Trailways South Preview 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2024-25 Standings:</strong><br><br>1. Madison Abundant Life 11-1 (23-7); 1. Deerfield 11-1 (21-5); 3. Palmyra-Eagle 6-6 (14-12); 3. Parkview 6-6 (14-12); 5. Johnson Creek 5-7 (11-14); 6. Williams Bay 3-9 (7-17); 7. Madison Country Day 0-12 (3-20). <br><br><strong>2025-26 Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/parkview-4/"><strong>Parkview</strong> -</a>- The prolific scoring of senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1858222' first='Aiden' last='Crane'] (6-0, 26.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg) is a huge asset for Parkview, but so, too, is the return of senior forward Will Friedrich (6-5), who missed last season with an injury. Crane, the son of head coach Mary Crane, has unlimited shooting range and excellent elevation on his jump shot while Friedrich can score with his size and mobility on drives to the basket. Also returning from last year's 14-12 squad are senior [player_tooltip player_id='2958397' first='Corbin' last='Williams'] (6-0, 4.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2958400' first='Louis' last='Nath'] (6-0, 9.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2958404' first='Kase' last='Hazeltine'] (6-4, 2.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg). Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='3139791' first='Adley' last='Crane'] (5-6), Aiden's younger brother, along with senior [player_tooltip player_id='3139792' first='Gage' last='Burrell'] (6-1) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='3139794' first='Waylon' last='Robinson'] (6-1) also could be in the mix for Parkview. <br><br><strong>2. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/deerfield-2/">Deerfield </a></strong>-- Traditional power Deerfield will be young and a tad bit inexperienced in 2025-26. Coach Nick Krull, who has won 83 games in five years at the school, has one starter returning in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2637959' first='Landon' last='Brattlie'] (6-1), who averaged 10.9 points and 3.6 rebounds for a team that went 21-5. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2404967' first='Noah' last='Maginn'] (6-4, 5.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg) also returns for a team that will count heavily on sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='3143415' first='Brenden' last='Bergeron'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='3143419' first='Otto' last='Ammerman'] (6-1). Scoring punch is a concern along with depth, but Krull likes the work ethic and coachability of his young squad.<br><br><strong>3. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/abundant-life-christ/">Abundant Life</a></strong> -- Qualifiers of the WIAA Division 5 State Tournament in each of the past two seasons, Abundant Life Christian of Madison will have to play this time around without two four-year stalwarts in the graduated twin tandem of Jonah Koon (6-1, 15.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 5.4 apg) and Jacob Koon (5-11, 14.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 6.9 apg). In fact, coach Mike Thies lost his entire starting lineup from a 23-7 squad that lost to Sheboygan Lutheran in the state semifinals last March. The best returning player for the Challengers is Thies' son, junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2399579' first='Nick' last='Thies'] (6-5, 7.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg). Joining Thies as key returning players are senior [player_tooltip player_id='3018797' first='Anthony' last='Ellingson'] (6-3, 2.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg) and junior Mo Aeschlimann (5-10, 2.3 ppg), Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3018796' first='Warren' last='Kurth'] (5-10) could also be a top performer for the Challengers. <br><br><strong>4.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/johnson-creek/"> Johnson Creek</a></strong> -- Tarek Oellerich is hopeful Johnson Creek can finish among the top teams in the Trailways South this winter. The fourth-year head coach has good reason to be high on his team as four starters are back from an 11-14 squad. That group includes seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2637958' first='Brady' last='Fincutter'] (5-10, 14.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3020435' first='Evan' last='Malueg'] (6-5, 5.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020437' first='Julius' last='Cheaney'] (5-10, 5.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='3020440' first='Hayden' last='Wagner'] (6-1, 10.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg). Depth is a strong point for Johnson Creek as juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020434' first='Kace' last='Freimund'] (6-4, 7.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3020432' first='Jon' last='Kamuchey'] (5-11, 5.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020438' first='Carlos' last='Martinez'] (5-10) also return for the Bluejays. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3020436' first='Ethan' last='Broich'] (6-1, 3.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg) also will be in the mix for Oellerich's team. <br><br><strong>5. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/williams-bay/">Williams Bay</a> </strong>-- Coach Nathan Borgen likes the cohesion and work ethic of his players and is hoping those attributes translate into more wins in 2025-26. After finishing 7-17 a year ago, the Bulldogs will count on seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3022959' first='Quinn' last='Peyer'] (5-9, 14.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022964' first='Antonio' last='Perez'] (6-0, 4.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg) to lead a balanced group of Williams Bay players anxious to prove their worth in the Trailways South. Borgen has some key reserves back as well, including senior [player_tooltip player_id='3022957' first='Finn' last='Pecht'] (6-3, 7.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3022965' first='Carmine' last='Robbins'] (6-0, 2.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and Ethan Welsch (5-9, 1.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg). Lack of size and rebounding are the top concerns at Williams Bay.<br><br><strong>6.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/madison-country-day/"> Madison Country Day</a> </strong>-- Despite a 47-41 non-league loss to Albany to open the season, optimism is running high for a successful season at Madison Country Day. With four starters returning, several with more than a season worth of varsity experience, the Prairie Hawks could be the most improved team in the Trailways South. Coach Jerod Boyd has a senior class that could turn things in a winning direction for the Prairie Hawks. That group includes [player_tooltip player_id='1649964' first='Rocco' last='Jones'] (5-10, 20.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2404966' first='Karson' last='Finck'] (6-4, 9.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3020804' first='Jack' last='Ravenscroft'] (6-4, 7.3 ppg, 9.7 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020810' first='Atharva' last='Misra'] (5-10, 5.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg). Germany exchange student Danny Meiresome (5-11) along with senior Maddox Bradfield (5-8), junior [player_tooltip player_id='3020812' first='Clarence' last='Wieland'] (6-4, 2.0 ppg) and sophomore Henry Christensen (6-1, 2.0 ppg) also will contend for playing time. <br><br><strong>7. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/palmyra-eagle/"><strong>Palmyra-Eagle</strong> </a>-- Replacing double/double performer Devin Patrick (6-4, 18.6 ppg, 12.2 rpg) will be hard enough for fifth-year Palmyra-Eagle coach Brandon Wilde. But he also has to replace four other starters from a club that finished 14-12. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3021666' first='Ryan' last='Brodzik'] (5-8, 7.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg) started at times last winter and is the most experienced player back for the Panthers. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3021671' first='Dillen' last='Patrick'] (5-11, 3.4 ppg) also returns and scored a game-high 17 points in a 58-55 victory over Catholic Central on Tuesday. Also returning are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3021665' first='JJ' last='Thomas'] (6-0, 2.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021668' first='Will' last='Herriges'] (6-4, 1.8 rpg). Newcomers who could contend for playing time include [player_tooltip player_id='3142017' first='Joey' last='Peardon'] (5-11), [player_tooltip player_id='3142009' first='Jack' last='Thomas'] (6-1) and [player_tooltip player_id='3142014' first='Nathan' last='Brodzik'] (5-6). <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1858222' first='Aiden' last='Crane'] (Parkview) 26.4 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1649964' first='Rocco' last='Jones'] (Madison Country Day) 20.3 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3022959' first='Quinn' last='Peyer'] (Williams Bay) 14.6 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2637958' first='Brady' last='Fincutter'] (Johnson Creek) 14.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2637959' first='Landon' last='Brattlie'] (Deerfield) 10.9 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3020440' first='Hayden' last='Wagner'] (Johnson Creek) 10.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2958400' first='Louis' last='Nath'] (Parkview) 9.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2404966' first='Karson' last='Finck'] (Madison Country Day) 9.3 ppg<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2637959' first='Landon' last='Brattlie'], 6-1, Sr., Deerfield<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2637958' first='Brady' last='Fincutter'], 5-10, Sr., Johnson Creek<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1649964' first='Rocco' last='Jones'], 5-10, Sr., Madison Country Day<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1858222' first='Aiden' last='Crane'], 6-0, Sr., Parkview<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3022959' first='Quinn' last='Peyer'], 5-9, Sr., Williams Bay<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2399579' first='Nick' last='Thies'], 6-5, Jr., Abundant Life<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3021666' first='Ryan' last='Brodzik'], 5-8, Sr., Palmyra-Eagle<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2393140' first='Oliver' last='Friedrich'], 6-5, Sr., Parkview<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2404967' first='Noah' last='Maginn'], 6-4, Sr., Deerfield<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2958400' first='Louis' last='Nath'], 6-0, Jr., Parkview<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1858222' first='Aiden' last='Crane'], Parkview<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1858222' first='Aiden' last='Crane'], Parkview<br><strong>Best Rebounder:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='3020804' first='Jack' last='Ravenscroft'], Madison Country Day<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1858222' first='Aiden' last='Crane'], Parkview<br><strong>Most Improved: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2393140' first='Oliver' last='Friedrich'], Parkview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->