2020-21 Preseason Rankings: Division 1

<p>The 2020-21 season will get underway later this month with actual competition kicking off on Dec. 1. Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in Division 1 with our preseason top 10 teams...</p> <p> </p> <h4>1. Brookfield Central</h4> <h6><strong>2019-20 Record: </strong>24-1 (16-0 Greater Metro)</h6> <h6><strong>Key Returners: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="804893" first="David" last="Joplin"] (23.2 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="879980" first="Ben" last="Nau"] (12.5 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="801148" first="Andrew" last="Rohde"] (8.5 ppg)</h6> <p><strong>Notable Losses: </strong> Malid Abdul-Wahid, [player_tooltip player_id="935442" first="Eric" last="Radisevic"]</p> [caption id="attachment_1026006" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/David-Joplin-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1026006" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/David-Joplin-2-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="804893" first="David" last="Joplin"][/caption] <p>This group may not be as talented or as deep as the 2019-20 squad, which appeared primed to win the Division 1 state championship prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Lancers are still the team to beat on paper. Texas commit [player_tooltip player_id="804893" first="David" last="Joplin"] and St. Thomas commit [player_tooltip player_id="879980" first="Ben" last="Nau"] are a formidable 1-2 punch who have played in a ton of battles together. Junior shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id="801148" first="Andrew" last="Rohde"] has looked very good this summer and established himself as a Division 1 caliber talent. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1023255" first="Drew" last="Edmond"] could be the x-factor for Central this season.</p> <p> </p> <h4>2. Sussex Hamilton</h4> <h6><strong>2019-20 Record/Finish: </strong>22-3 (14-2 Greater Metro Conference)</h6> <h6><strong>Key Returners: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="544570" first="Patrick" last="Baldwin Jr."] (24.3 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="879986" first="Tanner" last="Resch"] (14.1 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="953956" first="Luther" last="Smith"] (3.1 ppg), Nolan Reider (4.2 ppg)</h6> <p><strong>Notable Losses: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="811851" first="Carson" last="Smith"] (15.1 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="881007" first="J.T." last="Hoytink"] (9.1 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="880980" first="Lucas" last="Finnessy"] (6.7 ppg)</p> <p>Baldwin is the preseason favorite for Mr. Basketball in the state of Wisconsin. Not to put the cart in front of the horse, but the 6-foot-10, sweet-shooting wing is likely on his way to being a lottery pick within the next two years. The losses of Hoytink, Smith, and Finnessy might be tough to overcome. Those three gave the Chargers a noticeable edge in toughness and reliability down the stretch of games. However, it could allow players such as Reider and Smith to emerge. Hamilton can also rely on the shooting and playmaking of Resch, who's ready for a big senior season. </p> <p> </p> <h4>3. Brookfield East</h4> <h6><strong>2019-20 Record/Finish: </strong>20-5 (12-4 Greater Metro)</h6> <h6><strong>Key Returners: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="879993" first="Hayden" last="Doyle"] (21.0 ppg)</h6> <p><strong>Notable Losses: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="880991" first="Sam" last="McGath"] (15.8 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="881031" first="Michael" last="Poker"] (13.5 ppg)</p> <p>Are the top three teams in the state all from the Greater Metro? The Spartans constantly get overlooked because of how strong Central and Hamilton have been, but make no mistake, neither one of those teams looks forward to playing East. One of the most consistent programs in the state over the last five seasons or so, the Spartans have been pumping out wins no matter who's on the roster. Leading scorer and Washington University (St. Louis) [player_tooltip player_id="879993" first="Hayden" last="Doyle"] is back for his senior season. While the Spartans have to replace a few key pieces, Doyle will be playing in the backcourt with arguably the No. 1 player in the country in 2024, freshman Tayshawn Bridges. </p> <p> </p> <h4>4. Milwaukee King</h4> <h6><strong>2019-20 Record/Finish:</strong> 22-1 (12-0 Milwaukee City)</h6> [caption id="attachment_1030907" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Jayquan-Hicks-1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1030907" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Jayquan-Hicks-1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="865842" first="Jayquan" last="Hickles"][/caption] <h6><strong>Key Returners: </strong> [player_tooltip player_id="879985" first="Quinton" last="Murrell"] (18.0 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="1041672" first="Mohamed" last="Niang"] (7.2 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="865842" first="Jayquan" last="Hickles"] (5.8 ppg)</h6> <p><strong>Notable Losses: </strong>Rickey Bradley (11.7 ppg), Elijah