Big East North Preview

2023-24 Final Standings: 1. Howards Grove 10-2 (19-6); 2. St. Mary Catholic 9-3 (17-8); 2. Reedsville 9-3 (19-10); 4. Manitowoc Lutheran 8-4 (17-9); 5. Elkhart Lake 4-8 (12-14); 6. Hilbert 2-10 (8-17); 7. Mishicot 0-12 (5-19). 2024-25 Picks 1. Howards Grove -- Led by the best all-around player in the Big East North Conference in senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2403253' first='Trent' last='Grunewald'] (6-5, 19.1 ppg, 9.0 rpg), Howards Grove is favored to capture its third straight league title. Grunewald is a returning all-league performer with excellent size, solid athleticism and the ability to score from outside the arc or near the basket with his physicality and rebounding. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2403263' first='Conor' last='Cruz'] (6-4, 11.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg) joined Grunewald in the starting rotation while seniors Mason Stoeckigt (6-2, 2.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and Manny Lopez (5-9, 2.1 ppg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2891620' first='Keaton' last='Milbrath'] (6-0, 6.2 ppg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2417144' first='Trace' last='Damrow'] (6-3, 2.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg) also will play big roles for coach Wade Georgeff. Look for sophomore Geddy Barnstable (6-1) to also make an impact for the Tigers. 2. Manitowoc Lutheran -- The Lancers swept both St. Mary Catholic and Elkhart Lake last winter and finished with 17 victories. Two of the top players from that squad return for coach Scott Loberger in senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2617707' first='Derek' last='Laabs'] (6-0, 13.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2499881' first='Wesley' last='Hecker'] (6-0, 8.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg). Both are all-league caliber performers who give Manitowoc Lutheran one of the premier backcourts in the conference. Juniors Jaymen Ott (6-2, 7.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2386216' first='Will' last='Franzen'] (6-2, 5.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2816676' first='Isaiah' last='Muchka'] (5-8, 3.8 ppg) saw plenty of action in reserve roles and figure to contend for starting roles along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2920452' first='Noah' last='Dillon'] (6-3), Trenton Schuettpelz (6-0) and Isaac Wagner (5-10). 3. Reedsville -- Coach Ron Prochnow guided the Panthers to a WIAA Division 5 sectional final last winter, losing to Abundant Life Christian to end a memorable 19-10 season. Five players who started at different times return, led by Prochnow's son, junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1561897' first='Ben' last='Prochnow'] (5-10, 18.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 6.7 apg). Seniors Parker Maney (6-1, 9.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.7 apg), Logan Maertz (5-10, 5.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Gavin Dvorachek (5-11, 5.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2617712' first='Arden' last='Strenn'] (6-2, 10.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg) also return. Gaurd play, depth and quickness are among Reedsville's strengths while overcoming a lack of size is a concern. 4. St. Mary Catholic -- The normally high-scoring Zephyrs have to replace their top two scorers from a year ago as Braeden Brenn (6-8, 21.0 ppg, 10.2 rpg) and Fisher MacKenzie (6-4, 17.6 ppg, 9.0 rpg, now playing at Ripon) have graduated. Three regulars do return and all three are backcourt players in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1289137' first='Preston' last='Fields'] (6-1, 10.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg), junior [player_tooltip player_id='2483851' first='Mason' last='Uhlenbrauck'] (6-1, 9.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2508290' first='Luke' last='Fairweather'] (5-10, 6.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg). If seniors Kieran Barrientos (6-3, 6.