Prep Hoops/Zaleski Sports Teams of the Week (Dec. 23-28)

Mark Miller December 29, 2024 @ 09:12 PM

DIVISION 1 … DE PERE

A 72-59 loss at Wisconsin Lutheran on Dec. 21 forced the De Pere coaching staff to make some adjustments, alter a few things and push the players on the Redbirds' roster to reach down for more. All of those maneuvers proved to be successful last week as De Pere responded to its lone loss of the season with two very impressive victories at the 19th annual Rick Majerus Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout. The Redbirds went into overtime to record a 75-73 win over previously undefeated Milwaukee Academy of Science on Friday before coming back Saturday to notch a 68-52 win over Wauwatosa West. Wisconsin recruit Zach Kinziger Zach Kinziger 6'3" | CG De Pere | 2025 State #127 Nation WI had big outings in both games, netting 34 against Academy of Science and 24 in the win over Wauwatosa West. Northern Michigan recruit Pryce Gregoire Pryce Gregoire 6'6" | SF De Pere | 2025 State WI and Eau Claire recruit Roan Demovsky Roan Demovsky 6'1" | PG De Pere | 2025 State WI also were instrumental in both victories as De Pere improved to 6-1 heading into its game Friday against Sheboygan South.

DIVISION 2 ... ONALASKA

Onalaska sustained a 75-68 loss at Holmen prior to Christmas, but the Hilltoppers rebounded in a big way last week, beating Appleton East and host Waunakee to win the Ab Nicholas Tournament. Coach Craig Kowal's squad had little trouble beating Appleton East as junior Ian Kowal Ian Kowal 6'3" | CG/SF Onalaska | 2026 State WI led a balanced attack with 19 points. In the game against Waunakee, senior wing Jack Smith Jack Smith 6'4" | SG/SF Onalaska | 2025 State WI scored 23 points while senior Broden Steiner Broden Steiner 6'5" | SF/PF Onalaska | 2025 State WI added 18 and Kowal contributed 11. The Hilltoppers play an intriguing non-league game on Thursday, hosting cross-town rival Luther, which is currently 6-0.

DIVISION 3 ... WISCONSIN DELLS

Wisconsin Dells went 2-0 in its own classic event last week, posting wins over Antigo and previously unbeaten Rhinelander. The Chiefs posted a dominating performance against Antigo, holding the Red Robins to just 20 points in a 65-20 triumph. The strong defensive play continued against a potent Rhinelander team as Wisconsin Dells used its suffocating defense to post a 70-42 victory. Senior forward Jaren Ward Jaren Ward 6'8" | SF/PF Wisconsin Dells | 2025 State WI (6-8) had 32 points in the win over Rhinelander while senior teammate Isaiah Hanna-Funmaker (6-3) added 17. Wisconsin Dells moved to 6-2 with the two wins and returns to action Friday with a South Central Conference game against Westfield.

DIVISION 4 ... MINERAL POINT

The Pointers recorded two wins against WIAA Division 3 powers at the Rick Majerus Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout. Competing in very tight games that could have gone either way, the Pointers got clutch performances from seniors Eli Lindsey Eli Lindsey 6'5" | SF Mineral Point | 2025 State WI and Jaxon Wendhausen along with junior Drew Aschliman Drew Aschliman 6'3" | SG Mineral Point | 2026 State WI to remain undefeated at 6-0. Lindsey had 14 points while Wendhausen and Aschliman added 10 each in the 51-46 victory over Edgerton. Edgerton had managed close within 47-46 with just under a minute left, but Mineral Point went 10-of-12 from the line in the second half and made several clutch foul shots in the closing minute to garner the win. Against Dominican, Mineral Point trailed for large chunks of the game, but got a 35-point, 14-rebound performance from Lindsey to rally for a 66-60 win. Aschliman added 15 points and Wendhausen had nine to help offset a 28-point, 11-rebound showing from Syracuse recruit Aaron Womack Aaron Womack 6'6" | SF Dominican | 2025 State #228 Nation WI of Dominican. The defending WIAA Division 4 state champion Pointers return to SWAL play Friday against Fennimore.

DIVISION 5 ... RIVER RIDGE

The Timberwolves defeated Seneca and Iowa-Grant on Saturday to win its own tournament and improve to 7-0 under second-year coach Jim Wagner. Four players scored in double figures for River Ridge in its 71-40 win over Seneca. Ty Adrian and Luke Patterson led the way with 12 points each. Elliott Thornton contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds in the win. In the 79-35 title-game victory over Iowa-Grant, River Ridge got 20 points from senior forward Andrew Nies Andrew Nies 6'1" | SF River Ridge | 2025 WI while junior guard Brandon Davis Brandon Davis 5'11" | PG River Ridge | 2026 State WI added 10 points, eight assists, six rebounds and a steal. The balance and depth of River Ridge is a big asset as five players are averaging between 7.1 ppg and 15.7 ppg. River Ridge returns to action Thursday with a non-league game at Barneveld.