Milwaukee City Gold Preview 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2024-25 Standings:</strong><br><br>1. Juneau 11-1 (17-9); 2. Carmen Northwest 10-2 (17-11); 3. Rufus King 8-4 (16-10); 4. Bradley Tech 6-6 (14-12); 5. Hamilton 5-7 (12-12); 6. North 2-10 (6-17); 7. Marshall 0-12 (2-16).<br><br><em>Note: Milwaukee Marshall moves to the Blue Division while Milwaukee South is added to the Gold Division for 2025-26. </em><br><br><strong>2025-26 Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/milwaukee-juneau/">Juneau</a> </strong>-- Defending Gold Division champion Milwaukee Juneau once again is the team to beat as coach Torre Johnson has three of the top players in the league back from a 17-9 squad. Juniost and Gonzaga recruit [player_tooltip player_id='2194315' first='Dooney' last='Johnson'] (6-6, 25 ppg, 8 rpg) leads the way for Juneau. The son of the head coach, [player_tooltip player_id='2194315' first='Dooney' last='Johnson'] can score in multiple ways and defend a variety of positions with his size, length and athleticism. Super quick senior point guard Takis Tayler (6-0, 16.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg) is back for his fourth year of varsity competition and is a relentless competitor who can make big plays with the game on the line. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2400094' first='Jaden' last='Hardiman'] (6-5, 12 ppg, 7.4 rpg) is a bouncy forward who can rebound and score in the paint. The Pioneers will also look for contributions from sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2530851' first='Corey' last='Collins'] (6-7, 3 ppg, 3 rpg) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='2836416' first='Jasan' last='Dennis'] (5-11, 6 ppg, 3 rpg). Depth is a bit of a concern for Juneau, but the experience and talent of the returning players is outstanding. <br><br><strong>2.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/bradley-tech/"> Bradley Tech </a></strong>-- The Trojans, once again, will rely on the all-around ability of senior [player_tooltip player_id='1749722' first='Jakari' last='Smith'] (6-6, 20.0 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 4.1 apg, 3.5 spg), a do-everything athlete who can take over a game with his endless energy and production. Smith, though, is the lone returning starter from a 14-12 squad so coach Shon Harlason will need others to step up in order for Milwaukee Bradley Tech to stay competitive in the Gold Division. One player who figures to do just that is sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2371907' first='Semij' last='Grandberry'] (6-0, 2.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg), who showed vast improvement in his game of the spring/summer. Others who figure to play big roles for the Trojans include senior [player_tooltip player_id='3021082' first='Dartagnan' last='Ollie'] (5-10, 2.1 ppg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2967236' first='Bryce' last='Ingram'] (6-1, 2.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg). [player_tooltip player_id='2967238' first='Jaiden' last='Stribling'], a 6-foot-5 senior transfer from Arizona, and [player_tooltip player_id='2967239' first='Chance' last='Ormond'], a 6-foot-4 sophomore transfer from St. Augustine, also could figure into the mix. <br><br><strong>3. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/rufus-king/">Rufus King</a> </strong>-- The off-season departure of [player_tooltip player_id='2371700' first='Deuce' last='McDuffie'] (6-6, 19.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg) to transfer to Nicolet was a big blow for the Generals and coach Doug Lewis. But senior [player_tooltip player_id='1561926' first='Bryce' last='Samuel'] (6-3, 8 ppg, 4 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2371706' first='Caesar' last='Bond'] (6-5, 12 ppg, 9.8 rpg) are back for Milwaukee Rufus King and both are proven performers. Further experience is provided from seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2422019' first='JaCoby' last='Beaird'] (6-2, 5 ppg, 3 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2953071' first='Quincy' last='McKinnie'] (5-9, 4 ppg, 2 rpg). Lack of experience beyond the four returning players is a concern for the Generals, but they do have one of the league's top performers in Bond. <br><br><strong>4<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/hamilton-4/">. Hamilton</a></strong> -- Despite the graduation loss of Rashad Rogers (6-7, 18.5 ppg, 12.3 rpg), Milwaukee Hamilton could prove to be the most improved team in the Gold Division. Coach Pat Bell looks to build on a 13-12 record behind the return of three seniors and two juniors who saw extensive action a year ago. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2416364' first='Latayvious' last='Brown'] (5-10, 14.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2879111' first='Malik' last='Blockmon'] (6-3, 6.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021103' first='Angel' last='Licea-Onalo'] (6-8, 9.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3021105' first='Justin' last='Speed'] (6-0, 10.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2625083' first='Jayden' last='Burrell'] (5-11, 16.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg) give Hamilton a very strong nucleus. Burrell picked up second-team all-league recogntion last season and is the leader for the Wildcats. Other returning varsity performers include junior [player_tooltip player_id='2423749' first='Rakwon' last='Rogers'] (6-3, 2.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='3021104' first='Jesse' last='Voit'] (5-9) and Jessiah Soler (5-9).<br><br><strong>5.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/carmen-northwest/"> Carmen Northwest</a> </strong>-- Graduation hit the Carmen Northwest program very hard last spring. Four key performers from last year's 17-11 have moved on, including top scorer Javante Edwards (6-1, 30.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg) and best rebounder Josiah Posey (6-3, 14.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg). With Edwards now playing at NCAA Division I Canisius, coach Depree Fletcher will turn to some young players to lead Carmen Northwest. Senior Dkeese Martin-Hart (5-10, 3.4 ppg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2423304' first='Taejon' last='Kelly'] (5-11, 6.4 ppg) boast the most experience, but others also figure to play important roles. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2873094' first='Jordan' last='Jacobs'] (5-9) and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2869808' first='Xavier' last='Jacobs'] (5-10) could get some minutes in the backcourt while junior [player_tooltip player_id='2418655' first='Malik' last='Fitzpatrick'] (6-3) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2869613' first='Ikenna' last='Onukwugha'] (6-3) could log big minutes on the frontline for the Eagles. <br><br><strong>6. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/milwaukee-south/">South</a> </strong>-- Milwaukee South won 20 games and the Blue Division championship in 2024-25. But that was last year. This time around coach Thomas Shumpert finds the Cardinals in the highly competitive Gold Division while also needing to replace three starters. Jarquarius Bent (6-0, 29.0 ppg) was the Blue Division Player of the Year last season, but he graduated last spring along with Terry Mills (6-7, 7.0 ppg, 10.2 rpg) and Kenneth Lemon (5-11, 16.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg). Returning for Shumpert are talented juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2952932' first='Gary' last='Thorpe'] (5-11, 17.0 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021186' first='Kendrick' last='Jackson'] (6-5, 7.0 ppg). Thorpe and Jackson give South a solid inside/outside combination. Freshman Taji McCall (6-0) could also be a key performer for the Cardinals. <br><br><strong>7. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/milwaukee-north/"><strong>North</strong> </a>-- Coach Mickell Harrell has three key returning players from a 6-17 squad, but must replace four big scorers in Collins Jacobs (5-11, 10.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Kenneth Maclin (5-11, 9.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg), Tristen Carey (6-1, 10.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Jamarion Martin (6-3, 14.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg). Keying Milwaukee North this winter will be seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3021157' first='Eugene' last='Brinson'] (6-3, 5.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021154' first='Emmanuel' last='Johnson Jr.'] (6-4, 3.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='3021158' first='Travis' last='Johnson'] (6-2, 9.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg). TJohnson is the lone returning starter for the Blue Devils. <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2194315' first='Dooney' last='Johnson'] (Juneau) 25.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1749722' first='Jakari' last='Smith'] (Bradley Tech) 20.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2952932' first='Gary' last='Thorpe'] (South) 17.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2045272' first='Takis' last='Tyler'] (Juneau) 16.9 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2625083' first='Jayden' last='Burrell'] (Hamilton) 16.3 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2416364' first='Latayvious' last='Brown'] (Hamilton) 14.4 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2371706' first='Caesar' last='Bond'] (Rufus King) 12.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2400094' first='Jaden' last='Hardiman'] (Juneau) 12.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3021105' first='Justin' last='Speed'] (Hamilton) 10.6 ppg<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team<br></strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1749722' first='Jakari' last='Smith'], 6-6, Sr., Bradley Tech<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2625083' first='Jayden' last='Burrell'], 5-11, Jr., Hamilton<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2194315' first='Dooney' last='Johnson'], 6-6, Jr., Juneau<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2045272' first='Takis' last='Tyler'], 6-0, Sr., Juneau<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2952932' first='Gary' last='Thorpe'], 5-11, Jr., South<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2416364' first='Latayvious' last='Brown'], 5-10, Sr., Hamilton<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2400094' first='Jaden' last='Hardiman'], 6-5, Sr., Juneau<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2371706' first='Caesar' last='Bond'], 6-5, Jr., Rufus King<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2371907' first='Semij' last='Grandberry'], 6-0, Soph., Bradley Tech<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2423304' first='Taejon' last='Kelly'], 5-11, Jr., Carmen Northwest<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Top Shooter: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194315' first='Dooney' last='Johnson'], Juneau<br><strong>Top Defender: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1749722' first='Jakari' last='Smith'], Bradley Tech<br><strong>Top Rebounder: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1749722' first='Jakari' last='Smith'], Bradley Tech<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2194315' first='Dooney' last='Johnson'], Juneau<br><strong>Most Improved: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2371907' first='Semij' last='Grandberry'], Bradley Tech</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->