Preseason Predictions: Division 1
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With the 2023-24 WIAA boy’s basketball season on the horizon, Prep Hoops Wisconsin reveals our preseason predictions in Division 1… SECTIONAL 1 (SPASH) Sectional Semifinals: Kaukauna over Appleton East Marshfield over Eau Claire Memorial Sectional Winner: Kaukauna The depth for…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2023-24 WIAA boy’s basketball season on the horizon, Prep Hoops Wisconsin reveals our preseason predictions in Division 1…
SECTIONAL 1 (SPASH)
Sectional Semifinals:
Kaukauna over Appleton East
Marshfield over Eau Claire Memorial
Sectional Winner: Kaukauna
The depth for Kaukauna powers them to Madison. The Ghosts should be one of the most improved teams in the state. A 16-11 squad in 2022-23, Kaukauna returns its top seven scorers. Seniors Carson Awe Carson Awe 5'11" | SG Kaukauna | 2024 State WI (14.3 ppg), Jonathan O’Neill Jonathan O’Neill 6'9" | PF Kaukauna | 2024 State WI (12.8 ppg), and Finley Doriot (12.5 ppg) will have plenty of help from junior Keegan Van Kauwenberg Keegan Van Kauwenberg 6'3" | CG Kaukauna | 2025 State WI (10.1 ppg), one of the state’s top shooters, and sophomore Andrew Jensen Andrew Jensen 6'9" | C Kaukauna | 2026 State WI (4.0 ppg), a top-five player in his class with massive upside.
SECTIONAL 2 (OSHKOSH NORTH)
Sectional Semifinals:
Oshkosh North over Homestead
De Pere over Arrowhead
Sectional Winner: De Pere
De Pere will have to cope with the loss of John Kinziger, now at Illinois State, and a few other seniors, but there’s still plenty left in the cupboard. Coming off a 30-0 season, the Redbirds will be led by Northern Iowa bound Will Hornseth Will Hornseth 6'8" | PF De Pere | 2024 State #208 Nation WI (16.6 ppg) and Wisconsin commit Zach Kinziger Zach Kinziger 6'3" | SG De Pere | 2025 State #127 Nation WI (15.4 ppg). Looking for a repeat, De Pere is still very deep and will count on role players such as Pryce Gregoire Pryce Gregoire 6'6" | SF De Pere | 2025 State WI (6.2 ppg), Ben Willihnghanz (5.7 ppg), and Roan Demovsky.
SECTIONAL 3 (Janesville Craig)
Sectional Semifinals:
Sun Prairie West over Middleton
Muskego over Madison Memorial
Sectional Winner: Sun Prairie West
It may take a half a season or more to come together, but the Wolves are the most talented team in a relatively wide open division. Transfers Theo Schofield Theo Schofield 6'5" | PF Waterloo | 2024 State WI and Clevon Easton Clevon Easton 6'0" | CG Madison East | 2025 WI may put West over the top through to Madison. Coming off a 15-8 season, the Wolves got a breakout season from junior guard Chris Davis Jr. (24.1 ppg) and also get senior Tyler Haney Tyler Haney 6'1" | CG Sun Prairie | 2025 State WI (9.6 ppg) back.
SECTIONAL 4 (Kenosha Indian Trail)
Sectional Semifinals:
Brookfield Central over Kenosha Indian Trail
Marquette over Westosha Central
Sectional Winner: Marquette
One of the state’s most improved teams last season, Marquette went from 11 wins to 21 in 2023-24. The Hilltoppers now reload behind St. Thomas commit Nolan Minessale Nolan Minessale 6'5" | SF Marquette | 2024 State WI (22.6 ppg), T.J. Adams T.J. Adams 6'2" | CG Marquette | 2024 State WI (12.6 ppg), Ryan Meehan Ryan Meehan 6'2" | SG Marquette | 2024 State WI (11.3 ppg), and Jeremiah Johnson Jeremiah Johnson 6'3" | SG Marquette | 2025 State WI (6.2 ppg). Marquette will have to go through the always challenging Greater Metro Conference, but a number one seed is well within their grasp.
STATE TOURNAMENT
Semifinals:
De Pere over Sun Prairie West
Marquette over Kaukauna
State Championship:
De Pere over Marquette
The Redbirds have a very cohesive unit and still have the ability to come at teams in waves. The 1-2 punch of Kinziger and Hornseth, a pair of prospects that play very well off each other, will overwhelm most teams. However, I’m still very high on De Pere’s supporting cast, which is why I think they’re the favorites to repeat.