Southwest Wisconsin Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Final Standings</strong><br><br>1. Platteville 10-0 (24-4); 2. Prairie du Chien 6-4 (14-12); 2. River Valley 6-4 (12-15); 4. Lancaster 4-6 (14-13); 5. Dodgeville 3-7 (7-18); 6. Richland Center 1-9 (4-21).<br><br><strong>2024-25 Picks</strong><br><br><strong>1. Platteville</strong> -- Platteville begins the year looking to secure its third straight Southwest Wisconsin crown and has the talent to accomplish that goal under 17th-year head coach Mike Huser. Two all-league performers from a 24-4 squad return, including Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='2390176' first='Lucas' last='Ludlum'] (6-2, 16.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg), who does a bit of everything on both ends of the court for the Hillmen. In addition to Ludlum, Platteville welcomes the return of junior [player_tooltip player_id='2637314' first='Myron' last='Reuter'] (6-0, 8.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg). Other who figure to challenge for starting roles include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2637318' first='Nathan' last='Mumm'] (6-2, 3.0 ppg), Jona Vorwarld (5-10, 2.0 ppg), Eli Langmeier (6-5, 2.0 ppg), Hayden Hall (6-1), Logan Day (6-2) and Trent Mumm (6-2) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2922012' first='Jauron' last='Blevins'] (5-9, 1.5 ppg). <br><br><strong>2. Lancaster </strong>-- Brian Knapp is excited about the prospects for Lancaster this winter as five starters are back from a club that finished 14-13. Dynamic junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2121317' first='Taylor' last='Williams'] (6-1, 12.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg) is the top returning player for the Arrows. He was the lone sophomore named to the first or second team all-league squads a year ago. Also back are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2637323' first='Michael' last='Murphy'] (5-11, 8.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Tyler Timmerman (5-10, 5.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2358023' first='Zach' last='Hermsen'] (6-4, 10.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and Dayne Kauffman (5-10, 6.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg). The scoring balance Lancaster possesses will make it difficult for opponents to concentrate on just one or two players. <br><br><strong>3. River Valley</strong> -- Always competitive River Valley should have yet another quality squad as coach Luke Thatcher's squad looks to better last year's 12-14 mark. Led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2493674' first='Hughson' last='Thatcher'] (6-0, 12.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg), the Blackhawks will have strong guard play. The son of the head coach, [player_tooltip player_id='2493674' first='Hughson' last='Thatcher'] earned first-team all-league recognition as a junior and is one of two returning starters along with senior [player_tooltip player_id='2637327' first='Sam' last='Pape'] (6-2, 8.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg). Also back are seniors Caleb Drachenberg (6-6, 1.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and Brady Favreau (6-2) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2922144' first='Keagan' last='Heiser'] (6-1), Lucas Klein (5-11) and Quincy Blakley (5-11). <br><br><strong>4. Dodgeville</strong> -- One of the traditional powers in the Southwest Wisconsin, Dodgeville has some returning experience from a club that finished 7-18. Leading the way is senior [player_tooltip player_id='2637321' first='John' last='McGraw'] (6-4, 8.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg), the lone returning regular for the Dodgers. McGraw scoring and versatility will be big assets for Dodgeville, which also returns juniors Bryce Crubaugh Lockard (6-0, 8.2 ppg) and Brock Fockler (5-11, 2.0 ppg). Quickness and guard play are listed strengths by coach Matt McGraw while learning new roles and inside play are concerns.<br><br><strong>5. Richland Center</strong> -- With five experienced players back, Richland Center could be among the most improved teams in the Southwest Wisconsin. Coach Brian Puls' squad went just 4-21 a year ago, but off-season development, some size and a balanced offensive attack could help Richland Center contend. Rugged senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2637290' first='Wes' last='Bosworth'] (6-4, 13.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg) is one of the better frontline players in the league while rangy junior [player_tooltip player_id='2440772' first='Liam' last='Fingerson'] (6-6, 10.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and senior forward Garrison Weiss (6-7, 4.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg) also provide some size to the Hornets' lineup. Sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2509451' first='Jayden' last='Schoepp'] (6-0, 7.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg) will handle the backcourt duties along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2922219' first='Brady' last='Dosch'] (5-11, 3.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg). Other who also figure to contribute include seniors Tyler Woodman (6-4, 3.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and Treyton Schoepp (6-1, 3.7 ppg) along with juniors Cutler Palmer (6-4) and Abe Bosworth (6-3). <br><strong><br>6. Prairie du Chien</strong> -- The big news surrounding the Prairie du Chien program centers around the fact Andy Banasik retired as coach after 30 seasons and 306 victories last spring. Former assistant Jordan Reuter takes over the program and is hoping the Blackhawks' speed and athleticism can help them remain competitive in league play. Two regulars are back from a 14-12 squad in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2637306' first='Brady' last='Lenzendorf'] (6-1, 5.6 ppg, 1.3 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2637300' first='Nicholas' last='McCullick'] (6-0, 10.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg). Lenzendorf and McCullick will get help from seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2637309' first='Hunter' last='Straka'] (5-11, 6.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and Abe Amundson (6-0, 1.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg) along with junior Sam Kramer (5-10, 2.3 ppg). Juniors Garrett DeHart (5-9) and Ashton Landt (5-9) also figure to contend for playing time. <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2390176' first='Lucas' last='Ludlum'], Platteville (16.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2637290' first='Wes' last='Bosworth'], Richland Center (13.3 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2121317' first='Taylor' last='Williams'], Lancaster (12.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493674' first='Hughson' last='Thatcher'], River Valley (12.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2358023' first='Zach' last='Hermsen'], Lancaster (10.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2440772' first='Liam' last='Fingerson'], Richland Center (10.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2637300' first='Nicholas' last='McCullick'], Prairie du Chien (10.0 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2121317' first='Taylor' last='Williams'], 6-1, Jr., Lancaster<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2390176' first='Lucas' last='Ludlum'], 6-2, Sr., Platteville<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2637290' first='Wes' last='Bosworth'], 6-4, Sr., Richland Center<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493674' first='Hughson' last='Thatcher'], 6-0, Sr., River Valley<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2637314' first='Myron' last='Reuter'], 6-0, Jr., Platteville<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2637321' first='John' last='McGraw'], 6-4, Sr., Dodgeville<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2358023' first='Zach' last='Hermsen'], 6-4, Jr., Lancaster<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2637300' first='Nicholas' last='McCullick'], 6-0, Sr., Prairie du Chien<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2440772' first='Liam' last='Fingerson'], 6-6, Jr., Richland Center<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2637327' first='Sam' last='Pape'], 6-2, Sr., River Valley<br><br><strong>The Big Five<br></strong><br><strong>Best Shooter:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2637323' first='Michael' last='Murphy'], Lancaster<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2390176' first='Lucas' last='Ludlum'], Platteville<br><strong>Best Rebounder:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2637290' first='Wes' last='Bosworth'], Richland Center<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2390176' first='Lucas' last='Ludlum'], Platteville<br><strong>Most Improved Player: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2509451' first='Jayden' last='Schoepp'], Richland Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->