Midwest Classic Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Final Standings<br></strong><br>1. Lake Country Lutheran 15-1 (22-5); 2. Brookfield Academy 14-2 (20-6); 2. Heritage Christian 14-2 (19-7); 4. Watertown Luther Prep 13-3 (16-8); 5. Living Word Lutheran 10-6 (15-11); 6. University School 7-9 (12-14); 7. Kingdom Prep Lutheran 6-10 (8-14); 7. St. Francis 6-10 (12-14); 9. Kenosha Christian Life 4-12 (8-15); 9. Messmer 4-12 (5-20); 11. St. John's Northwestern 3-13 (6-19); 12. Burlington Catholic Central 0-16 (1-24).<br><br><strong>2024-25 Picks</strong><br><br><strong>1. Lake Country Lutheran</strong> -- With four straight league titles now secure, the Lightning go after another crown with the Midwest Classic's top big man and the conference's deepest roster. Coach Mark Newman's program will count heavily on senior [player_tooltip player_id='2486866' first='Daniel' last='Cleary'] (6-8, 11.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg), who had a strong showing over the spring and summer and is attracting plenty of recruiting attention. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2631450' first='Jack' last='Poellet'] (5-10, 10.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg) joined Cleary in the starting lineup for a team that finished 22-5. Seniors Will Sivak (6-0, 6.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and Jackson Menzel (6-3, 2.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg) along with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2402768' first='Ethan' last='Hans'] (6-1, 4.7 ppg) and Nate Bogdonovich (6-0, 3.3 ppg) also will play big roles. Adding talented depth are senior Bennett Hahm (6-5) and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2610583' first='Jake' last='Burow'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2420553' first='Obadiah' last='Mueller'] (6-2). Hahm, Burow and Mueller all missed time a year ago with injuries, but are expected to be key contributors in 2024-25. <br><br><strong>2. Living Word Lutheran</strong> -- This will be a fun team to watch. The Timberwolves possess young talent, excellent balance, very good athleticism and a strong desire to compete. Coach Jake Holton's second team at Living Word Lutheran certainly ranks among the top in the Midwest Classic with four starters back in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2493667' first='Easton' last='Oliver'] (6-4, 19.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2493683' first='Eric' last='Britton'] (6-3, 14.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg) and Hayden Dunn (5-8, 1.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg) along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2509455' first='Ryde' last='Ehley'] (6-3, 8.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg). Oliver and Britton figure to play at the next level with both being able to impact a game with their offense, decision making, versatility and productivity. Senior Kaden Weissenburger (6-3, 2.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and juniors Gavin Weissenburger (6-2, 7.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and Ben Jones (6-0, 2.7 ppg) also return. Freshman point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2509457' first='Jordan' last='Evans'] (6-2) will make an immediate impact for the Timberwolves and ranks among the top class of 2028 prospects in the state. <br><br><strong>3. Brookfield Academy</strong> -- Pat Clarey is back for his 15th season as the head coach at Brookfield Academy and the Blue Knights will have a new look with four starters graduated from a 20-6 squad. The new look will feature a triplet transfer group from Greendale in sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2140975' first='Pavle' last='Djilas'] (6-5), [player_tooltip player_id='2140952' first='Lazar' last='Djilas'] (6-7) and Nick Djilas (6-0). All three figure to play key roles for Brookfield Academy as will juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2915730' first='Eddie' last='Schoyer'] (6-5, 2.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and Andrew Schmidt (6-2, 2.4 ppg) along with seniors Vincent Papenkopf (6-1, 3.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1635081' first='Ty' last='Mahnke'] (5-8, 8.8 ppg, committed to Nebraska Wesleyan).<br><br><strong>4. University School</strong> -- Lots and lots of experience is back for University School and the Wildcats figure to improve upon a 12-14 mark of a year ago. Promising sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2479757' first='Kristian' last='Bartl'] (6-6, 15.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg) can use his versatility to score inside and outside and is the Wildcats' top returning player. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2631446' first='Brock' last='Miller'] (6-4, 13.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2631441' first='Hayden' last='Baum'] (5-10, 11.