South Central Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Final Standings</strong><br><br>1. Wautoma 9-1 (19-6); 1. Wisconsin Dells 9-1 (20-7); 3. Mauston 6-4 (12-14); 4. Westfield 4-6 (9-15); 5. Adams-Friendship 1-9 (3-22); 5. Nekoosa 1-9 (7-16).<br><br><strong>2024-25 Picks</strong><br><br><strong>1. Wisconsin Dells</strong> -- Seven seniors are back for veteran Wisconsin Dells coach Brad Rohling, including perhaps the most dominant player in the South Central in senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2493653' first='Jaren' last='Ward'] (6-8, 12.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg). Ward was a second-team all-league selection as a junior, but figures to move up a notch in 2024-25 as he becomes a go-to player for the Chiefs. Joining Ward as a returning starter from a team that finished 20-7 is versatile senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2636704' first='Raphael' last='Berje'] (6-4, 7.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg). Ward, Berje and classmates [player_tooltip player_id='2636721' first='Brady' last='Young'] (6-2, 7.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg), Isaiah Hanna-Funmaker (6-3, 4.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg), Zion Alwin (6-0), Jordan Martinez (6-7) and Everett Norman (5-10) comprise the best senior class in the league and their presence is the major reason why the Chiefs are again the pick to win the league crown. <br><br><strong>2. Westfield</strong> -- It's always exciting to start a season with an experienced lineup. Westfield coach Nick Brakebush has that luxury as five starters and a couple of top reserves are back from a 9-15 squad as the Pioneers did not have a single senior in the program in 2023-24. This time around, Westfield will rely heavily on five seniors, including [player_tooltip player_id='2381727' first='Sam' last='Berruecos'] (5-11, 16.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2636717' first='Keegan' last='Hockerman'] (6-2, 8.9 ppg, 9.0 rpg), Owen Hendee (6-3, 4.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg), Isaiah Anason (6-0, 2.0 rpg) and Hector Moyotl (5-8). Those seniors are joined by juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2610549' first='Austin' last='Lyon'] (6-0, 12.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and Scott McCoy (5-10, 1.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg) to give the Pioneers a solid nucleus. <br><br><strong>3. Wautoma</strong> -- Mike Pica takes over the coaching duties at Wautoma after previous coach Kyle Thompson guided the Hornets to a share of the league crown with Wisconsin Dells last winter. The Hornets were hit exceptionally hard by graduation as all five starters graduated, including two of the league's top performers in Carson Armstrong (6-1, 23.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, now playing at Superior) and Joseph Ascher (6-1, 23.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg). Pica starts over with two returning players in senior Taylor Krueger (6-0, 2.1 ppg, 1.0 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2636708' first='Skyler' last='Royston'] (5-11, 2.8 ppg, 1.0 rpg). Newcomers who figure to contend for playing time include senior Ben Miller (5-10), junior Kyler Reinke (5-10) and sophomores Peyton Pica (6-0) and Marshel Woyak (5-3).<br><br><strong>4. Adams-Friendship</strong> -- Lots and lots of returning experience for coach Keith Bork at Adams-Friendship. Six players who earned starting spots for portions of last season return, led by senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2492796' first='SaVont' last='Johnson'] (6-3, 20.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg). Johnson played in just seven games a year ago, but is hoping to be completely healthy for 2024-25. Others who started at times include senior Hoyt Wormet (6-3, 4.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg), juniors Zarek Nawrot (6-3, 4.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and Xander Cook (6-3, 2.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), and sophomores Danny Matson (5-11, 5.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and Cody Ratz (6-3, 3.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg). Seniors Jayce Wikman (6-8, 3.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and Noah Contrall (5-10, 2.6 ppg) also return while freshman Nolan Bark (5-10) could also earn a spot in the playing rotation. <br><br><strong>5. Nekoosa </strong>-- Josh Kolo begins his second year as the boys' varsity basketball coach at Nekoosa with three starters back from a 7-16 squad. Leading the way is four-year varsity backcourt ace [player_tooltip player_id='1401389' first='Nash' last='Krcmar'] (5-11, 18.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg), a second-team all-South Central choice in 2023-24. Krcmar can handle the ball, pass, defend and shoot. His presence will be a huge plus for the Papermakers. Joining Krcmar as returning starters are seniors Fransico Vega (5-11, 6.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and Braeden Lochner (5-10, 3.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg). Additional help figures to come from seniors Grey Gerzmehle (6-0, 4.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and Jordan Pasch (5-7, 5.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg) along with sophomore Finlei Krcmar (6-1, 2.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg). <br><br><strong>6. Mauston</strong> -- One era ended last March when six talented seniors graduated from a 12-14 squad, including top scorer and rebounder Brock Massey (6-4, 24.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, now playing at Eau Claire). A new era begins this month as coach Ryan Frye welcomes one of the better class of 2028 prospects into his program in forward [player_tooltip player_id='2369883' first='Jase' last='Navis'] (6-4). While Navis will be an outstanding player for the Golden Eagles, he'll need plenty of help from returning players [player_tooltip player_id='2537934' first='Cody' last='Komiskey'] (6-0, 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2636710' first='Johann' last='Wolf'] (5-10, 1.2 ppg, 1.1 rpg) and Will Miller (6-3). Lack of experience and multiple scoring options are concerns, but Mauston will compete with energy each time out. <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2492796' first='SaVont' last='Johnson'], Adams-Friendship (20.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1401389' first='Nash' last='Krcmar'], Nekoosa (18.6 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381727' first='Sam' last='Berruecos'], Westfield (16.8 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2610549' first='Austin' last='Lyon'], Westfield (12.1 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493653' first='Jaren' last='Ward'], Wisconsin Dells (12.0 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381727' first='Sam' last='Berruecos'], 5-11, Sr., Westfield<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2492796' first='SaVont' last='Johnson'], 6-3, Sr., Adams-Friendship<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493653' first='Jaren' last='Ward'], 6-8, Sr., Wisconsin Dells<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2636704' first='Raphael' last='Berje'], 6-4, Sr., Wisconsin Dells<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1401389' first='Nash' last='Krcmar'], 5-11, Sr., Nekoosa<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2369883' first='Jase' last='Navis'], 6-4, Frosh., Mauston<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2610549' first='Austin' last='Lyon'], 6-0, Jr., Westfield<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2636717' first='Keegan' last='Hockerman'], 6-2, Sr., Westfield<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2636721' first='Brady' last='Young'], 6-2, Sr., Wisconsin Dells<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2636708' first='Skyler' last='Royston'], 5-11, Jr., Wautoma<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1401389' first='Nash' last='Krcmar'], Nekoosa<br><strong>Best Defender: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2636721' first='Brady' last='Young'], Wisconsin Dells<br><strong>Best Rebounder:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2636717' first='Keegan' last='Hockerman'], Westfield<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2493653' first='Jaren' last='Ward'], Wisconsin Dells<br><strong>Most Improved Player: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2636708' first='Skyler' last='Royston'], Wautoma</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->