Southern Lakes Conference Preview
Looking ahead to the 2018-19 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Southern Lakes Conference…
PROJECTED STANDINGS
1. Westosha Central
2. Elkhorn
3. Union Grove
4. Lake Geneva Badger
5. Burlington
6. Wilmot
7. Waterford
8. Delavan-Darien
FAVORITE
After a run to the Division 2 state semifinals last season, Westosha Central reloads with three of their top four scorers from a year ago. The Falcons were very hot down the stretch, winning 10 of their final 12 games, only falling to reigning Southern Lakes champ Union Grove and eventual D2 champ Kaukauna.
DARK HORSE
Elkhorn could give Westosha Central a run for their money in 2018-19. The Elks return four of their top five scorers from last season, including three seniors. Elkhorn also has one of the best defenders in the conference in Chance Larson.
SURPRISE TEAM
There’s a lot of rebuilding going on within the conference and most of the returning talent lies in Elkhorn and Westosha Central. After winning just three games last season, Badger could take a significant step forward. Leading scorer Kale Rodgers (14.2 ppg) is back as is Grant Dumez (10.6 ppg), another double figure scorer. The Badgers have a good mix of quality guard play, size, and mobility in the post.
PROJECTED FIRST-TEAM ALL CONFERENCE
G Luke Umnus – Elkhorn
G Kale Rodgers – Lake Geneva Badger
G Jaeden Zackery – Westosha Central
F Sam Rampulla – Union Grove
F Dylan Anderson – Westosha Central
SECOND TEAM
G Vince Umnus – Elkhorn
G Grant Dumez – Lake Geneva Badger
G Adam Simmons – Westosha Central
G Reese Crull – Delavan-Darien
F Kevin Brenner – Wilmot
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Should be no doubt that Jaeden Zackery takes home this award in 2018-19. A do-it-all guard and leader, Zackery averaged 17.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game last season. Zackery will also push for first-team All-State honors in Division 2 as well.
BREAKOUT PLAYER
Union Grove is in the midst of a major roster turnover. The Broncos lose their top three scorers from last season’s conference championship squad and will turn to junior Sam Rampulla to carry the load. Last season, Rampulla averaged nearly 8 ppg while shooting 56.1 percent from the field.
SURPRISE PLAYER
Reese Crull doesn’t get a lot of attention and when your team goes 2-21 you go even more under the radar. The senior wing is a nice all-around prospect, who averaged 12.3 points per game on 56.1 percent shooting. He also grabbed 6.5 boards per contest. Delavan-Darien loses some key seniors from last season, which will force Crull to increase his output in 2018-19.