2023-24 Preview: Woodland West
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Looking ahead to the 2023-24 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Woodland West Conference… PROJECTED STANDINGS 1. Wisconsin Lutheran 2. Pewaukee 3. Pius XI 4. New Berlin Eisenhower 5. West Allis Central 6. Greendale 7. New…
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Continue ReadingLooking ahead to the 2023-24 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Woodland West Conference…
PROJECTED STANDINGS
1. Wisconsin Lutheran
2. Pewaukee
3. Pius XI
4. New Berlin Eisenhower
5. West Allis Central
6. Greendale
7. New Berlin West
THE FAVORITE – Wisconsin Lutheran
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 Kon II Knueppel Kon II Knueppel 6'6" | SG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2024 State #15 Nation WI . Wisconsin Lutheran won’t be as deep without Prentice Young, Jamiir Allen, and Landon Key, but we could see senior Logan Rindfleisch Logan Rindfleisch 6'5" | SF Wisconsin Lutheran | 2024 State WI and sophomore Zavier Zens Zavier Zens 6'7" | SG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2026 State WI form a dangerous trio.
DARK HORSE – Pewaukee
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 Nick Janowski Nick Janowski 6'3" | SG Pewaukee | 2024 State #126 Nation WI will have to lead a bit of a rebuild, but there’s still plenty in the cupboard, including junior forward Luka Momcilovic Luka Momcilovic 6'8" | SF Pewaukee | 2025 State WI (8.4 ppg), who should take a big step forward this winter.
MOST IMPROVED – New Berlin Eisenhower
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 Ari Nimani Ari Nimani 6'5" | SF New Berlin Eisenhower | 2024 WI (11.6 ppg), sophomore guard Jake Veley Jake Veley 6'3" | SF New Berlin Eisenhower | 2026 State WI (10.6 ppg), and senior guard Daniel Woo (9.6 ppg).
PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE
First Team
G Jaquan Johnson Jaquan Johnson 5'10" | PG Pius XI | 2024 State WI – Sr. (Pius XI)
G Nick Janowski Nick Janowski 6'3" | SG Pewaukee | 2024 State #126 Nation WI – Sr. (Pewaukee)
G Kon II Knueppel Kon II Knueppel 6'6" | SG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2024 State #15 Nation WI – Sr. (Wisconsin Lutheran)
G Devin Isaj Devin Isaj 6'6" | SF Greendale | 2025 State WI – Jr. (Greendale)
G Yusef Gray Jr. Yusef Gray Jr. 6'4" | SG West Allis Central | 2026 State WI – So. (West Allis Central)
F Luka Momcilovic Luka Momcilovic 6'8" | SF Pewaukee | 2025 State WI – Jr. (Pewaukee)
Second Team
G Isaiah Robinson Isaiah Robinson 6'1" | SG Pewaukee | 2025 State WI – Jr. (Pewaukee)
G Josh Krier Josh Krier 6'3" | PG New Berlin West | 2025 WI – Jr. (New Berlin West)
G Julian Alvarez Julian Alvarez 6'0" | SG Pius XI | 2024 State WI – Sr. (Pius XI)
W Jake Veley Jake Veley 6'3" | SF New Berlin Eisenhower | 2026 State WI – So. (New Berlin Eisenhower)
W Logan Rindfleisch Logan Rindfleisch 6'5" | SF Wisconsin Lutheran | 2024 State WI – Sr. (Wisconsin Lutheran)
F Ari Nimani Ari Nimani 6'5" | SF New Berlin Eisenhower | 2024 WI – Sr. (New Berlin Eisenhower)
PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Nick Janowski Nick Janowski 6'3" | SG Pewaukee | 2024 State #126 Nation WI and Kon Knueppel
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.
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.
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.
Highlights
SLEEPER TO WATCH – Evan Kern Evan Kern 6'2" | SG New Berlin West | 2026 State WI
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.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER – Isaiah Robinson Isaiah Robinson 6'1" | SG Pewaukee | 2025 State WI
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.