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2416258' first='Sean' last='Ortscheid'] (6-3, 2.8 ppg) can rebound and hold their own on the frontline, the Zephyrs could move up a notch or two. 5. Elkhart Lake -- A program on the rise, Elkhart Lake is a Division 5 school playing against mostly Division 4 opponents in the Big East North. While that may not always lend itself to a glossy record, the stiff competition could prove to be a significant factor when the WIAA playoffs get underway. Coach Mike Koehler has four returning starters from a 12-win squad in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1961737' first='Brody' last='Feldmann'] (6-3, 19.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.6 apg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1561884' first='Ashton' last='Thuecks'] (6-5, 15.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg), Dakota Koehler (5-9, 7.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and Ethan Fromm (6-4, 6.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg). The Resorters boast good size and athleticism, and hope better consistency might lead to a higher finish in the league standings and some postseason success. 6. Hilbert -- Rookie coach Connor Kuhn, a former standout player at the school, has some pieces to work with as five players with extensive experience return, led by junior Brody Hein (6-0, 7.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and senior Elliott Sheets (6-5, 5.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg). The Wolves went 8-17 last year and did lose their top scorer to graduation in Kaelin VandenWyngaard (6-5, 14.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg). 7. Mishicot -- Mishicot begins the season with a 34-game losing streak in the Big East Conference. Over the past five seasons, the Indians own a 7-79 mark within conference play. Seniors Nolan Sand (6-0, 11.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and Nick Logan (5-7, 5.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg) along with junior Jackson Thor (5-7, 5.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg) are key returning players for third-year coach Randy Wiebenshohn. Top Returning Scorers [player_tooltip player_id='1961737' first='Brody' last='Feldmann'], Elkhart Lake (19.7 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2403253' first='Trent' last='Grunewald'], Howards Grove (19.1 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='1561897' first='Ben' last='Prochnow'], Reedsville (18.7 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='1561884' first='Ashton' last='Thuecks'], Elkhart Lake (15.5 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2617707' first='Derek' last='Laabs'], Manitowoc Lutheran (13.3 ppg) Nolan Sand, Mishicot (11.7 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2403263' first='Conor' last='Cruz'], Howards Grove (11.1 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2617712' first='Arden' last='Strenn'], Reedsville (10.5 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='1289137' first='Preston' last='Fields'], St. Mary Catholic (10.3 ppg) Projected All-Conference Teams First Team [player_tooltip player_id='2403253' first='Trent' last='Grunewald'], 6-5, Sr., Howards Grove [player_tooltip player_id='1961737' first='Brody' last='Feldmann'], 6-3, Sr., Elkhart Lake [player_tooltip player_id='2617707' first='Derek' last='Laabs'], 6-0, Sr., Manitowoc Lutheran [player_tooltip player_id='1561897' first='Ben' last='Prochnow'], 5-10, Jr., Reedsville [player_tooltip player_id='1289137' first='Preston' last='Fields'], 6-1, Sr., St. Mary Catholic Second Team [player_tooltip player_id='1561884' first='Ashton' last='Thuecks'], 6-5, Jr., Elkahrt Lake Brody Hein, 6-0, Jr., Hilbert [player_tooltip player_id='2403263' first='Conor' last='Cruz'], 6-4, Sr., Howards Grove [player_tooltip player_id='2617712' first='Arden' last='Strenn'], 6-2, Jr., Reedsville [player_tooltip player_id='2483851' first='Mason' last='Uhlenbrauck'], 6-1, Jr., St. Mary Catholic The Big Five Best Shooter: [player_tooltip player_id='2403253' first='Trent' last='Grunewald'], Howards Grove Best Rebounder: [player_tooltip player_id='1961737' first='Brody' last='Feldmann'], Elkhart Lake Best Defender: [player_tooltip player_id='2499881' first='Wesley' last='Hecker'], Manitowoc Lutheran Best Collegiate Prospect: [player_tooltip player_id='2403253' first='Trent' last='Grunewald'], Howards Grove Most Improved Player: Parker Maney, Reedsville

