Preseason Top 10: Division 2
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Prep Hoops Wisconsin reveals our preseason top 10 teams in Division 2 heading into the 2023-24 season… 1. NICOLET 2022-23 Record: 24-5 WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Pewaukee in the state semifinals Key Returners: Davion Hannah Davion Hannah 6'5" |…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Wisconsin reveals our preseason top 10 teams in Division 2 heading into the 2023-24 season…
1. NICOLET
2022-23 Record: 24-5
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Pewaukee in the state semifinals
Key Returners: Davion Hannah Davion Hannah 6'5" | SF Nicolet | 2025 State #33 Nation WI (19.9 ppg), David Bolden David Bolden 6'0" | PG Nicolet | 2025 State WI (11.9 ppg), Rashad Davis (10.8 ppg), Matthew McKay Matthew McKay 6'6" | SF Nicolet | 2024 State WI (7.4 ppg)
Notable Losses: N/A
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.
2. PEWAUKEE
2022-23 Record: 27-3
WIAA Playoff Finish: Won the Division 2 State Championship
Key Returners: Nick Janowski Nick Janowski 6'3" | SG Pewaukee | 2024 State #126 Nation WI (23.2 ppg), Luka Momcilovic Luka Momcilovic 6'8" | SF Pewaukee | 2025 State WI (8.4 ppg), Isaiah Robinson Isaiah Robinson 6'1" | SG Pewaukee | 2025 State WI (6.7 ppg), Karson Osterman Karson Osterman 6'0" | SG Pewaukee | 2025 WI (6.5 ppg)
Notable Losses: Milan Momcilovic (23.6 ppg), Kaeden Osterman (5.1 ppg).
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 Luka Momcilovic Luka Momcilovic 6'8" | SF Pewaukee | 2025 State WI and Robinson take some key steps forward after playing sizable, but complementary roles in 2022-23.
3. WISCONSIN LUTHERAN
2022-23 Record: 23-5
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Pewaukee in the sectional finals
Key Returners: Kon II Knueppel Kon II Knueppel 6'6" | SG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2024 State #15 Nation WI (19.7 ppg), Logan Rindfleisch Logan Rindfleisch 6'5" | SF Wisconsin Lutheran | 2024 State WI (6.1 ppg), Grayson Young Grayson Young 6'2" | CG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2024 State WI (4.5 ppg)
Notable Losses: Jamiir Allen (13.4 ppg), Prentice Young (12.5 ppg), Landon Key (9.5 ppg)
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 Zavier Zens Zavier Zens 6'7" | SG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2026 State WI , they’re one of 3-4 teams that can hoist the gold ball in March.
Highlights
4. WAUWATOSA WEST
2022-23 Record: 18-8
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Pius XI in regionals
Key Returners: Kai Rogers Kai Rogers 6'10" | C Wauwatosa West | 2025 State #41 Nation WI (15.8 ppg), Jake Hansen Jake Hansen 6'1" | SG Wauwatosa West | 2025 State #331 Nation WI (15.0 ppg), Moses Long Moses Long 6'3" | SG Wauwatosa West | 2024 State WI (6.2 ppg)
Notable Losses: Cole Hansen (18.0 ppg)
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 Jake Hansen Jake Hansen 6'1" | SG Wauwatosa West | 2025 State #331 Nation WI 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.
5. WHITNALL
2022-23 Record: 25-4
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Pewaukee in the state championship game
Key Returners: Jack Lutz Jack Lutz 6'0" | SG Whitnall | 2025 State WI (17.3 ppg), Myles Herro Myles Herro 6'2" | PG Whitnall | 2025 State #237 Nation WI (6.3 ppg)
Notable Losses: Austin Herro (14.8 ppg), Nate Baake (7.6 ppg), Ethan Thomas (6.9 ppg)
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.
Highlights
6. STOUGHTON
2022-23 Record: 19-8
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to McFarland in sectionals
Key Returners: Ty Fernholz Ty Fernholz 6'2" | SG Stoughton | 2024 State WI (20.7 ppg), Sawyer Schipper Sawyer Schipper 6'1" | SG Stoughton | 2024 State WI (14.2 ppg), Jay Johnson Jay Johnson 6'4" | SF Stoughton | 2025 State WI (6.8 ppg), Carter Sullivan Carter Sullivan 6'6" | PF Stoughton | 2025 State WI (6.8 ppg), Jacob Hibner Jacob Hibner 6'3" | SG Stoughton | 2026 State WI (6.0 ppg)
Notable Losses: N/A
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.
7. ONALASKA
2022-23 Record: 19-6
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to La Crosse Central in regionals
Key Returners: Evan Anderson (18.8 ppg), Isaac Skemp Isaac Skemp 6'4" | SF Onalaska | 2024 State WI (8.8 ppg), Adam Skifton (6.8 ppg)
Notable Losses: T.J. Stuttley (16.3 ppg)
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.
8. FOX VALLEY LUTHERAN
2022-23 Record: 22-4
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to New London in regionals
Key Returners: Adam Loberger Adam Loberger 6'4" | SG Fox Valley Lutheran | 2024 State WI (17.2 ppg), Sam Ferge Sam Ferge 6'4" | PG Fox Valley Lutheran | 2024 State WI (13.2 ppg)
Notable Losses: Nick Kraftzenk (9.3 ppg), Jackson Papendorf (8.9 ppg)
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.
9. ASHWAUBENON
2022-23 Record: 15-10
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Notre Dame in regionals
Key Returners: Drew Tomashek Drew Tomashek 6'0" | PG Ashwaubenon | 2024 State WI (14.2 ppg), Jayden Schoen Jayden Schoen 6'3" | SG Ashwaubenon | 2024 State WI (13.4 ppg), Jackson Sims (11.7 ppg),
Notable Losses: Zach Kelly (10.2 ppg)
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.
10. MOUNT HOREB
2022-23 Record: 16-10
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Stoughton in regionals
Key Returners: Josh Manchester Josh Manchester 6'4" | PG Mount Horeb | 2026 State WI (17.3 ppg), Nick Vorwold (10.5 ppg), Zach Maguire Zach Maguire 6'3" | SG Mount Horeb | 2025 State WI (8.1 ppg), Austin Leibfried
Notable Losses: Rocco Richie
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.
Honorable Mention: River Falls, Grafton, La Crosse Central, West De Pere, Mosinee, West Salem, Plymouth, Monona Grove, Pius XI, Burlington