WBY Tournament in Prairie du Chien: Standouts and results

Twenty-four teams from Wisconsin took part in the annual Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Summer Tournament held June 20 in Kaukauna.    Following are some observations from the event:   Pool A Standings Fennimore 3-0, River Valley 2-1, De Soto 1-2, Cashton 0-3. Pool A Most Valuable Player Brady Roth, 6-2, Jr., G, Fennimore Roth was steady in leading Fennimore to a 3-0 record. A returning starter for a Fennimore squad that went 12-14 a year ago, Roth finished with 12 points in wins over both De Soto and River Valley. The 6-foot-2 backcourt performer was able to score at the rim and from the foul line for first-year Fennimore coach Kevin Everson. He also played strong perimeter defense, using his size and length to get into passing lanes while coming up with some key steals for the Golden Eagles. Roth averaged 9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists as a sophomore and figures to be a key performer along with senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2822106' first='Jude' last='Kinney'] for Fennimore in the Southwest Wisconsin Activities League in 2025-26. Pool A Breakout Performer [player_tooltip player_id='2886056' first='Jackson' last='Thatcher'], 6-2, Jr., G/F, River Valley With older brother, Hughson, now graduated, [player_tooltip player_id='2886056' first='Jackson' last='Thatcher'] figures to take on a bigger role for River Valley next season. The son of coach Luke Thatcher, Jackson was outstanding at Prairie du Chien in terms of drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line. Once there, he had mixed success as he connected on nine-of14 tries from the foul stripe in River Valley's 38-29 win over De Soto. The fact he drew seven fouls speaks to Thatcher's ability to get in the lane and to the basket. He's size and mobility will allow his father to have him guard different positions, something that figures to help River Valley as it looks to improve upon a 14-13 record last season. Pool A All-Tournament Team Graham Hemmersbach, 5-10, Soph., G, Cashton [player_tooltip player_id='2634909' first='Jackson' last='Trussoni'], 6-1, Sr., G, De Soto [player_tooltip player_id='2815287' first='Adam' last='Venner'], 6-4, Jr., F, De Soto [player_tooltip player_id='2822106' first='Jude' last='Kinney'], 6-4, Sr., F, Fennimore Brady Roth, 6-2, Jr., G, Fennimore [player_tooltip player_id='2922134' first='Quincy' last='Blakely'], 5-10, Sr., G, River Valley [player_tooltip player_id='2922144' first='Keagan' last='Heiser'], 6-0, Sr., G, River Valley [player_tooltip player_id='2886056' first='Jackson' last='Thatcher'], 6-2, Jr., G/F, River Valley   Pool B Standings Luther 2-1, Platteville 2-1, Mauston 1-2, Southwestern 1-2. Pool B Most Valuable Player [player_tooltip player_id='2637314' first='Myron' last='Reuter'], 6-0, Sr., G, Platteville Reuter has been a mainstay in coach Mike Huser's starting rotation for a couple of seasons now. And his experience is a huge bonus for the Hillmen, who hope to capture their fourth straight title in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference next season. An unanimous first-team all-league selection as a junior Reuter played like one of the better players in southwest Wisconsin on Friday in Prairie du Chien. He scored at a very high level for Platteville by utilizing his quickness, strength and skill to score off the dribble. He also earned trips to the free-throw line and put some solid defensive pressure on the perimeter against opposing guards. One area Reuter needs to improve on is his long-distance shooting. He made just one three in three games for the Hillmen. Pool B Breakout Performer [player_tooltip player_id='2369883' first='Jase' last='Navis'], 6-4, Soph., G/F, Mauston One of the better players in the state's 2028 class, Navis