Woodland West Preview 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2024-25 Standings</strong><br><br>1. Wisconsin Lutheran 11-1 (28-2); 2. West Allis Central 9-5 (21-6); 3. New Berlin West 7-5 (17-9); 3. Pewaukee 7-5 (16-10); 5. Greendale 5-7 (16-11); 6. New Berlin Eisenhower 2-10 (8-17); 7. Pius XI Catholic 1-11 (9-17).<br><br><em>Note: West Allis Central has moved to the Woodland East while Waukesha North and Waukesha South have joined the Woodland West 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/wisconsin-lutheran/">Wisconsin Lutheran</a> </strong>-- Wisconsin's latest Cadillac program figures to have yet another banner season. After winning the WIAA Division 2 crown in 2024 and the Division 1 title in 2025, coach Ryan Walz's crew looks to repeat in Division 1 this winter behind two of the state's best players in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'] (6-7, 22.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2140949' first='Kager' last='Knueppel'] (6-8, 13.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg). Zens went for 33 points and eight rebounds in the Vikings' season-opening win over Indianapolis Pike. He is committed to Northern Iowa and is among the leading candidates for the Mr. Basketball award. Knueppel is a skilled, long and disruptive wing who had 22 points and 11 rebounds versus Pike. Knueppel's younger brothers, sophomore Kinston Knueppell (6-6, 5.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2402478' first='Kash' last='Knueppel'] (6-3) also could be key players for Wisconsin Lutheran. Walz's son, junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2412809' first='Riley' last='Walz'] (6-0, 4.2 ppg) is one of the more improved players in the state. Junior Jamail Sewall (6-7) gives to Vikings additional size. <br><br><strong>2. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/new-berlin-west/">New Berlin West </a></strong>-- A team you'd better guard out to 25 feet, New Berlin West has some of the top long-distance shooters in the state with the return of junior [player_tooltip player_id='2371703' first='Jayce' last='Cook'] (6-2, 15.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1874970' first='Evan' last='Kern'] (6-3, 14.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg). Both can get on a roll from outside the arc and both don't need much space to let fly from downtown. Cook and Kern, who has committed to Stevens Point, are more than just shooters, tough, as each player competes with passion on both ends of the floor while also proving solid leadership for the Vikings. Another key returning player for coach Scott Cook is senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2382134' first='Zach' last='Hewitt'] (6-5, 12.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg), a physical player who can play both inside and outside. Also back are seniors Prophet Gammage (6-3, 6.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2839214' first='Luke' last='Krueger'] (6-1, 4.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg).<br><br><strong>3. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/pewaukee/">Pewaukee</a> </strong>-- Coach David Burkemper begins his eighth season as the Pirates head coach with just one regular back from a 16-10 squad in talented senior [player_tooltip player_id='2391091' first='Tyler' last='Tiutczenko'] (6-7, 15.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg). An inside/outside player with deep shooting range, Tiutczenko recently picked up NCAA Division II scholarship offers from Ferris State and Winona State. Joining Tiutczenko as key returning players for Pewaukee are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2500049' first='George' last='Davis'] (6-3, 5.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2820805' first='Landon' last='Stelse'] (2-4, ppg), juniors Jonah Shaefer (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021712' first='John' last='Gerdes'] (6-2, 2 ppg, 2 rpg), along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3021716' first='Nick' last='Tempelis'] (6-2).<br><br><strong>4.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/new-berlin-eisenhower/">New Berlin Eisenhower </a></strong>-- The Lions had some good moments a year ago, but were a bit young to experience sustained success in such a tough conference. This time around, second-year coach Austin Stueck has some veterans to work with, including seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1561892' first='Jake' last='Veley'] (6-3, 7.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2739716' first='Mavox' last='Nimani'] (6-4, 10.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1561930' first='Chris' last='Nimmer'] (5-10, 9.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1561894' first='Thaison' last='Martin'] (5-9, 8.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021364' first='Chuck' last='Wait'] (6-3, 4.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg) along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2542599' first='Will' last='Kowske'] (6-4, 7.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg). Each of the previously mentioned players started at times for last year's 8-17 squad. New Berlin Eisenhower could get a big lift from senior Chris Bauer (6-4), who played JV ball last season after transferring in from Pius XI Catholic. Bauer has committed to Dakota State. <br><br><strong>5. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/greendale/"><strong>Greendale</strong> </a>-- As usual, Greendale will have a competitive team in a hugely competitive conference. Coach Ryan Johnsen has three starters back from a 16-11 squad, including one of the better players in the league in senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2677080' first='Zavier' last='Castillo'] (6-5, 11.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg). Castillo's size, strength and skill are tough to contend with and should help Greendale remain in the thick of things in the league standings. Joining Castillo as returning regulars are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1561936' first='Brandon' last='Harper'] (6-1, 6.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and sweet-shooting [player_tooltip player_id='2834556' first='Tyler' last='Roche'] (6-2, 9.5 ppg, 1.7 rpg). The Panthers' strong senior class also includes Marquies Norris (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020180' first='Thomas' last='Hanlon'] (6-5). <br><br><strong>6. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/pius-xi/">Pius XI Catholic </a></strong>-- There is no shortage of players returning for coach Dan Carey at Pius XI Catholic. The Popes have five regulars back from a 9-17 squad in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1561959' first='Jayson' last='Kowalski'] (6-2, 12.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3021733' first='Jordan' last='Brown'] (6-0, 1.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1928354' first='Gabe' last='Vinson'] (6-0, 7.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2552505' first='Justin' last='Jones'] (5-10, 12.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140982' first='Torrence' last='Rivera'] (6-3, 8.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg). Seniors DeAndre Haynes Jr. (5-11, 3.2 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='2452146' first='Elijah' last='Hall'] (5-11, 3.9 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021732' first='Amari' last='Tolbert'] (5-11) along with junior Preston Kirchhoff (5-10, 2.0 ppg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3021735' first='Franky' last='Simo'] Kamdem (6-7) also could play big roles for Pius XI.<br><br><strong>7. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/waukesha-south/">Waukesha South</a> </strong>-- Coach Lee Montez and the Blackshirts of Waukesha South move from the Classic Eight to the Woodland West with a somewhat inexperienced squad. The lone returning players with extensive action include juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140941' first='Jordan' last='Garcia'] (6-1, 7.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2836093' first='Keegan' last='DeGeorge'] (6-0, 6.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg). Garcia and DeGeorge were instrumental in helping South to an 8-17 mark last winter. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2855333' first='Luke' last='Trendel'] (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022752' first='Isaiah' last='Crawford'] (6-6) along with juniors Cal Stillman (6-0), [player_tooltip player_id='2935468' first='Jackson' last='Berrong'] (5-11), [player_tooltip player_id='2935469' first='Nate' last='Vick'] (6-1) and [player_tooltip player_id='2935470' first='Ritchie' last='Leckie'] (5-10) also return for Waukesha South. <br><br><strong>8.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/waukesha-north/">Waukesha North</a> </strong>-- The Northstars pulled a bit of a surprise to start the season as first-year coach Mitchell Henes guided Waukesha North to a victory over Mukwonago, a former rival from the Classic Eight. [player_tooltip player_id='2675019' first='Derek' last='Williams'] (6-5), who showed plenty of promise as a freshman when he averaged 11.0 points and 7.8 rebounds, finished with 27 points in the win over Mukwonago. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3022744' first='Joe' last='Merten'] (6-3, 7.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg) joined Williams in the Waukesha North starting lineup a year ago when the Northstars went 9-17. Others who figure to make an impact include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3022744' first='Joe' last='Merten'] (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022749' first='Jessiah' last='Martin'] (6-4), along with juniors Manny Loren-Garcia (5-11) and Henry Koopmeiners (6-4). <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'] (Wisconsin Lutheran) 22.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2391091' first='Tyler' last='Tiutczenko'] (Pewaukee) 15.8 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2371703' first='Jayce' last='Cook'] (New Berlin West) 15.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1874970' first='Evan' last='Kern'] (New Berlin West) 14.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140949' first='Kager' last='Knueppel'] (Wisconsin Lutheran) 13.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2382134' first='Zach' last='Hewitt'] (New Berlin West) 12.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561959' first='Jayson' last='Kowalski'] (Pius XI) 12.1 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2552505' first='Justin' last='Jones'] (Pius XI) 12.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2677080' first='Zavier' last='Castillo'] (Greendale) 11.9 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2675019' first='Derek' last='Williams'] (Waukesha North) 11.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2739716' first='Mavox' last='Nimani'] (New Berlin Eisenhower) 10.8 ppg<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'], 6-7, Sr., Wisconsin Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140949' first='Kager' last='Knueppel'], 6-8, Jr., Wisconsin Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2677080' first='Zavier' last='Castillo'], 6-5, Sr., Greendale<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2371703' first='Jayce' last='Cook'], 6-2, Jr., New Berlin West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2391091' first='Tyler' last='Tiutczenko'], 6-7, Sr., Pewaukee<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2613959' first='Kinston' last='Knueppel'], 6-6, Soph., Wisconsin Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1874970' first='Evan' last='Kern'], 6-3, Sr., New Berlin West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2739716' first='Mavox' last='Nimani'], 6-4, Sr., New Berlin Eisenhower<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561959' first='Jayson' last='Kowalski'], 6-2, Sr., Pius XI Catholic<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2675019' first='Derek' last='Williams'], 6-5, Soph., Waukesha North<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2371703' first='Jayce' last='Cook'], New Berlin West<br><strong>Best Defender: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1561892' first='Jake' last='Veley'], New Berlin Eisenhower<br><strong>Best Rebounder: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2675019' first='Derek' last='Williams'], Waukesha North<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140949' first='Kager' last='Knueppel'], Wisconsin Lutheran &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'], Wisconsin Lutheran<br><strong>Most Improved: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2412809' first='Riley' last='Walz'], Wisconsin Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->