Six Teams Turning Heads to Start the 2019-20 Season
We’re roughly a quarter through the 2019-20 WIAA boy’s basketball season. Which under the radar teams have surprised thus far and are turning heads across the state with their play?
HORTONVILLE (8-0)
We went into the season talking about Kimberly and Kaukauna clashing for the Fox Valley Association title for the second-straight season. Then the Polar Bears smashed the Ghosts by 31 points.
Currently ranked No. 3 in the Prep Hoops Wisconsin Division 2 power rankings, Hortonville also has impressive 25-point victory over Wisconsin Dells (9th in D4) under their belts. The Polar Bears are 6-0 in FVA play, winning those games by an average of 22.7 ppg.
Featuring tremendous offensive balance, Hortonville has five players averaging at least 9.8 points per game, led by senior guard Cole Warning (14.2 ppg), a Ripon College commit.
MILWAUKEE KING (5-0)
Having seen King in some fall league action, I thought they’d be better than people expected. I didn’t think they’d had the best resume in Division 1 outside of Sussex Hamilton at this point in the season.
The Generals have knocked off Milwaukee Academy of Science (7th in D4), Brookfield Academy (3rd in D4), and West Allis Central, who’s expected to contend for the Woodland West crown.
King is getting a breakout season from junior guard Quinton Murrell, who is averaging better than 21 points per game in 2019-20. The Generals also have three other players averaging in double figures thus far.
WHITEFISH BAY (5-2)
The Blue Dukes lost two of their top three scorers from last season, but that’s allowed junior guard Jayden Jackson to begin to flourish. Jackson is averaging 21.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game this season.
Sitting atop the North Shore Conference, Whitefish Bay picked up a big early season win over Nicolet. Since losing their first conference game of the season to Grafton, the Blue Dukes have responded with resounding wins over Homestead and West Bend East. They’re also a buzzer-beater away from being 6-1 on the season and are currently ranked fourth in Division 2.
NEW BERLIN EISENHOWER (7-0)
This team just always seems to exceed expectations. This is a program that hasn’t had any major individual talent in recent memory, but has still managed to win at least 14 games in each of the last five seasons, including two 20-win campaigns while playing in a very tough conference.
Currently leading the Woodland West, Eisenhower hasn’t been tested a ton yet, but topped a good Wisconsin Lutheran team 67-66 on Dec. 10. Filled with a bunch of players with no ego or agenda, the Lions have four players averaging at least 13.0 ppg this season — Zach Hietpas (16.0 ppg), Ben Buechel (15.6 ppg), Sam Ludwig (15.4 ppg), and Josh Crubaugh (13.0 ppg).
WRIGHTSTOWN (6-0)
This team was 20-5 a season ago, sharing a very top heavy Northeastern Conference and reaching sectionals. Their top two leading scorers graduated, one of which was UW-Stevens Point guard Mayson Hazaert (24.3 ppg). Yet the Tigers find themselves with an unblemished record through the first quarter-ish of the season.
Wrightstown wasn’t a preseason top 10 pick, but have risen to No. 5 in the latest Prep Hoops Wisconsin Division 3 power rankings. The Tigers already have two resume building wins over Freedom and Mineral Point. They’ve had two players step up big this season in junior guard Sam Haese (17.5 ppg) and senior guard Tyler Kroes ( 15.3 ppg).
WAUNAKEE (6-1)
This team is going to be a tough out in March. The Warriors can grind you offensively, spread the floor with shooters, they get after it on the offensive glass, and they also play exceptional team defense.
Waunakee opened the season with a big road win at Monroe (No. 10 in D2). They also have an underrated win over Oconomowoc and were shorthanded in a five-point loss to Wauwatosa East. Sophomore forward Andrew Keller (14.1 ppg) is having a breakout season and creating ton of matchup problems.
Others of Note: Hudson (5-1), Madison La Follette (5-0), Wisconsin Lutheran (5-1), Arrowhead (6-1), Lourdes Academy (5-0), Crivitz (5-1), Almond-Bancroft (7-0).