Horton (10.7 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="880993" first="Kai" last="Buliox"] (4.8 ppg), Leonte Scott (7.1 ppg), Cameron Tolefree (7.0 ppg)</p> <p>The Generals have some question marks and lost a lot of depth, but they're still good enough to be a top five team in the state. Rickey Bradley, who transferred to Arizona for his senior season, will probably impact the long-term upside of this team in March. Fortunately for King, [player_tooltip player_id="879985" first="Quinton" last="Murrell"] is back for his senior season and is one of the top scoring guards in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="1041672" first="Mohamed" last="Niang"] was a huge stock booster over the summer and ready to break out in 2020-21. [player_tooltip player_id="865842" first="Jayquan" last="Hickles"] is a big x-factor as someone who loves to do the dirty work around the rim and one of the best teammates you can ask for.</p> <p> </p> <h4>5. Racine Case</h4> <h6><strong>2019-20 Record/Finish: </strong>21-4 (12-2 Southeast Conference)</h6> <h6><strong>Key Returners: </strong> [player_tooltip player_id="804901" first="Jakobe" last="Thompson"] (19.3 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="865835" first="Terryon" last="Brumby"] (14.5 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="865834" first="Amari" last="Jedkins"] (8.6 ppg)</h6> <p><strong>Notable Losses: </strong>Jonathan Rankins (10.7 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="881003" first="Nick" last="Fugiasco"] (8.6 ppg)</p> <p>This was a team capable of making the state tournament last season. While the Eagles were denied that opportunity, they return most of their top weapons from a season ago. [player_tooltip player_id="804901" first="Jakobe" last="Thompson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="865835" first="Terryon" last="Brumby"] form one of the best and most electrifying backcourts in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="865834" first="Amari" last="Jedkins"] is coming off a fine summer and the high-upside forward can make game-changing plays on both ends of the floor.</p> <h4> </h4> <h4>6. Kimberly</h4> <h6><strong>2019-20 Record/Finish: </strong>22-3 (17-1 Fox Valley Association)</h6> [caption id="attachment_1012651" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/20191221_191616.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1012651" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/20191221_191616-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a> Jackson Pavaletzke[/caption] <h6><strong>Key Returners: </strong>Jackson Pavaletzke (12.0 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="701973" first="Grant" last="Asman"] (8.0 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="1035872" first="Jackson" last="Dudek"] (1.5 ppg)</h6> <p><strong>Notable Losses: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="544519" first="Jake" last="Buchanan"] (18.4 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="935428" first="Logan" last="Pearson"] (13.6 ppg)</p> <p>Think Kimberly will ultimately end up reloading more than rebuilding, but [player_tooltip player_id="544519" first="Jake" last="Buchanan"] was so instrumental in what they did over the last two seasons, there's probably a feeling out process that will take place. Junior guard Jackson Pavaletzke is going to emerge as one of the state's most lethal scorers. Lipscomb commit [player_tooltip player_id="701973" first="Grant" last="Asman"] is a late bloomer that just continues to get better and better and will be a versatile weapon in the post. The Papermakers will also feature Northern Michigan commit [player_tooltip player_id="1035872" first="Jackson" last="Dudek"] up front. Head coach <strong>Lucky Wurtz</strong> also has a pair of secret weapons in junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1017073" first="Owen" last="Pawlikowski"] and sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="981150" first="Seth" last="Miron"], two players who weren't on varsity last season, but emerged as two of the better players in their respective classes after strong showings over the summer.</p> <p> </p> <h4>7. Neenah</h4> <h6><strong>2019-20 Record/Finish: </strong>23-2 (16-2 Fox Valley Association)</h6> <h6><strong>Key Returners: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="994504" first="Jacob" last="Dietz"] (12.8 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="950099" first="Carter" last="Thomas"] (11.6 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="865837" first="Chevalier" last="Emery"] (6.1 ppg)</h6> <p><strong>Notable Losses: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="544541" first="Max" last="Klesmit"] (23.5 ppg)</p> <p>It could be another tight race at the top in the Fox Valley Association. [player_tooltip player_id="544541" first="Max" last="Klesmit"] is gone, but the Rockets are still a deep and talented group. Neenah has three reliable weapons in senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="994504" first="Jacob" last="Dietz"], junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="950099" first="Carter" last="Thomas"], and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="865837" first="Chevalier" last="Emery"], a trio that will produce on both ends of the floor. The question