2019-20 Preseason Rankings: Division 3

Who are the top 10 teams in Division 3 heading into the 2019-20 season? 

1. RACINE ST. CATHERINE’S

2018-19 Record: 21-4

WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Martin Luther in the sectional semifinals

Key Players: Tyrese Hunter (14.8 ppg),  Kamari McGee (10.8 ppg),  Elijah Lambert (6.9 ppg)

OUTLOOK

The Angels have to find a way to replace Quinn Cafferty and  Azarien Stephens, but their stellar backcourt of Hunter and McGee is about as good as it gets. Two top 12 prospects in the 2021 class, Hunter and McGee are each capable of taking over games. Of their four losses last season, two  St. Catherine’s fell twice to the eventual D3 champ Martin Luther. This group also ended the year on  a surge, losing just one game after Jan. 4. 

2. SAINT JOHN’S NW MILITARY ACADEMY

2018-19 Record: 22-2

WIAA Playoff Finish:  Lost to St. Catherine’s in the regional finals

Key Players: Brandin Podziemski (22.2 ppg), Gerald Gittens (15.8 ppg), Brennan Timm

OUTLOOK

There’s a lot of good cases for SJNMA being No. 1 on this list, starting with their backcourt. Both Gittens and Podziemski had huge summers on the travel circuit and are coming in different in 2019-20.  The addition of Timm will help soften the blow of losing James Kelley as well. The reigning Midwest Classic Conference champions will have to go through the Angels to get to the state tournament, while the winner could very well be holding the gold ball when all is said and done.

3.  EAST TROY

2018-19 Record: 21-2

WIAA Playoff Finish:  Lost to Elkhorn in the regional finals

Key Players: A.J. Vukovich (26.5 ppg),  Quinten Lottig (12.0 ppg), Collin Terpstra, Chase Cummings (7.3 ppg)

OUTLOOK

The Trojans were stunned by Elkhorn in a loaded sectional last season.  There won’t be nearly as much standing between them and Madison in 2019-20.  Louisville baseball commit  A.J. Vukovich is back for his senior season.  East Troy will have to replace  Michael Polakowski (19.2 ppg), but  there are a couple of young players ready  like Cummings and Terpstra ready to boost this roster.

4. PRESCOTT

2018-19 Record: 19-5

WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Saint Croix Central in the regional finals

Key Players: Parker Nielsen (25.6 ppg), Jacob Doffing (15.5 ppg), Dylan Malmlov (9.2 ppg)

OUTLOOK

There’s probably a bad taste in Prescott’s mouth after not being able to reach the sectionals, falling to a team that finished well below them in the Middle Border Conference. West Texas  A&M commit Parker Nielsen  returns for his senior season. The  Cardinals have plenty of depth and support as well with Doffing and Malmov, who were capable scorers last season.

5. LAKE COUNTY LUTHERAN

2018-19 Record: 19-5

WIAA Playoff Finish:  Lost to Dominican in the regional finals

Key Players: Luke Haertle (16.9 ppg), Joey Bratz (13.7 ppg), Zech Hans (8.3 ppg), Zander Mueller (7.9 ppg)

OUTLOOK

You have to be high on this team with a player like Haertle, who elevates his game against the best and has that clutch gene. The sophomore had a big first season on the varsity level and with Lake County Lutheran graduating a couple of seniors from last season, his impact on the game is only going up.  This team has a really tough sectional with Dominican, St. Catherine’s SJNMA, East Troy,  and Brown Deer all in their way, but LCL will be battle tested going through the Midwest Classic Conference.

6. DOMINICAN

2018-19 Record: 17-8

WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to  Brookfield Academy in the sectional semifinals

Key Players: Alex Antetokounmpo (19.2 ppg),  Delone Austin (10.7 ppg),  Ben Jelacic (9.7 ppg), Jamari McGee (7.8 ppg), 

OUTLOOK

The Knights have just about everything back from a team that won 17 games and finished third in a very strong Midwest Classic Conference. In fact, three of their eight losses took place outside the state of Wisconsin.  Antetokounmpo is in store for a special senior season, while Auston, Jelacic, and McGee can all help shoulder the load. Dominican should get bigger contributions from Eferin Burns and Ronald Kirk, who are a couple of sleepers on their roster.

7. OOSTBURG

2018-19 Record: 18-6

WIAA Playoff Finish:  Lost to Howards Grove in the regional finals

Key Players: Cam Jaeger (17.3 ppg),  Ashtin Smies (11.1 ppg),   Derek Oonk (9.2 ppg),  Braden Dirkse (8.9 ppg)

OUTLOOK

There won’t be a shortage of depth and experience on this team. Oostburg returns four of their top five scorers from last season and will benefit from playing in a loaded Big East – North Conference last season that had four teams win 10 league games or more in a 13-game conference slate.

8. WISCONSIN DELLS

2018-19 Record: 20-6

WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to  Northwestern in the sectional finals

Key Players: Brett Hirst (11.2 ppg),  Riley Eck (10. 8 ppg), Bryson Funmaker (9.3 ppg),  Sam Millard (8.8 ppg)

OUTLOOK

 There’s a unique selflessness and balance with the Chiefs. Dells has four different players they can turn to make a key play or get a bucket. The reigning South Central Conference champions, do have replace their leading scorer from last season, but  weren’t overly reliant on one particular player anyway. 

9. BELOIT TURNER

2018-19 Record: 17-8

WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Martin Luther in the sectional final

Key Players: Jordan Majeed (18.4 ppg), Dai’Vontrelle Strong (11.1 ppg)

OUTLOOK

Turner moves to the Evansville sectional, which could get them a berth to the state tournament. Majeed is perhaps the best player you’ve never heard of and can score on just about anyone in this state. Strong should provide a toughness and tone on the interior to form a terrific 1-2 punch.

10. BROWN DEER

2018-19 Record: 13-12

WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Brookfield Academy in the regional finals

Key Players: Armani Jones, Mark Wade (12.6 ppg),  Jeremiah Dotson (10.3 ppg),

OUTLOOK

The Falcons were surprisingly just over .500 last season. With a new head coach and a transfer pickup in Jones from Milwaukee Academy of Science, expect the energy to increase a few notches. Juniors Wade and Dotson have now been through the grind  and look like steady, veteran playmakers. Jones is a monster scorer  that will change games with his speed and shooting ability.

Honorable Mention: Martin Luther, Xavier, Wrightstown, Mauston, Golda Meir, Prairie du Chien, Marshall, Freedom, Laconia,  Kewaunee, Shoreland Lutheran, Sheboygan Falls