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg) along with junior Donovan Ford (6-0, 5.6 ppg, 1.4 rpg) joined Bartl in the starting rotation for coach Andy Fitzgerald in 2023-24. Others who could contribute include seniors Will Reese (6-3) and Ethan Feldner (6-1) along with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2530849' first='Chase' last='Janssen'] (5-10).<br><br><strong>5. Messmer</strong> -- The Bishops could be the most improved team in the Midwest Classic, thanks in large part to tons of off season work and development, not to mention added size and physicality from some young players. Coach Ben Hailey's group is led by sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2508293' first='Delvito' last='Velazquez'] (5-10, 17.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2389912' first='Breon' last='Bennett'] (6-2, 7.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2631438' first='Amarre' last='Johnson'] (5-10, 9.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg). Others who figure to contribute include seniors Rob Olive (6-5) and Seth Irving (6-3), junior Iyriq Colbert (6-3), and freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='2371654' first='Kaeden' last='King'] (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='2519152' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] (6-3).<br><br><strong>6. Heritage Christian</strong> -- Like Brookfield Academy, Heritage Christian's lineup will be almost all new in 2024-25. Five starters from a 19-7 squad graduated, leaving plenty of playing time available for others. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2431131' first='Jordan' last='Draeger'] (6-1, 4.0 ppg), Eddie Riebe (6-3) and Kaiden Cercimak (6-2) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2452139' first='Aidan' last='Ganiere'] (6-0, 4.0 ppg) are returning varsity players for coach Demontey Bynum. Newcomers who could work their way into the playing rotation include freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2614875' first='Micah' last='Sells'] (5-9), sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2140903' first='Chase' last='Porter'] (6-0) and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2610599' first='Marcus' last='Seroyer'] (6-0) and Nolan Bluhm (5-11).<br><br><strong>7. Watertown Luther Prep</strong> -- There is a shortage of varsity experience in the Phoenix program as just three players from a year ago return in senior Sam Splinter (6-0, 6.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2631448' first='Gabe' last='Nottling'] (6-5, 8.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2422274' first='Matthew' last='Kieselhorst'] (6-4, 4.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Splinter, Nottling and Kieselhorst all saw substantial playing time for a team that went 16-8 under coach Steve Vasold and form a strong core for Luther Prep.<br><br><strong>8. Kingdom Prep Lutheran</strong> -- Four starters who combined for 44.1 ppg have graduated, leaving just one regular back from last year's 8-14 squad. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2631452' first='Myles' last='Zawacki'] (5-11, 8.8 ppg) is a two-year varsity performer for Kingdom Prep Lutheran and the school's top returning player. Senior Josh Fumbanks (5-11) also returns for coach David King's squad.<br><br><strong>9. St. Francis</strong> -- Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2402459' first='Cameron' last='Nerby'] (6-2, 17.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg) returns, which is great news for fifth-year coach Peter Busateri. Nerby's production in scoring and rebounding ranks among the premier in the league and gives St. Francis a go-to player at crunch time. Also returning to the starting rotation from a team that finished 12-14 are senior Tyler Budzien (5-10, 7.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2405555' first='Josh' last='Green'] (6-0, 8.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg).<br><br><strong>10. Kenosha Christian Life</strong> -- The Eagles graduated three double-figure scorers, but do have a couple of experienced seniors back in wing [player_tooltip player_id='2830760' first='Micah' last='Dillon'] (6-1, 5.4 ppg) and guard Gabe Helzer (6-0, 2.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg). Dillon and Helzer figure to get help from seniors Brayden Becker (6-2, 2.3 rpg) and Andrew Hauser (5-10) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2831280' first='Matthew' last='Reyes'] (5-11, 2.2 ppg), Kevin Krass (6-1) and Ezra Jones (5-10). Seniors Max Wojczynski (6-4) and Zack Perry (5-9) along with sophomore Dai'lend Jett (6-0) also could play big roles.<br><br><strong>11. St. John's Northwestern</strong> -- the Lancers lost their best player -- Andrei Honrada (5-10, 20.