Rock Valley Preview 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2024-25 Standings:<br>Rock Division</strong><br><br>1. Edgerton 15-0 (23-4); 2. Beloit Turner 11-4 (13-13); 3. Brodhead 8-7 (12-14); 3. Clinton 8-7 (13-13); 5. Evansville 7-8 (10-15); 6. Big Foot 3-12 (6-19).<br><br><strong>Valley Division</strong><br><br>1. Monroe 13-1 (17-9); 2. East Troy 7-7 (10-15); 3. Delavan-Darien 4-10 (6-19); 4. Jefferson 3-11 (7-18); 5. Whitewater 1-13 (1-24).<br><br><strong>2025-26 Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rock Division</strong><br><br><strong>1. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/turner-3/">Beloit Turner</a></strong> -- The Trojans will contend for the title in the Rock Division of the Rock Valley Conference. That isn't a shock to anybody since coach Ken Watkins usually turns out quality basketball teams. Two starters are back from a 13-13 squad and each earned second-team all-league honors a year ago. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2635197' first='AJ' last='Dotson'] (5-10, 13.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2879389' first='Chris' last='Johnson'] (6-3, 14.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg) provide quality experience and leadership for Beloit Turner. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3022604' first='Carter' last='Atkinson'] (6-2, 3.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022605' first='Carter' last='Lemmerhirt'] (6-5, 1.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg) also are back. Turner could get a lift from two players who missed last season with injuries in [player_tooltip player_id='2635201' first='James' last='Njoo'] (5-10) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022611' first='Sawyer' last='Wightman'] (6-2).<br><br><strong>2. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/edgerton-3/">Edgerton</a></strong> -- The Crimson Tide have won a bunch of games in recent seasons, including 23 and a league title last season. Four starters from that squad have moved on, leaving coach Daryl Fox with just one returning starter, one he is very familiar with. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2508634' first='Vinny' last='Fox'] (6-1, 6.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg), the son of the head coach, is the lone regular back and will supply Edgerton with consistent guard play. Guard play, in fact, will be a big asset for Edgerton as key reserves [player_tooltip player_id='2956247' first='Drew' last='Coombs'] (5-10, 3.6 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2731454' first='Eli' last='Kittleson'] (5-10, 3.4 ppg) also return. Also returning are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3019835' first='Charlie' last='Johnson'] (6-3, 2.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3019837' first='Mitchell' last='Coombs'] (5-10) and [player_tooltip player_id='3019834' first='Benno' last='Backhaus'] (6-0). All of the returning players figure to have greatly expanded roles in 2025-26. <br><br><strong>3. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/evansville/">Evansville</a></strong> -- Former Mayville and Oregon coach Jon Nedelcoff is back coaching after several years away from the sidelines. Nedelcoff takes over an Evansville program that went 10-15 last winter, but brings back four players who started on that squad. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3019900' first='Mason' last='Brown'] (6-3, 6.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2508625' first='Karder' last='Tway'] (6-0, 11.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2443468' first='Matthew' last='Wickersham'] (6-2, 13.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3019904' first='Harker' last='Larsen'] (6-3, 6 ppg, 4 rpg) are returning starters for the Blue Devils. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2448817' first='Tyrell' last='Louis'] (6-3, 7 ppg, 3 rpg) is also back and figures to contend for a starting spot. Experience is definitely on the side of the Blue Devils in Nedelcoff's first season as head coach.<br><br><strong>4. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/clinton-8/">Clinton</a></strong> -- Cody Larson takes over the coaching duties at Clinton after spending the past few seasons at Saint Anthony and will rely heavily on newcomers from a JV1 squad that won 16 of 21 outings. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3072868' first='Landyn' last='Williams'] (5-8), [player_tooltip player_id='3072862' first='Justin' last='Larkins'] (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='3072857' first='Cole' last='Williams'] (6-1) were key players for Clinton's JV1 team and look to take a big step up this winter. Larson does have a returning starter from a 13-13 squad in junior [player_tooltip player_id='2700557' first='Mason' last='Floberg'] (5-7, 9.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg). <br><br><strong>5. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/brodhead/">Brodhead</a></strong> -- Three double-figure scorers and four starters graduated last May from a team that went 12-14, leaving coach Tommy Meier searching for some newcomers to step into more significant roles. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3019156' first='Sam' last='Searls'] (6-3, 10.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg) should provide some stability and leadership to the Brodhead program, but he's the lone player back with extensive experience. