Preseason Top 10: Division 1

Who are the top 10 teams in Division 1 heading into the 2021-22 season? Prep Hoops Wisconsin drops our rankings prior to opening tip-off.

1.  Menomonee Falls

2020-21 Record: 17-8 (10-6)

WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Kimberly in the Sectional Finals

There’s not a better 1-2 punch in the state than Seth Trimble Seth Trimble 6'3" | PG Menomonee Falls | 2022 State #50 Nation WI (23.3 ppg) and Steven Clay Steven Clay 6'5" | SG Menomonee Falls | 2022 State #193 Nation WI (18.8 ppg).  The North Carolina commit Trimble is the favorite to take home Mr. Basketball honors in 2021-22. The Phoenix are deeper than they get credit for. Senior guard Grant Martin Grant Martin 6'0" | CG Menomonee Falls | 2022 State WI (7.1 ppg) has had a terrific off-season. Falls will also get contributions from junior Cole Sciortino Cole Sciortino 6'3" | SG Menomonee Falls | 2023 WI , who missed last season due to injury, senior forward Greg Kemp Greg Kemp 6'4" | PF Menomonee Falls | 2022 State WI , senior guard Quentin Redding, and senior wing Devyn Orr Devyn Orr 6'3" | SF Menomonee Falls | 2022 WI among others.

2. De Pere

2020-21 Record: 22-4

WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to River Falls in the Sectional Finals

The Redbirds were one shot away from playing in the state tournament last season. Junior guard Johnny Kinziger (22.5 ppg) returns after a stellar sophomore season. De Pere should have plenty of depth  and experience provided by senior guards Max Donaldson (8.3 ppg) and Jack Jorgensen Jack Jorgensen 6'2" | SG De Pere | 2022 State WI (10.8 ppg). If sophomore forwards  Will Hornseth Will Hornseth 6'8" | PF De Pere | 2024 State #217 Nation WI and Ben Willinghanz  can make a big jump,  the Redbirds have the shooting, skill, and size  to take home the gold ball.

3. Kimberly

2020-21 Record: 25-3 (17-1)

WIAA Playoff Finish:  Lost to Wauwatosa East in the State Championship

There are some tough losses to overcome, but don’t throw in the towel  on Kimberly. Senior guard and Wofford commit Jackson Paveletzke Jackson Paveletzke 6'1" | CG Kimberly | 2022 State WI   (19.2 ppg) and he’s as dangerous of a scorer as there is in the state. His running mate, St. Leo commit Owen Pawlikowski Owen Pawlikowski 6'3" | SG Kimberly | 2022 State WI (8.8 ppg) will take on more of a primary role as well. The Papermakers have had a lot of talent waiting in the wings, including junior wing Seth Miron Seth Miron 6'4" | SF Kimberly | 2023 State WI , Michael Asman Michael Asman 6'6" | PF Kimberly | 2023 WI , Carson Pendleton Carson Pendleton 6'2" | PG Kimberly | 2024 State WI , and others.

4. Neenah 

2020-21 Record: 23-3 (17-1)

WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Kimberly in the Regional Finals

The Rockets are going to have to roll without junior guard Cal Klesmit Cal Klesmit 6'2" | CG Neenah | 2023 State #235 Nation WI , who had a terrific sophomore season and is a top five prospect in 2023, due to a  season-ending injury. There’s still plenty in the cupboard here, including Merrimack commit Chevalier Emery (12.9 ppg) and senior forward Carter Thomas Carter Thomas 6'5" | PF Neenah | 2022 State WI (13.2 ppg).  Neenah also has a pair of sleepers in their frontcourt, seniors Eli Schmidt Eli Schmidt 6'5" | SF Neenah | 2022 State WI   (5.6 ppg) and J.J. Paider J.J. Paider 6'7" | PF Neenah | 2022 State WI (4.6 ppg), who are each playing their best basketball going into the winter.  Junior guard Sam Coulthard Sam Coulthard 6'2" | SG Neenah | 2023 State WI and sophomore guard Brady Corso Brady Corso 6'2" | SG Neenah | 2024 State WI are also capable of  surprising and lifting this team to great heights.

5. Eau Claire Memorial 

2020-21 Record:  13-9 (6-6)

WIAA Playoff Finish:  Lost to Eau Claire North in the regional finals

Concordia St. Paul commit Will Boser Will Boser 6'6" | CG Eau Claire Memorial | 2022 State WI (20.7 ppg) is coming off a huge junior season. He’ll have his running mate in the backcourt, senior guard Mekhi Shaw Mekhi Shaw 6'1" | PG Eau Claire Memorial | 2022 State WI back, who missed all of last season due to injury. The Old Abes are also expecting big things from senior wing/forward L.J. Wells L.J. Wells 6'5" | SF Eau Claire Memorial | 2022 State WI , who had a terrific breakout summer and provides a ton of athleticism and game-changing ability.

