Wisconsin vs. Illinois Border Battle Preview

The eighth annual Wisconsin vs. Illinois Border Battle will take place on Saturday, January 31 at The Prairie School in Racine.

Eight games will be played with the first game slated to begin at 9:45 a.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and will be cash only at the game or by using a credit card at the concession stand.

Following is a preview of each contest for the event:

Milwaukee South Division vs. Prospect, 9:45 a.m.

Milwaukee South (6-7) is a member of the Milwaukee City Conference and competes in the Gold Division, the top division for the league. Coach Thomas Shumpert has one of the better scoring guards in Wisconsin in junior Gary Thorpe Gary Thorpe 6'0" | PG Milwaukee South | 2027 State WI (6-0), who is averaging nearly 30 points per game for the Cardinals. Thorpe had 40 points in an 80-77 loss to Waukesha North and is one of the quickest players in the City Conference. Senior Kaiden Simpson Kaiden Simpson 6'5" | SG/SF Milwaukee South | 2026 State WI (6-5) also is a top performer for South Division, which has an enrollment of 1,183 students.

Prospect (9-12) plays in the highly competitive Mid-Suburban West Conference. Coach Brad Rathe, now in his sixth season, returns several key players from a year ago, including seniors Johnny Nellis (6-0), Anderson Neach (6-2) and Will Stratigos Will Stratigos 6'0" | PG Prospect | 2026 State IL (6-0) along with junior Danny Simon Danny Simon IL (6-6). Prospect has an enrollment of 2,152 students.

Oak Creek vs. Buffalo Grove, 11:15 a.m.

Oak Creek (7-7) has four players who can put the ball in the basket at a high level. The Knights (8-7) are led by sharpshooting junior wing Tyson Busch Tyson Busch 6'1" | SG Oak Creek | 2027 State WI (6-2), who is averaging 17.8 ppg for coach Eric Hollow's squad. Seniors Noah Daniel Noah Daniel 6'0" | CG Oak Creek | 2026 State WI (6-0) and Joey Carini Joey Carini 6'0" | SG/PG Oak Creek | 2026 State WI (6-0) join Busch in the backcourt and are averaging 13.9 ppg and 9.9 ppg, respectively. Sophomore Ja’Quan Turner Ja’Quan Turner 6'5" | SF/SG Oak Creek | 2028 State WI is one of the top class of 2028 prospects in Wisconsin and is contributing 15.9 ppg for the Knights. Oak Creek plays in the Classic Eight Conference and has an enrollment of 2,118 students.

Buffalo Grove is another large school from the Mid-Suburban Conference. The Bison of coach Kevin Geldon compete in the East Division of the league and have a 10-14 overall record and 4-3 conference mark. Three starters return for Buffalo Grove from a year ago when the Bison dropped a Border Battle contest to New Berlin West. They include juniors Dylan Ronczkowski Dylan Ronczkowski 6'0" | CG Buffalo Grove | 2027 IL (6-2) and Alex Sirbu Alex Sirbu 6'9" | PF Buffalo Grove | 2027 State IL (6-9) along with sophomore Edwin Karnauchovas Edwin Karnauchovas 6'0" | PG Buffalo Grove | 2028 State IL (6-0). Buffalo Grove has an enrollment of 1,955 students.

New Berlin West vs. Niles North, 12:45 p.m.

New Berlin West (13-2) is ranked No. 8 in this week's WBCA/Prep Hoops Wisconsin state-wide poll. The Vikings have difficult games with Greendale and rival New Berlin Eisenhower prior to their tussle with a very good Niles North squad. Coach Scott Cook has three players averaging in double figures with his son, junior Jayce Cook Jayce Cook 6'2" | SG New Berlin West | 2027 State WI (6-1), leading the way at 18.9 ppg. UW-Stevens Point recruit Evan Kern Evan Kern 6'3" | SG New Berlin West | 2026 State WI (6-3) contributes 13.6 ppg while senior Elijah Gammage Elijah Gammage 6'4" | SF New Berlin West | 2026 WI (6-3) sits at 13.9 ppg for the Woodland West Conference squad. New Berlin West has an enrollment of 719 students.

Niles North is a member of the Central Suburban - North Conference and took an 18-5 record into its game Friday against Maine East. Coach Glenn Olson's squad features excellent guard play with seniors Enzo D'andrea (5-10), Osman Khan Osman Khan 6'5" | PF Niles North | 2026 State IL (6-5) and Tom Opio (6-2) all playing key roles. Other key performers for Niles North include senior Mustaf Rexhepi Mustaf Rexhepi 6'4" | PF Niles North | 2026 State IL (6-4) along with juniors Aidan Avila Aidan Avila 6'3" | CG/C Niles North | 2027 IL (6-4) and Collin Tobin Collin Tobin IL (6-3). Niles North has an enrollment of 1,908 students and finished 27-7 a year ago.