2023-24 Final Standings:

1. Howards Grove 10-2 (19-6); 2. St. Mary Catholic 9-3 (17-8); 2. Reedsville 9-3 (19-10); 4. Manitowoc Lutheran 8-4 (17-9); 5. Elkhart Lake 4-8 (12-14); 6. Hilbert 2-10 (8-17); 7. Mishicot 0-12 (5-19).

2024-25 Picks

1. Howards Grove -- Led by the best all-around player in the Big East North Conference in senior wing Trent Grunewald Trent Grunewald 6'5" | CG Howards Grove | 2025 State WI (6-5, 19.1 ppg, 9.0 rpg), Howards Grove is favored to capture its third straight league title. Grunewald is a returning all-league performer with excellent size, solid athleticism and the ability to score from outside the arc or near the basket with his physicality and rebounding. Senior forward Conor Cruz Conor Cruz 6'3" | PF Howards Grove | 2025 WI (6-4, 11.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg) joined Grunewald in the starting rotation while seniors Mason Stoeckigt (6-2, 2.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and Manny Lopez (5-9, 2.1 ppg) along with junior Keaton Milbrath Keaton Milbrath 6'0" | PG/SG Howards Grove | 2026 WI (6-0, 6.2 ppg) and sophomore Trace Damrow Trace Damrow 6'3" | PF Howards Grove | 2027 State WI (6-3, 2.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg) also will play big roles for coach Wade Georgeff. Look for sophomore Geddy Barnstable (6-1) to also make an impact for the Tigers.

2. Manitowoc Lutheran -- The Lancers swept both St. Mary Catholic and Elkhart Lake last winter and finished with 17 victories. Two of the top players from that squad return for coach Scott Loberger in senior guard Derek Laabs Derek Laabs 6'0" | CG Manitowoc Lutheran | 2025 WI (6-0, 13.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and junior guard Wesley Hecker Wesley Hecker 6'0" | PG Manitowoc Lutheran | 2026 State WI (6-0, 8.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg). Both are all-league caliber performers who give Manitowoc Lutheran one of the premier backcourts in the conference. Juniors Jaymen Ott (6-2, 7.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg), Will Franzen Will Franzen 6'2" | PF Manitowoc Lutheran | 2026 State WI (6-2, 5.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and Isaiah Muchka Isaiah Muchka 5'10" | SG/PG Manitowoc Lutheran | 2026 WI (5-8, 3.8 ppg) saw plenty of action in reserve roles and figure to contend for starting roles along with juniors Noah Dillon Noah Dillon 6'2" | SF Manitowoc Lutheran | 2026 WI (6-3), Trenton Schuettpelz (6-0) and Isaac Wagner (5-10).

3. Reedsville -- Coach Ron Prochnow guided the Panthers to a WIAA Division 5 sectional final last winter, losing to Abundant Life Christian to end a memorable 19-10 season. Five players who started at different times return, led by Prochnow's son, junior point guard Ben Prochnow Ben Prochnow 5'10" | PG Reedsville | 2026 State WI (5-10, 18.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 6.7 apg). Seniors Parker Maney (6-1, 9.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.7 apg), Logan Maertz (5-10, 5.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Gavin Dvorachek (5-11, 5.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg) along with junior Arden Strenn Arden Strenn 6'1" | SF Reedsville | 2026 WI (6-2, 10.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg) also return. Gaurd play, depth and quickness are among Reedsville's strengths while overcoming a lack of size is a concern.

4. St. Mary Catholic -- The normally high-scoring Zephyrs have to replace their top two scorers from a year ago as Braeden Brenn (6-8, 21.0 ppg, 10.2 rpg) and Fisher MacKenzie (6-4, 17.6 ppg, 9.0 rpg, now playing at Ripon) have graduated. Three regulars do return and all three are backcourt players in senior Preston Fields Preston Fields 6'0" | PG Saint Mary Catholic | 2025 State WI (6-1, 10.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg), junior Mason Uhlenbrauck Mason Uhlenbrauck 6'2" | SG St. Mary Catholic | 2026 State WI (6-1, 9.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and sophomore Luke Fairweather Luke Fairweather 6'0" | PG Saint Mary Catholic | 2027 State WI (5-10, 6.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg). If seniors Kieran Barrientos (6-3, 6.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and Sean Ortscheid Sean Ortscheid 6'3" | SF St Mary Catholic | 2025 WI (6-3, 2.8 ppg) can rebound and hold their own on the frontline, the Zephyrs could move up a notch or two.

5. Elkhart Lake -- A program on the rise, Elkhart Lake is a Division 5 school playing against mostly Division 4 opponents in the Big East North. While that may not always lend itself to a glossy record, the stiff competition could prove to be a significant factor when the WIAA playoffs get underway. Coach Mike Koehler has four returning starters from a 12-win squad in senior Brody Feldmann Brody Feldmann 6'2" | SF Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah | 2025 State WI (6-3, 19.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.6 apg) along with juniors Ashton Thuecks Ashton Thuecks 6'5" | SF Elkhart Lake | 2026 State WI (6-5, 15.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg), Dakota Koehler (5-9, 7.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and Ethan Fromm (6-4, 6.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg). The Resorters boast good size and athleticism, and hope better consistency might lead to a higher finish in the league standings and some postseason success.

