Coulee Conference Preview 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2024-25 Standings:</strong><br><br>1. West Salem 11-1 (20-7); 2. Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau 9-3 (16-9); 2. Luther 9-3 (21-7); 4. Arcadia 5-7 (13-12); 5. Black River Falls 4-8 (7-18); 6. Viroqua 2-10 (7-18); 6. Westby 2-10 (7-18).<br><br><strong>2025-26 Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/gale-ettrick-trempealeau/"><strong>Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau</strong> </a>-- The fight for the top spot in the Coulee Conference figures to be intense with Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau counting heavily on returning starters [player_tooltip player_id='1561902' first='Mason' last='Brone'] (6-3, 19.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 6.6 apg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2432831' first='Travis' last='Theisen'] (6-7, 8.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg) to pave the way for the Red Hawks' run at the crown. Brone is a returning first-team all-league pick who recently committed to NCAA Division II Stevens Point while Theisen is an improved big man who can score inside and outside. Coach [player_tooltip player_id='2953590' first='Ian' last='Anderson'] looks for junior [player_tooltip player_id='2414144' first='Luke' last='Herman'] (6-3, 3.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2434283' first='Talon' last='Fabian'] (5-11, 3.8 ppg) to also make big contributions in 2025-26. Depth is provided from newcomers off JV1 and JV2 teams that finished a combined 38-6.<br><strong><br>2. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/west-salem-2/">West Salem</a></strong> -- Winners of the last four Coulee titles, West Salem could very well make it five in a row this winter as first-year coach Shane Schmeling has a strong core of returning players from a 20-7 squad. Senior Nate Dillaber (6-0, 11.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2434284' first='Drew' last='McConkey'] (6-3, 8.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg) are returning starters for the Panthers. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2423288' first='Tyson' last='Labus'] (6-5, 5.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2405423' first='Spencer' last='Kammel'] (6-3, 3.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022872' first='Will' last='Schmidt'] (6-0, 1.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg) figure to contend for starting roles along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2414146' first='Elliott' last='Corcoran'] (6-4, 2.5 ppg). The winning culture at West Salem is impressive and the Panthers once again will be a force in 2025-26.<br><br><strong>3. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/luther-2/">Luther</a></strong> -- Like most of the other teams in the Coulee, Luther has some holes to fill in its starting rotation. But, again like its counterparts, the Knights also have some experienced players returning. Coach Dan Unke welcomes two starters back from a 21-7 team in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2926276' first='Brody' last='Greeno'] (6-4, 7.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2405398' first='Max' last='Huelskamp'] (6-1, 6.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg). Also back for the Knights are senior [player_tooltip player_id='3020783' first='Elijah' last='Schaller'] (6-0, 1.5 ppg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2926287' first='Logan' last='Pierce'] (5-9, 6.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Jack Petersen (5-10, 2.1 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2429726' first='Trent' last='Berg'] (6-1, 1.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg).<br><br><strong>4. Black River Falls</strong> -- The Tigers again will rely heavily on the considerable abilities of junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2423423' first='Braylon' last='Backaus'] (6-2, 23.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg). A returning first-team all-league performer, Backhaus can hurt opponents with his perimeter jump shot or off the dribble with his aggressiveness and ability to finish at the rim. Coach Jack Taylor must replace the four other starters from a year ago when Black River Falls finished 7-17. Candidates expected to contend for playing time include seniors Cole Gearing (5-11) and [player_tooltip player_id='3019106' first='Toby' last='Hovland'] (6-0) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3019107' first='Mason' last='Meimann'] (5-10, 2.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg) and Will Rahmlow (6-2). <br><br><strong>5. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/arcadia-4/">Arcadia</a> </strong>-- Guard play figures to be a big plus for the Raiders with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2410620' first='Carter' last='Wegman'] (5-11, 9.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3035769' first='Deklyn' last='Grzadzielewski'] (5-9, 10.