Kenosha St. Joseph vs. Chicago St. Francis de Sales, 2:15 p.m.

Kenosha St. Joseph (10-5) plays in the rugged Metro Classic Conference and features three backcourt standouts currently averaging in double figures in junior Christopher Kenesie Christopher Kenesie 6'0" | PG Kenosha St. Joseph | 2027 State WI (6-0) at 22.2 ppg, sophomore Reymundo Garibay Reymundo Garibay 5'11" | CG/PG Kenosha St. Joseph | 2028 State WI (5-11) at 13.1 ppg and senior Tomas Baez Tomas Baez 5'11" | PG Kenosha St. Joseph | 2026 State WI (6-0) at 10.7 ppg. Seniors Berkley Kuiper Berkley Kuiper 6'1" | PF Kenosha St. Joseph | 2026 WI (6-2) and Sincere Williams Sincere Williams 6'2" | PF Kenosha St. Joseph | 2026 WI (6-1) handle the bulk of the duties on the Lancers' short but productive frontline. St. Joseph has an enrollment of 206 students.

St. Francis de Sales (7-14) is a southside school in Chicago and competes in the White Division of the Chicago Catholic League. The Pioneers of coach Marcus Halliburton are led by the senior trio of Jacob Thompson Jacob Thompson 6'6" | PF Chicago St. Francis De Sales | 2026 State IL (6-6), Kalvin Leonard Kalvin Leonard 6'1" | CG Chicago St. Francis De Sales | 2026 IL (6-2) and Stephen George Stephen George 6'7" | C St. Francis de Sales | 2026 State IL (6-7). St. Francis de Sales boasts excellent all-around size and has played a challenging schedule to date. The school has an enrollment of 165 students.

Racine Lutheran vs. Warren Township, 3:45 p.m.

Racine Lutheran (13-2) is ranked No. 4 among WIAA Division 3 schools in Wisconsin in the latest WBCA/Prep Hoops Wisconsin poll and is led by a talented group of returning players from a squad that finished 24-3 last season. Coach Justin Hullum's squad is led by senior wing Sam Pitrof Sam Pitrof 6'4" | CG Racine Lutheran | 2026 State WI (6-4), an athletic player who is averaging a team-best 26.0 points and 10.2 rebounds. The Crusaders also boast three additional players averaging in double figures in junior Bryce Austin Bryce Austin 6'2" | SG Racine Lutheran | 2027 State WI (6-3) at 13.0 ppg, senior Isaiah Cosey Isaiah Cosey 5'11" | PG Racine Lutheran | 2026 WI (5-11) at 12.3 ppg and junior Deeon Brumby Deeon Brumby 6'2" | CG/SF Racine Lutheran | 2027 State WI (6-2) at 11.7 ppg. Racine Lutheran plays in the Metro Classic Conference and has an enrollment of 370 students.

Warren Township (18-2) boasts one of the elite teams in Illinois and is led by junior Jaxson Davis Jaxson Davis 6'1" | PG Warren Township | 2027 State #49 Nation IL , a 6-foot-1 point guard who is being recruited by Iowa, Marquette, Michigan and Purdue, among many others. Davis had 25 points a year ago in the Wisconsin vs. Illinois Border Battle when the Blue Devils lost an overtime game to eventual WIAA Division 3 state champion Milwaukee Academy of Science. In addition to Davis, coach Zack Ryan counts heavily on seniors Braylon Walker Braylon Walker 6'1" | SG Warren | 2026 State IL (6-4) and Avonn King Avonn King 6'3" | SF Warren | 2026 IL (6-4), among others. Warren Township competes in the North Suburban Conference and has an enrollment of 3,398 students.

Marquette High vs. Chicago St. Ignatius, 5:15 p.m.

Marquette High (6-8), which won the WIAA Division 1 state title in 2024, has a young team that has improved as the season has progressed. The Hilltoppers of coach Casey Kowalewski are led by senior guard Luke Gundrum Luke Gundrum 5'11" | SG/PG Marquette University | 2026 State WI (5-11), who is averaging 11.2 points per game and tossed in 22 in a recent victory over Homestead. Juniors Christian Miller Christian Miller 6'4" | SG/SF Marquette University | 2027 State WI (6-4) and Harrison Schwabe Harrison Schwabe 6'5" | SF Marquette University | 2027 State WI (6-5) contribute 12.6 and 12.0 ppg, respectively. Marquette High has an enrollment of 940 (all boys) and plays in the Greater Metro Conference, one of the top league's in Wisconsin.

