Woodland West Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Final Standings</strong><br><br>1. Wisconsin Lutheran 12-0 (30-0); 2. Pewaukee 10-2 (25-5); 3. Pius XI Catholic 7-5 (17-9); 4. West Allis Central 5-7 (16-12); 5. New Berlin Eisenhower 4-8 (11-14); 6. New Berlin West 3-9 (13-13); 7. Greendale 1-11 (9-15).<br><br><strong>2024-25 Picks</strong><br><br><strong>1. West Allis Central</strong> -- The Bulldogs hope to upset the apple cart a bit in the Woodland West this winter. The goal of coach Dave Mlachnik's squad most definitely is to knock Wisconsin Lutheran and Pewaukee off the top of the league standings, a place both schools have held for a long time. The firepower to do so is certainly there are all five starters return from a 16-12 squad. Leading the way are a pair of players with NCAA Division I scholarship offers in juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2045256' first='Yusef' last='Gray Jr.'] (6-5, 19.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2411140' first='Kevin' last='Pittman'] (6-10, 9.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg). Gray missed the majority of last season with an injury, but played well over the spring/summer on the club circuit and earned offers from Creighton, De Paul and Iowa State, among others. Pittman continues to take big strides in his game, losing weight and becoming more of an offensive threat. He recently picked up an offer from Western Michigan. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2194435' first='Max' last='Jones'] (6-3, 15.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg) is one of the state's better class of 2027 prospects while senior [player_tooltip player_id='1324010' first='Ewell' last='Clinton Jr.'] (6-2, 9.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2610593' first='Kayden' last='Travis'] (5-7, 8.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg) also return. Depth will be provided by sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2141478' first='Isaiah' last='Fox'] (6-0, 7.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140893' first='Caiden' last='Davis'] (6-2, 3.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg) along with junior Marcues Lovy (6-0).<br><br><strong>2. Wisconsin Lutheran </strong>-- The loss of one of Wisconsin's all-time great high school players, Kon Knueppel (6-6, 25.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg, now playing at Duke), will be difficult to overcome for coach Ryan Walz, but three starters and some eager newcomers hope to keep the Vikings atop in the Woodland West. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1485498' first='Isaiah' last='Mellock'] (6-1, 8.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1973108' first='Alex' last='Greene'] (6-3, 7.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'] (6-6, 9.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg) are back to provide great leadership in addition to their production. Seniors Nick Cross (6-3), Ben Langebartels (6-7) and Josiah Rice (6-0) along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2140949' first='Kager' last='Knueppel'] (6-6) saw action off the bench for the WIAA Division 2 state champions and figure to take on bigger roles in 2024-25. <br><br><strong>3. Pewaukee </strong>-- It's not overly wise to project one of the state's elite programs to finish third in its own division, but that is the case, at least in the preseason, for Pewaukee in 2024-25. The Pirates' streak of three straight WIAA Division 2 state titles was snapped by league-rival Wisconsin Lutheran last March, and coach David Burkemper must replace the school's all-time leading scorer in Nick Janowski (6-3, 30.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg, now playing at Nebraska). At the same time, Burkemper welcomes back three stellar performers off last year's 25-5 squad in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1412882' first='Luka' last='Momcilovic'] (6-8, 12.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, committed to St. Thomas), [player_tooltip player_id='1544787' first='Karson' last='Osterman'] (5-9, 6.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, committed to Superior) and [player_tooltip player_id='1815635' first='Isaiah' last='Robinson'] (6-1, 5.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg). That gifted trio will get plenty of help from juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2391091' first='Tyler' last='Tiutczenko'] (6-6, 7.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2500049' first='George' last='Davis'] (6-4, 1.6 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2820805' first='Landon' last='Stelse'] (6-0) along with sophomores John Gerdes (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140938' first='Jonah' last='Schaefer'] (5-11). <br><br><strong>4. New Berlin West </strong>-- With three double-figure scorers back along with some talented newcomers from a 14-8 JV1 squad, New Berlin West is aiming to get over the .500 mark after finishing 13-13 last winter. Coach Scott Cook again will count on the terrific perimeter shooting of his son, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2371703' first='Jayce' last='Cook'] (6-1, 16.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg), as a go-to option on offense. But the Vikings have others who can score as well in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2271424' first='Josh' last='Krier'] (6-3, 11.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1874970' first='Evan' last='Kern'] (6-3, 14.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg). Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2382143' first='Thomas' last='Moe'] (6-4, 6.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg) is the fourth returning regular at New Berlin West. Others who should make their way into the regular playing rotation include senior Ben Thompson (6-2, 4.0 ppg), junior Luke Krueger (6-1, 4.7 ppg), junior [player_tooltip player_id='2381808' first='Elijah' last='Gammage'] (6-2, 2.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2382134' first='Zach' last='Hewitt'] (6-4, 5.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg). <br><br><strong>5. New Berlin Eisenhower </strong>-- The Lions have a new coach in Austin Stueck, a former standout player at South Milwaukee and Milwaukee School of Engineering. Stueck takes over the New Berlin Eisenhower program at a good time as there is good talent returning and good talent forthcoming in the future. Three players who started on last year's 11-14 squad return in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2639072' first='Kevin' last='Kreitzer'] (5-10, 9.5 ppg) and juniors Chris Nimmer (5-10, 6.