Fox Valley Association Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Final Standings</strong><br><br>1. Oshkosh North 16-2 (20-6); 2. Neenah 13-5 (21-8); 3. Kaukauna 12-6 (19-8); 4. Appleton North 11-7 (16-9); 4. Kimberly 11-7 (17-9); 6. Fond du Lac 9-9 (12-14); 6. Hortonville 9-9 (15-11); 8. Appleton East 6-12 (11-15); 9. Oshkosh West 3-15 (6-19); 10. Appleton West 0-18 (1-24).<br><br><strong>2024-25 Picks</strong><br><br><strong>1. Oshkosh North </strong>-- Defending league champion Oshkosh North has the best player in the league returning in senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1282617' first='Xzavion' last='Mitchell'] (6-6, 25.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg, committed to Iowa State). Mitchell is a versatile wing who impacts plays on both ends with his size, length and extreme competitiveness. Mitchell will get plenty of help from another exceptionally competitive player in junior [player_tooltip player_id='1973116' first='Bryce' last='Ott'] (6-6, 10.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg). Ott's non-stop activity on both ends of the court is a big plus for coach Brad Weber's crew. Also returning are senior [player_tooltip player_id='2610613' first='Stefan' last='Stojilovic'] (6-6, 3.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2784342' first='Jackson' last='Anderson'] (5-10, 2.3 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2408974' first='Max' last='Rohr'] (6-0, 2.1 ppg). Stojilovic is one of the league's most improved players and gives the Spartans three 6-foot-6 players who can score inside and outside. Newcomers from a 20-2 JV1 team will provide quality depth for one of the state's elite teams. <br><br><strong>2. Appleton North </strong>-- Expectations for a successful season at Appleton North have never been higher. With seven key returning players from a squad that went 16-9, much is anticipated from the Lightning in 2024-25. All five returning starters could wind up playing at some level of college basketball. That gifted group includes senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2610542' first='Abraham' last='Tomori'] (6-2, 13.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1561879' first='Will' last='Sweeney'] (5-9, 13.6 ppg, 2.3 apg), [player_tooltip player_id='1561908' first='Grant' last='Hardy'] (6-3, 10.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1561876' first='Ben' last='Zdzieblowski'] (6-5, 4.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1561874' first='Nathan' last='Ramus'] (6-1, 9.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg). Key reserves also back include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1289047' first='Sean' last='Hansen'] (6-0, 6.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and Daniel Garrigan (6-2, 2.4 ppg). Several players in the Appleton North program will be starting for the third straight season and all of the scoring, rebounding and assists leaders from a year ago return. In addition to the brutal 18-game schedule in the Fox Valley Association, Appleton North has non-league games with Verona, Brookfield Central, Eau Claire Memorial and Park Center, Minn., among others. <br><br><strong>3. Kaukauna </strong>-- Depth is a concern for the Ghosts, but the key returning players can matchup with the best of them, both in the FVA and across the state. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1289073' first='Keegan' last='Van Kauwenberg'] (6-3, 18.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg) recently picked up an offer from Green Bay and is coming off a breakout summer on the club circuit while junior [player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'] (6-9, 13.5 ppg, 9.6 rpg) owns several DI offers, including Green Bay and Marquette. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2398517' first='Jonah' last='Roehrig'] (6-2, 7.4 ppg) is a long-distance bomber while seniors Caden Graff (6-5, 2.1 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2626601' first='Brody' last='McMullin'] (5-11, 4.2 ppg) also figure to play big roles. <br><br><strong>4. Kimberly </strong>-- Kimberly likely does not have a scholarship player on its roster, but the Papermakers nonetheless have a lineup loaded with very good athletes and basketball players. Former University of Wisconsin guard Freddie Owens takes over the coaching duties at Kimberly and has one of the league's top defenders back in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1537928' first='Mikey' last='Wildes'] (6-3, 12.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg). Wildes and senior Landon VanOfferen (6-3, 7.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg) are returning starters from a club that went 17-9. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2610552' first='Ben' last='Grabner'] (6-10) is poised for a big year after showing vast improvement over the summer. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2674206' first='Aaron' last='Cullen'] (6-0, 5.2 ppg) and Ayden Lom (6-2, 3.1 ppg) also will play big roles for Kimberly.