Biggest Conference Changes Next Season

<p>With departures finalized, we have a reliable outline of next season’s conference layouts. Below, Prep Hoops Wisconsin dives into the conferences that will change the most, whether that’s team standings or the individual prospects that influence it.</p> <p>Woodland-West:<br /> Perhaps no other conference will experience a youth-takeover quite like the one happening in the Woodland-West conference. Wisconsin Lutheran won the conference last season with three freshmen in its top seven scorers (and they lose just one senior in that group). Pewaukee finished second in the conference with each of its top three scorers in the 2022 or 2023 class. Meanwhile, 2022 forward [player_tooltip player_id="761411" first="Najashi" last="Tolefree"] could make strides as the Leader of West Allis Central, and New Berlin Eisenhower’s [player_tooltip player_id="880038" first="Sam" last="Ludwig"] returns as a senior after averaging 18.6 points per game in an electrifying junior year</p> <p>Rock Valley:<br /> With moving parts all around, let’s start with reigning conference champion East Troy. They lose their biggest piece in AJ Vukovic but have Ryan Nixon, [player_tooltip player_id="865845" first="Chase" last="Cummings"] and other talents capable of staying atop the conference. The other top teams are also in flux. Turner loses its top two scorers, Evansville takes a major hit to their offensive core and Edgerton’s roster was chipped away by similar turnover. On the other end of the spectrum, Whitewater returns each of their key pieces, Big Foot’s leading sophomore scorer Gus Foster makes his comeback, and McFarland will have three seniors leading their roster. </p> <p>East Central:<br /> After significant turnover for most of the top teams, the East Central conference will see a slate of new prospects impacting the standings. Hunter Ingles returns for Winneconne as likely the top player in the conference. 2022 guard Austin Wagner will take over for Kettle Moraine Lutheran after playing a key role in last year’s success. Also, Grant Schneider and Riley Brooks return for Ripon after both averaging double-figures on offense.</p> <p>North Eastern:<br /> Despite [player_tooltip player_id="881021" first="Aiden" last="Polzin"] and [player_tooltip player_id="880987" first="Zach" last="Mashlan"] graduating, there are a handful of prospects returning with high potential. 2022 forward [player_tooltip player_id="950096" first="Donovan" last="Short"] showed his versatility and all-around potential this season and could make a significant jump after a summer running with Phenom University. Waupaca’s Hunter Marcom averaged 18.2 points and 9.8 rebounds a game last season, bringing a size presence that’s unmatched in the conference. Sam Haese led Wrightstown to a 24-2 record last season, and he comes back as an intriguing senior prospect capable of garnering some recruiting attention.</p> <p>FVA:<br /> The FVA’s guard-heavy dynamic will change completely next season, and subsequently, so will the rankings. Kimberly returns [player_tooltip player_id="801149" first="Jackson" last="Paveletzke"] and a solid group of seniors. Hortonville keeps leading scorer and point guard, [player_tooltip player_id="938201" first="Parker" last="Lawrence"]. Neenah’s roster was young this season, and besides losing [player_tooltip player_id="544541" first="Max" last="Klesmit"], they kept the bulk of their rotation. However, Kaukauna loses its senior core but will have a duo of sophomores in Chris Morgan and Tyson Steelow-Waldrop to build on. Appleton East could bounce back after a tough season, too, as they return six sophomores that played meaningful minutes. </p>