Five teams that have surprised in the early going

With a month of games now in the rear view mirror, it's time to take a look at some of the surprising teams thus far in the 2024-25 high school basketball season. We will look at one team in each of the WIAA's five divisions: DIVISION 1 Verona (8-1) The Wildcats were expected to field a competitive team, but the losses of sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2505503' first='Will' last='Stremlow'] and senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1740863' first='Tre' last='Poteat'] prior to the start of the season put a damper on the outlook for coach Curtrel Robinson's squad. Stremlow went down with an injury in the fall and has not played to date while Poteat, who averaged 21.2 ppg as a junior, opted to early enroll in the Tennessee football program. Despite the departures of two key performers, Verona has won eight of nine games to date, thanks in large part to the stellar play of two seniors -- forward [player_tooltip player_id='1156904' first='Drew' last='Murphy'] (6-5) and guard [player_tooltip player_id='1874957' first='Cameron' last='Williams'] (6-3). Murphy, a physical player who can attack the basket from the perimeter, make three-point shots and get to the foul line, leads Verona in scoring at 24.2 ppg. The NCAA Division II recruit for Northern Michigan has scored 25 or more points five times, including 27 in a 73-55 win over Oregon last week. Williams, one of the better uncommitted players in the state's 2025 class, is contributing 19.0 ppg and had 28 in the Wildcats' 72-70 win over Big Eight Conference rival Madison Memorial. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1544745' first='Bennett' last='Buss'] (5-9) and [player_tooltip player_id='1688319' first='Kamarr' last='Bridges-Miller'] (6-4) have also played big roles for the Wildcats, who host West Salem on Friday in a non-league game before returning to league action next Thursday with a game at Madison La Follette. Verona is on top of the league standings and has won eight straight since opening the campaign with a loss to WIAA Division 3 power MIlwaukee Academy of Science. DIVISION 2 Green Bay West (7-1) To say it's been a rough go of it for Green Bay West since the Wildcats joined the Bay Conference nine years ago would be a massive understatement. During those nine seasons, which included a shortened 2020-21 schedule due to COVID-19, Green Bay West won a grand total of six conference games while losing a whopping 116 for a winning percent of a mere .049 percent. The high-water mark for wins in a season during those nine seasons came in 2018-19 when the Wildcats went 8-16. By winning seven of eight games to start 2024-25, Green Bay West has attracted the attention of Bay Conference opponents as well as others in the greater Fox Valley area. First-year coach Malcolm Moore has the Wildcats playing winning basketball and exciting basketball as well. The wins over Luxemburg-Casco, Green Bay Southwest, Sheboygan South, New London, Shawano, Menominee, Mich., and Gladstone, Mich., have Wildcats' fans excited to see what January and February can bring to the team. The lone loss -- an 88-61 decision to Xavier -- was followed by four straight victories. Four players are averaging in double figures for Green Bay West -- senior [player_tooltip player_id='1782032' first='Sam' last='Hemery'] (6-0) at 20.3 ppg, senior Braeden Jacobson (6-3) at 15.1 ppg, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1780655' first='Brandon' last='Wilson'] (6-1) at 15.1 ppg and senior Madden Thao (5-8) at 10.1 ppg. The Wildcats enter the meat of their schedule in January with games against at Seymour on Thursday and outings later in month against league powers West De Pere and Xavier. DIVISION 3 Racine Lutheran (9-0) Most expected the Crusaders of Racine Lutheran to field a good team in 2024-25. But few expected coach Justin Hullum's squad to race out to a 9-0 record and notch convincing victories over a number of strong opponents. It started early as Racine Lutheran clobbered Racine Case 92-43 at the end of November. The Crusaders then rattled off double-digit wins over Big Foot and Union Grove before meeting Metro Classic Conference rival Racine St. Catherine's. Racine Lutheran beat the Angels for the second straight season at Lutheran, this