Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, NY2LA Sports releases our preseason top 10 rankings in Division 2…
1. Whitnall
2023-24 Record: 19-7
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Wisconsin Lutheran in Regional Finals
Key Losses: Brody Parkinson (10.2 ppg)
Division 2 has been depleted with transfers and attrition. Whitnall might be the safest bet early on in the season. The Falcons have one of the best backcourts in the state in seniors Jack Lutz (23.5 ppg) and Myles Herro (13.5 ppg). This group has state tournament experience as well and have won the Woodland East Conference fours year in a row.
2. Wauwatosa West
2023-24 Record: 18-9
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Pewaukee in Sectional Semifinals
Key Losses: Kai Rogers (20.0 ppg)
Losing Rogers to Overtime Elite is a tough pill to swallow. However, the Trojans do get back senior guard Jake Hansen (17.1 ppg), one of the state’s top shooters, and sophomore guard Jalen Brown (14.2 ppg), a rising Division 1 prospect. West also has one of the best two-way role players in the state in junior Matthew Kloskey (11.9 ppg).
3. West De Pere
2023-24 Record: 16-9
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Notre Dame in Regionals
Key Losses: N/A
This group is going to completely reload and might be the favorites to win the Bay Conference. West De Pere gets its top five scorers back from last season, including three double figure performers. The Phantoms are led by senior guard Bryce Borowicz (16.9 ppg). If sophomore center Tref Rademaker (13.8 ppg) blossoms quickly, this could be a state tournament team.
4. Nicolet
2023-24 Record: 24-5
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Wisconsin Lutheran in the state semifinals
Key Losses: Davion Hannah (19.4 ppg), Nacir Beamon (17.9 ppg)
Had Hannah stuck around for his senior season, this would be the clear frontrunner in Division 2. That being said, senior guard David Bolden (10.3 ppg), a NJIT commit, and junior guard Rashaad Davis (11.9 ppg) should be enough to keep the Knights relevant. A lot will be on their place however as Nicolet also lost some really good role players.
5. Mount Horeb
2023-24 Record: 21-6
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Stoughton in sectional semifinals
Key Losses: Nick Vorwald (15.4 ppg)
Junior guard Josh Manchester (24.1 ppg) has proven to be one of the state’s premier scorers. However, Mount Horeb has a variety of weapons that can shoulder the load as well. Manchester’s running mate, Zach Maguire (9.0 ppg) provides some quality floor spacing ability. Look for sophomore Alex Chapman (3.4 ppg) to make some big strides this winter and possibly be the x-factor that gets the Vikings over the hump and to the Kohl Center.
6. Waterford
2023-24 Record: 15-10
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Whitnall in regional semifinals
Key Losses: Adam Chart (13.1 ppg)
The Wolverines should be a sneaky good team in 2024-25. Waterford had two players go through breakout springs/summers in Caden Gustafson (17.2 ppg) and Jamison Beesley (11.2 ppg). Think this will be one of the better backcourts that people aren’t talking about going into the season.
7. Stoughton
2023-24 Record: 24-4
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Pewaukee in the sectional finals
Key Losses: Ty Fernholz (19.3 ppg), Sawyer Schipper (13.2 ppg).
Stoughton lost a pair of all-conference players and college prospects, but you have to feel good about Jacob Hibner (10.5 ppg) getting the keys to the car. Few players had a bigger summer than the junior guard, who very well could double his scoring output. Also keep an eye on 6-foot-6 forward Carter Sullivan (8.0 ppg), who is a strong, mobile, and intriguing post prospect.
8. Wausau East
2023-24 Record: 19-8
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to River Falls in the sectional semifinals
Key Losses: N/A
The Lumberjacks are going to reload after a 19-win season and get their top three scorers back – all seniors. Jesse Napgezek (18.7 ppg), Charlie Cayley (13.3 ppg), and Jayden Garrett (9.7 ppg) are each All-Conference talents in the Wisconsin Valley. While Napgezek leads the team in scoring, Cayley is pulling down nearly 10 rebounds per game while Garrett averages six assists. The stars could be aligned here for East to make a big run in March.
9. West Salem
2023-24 Record: 25-4
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Pewaukee in the state semifinals
Key Losses: Tamarrein Henderson (19.3 ppg)
It’s not quite rebuilding time for West Salem after three consecutive trips to the state tournament, but it will be an uphill battle to return. Senior Kyle Hehli (16.7 ppg) and junior Nathan Dillabear (8.6) give the Panthers a formidable 1-2 punch. Despite the loss of Henderson, this is still a very deep team.
10. Ashwaubenon
2023-24 Record:
WIAA Playoff Finish:
Key Losses: Drew Tomashek (19.1 ppg), Jayden Schoen (14.5 ppg), Jackson Sims (13.5 ppg).
Yes, the losses are huge. But so was an off-season addition. Amari Allen, a national four-star and top 100 prospect is returning to Wisconsin for his senior season and will suit up for the Jaguars this winter. The Alabama commit, along with junior forward Carson Dorgu (5.5 ppg) will make Ashwaubenon a threat in the Fox River Classic.
Honorable Mention: Rice Lake, River Falls, Mosinee, Plymouth, Whitefish Bay, Brookfield Central, Golda Meir, Beaver Dam, Ashwaubenon, Notre Dame, Milwaukee Bradley Tech, Racine Park