6. Hilbert -- Rookie coach Connor Kuhn, a former standout player at the school, has some pieces to work with as five players with extensive experience return, led by junior Brody Hein (6-0, 7.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and senior Elliott Sheets (6-5, 5.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg). The Wolves went 8-17 last year and did lose their top scorer to graduation in Kaelin VandenWyngaard (6-5, 14.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg).

7. Mishicot -- Mishicot begins the season with a 34-game losing streak in the Big East Conference. Over the past five seasons, the Indians own a 7-79 mark within conference play. Seniors Nolan Sand (6-0, 11.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and Nick Logan (5-7, 5.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg) along with junior Jackson Thor (5-7, 5.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg) are key returning players for third-year coach Randy Wiebenshohn.

Top Returning Scorers

Brody Feldmann Brody Feldmann 6'2" | SF Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah | 2025 State WI , Elkhart Lake (19.7 ppg)
Trent Grunewald Trent Grunewald 6'5" | CG Howards Grove | 2025 State WI , Howards Grove (19.1 ppg)
Ben Prochnow Ben Prochnow 5'10" | PG Reedsville | 2026 State WI , Reedsville (18.7 ppg)
Ashton Thuecks Ashton Thuecks 6'5" | SF Elkhart Lake | 2026 State WI , Elkhart Lake (15.5 ppg)
Derek Laabs Derek Laabs 6'0" | CG Manitowoc Lutheran | 2025 WI , Manitowoc Lutheran (13.3 ppg)
Nolan Sand, Mishicot (11.7 ppg)
Conor Cruz Conor Cruz 6'3" | PF Howards Grove | 2025 WI , Howards Grove (11.1 ppg)
Arden Strenn Arden Strenn 6'1" | SF Reedsville | 2026 WI , Reedsville (10.5 ppg)
Preston Fields Preston Fields 6'0" | PG Saint Mary Catholic | 2025 State WI , St. Mary Catholic (10.3 ppg)

Projected All-Conference Teams
First Team
Trent Grunewald Trent Grunewald 6'5" | CG Howards Grove | 2025 State WI , 6-5, Sr., Howards Grove
Brody Feldmann Brody Feldmann 6'2" | SF Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah | 2025 State WI , 6-3, Sr., Elkhart Lake
Derek Laabs Derek Laabs 6'0" | CG Manitowoc Lutheran | 2025 WI , 6-0, Sr., Manitowoc Lutheran
Ben Prochnow Ben Prochnow 5'10" | PG Reedsville | 2026 State WI , 5-10, Jr., Reedsville
Preston Fields Preston Fields 6'0" | PG Saint Mary Catholic | 2025 State WI , 6-1, Sr., St. Mary Catholic

Second Team
Ashton Thuecks Ashton Thuecks 6'5" | SF Elkhart Lake | 2026 State WI , 6-5, Jr., Elkahrt Lake
Brody Hein, 6-0, Jr., Hilbert
Conor Cruz Conor Cruz 6'3" | PF Howards Grove | 2025 WI , 6-4, Sr., Howards Grove
Arden Strenn Arden Strenn 6'1" | SF Reedsville | 2026 WI , 6-2, Jr., Reedsville
Mason Uhlenbrauck Mason Uhlenbrauck 6'2" | SG St. Mary Catholic | 2026 State WI , 6-1, Jr., St. Mary Catholic

The Big Five

Best Shooter: Trent Grunewald Trent Grunewald 6'5" | CG Howards Grove | 2025 State WI , Howards Grove
Best Rebounder: Brody Feldmann Brody Feldmann 6'2" | SF Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah | 2025 State WI , Elkhart Lake
Best Defender: Wesley Hecker Wesley Hecker 6'0" | PG Manitowoc Lutheran | 2026 State WI , Manitowoc Lutheran
Best Collegiate Prospect: Trent Grunewald Trent Grunewald 6'5" | CG Howards Grove | 2025 State WI , Howards Grove
Most Improved Player: Parker Maney, Reedsville