Central Wisconsin South Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Final Standings</strong><br><br>1. Almond-Bancroft 12-0 (27-2); 2. Pacelli 10-2 (19-8); 3. Port Edwards 8-4 (16-10); 4. Pittsville 6-6 (14-11); 5. Wild Rose 3-9 (7-19); 6. Rosholt 2-10 (5-20); 7. Tri-County 1-11 (5-20). <br><br><strong>2024-25 Picks</strong><br><br><strong>1. Almond-Bancroft</strong> -- Almond-Bancroft went undefeated in league play and advanced all the way to the WIAA Division 5 State Tournament for the first time in school history a year ago. The Eagles lost to Abundant Life Christian in the state semifinals to end a 27-2 season. Coach Curt Lamb retired last spring after 25 seasons and 434 victories, and was replaced by Keith J. Dernbach, a former girls' coach at the school. Dernbach takes over a program with three returning senior starters in forward [player_tooltip player_id='1544739' first='Ayden' last='Phillips'] (6-7, 24.2 ppg, 11.5 rpg) and guards [player_tooltip player_id='2622229' first='Brody' last='Dernbach'] (6-0, 10.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and Clarence Pratt (6-1, 7.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg). Phillips is a dominant player in the post and again will be the Eagles' go-to player on offense. Pratt is a good long-distance shooter while Dernbach is solid in all phases of the game. Depth is a concern, but the Eagles have the best returning trio in the league.<br><br><strong>2. Pacelli</strong> -- A strong senior class could carry the Cardinals to their second conference championship of the past three seasons this winter as coach John Schurk could have as many as nine class of 2025 players on his roster. Leading the way are returning starters [player_tooltip player_id='2388795' first='Camden' last='Schurk'] (6-2, 20.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2549589' first='Zack' last='Jeidy'] (6-5, 6.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg). Schurk is the most athletic player in the conference and an intriguing collegiate prospect because of his length and verticality. Jeidy is a big man with skill who can battle under the basket or step outside and make mid-range jump shots. Mitchell Grover (6-6) is a physical forward who can battle the likes of Almond-Bancroft's [player_tooltip player_id='1544739' first='Ayden' last='Phillips'] in the post while seniors Braden Flaker (5-11, 2.6 ppg), Lucas Haemmerle (5-10), Malise Beduhn (5-9) and Grant Hinker (6-1) also could make an impact. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2386444' first='Jake' last='Williams'] (6-1) and Bryce Flaker (5-10) might also work their way into the playing rotation. <br><br><strong>3. Port Edwards </strong>-- Finding the right pieces to fill in around two of the better players in the league is the big question for coach Justin Beck heading into the 2024-25 season. The Blackhawks boast two returning double-figure scorers in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2425502' first='Brynden' last='Beck'] (5-11, 18.0 ppg, 3. rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2425152' first='Josh' last='Tranel'] (6-0, 14.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg). Beck earned unanimous first-team all-league honors while Tranel picked up second-team recognition after leading Port Edwards to a 16-10 record. The other three starters from a year ago have graduated. Senior Max Michels (5-10, 3.8 ppg) and Colby Grunden (5-11) will contend for starting spots alongside Beck and Tranel. <br><br><strong>4. Pittsville </strong>-- Coach Mark Denniston begins his 17th year at Pittsville with some size and experience on his roster, but depth is a question mark for the Panthers, who went 14-11 last year. Seniors Logan Zickert (6-2, 9.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2622306' first='Ben' last='Friday'] (6-3, 9.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2692732' first='Dawson' last='Luther'] (5-11, 10.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg) are returning starters for Pittsville. Senior Matthew Gudel (6-4) is hoping to make an impact after missing last season with an injury. Junior Dalton Darr (6-2, 4.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg) also returns. <br><br><strong>5. Wild Rose </strong>-- Coach Jacob Lund is hoping improved depth within the program will help the Wildcats improve on a 7-19 finish. Three starters are back for Wild Rose in seniors Logan Erdman (5-11, 7.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg) and Jayden King (6-4, 7.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg), along with junior Wyatt Bowen (5-10, 3.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg). Lack of varsity experience beyond those three players is a concern as the Wildcats turn to underclassmen to fill in remaining roles on the team.<br><br><strong>6. Tri-County </strong>-- The Penguins have three starters back from a team that went 5-20 in junior Luke Rasmussen (6-1, 3 ppg, 2 rpg) along with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2386230' first='Gage' last='Beggs'] (6-2, 8 ppg, 11 rpg) and RG Meddaugh (6-2, 6 ppg, 4 rpg). First-year coach Brian Siegenthaler also will county heavily on sophomores Seth Hildebrandt (5-9, 5 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2508627' first='Isaac' last='Miller'] (5-9, 3 ppg, 2 rpg). Quickness and athleticism are definite strengths for the Penguins. <br><br><strong>7. Rosholt</strong> -- The Hornets have a new coach in Kendrick Magahee, who replaces Joe Duty. Magahee has the luxury of working with Rosholt's top two returning scorers in senior Marcus Kohl (6-0, 10.8 ppg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2386450' first='Dylan' last='DeLaet'] (6-2, 8.2 ppg). <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1544739' first='Ayden' last='Phillips'], Almond-Bancroft (24.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2388795' first='Camden' last='Schurk'], Pacelli (20.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2425502' first='Brynden' last='Beck'], Port Edwards (18.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2425152' first='Josh' last='Tranel'], Port Edwards (14.7 ppg)<br>Marcus Kohl, Rosholt (10.8 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2622229' first='Brody' last='Dernbach'], Almond-Bancroft (10.6 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2692732' first='Dawson' last='Luther'], Pittsville (10.3 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1544739' first='Ayden' last='Phillips'], 6-7, Sr., Almond-Bancroft<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2622229' first='Brody' last='Dernbach'], 6-0, Sr., Almond-Bancroft<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2388795' first='Camden' last='Schurk'], 6-2, Sr., Pacelli<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2622306' first='Ben' last='Friday'], 6-3, Sr., Pittsville<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2425502' first='Brynden' last='Beck'], 5-11, Sr., Port Edwards<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>Clarence Pratt, 6-1, Sr., Almond-Bancorft<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2549589' first='Zack' last='Jeidy'], 6-5, Sr., Pacelli<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2692732' first='Dawson' last='Luther'], 5-11, Jr., Pittsville<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2425152' first='Josh' last='Tranel'], 6-0, Sr., Port Edwards<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2386230' first='Gage' last='Beggs'], 6-2, Soph., Tri-County<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2425502' first='Brynden' last='Beck'], Port Edwards<br><strong>Best Rebounder:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1544739' first='Ayden' last='Phillips'], Almond-Bancroft<br><strong>Best Defender: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2386230' first='Gage' last='Beggs'], Tri-County<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2388795' first='Camden' last='Schurk'], Pacelli<br><strong>Most Improved Player:</strong> Braden Flaker, Pacelli</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->