Rick Majerus WBY Shootout preview

Your official guide to the 20th annual Rick Majerus Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout, scheduled for December 27-29-30 at Concordia University in Mequon:   FIVE THINGS TO WATCH 1. Freedom vs. Brookfield Central Two of the more productive frontline players in Wisconsin will go at each other when Freedom takes on Brookfield Central at 4:45 p.m. Saturday. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'] (6-8) of Freedom is averaging 24.0 points and 13.4 rebounds for a Freedom squad that is 7-0 and ranked No. 2 among WIAA Division 3 schools in the latest <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/12/wbca-prep-hoops-poll-for-week-of-december-22/">WBCA/Prep Hoops poll</a>. Davis is the top-ranked class of 2027 prospect in the state in the <a href="https://prephoops.com/wisconsin/rankings/2027-rankings/">Prep Hoops Wisconsin Player Rankings</a> and is being pursued heavily by a number of NCAA Division I programs, including Iowa, Iowa State, Marquette and Wisconsin, among others. Meanwhile, Brookfield Central counters with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1561913' first='Henry' last='Gruetzmacher'] (6-8), who has committed to Green Bay and is averaging 25.7 points and 10.3 rebounds. Both Davis and Gruetzmacher compete with lots of energy and drive, and both figure to have college coaches in the stands. The other interesting aspect of this game is the enrollment disparity with Brookfield Central, ranked No. 7 among Division 2 schools, checking in with 1,164 students while Freedom sits at 495 students. These two powerhouse programs will not meet in the post season due to their different classifications, but it will be fun to watch Davis and Gruetzmacher go head-to-head at Concordia. 2. Future Iowa State teammates squaring off against each other [player_tooltip player_id='1560867' first='Christian' last='Wiggins'] of Wayzata, Minn., and [player_tooltip player_id='2045256' first='Yusef' last='Gray Jr.'] of West Allis Central might be college roommates next year at Iowa State as both players have committed to play for Milwaukee native T.J. Otzelberger and the Cyclones at the collegiate level. However, before that takes place, the two star backcourt prospects will square off against each other when Wayzata, the defending Class 4A state champion in Minnesota, meets West Allis Central, the No. 2-ranked team in Wisconsin's largest division. at 7:45 p.m. on December 30. While Wiggins, a 6-foot-5 guard, and Gray, a 6-foot-4 guard, lead their respective squads, both teams have plenty of additional firepower, making for a game loaded with athletes that will compete at the next level. Wayzata senior [player_tooltip player_id='1560778' first='Nolen' last='Anderson'] (6-8) is averaging 25.3 ppg and has committed to the University of Minnesota while senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1560807' first='Isaac' last='Olmstead'] (5-11) is averaging 13.9 ppg and will play at NCAA Division II Minnesota-Duluth. West Allis central senior [player_tooltip player_id='2411140' first='Kevin' last='Pittman'] (6-10) owns some lower-level Division I offers while junior [player_tooltip player_id='2194435' first='Max' last='Jones'] (6-4) boasts offers from Green Bay, Northern Iowa and Toledo, among others. Both schools figures to be ranked all winter and both have legitimate shots at winning state championships come March. 3. Ranked teams There is no shortage of ranked teams taking part in this year's Rick Majerus WBY Shootout. To the surprise of nobody, Wayzata (7-0) is ranked No. 1 among Class 4A schools in Minnesota. In Wisconsin, 15 teams currently are ranked: Division 1 West Allis Central (5-0) is second. De Pere (4-0) is third. Arrowhead (7-0) is fourth. Kaukauna (6-0) is tied for sixth. Homestead (6-1) is eighth. Appleton North (6-2) is ninth. Division 2 Slinger (5-2) is second. Waterford (7-1) is third. Nicolet (3-3) is tied for sixth. Brookfield Central (4-2) is seventh. Division 3 Freedom (7-0) is second. Division 4 Dominican (4-1) is sixth. Iola-Scandinavia (4-1) is eighth. Division 5 Columbus Catholic (5-0) is second. Sheboygan Lutheran (7-1) is third. 