is a very skilled wing prospect with the ability to score at all three levels. Playing against some strong competition and against teams gearing their defenses to slow the talented Navis, he still managed to put up points for the Golden Eagles. He had 18 points, two threes and eight attempts from the foul stripe in a 39-34 loss to Luther. He also had 17 points in a 42-41 loss to Platteville and 16 points in a 60-42 win over Southwestern. Navis, like virtually all players his age, needs to get stronger and a bit more explosive, but his size, skill and work habits all point to a very bright future. Pool B All-Tournament Team [player_tooltip player_id='2926276' first='Brody' last='Greeno'], 6-4, Sr., F, Luther [player_tooltip player_id='2926287' first='Logan' last='Pierce'], 5-9, Jr., G, Luther Tavon Zenke, 6-2, Frosh., G, Luther [player_tooltip player_id='2636712' first='Will' last='Miller'], 6-3, Sr., F, Mauston [player_tooltip player_id='2369883' first='Jase' last='Navis'], 6-4, Soph., G/F, Mauston [player_tooltip player_id='2922012' first='Jauron' last='Blevins'], 5-8, Sr., G, Platteville [player_tooltip player_id='2637314' first='Myron' last='Reuter'], 6-0, Sr., G, Platteville [player_tooltip player_id='2552683' first='Grady' last='Poppy'], 6-4, Jr., F, Platteville Caden Demuth, 6-2, Sr., F, Southwestern [player_tooltip player_id='2551616' first='Aiden' last='Keleher'], 6-0, Sr., G, Southwestern Aiden Splinter, 5-11, Jr., G, Southwestern Pool C Standings Lancaster 3-0, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau 2-1, Edgewood 1-2, Mineral Point 0-3. Pool C Most Valuable Player [player_tooltip player_id='1561902' first='Mason' last='Brone'], 6-3, Sr., G, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau Brone is just a solid all-around player who can affect a game in a lot of different ways. He has the size to shoot and pass over smaller defenders as the Red Hawks' lead guard. He also can get into the lane to score or drop off an assist. And he has the skill and confidence to score a bunch of different ways. He is a complete guard who plays with passion on both ends of the court. Brone had 19 points in a 63-49 loss to Lancaster, 16 points in a 40-39 win over Mineral Point, and 12 points in a 59-27 win over Edgewood. Pool C Breakout Performer [player_tooltip player_id='2825387' first='Dayne' last='Kauffman'], 5-11, Sr., G, Lancaster A dynamic backcourt performer who seems to be everywhere at once, Kauffman plays a bit like Steve Nash in that he has the ball on a string, can score with his craftiness and speed, and has tremendous court vision. He is a quick and aggressive defender who can dart in front of a pass and quickly head the other way to lead Lancaster's strong transition game. Kauffman and teammates [player_tooltip player_id='2358023' first='Zach' last='Hermsen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2121317' first='Taylor' last='Williams'] give Lancaster the best trio of players in the Southwest Conference. Pool C All-Tournament Team [player_tooltip player_id='2618111' first='Evan' last='Breidel'], 6-5, Sr., Edgewood [player_tooltip player_id='2415505' first='Ben' last='Morey'], 6-1, Jr., Edgewood [player_tooltip player_id='1561902' first='Mason' last='Brone'], 6-3, Sr., G, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau [player_tooltip player_id='2432831' first='Travis' last='Theisen'], 6-7, Sr., F, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau [player_tooltip player_id='2358023' first='Zach' last='Hermsen'], 6-4, Sr., G/F, Lancaster [player_tooltip player_id='2825387' first='Dayne' last='Kauffman'], 5-11, Sr., G, Lancaster [player_tooltip player_id='2121317' first='Taylor' last='Williams'], 6-1, Sr., G, Lancaster [player_tooltip player_id='1874969' first='Drew' last='Aschliman'], 6-3, Sr., G, Mineral Point [player_tooltip