North Shore Preview 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2024-25 Standings:</strong><br><br>1. Slinger 17-1 (24-3); 2. Homestead 14-4 (19-7); 2. Nicolet 14-4 (19-7); 4. Cedarburg 13-5 (20-9); 5. West Bend West 8-10 (15-11); 5. Whitefish Bay 8-10 (12-14); 7. Port Washington 6-12 (11-15); 8. Hartford 5-13 (9-16); 9. Grafton 3-15 (4-21); 10. West Bend East 2-16 (4-22).<br><br><em>Note: Port Washington, West Bend East and West Bend West all move to the newly formed Glacier Trails 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/slinger/">Slinger </a></strong>-- With all five starters are back from a club that went 24-3 and won the North Shore title by three games, big things are anticipated once again at Slinger. The Owls boast perhaps the best brother combination in Wisconsin with the return of junior [player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'] (6-6, 23.1 ppg, 12.1 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2398448' first='Joey' last='Kohnen'] (6-4, 10.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg). Both are versatile, smart and skilled players with Jack being one of the better passing frontline players in the state. Both Kohnens own multiple scholarship offers from high-major NCAA Division I programs, including Iowa State, Nebraska and Wisconsin. Joining the Kohnens as returning regulars for coach Alex Lavine are seniors Colton Manz (6-4, 8.4 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='2874937' first='Bryson' last='Fogle'] (6-1, 9.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1874955' first='Brett' last='Palm'] (5-11, 8.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg). That's a lot of returning firepower and it expands even more with key backups [player_tooltip player_id='3022223' first='Sam' last='Boden'] (6-0), [player_tooltip player_id='2873583' first='Devin' last='Berger'] (5-9) and [player_tooltip player_id='2508415' first='Jude' last='Siikarla'] (6-6, 5.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg) also returning. <br><br><strong>2. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/nicolet/">Nicolet</a> </strong>-- A program that has benefitted from transfers in the past picked up another one during the summer when Milwaukee King's [player_tooltip player_id='2371700' first='Deuce' last='McDuffie Jr.'] (6-7, 19.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg) left the City Conference school due to a family move into the Nicolet district. McDuffie owns NCAA DI offers from Central Florida, DePaul, Toledo and Wisconsin, among others. He joins a talented cast of returning players for coach Terence Smith and the Knights, who finished 19-7 a year ago. Southern Utah recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1781157' first='Rashaad' last='Davis'] (6-0, 21.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg) is a tough-minded lead guard who makes big shots while senior [player_tooltip player_id='3021459' first='Carter' last='Zuithoff'] (6-6, 4.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='3021454' first='Edward' last='Bullock'] (6-3, 9.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg) joined Davis in the starting rotation last winter. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3021451' first='CJ' last='Rasco'] (6-1), [player_tooltip player_id='2818163' first='Drevion' last='Parks'] (6-1), [player_tooltip player_id='2422391' first='Kenderick' last='Cottrell'] (6-5), [player_tooltip player_id='3021456' first='Cooper' last='Harris'] (5-11) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021453' first='Zach' last='Grilli'] (5-9) also return. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2954990' first='Jayden' last='Phillips'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021458' first='Truman' last='Wetzel'] (6-7) also figure to be in the mix for the Knights. <br><br><strong>3. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/homestead-3/"><strong>Homestead</strong> </a>-- Backcourt production will be the No. 1 strength for Homestead as coach Sean Crider welcomes back two of the better juniors in the state in wing [player_tooltip player_id='2140968' first='Oliver' last='Belot'] (6-0, 16.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2138098' first='Mike' last='Rogers Jr.'] (5-10, 12.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg). Beloit is a knock-down three-point shooter while Rogers is a stellar ball handler, passer and on-ball defender. While Belot and Rogers handle things at the guard positions, the Highlanders will look to senior Geo Green (6-6, 3.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg) to step up help offset the graduation loss of Trevor Polite (6-6, 15.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg). Also back are sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2509484' first='Jaylen' last='Trotter'] (6-2) along with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020290' first='Landon' last='Hinterstocker'] (6-0, 2.5 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020293' first='Damare' last='Johnson'] (6-0). Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2398490' first='Ben' last='Hills'] (6-5) figures to provide some help for Green in the frontcourt.<br><br><strong>4. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/whitefish-bay/"><strong>Whitefish Bay</strong> </a>-- Guard play, quickness and long-distance shooting are all positives for Whitefish Bay, which is coming off a 12-14 season under coach Ryan Fiet and returns four starters. The Blue Dukes possess stellar point-guard play with the return of skilled sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2466054' first='Mace' last='Miskel'] (5-10, 9.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg). They also have outstanding shooting with the return of juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140905' first='Colin' last='Julien'] (6-4, 13.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Jack Broderson (6-1, 7.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg). Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2500873' first='Marcus' last='Webb'] (6-1, 11.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg) is the fourth returning regular at Whitefish Bay and he excels at getting to the basket and finishing. Other key returning players include senior [player_tooltip player_id='3022921' first='Matt' last='Schoenfeldt'] (6-3, 3.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='3022923' first='Chase' last='Wolter'] (6-2, 1.7 ppg, 1.2 rpg). <br><br><strong>5. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/cedarburg/">Cedarburg </a></strong>-- Kudos to a Cedarburg program that finished the regular season with a 16-8 record and then got caught fire in the playoffs, beating Port Washington, Nicolet, Slinger and Notre Dame Academy en route to a trip to the WIAA Division 2 State Tournament. Although the Bulldogs lost to Racine Park in a very competitive state semifinal, coach Nick Mueller's squad gained the respect of the entire state with how hard they competed and the accomplishments they achieved in March. Unfortunately for Bulldog fans, all five starters graduated last spring, leaving Cedarburg as perhaps the least experience squad in the North Shore. