North Eastern Preview 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2025-26 Standings:</strong><br><br>1. Freedom 18-0 (28-2); 2. Little Chute 15-3 (21-7); 3. Fox Valley Lutheran 12-6 (16-10); 4. Waupaca 11-7 (13-12); 5. Oconto Falls 10-8 (15-11); 5. Wrightstown 10-8 (16-12); 7. Denmark 8-10 (13-13); 8. Luxemburg-Cascao 3-15 (5-21); 9. Clintonville 2-16 (2-22); 10. Marinette 1-17 (2-23).<br><br><em>Note: Fox Valley Lutheran moves to the Bay for 2025-26 season.</em><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025-26 Picks</strong><br><br><strong>1. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/freedom-3/">Freedom</a></strong> -- All eyes, once again, will be on Freedom in the North Eastern as the Irish boast one of the premier players in the state in junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'] (6-9, 22.7 ppg, 12.0 rpg). Davis, who owns NCAA Division I scholarship offers from Iowa State, Marquette and Wisconsin, among others, leads a team that went 28-2 and lost a close game to Milwaukee Academy of Science in the WIAA Division 3 title game last March. Joining Davis as returning starters for Freedom are juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2724372' first='Kaden' last='Vandenberg'] (6-1, 10.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140894' first='Cal' last='Calhoon'] (5-9, 2.2 ppg). Coach Andrew Gibbons lost a terrific player to graduation in Drew Kortz (6-1, 19.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg), but he has some promising young players on his roster in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2402529' first='Owen' last='Henkel'] (6-2, 5.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and junior Cole Brase (5-7). Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020020' first='Sawyer' last='Rueckl'] (5-10, 2.5 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020019' first='Reid' last='Merbach'] (6-3, 1.9 ppg) also figure to be in the mix. Depth is strong for Freedom as newcomers from a 20-2 JV1 squad also compete for floor time. <br><br><strong>2.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/little-chute/"> Little Chute</a></strong> -- The Mustangs have yet another strong squad, one that can challenge for the title in the North Eastern. Multi-year varsity competitor [player_tooltip player_id='2501117' first='Cooper' last='Effa'] (6-2, 9 ppg, 5 rpg) is one of the better defenders and all-around athletes in the league. Effa and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='3020705' first='Trevor' last='Verhagen'] (6-1, 8.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg) are returning starters from a Little Chute team that finished 21-7. Coach Jake VanRoy also welcomes back four backups from last winter in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020695' first='Noah' last='Faccio'] (5-10), Cal VanRossum (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2955617' first='Jack' last='Schultz'] (6-1) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='3020711' first='Reece' last='Joten'] (5-10). Depth, rebounding and attacking the basket are assets for Little Chute while shooting and scoring punch are concerns.<br><br><strong>3. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wrightstown/"><strong>Wrightstown</strong> -</a>- Scoring enough points to string victories together figures to be the biggest challenge for coach Cory Haese, who begins his 28th year at Wrightstown with 387 career victories. In order for Haese to 400 wins this winter, he'll need some increased output from his returning seniors. That group includes [player_tooltip player_id='2955660' first='Truman' last='Morschauser'] (6-7, 5.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2955664' first='Asher' last='VandenHeuvel'] (6-4, 3.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3023040' first='Daniel' last='Buntin'] (6-0, 2.4 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='3023042' first='Preston' last='Nowak'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='3023041' first='Michael' last='Besel'] (6-3). Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3023038' first='Rogan' last='Thompson'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140899' first='Carter' last='Kinnard'] (6-3) along with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2852070' first='Jack' last='Genke'] (6-2) and Alden Crya (6-1) also figure to contend for spots in the Tigers' rotation. <br><br><strong>4.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/oconto-falls/"> Oconto Falls</a></strong> -- Scoring punch and perimeter shooting are definite assets for Oconto Falls, which brings back its top three scorers from a year ago when the Panthers went 15-11. Coach Ross Kraszewski has a true sharpshooter back in senior Jameson Bateman (6-3, 18.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg), one of the top point producers in the North Eastern. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3021583' first='Brady' last='Bursa'] (5-11, 8.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2852035' first='JJ' last='Pytleski'] (6-2, 14.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg) also are back for Oconto Falls. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3021588' first='Carson' last='McDermid'] (6-0) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3021592' first='Nathaniel' last='White'] (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021585' first='Croix' last='Gardebrecht'] (5-10) hope to work their way into the playing rotation as well. <br><br><strong>5. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/waupaca/">Waupaca</a></strong> -- Senior defensive stopper Adam Adamczak (6-3, 11.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg) headlines the list of returning players for coach Matt Resch at Waupaca. Adamczak has the length and mobility to make things tough on opponents, and he can score on the other end as well. Adamczak and junior [player_tooltip player_id='3022769' first='Westen' last='Lauritzen'] (6-4, 8.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg) are the returning starters for the Comets, who finished 13-12 last season. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2825019' first='Kanye' last='Bessman'] (5-11, 9.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg) figures to move into the starting lineup after coming off the bench as a junior. Depth and physicality are issues for Resch, but he believes Waupaca will stay highly competitive because of its strong defense.<br><strong><br>6. