2023-24 Preview: Woodland West

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking ahead to the 2023-24 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Woodland West Conference...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PROJECTED STANDINGS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Wisconsin Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. Pewaukee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. Pius XI</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. New Berlin Eisenhower</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. West Allis Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Greendale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. New Berlin West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE FAVORITE - Wisconsin Lutheran</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though the Vikings probably lost more than Pewaukee, think taking Milan Momcilovic might hurt the Pirates more. That eliminates their ability to match up with [player_tooltip player_id='1142123' first='Kon' last='II Knueppel']. Wisconsin Lutheran won't be as deep without Prentice Young, Jamiir Allen, and Landon Key, but we could see senior [player_tooltip player_id='1159275' first='Logan' last='Rindfleisch'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'] form a dangerous trio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1159275"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f8de0eef86c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DARK HORSE - Pewaukee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They're still the champs until someone knocks them off. I cringe at putting this group in the "Dark Horse" category and wouldn't bet against them. I also wouldn't write off the potential of a four-peat when all is said and done in March either. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1089682' first='Nick' last='Janowski'] will have to lead a bit of a rebuild, but there's still plenty in the cupboard, including junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1412882' first='Luka' last='Momcilovic'] (8.4 ppg), who should take a big step forward this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1089682"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f8de0eef8c4"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MOST IMPROVED - New Berlin Eisenhower</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions were a little young last season and now have three double-digit scorers back from 2022-23. Eisenhower was 13-13 overall, including 4-8 in league play. Three double-digit scorers are back in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2381015' first='Ari' last='Nimani'] (11.6 ppg), sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1561892' first='Jake' last='Veley'] (10.6 ppg), and senior guard Daniel Woo (9.6 ppg). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>First Team</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='1142142' first='Jaquan' last='Johnson'] - Sr. (Pius XI)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='1089682' first='Nick' last='Janowski'] - Sr. (Pewaukee)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='1142123' first='Kon' last='II Knueppel'] - Sr. (Wisconsin Lutheran)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='1454225' first='Devin' last='Isaj'] - Jr. (Greendale)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='2045256' first='Yusef' last='Gray Jr.'] - So. (West Allis Central)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id='1412882' first='Luka' last='Momcilovic'] - Jr. (Pewaukee)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Second Team</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='1815635' first='Isaiah' last='Robinson'] - Jr. (Pewaukee)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='2271424' first='Josh' last='Krier'] - Jr. (New Berlin West)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='1289032' first='Julian' last='Alvarez'] - Sr. (Pius XI)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>W [player_tooltip player_id='1561892' first='Jake' last='Veley'] - So. (New Berlin Eisenhower) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>W [player_tooltip player_id='1159275' first='Logan' last='Rindfleisch'] - Sr. (Wisconsin Lutheran)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id='2381015' first='Ari' last='Nimani'] - Sr. (New Berlin Eisenhower)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PLAYER OF THE YEAR - </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1089682' first='Nick' last='Janowski'] and Kon Knueppel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A split is probably the best way to go. These two are great friends off the floor, but on it, have been the best of competitors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Janowski has gotten the better of Knueppel thus far, with three-straight Woodland West titles and three state championships. The Nebraska commit averaged 23 points, seven rebounds, and five assists per game as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This could finally be Knueppel's year to break through. The state's top ranked player averaged 20 points, nine rebounds, and four assists per game last season. With the Vikings losing a lot of key pieces, Knueppel's numbers could absolutely explode as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1142123"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f8de0eef934"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SLEEPER TO WATCH</strong> - [player_tooltip player_id='1874970' first='Evan' last='Kern']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for Kern to push for All-Conference honors. He was the toughest name to leave off this list after averaging 11 points per game as a freshman. The 6-foot-1 guard had a career-high 26 points in a league game against Greendale and was in double figures in nine of 14 varsity appearances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MOST IMPROVED PLAYER - </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1815635' first='Isaiah' last='Robinson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Think this is Robinson's year to show what he's capable of. As a sophomore, Robinson was a terrific role player for the Pirates in their run to the state championship. He's a terrific defender who often saw time on the other team's best player. Averaging seven points per game on 49 percent shooting as a sophomore, Robinson showed some strong flashes offensively and is capable of bringing a lot more firepower, which he'll get to show this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1815635"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f8de0eef991"} /-->