Preseason Top 10: Division 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking ahead to the 2022-23 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin reveals our top 10 preseason rankings in Division 3....</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. WEST SALEM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2021-22 Record: 27-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WIAA Tournament Finish: Lost to Lake Country Lutheran in the State Championship</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: Carson Kopenick (16.8 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1409364' first='Peter' last='Lattos'] (15.7 ppg), Tamarein Henderson (8.3 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Salem gave LCL a run for its money in the state title game last year. This group will be hungry to get back. The scary part? The Panthers were a very young team last season and now have almost its entire roster back. West Salem is also very battle tested already, having gone through a large chunk of this list to get to the title game a year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633f9098fe8b8","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1160035"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. ST. THOMAS MORE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2021-22 Record: 23-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WIAA Tournament Finish: Lost to Lake Country Lutheran in the state semifinals The Cavaliers do have to replace their second-leading scorer from last season, but Konneh is coming off a big time summer and expected to explode as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='1142118' first='Amari' last='McCottry'] (23.7 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1203602' first='Sekou' last='Konneh'] (12.7 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pair of top five prospects lead St. Thomas More into another promising season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63401df5fe8ba","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1142118"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. BRILLION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2021-22 Record: 26-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WIAA Tournament Finish: Lost to West Salem in the state semifinals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='1017916' first='Jeremy' last='Lorenz'] (19.8 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1203243' first='Grady' last='Geiger'] (10.0 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1260993' first='Caeden' last='Holly'] (10.6 ppg), Parker Braun (9.6 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions get their top four scorers and pretty much their entire starting lineup back from last season. Lorenz, a Wofford commit, has made some promising gains since last season, cementing himself as a top five prospect in the senior class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63401fb3fe8bc","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1017916"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. CATHOLIC MEMORIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2021-22 Record: 16-10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WIAA Tournament Finish: Lost to Racine St. Catherine's in the regional finals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='981027' first='Bennett' last='McCormick'] (13.7 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='981149' first='Braden' last='McGlothlin'] (11.0 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1442045' first='Ben' last='Goedheer'] (8.7 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1021594' first='Antwan' last='Burns-Jones'] (8.6 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has played a lot of ball together over the last three-plus years, even on the AAU circuit. It's time they finally put it all together. The Crusaders are a very senior-led group as well, highlighted by McCormick and McGlothlin, an Indianapolis commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63401fa8fe8bb","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["981027"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. PRESCOTT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2021-22 Record</em>: 22-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>WIAA Tournament Finish</em>: Lost to Osceola in the regional semifinals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Key Returners</em>: [player_tooltip player_id='1138436' first='Jordan' last='Malmlov'] (22.8 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1142143' first='Dallas' last='Wallin'] (16.1 ppg), Brandon Stuart (10.0 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team was on a roll before being stunned in their playoff opener. The Cardinals were riding a 10-game winning streak and won a good Middle Border Conference by two games. Prescott now reloads with its top three scorers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633f90a7fe8b9","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1138436"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. DOMINICAN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2021-22 Record:</em> 21-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>WIAA Tournament Finish:</em> Lost to St. Thomas More in the Sectional Semifinals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Key Returners</em>: Aaron Womak (16.6 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1142141' first='Derrick' last='Johnson'] (15.1 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1254365' first='Jaiden' last='Martin'] (15.1 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The trio of Womack, Johnson, and Martin might be as good as any team in Division 3. They can shoot, create, cause matchup problems, and really stress a defense. Womack might be another year away, but he's a potential budding star in this state with a ton of upside. This Knights team can put up points in a hurry as well, scoring 80 or more points in 17 of their 27 contests in 2021-22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6340231cfe8bd","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1351718"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. LAKESIDE LUTHERAN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2021-22 Record: 16-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WIAA Tournament Finish: Lost to Big Foot in regional semifinals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='981201' first='Levi' last='Birkholz'] (22.9 ppg), Trey Lauber (11.7 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeside Lutheran might raise some eyebrows, but I think they bounce back after a bit of a disappointing season in 2021-22. The Spartans hit a wall during the final weeks of the season and didn't recover, losing five of six. At one point in the year, they were sitting at 14-3. Five of their top six scorers are back from last season, including Birkholz, a Citdel commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63402329fe8be","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["981201"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. MILWAUKEE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2021-22 Record: 23-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WIAA Tournament Finish: Lost to Roncalli in the state championship (D4)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='1447228' first='Jamarion' last='Batemon'] (7.8 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1390441' first='Devin' last='Brown'] (7.3 ppg), Agape Keys Jr. (6.4 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1481181' first='Amare' last='Jackson'] (5.8 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of transfers to overcome here, but there's still plenty in the cupboard from last season's Division 4 runner-up. The Novas lose a trio of Division 1 prospects, but this is still a young, exciting team. Batemon and Brown are a pair of top 15 sophomores. MAS can also go about 7-8 deep without much drop off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63404f86fe8c1","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1447228"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. CARMEN NORTHWEST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2021-22 Record</em>: 15-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>WIAA Tournament Finish</em>: Lost to Messmer in the regional semifinals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='1142120' first='Dupree' last='Fletcher Jr.'] (21.1 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1203011' first='Amare' last='Posey'] (12.9 ppg), Taquarian Tribune (17.9 ppg), Javante Edwards (11.4 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Really good guard and wing play here. Fletcher is a dynamic, electric floor general that led his team in scoring, rebounding, and assists a year ago. Carmen Northwest gets its top five scorers back from last season as well, coming off a Milwaukee City Blue title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63404f79fe8c0","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1142120"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. Kiel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2021-22 Record: 17-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WIAA Tournament Finish: Lost to Kewaunee in the regional finals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Returners: [player_tooltip player_id='1144596' first='Pierce' last='Arenz'] (19.2), [player_tooltip player_id='1509262' first='Grant' last='Manz'] (11.8 ppg),</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kiel was quite competitive in a very good Eastern Wisconsin Conference, which yielding two state tournament teams last season. This was a young group, led by a pair of sophomores in Arenz in Manz. Kiel also only lost one key senior, returning eight of their top nine performers from 2021-22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63404f6bfe8bf","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1144596"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention: Brookfield Academy, Wisconsin Dells, Northwestern, Stanley-Boyd, Bloomer, Mauston, Campbellsport, Kettle Moraine Lutheran, Dodgeville, Edgewood, Columbus, Mayville, Turner, Northland Pines, Southern Door, Kewaskum, Baldwin-Woodville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->