player_id='2917117' first='Keaton' last='Dempsey'], 6-0, Sr., G, Mineral Point   Pool D Standings Kickapoo 2-0, Columbus Catholic 2-1, Dodgeville 2-1, Cuba City 0-3. Pool D Most Valuable Player [player_tooltip player_id='2509448' first='Ben' last='Weiland'], 5-10, Jr., G, Columbus Catholic Weiland teams with senior [player_tooltip player_id='2500034' first='Mac' last='Konieczny'] to give Columbus Catholic one of the top backcourt combinations in the Eastern Cloverbelt Conference. Konieczny sat out the tournament in Prairie du Chien as he is recovering from wrist surgery, but Weiland more than offset the absence of Konieczny with some stellar play of his own. The skilled and strong junior snipper is a terrific perimeter shooter who can knock down multiple threes in any give contest. He finished with eight three-point baskets in three games for the Dons, including four in a 43-42 loss to Kickapoo. Weiland moves very well to free himself in the Dons' offense and is shot ready when he gets the ball on the perimeter. Pool D Breakout Performer [player_tooltip player_id='2501110' first='Arlon' last='Walter'], 6-6, Sr., F, Kickapoo Look out for Kickapoo in the Ridge & Valley Conference next season. Certainly, defending champion North Crawford has another strong squad and might be favored to win the league crown again, but Kickapoo definitely is a team in the hunt for a title. Coach Mat Wood returns all five starters and has a difference maker in Walter, an agile 6-foot-6 forward who can score in the paint, alter/block shots and rebound. A second-team selection along with returning teammates [player_tooltip player_id='2634917' first='Malachi' last='McCauley'] and Breken Miller, Walter averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds as a junior while helping Kickapoo to a 17-9 record. Pool D All-Tournament Team Cade Jansen, 5-8, Jr., G, Columbus Catholic [player_tooltip player_id='2509449' first='Carter' last='Sommer'], 6-5, Jr., F, Columbus Catholic [player_tooltip player_id='2509448' first='Ben' last='Weiland'], 5-10, Jr., G, Columbus Catholic [player_tooltip player_id='2815697' first='Landon' last='Geyer'], 5-11, Soph., G, Cuba City [player_tooltip player_id='2817408' first='Trevor' last='VanNatta'], 6-0, Sr., G, Cuba City [player_tooltip player_id='2829559' first='Jayce' last='Halverson'], 5-11, Jr., G, Dodgeville [player_tooltip player_id='2921882' first='Andrew' last='Hesseling'], 5-11, Jr., G, Dodgeville [player_tooltip player_id='2381699' first='Bryce' last='Crubaugh-Lockard'], 5-11, Sr., G, Dodgeville [player_tooltip player_id='2634917' first='Malachi' last='McCauley'], 6-3, Sr., F, Kickapoo Breken Miller, 6-0, Sr., G, Kickapoo [player_tooltip player_id='2501110' first='Arlon' last='Walter'], 6-6, Sr., F, Kickapoo   Pool E Standings Assumption 3-0, Westby 2-1, Seneca 1-2, Richland Center 0-3. Pool E Most Valuable Player [player_tooltip player_id='1561916' first='JT' last='Schlaefer'], 6-1, Sr., G, Assumption When he's playing with confidence, Schlaefer is as good as they come. He can zip past defenders off the bounce, drill three-point shots and push the ball ahead in transition with his court vision and passing skill. If a few shots are off the mark and he gets a shot blocked in the lane, it becomes a bit tougher for Schlaefer. But one thing is for sure, he will continue to come at you and put pressure on the defense with his aggressiveness. Schlaefer scored at a high level in Prairie du Chien, finishing with 21 points in an overtime win over Richland Center and 19 in wins over both Seneca and Westby. Schlaefer and sharpshooting senior backcourt teammate [player_tooltip player_id='2500891' first='Logan' last='Nystrom'] form an experienced and talented backcourt for Assumption coach Josh Paltz, and they do an excellent job of looking for each other and setting each other up for scoring