6. Brookfield Central

2020-21 Record:  19-6 (12-4)

WIAA Playoff Finish:  Lost to Wauwatosa East in the Regional Finals

Look for St. Thomas commit Andrew Rohde Andrew Rohde 6'6" | SG Brookfield Central | 2022 State WI to  (14.5 ppg)  to carry things early, but the Lancers have some pieces that should develop as the season wears on.  Based on his fall league performances, Rohde is in store to put up some huge scoring numbers. If Brookfield Central is going to make a deep run in March, they’ll need big things from sophomore forward Jack Daugherty Jack Daugherty 6'8" | PF Brookfield Central | 2024 State WI . Look for junior guard Drew Edmond Drew Edmond 6'0" | PG Brookfield Central | 2023 State WI , senior guard Steve Tipton Steve Tipton 6'2" | SG Brookfield Central | 2023 WI , and freshman guard Anthony Rise Anthony Rise 6'0" | CG Brookfield Central | 2025 State WI to emerge for the Lancers  as they try and replace David Joplin (Marquette) and Ben Nau (St. Thomas).

7. Brookfield East

2020-21 Record:  19-5 (12-4)

WIAA Playoff Finish:  Lost to Brookfield Central in the regional semifinals

Dan Gherezgher Dan Gherezgher 6'1" | SG Brookfield East | 2022 State WI (14.0 ppg) is one of the best players in the state that a lot of people haven’t heard of yet. A fluid and effortless scorer,  Gherezgher has takeover ability on that end of the floor. Junior guard Matthew Schmainda Matthew Schmainda 6'2" | CG Brookfield East | 2023 State WI (10.5 ppg) is also one of the most improved players in the state. The Spartans are deeper than people know and will get good contributions from  junior forward Nollenn Tabaska Nollenn Tabaska 6'7" | PF Brookfield East | 2023 State WI , senior guard Michael Francken, junior guard Joe Stewart Joe Stewart 5'11" | SG Brookfield East | 2023 State WI , and sophomore guard Andrew Graf Andrew Graf 5'11" | CG Brookfield East | 2024 State WI .

8. Arrowhead

2020-21 Record: 17-10 (12-4)

WIAA Playoff Finish:   Lost to DeForest in the Sectional Semifinals

Mac Wrecke Mac Wrecke 6'5" | SG Arrowhead | 2023 State #272 Nation WI (24.9 ppg) had a monster sophomore season and nearly took the Warhawks to the state tournament. An athletic, blue-collar wing, Wrecke is currently the No. 2 ranked junior in the state.  Sophomore guard Bennett Basich Bennett Basich 6'3" | SG Arrowhead | 2024 State WI (8.6 ppg) got his feet wet last season and has made sizable jumps in the off-season as both a floor general and a scorer. Guard play will be a strength of this team as both junior Austin Villareal Austin Villareal 6'1" | SG Arrowhead | 2023 State WI and senior Jackson Raasch are steady contributors.

9. West Allis Central

2020-21 Record:  14-9 (6-6)

WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Franklin in the Regional Finals

Talent has been a question with this group, but 2021-22 could be the year the Bulldogs put it all together. Air Force commit Greyson Pritzl Greyson Pritzl 6'3" | SG West Allis Central | 2022 State WI (17.0 ppg) has been an absolute monster as of late. The walking bucket is a legit threat to put up 30 points every time he steps on the floor. Northern Michigan commit Najashi Tolefree Najashi Tolefree 6'6" | SF West Allis Central | 2022 State WI (19.1 ppg) averaged a double-double last season. Senior forward Josiah Gille Josiah Gille 6'3" | PF West Allis Central | 2022 State WI will be one of the biggest x-factors in the state with his infectious hustle and energy.

10. Appleton East

2020-21 Record: 9-14 (7-11)

WIAA Playoff Finish:  Lost to West De Pere in the Regional Semifinals

The Patriots will be one of the most improved teams in the state. East  finished tied for sixth in the Fox Valley Association, but this team has their sights set on winning the league in 2021-22. East has a loaded returning cast, including senior guard Tyler Borowski Tyler Borowski 6'2" | PG Appleton East | 2022 State WI  (14.0), who missed most of the season due to injury, senior guard  Zach Steigenberger Zach Steigenberger 6'0" | CG Appleton East | 2022 State WI (13.8 ppg), and junior forward,  Caleb Glaser Caleb Glaser 6'7" | SF Appleton East | 2023 State WI  (12.3 pgg), who’s one of the most improved players in the state. Sophomore guard  Joey LaChapell Joey LaChapell 5'10" | PG Appleton East | 2024 State WI   (5.2 ppg) got his feet wet last season and emerged as a top 50 player in the 2024 class over the summer.

Honorable Mention: Homestead,  Stevens Point, Madison La Follette,  Kaukauna, Waukesha South, Oconomowoc, Sun Prairie, Madison Memorial, Madison La Follette, Sussex Hamilton, Franklin, Milwaukee King, Middleton, Racine Case, Wauwatosa East, D.C. Everest