR), Mt. Pleasant - 2.8 apg

7. Jalen Clark (SO), Keokuk - 2.8 apg

8. Kyler Beelman (SO), Keokuk - 2.5 apg

8. Lincoln Wray (JR), Keokuk - 2.5 apg