Six Rivers West Preview

2023-24 Final Standings 1. Potosi 11-1 (23-5); 2. River Ridge 10-2 (21-5); 3. Shullsburg 8-4 (18-8); 4. Highland 7-5 (14-11); 5. Cassville 3-9 (8-17); 5. Belmont 3-9 (6-19); 7. Benton 0-12 (2-23). 2024-25 Picks 1. Potosi -- Replacing athletic and versatile wing Gavin Wunderlin (6-4, 13.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg) won't be easy, but if any team in the Six Rivers West is capable of overcoming a significant graduation loss, it's Potosi. Coach Mike Uppena has five players back who started at times for a 23-5 squad, including three all-league selections in [player_tooltip player_id='2425867' first='Aidan' last='Uppena'] (6-5, 11.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2636238' first='Dawson' last='Weber'] (6-2, 10.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2636243' first='Isaiah' last='Groom'] (6-2, 9.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg). Senior Jaxon Oyen (5-10, 3.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and sophomore Aaron Edge (6-2, 5.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg) also earned starting spots a year ago. Other returning players include seniors Oliver Post (6-5, 4.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and Ryan Stoney (6-3, 1.6 ppg) along with juniors Willy Tobin (6-3, 1.3 ppg) and Alex Fridereick (6-0, 1.6 ppg). 2. Highland -- Size, experience, scoring punch and scoring balance are all assets for Highland, which begins year No. 1 under coach Ryan Hill with five starters back from a squd that finished 14-11. Second-team all-league selections [player_tooltip player_id='2550547' first='Michael' last='Esser'] (6-4, 13.9 ppg, 10.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2636231' first='Wesley' last='Kraisinger'] (6-3, 15.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg) lead the way for the Cardinals. Both are multi-year varsity performers who know what it takes to win games. Other returning starters include seniors Bennett Smith (6-3, 6.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Josh Dreischmeier (5-7, 8.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg) along with junior Jack Tarrell (5-11, 8.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg). Depth is a plus for Highland as both Gavin Shemak (6-0, 2.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and Kaden Washa (6-0, 4.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg) were top reserves a year ago. 3. River Ridge -- An impressive streak of four straight league titles was snapped last year as River Ridge wound up in second place, one game behind Potosi. The Timberwolves hope to make it to the top of the heap again in 2024-25 behind the return of three starters from a 21-5 squad. That group includes seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2636250' first='Carter' last='Copsey'] (6-1, 7.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2636251' first='Andrew' last='Nies'] (6-1, 7.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg) along with junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2501092' first='Brandon' last='Davis'] (6-0, 11.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg). While Copsey, Nies and Davis figure to do most of the heavy lifting for the Timberwolves, coach Jim Wagner has a deep roster that also features seniors Ty Adrian (5-10, 4.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg), Elliott Thornton (6-4, 3.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg), Drake Barrineau (5-11, 3.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg), Luke Patterson (5-11, 2.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and Eric Nichols (5-10, 1.6 ppg). Juniors Brock Bunge (5-11) and Reese Drew (5-10) along with sophomore Noah Copsey (5-10) could also emerge as contributors. 4. Shullsburg -- Led by the return of talented sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2509444' first='Grady' last='Poppy'] (6-3, 9.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg), Shullsburg hopes to once again make things difficult for its foes in the Six Rivers West. Poppy had a fantastic freshman season playing alongside talented players such as the graduated Heath Poppy (6-2, 20.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and JJ Berendes (5-10, 19.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg), and now he must take on an even bigger role in order to keep the Miners competitive. Also back for coach Pete Poppy are senior Emory Reichling (6-4, 2.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and juniors Logan Nethery (6-0, 5.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and Cyril Martin (6-7, 2.8 rpg). 5. Belmont -- The Braves may lack experience and scoring punch, but coach Beau Buchs believes his squad will rank among the quickest in the Six Rivers West in 2024-25. Seniors Gavin Opitz (6-0, 1.