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/denmark/">Denmark</a> </strong>-- Finding replacements for the graduation loss of three players who averaged in double-scoring figures is the hurdle coach Pete Dewar and the Vikings must overcome in 2025-26. Denmark does return some experience and figures to be a strong shooting team, assets that could help the Vikings surpass last year's 13-13 record. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2955583' first='Cade' last='Delarwelle'] (6-1, 9 ppg, 6 rpg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2418649' first='Nolan' last='Lemke'] (5-11, 7 ppg, 3 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2469012' first='Brayden' last='Jeanquart'] (6-3, 7 ppg, 7 rpg) are the most experienced players back and form a strong core. Also returning and looking for increased playing time are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3072046' first='David' last='Dittmer'] (6-0, 3 ppg, 2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3072047' first='Jack' last='Freitag'] (6-1) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='3072049' first='Jacob' last='Bohn'] (5-8, 4 ppg). <br><br><strong>7. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/luxemburg-casco/">Luxemburg-Casco</a></strong> -- Luxemburg-Casco is one of the biggest mysteries in the North Eastern. The Spartans could be among the most improved teams in the league, particularly with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020795' first='Mason' last='Burmeister'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020802' first='Mason' last='Trimberger'] (6-3) expected to play after sitting out last season. Burmeister and Trimberger were key players for Luxemburg-Casco two years ago. In addition to Burmeister and Trimberger, juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020791' first='Jacob' last='Coisman'] (6-4, 9.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.8 apg), [player_tooltip player_id='3020789' first='Eli' last='Derenne'] (5-11, 5.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2387510' first='Brayden' last='Duescher'] (6-6, 2.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2390578' first='Bryce' last='Piesler'] (5-11, 5.1 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020793' first='Tatem' last='Klaubauf'] (5-8, 4.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg) figure to play big roles for the Spartans. <br><br><strong>8.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/marinette/"> Marinette</a> </strong>-- The Marines won just two games a year ago so there is nowhere to go but up for coach Connor Nelson's group. The fact Marinette has four experienced players back to carve out a new path for the Marines is big with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020882' first='Max' last='Jacobson'] (6-3, 9.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020887' first='Chase' last='Macgregor'] (6-0, 8.7, 5.2 rpg), junior [player_tooltip player_id='3020885' first='Kaden' last='Ducane'] (6-1, 10.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3020888' first='Connor' last='Eastman'] (5-10, 8.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg) all returning. Length and defense are assets for a program yearning for success. <br><br><strong>9. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/clintonville/"><strong>Clintonville</strong> -</a>- Nick Yaeger starts his second season in charge of the Clintonville program looking to get more wins than the two the Truckers achieved last winter. Replacing top scorer Brandon Wegener (6-4, 17.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg) will be a challenge, but Yaeger does have three regulars and some top reserves back. Led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2381585' first='Carter' last='Mauel'] (5-8, 10.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg), Clintonville is aiming to match or equal last year's win total prior to Christmas. Mauel and classmates [player_tooltip player_id='2955571' first='Bryar' last='Hagberg'] (6-5, 9.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3019472' first='Max' last='Young'] (6-1, 7.5 ppg) are the returning starters. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3019478' first='Jaxson' last='Baribeau'] (6-0, 6.2 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3019475' first='Cale' last='Polzin'] (6-2, 3.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg) also look to play key roles for Clintonville. <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'] (Freedom) 22.7 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2632876' first='Jameson' last='Beaman'] (Oconto Falls) 18.8 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3021582' first='JJ' last='Pytleski'] (Oconto Falls) 14.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561871' first='Austin' last='Adamczak'] (Waupaca) 11.8 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3020885' first='Kaden' last='Ducane'] (Marinette) 10.8 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381585' first='Carter' last='Mauel'] (Clintonville) 10.6 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2724372' first='Kaden' last='Vandenberg'] (Freedom) 10.3 ppg<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team<br></strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'], 6-9, Jr., Freedom<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2948851' first='Jameson' last='Beaman'], 6-3, Sr., Oconto Falls<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2724372' first='Kaden' last='Vandenberg'], 6-1, Jr., Freedom<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2501117' first='Cooper' last='Effa'], 6-2, Sr., Little Chute<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3021582' first='JJ' last='Pytleski'], 6-2, Jr., Oconto Falls<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561871' first='Austin' last='Adamczak'], 6-3, Sr., Waupaca<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3020705' first='Trevor' last='Verhagen'], 6-1, Jr., Little Chute<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3020885' first='Kaden' last='Ducane'], 6-1, Jr., Marinette<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2955583' first='Cade' last='Delarwelle'], 6-1, Sr., Denmark<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3020791' first='Jacob' last='Coisman'], 6-4, Jr., Luxemburg-Casco<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2948851' first='Jameson' last='Beaman'], Oconto Falls<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2501117' first='Cooper' last='Effa'], Little Chute<br><strong>Best Rebounder: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'], Freedom<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'], Freedom<br><strong>Most Improved: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2402529' first='Owen' last='Henkel'], Freedom</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->