Big East South Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Final Standings</strong><br><br>1. Kohler 11-1 (25-3); 1. Sheboygan Lutheran 11-1 (22-3); 3. Oostburg 8-4 (17-8); 4. Ozaukee 5-7 (16-12); 5. Cedar Grove 4-8 (8-17); 6. Sheboygan Christian 2-10 (5-20); 7. Random Lake 1-11 (5-20).<br><br><strong>2024-25 Picks</strong><br><br><strong>1. Sheboygan Lutheran </strong>-- After finishing in a two-way deadlock with Kohler for the Big East South Conference crown last year, the Crusaders are hoping to capture the title outright in 2024-25 behind the return of four starters and four key reserves. The starters all are capable of scoring in double figures on any given night and include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2549586' first='Andrew' last='Krueger'] (6-0, 14.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Jake Thomas (6-0, 7.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2224503' first='Brennen' last='Hackbarth'] (6-5, 14.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2509476' first='Oliver' last='Leibham'] (5-11, 9.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg). Depth is a big asset for veteran coach Nick Verhagen as seniors Lukas Schulze (6-1) and Kole Klapperich (6-3) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2641634' first='Zach' last='Leonhard'] (6-1, 7.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2382133' first='Marion' last='Boyland'] (6-5, 4.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg) all figure to play key roles. The Crusaders enter the season ranked No. 1 among WIAA Division 5 programs after playing in Division 4 the past few seasons. <br><br><strong>2. Oostburg</strong> -- As usual, size is an asset for the Flying Dutchmen. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2117025' first='Jamison' last='Zavatchin'] (6-3, 21.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg) ranks among the elite frontcourt layers in the Big East South and will get plenty of help from seniors Landon Baumann (6-3) and Cooper Kneser (6-4). Zavatchin's younger brother, freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2508205' first='Weston' last='Zavatchin'] (6-5), also figures to play a key role in the frontcourt. In the backcourt, coach Kevin Bruggink has two starters back in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1970502' first='Cade' last='Dirkse'] (6-1, 19.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and senior Caeden Stuerwald (5-10, 2.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg). Dirkse is one of the top players in the league and a two-time first-team all-league performer. <br><br><strong>3. Kohler</strong> -- Varsity, JV1 and JV2 teams at Kohler won 60 games in 2023-24 and with three starters and some key backups back from a team that finished 25-3, the Blue Bombers figure again to field one of the elite teams in the Big East. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1599002' first='Zane' last='Willadsen'] (6-4, 16.4 ppg, 9.5 rpg) uses his size and strength to finish well around the basket while senior [player_tooltip player_id='2404504' first='Max' last='Breitenbach'] (6-3, 16.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg) can score from all three levels. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2224504' first='Brody' last='Duchow'] (6-0, 9.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg) also is a returning regulars. Senior Wilson Gebler (6-0, 3.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg), senior Bennett Cornwell (6-1, 4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and promising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2883490' first='Carter' last='Zimmermann'] (6-0, 6.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg) also will play big roles for the Blue Bombers. <br><br><strong>4. Cedar Grove</strong> -- Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2224528' first='Owen' last='Gulke'] (6-0, 17.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg) can score at different levels with his athleticism and physical strength. His presence in the Rockets' lineup makes coach Jake Hock's squad a threat to get a victory every time out. Seniors Nolan Aponte (6-1, 9.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg), Cade Borden (6-2, 8.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Brody Halleman (5-10, 8.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg) joined Gulke in the starting rotation last winter when the Rockets went 8-17. <br><br><strong>5. Sheboygan Christian</strong> -- Like Cedar Grove, Sheboygan Christian welcomes back a veteran roster and has a team capable of posting an upset or two within league play in 2024-25. Long-time coach Brett Flipse has size, length and experience to work with as five starters return from a 5-20 squad. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2493660' first='Brock' last='Zylstra'] (6-6, 10.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, Concordia, Wis., commit) is a long, athletic and versatile player who took major strides in his game over the summer. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2700573' first='Josh' last='Kautzer'] (6-4, 10.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2700579' first='Cameron' last='Ferraino'] (5-11, 12.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg) both earned honorable mention all-league honors. Rounding out the list of key returning players are senior Jackson Kiel (6-0, 8.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.7 apg) and Noah Atkinson (6-1, 3.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg).<br><br><strong>6. Ozaukee</strong> -- The Warriors must overcome the graduation loss of three double-figure scorers in Bret Hamm (17.0 ppg), Aaron Nehls (15.2 ppg) and Sawyer Kowalkowski (14.4 ppg). Coach Bob Domach has one returning regular from a team that went 16-12 in junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2854954' first='Chase' last='Mills'] (6-3, 3.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg). Senior Otto Utecht (6-4, 5.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and sophomore Brayden Lawrence-Eischen (6-4, 6.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg) figure to move into the starting rotation after being key reserves last winter.<br><br><strong>7. Random Lake</strong> -- Team defense should be a strength for the Rams, who enter year No. 2 under coach Derrick Wielepski needing to replace four starters. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2424002' first='Payton' last='Donahue'] (6-3, 6.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg) is the only returning player with extensive experience for Random Lake. <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2117025' first='Jamison' last='Zavatchin'], Oostburg (21.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1970502' first='Cade' last='Dirkse'], Oostburg (19.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2224528' first='Owen' last='Gulke'], Cedar Grove (17.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2404504' first='Max' last='Breitenbach'], Kohler (16.8 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1599002' first='Zane' last='Willadsen'], Kohler (16.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2224503' first='Brennen' last='Hackbarth'], Sheboygan Lutheran (14.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2549586' first='Andrew' last='Krueger'], Sheboygan Lutheran (14.3 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2700579' first='Cameron' last='Ferraino'], Sheboygan Christian (12.4 ppg)<br>Josh Kauzter, Sheboygan Christian (10.6 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493660' first='Brock' last='Zylstra'], Sheboygan Christian (10.2 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2224528' first='Owen' last='Gulke'], 6-0, Jr., Cedar Grove<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2404504' first='Max' last='Breitenbach'], 6-3, Sr., Kohler<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2117025' first='Jamison' last='Zavatchin'], 6-3, Jr., Oostburg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1970502' first='Cade' last='Dirkse'], 6-1, Jr., Oostburg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2224503' first='Brennen' last='Hackbarth'], 6-5, Jr., Sheboygan Lutheran<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>Nolan Aponte, 6-1, Sr., Cedar Grove<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1599002' first='Zane' last='Willadsen'], 6-4, Sr., Kohler<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493660' first='Brock' last='Zylstra'], 6-6, Sr., Shebogyan Christian<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2700573' first='Josh' last='Kautzer'], 6-4, Sr., Sheboygan Christian<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2549586' first='Andrew' last='Krueger'], 6-0, Sr., Sheboygan Lutheran<br><br><strong>The Big Five<br><br>Best Shooter:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2549586' first='Andrew' last='Krueger'], Sheboygan Lutheran<br><strong>Best Rebounder: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599002' first='Zane' last='Willadsen'], Kohler<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2493660' first='Brock' last='Zylstra'], Sheboygan Christian<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1970502' first='Cade' last='Dirkse'], Oostburg<br><strong>Most Improved Player:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2382133' first='Marion' last='Boyland'], Sheboygan Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->