<br><br><strong>5. Neenah</strong> -- Okay, so Neenah doesn't have a big name returning. Brady Corso (6-1, 22 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.3 apg) is now playing at Division II St. Leo. Also gone from a 21-8 squad are Charlie Wunderlich (6-1, 13.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg), Justin Janssen (6-3, 6.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and Ethan Hoelzel (6-11, 2.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg). Still, you learn to never underestimate a Lee Rabas-coached squad. The Rockets again will share the ball, defend with toughness and compete from opening tip to final buzzer. And with athletes such as [player_tooltip player_id='2492808' first='Luke' last='Jung'] (6-3, 10.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2496338' first='Cal' last='Juckem'] (6-2, 2.4 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2224527' first='Nick' last='Schultz'] (6-0, 3.8 ppg) all back, Neenah again will be a team that wins basketball games. Look for seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1598978' first='Mason' last='Flees'] (6-0, 1.2 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='2723481' first='Joey' last='Daun'] (6-1, 2.1 ppg) and Benjy Bell (6-2, 2.3 ppg) to step into increased roles.<br><br><strong>6. Hortonville </strong>-- A solid core of returning players could help the Polar Bears move up a notch or two in the league standings as coach Matt Hintz's nucleus of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1456954' first='Riley' last='Mueller'] (6-1, 15.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and Owen Sipes (6-5, 5.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='1561939' first='Ethan' last='Joling'] (6-6, 16.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg) likely could win a lot of championships in leagues other than the FVA. Mueller is a shifty lead guard with plenty of experience while Joling is a potential NCAA Division I recruit due to his size, athleticism and versatility. Other key returning personnel for the Polar Bears includes senior [player_tooltip player_id='1441613' first='Alden' last='Rogers'] (6-0, 7.9 ppg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1561873' first='Max' last='Chan'] (6-1, 2.2 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1561880' first='Aiden' last='Sweeney'] (5-10, 2.1 ppg).<br><br><strong>7. Appleton East </strong>-- Standout point guard Joey LaChapell is now playing at UW-Oshkosh so he won't be in the Patriots' lineup for the first time in four years. LaChapell averaged 26.3 points nd 3.8 rebounds as a senior, helping Appleton East to an 11-15 record. Coach Turner Botz turns to talented senior [player_tooltip player_id='1622081' first='Cade' last='Prestigiacomo'] (6-3, 11.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg) to take over the scoring and leadership loads for the Patriots. A good athlete with size and skill, Prestigiacomo is a good perimeter shooter who competes with passion and strong court vision. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2381685' first='Jacob' last='Weisbach'] (6-4, 5.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and junior Josh Christiansen (6-3, 1.1 ppg, 1.2 rpg) also started at times a year ago. <br><br><strong>8. Fond du Lac </strong>-- The Cardinals won the FVA crown two years ago before slipping to a 9-9 league mark last winter. Coach Nick Ford's squad figures to feature stellar backcourt play with the return of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1485496' first='Eli' last='Zimmerman'] (6-0, 8.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2392418' first='Marvin' last='Haslett'] (6-0, 10.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2402477' first='Eli' last='Braatz'] (6-2, 7.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg). There is great cohesion within that trio as they have played alongside each other for the past few seasons. Seniors Tavion Pate (6-2, 4.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2402484' first='Conor' last='Johnson'] (6-2, 2.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2784458' first='Zavion' last='Davis'] (6-1, 3.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg) could also play big minutes for the Cardinals. <br><br><strong>9. Oshkosh West </strong>-- The Wildcats have some returning experience, some exciting young players and some impressive versatility. Whether those attributes help coach Dan Weisse's squad avoid ninth place in the FVA for the second straight season remains to be seen. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2626590' first='Noah' last='Gelhar'] (6-5, 5.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2626593' first='Collin' last='Carns'] (6-0, 7.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg), Sam Gibson (5-11, 4.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Sam Benesh (6-2, 2.2 ppg) form a strong core. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2498970' first='Joey' last='Ware'] (6-4, 7.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Brayden Kufel (5-10, 1.9 ppg) along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2140986' first='Tyler' last='Moderson'] (5-10, 5.0 ppg) also figure to be in the Wildcats' rotation.<br><br><strong>10. Appleton West </strong>-- Coach Gage Moede is beginning his fourth year at Appleton West and has four starters back so the Terrors will be competitive. Still, it's so difficult to move up in the standings in the Fox Valley Association so it's possible Appleton West will be greatly improved, but not have the record to match that advancement. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2626577' first='Lucas' last='Downs'] (6-3, 9.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2381610' first='Braylon' last='Ise'] (5-10, 7.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2381611' first='Parrion' last='Peace'] (6-1, 10.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2381612' first='Reid' last='Hinkens'] (6-2, 4.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg) are returning starters. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2413171' first='Bennett' last='Nelson'] (6-4, 4.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg) also figures to play a key role.<br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1282617' first='Xzavion' last='Mitchell'], Oshkosh North (25.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1289073' first='Keegan' last='Van Kauwenberg'], Kaukauna (18.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561939' first='Ethan' last='Joling'], Hortonville (16.1 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1456954' first='Riley' last='Mueller'], Hortonville (15.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561879' first='Will' last='Sweeney'], Appleton North (13.6 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'], Kaukauna (13.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2610542' first='Abraham' last='Tomori'], Appleton North (13.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1537928' first='Mikey' last='Wildes'], Kimberly (12.1 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1622081' first='Cade' last='Prestigiacomo'], Appleton East (11.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381611' first='Parrion' last='Peace'], Appleton West (10.8 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561908' first='Grant' last='Hardy'], Appleton North (10.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2392418' first='Marvin' last='Haslett'], Fond du Lac (10.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1973116' first='Bryce' last='Ott'], Oshkosh North (10.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2492808' first='Luke' last='Jung'], Neenah (10.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2626577' first='Lucas' last='Downs'], Appleton West (9.8 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561874' first='Nathan' last='Ramus'], Appleton North (9.7 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561908' first='Grant' last='Hardy'], 6-3, Jr., Appleton North<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561939' first='Ethan' last='Joling'], 6-6, Jr., Hortonville<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1289073' first='Keegan' last='Van Kauwenberg'], 6-3, Sr., Kaukauna<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'], 6-9, Jr., Kaukauna<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1282617' first='Xzavion' last='Mitchell'], 6-6, Sr., Oshkosh North<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1973116' first='Bryce' last='Ott'], 6-6, Jr., Oshkosh North<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1622081' first='Cade' last='Prestigiacomo'], 6-3, Sr., Appleton East<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2610542' first='Abraham' last='Tomori'], 6-2, Sr., Appleton North<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561874' first='Nathan' last='Ramus'], 6-1, Jr., Appleton North<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2392418' first='Marvin' last='Haslett'], 6-0, Sr., Fond du Lac<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1456954' first='Riley' last='Mueller'], 6-1, Sr., Hortonville<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1537928' first='Mikey' last='Wildes'], 6-3, Sr., Kimberly<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1289073' first='Keegan' last='Van Kauwenberg'], Kaukauna<br><strong>Best Rebounder:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'], Kaukauna<br><strong>Best Defender: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1537928' first='Mikey' last='Wildes'], Kimberly<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1282617' first='Xzavion' last='Mitchell'], Oshkosh North<br><strong>Most Improved Player:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2610552' first='Ben' last='Grabner'], Kimberly<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->