Chicago St. Ignatius, like Marquette High a Jesuit-run school, plays in the Blue Division of the Chicago Catholic League and boasts one of the better teams in Illinois. Coach Matt Monroe's squad is led by senior Chris Bolte Chris Bolte 6'6" | PF St. Ignatius | 2026 State IL , a 6-foot-7 forward headed to Yale to play college basketball. The Wolfpack also boast two stellar sophomores in Amir Tucker Amir Tucker 6'0" | PG St. Ignatius | 2028 State IL (6-2) and D.J. Caldwell (6-3). St. Ignatius owns a 19-4 record and has an enrollment of 1,485.

West DePere vs. Yorkville Christian, 6:45 p.m.

West DePere (10-4) has enjoyed a successful season to date as coach Todd Deschane's squad has been able to navigate the school's move from the Bay to the Fox River Classic Conference. The Phantoms have four players averaging in double figures and another just below that total. Seniors Patrick Greisen Patrick Greisen 6'3" | SG West De Pere | 2026 WI (6-3) is averaging 12.2 ppg while classmate Erik Bouchard Erik Bouchard 6'1" | PG West De Pere | 2026 WI (6-1) contributes 12.3 ppg. Juniors Carson Samson Carson Samson 6'0" | PG/SG West De Pere | 2027 State WI (6-0) at 12.5 ppg, Jack Wilichowski Jack Wilichowski 6'7" | PF/C West De Pere | 2027 WI (6-7) at 11.7 ppg and Cooper Borowicz Cooper Borowicz 6'4" | CG West De Pere | 2027 State WI (6-4) at 8.2 ppg also play important roles for West DePere, which has an enrollment of 1,070 students.

Yorkville Christian (13-8) plays an independent schedule and owns wins over two Wisconsin teams -- Madison La Follette and Appleton North. The Mustangs of coach Chris Sherman are led by dynamic senior point guard Jayden Riley Jayden Riley 6'1" | PG Yorkville Christian | 2026 State IL (6-2), who has committed to NCAA Division I SIU - Edwardsville. Another key performer for Yorkville Christian is smooth-shooting sophomore wing Jordan Purvis Jordan Purvis 6'3" | SG Yorkville Christian | 2027 State IL (6-3). Juniors Blake Wells Blake Wells 6'2" | PG Yorkville Christian | 2027 State IL (6-1), Tray Alford Tray Alford 5'11" | PG Yorkville Christian | 2027 State IL (5-10) and Kayden Maxwell (6-1) round out the starting rotation. Yorkville Christian has an enrollment of 187 students.

The Prairie School vs. Unity Christian, 8:15 p.m.

The Prairie School has played an extremely difficult schedule and is 8-7 under coach Jason Atanasoff. Members of the Metro Classic Conference, the Hawks are led in scoring by senior guard Nolan Greb Nolan Greb 6'1" | SG/SF The Prairie School | 2026 WI (6-1), who is averaging 13.9 points per outing. A strong junior class, led by forward Dalton Ahlensdorf Dalton Ahlensdorf 6'5" | SF The Prairie School | 2027 State WI (6-5), plays a pivotal role for The Prairie School. Ahlensdorf contributes 11.8 ppg and 6.9 rpg while classmates Chandler Perry Chandler Perry 6'3" | CG/PG The Prairie School | 2027 State WI (6-3) at 12.4 ppg and Ryan Vanoss Ryan Vanoss 6'4" | CG The Prairie School | 2027 State WI (6-4) at 9.6 ppg and 5.1 rpg also are important pieces. Sophomore Emmett Wassil Emmett Wassil 6'3" | SF/CG The Prairie School | 2028 State WI (6-3) handles much of the ball-handling and distributing for the Hawks while also contributing 7.1 ppg and 5.6 rpg. The Prairie School has an enrollment of 222 students.

Unity Christian is taking the place of Niles West in the Border Battle and the Phoenix arrive in Racine with a strong team. Senior Malachi O'Neal (6-0) tops Unity Christian in scoring at 15.8 points per game followed by juniors Vincent Allen Vincent Allen 6'6" | PF Unity Christian Academy | 2027 State IL (6-7) at 13.2 ppg and Donovan O’Neil Donovan O’Neil 6'1" | SG Unity Christian Academy | 2027 State IL Jr. (6-0) at 9.9 ppg. Coach Donovan O’Neil Donovan O’Neil 6'1" | SG Unity Christian Academy | 2027 State IL 's squad is a member of the Metro Prep Conference, is located in South Holland and has an 11-6 record. Unity Christian has an enrollment of 114 students.