time by a 75-72 count in overtime as senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2552505' first='Justin' last='Jones'] (6-3) scored 25 points and junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2224532' first='Sam' last='Pitrof'] (6-4) added 20. After the St. Catherine's victory, Racine Lutheran won five straight games by at least 23 points, defeating Shoreland Lutheran, Kenosha St. Joseph, Saint Thomas More, Wilmot and Catholic Central. Pitrof, a bouncy player who competes with energy and toughness, leads the Crusaders in scoring at 17.0 ppg. Jones, a veteran of three-plus varsity seasons for the Crusaders, is next in scoring at 13.9 ppg. Emerging sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2398434' first='Bryce' last='Austin'] (6-2) also scores in double figures at 12.0 ppg. Racine Lutheran encounters a pair of difficult league road games next week with outings at Martin Luther on Tuesday and at Dominican on Saturday. Judging from early results, the Crusaders will be more than ready to tackle that challenge. DIVISION 4 Bonduel (9-0) The Bears came into the season ranked No. 6 among WIAA Division 4 schools by the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook. So it's not all that surprising coach Duke Copp's squad is off to a 9-0 start. What is a surprise, though, is the manner in which Bonduel has achieved its unbeaten record. Through its first nine outings, Bonduel is averaging 84.4 points an outing while allowing a mere 53.2 ppg. Included in the early seasons romps are wins over some respected opponents, including Saint Mary Catholic (94-62), Iola-Scandinavia (89-61), Kewaunee (81-60), Manitowoc Lutheran (105-62) and Pacelli (82-42), among others. Bonduel went 26-2 last season and lost two starters to graduation, but the high-level success has extended to 2024-25 behind strong play from sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2387960' first='Quinn' last='Wesenberg'] (6-3), who is averaging 17.8 ppg and 4.9 rpg; senior [player_tooltip player_id='2542523' first='Race' last='Anvelink'] (6-0), who is averaging 16.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 4.9 apg; senior guard Cade Johnson (5-9), who is contributing 13.9 ppg and 7.9 apg; sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='2386363' first='Carter' last='Moesch'] (6-2), who is averaging 13.3 ppg and 3.7 rpg; and junior forward and big-time football prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2391085' first='Ryan' last='Westrich'] (6-6), who is averaging 12.8 ppg and 7.7 rpg. Bonduel plays a non-league game at Reedsville on Thursday before returning to Central Wisconsin East Conference play next Tuesday with a home game against Wittenberg-Birnamwood. Judging from the lopsdided scores through nine outings, there appears to be a good chance the Bears could be undefeated entering the WIAA playoffs in March. DIVISION 5 Wayland Academy (6-1) You never know exactly what to expect from Wayland Academy. Some years, the Big Red struggle to remain competitive in the Trailways East Conference. Other years, coach PJ Osvald's squad ranks among the better teams in the eight-team loop. It appears Wayland falls into the latter category in 2024-25 as the Big Red came out on top in six of its first seven games of the season. As a boarding school with students attending from around the world, Wayland takes a longer winter break than most schools. The Big Red dropped a 72-67 decision to Oakfield on December 16 and are not scheduled to play again until January 21 against Hustisford. The time off is always a concern for Osvald, but there is definite talent in the program and Wayland figures to be a tough out once the students return to Beaver Dam in a few weeks. Leading the way for Wayland is senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2637720' first='Sam' last='Porras'] (5-10), who is averaging 16.3 ppg and had 20 in a 71-62 victory over Lourdes Academy. Senior guard Javier Porras (5-11) also is playing well as he is averaging 14.3 ppg and 2.2 apg. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2637721' first='Mario' last='Padilla'] (6-2) is anchoring the Wayland frontline and is contributing 11.8 ppg and 10.8 rpg. Senior wing Nelson Mitchell (6-2) is the fourth player reaching double figures on a nightly basis at 10.8 ppg.

