Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, NY2LA Sports breaks down the race in the Greater Metro Conference…
PROJECTED STANDINGS
1. Wauwatosa West
2. Brookfield Central
3. Germantown
4. Sussex Hamilton
5. Brookfield East
6. Wauwatosa East
7. Marquette
8. West Allis Hale
9. Menomonee Falls
THE FAVORITE – Wauwatosa West
Even though Kai Rogers is gone, this could be West’s second conference title in three seasons. The Trojans still return a formidable duo of senior guard Jake Hansen (17.1 ppg) and sophomore guard Jalen Brown (14.2 ppg). Junior wing Matthew Kloskey (11.9 ppg) is also one of the best two-way and role players in the state.
DARK HORSE – Brookfield Central
The Greater Metro has lost so much talent over the past few seasons. It’s really a wide open race. I would ride with the Lancers in this spot. Senior guard Anthony Rise (12.8 ppg) is coming off a very good July. He’s going to take a lot of steps forward moving into that alpha spot. Keep tabs on junior Henry Gruetzmacher (7.2 ppg) for a breakout season as well.
MOST IMPROVED – Wauwatosa East
Since their state title run, the Red Raiders have yet to rebuild. After winning just four games in 2023-24, including three in Greater Metro play, Tosa East should be on the way back up. Senior guard T.J. Ricketts (11.8 ppg) was one of the biggest surprises in the state during the travel season. The Red Raiders also get back three of their top five scorers from last season.
PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE
G Cahlil Jones – Jr. – Germantown
G Anthony Rise – Sr. – Brookfield Central
G T.J. Ricketts – Sr. – Wauwatosa East
G Jalen Brown – So. – Wauwatosa West
G Jake Hansen – Sr. – Wauwatosa West
F Henry Gruetzmacher – Jr. – Brookfield Central
PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Jalen Brown
The league has lost a lot of talent. Brown will be arguably the most difficult player to stop this winter. Coming off a terrific freshman season in which he averaged he averaged 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game next to a pair of Division 1 prospects, Brown is coming for heads as a sophomore. Tosa West plays the 6-foot-3 guard/wing a lot on the ball. His all-around ability is simply dynamic at the point guard spot.
BREAKOUT PLAYER – Henry Gruetzmacher
Gruetzmacher seems to be coming into his own and should be in store for a nice junior season. A two-year varsity performer already, Gruetzmacher averaged just over seven points per game last season. A skilled, versatile forward, Gruetzmacher shot an impressive 69 percent from the field in that No. 4 role for Central while also grabbing 5.4 rebounds per outing.
SURPRISE PLAYER – Zeke Sawall
The Spartans were led pretty heavily by Andrew Graf last season. Sawall was second on the team at 7.3 ppg. The senior wing had some nice flashes last season, including 18 points against Menomonee Falls in the playoffs and 15 versus Kettle Moraine, who reached the state tournament.