Prep Hoops/Zaleski Sports Teams of the Week (Jan. 6-11)

Mark Miller January 12, 2025 @ 08:33 PM

DIVISION 1 … MIDDLETON

Middleton started the season with one frustrating loss after another. By the time things turned in the other direction, the Cardinals had an 0-5 record. But coach Kevin Bavery's squad began to earn some positive vibes in a 71-68 victory over Madison West on December 19. And then the Cardinals took another large step forward when senior forward and University of Wisconsin recruit Will Garlock Will Garlock 6'11" | C Middleton | 2025 State #204 Nation WI (6-11) played his first game of the season after missing the first seven while recovering from an off season foot injury. His presence has played a big role in helping Middleton to five straight wins, including Big Eight Conference triumphs over Janesville Craig and Sun Prairie East last week. Garlock had 19 points in the 88-74 win over a Sun Prairie East team that came into the game with an 8-1 record. Junior guard Jackson Guerrero Jackson Guerrero 6'0" | PG/CG Middleton | 2026 State WI (6-0) and senior forwards Riley Krann (6-4) and Drew Cooney (6-4), among others, have also played key roles in the Cardinals' surge.

DIVISION 2 ... WATERFORD

The early season leaders of the Southern Lakes Conference, Waterford posted league wins over Burlington and Elkhorn last week to move to 5-0 in league play and 11-2 in all games. Ranked No. 23 among all state teams in the Prep Hoops Wisconsin Power Rankings through games of January 11, the Wolverines boast outstanding guard play led by senior point guard Jamison Beesley Jamison Beesley 6'3" | PG Waterford | 2025 State WI (6-3) and junior wing Caden Gustafson Caden Gustafson 6'4" | SG Waterford | 2026 State WI (6-3). In the 61-50 win over Elkhorn, Gustafson scored 24 points while Beesley had 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Coach Nick Roeglin's team also is getting good production from junior guard Colin Lepisto Colin Lepisto 5'10" | PG Waterford | 2026 WI (5-10) and junior forward Jayce Bretchl (6-6), among others.

DIVISION 3 ... KIEL

With victories last week over Valders and Brillion, Kiel stayed in the thick of the race for the Eastern Wisconsin Conference title. The defending league champions, 4-2 in league play and 9-2 overall, are two games behind league-leading Roncalli and tied for second place with Brillion. In the 70-65 win over Valders, senior wing Braden Aprill Braden Aprill 6'3" | SG Kiel | 2025 State WI (6-2) scored a team-best 20 points. Aprill is the lone returning starter from last year's Kiel squad that went 28-1 and advanced to the WIAA Division 3 State Tournament. Junior guard Logan Brunner Logan Brunner 5'10" | CG/SG Kiel | 2026 WI (5-9) added 17 points while senior guard Brady Ramminger (6-0) added 15. Against Brillion, senior Cade Voelker Cade Voelker 6'0" | PG Kiel | 2025 WI (6-0) had 14 and Aprill added 13 in the 54-51 victory. A steal and layup from Kiel's Hunter Pitzen (6-1) late in the game helped Kiel rally for the victory.

DIVISION 4 ... HURLEY

The Northstars notched three wins last week, beating Northern Lights Conference opponents Mellen and Mercer while also copping a non-league win over Three Lakes. Coach Mike Swartz's club takes an 8-2 mark into its league outing at defending conference winner Solon Springs on Monday. Last Monday, Hurley traveled to Mellen and came out with a 60-58 victory on a last-second basket from junior Wyatt Hall (6-0). With three seconds left, Swartz called a timeout to set up the winning play. Sophomore Logan Schilling (6-2) inbounded the ball to a flashing Hall in front of the scorer's table at mid court. He took a few dribbles toward the basket and let go with a floater along the baseline that swished through the hoop as the final horn sounded. Hurley needed no late field goal to beat Mercer a night later as the Northstars had an easy time in an 82-27 verdict. Then last Friday, Hurley hosted Three Lakes and got a hard-earned 56-45 victory.

DIVISION 5 ... SHEBOYGAN LUTHERAN

The Crusaders' Monday night showdown with visiting Oostburg turned into a shocking running-clock win for the Crusaders as they hit on all cylinders in the Big East South Conference matchup. Senior guard Andrew Krueger Andrew Krueger 5'11" | CG Sheboygan Lutheran | 2025 State WI (5-11) hit five three-point shots and scored 22 points to help Sheboygan Lutheran to the 76-36 victory. A few nights later, Sheboygan Lutheran improved to 10-0 under coach Nick Verhagen with an 81-50 win over Ozaukee. Five players scored in double figures for the Crusaders, led by sophomore Marion Boyland Marion Boyland 6'6" | SF/PF Milwaukee Academy of Science | 2027 State WI (6-5) with 16. Junior Brennen Hackbarth Brennen Hackbarth 6'5" | SF Sheboygan Lutheran | 2026 State WI (6-5) had a team-best nine rebounds as Sheboygan Lutheran controlled the glass, 42-27.