4. Scoring stars As per normal, the WBY Shootout features some individual standouts who are putting up some impressive scoring stats early in the season. Make sure to check out the wizardry of these scoring sensations at this year's event: [player_tooltip player_id='2127267' first='Zaihir' last='Jones'], Dominican (28.8 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2224503' first='Brennen' last='Hackbarth'], Sheboygan Lutheran (26.8 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2045256' first='Yusef' last='Gray Jr.'], West Allis Central (26.2 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='1561913' first='Henry' last='Gruetzmacher'], Brookfield Central (25.7 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2045302' first='Jamir' last='Batemon'], Milwaukee Academy of Science (25.0 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='1560778' first='Nolen' last='Anderson'], Wayzata (24.9 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2434543' first='Logan' last='Ramczyk'], Xavier (24.1 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2138537' first='Trey' last='Resch'], Arrowhead (24.1 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'], Freedom (24.0 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2140940' first='Jordan' last='Coleman'], University School (23.2 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2400924' first='Noah' last='Maniscalco'], De Pere (23.0 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2832087' first='Ladarius' last='Finkley'], Kingdom Prep Lutheran (22.4 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='1561893' first='Caden' last='Gustafson'], Waterford (22.1 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2194435' first='Max' last='Jones'], West Allis Central (21.2 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2138098' first='Michael' last='Rogers Jr.'], Homestead (21.0 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2391088' first='EJ' last='Salettel'], Beaver Dam (20.8 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2140968' first='Oliver' last='Belot'], Homestead (20.3 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='1258390' first='Evan' last='Prusko'], Brookfield Central (20.3 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='1973116' first='Bryce' last='Ott'], Oshkosh North (20.2 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2509457' first='Jordan' last='Evans'], Living Word Lutheran (20.0 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2140928' first='Jackson' last='Albee'], Catholic Memorial (20.0 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'], Slinger (19.9 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2140923' first='Gavin' last='Valeri'], Milwaukee Academy of Science (19.7 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2371700' first='Deuce' last='McDuffie Jr.'], Nicolet (19.5 ppg) [player_tooltip player_id='2140873' first='Austin' last='Hendricks'], Notre Dame (19.5 ppg) 5. De Pere vs. Neenah Two of the most respected and successful programs in the state will square off at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday. De Pere, which won the 2023 WIAA Division 1 state title, brings a 4-0 record into the WBY Shootout and will play Milwaukee Academy of Science on Monday prior to the big match with Neenah. The Rockets, winners of the 2022 WIAA Division 1 state crown, have won six in a row since opening the season with a loss to Brookfield East. Although these two juggernaut programs have a deep history of success in the Fox Valley area, they have not meet since coach Lee Rabas took over at Neenah 10 seasons ago. Both are expected to contend for titles with De Pere the team to beat, as usual, in the Fox River Classic Conference and Neenah looking to contend for the Fox Valley Association crown along with Appleton North, Kaukauna and Oshkosh North. Neither team has a high-major NCAA Division I player on its roster, but both programs have incredible