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2636262' first='Tanner' last='Simmons'] (6-3, 7.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg) started for Belmont's 6-19 squad last year and will be featured players for the Braves. Seniors Tucker Kettler (6-0, 1.2 ppg), Zach Knebel (5-11, 1.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg) and Levi Palzkill (6-1) also return while newcomers from the JV squad include juniors Josiah Ruiz (5-8), Cody Kletecka (6-1), Ian Austin (6-0) and Logan Kress (5-11). 6. Cassville -- The school that gave us one of Wisconsin's all-time greats in boys' basketball -- Sam Okey -- will play its last season as a stand alone program in 2024-25. Cassville plans to begin a coop program with Potosi in basketball next season. The final go around for the Comets might prove to be difficult as coach Don Adams must replace three starters in Eli Adams (5-10, 15.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Braden Fishnick (5-10, 10.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Aiden Thoma (6-1, 5.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg). Cassville does have three players back who earned major minutes on an 8-17 squad in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2636256' first='Noah' last='Adrian'] (6-3, 6.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg) along with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2636258' first='Ben' last='Infield'] (6-0, 8.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and Sam Infield (5-7, 2.1 ppg). 7. Benton -- Another team with next to no size in the Six Rivers West, Benton instead will rely on its defense, experience and speed. Second-year coach Luke Tyson has three starters back from a club that won just two of 25 games. That group includes senior Caden Loeffelholz (6-1, 6.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg) along with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2636263' first='Brayden' last='Kilcoyne'] (5-7, 8.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Nolan Keleher (5-8, 3.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg). Six additional players return for the Zephyrs, including seniors Will Farrey (6-0) and Karsen Eimer (6-0) along with juniors Tyler Reints (6-1) and Isaiah Santiago (5-9). Sophomores Sam Klang (5-9) and Desmand Morrissey (5-10) could also be factors for the Zephyrs. Top Returning Scorers [player_tooltip player_id='2636231' first='Wesley' last='Kraisinger'], Highland (15.8 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2550547' first='Michael' last='Esser'], Highland (13.9 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2501092' first='Brandon' last='Davis'], River Ridge (11.4 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2425867' first='Aidan' last='Uppena'], Potosi (11.3 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2636238' first='Dawson' last='Weber'], Potosi (10.2 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2636243' first='Isaiah' last='Groom'], Potosi (9.6 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2509444' first='Grady' last='Poppy'], Shullsburg (9.1 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2636258' first='Ben' last='Infield'], Cassville (8.7 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2636236' first='John' last='Dreischmeier'], Highland (8.4 ppg) Projected All-Conference Teams First Team [player_tooltip player_id='2636231' first='Wesley' last='Kraisinger'], 6-3, Sr., Highland [player_tooltip player_id='2550547' first='Michael' last='Esser'], 6-4, Sr., Highland [player_tooltip player_id='2425867' first='Aidan' last='Uppena'], 6-5, Sr., Potosi [player_tooltip player_id='2636238' first='Dawson' last='Weber'], 6-2, Sr., Potosi [player_tooltip player_id='2501092' first='Brandon' last='Davis'], 6-0, Jr., River Ridge Second Team [player_tooltip player_id='2636262' first='Tanner' last='Simmons'], 6-3, Sr., Belmont [player_tooltip player_id='2636263' first='Brayden' last='Kilcoyne'], 5-7, Soph., Benton [player_tooltip player_id='2636258' first='Ben' last='Infield'], 6-0, Soph., Cassville [player_tooltip player_id='2636243' first='Isaiah' last='Groom'], 6-2, Sr., Potosi [player_tooltip player_id='2509444' first='Grady' last='Poppy'], 6-3, Soph., Shullsburg The Big Five Top Shooter: [player_tooltip player_id='2509444' first='Grady' last='Poppy'], Shullsburg Top Defender: [player_tooltip player_id='2501092' first='Brandon' last='Davis'], River Ridge Top Rebounder: [player_tooltip player_id='2550547' first='Michael' last='Esser'], Highland Best Collegiate Prospect: [player_tooltip player_id='2501092' first='Brandon' last='Davis'], River Ridge Most Improved Player: [player_tooltip player_id='2425867' first='Aidan' last='Uppena'], Potosi

