North Eastern Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Final Standings</strong><br><br>1. Fox Valley Lutheran 18-0 (24-3); 2. Freedom 15-3 (23-5); 3. Clintonville 13-5 (17-9); 4. Little Chute 11-7 (15-12); 5. Waupaca 10-8 (15-11); 6. Wrightstown 9-9 (13-13); 7. Denmark 7-11 (11-15); 8. Marinette 3-15 (5-21); 9. Luxemburg-Casco 2-16 (3-22); 10. Oconto Falls 2-16 (6-19).<br><br><strong>2024-25 Picks</strong><br><br><strong>1. Freedom</strong> -- With the most dynamic player in the North Eastern back for his second year of varsity basketball, Freedom is favored to unseat Fox Valley Lutheran as the league champion. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'] (6-7, 17.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg) ranks among the premier class of 2027 prospects in the state and owns NCAA Division I scholarship offers from Iowa State and Wisconsin. Davis' versatility, athleticism and production make him the toughest player to guard in the conference. Another important player back for second-year coach Andrew Gibbons is senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2492814' first='Drew' last='Kortz'] (6-1, 14.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg), The offensive abilities of Davis and Kortz should go a long way in helping the Irish boast one of the top scoring teams in the league. Senior Andrew Wesoloski (6-2, 2.5 ppg) and sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2724372' first='Kaden' last='Vandenberg'] (6-1, 2.9 ppg, 1.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140894' first='Cal' last='Calhoon'] (5-8, 1.1 ppg) also figure to play key roles.<br><strong><br>2. Little Chute</strong> -- Long known for fielding balanced, athletic and physically strong teams that compete with lots of energy, Little Chute's basketball culture and returning talent should help the Mustangs challenge for the league crown in 2024-25. Coach Jake VanRoy welcomes back three starters from a 15-12 squad in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1598960' first='Deyten' last='Magnussen'] (6-1, 6.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1598984' first='Nolan' last='Jakubek'] (6-6, 7.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2501117' first='Cooper' last='Effa'] (6-2, 8.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg). That trio forms a rock-solid core for a Little Chute squad that will count heavily on its depth and defense. Other key returning personnel includes seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2393072' first='Jacob' last='Verhagen'] (6-2,l 3.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2416269' first='Bryce' last='Lamers'] (6-2, 2.4 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2401301' first='Rahshad' last='Manns'] (5-10, 2.8 ppg) along with sophomore Reece Joten (5-10, 2.0 ppg).<br><br><strong>3. Fox Valley Lutheran</strong> -- This is the last go around in the North Eastern for Fox Valley Lutheran as the Foxes will move to the Bay Conference in the fall of 2025. The three-time defending league champions will have a new lineup and a new coach in 2024-25 as four starters graduated from a 24-3 squad and Tommy Stelter replaces Jay Wendland on the sidelines. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2386203' first='Graham' last='Feidt'] (6-0, 5.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg) is the lone starter back, but senior [player_tooltip player_id='2672645' first='Lucas' last='Papendorf'] (6-4, 4.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2381574' first='Gabe' last='Heiges'] (5-7, 1.8 ppg, 1.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2672650' first='Caleb' last='Dahlke'] (6-3, 2.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg) saw action in reserve roles. First-year varsity performers from JV1 and JV2 teams that finished a combined 39-5 should provide quality depth for the Foxes.<br><br><strong>4. Wrightstown</strong> -- The always competitive and well-coached Tigers will put yet another high energy, deep and scrappy squad on the court in 2024-25. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2381604' first='Ethan' last='Cyra'] (6-0, 14.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.9 apg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2538797' first='Aiden' last='Humphreys'] (6-1, 11.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg) are the top two returning players for coach Cory Haese, now in his 27th year at Wrightstown and just 29 wins shy of 400 for his career. In addition to Cyra and Humphreys, Wrightstown looks to get big years from seniors Jaeden Kittoe (5-10, 4.5 ppg, 2.0r gp), Kaden Colwell (6-0, 3.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Bennett Theunis (6-3, 1.1 ppg).<br><br><strong>5. Denmark</strong> -- The Vikings went 11-15 last winter and could be among the more improved teams in the North Eastern as coach Pete Dewar has three starters and several key reserves returning. Leading the way for Denmark is senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2632869' first='Jack' last='Dewar'] (5-11, 14.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg). Dewar was selected second-team all-league as a junior and is one of the better shooters in the circuit. Joining Dewar as returning starters are seniors Sean Malay (6-5, 9.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Eli Kapinos (6-1, 7.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg). Juniors Cade Delarwelle (6-1, 4.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg) and David Dittmer (6-0) along with seniors Calvin Lamack (5-9, 3.0 ppg) and Wade Anderson (6-5, 3.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg) also are back for the Vikings.<br><br><strong>6. Waupaca</strong> -- The diversified skillset of senior [player_tooltip player_id='2610541' first='Aaron' last='Wolff'] (6-4, 12.