Sheboygan Lutheran back on top in Division 5 top 10

After playing in the WIAA Division 5 State Tournament three times since the 2011-12 season and winning state championships in 2012 and 2019, Sheboygan Lutheran experienced an enrollment increase that moved the Crusaders from Division 5 to Division 4 over the past four seasons.   During those four years, the Crusaders went 4-4 in WIAA playoff action. A very slight enrollment drop over the last year or so has the Crusaders back in Division 5 for the 2024-25 season.   Going from one of the smallest schools in Division 4 to one of the largest in Division 5 could make all the difference for Sheboygan Lutheran, which enters the season ranked No. 1 among Division 5 schools by the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook. You can order the 40th edition of the 360-page WBY <a href="https://wbby.sportngin.com/register/form/851170666">here</a> and have it shipped to your home by the end of October. Following is a look at the WBY Division 5 Preseason Top 10.   DIVISION 5 TOP 10 1. Sheboygan Lutheran Head Coach: Nick Verhagen, 13th year (249-65) 2023-24 Record: 22-3 2023-24 JV1 Record: 15-6 Starters Lost (4): Elliott Leibham (6-0, 10.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg), Nolan Girdaukas (6-0, 3.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg). Starters Returning (4): [player_tooltip player_id='2224503' first='Brennen' last='Hackbarth'] (6-5, Jr., 14.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2549586' first='Andrew' last='Krueger'] (6-0, Sr., 14.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2509476' first='Oliver' last='Leibham'] (5-11, Soph., 9.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg), Jake Thomas (6-0, Sr., 7.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg). Other Returning Players (4): [player_tooltip player_id='2382133' first='Marion' last='Boyland'] (6-5, Soph., 4.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2641634' first='Zach' last='Leonhard'] (6-1, Jr., 7.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg), Lukas Schulze (6-1, Sr., 2.0 ppg), Kole Klapperich (6-3, Sr.). Newcomers (3): Lucas Leibham (6-5, Sr.), Jack DeVries (5-10, Sr.), [player_tooltip player_id='2562463' first='McCoy' last='Michael'] (5-10, Frosh.). Comments from coach Verhagen: “Experience, balance, depth, chemistry and confidence are strengths. Consistency from three-point range is a concern." Mark Your Calendars: Dec. 31 at Living Word Lutheran Jan. 6 Oostburg Jan. 16 Kohler Jan. 18 at Laconia Jan. 21 Roncalli 2. Royall Head Coach: Scott Uppena, 12th year (172-103) 2023-24 Record: 25-3 2023-24 JV1 Record: 21-0 2023-24 JV2 Record: 6-6 Starters Lost (3): Tucker Wildes (6-5, 7.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg), Ty Wildes (6-0, 7.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg), Jake Ciezyk (6-0, 5.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg). Starters Returning (4): [player_tooltip player_id='2426884' first='Carter' last='Uppena'] (6-2, Sr., 15.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2425816' first='Landon' last='Lipke'] (6-7, Sr., 8.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Karter Olson (6-2, Sr., 3.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2613945' first='Ben' last='Crneckiy'] (6-3, Sr., 7.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg). Other Returning Players (1): [player_tooltip player_id='2635635' first='Trey' last='Wildes'] (6-1, Jr., 3.6 ppg). Newcomers (4): Seth Brondau (5-8, Sr.), Dylon Velazquez (6-0, Jr.), John Muehlenkomp (6-2, Jr.), Cole Eberhardt (6-1, Sr.). Comments from coach Uppena: "Experience, depth, team chemistry and coachability are strengths. Ball handling is a concern." Mark Your Calendars: Nov. 26 Ithaca Jan. 23 Hillsboro Feb. 18 North Crawford Feb. 20 Bangor Feb. 24 at Hillsboro 3. Potosi Head Coach: Mike Uppena, 23rd year (331-195) 2023-24 Record: 23-5 2023-24 JV1 Record: 17-5 Starters Lost (1): Gavin Wunderlin (6-4, 13.