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3019157' first='Nolan' last='Bump'] (5-9, 1.5 ppg) saw limited action while senior [player_tooltip player_id='3019158' first='Lucas' last='Keating'] (6-1) and juniors Landen Mal Cook (5-11) and Josiah Blum (6-2) played on the JV1 team that finished 6-16.<br><br><strong>6. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/big-foot/">Big Foot</a></strong> -- Rookie coach Rick Schoenbeck will get to work with three returning starters from a 6-19 squad as Big Foot aims for better results in 2025-26. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1561941' first='Jayden' last='Paul'] (5-9, 9.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1561942' first='Jayden' last='Raby'] (5-9, 6.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3019060' first='Owen' last='Smith'] (6-5, 6.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg) give the Chiefs a strong core to build around. But the competition is tough in the Rock Valley so Schoenbeck will need others to step forward as well. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3019064' first='Valleck' last='Channing'] (3.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3019061' first='Elijah' last='Henningfeld'] (5-11, 2.2 ppg) figure to push for significant playing time. <br><strong><br>Valley Division</strong><br><br><strong>1. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/monroe/">Monroe </a></strong>-- The Cheesemakers have won 25 of 28 contests and two Valley Division titles during their two years in the Rock Valley after playing in the Badger for years. Coach Brian Bassett, now in his ninth season, is favored to lead another championship squad this time around as four starters are back from a 17-9 squad. His top two scorers from last season return in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2541076' first='Logan' last='Taylor'] (6-5, 17.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2610603' first='Mekhi' last='Brown'] (5-11, 15.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg). Brown is the reigning Player of the Year in the Valley Division while Taylor was limited to just two games due to an injury, but he did average just over 12 ppg as a sophomore and has grown three inches. Also back for Monroe are senior [player_tooltip player_id='2635458' first='Marcus' last='Ott'] (6-3, 9.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='3021262' first='Kam' last='Gerber-Reamer'] (6-2, 5.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg). The loss of senior [player_tooltip player_id='2423293' first='JJ' last='Meyer'] (6-10) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2824735' first='JT' last='Meyer'] (6-8) due to a family move to the Green Bay area is significant, but Monroe has the size, depth and experience to remain on top in the Rock Valley. <br><br><strong>2. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/east-troy/">East Troy</a> </strong>-- The Trojans could parlay excellent size into a winning season as coach Noah Phillips starts his second year as the head coach at East Troy with four players 6-foot-4 or taller on his roster. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2837068' first='Brayden' last='Phillips'] (6-4, 5.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3019780' first='Ethan' last='Callahan'] (6-6) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2834838' first='Connor' last='Sickler'] (6-5, 6.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2635465' first='Brayden' last='Golabowski'] (6-4, 6.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg) provide stellar length and size for East Troy, which went 10-15 last season. Guard play also could be a strength as senior [player_tooltip player_id='3019779' first='Mason' last='Beaver'] (6-0, 9.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3019784' first='Kellen' last='Pluess'] (5-11, 3.0 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3019786' first='Carter' last='Swendrowski'] (5-7, 3.0 ppg) return.<br><br><strong>3. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/delavan-darien/">Delavan-Darien</a></strong> -- Depth and rebounding are listed strengths for Delavan-Darien for seventh-year coach Todd Pyszora. Three starters are back for the Comets, who finished 6-19 in 2024-25. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2739694' first='Andrew' last='Maass'] (5-11, 8.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3019694' first='Haaken' last='Hovestol'] (5-11, 11.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Braedyn McKean (5-8, 6.10 pgp, 3.5 rpg) provide strong leadership with their strong work ethic. Other returning players include seniors Kaston Soellner (6-2, 3.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3019695' first='Robert' last='Paul'] (5-11) along with juniors Kaden Karbe (6-2, 2.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3019690' first='Gavin' last='Green'] (5-10). <br><br><strong>4. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/jefferson-6/">Jefferson </a></strong>-- The loss of point guard Finn Deblare (5-10, 21.0 ppg) to graduation is a blow for Jefferson, but second-year coach Clayton Morrison now has players who have adapted to his system. In addition, Jefferson has four starters back from a 7-18 squad that improved as the season progressed. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020423' first='Tyler' last='Altermatt'] (6-0, 7.8 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020430' first='Bentley' last='Wagner'] (6-2, 7.4 ppg) along with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2974317' first='Caden' last='Schroedl'] (5-11, 9.3 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020428' first='Tanner' last='Bergey'] (6-3, 7.9 ppg) give the Eagles a very strong core to build around in 2025-26. <br><br><strong>5. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/whitewater/"><strong>Whitewater</strong> </a>-- The good news for Whitewater fans is the return of senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1955923' first='Casey' last='Lyon'] (6-1), who missed all of last season with an injury after averaging 14.8 points and 7.3 rebounds as a sophomore. Lyon's return gives the Whippets some much needed scoring and rebounding prowess. Also back for third-year coach Michael McCabe are senior [player_tooltip player_id='3022939' first='Matthew' last='Carollo'] (6-0, 9.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='3022936' first='Aaron' last='Garcia'] (5-11, 3.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg). Freshman Carson Boudrou (5-9) could work his way into the rotation for Whitewater as well. <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2541076' first='Logan' last='Taylor'] (Monroe) 17.0 ppg (played just a handful of games due to injury)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2610603' first='Mekhi' last='Brown'] (Monroe) 15.8 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1955923' first='Casey' last='Lyon'] (Whitewater) 14.8 ppg (From 2023-24 season, was injured last year)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2879389' first='Chris' last='Johnson'] (Beloit Turner) 14.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2956236' first='AJ' last='Doston'] (Beloit Turner) 13.6 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2438999' first='Cameron' last='Polvi'] (East Troy) 13.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2443468' first='Matthew' last='Wickersham'] (Evansville) 13.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3019694' first='Haaken' last='Hovestol'] (Delavan-Darien) 11.9 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508625' first='Karder' last='Tway'] (Evansville) 11.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3019156' first='Sam' last='Searls'] (Brodhead) 10.4 ppg<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team (Rock Division)</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2635197' first='AJ' last='Dotson'], 5-10, Sr., Beloit Turner<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2879389' first='Chris' last='Johnson'], 6-3, Sr., Beloit Turner<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561941' first='Jayden' last='Paul'], 5-9, Sr., Big Foot<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508634' first='Vinny' last='Fox'], 6-1, Jr., Edgerton<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2443468' first='Matthew' last='Wickersham'], 6-2, Jr., Evansville<strong><br><br>First Team (Valley Division)</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2438999' first='Cameron' last='Polvi'], 5-10, Jr., East Troy<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2610603' first='Mekhi' last='Brown'], 5-11, Sr., Monroe<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2541076' first='Logan' last='Taylor'], 6-5, Sr., Monroe<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1955923' first='Casey' last='Lyon'], 6-1, Sr., Whitewater<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3020423' first='Tyler' last='Altermatt'], 6-0, Sr., Jefferson<strong><br><br>Second Team (Rock Division)</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='3019060' first='Owen' last='Smith'], 6-5, Sr., Big Foot<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3019156' first='Sam' last='Searls'], 6-3, Sr., Brodhead<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2700557' first='Mason' last='Floberg'], 5-7, Jr., Clinton<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3019835' first='Charlie' last='Johnson'], 6-3, Sr., Edgerton<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508625' first='Karder' last='Tway'], 6-0, Jr., Evansville<strong><br><br>Second Team (Valley Division)</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='3019779' first='Mason' last='Beaver'], 6-0, S.r, East Troy<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3019694' first='Haaken' last='Hovestol'], 5-11, Jr., Delavan-Darien<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2974317' first='Caden' last='Schroedl'], 5-11, Soph., Jefferson<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2635458' first='Marcus' last='Ott'], 6-3, Sr., Monroe<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3022939' first='Matthew' last='Carollo'], 6-0, Sr., Whitewater<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2438999' first='Cameron' last='Polvi'], East Troy<br><strong>Best Defender: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2635458' first='Marcus' last='Ott'], Monroe<br><strong>Best Rebounder: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2879389' first='Chris' last='Johnson'], Beloit Turner<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1955923' first='Casey' last='Lyon'], Whitewater<br><strong>Most Improved: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2610603' first='Mekhi' last='Brown'], Monroe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->