Fox River Classic Preview 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2024-25 Standings:</strong><br><br>1. De Pere 18-0 (26-2); 2. Notre Dame 13-5 (21-7); 3. Ashwaubenon 12-6 (19-7); 3. Sheboygan North 12-6 (19-8); 5. Bay Port 11-7 (14-11); 6. Pulaski 10-8 (16-12); 7. Green Bay Preble 7-11 (11-14); 8. Manitowoc Lincoln 5-13 (9-17); 9. Sheboygan South 2-16 (4-21); 10. Green Bay Southwest 0-18 (1-24).<br><br><em>Note: Sheboygan South moves to the new Glacier Trails Conference while West DePere joins the Fox River Classic for the 2025-26 season.</em><br><br><strong>2025-26 Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/de-pere/"> De Pere </a></strong>-- The loss of five starters from a 26-2 squad is significant, but De Pere is built to withstand such graduation departures. And judging from the summer showing of the De Pere players, it looks like the Redbirds, once again, are the team to beat in the league. Coach Brian Winchester has guided De Pere to the past four league titles and the Redbirds enter the new campaign with a gaudy 58-game league winning streak. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2400483' first='Jack' last='Bookter'] (5-11, 2.9 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='2400924' first='Noah' last='Maniscalco'] (6-0, 1.5 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='2576048' first='Isaac' last='Herlache'] (6-0, 3.5 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2400164' first='Bennett' last='Reimer'] (6-3, 1.6 ppg), among others, have waited their turns, but 2025-26 figures to be their time to shine. Toss in ultra-talented junior [player_tooltip player_id='2502918' first='Will' last='Krueger'] (6-4, 2.6 ppg) and extremely promising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2618950' first='Silas' last='Cohen'] (6-0) and it's a recipe for more success at De Pere. <br><br><strong>2. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/bay-port/">Bay Port</a></strong> -- No school in Wisconsin benefitted more from out-of-season transfers than Bay Port, which added three key pieces to its program. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3021260' first='JJ' last='Meyer'] (6-10) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2824735' first='JT' last='Meyer'] (6-8) moved into the area from Monroe while senior [player_tooltip player_id='2979876' first='TJ' last='Ivy'] (6-2) relocated to the Green Bay area from Chicago. All three players are expected to play key roles for coach Nate Rykal, now in his 21st year at the school. Both Meyer boys averaged in double figures a year ago and give the Pirates a formidable frontline duo. Ivy figures to join a backcourt that includes senior [player_tooltip player_id='2092138' first='Sawyer' last='Durkee'] (6-4, 12 ppg, 3 rpg), one of the top returning players in the Fox River Classic. Also back are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2400063' first='Mikey' last='Jones'] (6-2, 4 ppg, 3 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2400714' first='Matt' last='Stevens'] (6-4, 5 ppg, 2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2399576' first='Roman' last='Binns'] (6-1, 5 ppg, 2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2844145' first='Jezequiel' last='Girald'] (6-1, 2 ppg, 2 rpg). <br><br><strong>3. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/west-de-pere/"><strong>West DePere</strong> </a>-- Conference newcomer West DePere joins the Fox River Classic with a roster that includes several holdovers from a 16-9 squad that won the Bay Conference title. Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140897' first='Carson' last='Samson'] (6-1, 6.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg) is a returning starter who controls things for the Phantoms' offense with his skill, smarts and poise. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3022868' first='Patrick' last='Greisen'] (6-2, 7.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2836843' first='Mason' last='Werner'] (5-11, 1.8 ppg) and Erik Bounchard (6-0, 1.6 ppg) also return for coach Todd Deschane. A talented junior class at the school includes [player_tooltip player_id='2399057' first='Cooper' last='Borowicz'] (6-2, 2.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2381929' first='Jack' last='Wilichowski'] (6-6, 3.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022866' first='Sam' last='Schmidt'] (6-4). Athleticism and togetherness are listed strenths for West DePere, which lost junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2140983' first='Tref' last='Rademaker'] (6-9, 18.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg) last August to DME Prep in Delafield. <br><br><strong>4. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/notre-dame-academy/">Notre Dame </a></strong>-- In Brian Bobinski's four years as head coach at Notre Dame, the Tritons have finished in second place in the Fox River Classic twice, including last season. He did graduate three double-figure scorers so there are some big openings in the Notre Dame lineup, but there also are some proven returning veterans in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2400119' first='Jack' last='Warden'] (6-5, 5.