2023-24 Final Standings

1. Potosi 11-1 (23-5); 2. River Ridge 10-2 (21-5); 3. Shullsburg 8-4 (18-8); 4. Highland 7-5 (14-11); 5. Cassville 3-9 (8-17); 5. Belmont 3-9 (6-19); 7. Benton 0-12 (2-23).

2024-25 Picks

1. Potosi -- Replacing athletic and versatile wing Gavin Wunderlin (6-4, 13.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg) won't be easy, but if any team in the Six Rivers West is capable of overcoming a significant graduation loss, it's Potosi. Coach Mike Uppena has five players back who started at times for a 23-5 squad, including three all-league selections in Aidan Uppena Aidan Uppena 6'6" | PF Potosi | 2025 State WI (6-5, 11.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg), Dawson Weber Dawson Weber 6'2" | SF Potosi | 2025 WI (6-2, 10.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and Isaiah Groom Isaiah Groom 6'2" | SF Potosi | 2025 WI (6-2, 9.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg). Senior Jaxon Oyen (5-10, 3.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and sophomore Aaron Edge (6-2, 5.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg) also earned starting spots a year ago. Other returning players include seniors Oliver Post (6-5, 4.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and Ryan Stoney (6-3, 1.6 ppg) along with juniors Willy Tobin (6-3, 1.3 ppg) and Alex Fridereick (6-0, 1.6 ppg).

2. Highland -- Size, experience, scoring punch and scoring balance are all assets for Highland, which begins year No. 1 under coach Ryan Hill with five starters back from a squd that finished 14-11. Second-team all-league selections Michael Esser Michael Esser 6'4" | PF Highland | 2025 State WI (6-4, 13.9 ppg, 10.0 rpg) and Wesley Kraisinger Wesley Kraisinger 6'3" | SF Highland | 2025 WI (6-3, 15.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg) lead the way for the Cardinals. Both are multi-year varsity performers who know what it takes to win games. Other returning starters include seniors Bennett Smith (6-3, 6.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Josh Dreischmeier (5-7, 8.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg) along with junior Jack Tarrell (5-11, 8.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg). Depth is a plus for Highland as both Gavin Shemak (6-0, 2.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and Kaden Washa (6-0, 4.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg) were top reserves a year ago.

3. River Ridge -- An impressive streak of four straight league titles was snapped last year as River Ridge wound up in second place, one game behind Potosi. The Timberwolves hope to make it to the top of the heap again in 2024-25 behind the return of three starters from a 21-5 squad. That group includes seniors Carter Copsey Carter Copsey 6'1" | SF/SG River Ridge | 2025 WI (6-1, 7.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and Andrew Nies Andrew Nies 6'1" | SF River Ridge | 2025 WI (6-1, 7.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg) along with junior point guard Brandon Davis Brandon Davis 5'11" | PG River Ridge | 2026 State WI (6-0, 11.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg). While Copsey, Nies and Davis figure to do most of the heavy lifting for the Timberwolves, coach Jim Wagner has a deep roster that also features seniors Ty Adrian (5-10, 4.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg), Elliott Thornton (6-4, 3.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg), Drake Barrineau (5-11, 3.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg), Luke Patterson (5-11, 2.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and Eric Nichols (5-10, 1.6 ppg). Juniors Brock Bunge (5-11) and Reese Drew (5-10) along with sophomore Noah Copsey (5-10) could also emerge as contributors.

4. Shullsburg -- Led by the return of talented sophomore guard Grady Poppy (6-3, 9.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg), Shullsburg hopes to once again make things difficult for its foes in the Six Rivers West. Poppy had a fantastic freshman season playing alongside talented players such as the graduated Heath Poppy (6-2, 20.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and JJ Berendes (5-10, 19.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg), and now he must take on an even bigger role in order to keep the Miners competitive. Also back for coach Pete Poppy are senior Emory Reichling (6-4, 2.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and juniors Logan Nethery (6-0, 5.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and Cyril Martin (6-7, 2.8 rpg).

5. Belmont -- The Braves may lack experience and scoring punch, but coach Beau Buchs believes his squad will rank among the quickest in the Six Rivers West in 2024-25. Seniors Gavin Opitz (6-0, 1.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg) and Tanner Simmons Tanner Simmons 6'3" | SF Belmont | 2025 WI (6-3, 7.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg) started for Belmont's 6-19 squad last year and will be featured players for the Braves. Seniors Tucker Kettler (6-0, 1.2 ppg), Zach Knebel (5-11, 1.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg) and Levi Palzkill (6-1) also return while newcomers from the JV squad include juniors Josiah Ruiz (5-8), Cody Kletecka (6-1), Ian Austin (6-0) and Logan Kress (5-11).