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, now playing at Edgewood College). Starters Returning (5): [player_tooltip player_id='2425867' first='Aidan' last='Uppena'] (6-5, Sr., 11.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2636238' first='Dawson' last='Weber'] (6-2, Sr., 10.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2636243' first='Isaiah' last='Groom'] (6-2, Sr., 9.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg), Aaron Edge (6-2, Soph., 5.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Jaxon Oyen (5-10, Sr., 3.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg). Other Returning Players (5): Oliver Post (6-5, Sr., 4.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Ryan Stoney (6-3, Sr.), Willy Tobin (6-3, Jr.), Alex Fridereick (6-0, Jr.), Caden Leibfried (5-11, Sr.). Newcomers (5): Logan Rausch (5-11, Jr.), Kolton Vogelsberg (6-1, Jr.), Carter Bierman (6-7, Jr.), Damian Bauer (5-8, Jr.), Connor Jepperson (6-0, Sr.). Comments from coach Uppena: "We have good varsity experience coming back and some pretty good team chemistry to along with some decent size. Perimeter shooting is always our biggest concern." Mark Your Calendars: Dec. 2 at Mineral Point Dec. 17 Platteville Jan. 21 River Ridge Jan. 30 Highland Feb. 3 Southwestern 4. North Crawford Head Coach: Chris Wettstein, 11th year (128-108) 2023-24 Record: 21-5 2023-24 JV1 Record: 22-1 Starters Lost (1): Liam Elton (5-10, 5.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg). Starters Returning (4): [player_tooltip player_id='2492765' first='Andrew' last='Munson'] (6-1, Sr., 15.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2610563' first='Cullen' last='Jacobus'] (5-10, Jr., 13.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2634874' first='Carter' last='Emler'] (6-0, Sr., 11.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2634881' first='Landen' last='Blaha'] (6-0, Jr., 8.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg). Other Returning Players (1): Miles Kandler (5-11, Sr., 3.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg). Newcomers (5): [player_tooltip player_id='2914986' first='Zack' last='Bender'] (6-2, Soph.), Rileigh Bromeland (6-3, Jr.), Gavin Tamling (6-2, Jr.), Anthony Fradette (5-11, Sr.), Jake O'Dell (5-10, Sr.). Comments from coach Wettstein: "Experience, athleticism and defense are assets. Consistent outside shooting and rebounding are question marks." Mark Your Calendars: Dec. 10 Ithaca Jan. 24 Southwestern Jan. 28 at Ithaca Jan. 31 Seneca Feb. 18 at Royall 5. Alma Center Lincoln Head Coach: Jeremy Hanson, 7th year (73-67) 2023-24 Record: 22-5 2023-24 JV1 Record: 12-10 2023-24 JV2 Record: 6-8 Starters Lost (1): Luke Fischer (5-7, 2.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg). Starters Returning (4): [player_tooltip player_id='2417878' first='Jace' last='Paul'] (6-3, Sr., 19.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.2 apg), [player_tooltip player_id='2624247' first='Ben' last='Ross'] (6-1, Sr., 14.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.2 apg), [player_tooltip player_id='2624251' first='Weston' last='Berndt'] (6-1, Sr., 4.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2624254' first='Jay' last='Stetzer'] (6-3, Jr., 4.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg). Other Returning Players (2): Luke Anderson (6-1, Sr., 4.