Central Wisconsin North Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Final Standings</strong><br><br>1. Tigerton 8-2 (22-5); 2. Marion 7-3 (16-10); 2. White Lake 7-3 (13-10); 4. Northland Lutheran 6-4 (7-15); 5. Bowler 1-9 (1-22); 5. Gresham 1-9 (1-23).<br><br><strong>2024-25 Picks</strong><br><br><strong>1. Tigerton</strong> -- The defending conference winners won 22 of 27 games last winter and bring back four starters and a couple of talented reserves. Coach Dan Hoffa believes the work ethic, speed and experience of his players are all assets. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2621714' first='Maverick' last='Maas'] (6-1, 10.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2621717' first='Joey' last='Zimdars'] (6-3, 9.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg) along with juniors Sam Amheuser (5-10, 8.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Gavin Kielblock (6-3, 2.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg) are returning starters. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2382317' first='James' last='Brady'] (6-9, 12.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg) came off the bench, but figures to move into the starting rotation. He has grown a few inches since last year and is definitely the most dominant big man in the league. Sophomore Cameron Carlson (6-0, 5.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg) also figures to play a key role for Tigerton. <br><br><strong>2. Northland Lutheran</strong> -- Two starters and two key backups return for Northland Lutheran. Coach Ryan Wiechmann will count heavily on the talents of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2621712' first='Andrew' last='Wiechmann'] (6-0, 13.2 ppg) and Joe Olbender (6-0, 12.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg). Both players were voted second-team all-league last winter. Also back for the Wildcats are senior Andrew Bolin (6-2, 5.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and junior Zeb Prahl (5-11, 3.7 ppg).<br><br><strong>3. White Lake</strong> -- Sharpshooting junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2388676' first='Aaron' last='Wickersheim'] (5-10, 20.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg) is the top returning scorer in the league. He can get on fire from outside the three-point arc at any time in any game. He is joined in the backcourt by seniors Brody Kreciak (5-10, 12.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Nick Blawat (5-9, 3.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg). Lack of size and experience along the frontline is the Lakers' biggest concern.<br><br><strong>4. Marion</strong> -- Marion won 16 games in 2023-24, but the Mustangs lost all five of their starters and the overwhelming majority of their scoring and rebounding to graduation. Coach Dave Roe will work with returning senior Marcus Wierzba (6-2, 2.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and junior Logan Zietlow (6-1).<br><br><strong>5. Bowler</strong> -- Bowler won one game last winter, but enters year No. 2 under coach Matt Brunner with its top returning scorer back in senior Derek Schreiber (5-11, 11.4 ppg). Sophomore Chase Stevens (5-7, 5.1 ppg) and senior Brandon Slater (6-3, 4.4 ppg) also return. <br><br><strong>6. Gresham</strong> -- First-year coach Brett Nelson takes over at Gresham after Jeff Zobeck retired following a 28 seasons and 309 victories at the school. Gresham has won just one game in each of the past two seasons, but is hoping for better results this time around behind the return of junior Kevin Miller (6-0, 7.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg), senior Wanbli Spotted War Bonnett (5-7, 7.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg), junior Kobe Miller (6-3, 4.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and sophomore Nolan Pecore (5-10, 5.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg).<br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2388676' first='Aaron' last='Wickersheim'], White Lake (20.4 ppg)<br>Joe Oblender, Northland Lutheran (12.6 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2382317' first='James' last='Brady'], Tigerton (12.6 ppg)<br>Brody Kreciak, White Lake (12.4 ppg)<br>Derek Schreiber, Bowler (11.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2621714' first='Maverick' last='Maas'], Tigerton (10.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2621717' first='Joey' last='Zimdars'], Tigerton (9.9 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2621712' first='Andrew' last='Wiechmann'], 6-0, Sr., Northland Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2382317' first='James' last='Brady'], 6-9, Soph., Tigerton<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2621714' first='Maverick' last='Maas'], 6-1, Sr., Tigerton<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2388676' first='Aaron' last='Wickersheim'], 5-10, Jr., White Lake<br>Brody Kreciak, 5-10, Sr., White Lake<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>Joe Oblender, 6-0, Sr., Northland Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2621717' first='Joey' last='Zimdars'], 6-3, Sr., Tigerton<br>Sam Anheuser, 5-10, Jr., Tigerton<br>Andrew Bolin, 6-2, Sr., Northland Lutheran<br>Derek Schreiber, 5-11, Sr., Bowler<br><br><strong>The Big Five<br><br>Best Shooter:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2388676' first='Aaron' last='Wickersheim'], White Lake<br><strong>Best Rebounder:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2382317' first='James' last='Brady'], Tigerton<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> Cameron Carlson, Tigerton<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2382317' first='James' last='Brady'], Tigerton<br><strong>Most Improved Player: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2382317' first='James' last='Brady'], Tigerton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->