Fox Valley Association Preview 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2024-25 Standings:</strong><br><br>1. Kaukauna 16-2 (23-4); 2. Fond du Lac 14-4 (19-8); 3. Appleton North 12-6 (18-8); 4. Hortonville 11-7 (17-8); 4. Neenah 11-7 (16-10); 4. Oshkosh North 11-7 (19-10); 7. Kimberly 8-10 (13-14); 8. Appleton East 4-14 (7-19); 9. Oshkosh West 3-15 (7-18); 10. Appleton West 0-18 (3-23).<br><br><strong>2025-26 Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/appleton-north/"><strong>Appleton North</strong> </a>-- With two NCAA Division II recruits on hand and in their senior seasons, not to mention a gifted point guard, a skilled big man and an emerging sophomore wing, Appleton North has the firepower to win the FVA title and make noise on the state scene. Coach Chris Kellett's squad is loaded with experience, talent and a desire to take the program to new heights this winter. Northern Michigan recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1561874' first='Nathan' last='Ramus'] (6-2, 13.5 ppg, 6 rpg) is back along with speedy senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1561879' first='Will' last='Sweeney'] (5-9, 11.8 ppg, 3 rpg) in the backcourt. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2447768' first='Matt' last='Rosplochowski'] (6-2, 9.8 ppg, 3 rpg), who has grown a couple of inches and expanded his game, is a likely starter after coming off the bench as a freshman. Senior guard/forward [player_tooltip player_id='1561908' first='Grant' last='Hardy'] (6-3, 12.9 ppg, 5 rpg) is a versatile, smart player who has played on the varsity for four seasons and is headed to Winona State next year. And senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1561876' first='Ben' last='Zdzieblowski'] (6-6, 4 ppg, 2 rpg) can stretch defenses with his perimeter shot while also going inside to inflict some damage. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2508302' first='Sam' last='Kuehl'] (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140925' first='Hal' last='Hibru'] (6-3) along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2447771' first='Ethan' last='Arft'] (6-4) provide solid depth for the Lightning. <br><br><strong>2. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/neenah/">Neenah</a> </strong>-- The Rockets JV1 and JV2 teams finished a combined 42-2 a year ago. In addition, eight varsity performers are expected back from a 16-10 squad for coach Lee Rabas, now in his 11th season at Neenah. That's a lot of talent, a lot of depth and a lot of competition for playing time. Leading the way for Neenah are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2224527' first='Nick' last='Schultz'] (6-1, 10.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.4 apg), [player_tooltip player_id='1561872' first='Roan' last='Koeper'] (6-9, 6.2 ppf, 4.8 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2496338' first='Cal' last='Juckem'] (6-2, 5.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.0 apg). Schultz recently committed to NCAA Division III Bethel University and will handle much of the ball handling chores for the Rockets along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140993' first='Xavier' last='Bezares'] (6-1, 4.5 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2716963' first='Kolton' last='Fleege'] (6-1). Koeper gives Rabas a legitimate big man while Juckem is a solid all-around performer. Other returning players include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3021332' first='James' last='Weiland'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021329' first='Trey' last='White'] (5-10) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='3021335' first='Matthias' last='Charles'] (6-1). Junior Jason Jungwirth (6-5) arrives to the varsity squad with size and the ability to make shots inside and outside. <br><br><strong>3. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/kaukauna/">Kaukauna</a> </strong>-- It will be a much different look for defending FVA champion Kaukauna this winter. For starters, coach Mike Schalow retired after last season and 30 years at the school. Former long-time assistant Ryan Bowers will take over and knows the Ghosts' system inside and out so continuity should be strong. The Ghosts also must replace three starters from their 23-4 squad, including Green Bay recruit Keegan Van Kauwenberg (6-3, 24.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg). However, there is still plenty of talent in the program De Paul recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'] (6-9, 17.2 ppg, 10.7 rpg) is the most dominant big man in the league and perhaps the state. In addition to his scoring and rebounding, Jensen is a good passer and shot blocker. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2398517' first='Jonah' last='Roehrig'] (6-3, 9.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg) is a very good shooter and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2412456' first='Tyler' last='Schwalbach'] (6-2, 4.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg) showed plenty of promise as a freshman. Senior Kave Weyenberg (5-9, 3.3 ppg), senior [player_tooltip player_id='3020461' first='Mike' last='Hill'] (6-1, 3.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg), senior [player_tooltip player_id='3020460' first='Aiden' last='Buckoski'] (6-3, 1.5 ppg, 1.7 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2399831' first='Josh' last='Carl'] (6-2, 2.2 ppg) also return.<br><br><strong>4. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/oshkosh-north/"><strong>Oshkosh North</strong> </a>-- No question, replacing the production and clutch play of Iowa State recruit and reigning Mr. Basketball award winner Xzavion Mitchell (6-7, 34.7 ppg, 9.4 rpg) will be a challenge for coach Brad Weber. At the same time, Weber has a solid core of returning players and the Spartans figure to be more balanced in 2025-26. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1973116' first='Bryce' last='Ott'] (6-7, 13.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg) holds scholarship offers for both football and basketball and is an athletic big man who causes havoc in the Spartans' zone defense. Ott and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2784342' first='Jackson' last='Anderson'] (6-0, 5.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg) are returning regulars from a WIAA Division 1 state-qualifying squad while seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2498969' first='Owen' last='Weber'] (6-7, 4.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2824968' first='Tylan' last='Lister'] (6-3, 4.2 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021635' first='Dalton' last='Clark'] (6-3, 2.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg) also earned big minutes a year ago. Look for sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2838615' first='Brady' last='Anderson'] (6-0, 2.1 ppg) to also play a big role for the Spartans.<br><br><strong>5. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/kimberly/"><strong>Kimberly</strong> </a>-- Kam Cerroni was hired last spring as the new coach at Kimberly, thus becoming the third pilot in as many seasons for the tradition-rich school. Cerroni, who previously served as the head coach at Muskego, figures to stay on board for the long haul, which is good news for Papermaker fans. This winter, he'll build his team around some solid returning players led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='2140869' first='Alex' last='Krause'] (6-4), who averaged 10.1 points and 5.0 rebounds as a sophomore starter for a 13-14 squad. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2838218' first='Kegan' last='Pleau'] (6-1, 4.9 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1561881' first='Ryan' last='Buchanan'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020559' first='Hunter' last='Holschuh'] (6-0) also return for Kimberly. <br><br><strong>6.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/hortonville/"> Hortonville</a></strong> -- The loss of senior [player_tooltip player_id='1561939' first='Ethan' last='Joling'] (6-7, 18.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg) to IMG Academy in Florida is significant for the Polar Bears and coach Matt Hintz. Joling had scored 924 points in three seasons with the varsity program and would have been one of the elite players in the FVA. With Joling now out of the picture, Hortonville will try to utilize strong guard play led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1561880' first='Aiden' last='Sweeney'] (5-10, 6.4 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1561873' first='Max' last='Chan'] (6-1, 4.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2392680' first='Brooks' last='Marman'] (6-0, 2.3 ppg). Senior wings [player_tooltip player_id='3020312' first='Blake' last='Eidahl'] (6-2, 3.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020308' first='Elliott' last='Vedder'] (6-1, 1.7 ppg, 1.2 rpg) also figure to contend for playing time. Lack of size and interior defense are concerns for the Polar Bears.<br><br><strong>7. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/oshkosh-west/">Oshkosh West</a></strong> -- There is some toughness and grit to the Oshkosh West roster and those attributes could go a long way in helping the Wildcats move up in the FVA standings. Coach Daniel Weisse starts his fourth year at his alma mater with four starters back from a 7-18 squad in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2498970' first='Joey' last='Ware'] (6-4, 11.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2381593' first='Malakai' last='Herlihy'] (6-1, 5.0 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021642' first='Brayden' last='Kufel'] (5-11, 3.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2140986' first='Tyler' last='Moderson'] (5-10, 8.0 ppg). Those four players understand what it takes to compete in the FVA and form a strong core for the Wildcats. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3021641' first='Carter' last='Kufel'] (6-1, 2.8 ppg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2642401' first='Henry' last='Weis'] (6-4, 1.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg) also figure to play important roles. <br><br><strong>8. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/fond-du-lac/">Fond du Lac</a></strong> -- It's risky, to say the least, to pick the Cardinals this low as the program has a proud tradition and some returning young talent. But first-year coach Josh Dilling, a former standout at Oshkosh North, must replace four key seniors from last year's 19-8 squad. That group accounted for 50.0 ppg and 18.5 rpg, substantial production that must be replaced. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2784458' first='Zavion' last='Davis'] (6-2, 9.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2381486' first='Byron' last='Jones'] (6-5, 2.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg) flashed plenty of promise a year ago as did senior [player_tooltip player_id='2983978' first='TJ' last='Johnson'] (5-11, 2.5 ppg). Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2639753' first='Eli' last='Michalkiewicz'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='2983982' first='Keondre' last='Schafferkoetter'] (5-11) might be ready to make big contributions for a team that lacks experience and post play, but boasts strong guard play and a desire to keep the Cardinals among the best in the league.<br><br><strong>9.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/appleton-east/"> Appleton East</a></strong> -- There is no shortage of upperclassmen competing for playing time in the Appleton East program. Trouble is, most do not possess much varsity experience in the FVA. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2950354' first='Josh' last='Christiansen'] (6-3, 5.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg) is the exception as he is a returning starter for coach Turner Botz. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2950359' first='Mason' last='O'Reilly'] (6-4, 2.4 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2950361' first='Miles' last='Bertrand'] (6-1, 4.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg) earned minutes off the bench for the Patriots as did junior [player_tooltip player_id='3018872' first='Apolo' last='Massingue'] (6-5, 2.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg). Several seniors could work their way into the rotation, including [player_tooltip player_id='3018870' first='Allan' last='Massingue'] (6-7), [player_tooltip player_id='2880011' first='Elijah' last='Childs'] (6-1) and [player_tooltip player_id='3018875' first='Zach' last='Mueller'] (6-1). Botz lists team camaraderie as a team strength for 2025-26. <br><br><strong>10. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/appleton-west/">Appleton West </a></strong>-- The Terrors hava new coach in former assistant Zach Zeuske, and they also have a new outlook as three key players are back from a year ago. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2381612' first='Reid' last='Hinkens'] (6-1, 8.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2381610' first='Braylon' last='Ise'] (5-11, 12.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2381611' first='Parrion' last='Peace'] (6-0, 13.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg) form a strong nucleus for Appleton West. They have talent, experience and a strong desire to lift the Terrors out of the FVA basement. That's a tough task given the neighbors it keeps in the 10-team league, but Hinkens, Ise and Peace lead a squad that also welcomes back juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2413171' first='Bennett' last='Nelson'] (6-3, 2.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3018891' first='Dylan' last='Voster'] (6-1, 2.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg), among others. <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'] (Kaukauna) 17.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381611' first='Parrion' last='Peace'] (Appleton West) 13.7 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561874' first='Nathan' last='Ramus'] (Appleton North) 13.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1973116' first='Bryce' last='Ott'] (Oshkosh North) 13.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561908' first='Grant' last='Hardy'] (Appleton North) 12.9 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381610' first='Braylon' last='Ise'] (Appleton West) 12.6 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561879' first='Will' last='Sweeney'] (Appleton North) 11.8 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2498970' first='Joey' last='Ware'] (Oshkosh West) 11.3 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2224527' first='Nick' last='Schultz'] (Neenah) 10.3 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140869' first='Alex' last='Krause'] (Kimberly) 10.1 ppg<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'], 6-9, Sr., Kaukauna<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561874' first='Nathan' last='Ramus'], 6-2, Sr., Appleton North<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140869' first='Alex' last='Krause'], 6-4, Jr., Kimberly<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2224527' first='Nick' last='Schultz'], 6-1, Sr., Neenah<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1973116' first='Bryce' last='Ott'], 6-7, Sr., Oshkosh North<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561908' first='Grant' last='Hardy'], 6-3, Sr., Appleton North<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381611' first='Parrion' last='Peace'], 6-0, Sr., Appleton West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2784458' first='Zavion' last='Davis'], 6-2, Sr., Fond du Lac<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2398517' first='Jonah' last='Roehrig'], 6-3, Sr., Kaukauna<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2498970' first='Joey' last='Ware'], 6-4, Sr., Oshkosh West<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2398517' first='Jonah' last='Roehrig'], Kaukauna<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1561874' first='Nathan' last='Ramus'], Appleton North<br><strong>Best Rebounder:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'], Kaukauna<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'], Kaukauna<br><strong>Most Improved Player:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2838218' first='Kegan' last='Pleau'], Kimberly</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->