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2400083' first='Leo' last='Weber'] (6-0, 9.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg) along with junior twins [player_tooltip player_id='2140873' first='Austin' last='Hendricks'] (6-1, 7.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140868' first='AJ' last='Hendricks'] (6-2, 6.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg). Those four players form a nucleus that also could include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3021516' first='Alex' last='Ciak'] (6-1), [player_tooltip player_id='3021522' first='Micah' last='Warren'] (6-4) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021517' first='Owen' last='Hein'] (6-1). <br><br><strong>5. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/sheboygan-north/">Sheboygan North</a></strong> -- The Golden Raiders will be better than some might think if they only look at the fact coach Eric Worth lost four starters from a 19-8 squad. For one thing, senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2391090' first='Blake' last='Buhr'] (6-5, 9.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg) returns and is a terrific leader for Sheboygan North. For another, seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2447862' first='[player_tooltip player_id='2381692' first='Alonzo' last='']' last='Pena'] (6-2), [player_tooltip player_id='2916459' first='Luke' last='Kuznacic'] (5-8), [player_tooltip player_id='3022156' first='Hunter' last='Hansmann'] (5-11), [player_tooltip player_id='3022161' first='Kingston' last='Steward'] (6-4), [player_tooltip player_id='2381689' first='Parion' last='Palmer'] (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022158' first='Trenton' last='Debbink'] (6-4) are poised to make big contributions after biding their time last winter. And, finally, Sheboygan North welcomes talented newcomers from a JV1 squad that went 21-1, including Buhr's younger brother, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2509483' first='Rylan' last='Buhr'] (6-5) and sharpshooting sophomore Nolan Pen Pas (5-8). <br><br><strong>6. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/ashwaubenon/"><strong>Ashwaubenon</strong> </a>-- Sixth might be a bit low for Ashwaubenon, even if Alabama recruit Amari Allen (6-7, 34.1 ppg, 11.5 rpg) is now playing college hoops. Coach DeVante Blanks returns two of the better players in the league in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2391086' first='Carson' last='Dorgu'] (6-8, 10.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and Elijan Fenner (6-1, 14.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg). Dorgue has committed to NCAA Division II Northern Michigan and showed solid improvement over the spring and summer on the club scene while Fenner is a versatile guard who can score in different ways. Also returning to the starting lineup from a 19-7 squad is senior [player_tooltip player_id='2916415' first='Kingston' last='Vang'] (6-2, 6.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg). Figuring out the roles outside of the three returning starters will be key for Ashwaubenon. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3018926' first='Tashawn' last='Wright'] (6-3, 3.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3018927' first='Jameson' last='Stewart'] (5-11, 1.2 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3018923' first='Oshae' last='Champ'] (6-3, 1.5 ppg) along with junior Wesley DeNobele-Winkel (5-11) all figure to be in the mix for the Jaguars.<br><br><strong>7. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/pulaski/">Pulaski </a></strong>-- Year in and year out, coach John Polkowski's teams are fun to watch because they defend, share the ball and compete at a very high level. Those traits helped Pulaski to a 16-12 mark a year ago. But the Raiders might have to start from ground zero this winter as all five starters graduated. Polkowski has three letter winners returning in senior Cal Bock (6-2, 1.3 ppg, 1.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2916455' first='Owen' last='Wiese'] (6-0) along with talented junior [player_tooltip player_id='2444613' first='Bohdan' last='Schmidt'] (5-10, 7.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg). Lack of size is a concern along with the missing experience, but Pulaski will come to play each time out and won't get outworked during the season.<br><br><strong>8.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/preble/"> Green Bay Preble</a></strong> -- The Hornets could be improved from an 11-14 finish of a year ago, but the league is deep it's one tough game after another so moving upward in the league standings is a big challenge for coach Rick Roinski's squad. Two starters return for the Hornets in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2852000' first='Gavin' last='Sullivan'] (6-0, 8 ppg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2399891' first='Nick' last='Howard'] (6-2, 8 ppg). While Sullivan and Howard provide much of the Hornets' strong guard play, senior [player_tooltip player_id='3020141' first='Micah' last='Johnson'] (6-2) is hoping to make a big impact after recovering from an injury. Also back for Preble are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2851989' first='Elijah' last='Levanetz'] (6-0), [player_tooltip player_id='2810933' first='Tyrus' last='Cooper'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='1561887' first='Brody' last='Sprutles'] (6-4) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2405256' first='Isaiah' last='Flowers'] (6-0). <br><br><strong>9. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/lincoln-6/">Manitowoc Lincoln</a></strong> -- Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1561882' first='Micah' last='Kubsch'] (5-11, 10.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg) can shoot it from deep as well as any other player in the league and as well as most players in the entire state. That's the positive news for second-year coach Shane Evans. The negative? Two of the best players on the Ships' 2024-25 squad that went 9-17 graduated last spring. Overcoming the loss of Brayden Steinbecker (6-3, 20.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and Eddie Bolchen (6-0, 14.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg) will be a tough hurdle to overcome, but Evans does have some options to go along with Kubsch in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2444282' first='Cade' last='Grapentine'] (6-1, 6.5 pgp, 3.5 rpg), senior [player_tooltip player_id='3020854' first='Brett' last='Danielson'] (6-6, 1.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='3020853' first='Jack' last='Bauer'] (6-0, 3.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg).<br><br><strong>10. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/green-bay-southwest/">Green Bay Southwest </a></strong>-- Coach Rodney Owens opted to play plenty of young players last season and the results were not great as Southwest struggled to a 1-24 finish. But those same players are back for the Trojans and now boast more experience. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2916432' first='Noah' last='Schroeder'] (6-7, 6.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020157' first='Zachery' last='Diemer'] (6-2, 2.6 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2916435' first='John' last='Paul Guinter'] (6-0, 3.5 ppg) were starters last winter while juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020149' first='Traevaughn' last='Weaver'] (6-1, 4.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2980101' first='DeBron' last='Danforth'] (5-9, 2.1 ppg) were key reserves. Owens is hoping the young players mature this time around and help to keep the Trojans competitive.<br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2088029' first='Elijah' last='Fenner'] (Ashwaubenon) 14.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2824735' first='JT' last='Meyer'] (Bay Port) 13.1 ppg (at Monroe)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2092138' first='Sawyer' last='Durkee'] (Bay Port) 12.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2391086' first='Carson' last='Dorgu'] (Ashwaubenon) 10.7 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561882' first='Micah' last='Kubsch'] (Manitowoc Lincoln) 10.3 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3021260' first='JJ' last='Meyer'] (Bay Port) 10.1 ppg (at Monroe)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2400083' first='Leo' last='Weber'] (Notre Dame) 9.9 ppg<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams</strong><br><strong>First Team</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2088029' first='Elijah' last='Fenner'], 6-1, Sr., Ashwaubenon<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2092138' first='Sawyer' last='Durkee'], 6-4, Sr., Bay Port<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2400483' first='Jack' last='Bookter'], 5-11, Sr., De Pere<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2502918' first='Will' last='Krueger'], 6-4, Jr., De Pere<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140897' first='Carson' last='Samson'], 6-1, Jr., [program_tooltip program_id='2829078' first='West' last='De Pere']<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2391086' first='Carson' last='Dorgu'], 6-8, Sr., Ashwaubenon<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2824735' first='JT' last='Meyer'], 6-8, Jr., Bay Port<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140873' first='Austin' last='Hendricks'], 6-1, Jr., Notre Dame<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2400924' first='Noah' last='Maniscalco'], 6-0, Sr., De Pere<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2852000' first='Gavin' last='Sullivan'], 6-0, Sr., Green Bay Preble<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1561882' first='Micah' last='Kubsch'], Manitowoc Lincoln<br><strong>Best Defender: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140873' first='Austin' last='Hendricks'], Notre Dame<br><strong>Best Rebounder: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2391086' first='Carson' last='Dorgu'], Ashwaubenon<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2502918' first='Will' last='Krueger'], De Pere<br><strong>Most Improved Player:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2824735' first='JT' last='Meyer'], Bay Port</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->