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg) -- and their coach -- DJ Mlachnik -- from last year's club that went 6-19. Honrada now is in college while Mlachnik will be replaced by Daylan Haynie on the sidelines. Seniors C.J. Tweh (6-5, 9.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and Josh Benford (6-1, 1.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg) along with junior Johnnie Roby (5-10, 8.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2840072' first='James' last='Visocky'] (6-2, 6.4 ppg) form the nuclues for Haynie's first team at St. John's Northwestern.<br><br><strong>12. Burlington Catholic Central</strong> -- It's been a few rough seasons in the recent past for the Hilltoppers, who failed to win a league game last season en route to a 1-24 record. Coach Steve Smith does have some experience back and one of the league's top players in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2487657' first='Sam' last='Fait'] (6-2, 14.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg). Smith is hopeful that combination can help Catholic Central win more games in 2024-25. In addition to Fait, Catholic Central also welcomes back seniors Robbie Czarny (5-10, 2.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2672298' first='Will' last='Leiting'] (5-10, 3.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2672292' first='Quin' last='Graf'] (5-10, 3.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg).<br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493667' first='Easton' last='Oliver'], Living Word Lutheran (19.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2402459' first='Cameron' last='Nerby'], St. Francis (18.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508293' first='Delvito' last='Velazquez'], Messmer (17.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2479757' first='Kristian' last='Bartl'], University School (15.8 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493683' first='Eric' last='Britton'], Living Word Lutheran (14.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2487657' first='Sam' last='Fait'], Catholic Central (14.8 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2631446' first='Brock' last='Miller'], University School (13.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2631441' first='Hayden' last='Baum'], University School (11.8 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2486866' first='Daniel' last='Cleary'], Lake Country Lutheran (11.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2631450' first='Jack' last='Poellet'], Lake Country Lutheran (10.1 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2631438' first='Amarre' last='Johnson'], Messmer (9.6 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2486866' first='Daniel' last='Cleary'], 6-8, Sr., Lake Country Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2402768' first='Ethan' last='Hans'], 6-1, Soph., Lake Country Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493667' first='Easton' last='Oliver'], 6-4, Sr., Living Word Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2631448' first='Gabe' last='Nottling'], 6-5, Jr., Watertown Luther Prep<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2402459' first='Cameron' last='Nerby'], 6-2, Sr., St. Francis<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2479757' first='Kristian' last='Bartl'], 6-6, Soph., University School<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140975' first='Pavle' last='Djilas'], 6-5, Soph., Brookfield Academy<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1635081' first='Ty' last='Mahnke'], 5-8, Sr., Brookfield Academy<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2487657' first='Sam' last='Fait'], 6-2, Soph., Catholic Central<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2631452' first='Myles' last='Zawacki'], 5-11, Jr., Kingdom Prep Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2631450' first='Jack' last='Poellet'], 5-10, Sr., Lake Country Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493683' first='Eric' last='Britton'], 6-3, Sr., Living Word Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508293' first='Delvito' last='Velazquez'], 5-10, Soph., Messmer<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2631446' first='Brock' last='Miller'], 6-4, Sr., University School<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1635081' first='Ty' last='Mahnke'], Brookfield Academy<br><strong>Best Defender</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='2389912' first='Breon' last='Bennett'], Messmer<br><strong>Best Rebounder:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2479757' first='Kristian' last='Bartl'], University School<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2140975' first='Pavle' last='Djilas'], Brookfield Academy<br><strong>Most Improved Player</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='2487657' first='Sam' last='Fait'], Catholic Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->