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg), Ethan Konda (5-7, Sr.). Newcomers (5): Levi Marek (5-11, Jr.), Jackson Wyss (6-4, Soph.), Bryce Arnold (5-8, Soph.), Drew Stetzer (5-7, Frosh.), Sean Stetzer (5-7, Frosh.). Comments from coach Hanson: "We have five players with four years of varsity experience on our roster. Team defense is also a strength as we gave up an average of 44 points per game last year. Team rebounding, sharing the ball, athleticism and size also are strong points. Consistent outside shooting and finding a third scorer are concerns. We also need to find depth for the system we play." Mark Your Calendars: Dec. 5 Neillsville Dec. 20 at Blair-Taylor Jan. 18 Pacelli at Just A Game Fieldhouse Feb. 18 at Hillsboro Feb. 27 Cochrane-Fountain City 6. Ithaca Head Coach: Aaron Huebsch, 1st year 2023-24 Record: 22-5 2023-24 JV1 Record: 16-6 Starters Lost (1): Micah Salisbury (6-3, 10.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg). Starters Returning (4): [player_tooltip player_id='2634856' first='Sammy' last='Clary'] (6-0, Sr., 12.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 7.7 apg), [player_tooltip player_id='2493671' first='Channing' last='Brown'] (6-1, Sr., 23.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg), Wesley Nelson (6-2, Sr., 5.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2634852' first='Devin' last='Ihm'] (6-4, Jr., 14.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg). Other Returning Players (4): Casey Pomering (6-1, Sr., 4.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg), Cody Byrnes (6-0, Jr.), [player_tooltip player_id='2452750' first='Ethan' last='Birkrem'] (6-1, Soph., 2.0 rpg), Hewsten Garcia-Boland (6-1, Jr., missed 2023-24 season with injury). Newcomers (4): Keegan Jones (6-0, Jr.), Caden Keller (5-5, Soph.), Dante Kleinsasser (5-11, Sr.), Xander Sorensen (6-1, Sr.). Comments from coach Huebsch: "Excellent guard play, offensive and defensive versatility, team speed, a deep bench and senior leadership are strengths. Implementing a new system and defensive consistency are questions." Mark Your Calendars: Nov. 26 at Royall Dec. 10 at North Crawford Jan. 14 Kickapoo Jan. 17 Seneca Feb. 3 Iowa-Grant 7. Abundant Life Christian Head Coach: Mike Thies, 6th year (70-47) 2023-24 Record: 28-3 2023-24 JV1 Record: 16-5 2023-24 JV2 Record: 15-6 Starters Lost (3): J.D. Davison (6-4, 7.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 2.8 bspg, now playing at UW-Eau Claire), Blayne Wall (6-1, 9.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Nolan Wallace (5-10, 9.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg). Starters Returning (2): [player_tooltip player_id='2551628' first='Jonah' last='Koon'] (6-1, Sr., 14.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 5.0 apg, 2.3 spg), [player_tooltip player_id='2551622' first='Jacob' last='Koon'] (5-11, Sr., 14.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 5.5 apg, 3.5 spg). Other Returning Players (5): [player_tooltip player_id='1640462' first='Conner' last='Whitaker'] (6-4, Sr., 5.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg), Ethan Rockwell (6-2, Sr., 3.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg), Brayton Breezer (6-4, Sr.), Dane Britain (6-2, Sr.), Kenlee Rivest (5-10, Sr.). Newcomers (4): [player_tooltip player_id='2399579' first='Nick' last='Thies'] (6-4, Soph.), Anthony Ellingson (6-3, Jr.), Thaddeus Hauge (5-5, Sr.), Mo Aeschlimann (5-10, Soph.). Comments from coach Thies: "We have great speed with the Koons returning, but size that can shoot also is an asset. Experience of making it to the Division 5 title game will help. Losing our top two three-point shooters and defensive anchor in Davison are concerns. Can we improve our shooting and can we defend at the rim?" Mark Your Calendars: Dec. 6 Deerfield Dec. 9 at Fall River Dec. 13 at Marshall Jan. 27 Pardeeville Feb. 10 at Cambridge 8. Spring Valley Head Coach: Rob Bosshart, 35th year (473-314) 2023-24 Record: 19-7 2023-24 JV1 Record: 9-12 2023-24 JV2 Record: 6-13 Starters Lost (3): Jameson Bauer (5-10, 10.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg), Diego Schmitt (5-10, 7.