Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, NY2LA Sports breaks down the race in the North Shore Conference…
PROJECTED STANDINGS
1. Homestead
2. Nicolet
3. Cedarburg
4. Port Washington
5. Slinger
6. Whitefish Bay
7. Grafton
8. West Bend West
9. Hartford
10. West Bend East
THE FAVORITE – Homestead
It’s an open race at the top, but Homestead may be able to overthow Nicolet this season, even though leading scorer Tim Franks is now at St. Thomas. Senior Trevor Polite (13.2 ppg) gets better and better with age. This group isn’t as deep as it was a year ago, but the emergence of sophomore guard Michael Rogers (6.5 ppg) could push Homestead over the top.
DARK HORSE – Nicolet
The Knights have to replace the former top-ranked player in the state in Davion Hannah. Regardless, Nicolet still has a very good backcourt punch in senior David Bolden (10.3 ppg) and junior Rashaad Davis (11.9 ppg).
MOST IMPROVED – Port Washington
While the Pirates finished ninth in the North Shore, they still won five league games in 2023-24. After starting 0-13, Port Washington finished the rest of the year 7-6 and won three of their last four. Four double-figure scorer are back, including junior guard Cal Loose (13.2 ppg).
PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE
FIRST TEAM
G Rashaad Davis – Jr. – Nicolet
G David Bolden – Sr. – Nicolet
G Logan Zahour – Sr. – Cedarburg
W Jack Kohnen – So. – Slinger
W Trevor Polite – Jr. – Homestead
SECOND TEAM
G Marcus Webb – Jr. – Whitefish Bay
G Carson Bauer – Sr. – West Bend West
G Griffin French – Sr. – Cedarburg
G Michael Rogers Jr. – Jr. – Homestead
G Cal Loose – Jr. – Port Washington
PLAYER OF THE YEAR – David Bolden
Bolden was just an honorable mention All-North Shore pick last season. A real travesty considering the league votes three teams. The straw that stirs the drink for Nicolet, Bolden averaged 10 points, five assists, and four rebounds per game. With Davion Hannah taking his talents to Link Academy, Bolden showed over the summer he’s ready to be “the guy” and should explode as a senior.
BREAKOUT PLAYER – Michael Rogers Jr.
Homestead brought Rogers along slowly last season. Coming off a big summer, Rogers should form a nice 1-2 punch with Trevor Polite. One of the state’s top shooters, Rogers has in-the-gym range. As a freshman, Rogers gave the Highlanders seven points per game while knocking down 37 triples.