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1561892' first='Jake' last='Veley'] (6-3, 11.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg). That threesome will play pivotal roles for the Lions, who also welcome back [player_tooltip player_id='1561894' first='Thaison' last='Martin'] (5-8), [player_tooltip player_id='2739716' first='Mavox' last='Nimani'] (6-3), Connor Carlson (6-7) and Max Nemoir (5-11). Expect freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2542599' first='Will' last='Kowske'] (6-4), the son of former Dominican and University of Wisconsin forward Andy Kowske, to also make a contribution. <br><strong><br>6. Greendale</strong> -- Led by the return of senior [player_tooltip player_id='1454225' first='Devin' last='Isaj'] (6-6, 23.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg), Greendale hopes to improve on last year's 9-15 record. Isaj is a four-year varsity performer who can fill up the basket with the best of them. His production, versatility and leadership will be assets for the Panthers. Joining Isaj as returning starters for veteran coach Ryan Johnsen are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2639071' first='Luke' last='Mattes'] (6-5, 9.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and Landon Lopez (6-6, 6.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2677080' first='Zavier' last='Castillo'] (6-3, 7.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and Brandon Harper (6-1, 7.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg). Experience, size and scoring balance are strengths. <br><br><strong>7. Pius XI Catholic </strong>-- The Popes will start over again after finishing 17-9 a year ago and losing five key players to graduation. Gone from that squad, among others, are Jaquan Johnson (5-10, 32.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg, now playing at Bradley), Julian Alvarez Robles (5-10, 14.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and Cai Joseph (6-1, 11.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, now playing at Carroll). Coach Dan Carey will go with a youth movement in 2024-25 as several freshmen and sophomores will play key roles. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2610588' first='Jeremiah' last='Fitzgerald'] (6-2) and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1561959' first='Jayson' last='Kowalski'] (6-1, 7.0 ppg) and DeAndre Haynes Jr. (5-10) will provide upperclass support for the likes of sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2552505' first='Justin' last='Jones'] (5-9), [player_tooltip player_id='2140976' first='Preston' last='Kirchoff'] (5-9), [player_tooltip player_id='2140939' first='Jordan' last='Blockton'] (5-9), [player_tooltip player_id='2492543' first='Nasir' last='Nelson'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140982' first='Torrence' last='Rivera'] (6-2). Freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='2304321' first='Emmett' last='Munson'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2487653' first='Vinnie' last='Walker'] (5-9) also figure to play big roles for the Popes.<br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1454225' first='Devin' last='Isaj'], Greendale (23.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2045256' first='Yusef' last='Gray Jr.'], West Allis Central (19.6 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2371703' first='Jayce' last='Cook'], New Berlin West (16.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2194435' first='Max' last='Jones'], West Allis Central (15.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1874970' first='Evan' last='Kern'], New Berlin West (14.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2271424' first='Josh' last='Krier'], New Berlin West (14.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1412882' first='Luka' last='Momcilovic'], Pewaukee (12.3 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561892' first='Jake' last='Veley'], New Berlin Eisenhower (11.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1324010' first='Ewell' last='Clinton Jr.'], West Allis Central (9.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'], Wisconsin Lutheran (9.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2639071' first='Luke' last='Mattes'], Greendale (9.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2639072' first='Kevin' last='Kreitzer'], New Berlin Eisenhower (9.5 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1454225' first='Devin' last='Isaj'], 6-6, Sr., Greendale<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1874970' first='Evan' last='Kern'], 6-3, Jr., New Berlin West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1412882' first='Luka' last='Momcilovic'], 6-8, Sr., Pewaukee<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2045256' first='Yusef' last='Gray Jr.'],, 6-5, Jr., West Allis Central<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'], 6-6, Jr., Wisconsin Lutheran<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561892' first='Jake' last='Veley'], 6-3, Jr., New Berlin Eisenhower<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2371703' first='Jayce' last='Cook'], 6-1, Soph., New Berlin West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1544787' first='Karson' last='Osterman'], 5-9, Sr., Pewaukee<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2194435' first='Max' last='Jones'], 6-3, Soph., West Allis Central<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1485498' first='Isaiah' last='Mellock'], 6-1, Sr., Wisconsin Lutheran<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2371703' first='Jayce' last='Cook'], New Berlin West<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1485498' first='Isaiah' last='Mellock'], Wisconsin Lutheran<br><strong>Best Rebounder: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2411140' first='Kevin' last='Pittman'], West Allis Central<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2045256' first='Yusef' last='Gray Jr.'], West Allis Central<br><strong>Most Improved Player: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140949' first='Kager' last='Knueppel'], Wisconsin Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->