With a month of games now in the rear view mirror, it's time to take a look at some of the surprising teams thus far in the 2024-25 high school basketball season. We will look at one team in each of the WIAA's five divisions:

DIVISION 1

Verona (8-1)
The Wildcats were expected to field a competitive team, but the losses of sophomore guard Will Stremlow Will Stremlow 6'2" | CG Verona | 2027 State WI and senior wing Tre Poteat Tre Poteat 6'1" | SG Verona | 2025 WI prior to the start of the season put a damper on the outlook for coach Curtrel Robinson's squad. Stremlow went down with an injury in the fall and has not played to date while Poteat, who averaged 21.2 ppg as a junior, opted to early enroll in the Tennessee football program.

Despite the departures of two key performers, Verona has won eight of nine games to date, thanks in large part to the stellar play of two seniors -- forward Drew Murphy Drew Murphy 6'5" | SF Verona | 2025 State WI (6-5) and guard Cameron Williams Cameron Williams 6'3" | CG Verona Area | 2025 State WI (6-3). Murphy, a physical player who can attack the basket from the perimeter, make three-point shots and get to the foul line, leads Verona in scoring at 24.2 ppg. The NCAA Division II recruit for Northern Michigan has scored 25 or more points five times, including 27 in a 73-55 win over Oregon last week. Williams, one of the better uncommitted players in the state's 2025 class, is contributing 19.0 ppg and had 28 in the Wildcats' 72-70 win over Big Eight Conference rival Madison Memorial.

Seniors Bennett Buss Bennett Buss 5'9" | PG Verona | 2025 State WI (5-9) and Kamarr Bridges-Miller Kamarr Bridges-Miller 6'4" | SF Verona | 2025 State WI (6-4) have also played big roles for the Wildcats, who host West Salem on Friday in a non-league game before returning to league action next Thursday with a game at Madison La Follette. Verona is on top of the league standings and has won eight straight since opening the campaign with a loss to WIAA Division 3 power MIlwaukee Academy of Science.

DIVISION 2

Green Bay West (7-1)
To say it's been a rough go of it for Green Bay West since the Wildcats joined the Bay Conference nine years ago would be a massive understatement. During those nine seasons, which included a shortened 2020-21 schedule due to COVID-19, Green Bay West won a grand total of six conference games while losing a whopping 116 for a winning percent of a mere .049 percent. The high-water mark for wins in a season during those nine seasons came in 2018-19 when the Wildcats went 8-16.

By winning seven of eight games to start 2024-25, Green Bay West has attracted the attention of Bay Conference opponents as well as others in the greater Fox Valley area. First-year coach Malcolm Moore has the Wildcats playing winning basketball and exciting basketball as well. The wins over Luxemburg-Casco, Green Bay Southwest, Sheboygan South, New London, Shawano, Menominee, Mich., and Gladstone, Mich., have Wildcats' fans excited to see what January and February can bring to the team. The lone loss -- an 88-61 decision to Xavier -- was followed by four straight victories.

Four players are averaging in double figures for Green Bay West -- senior Sam Hemery Sam Hemery 6'0" | CG Green Bay West | 2025 State WI (6-0) at 20.3 ppg, senior Braeden Jacobson (6-3) at 15.1 ppg, senior Brandon Wilson Brandon Wilson 6'1" | SF Green Bay West | 2025 WI (6-1) at 15.1 ppg and senior Madden Thao (5-8) at 10.1 ppg. The Wildcats enter the meat of their schedule in January with games against at Seymour on Thursday and outings later in month against league powers West De Pere and Xavier.

DIVISION 3

Racine Lutheran (9-0)
Most expected the Crusaders of Racine Lutheran to field a good team in 2024-25. But few expected coach Justin Hullum's squad to race out to a 9-0 record and notch convincing victories over a number of strong opponents. It started early as Racine Lutheran clobbered Racine Case 92-43 at the end of November. The Crusaders then rattled off double-digit wins over Big Foot and Union Grove before meeting Metro Classic Conference rival Racine St. Catherine's. Racine Lutheran beat the Angels for the second straight season at Lutheran, this time by a 75-72 count in overtime as senior guard Justin Jones Justin Jones 5'9" | PG Pius XI Catholic | 2027 State WI (6-3) scored 25 points and junior wing Sam Pitrof Sam Pitrof 6'4" | CG Racine Lutheran | 2026 State WI (6-4) added 20.