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg) will be a big asset for the Comets as Wolff can score in the paint and from the perimeter while also defending and rebounding for fourth-year coach Matt Resch. Wolff, senior Ethan Harms (5-11, 6.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and junior Austin Adamaczak (6-1, 5.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg) are returning starters and form a solid nucleus for the Comets. <br><br><strong>7. Clintonville</strong> -- Nick Yaeger takes over the coaching duties at Clintonville and will build his first team around senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2381607' first='Samuel' last='Wegener'] (6-4, 14.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg). A returning second-team all-North Eastern pick, Wegener is an athletic player with good physical strength. He is very aggressive on the offensive end of the floor and figures to rank among the top scorers in the league. Junior Bryar Hagberg (6-5, 2.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg) also returns to the staring rotation from a 17-9 squad. Senior Linken Korth (6-0, 1.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg) along with juniors Cater Mauel (5-8) and Max Young (6-1) also could play big roles.<br><br><strong>8. Luxemburg-Casco</strong> -- Logan Vander Velden begins his second campaign as the coach of the Spartans with lots of returning players from a 3-22 squad. Seniors James Glampe (6-0, 8.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and Josh Parins (5-11, 9.6 ppg, 1.4 rpg) were regulars a year ago along with sophomore Jacob Coisman (6-4, 6.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and juniors Mason Burmeister (6-0, 6.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg) and Mason Trimberger (6-2, 6.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg). Seniors Reagan Doell (6-2) and Landon Derenne (6-1) also figure to play big minuets for Luxemburg-Casco, which boasts solid depth and athleticism. <br><strong><br>9. Oconto Falls</strong> -- Second-year coach Ross Kraszewski welcomes back one of the more experienced teams in the North Eastern. Five players who started at different times a year ago for a 6-19 team are back, led by junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2632876' first='Jameson' last='Beaman'] (6-2, 14.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg). Beamon led the team in scoring and finished second in rebounding and was joined in the regular rotation by seniors Evan Yuma (6-2, 3.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and Emerich Skarban (6-2, 3.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg) along with junior Brady Bursa (5-11, 5.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and sophomore JJ Pytelski (6-1, 6.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg).<br><br><strong>10. Marinette</strong> -- After failing to win a game two years ago, the Marines won five of 26 outings last winter under coach Connor Nelson. Juniors Chase Macgregor (6-0, 5.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and Max Jacobson (6-3, 8.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg) started in 2023-24 and will lead a team that also includes seniors Lukas Peterson (5-11, 7.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and Brady Eastman 95-11, 2.1 ppg).<br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'], Freedom (17.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2632876' first='Jameson' last='Beaman'], Oconto Falls (14.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381607' first='Samuel' last='Wegener'], Clintonville (14.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2492814' first='Drew' last='Kortz'], Freedom (14.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2632869' first='Jack' last='Dewar'], Denmark (14.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381604' first='Ethan' last='Cyra'], Wrightstown (14.1 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2610541' first='Aaron' last='Wolff'], Waupaca (12.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2538797' first='Aiden' last='Humphreys'], Wrightstown (11.6 ppg)<br>Josh Parins, Luxemburg-Casco (9.6 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'], 6-7, Soph., Freedom<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2501117' first='Cooper' last='Effa'], 6-2, Jr., Little Chute<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2610541' first='Aaron' last='Wolff'], 6-4, Sr., Waupaca<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381604' first='Ethan' last='Cyra'], 6-0, Sr., Wrightstown<br>Sam Wegener, 6-4, Sr., Clintonville<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2632869' first='Jack' last='Dewar'], 5-11, Sr., Denmark<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2492814' first='Drew' last='Kortz'], 6-1, Sr., Freedom<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2386203' first='Graham' last='Feidt'], 6-0, Sr., Fox Valley Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1598984' first='Nolan' last='Jakubek'], 6-6, Sr., Little Chute<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2632876' first='Jameson' last='Beaman'], 6-2, Jr., Oconto Falls<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2538797' first='Aiden' last='Humphreys'], 6-1, Sr., Wrightstown<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2632869' first='Jack' last='Dewar'], Denmark<br><strong>Best Defender: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2381607' first='Samuel' last='Wegener'], Clintonville<br><strong>Best Rebounder:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'], Freedom<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'], Freedom<br><strong>Most Improved Player:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1598984' first='Nolan' last='Jakubek'], Little Chute</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->