chances. Pool E Breakout Performer [player_tooltip player_id='2509451' first='Jayden' last='Schoepp'], 6-1, Jr., G, Richland Center Schoepp has improved in each of the past two seasons and appears ready for a breakout junior season for Richland Center. A strong lead guard with good shooting skills, Schoepp was on fire in helping Richland Center rally to force overtime in an eventual loss to Assumption. He scored all 22 of his points in the second half, including several three-point baskets down the stretch for the Hornets. With good size, good skill and good strength, Schoepp is one to watch in the Southwest Conference. Pool E All-Tournament Team Trey France, 6-2, Jr., F, Assumption [player_tooltip player_id='2500891' first='Logan' last='Nystrom'], 5-10, Sr., G, Assumption [player_tooltip player_id='1561916' first='JT' last='Schlaefer'], 6-1, Sr., G, Assumption [player_tooltip player_id='2440772' first='Liam' last='Fingerson'], 6-6, Sr., F, Richland Center [player_tooltip player_id='2509451' first='Jayden' last='Schoepp'], 6-1, Jr., G, Richland Center [player_tooltip player_id='2915151' first='Hunter' last='Hagensick'], 5-11, Sr., G, Seneca [player_tooltip player_id='2915144' first='Jackson' last='Konichek'], 6-4, Sr., F, Seneca [player_tooltip player_id='2634896' first='Gage' last='Wall'], 5-11, Sr., G, Seneca Maddox Fencl, 5-10, Jr., G, Westby [player_tooltip player_id='2926349' first='Maddox' last='Torkellson'], 6-1, Jr., G, Westby   Pool F Standings Riverdale 3-0, Paririe du Chien 2-1, La Farge 1-2, North Crawford VR 0-3. Pool F Most Valuable Player [player_tooltip player_id='2886325' first='Bevyn' last='Dennis'], 5-7, Jr., G, Riverdale Exceptionally quick and impressively smart. Those are two attributes that fit the bill for Dennis, a dynamic, playmaking lead guard for Riverdale. He finished with 31 points and five three-point baskets in a 46-44 win over La Farge for one of the better individual performances of the entire WBY Tournament. He also had 22 points in a 55-50 win over North Crawford's varsity reserves and 14 points in a 43-35 win over Prairie du Chien. Voted as a team captain as a sophomore, Dennis was extremely impressive for a Riverdale program that went 3-0 and looks to make some waves next winter in the SWAL. Pool F Breakout Performer [player_tooltip player_id='2922045' first='Cayden' last='Sutter'], 5-10, Soph., G, Prairie du Chien The Blackhawks have gone through some difficult times the past 12 months. In fact, Prairie du Chien did not win a single game last summer or a single game during the 2024-25 high school season. That's a lot of losses piling up. But new coach Jacob Marshall saw some glimmers of hope on Friday in his own gym. Winning two of three games and playing with some tenacity and heart, Prairie du Chien got big performances from a number of players, including Sutter and senior Brock Folsom. Sutter showed the ability to handle the ball and shoot it, traits that will be vital as Prairie du Chien looks to end a 26-game losing streak as early as possible in the upcoming season.   Pool F All-Tournament Team Theo Parr, 6-1, Sr., G/F, La Farge William Wirts, 6-1, Sr., F, La Farge Pasen Enke, 6-0, Soph., G, North Crawford Varsity Reserves [player_tooltip player_id='2886158' first='Damien' last='McCormick'], 6-3, Frosh., G/F, North Crawford Varsity Reserves Brock Folsom, 6-2, Sr., F, Prairie du Chien [player_tooltip player_id='2922045' first='Cayden' last='Sutter'], 5-10, Soph., G, Prairie du Chien [player_tooltip player_id='2917218' first='Owen' last='Blankenship'], 5-11, Jr., G, Riverdale [player_tooltip player_id='2886325' first='Bevyn' last='Dennis'], 5-7, Jr., G, Riverdale Enerel Gantulga, 6-2, Jr., F, Riverdale

Twenty-four teams from Wisconsin took part in the annual Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Summer Tournament held June 20 in Kaukauna.