After the St. Catherine's victory, Racine Lutheran won five straight games by at least 23 points, defeating Shoreland Lutheran, Kenosha St. Joseph, Saint Thomas More, Wilmot and Catholic Central. Pitrof, a bouncy player who competes with energy and toughness, leads the Crusaders in scoring at 17.0 ppg. Jones, a veteran of three-plus varsity seasons for the Crusaders, is next in scoring at 13.9 ppg. Emerging sophomore Bryce Austin Bryce Austin 6'2" | SG Racine Lutheran | 2027 State WI (6-2) also scores in double figures at 12.0 ppg.

Racine Lutheran encounters a pair of difficult league road games next week with outings at Martin Luther on Tuesday and at Dominican on Saturday. Judging from early results, the Crusaders will be more than ready to tackle that challenge.

DIVISION 4

Bonduel (9-0)
The Bears came into the season ranked No. 6 among WIAA Division 4 schools by the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook. So it's not all that surprising coach Duke Copp's squad is off to a 9-0 start. What is a surprise, though, is the manner in which Bonduel has achieved its unbeaten record. Through its first nine outings, Bonduel is averaging 84.4 points an outing while allowing a mere 53.2 ppg. Included in the early seasons romps are wins over some respected opponents, including Saint Mary Catholic (94-62), Iola-Scandinavia (89-61), Kewaunee (81-60), Manitowoc Lutheran (105-62) and Pacelli (82-42), among others.

Bonduel went 26-2 last season and lost two starters to graduation, but the high-level success has extended to 2024-25 behind strong play from sophomore Quinn Wesenberg Quinn Wesenberg 6'3" | CG Bonduel | 2027 State WI (6-3), who is averaging 17.8 ppg and 4.9 rpg; senior Race Anvelink Race Anvelink 6'0" | CG Bonduel | 2025 State WI (6-0), who is averaging 16.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 4.9 apg; senior guard Cade Johnson (5-9), who is contributing 13.9 ppg and 7.9 apg; sophomore wing Carter Moesch Carter Moesch 6'2" | PF Bonduel | 2027 State WI (6-2), who is averaging 13.3 ppg and 3.7 rpg; and junior forward and big-time football prospect Ryan Westrich Ryan Westrich 6'6" | PF Bonduel | 2026 State WI (6-6), who is averaging 12.8 ppg and 7.7 rpg.

Bonduel plays a non-league game at Reedsville on Thursday before returning to Central Wisconsin East Conference play next Tuesday with a home game against Wittenberg-Birnamwood. Judging from the lopsdided scores through nine outings, there appears to be a good chance the Bears could be undefeated entering the WIAA playoffs in March.

DIVISION 5

Wayland Academy (6-1)
You never know exactly what to expect from Wayland Academy. Some years, the Big Red struggle to remain competitive in the Trailways East Conference. Other years, coach PJ Osvald's squad ranks among the better teams in the eight-team loop. It appears Wayland falls into the latter category in 2024-25 as the Big Red came out on top in six of its first seven games of the season.

As a boarding school with students attending from around the world, Wayland takes a longer winter break than most schools. The Big Red dropped a 72-67 decision to Oakfield on December 16 and are not scheduled to play again until January 21 against Hustisford. The time off is always a concern for Osvald, but there is definite talent in the program and Wayland figures to be a tough out once the students return to Beaver Dam in a few weeks.

Leading the way for Wayland is senior guard Sam Porras Sam Porras 5'10" | CG Wayland Academy | 2025 State WI (5-10), who is averaging 16.3 ppg and had 20 in a 71-62 victory over Lourdes Academy. Senior guard Javier Porras (5-11) also is playing well as he is averaging 14.3 ppg and 2.2 apg. Junior Mario Padilla Mario Padilla 6'2" | SF Wayland Academy | 2026 State WI (6-2) is anchoring the Wayland frontline and is contributing 11.8 ppg and 10.8 rpg. Senior wing Nelson Mitchell (6-2) is the fourth player reaching double figures on a nightly basis at 10.8 ppg.