Preseason Top 10: Division 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Wisconsin reveals our preseason top 10 teams in Division 2 heading into the 2023-24 season...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. NICOLET</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022-23 Record:</strong> 24-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WIAA Playoff Finish:</strong> Lost to Pewaukee in the state semifinals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1390443' first='Davion' last='Hannah'] (19.9 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1598239' first='David' last='Bolden'] (11.9 ppg), Rashad Davis (10.8 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1887322' first='Matthew' last='McKay'] (7.4 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Losses:</strong> N/A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This might ruffle some feathers, but the fact of the matter is, Nicolet had Pewaukee beaten last season and never should have had to play that one in a semifinal. Milan Momcilovic took things over late and pushed the Pirates over the top as the Knights just couldn't match up with the 6-foot-9 forward. Momcilovic is now at Iowa State and Nicolet reloads with just about everything. The Knights were led by three underclassmen last season, including Hannah, who is arguably the state's best NBA prospect right now. A year older with a chip on their shoulder, Nicolet is very, very dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1390443"],"_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-652d9597f0423"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. PEWAUKEE</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022-23 Record:</strong> 27-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WIAA Playoff Finish:</strong> Won the Division 2 State Championship</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1089682' first='Nick' last='Janowski'] (23.2 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1412882' first='Luka' last='Momcilovic'] (8.4 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1815635' first='Isaiah' last='Robinson'] (6.7 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1544787' first='Karson' last='Osterman'] (6.5 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Losses:</strong> Milan Momcilovic (23.6 ppg), Kaeden Osterman (5.1 ppg).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can Janowski make it a four-peat? The Nebraska commit has never won the state championship during his three seasons at Pewaukee, but this will be his biggest test yet without Momcilovic by his side. The Pirates hope that [player_tooltip player_id='1412882' first='Luka' last='Momcilovic'] and Robinson take some key steps forward after playing sizable, but complementary roles in 2022-23. </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-652d9597f04ae"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. WISCONSIN LUTHERAN</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022-23 Record:</strong> 23-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WIAA Playoff Finish:</strong> Lost to Pewaukee in the sectional finals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1142123' first='Kon' last='II Knueppel'] (19.7 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1159275' first='Logan' last='Rindfleisch'] (6.1 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1144571' first='Grayson' last='Young'] (4.5 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Losses:</strong> Jamiir Allen (13.4 ppg), Prentice Young (12.5 ppg), Landon Key (9.5 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The moment Wisconsin Lutheran has waited for is finally here -- Pewaukee is out of Sectional 4. Not that the Vikings shy away from the challenge, but the state tournament has not featured arguably the best two teams in the state for that reason. Knueppel, a Duke commit, will likely have to be unleashed this season. The losses of Allen, Key, and Young should not overlooked, likely forcing Knueppel to really up his shot intake as a senior. If Wisco can get big jumps from Rindfleisch, Young, and maybe sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'], they're one of 3-4 teams that can hoist the gold ball in March.</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-652d9597f050f"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. WAUWATOSA WEST</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022-23 Record:</strong> 18-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WIAA Playoff Finish:</strong> Lost to Pius XI in regionals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1240335' first='Kai' last='Rogers'] (15.8 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1240337' first='Jake' last='Hansen'] (15.0 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1142144' first='Moses' last='Long'] (6.2 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Losses:</strong> Cole Hansen (18.0 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojans won a share of the Greater Metro Conference for the first time in school history last winter. Leading scorer Cole Hansen has transferred, leaving somewhat of a void, but there's still plenty left in the cupboard. Rogers and [player_tooltip player_id='1240337' first='Jake' last='Hansen'] are one of the top 3-4 best inside-outside duos in the state. West also picked up some pieces, including a freshman, that might make this group deeper than it was a year ago -- certainly bigger and more athletic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1240335"],"_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-652d9597f056a"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. WHITNALL</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022-23 Record:</strong> 25-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WIAA Playoff Finish:</strong> Lost to Pewaukee in the state championship game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1362736' first='Jack' last='Lutz'] (17.3 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1300316' first='Myles' last='Herro'] (6.3 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Losses:</strong> Austin Herro (14.8 ppg), Nate Baake (7.6 ppg), Ethan Thomas (6.9 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitnal won't be nearly as deep as they were last season, but the reigning Woodland East champs have one of the top backcourt in the state. Lutz is coming off a breakout sophomore campaign. Herro, who is one of the state's top facilitators and floor generals, will be able to provide more of an offensive lift that his brother leaves behind. