NY2LA Sports reveals our preseason top 10 rankings in Division 1…
1. De Pere
2023-24 Record: 26-2
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Arrowhead in the Sectional Finals
Key Losses: Will Hornesth (16.6 ppg), Ben Willihnganz (6.6 ppg)
The Redbirds were denied back-to-back state titles, getting upset by Arrowhead in the sectional finals. De Pere will have to cope without Hornseth, now at Northern Iowa, but there’s still plenty in the cupboard. Wisconsin commit Zach Kinziger (19.9 ppg) leads a formidable group capable of winning the gold ball for the second time in three seasons. Kinziger has plenty of help as Northern Michigan commit Pryce Gregoire (10.4 ppg) and Roan Demovksy (7.0 ppg) are capable of taking a lot off his plate.
2. Eau Claire Memorial
2023-24 Record: 18-7
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Appleton East in Regional Finals
Key Losses: N/A
Could this be the 2024-25 version of Marquette? Like the Hilltoppers last season, Memorial returns just about everything and will have as good of a senior class as anyone in the state. An injury to leading scorer Cooper Jesperson (20.3 ppg) derailed last season’s potential run. However, the Old Abes were still able to win the Big Rivers Conference. ECM is loaded with college talent, including Wesley Mboga (13.8 ppg), Julius Clark (13.0 ppg), and Bryce Hedtke (7.8 ppg). This core all runs together in the AAU circuit as well, giving the Old Abes chemistry that can’t be replicated.
3. Homestead
2023-24 Record: 20-7
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to De Pere in the Sectional Semifinals
Key Losses: Tim Franks (27.6 ppg), Tommy O’Hagan (8.3 ppg)
While Franks, now at St. Thomas, is gone, this might be Homestead’s best shot to reach the state tournament and finally get over that hump in a loaded sectional. The Highlanders were one play away from upsetting De Pere in the sectional semifinals. Banking on the growth of Trevor Polite (13.2 ppg) and Michael Rogers Jr. (6.5 ppg) to take big steps forward.
4. Marshfield
2023-24 Record: 25-3
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Neenah in the sectional finals
Key Losses: N/A
Another team that has a chip on its shoulder, Marshfield was poised to reach Madison until falling to Cinderella story, Neenah, in the sectional finals. Just about everything is back for the Tigers, including guard Brooks Hinson (16.8 ppg) who runs a team arguably as well as anyone in the state. Chris Pohl (14.6 ppg) and Landon Lee (11.9) make up a dynamic and well-rounded trio for Marshfield, who went unscathed in Wisconsin Valley Conference play last season.
5. Oshkosh North
2023-24 Record: 20-6
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Germantown in the Regional Finals
Key Losses: Stevie Clark (22.4 ppg)
The reigning Fox Valley Association champs will build around Iowa State commit Xzavion Mitchell (25.7 ppg) this winter. While Clark, now at Colgate, will be one of the most difficult players to replace, the emergence of forward Bryce Ott (10.7 ppg) gives the Spartans a chance to break through and advance to the Kohl Center in March. However, depth will once again be an issue for North.
6. Pewaukee
2023-24 Record: 25-5
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Wisconsin Lutheran in the state championship
Key Losses: Nick Janowski (30.8 ppg), Owen Hale (10.2 ppg)
Following three state titles in four seasons, the Janowski era is now over in Pewaukee. The Pirates also move up to Division 1 after competing in the D2 championship game in 2023-24. St. Thomas commit Luka Momcilovic (12.3 ppg) takes over this powerhouse program. The younger brother of Iowa State star Milan Momcilovic, Luka, has make drastic gains over the last three seasons. If junior forward Tyler Tiutczenko (8.6 ppg) and senior guard Isaiah Robinson (5.7 ppg) take the steps forward they’re capable of, the Pirates could get back on top of the Woodland West.
7. Wisconsin Lutheran
2023-24 Record: 30-0
WIAA Playoff Finish: Defeated Pewaukee in the Division 2 state championship
Key Losses: Kon Knueppel (25.9 ppg), Logan Rindfleisch (13.9 ppg)
Like their Woodland West counterpart, Lutheran moves up to Division 1 this season. It’s not a full rebuild for the Vikings, who have to replace the Duke standout, Knueppel, but there’s still plenty in the cupboard. Look for junior wing Zavier Zens (9.9 ppg) and senior guard Isaiah Mellock (8.6 ppg) to have breakout seasons. Sophomore Kager Knueppel (1.4 ppg) should also increase his production from 2023-24.
8. Sun Prairie East
2023-24 Record: 16-9
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Verona in the regional semifinals
Key Losses: Gavin Van Wie (18.2 ppg)
Adding Chris Davis Jr. (40.1 ppg), the state’s leading scorer last season, makes the Cardinals and immediate threat. East already had some good pieces in junior guards Max Raimer (17.7 ppg) and Trystan Frye (10.8 ppg). Now that the Cardinals have a bonafide star, they could be Kohl Center bound in March.
9. Kettle Moraine
2023-24 Record: 25-4
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Marquette in the state semifinals
Key Losses: Will Stuckey (17.4 ppg), Nathan Vuillaume (11.2 ppg)
The Lasers have reached the state tournament in back-to-back seasons. Can they get to Madison for a third year in a row? Things will look a little different, but Kettle Moraine can bank on the play of two senior guards, who are coming off breakout summers, Roman Thompson (11.5 ppg) and Ben Bestor (8.6 ppg).
10. West Allis Central
2023-24 Record: 16-12
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Marquette in the sectional finals
Key Losses: N/A
This team will be young, but very, very talented. The Bulldogs quietly won 16 games last season, but were overshadowed in the Woodland West featuring Pewaukee and Wisconsin Lutheran. Central gets its top six scorers back, including junior guard Yusef Gray Jr. (19.6 ppg) and sophomore wing Max Jones (15.5 ppg). This group, who had just one upperclassman in its core in 2023-24, took eventual state champion, Marquette, down to the wire in the sectional semifinals.
Honorable Mention: Germantown, Madison La Follette, Appleton North Middleton, Verona, Arrowhead, Kaukauna