6. Cassville -- The school that gave us one of Wisconsin's all-time greats in boys' basketball -- Sam Okey -- will play its last season as a stand alone program in 2024-25. Cassville plans to begin a coop program with Potosi in basketball next season. The final go around for the Comets might prove to be difficult as coach Don Adams must replace three starters in Eli Adams (5-10, 15.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Braden Fishnick (5-10, 10.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Aiden Thoma (6-1, 5.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg). Cassville does have three players back who earned major minutes on an 8-17 squad in senior Noah Adrian Noah Adrian 6'3" | SF Cassville | 2025 WI (6-3, 6.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg) along with sophomores Ben Infield Ben Infield 6'0" | CG Cassville | 2027 WI (6-0, 8.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and Sam Infield (5-7, 2.1 ppg).

7. Benton -- Another team with next to no size in the Six Rivers West, Benton instead will rely on its defense, experience and speed. Second-year coach Luke Tyson has three starters back from a club that won just two of 25 games. That group includes senior Caden Loeffelholz (6-1, 6.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg) along with sophomores Brayden Kilcoyne Brayden Kilcoyne 5'7" | PG Benton | 2027 WI (5-7, 8.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and Nolan Keleher (5-8, 3.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg). Six additional players return for the Zephyrs, including seniors Will Farrey (6-0) and Karsen Eimer (6-0) along with juniors Tyler Reints (6-1) and Isaiah Santiago (5-9). Sophomores Sam Klang (5-9) and Desmand Morrissey (5-10) could also be factors for the Zephyrs.

Top Returning Scorers

Wesley Kraisinger Wesley Kraisinger 6'3" | SF Highland | 2025 WI , Highland (15.8 ppg)
Michael Esser Michael Esser 6'4" | PF Highland | 2025 State WI , Highland (13.9 ppg)
Brandon Davis Brandon Davis 5'11" | PG River Ridge | 2026 State WI , River Ridge (11.4 ppg)
Aidan Uppena Aidan Uppena 6'6" | PF Potosi | 2025 State WI , Potosi (11.3 ppg)
Dawson Weber Dawson Weber 6'2" | SF Potosi | 2025 WI , Potosi (10.2 ppg)
Isaiah Groom Isaiah Groom 6'2" | SF Potosi | 2025 WI , Potosi (9.6 ppg)
Grady Poppy, Shullsburg (9.1 ppg)
Ben Infield Ben Infield 6'0" | CG Cassville | 2027 WI , Cassville (8.7 ppg)
John Dreischmeier John Dreischmeier 5'7" | PG Highland | 2025 WI , Highland (8.4 ppg)

Projected All-Conference Teams
First Team
Wesley Kraisinger Wesley Kraisinger 6'3" | SF Highland | 2025 WI , 6-3, Sr., Highland
Michael Esser Michael Esser 6'4" | PF Highland | 2025 State WI , 6-4, Sr., Highland
Aidan Uppena Aidan Uppena 6'6" | PF Potosi | 2025 State WI , 6-5, Sr., Potosi
Dawson Weber Dawson Weber 6'2" | SF Potosi | 2025 WI , 6-2, Sr., Potosi
Brandon Davis Brandon Davis 5'11" | PG River Ridge | 2026 State WI , 6-0, Jr., River Ridge

Second Team
Tanner Simmons Tanner Simmons 6'3" | SF Belmont | 2025 WI , 6-3, Sr., Belmont
Brayden Kilcoyne Brayden Kilcoyne 5'7" | PG Benton | 2027 WI , 5-7, Soph., Benton
Ben Infield Ben Infield 6'0" | CG Cassville | 2027 WI , 6-0, Soph., Cassville
Isaiah Groom Isaiah Groom 6'2" | SF Potosi | 2025 WI , 6-2, Sr., Potosi
Grady Poppy, 6-3, Soph., Shullsburg

The Big Five

Top Shooter: Grady Poppy, Shullsburg
Top Defender: Brandon Davis Brandon Davis 5'11" | PG River Ridge | 2026 State WI , River Ridge
Top Rebounder: Michael Esser Michael Esser 6'4" | PF Highland | 2025 State WI , Highland
Best Collegiate Prospect: Brandon Davis Brandon Davis 5'11" | PG River Ridge | 2026 State WI , River Ridge
Most Improved Player: Aidan Uppena Aidan Uppena 6'6" | PF Potosi | 2025 State WI , Potosi