Middle Border Preview 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2024-25 Standings:</strong><br><br>1. Osceola 12-2 (16-9); 2. Prescott 10-4 (17-9); 3. Ellsworth 8-6 (14-10); 4. Amery 7-7 (21-8); 4. St. Croix Central 7-7 (10-15); 6. Baldwin-Woodville 5-9 (8-17); 7. Somerset 4-10 (10-16); 8. Altoona 3-11 (8-18).<br><br><strong>2025-26 Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/prescott-3/"><strong>Prescott</strong> </a>-- Balance, athleticism and tradition could carry the Cardinals all the way to the Middle Border title after finishing in second place a year ago. Coach Nick Johnson has four regulars back from a 17-9 squad, led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='2432823' first='Kobe' last='Russell'] (6-2, 17.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg), one of the better all-around athletes in the state's 2026 class and a North Dakota State football recruit. Russell joins [player_tooltip player_id='2500056' first='Max' last='Monteith'] (6-2, 8.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2415798' first='Eyan' last='Miller'] (6-2, 6.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2809649' first='Emmett' last='Otto'] (6-1, 10.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg) as returning starters for Prescott, which has won 284 games over the past 14 seasons under Johnson. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3021832' first='Jackson' last='Matzek'] (6-2, 4.4 ppg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2860166' first='Gavin' last='Peters'] (6-5, 2.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg) also return for the Cardinals, who figure to utilize their depth and traditionally strong defense to frustrate opponents. <br><br><strong>2. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/osceola-3/">Osceola </a></strong>-- Never underestimate the heart of a champion. So despite losing two key players from last year's squad that won the Middle Border, Osceola remains one of the elite teams in the highly competitive conference. Coach Tyler Olson has three proven seniors to build around in [player_tooltip player_id='2406622' first='Caleb' last='Irlbeck'] (6-4, 17.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2809643' first='Hunter' last='Bradway'] (6-2, 17.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021630' first='Waylon' last='Cole'] (6-1, 6.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg). All three were regulars last season with Irlbeck earning first-team all-league recognition and Bradway second-team laurels. Other returning players for Osceola include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3021631' first='Carter' last='Marincel'] (6-2, 2.4 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='3021629' first='Kasey' last='Williamson'] (6-1, 2.2 ppg) and Cameron Langren (6-5) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2860051' first='Aiden' last='Anderson'] (5-10, 1.9 ppg). Olson believes defense and experience are the Chieftains' primary strengths with developing depth and establishing roles the biggest question marks entering the season. <br><br><strong>3. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/altoona-2/">Altoona</a></strong> -- The Rails finished in last place in the Middle Border a year ago, but figure to be much improved with the three sophomore starters from last season now a year older. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140924' first='Graysen' last='Becker'] (6-2, 18.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2405970' first='Owen' last='Gunderson'] (6-1, 15.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2827831' first='Connor' last='Gower'] (6-2, 4.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg) were regulars on last year's 8-18 squad. Coach Paul Henrichs will count heavily on those three talented players with Becker leading the way at point guard and Gunderson knocking down perimeter shots at shooting guard. Also returning for Altoona are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2419360' first='Sawyer' last='Van Vleet'] (6-1, 5.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2412749' first='Austin' last='Wirth'] (6-7, 2.9 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2461130' first='Ethan' last='Michels'] (6-2, 2.0 ppg). Newcomers who could develop into key contributors include senior [player_tooltip player_id='3018838' first='Reggie' last='Parks'] (6-2) along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3018839' first='Travaires' last='Conner'] (6-0) and freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='2369875' first='Jacob' last='Kelbel'] (6-0) and Grayson Rathburn (6-0).<br><br><strong>4. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/ellsworth/">Ellsworth</a> </strong>--Coach Derek Staley's unit, coming off a 14-10 season, has three senior leaders who started a year ago to pave the way for the Panthers. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='2411059' first='Omar' last='Coulson'] (5-10, 13.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2440696' first='Gavin' last='Klos'] (6-0, 5.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg) team with forward and North Dakota football recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1964464' first='George' last='Rohl'] (6-7, 14.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg) to provde a strong nucleus. Two additional class of 2026 players who came off the bench last winter figure into the Panthers' plans as well as [player_tooltip player_id='3019613' first='Parker' last='Peterson'] (5-11, 6.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2441362' first='Jack' last='Stoltenburg'] (5-10, 6.0 ppg) should contend for starting roles for Ellsworth, which lacks size outside of Rohl. <br><br><strong>5. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/amery/">Amery</a></strong> -- Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2143926' first='Keaton' last='Wollan'] (6-4, 20.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg) is one of the best athletes in the state's junior class. Recruited by scholarship schools for basketball and football, Wollan is a handful to handle due to his physical strength, athleticism, size and skill. For the first time in his high school career, Wollan won't be playing alongside his older brother as Carter Wollan (6-3, 28.1 ppg, 8.8 rpg) now is playing at UW-La Crosse. [player_tooltip player_id='2143926' first='Keaton' last='Wollan'] will, however, have a pair of returning starters from a 21-8 squad to compete with in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2849766' first='Sam' last='Streich'] (6-5, 6.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3018842' first='Alex' last='Siebenaler'] (5-10, 3.8 ppg). Also back for coach Tom Mackey are senior [player_tooltip player_id='3018845' first='Valdin' last='Anderson'] (6-4, 1.