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Kaden Robelia (5-9, 5.6 ppg). Starters Returning (4): [player_tooltip player_id='1878607' first='Cade' last='Stasiek'] (6-0, Sr., 15.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2492770' first='Masyn' last='Wolf'] (6-7, Sr., 9.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2624630' first='Caleb' last='Bartko'] (6-4, Sr., 5.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg), Tanner Dicus (6-1, Sr., did not play in 2023-24 due to injury). Other Returning Players (1): Trevor Forster (5-10, Sr., 3.2 ppg). Newcomers (5): Elijah Haug (5-10, Sr.), Danny Cipriano (5-8, Sr.), Carter Anderson (6-1, Sr.), Wyatt Smith (5-9, Jr.), Collin Brunner (6-2, Jr.). Comments from coach Bosshart: "Balanced scoring, team chemistry and experience are our strengths. We must develop greater depth as the season progresses." Mark Your Calendars: Dec. 7 Altoona at UW-Stout Jan. 3 at Unity Jan. 16 at Durand-Arkansaw Feb. 10 McDonell Catholic Feb. 24 at Turtle Lake 9. Southwestern Head Coach: Clinton Nemitz, 12th year (147-129) 2023-24 Record: 17-10 Starters Lost (0): None Starters Returning (5): [player_tooltip player_id='2637634' first='Everett' last='Droessler'] (6-0, Sr., 12 ppg, 6 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2637641' first='Jack' last='Runde'] (6-0, Sr., 7 ppg, 3 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2637631' first='Aiden' last='Kelleher'] (6-0, Jr., 16 ppg, 4.4 rpg), Bryce Pearce (6-3, Sr., 9 ppg, 5 rpg), Austin Furlong (6-0, Sr., 5 ppg, 2 rpg). Other Returning Players (2): [player_tooltip player_id='2816103' first='Carsen' last='Splinter'] (5-10, Soph., 9 ppg, 6 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2917231' first='Cayden' last='DeMuth'] (6-2, Jr., 2 ppg, 2 rpg). Comments from coach Nemitz: "Experience, work ethic and balanced scoring are strengths. Size and depth are concerns." Mark Your Calendars: Dec. 5 Mineral Point Dec. 12 at Ithaca Jan. 9 Cuba City Jan. 24 at North Crawford Feb. 11 Darlington 10. Loyal Head Coach: Brandon DeSmet, 5th year (41-52) 2023-24 Record: 12-14 2023-24 JV1 Record: 18-4 2023-24 JV2 Record: 12-5 Starters Lost (2): Jacob Schill (6-0, 7 ppg, 2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2408715' first='[player_tooltip player_id='2402467' first='Isaac' last='']' last=''] Jakobi (6-2, 4 ppg, 3 rpg). Starters Returning (3): [player_tooltip player_id='2610558' first='Bryce' last='Deegan'] (6-2, Jr., 11 ppg, 5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2622846' first='Reed' last='Stieglitz'] (6-0, Jr., 10 ppg, 2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2622838' first='Cain' last='Toufar'] (6-3, Jr., 8 ppg, 8 rpg). Other Returning Players (6): Parker Smith (5-11, Sr., missed 2023-24 season with injury), Joe Treffinger (6-3, Jr., 3 ppg, 2 rpg), Hunter Walter (6-3, Jr., 5 ppg, 3 rpg), Rhett Lamovek (6-3, Soph., 3 ppg), Carson Bremmer (6-4, Jr.), Carson Prein (5-11, Soph.). Newcomers (1): Aaron Radue (6-1, Sr.). Comments from coach DeSmet: "We will have a decent amount of size and athletic ability. We learned how to play more inside out last year and we became more comfortable using our size inside to take advantage offensively by getting to the paint and offensive glass. We should be a long team and have the ability to keep the ball in front of us. One of our biggest concerns is the ability to continually knock down outside jumpers." Mark Your Calendars: Nov. 26 Almond-Bancroft Dec. 19 Neillsville Jan. 7 Columbus Catholic Feb. 10 at Auburndale Feb. 18 at Owen-Withee

After playing in the WIAA Division 5 State Tournament three times since the 2011-12 season and winning state championships in 2012 and 2019, Sheboygan Lutheran experienced an enrollment increase that moved the Crusaders from Division 5 to Division 4 over the past four seasons.