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1362736"],"_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-652d9597f05c6"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. STOUGHTON</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022-23 Record:</strong> 19-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WIAA Playoff Finish:</strong> Lost to McFarland in sectionals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1144570' first='Ty' last='Fernholz'] (20.7 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1412223' first='Sawyer' last='Schipper'] (14.2 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1331056' first='Jay' last='Johnson'] (6.8 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1874959' first='Carter' last='Sullivan'] (6.8 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1561944' first='Jacob' last='Hibner'] (6.0 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Losses:</strong> N/A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I like the makeup of this group. Stoughton has a little bit of senior leadership and some upside, sprinkled in with some youth. The Vikings get their top six scorers back from a season ago, including the Michigan Tech commit Fernholz. There's a few under the radar prospects on this team as well, including Schipper, who's a strong secondary scorer and can slow down a lot of team's best guard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1144570"],"_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-652d9597f0633"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">7. ONALASKA</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022-23 Record:</strong> 19-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WIAA Playoff Finish:</strong> Lost to La Crosse Central in regionals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1203029' first='Evan' last='Anderson'] (18.8 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1117365' first='Isaac' last='Skemp'] (8.8 ppg), Adam Skifton (6.8 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Losses:</strong> T.J. Stuttley (16.3 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The loss of Stuttley, who transferred to Link Academy, will be tough to overcome and really cuts into the ceiling of this team. However, it's still Onalaska -- a tough, blue collar program that's rarely going to beat itself. Anderson broke out as a junior and cemented himself as one of the state's top players. Skemp appears to have made a nice jump and turned himself into more than just a spot-up 3-point shooter. The Hilltoppers will find guys down the roster as well, like Skifton, who do the dirty work and set a tone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1203029"],"_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-652d9597f067d"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">8. FOX VALLEY LUTHERAN</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022-23 Record:</strong> 22-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WIAA Playoff Finish:</strong> Lost to New London in regionals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1893305' first='Adam' last='Loberger'] (17.2 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1199829' first='Sam' last='Ferge'] (13.2 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Losses:</strong> Nick Kraftzenk (9.3 ppg), Jackson Papendorf (8.9 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning North Eastern Conference champs got tripped up way too early in the playoffs last season, seeing their 13-game winning streak snapped in the regional finals. There's some tough losses to overcome, but FVL gets its top two scorers back and both are seniors. This is a group that was untouched for much of the 2022-23 campaign and knows how win, collecting 17 wins by double digits. The Foxes were also 5-1 in games decided by five points or less.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1893305"],"_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-652d9597f06e3"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">9. ASHWAUBENON</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022-23 Record:</strong> 15-10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WIAA Playoff Finish:</strong> Lost to Notre Dame in regionals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1260946' first='Drew' last='Tomashek'] (14.2 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1418526' first='Jayden' last='Schoen'] (13.4 ppg), Jackson Sims (11.7 ppg),</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Losses:</strong> Zach Kelly (10.2 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the Fox River Classic Conference losing A LOT of talent, think you see Ashwaubenon drastically improve on its record. The Jaguars return three of their top four scorers from last season, including Schoen and Tomashek who have been playing together for three years now. Each has taken sizable steps forward during their high school career. No reason to think that won't happen again this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1260946"],"_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-652d9597f072b"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">10. MOUNT HOREB</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022-23 Record:</strong> 16-10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WIAA Playoff Finish:</strong> Lost to Stoughton in regionals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1561888' first='Josh' last='Manchester'] (17.3 ppg), Nick Vorwold (10.5 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='2388788' first='Zach' last='Maguire'] (8.1 ppg), Austin Leibfried</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Losses:</strong> Rocco Richie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings were fairly young last season, but shook things up with big wins against the likes of Onalaska, Stoughton, and Burlington. They were also one possession away from advancing to sectionals. Manchester had one of the best freshman seasons that nobody was talking about. Most of the core is back from last season and there's a little bit of everything on this roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561888"],"_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-652d9597f0769"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention: River Falls, Grafton, La Crosse Central, West De Pere, Mosinee, West Salem, Plymouth, Monona Grove, Pius XI, Burlington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->