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.0 apg) back in the starting rotation. Coach Ryan Sonnentag also welcomes back senior [player_tooltip player_id='3018901' first='Max' last='Blaschko'] (6-1, 2.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg), who joined Wegman and Grzadzielewski as starters on last year's 13-12 team. Other returning varsity performers include senior [player_tooltip player_id='3018904' first='Jerson' last='Sanchez'] (6-2) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3018903' first='Trevor' last='Pronschinske'] (5-11, 5.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3018902' first='Jonah' last='Slaby'] (6-0, 1.9 ppg). Perimeter defense and shooting are strengths while Sonnentag is concerned about rebounding and interior defense.<br><br><strong>6. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/viroqua/"><strong>Viroqua</strong> </a>-- The young talent at Viroqua is impressive even if it remains untested at the varsity level. However, if the newcomers can adapt quickly to the varsity level, the Blackhawks could surprise some teams in the Coulee. Coach Matt Mezera's backcourt appears set with the return of starters [player_tooltip player_id='3022688' first='Tyden' last='Lind'] (6-0, 5.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022692' first='Kolten' last='Peterson'] (6-0, 12.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg). Lind, a senior, and Peterson, a junior, will need to provide leadership for the young core at Viroqua. Young players who could contribute include freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2829044' first='Noah' last='Schwarz'] (6-1) along with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='3022689' first='Weston' last='Benzing'] (5-11), Hunter Gald (5-11) and Matthew Berra (6-1).<br><br><strong>7. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/westby/">Westby</a></strong> -- Two starters and some key reserves are back at Westby, giving coach Ken Halvorson a solid core to build around in 2025-26. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2815419' first='Griffin' last='Nelson'] (5-10, 14.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2815320' first='Maddox' last='Fencl'] (5-10, 8.5 ppg) give Westby a strong and experienced backcourt. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2423206' first='Jadon' last='Johnson'] (5-11, 4.1 ppg), junior [player_tooltip player_id='2926349' first='Maddox' last='Torkellson'] (6-1, 5.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='3022877' first='Micah' last='Larson'] (5-10, 3.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg) also return at Westby.<br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2423423' first='Braylon' last='Backaus'] (Black River Falls) 23.8 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561902' first='Mason' last='Brone'] (Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau) 19.3 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2815419' first='Griffin' last='Nelson'] (Westby) 14.6 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3022692' first='Kolten' last='Peterson'] (Viroqua) 12.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2500048' first='Nathan' last='Dillaber'] (West Salem) 11.7 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3035769' first='Deklyn' last='Grzadzielewski'] (Arcadia) 10.1 ppg<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team<br></strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2423423' first='Braylon' last='Backaus'], 6-2, Jr., Black River Falls<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561902' first='Mason' last='Brone'], 6-3, Sr., Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2500048' first='Nathan' last='Dillaber'], 6-0, Sr., West Salem<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3035769' first='Deklyn' last='Grzadzielewski'], 5-9, Soph., Arcadia<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3022692' first='Kolten' last='Peterson'], 6-0, Jr., Viroqua<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2432831' first='Travis' last='Theisen'], 6-7, Sr., Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2926276' first='Brody' last='Greeno'], 6-4, Sr., Luther<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2405398' first='Max' last='Huelskamp'], 6-1, Sr., Luther<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2423288' first='Tyson' last='Labus'], 6-5, Sr., West Salem<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2815419' first='Griffin' last='Nelson'], 5-10, Jr., Westby<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='2500048' first='Nathan' last='Dillaber'], West Salem<br><strong>Best Rebounder: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2405398' first='Max' last='Huelskamp'], Luther<br><strong>Best Defender</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1561902' first='Mason' last='Brone'], Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2423423' first='Braylon' last='Backaus'], Black River Falls<br><strong>Most Improved Player:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2423288' first='Tyson' last='Labus'], West Salem</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->