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg), junior [player_tooltip player_id='3018844' first='Wyatt' last='Hanson'] (6-4, 3.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2614884' first='Regan' last='Granica'] (5-10, 4.0 ppg). Lack of size is a concern, but having Wollan to anchor the Warriors' offense is a positive. <br><br><strong>6. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/st-croix-central/">St. Croix Central</a> </strong>-- Although the Panthers are projected for a sixth-place finish, optimism is high at St. Croix Central as coach Matt Bailey works with an experienced team that boasts size, scoring balance and a desire to improve on last year's 10-15 record. Returning starters include senior [player_tooltip player_id='2809654' first='Tanner' last='Grinnell'] (6-9, 11.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg), senior [player_tooltip player_id='1561922' first='Matyas' last='Larson'] (6-5, 13.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg), senior [player_tooltip player_id='3022347' first='Braiden' last='Rasmussen'] (5-11, 8.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2409155' first='Aaron' last='Siler'] (6-0, 5.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg). In addition, a couple of top-level backups are back at St. Croix Central in seniors Chayton Gustafson (6-3, 6.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022344' first='Blake' last='Leth'] (6-2, 5.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg). Experience, length and quickness are all strengths while depth is a concern. <br><br><strong>7. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/somerset-4/">Somerset </a></strong>-- Kane Donnelly now is playing football at Winona State so replacing the 28 ppg and 10 rpg he averaged for Somerset a year ago will be a challenge. Younger brother [player_tooltip player_id='2429607' first='Kellen' last='Donnelly'] (6-2, 11.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg) is back for coach Troy Wink and will attempt to offset his older brother's production with a big season of his own. He'll get plenty of help from junior [player_tooltip player_id='2429613' first='Rece' last='Anderson'] (6-2, 8.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), a key performer on last year's 10-16 squad. Wink has three additional returning letter winners in senior [player_tooltip player_id='3022236' first='Wyatt' last='Mielke'] (5-9) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3022234' first='Nick' last='Carufel'] (6-4) and [player_tooltip player_id='2429611' first='Logan' last='Kinde'] (6-5). Still, losing the school's all-time leading scorer in Kane Donnelly (1,517 career points) will be a challenge. <br><br><strong>8. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/baldwin-woodville/">Baldwin-Woodville</a></strong> -- The Blackhawks must replace three starters, including their top scorer Evan Clausen (6-5, 14.7 ppg) and top rebounder Gavin Sell (6-4, 7.0 rpg) from an 8-17 squad. Veteran coach Scott Benoy has some promising young players in the Baldwin-Woodville program, but he will also count heavily on seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3018962' first='Dane' last='Veenendall'] (5-11, 5.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3018969' first='Royal' last='Bignell'] (6-3) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3018964' first='Joe' last='Jenson'] (6-0, 9.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3018967' first='Aidan' last='Foster'] (6-2). Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='3018966' first='Gabe' last='Arcand-Danielson'] (5-10), [player_tooltip player_id='3018970' first='JT' last='Dachel'] (5-7), Colton Winkler (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='3036421' first='Landyn' last='Kuske'] (6-0) along with freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='2885130' first='Luke' last='Janke'] (5-10) and Bennett Logterman (5-9) could also figure into the playing time for the Blackhawks.<br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2143926' first='Keaton' last='Wollan'] (Amery) 20.4 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140924' first='Graysen' last='Becker'] (Altoona) 18.7 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2809643' first='Hunter' last='Bradway'] (Osceola) 17.3 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2432823' first='Kobe' last='Russell'] (Prescott) 17.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2406622' first='Caleb' last='Irlbeck'] (Osceola) 17.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2405970' first='Owen' last='Gunderson'] (Altoona) 15.6 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1964464' first='George' last='Rohl'] (Ellsworth) 14.1 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561922' first='Matyas' last='Larson'] (St. Croix Central) 13.6 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2411059' first='Omar' last='Coulson'] (Ellsworth) 13.1 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2809654' first='Tanner' last='Grinnell'] (St. Croix Central) 11.6 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2429607' first='Kellen' last='Donnelly'] (Somerset) 11.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2809649' first='Emmett' last='Otto'] (Prescott) 10.4 ppg<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2406622' first='Caleb' last='Irlbeck'], Sr., Osceola<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2143926' first='Keaton' last='Wollan'], Jr., Amery<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2432823' first='Kobe' last='Russell'], Sr., Prescott<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140924' first='Graysen' last='Becker'], Jr., Altoona<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2809643' first='Hunter' last='Bradway'], Sr., Osceola<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1964464' first='George' last='Rohl'], Sr., Ellsworth<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2405970' first='Owen' last='Gunderson'], Jr., Altoona<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2411059' first='Omar' last='Coulson'], Sr., Ellsworth<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2809654' first='Tanner' last='Grinnell'], Sr., St. Croix Central<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2809649' first='Emmett' last='Otto'], Jr., Prescott<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2405970' first='Owen' last='Gunderson'], Altoona<br><strong>Best Defender: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2809643' first='Hunter' last='Bradway'], Osceola<br><strong>Best Rebounder:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2429607' first='Kellen' last='Donnelly'], Somerset<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2140924' first='Graysen' last='Becker'], Altoona<br><strong>Most Improved: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2415798' first='Eyan' last='Miller'], Prescott</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->