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2932179' first='Marek' last='Bord'] (6-1, 1.2 ppg) saw some action off the bench while senior [player_tooltip player_id='2987024' first='Robert' last='Piskula'] (6-3) looks to return to the program after sitting out with an injury last season. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2987025' first='Jordan' last='Puro'] (6-5) also did not play last year, but it expected to return this time around. Newcomers from a JV1 program should contend for playing time as well. That group includes juniors Drew Dyktra (6-2), [player_tooltip player_id='3019374' first='Lucas' last='Peterman'] (6-0), [player_tooltip player_id='3019373' first='Mason' last='Eickberg'] (5-11) and [player_tooltip player_id='2932185' first='Eli' last='Lempke'] (5-10). <br><br><strong>6. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/hartford/"><strong>Hartford</strong> </a>-- You'd better put your hard hats on when taking on Hartford. Coach Chris Smith's squad will battle you tooth and nail from the opening tip until the final buzzer. And he has an experienced squad to do just that in 2025-26 and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1561963' first='Sam' last='Richter'] (6-3, 14.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140870' first='Alex' last='Kuepper'] (5-11, 14.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2932217' first='Ethan' last='Webb'] (6-2, 9.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg) are returning starters from a 9-16 team. Richter, Kuepper and Webb know what it takes to compete in a league as competitive as the North Shore and will pave the way for others who figure to contribute, including seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020206' first='Casey' last='Radermacher'] (6-3, 4.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3020209' first='Henry' last='Wellinghoff'] (6-3, 2.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3020208' first='Brady' last='Walters'] (6-0, 2.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020205' first='Tyler' last='Janicki'] (6-0, 1.8 ppg). <br><br><strong>7. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/grafton-2/"><strong>Grafton</strong> </a>-- Coming off a difficult 4-21 campaign, Grafton could be the most improved team in the North Shore if things fall into place for coach Damon James. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2486893' first='DJ' last='James'] (6-0, 9.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1561912' first='Jack' last='Marti'] (6-5, 7.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg) are experienced players in the program and will provide leadership for the Black Hawks. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140895' first='Caleb' last='Battles'] (6-1, 13.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140943' first='Josiah' last='Gonzales'] (5-11, 7.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg) also return for Grafton. Other personnel who figure to contribute include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2417311' first='Paxton' last='Rechcygl'] (6-0, 3.3 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='3020100' first='Ian' last='Cornelius'] (6-4, 2.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg), Graysen Blooech (6-0, 1.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg) and Adam Dembiec (6-0) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2423412' first='Parker' last='Shaw'] (6-1, 3.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2883170' first='Hank' last='Doyle'] (6-5). <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'] (Slinger) 23.1 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1781157' first='Rashaad' last='Davis'] (Nicolet) 21.7 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2371700' first='Deuce' last='McDuffie'] (Milwaukee King/Nicolet) 19.7 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140968' first='Oliver' last='Belot'] (Homestead) 16.4 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140870' first='Alex' last='Kuepper'] (Hartford) 14.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561963' first='Sam' last='Richter'] (Hartford) 14.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140895' first='Caleb' last='Battles'] (Grafton) 13.4 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140905' first='Colin' last='Julien'] (Whitefish Bay) 13.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2138098' first='Mike' last='Rogers Jr.'] (Homestead) 12.8 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2500873' first='Marcus' last='Webb'] (Whitefish Bay) 11.9 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2398448' first='Joey' last='Kohnen'] (Slinger) 10.8 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2874937' first='Bryson' last='Fogle'] (Slinger) 9.6 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2466054' first='Mace' last='Miskel'] (Whitefish Bay) 9.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2486893' first='DJ' last='James'] (Grafton) 9.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3021454' first='Edward' last='Bullock'] (Nicolet) 9.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2932217' first='Ethan' last='Webb'] (Hartford) 9.0 ppg<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team<br></strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'], 6-6, Jr., Slinger<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561963' first='Sam' last='Richter'], 6-3, Sr., Hartford<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1781157' first='Rashaad' last='Davis'], 6-0, Sr., Nicolet<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2371700' first='Deuce' last='McDuffie'], 6-7, Jr., Nicolet<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140905' first='Colin' last='Julien'], 6-4, Jr., Whitefish Bay<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2398448' first='Joey' last='Kohnen'], 6-4, Soph., Slinger<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2874937' first='Bryson' last='Fogle'], 6-1, Sr., Slinger<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140895' first='Caleb' last='Battles'], 6-1, Jr., Grafton<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2138098' first='Mike' last='Rogers Jr.'], 5-10, Jr., Homestead<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140968' first='Oliver' last='Belot'], 6-0, Jr., Homestead<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140968' first='Oliver' last='Belot'], Homestead<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2371700' first='Deuce' last='McDuffie'], Nicolet<br><strong>Best Rebounder: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'], Slinger<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'], Slinger<br><strong>Most Improved: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2466054' first='Mace' last='Miskel'], Whitefish Bay</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->