depth and a boatload of players who have to wait their turn to break into the playing rotation. De Pere coach Brian Winchester comes as prepared as any coach in Wisconsin and the same can be said for Rabas. This promises to be an exciting game, one with each coach moving his chess pieces around in order to come out with a big win. NCAA DIVISION I PLAYERS The following players who will take part in the WBY Shootout have received NCAA Division I basketball scholarship offers or have already committed to DI programs: Class of 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2045256' first='Yusef' last='Gray Jr.'], West Allis Central (Committed to Iowa State) [player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'], Kaukauna (Committed to De Paul) [player_tooltip player_id='1781157' first='Rashaad' last='Davis'], Nicolet (Committed to Southern Utah) [player_tooltip player_id='1561913' first='Henry' last='Gruetzmacher'], Brookfield Central (Committed to Green Bay) [player_tooltip player_id='1560867' first='Christian' last='Wiggins'], Wayzata, Minn. (Committed to Iowa State) [player_tooltip player_id='1560778' first='Nolen' last='Anderson'], Wayzata, Minn. (Committed to Minnesota) [player_tooltip player_id='2411140' first='Kevin' last='Pittman'], West Allis Central (uncommitted) Class of 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'], Freedom (uncommitted) [player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'], Slinger (uncommitted) [player_tooltip player_id='2127267' first='Zaihir' last='Jones'], Dominican (uncommitted) [player_tooltip player_id='2138098' first='Michael' last='Rogers Jr.'], Homestead (uncommitted) [player_tooltip player_id='2352817' first='Alex' last='Robbins'], Iola-Scandinavia (uncommitted) [player_tooltip player_id='2371700' first='Deuce' last='McDuffie Jr.'], Nicolet (uncommitted) [player_tooltip player_id='2194435' first='Max' last='Jones'], West Allis Central (uncommitted) Class of 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2398448' first='Joey' last='Kohnen'], Slinger (uncommitted) [player_tooltip player_id='2509457' first='Jordan' last='Evans'], Living Word Lutheran (uncommitted) OTHER COMMITTED COLLEGE PLAYERS Class of 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2809011' first='Jayce' last='Brechtl'], Waterford (Committed to Carroll) [player_tooltip player_id='2391086' first='Carson' last='Dorgu'], Ashwaubenon (Committed to Northern Michigan) [player_tooltip player_id='1561893' first='Caden' last='Gustafson'], Waterford (Committed to Northern Michigan) [player_tooltip player_id='2224503' first='Brennen' last='Hackbarth'], Sheboygan Lutheran (Committed to St. Norbert) [player_tooltip player_id='1561908' first='Grant' last='Hardy'], Appleton North (Committed to Winona State) [player_tooltip player_id='1973116' first='Bryce' last='Ott'], Oshkosh North (Committed to Minnesota State Mankato) [player_tooltip player_id='2500034' first='Mac' last='Konieczny'], Columbus Catholic (Committed to Lakeland for baseball) [player_tooltip player_id='1561874' first='Nathan' last='Ramus'], Appleton North (Committed to Northern Michigan [player_tooltip player_id='2224527' first='Nick' last='Schultz'], Neenah (Committed to Bethel) [player_tooltip player_id='1560807' first='Isaac' last='Olmstead'], Wayzata, Minn. (Committed to Minnesota-Duluth) [player_tooltip player_id='1561876' first='Ben' last='Zdzieblowski'], Appleton North (Committed to Lakeland) Defending State Champions Milwaukee Academy of Science (WIAA Division 3) and Wayzata, Minn. (MSHL Class 4A) won state championships last March, and each of those schools will take part in this year's WBY Shootout. Additional Rick Majerus WBY Shootout Notes …   Tickets for the WBY Shootout will be sold online via Go Fan, and with cash at the door. The<a href="https://events.ticketspicket.com/agency/764ff987-27a2-4267-8619-c780e1770a6b?bbeml=tp-nvl5TtmyXEOswByZKvlQLQ.j3vcWxVpwjkOcT4OI7nsO9Q.ryXUQm4RsPUuzwhSR4IcLpg.lWE9WMEVn7UupgMZwyKH0HA"> link</a>s for Go Fan tickets via our host school, Saint Thomas More, are listed below. Ticket prices