for Neenah, do they have a star who can take over games and bail them out on off-nights? That player may have to be sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="963148" first="Cal" last="Klesmit"], a top 10 player in the 2023 class. </p> <p> </p> <h4>8. Wauwatosa East</h4> <h6><strong>2019-20 Record/Finish: </strong>12-11 (7-9 Greater Metro)</h6> <h6><strong>Key Returners: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="804904" first="Brian" last="Parzych"] (12.0 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="761404" first="Leon" last="Bond"] (11.8 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="963676" first="Alex" last="Singleton"] (9.3 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="804959" first="Jay" last="Hinson"] (6.4 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="950650" first="Parker" last="Thompson"] (5.4 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="764135" first="Marcus" last="Mbow"] (4.7 ppg)</h6> [caption id="attachment_1017117" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Leon-Bond.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1017117" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Leon-Bond-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="761404" first="Leon" last="Bond"][/caption] <p><strong>Notable Losses: N/A</strong></p> <p>Wauwatosa East somewhat underperformed last season, but dealt with some internal struggles and were better than their record indicated due to playing in a loaded Greater Metro Conference. Regardless, we knew this team was still a year away heading into last season. Moving up to Division 1, the Red Raiders may have a tougher path to Madison. If you don't include [player_tooltip player_id="764118" first="John" last="Lovelace"], who transferred to Brown Deer mid-season, East gets everything back. Northern Michigan commit [player_tooltip player_id="804904" first="Brian" last="Parzych"] and junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="761404" first="Leon" last="Bond"], the No. 2 ranked player in 2022, will lead the way. However, seniors [player_tooltip player_id="963676" first="Alex" last="Singleton"], [player_tooltip player_id="804959" first="Jay" last="Hinson"], and [player_tooltip player_id="764135" first="Marcus" last="Mbow"] are seniors who will show up night in and night out as well.</p> <p> </p> <h4>9. Arrowhead</h4> <h6><strong>2019-20 Record/Finish: </strong>23-2 (16-0 Classic Eight)</h6> <h6><strong>Key Returners: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="804923" first="Sam" last="Hytinen"] (12.1 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="953945" first="Mac" last="Wrecke"] (11.6 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="1072739" first="Blake" last="Ewer"] (4.4 ppg)</h6> <p><strong>Notable Losses: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="544505" first="Carter" last="Gilmore"] (26.8 ppg), Chris Burg (9.8 ppg)</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="544505" first="Carter" last="Gilmore"] led the Warhawks in just about every major statistical category last season. Chris Burg is also an underrated loss from the point guard position. Arrowhead can still turn to senior [player_tooltip player_id="804923" first="Sam" last="Hytinen"], an athletic wing who can also space the floor, and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="953945" first="Mac" last="Wrecke"], a top-five prospect in the 2023 class who gained valuable experience as a starter last season. </p> <p> </p> <h4>10. Waunakee</h4> <h6><strong>2019-20 Record/Finish: </strong>19-6 (12-2 Badger North)</h6> [caption id="attachment_1080392" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Andrew-Keller.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1080392" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Andrew-Keller-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="761421" first="Andrew" last="Keller"][/caption] <h6><strong>Key Returners: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="761421" first="Andrew" last="Keller"] (12.1 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="1036047" first="Caden" last="Nelson"] (10.4 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="880033" first="Jaxson" last="Zibell"] (9.5 ppg)</h6> <p><strong>Notable Losses: </strong>Caden Hough (9.0 ppg)</p> <p>You look up and down this roster and there's nothing that really jumps out at you from an individual standpoint. That's also in part what makes Waunakee so good...balance. The Warriors space the floor with shooters, share the ball, and make it tough for opponents to really hone in on one or two particular players. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="761421" first="Andrew" last="Keller"] is a difficult matchup problem for opponents. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1036047" first="Caden" last="Nelson"] and Jaxson Zibbel are also important pieces to the puzzle, but it can be anyone on any night for Waunakee leading the charge. The Warriors will also be one of the better defensive teams in the state in 2020-21, which should carry them into March. </p> <p> </p> <p>Honorable Mention: Franklin, Bay Port, De Pere, Sun Prairie, Menomonee Falls, West Allis Central, Madison Memorial, Oak Creek, Hudson, Chippewa Falls, Janesville Craig, Madison La Follette</p> <p> </p>