are $6 for students and senior citizens and $12 for adults. The tickets are good for the entire day. The Buuck Fieldhouse at Concordia University can accommodate around 2,000 fans so plan to arrive early to make sure you can purchase a ticket. Tickets for the Rick Majerus Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout can be obtained now at the following links: December 27: <a href="https://gofan.co/event/5116480?schoolId=WI19504" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://gofan.co/event/5116480?schoolId=WI19504</a>   December 29: <a href="https://gofan.co/event/5116694?schoolId=WI19504" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://gofan.co/event/5116694?schoolId=WI19504</a>   December 30: <a href="https://gofan.co/event/5116713?schoolId=WI19504" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://gofan.co/event/5116713?schoolId=WI19504</a> *****   Parking for the Rick Majerus WBY Shootout is free.   *****   The 360-page 2025-26 Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook will be available for purchase for $35.   *****   Game programs, which includes rosters and other information for all 35 teams, will be sold for $4.   *****   The Concordia University basketball team will sell concessions throughout the event.   *****   Broadcast Information:   ** Zaleski Sports (www.zaleskisports.com) will live stream the following games ... Saturday, December 27 12:15 p.m. -- Living Word Lutheran vs. Dominican 4:45 p.m. -- Brookfield Central vs. Freedom Monday, December 29 9:15 a.m. -- Columbus Catholic vs. Living Word Lutheran 10:45 a.m. -- Iola-Scandinavia vs. Kettle Moraine Lutheran 6:15 p.m. -- De Pere vs. Milwaukee Academy of Science 7:45 p.m. -- West Allis Central vs. Wayzata, Minn. Tuesday, December 30 9:15 a.m. -- Iola-Scandinavia vs. Columbus Catholic 1:45 p.m. -- Oshkosh North vs. Slinger 4:45 p.m. -- De Pere vs. Neenah   ** The Sports Faith YouTube channel (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@sportsfaith194-j4m">https://www.youtube.com/@sportsfaith194-j4m</a>) will stream the Xavier vs. Notre Dame Academy game on December 29 and the Xavier vs. St. Thomas More and Kaukauna vs. Marquette games on December 30.   Schedule At Concordia University, Mequon Saturday, December 27 Records Through Games of December 25 9:15 a.m. -- Kettle Moraine Lutheran (4-3) vs. Brookfield Academy (1-4) 10:45 a.m. -- University School (4-1) vs. Sheboygan Lutheran (7-1) 12:15 p.m. -- Living Word Lutheran (2-3) vs. Dominican (4-1) 1:45 p.m. -- St. Thomas More (2-3) vs. Catholic Memorial (4-5) 3:15 p.m. -- Nicolet (3-3) vs. Ashwaubenon (1-6) 4:45 p.m. -- Freedom (7-0) vs. Brookfield Central (4-2) 6:15 p.m. -- Arrowhead (7-0) vs. Slinger (5-2) 7:45 p.m. -- Marquette (2-2) vs. Oregon (2-4) 9:15 p.m. -- Beaver Dam (5-1) vs. Waterford (8-1)   Monday, December 29 9:15 a.m. -- Living Word Lutheran (2-3) vs. Columbus Catholic (5-0) 10:45 a.m. -- Kettle Moraine Lutheran (4-3) vs. Iola-Scandinavia (5-1) 12:15 p.m. -- Brookfield Academy (1-4) vs. The Prairie School (5-3) 1:45 p.m. -- Xavier (5-2) vs. Notre Dame Academy (2-3) 3:15 p.m. -- Beaver Dam (5-1) vs. Ashwaubenon (1-5=6) 4:45 p.m. -- Appleton North (6-2) vs. Homestead (6-1) 6:15 p.m. -- De Pere (4-0) vs. Milwaukee Academy of Science (5-2) 7:45 p.m. -- West Allis Central (5-0) vs. Wayzata, Minn. (8-0) 9:15 p.m. -- Oshkosh North (4-2) vs. Dominican 4-1)   Tuesday, December 30 9:15 a.m. -- Iola-Scandinavia (5-1) vs. Columbus Catholic (5-0) 10:45 a.m. -- Xavier (5-2) vs. St. Thomas More (2-3) 12:15 p.m. -- Kingdom Prep Lutheran (3-2) vs. Milwaukee King (3-2) 1:45 p.m. -- Oshkosh North (4-2) vs. Slinger (5-2) 3:15 p.m. -- Nicolet (3-3) vs. Wayzata, Minn. (8-0) 4:45 p.m. -- De Pere (4-0) vs. Neenah (6-1) 6:15 p.m. -- Appleton North (6-2) vs. West Allis Central (5-0) 7:45 p.m. -- Marquette (2-2) vs. Kaukauna (6-0) 9:15 p.m. -- Pius XI Catholic (2-4) vs. Catholic Memorial (4-5)

Your official guide to the 20th annual Rick Majerus Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout, scheduled for December 27-29-30 at Concordia University in Mequon: