Under the Radar Impact Players: 2026 WIAA State Tournament

It is the most wonderful time of the year as we approach the Wisconsin High School basketball tournament in Madison on Thursday afternoon. The field is loaded with collegiate commits, future collegiate commits, multi-sport athletes, and prolific scorers. Throughout the history of the tournament, players that may not be the "best player" step up to make legendary plays or pump out unforgettable performances to help their teams hoist the gold ball on championship Saturday.   I can think back to my first high school viewing experiences at the Kohl Center, especially back to 2011 in the state tournament thriller between De Pere and Madison Memorial. With Madison Memorial's best players fouled out, Brendan Ortiz took over the game in crunch time knocking down massive shots and free throws to propel the Spartans to a state championship. With that being said, the unexpected heroes step up in these tournament games in March. There are several players that could deliver those one shining moments to make this year's WIAA State Basketball State Tournament, a special one. Here are eight players that can make impactful plays for their teams that could generate special moments in Madison this weekend.    Geyso is not the main scoring option on the Thunder by any means, but provides a critical role for the 27-1 Seymour squad. The six foot senior spends a lot of time guarding and locking down opponents' best guard defensively. Sam's scoring outputs are modest at 4.0ppg, but the senior leader averages 3.6 rebounds per game, 3.6 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game, 36% from 3, and an outstanding 3.4 assist to turnover ratio. If and when Seymour's other scoring options get covered up in their state matchups, Geyso is very capable of making catch and shoot threes and scoring off the bounce. Sam is a tremendous passer in high-low opportunities as well.     Vinson Jr. earned honorable mention recognition in the competitive Metro Classic Conference. Standout Lamont Hamilton gets a lot of attention for the Angels, but EJ is a tremendous number two option for St. Cat's and cannot be forgotten about when gameplanning to slow down their euro ball screen offense. Vinson Jr. was outstanding in the sectional final against Oostburg, pouring in 28 points leading to a 20 point victory. EJ is strong and quick off the bounce and can also knock down shots from the perimeter. Several times in their game on Saturday, he was able to reject a ball screen and get downhill to finish in the half court. The five-foot-ten senior will need to continue his scoring efforts to keep up with Lake Mills' scoring attack in their semifinal game on Thursday afternoon at the Kohl Center.     Fischer is one of the many underclassmen that contribute for the McFarland squad. The Spartans only have one senior on their roster and have talent from top to bottom in their lineup. One of the guys sometimes forgotten about for McFarland is [player_tooltip player_id='2423225' first='Braydon' last='Fischer']. Fischer is a rising sophomore that makes big plays on the offensive and defensive end. A quick catch and shoot perimeter shooter, Fischer can knock down shots in waves. Braydon poured in 21 points in a massive sectional final victory over New Berlin West. In addition to scoring, Fischer was able to find holes in West's defense chipping in seven assists as well. Defensively, Fischer has a lot of trust from Head Coach Jeff Meinholdt. Braydon was phenomenal in limiting talented [player_tooltip player_id='2371703' first='Jayce' last='Cook'] in their sectional game and has superior on-ball defensive skills to shut down opponents. Fischer runs with [program_tooltip program_id='2076023' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy'] in the spring and summer, and earned honorable mention honors in the Badger Small Conference. If McFarland pulls out an upset win over Slinger, it will be because of guys like Braydon who step up in big ways.     Cohen is one of the more intriguing prospects I watched this season due to his high potential as a prospect. Silas stands at six-foot-two, but has a much longer wingspan than his actual height, to go along with his explosive athleticism. Cohen is one of the many dynamic scoring options for the Redbirds and Coach Brian Winchester. Cohen is able to create downhill using his shifty handle and overall quickness. He is extremely unselfish when he has the ball in his hands as well finding [player_tooltip player_id='2502918' first='Will' last='Krueger'], [player_tooltip player_id='2400924' first='Noah' last='Maniscalco'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2400483' first='Jack' last='Bookter'] on catch and shoot threes. Cohen recently joined the Power 5 roster for club season and should make a lot of noise this club season with his college ready frame and playmaking abilities. Silas was an honorable mention FRCC selection and averaged 9.7ppg, 3.5apg, and 1.1spg.     Leonhard missed a good majority of this season with an injury for the Crusaders. Zach has provided a much needed lift for Sheboygan Lutheran with his leadership, ability to hit shots from the perimeter, and overall ability to score the basketball. Leonhard has already provided a massive magic of March moment hitting a three with 8.8 seconds in a sectional semifinal game against Oakfield. Lutheran ran a great sideline out of bounds play and Zach rose up and drilled a shot from deep to send the game to overtime. His team would win the game by ten, to help his team eventually earn a trip to Madison for the fourth time under Head Coach Nick Verhagen. In his games since returning, Leonhard is averaging 11.5ppg and four rebounds per contest.     Hardiman is one of the mainstays in the Pioneer lineup for Head Coach Torre Johnson. Jaden is a true two-way player that is able to positively impact the game offensively and disrupt shots at the rim defensively. Hardiman uses his long frame to generate deflections on the ball and has great instincts to slide over to reject shots on drives from the helpside on defensive rotations. Offensively, Jaden uses a fundamental reverse pivot square up to attack the basket relentlessly and rise up to convert perimeter jumpshots. The six-foot-five senior prospect is an ultra aggressive offensive rebounder and created several extra opportunities for Milwaukee Juneau in their sectional final versus Howards Grove. Hardiman averages 17.2ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.9apg, and 1.6spg and will be a player to closely monitor as Juneau takes on a talented Regis squad in the semifinal on Thursday night in Madison.     Palm is a critical component of the Slinger 2026 class that has propelled them to their first state appearance since 1977. Palm recently became the school's all time leading three point shooter and he can get red hot from downtown rapidly. Brett has a quick release and great footwork on his catch and shoot threes. On the defensive end, Palm is able to hold better guards in check with his natural instincts and fast hands on and off the ball.The Kohnen brothers have faced several double teams, junk defenses, and face guarding, and Palm routinely steps up in these situations to provide scoring punch for the Owls. Slinger will need Palm's services offensively if they want to get by a pesky, streaking McFarland team that can put up points in a hurry. Brett averaged 7.9ppg, 2.2rpg, and 1.4spg on the year, and was named to the honorable mention team in the North Shore Conference.     The son of Head Coach Ryan Walz, Riley is an intelligent, tough, and skilled guard that contributes in a variety of ways for the Vikings. Walz rarely turns the ball over in the Princeton style offense for Wisconsin Lutheran, and is constantly looking to dump off passes to his talented teammates. The six foot junior guard averages 3.4 assists per game and is able to dish out the ball both in transition and in the half court. Like many coach's sons Riley shoots the ball at an efficient rate from beyond the three point line and locks down his matchup on a nightly basis. He is shooting over 40 percent from three and has taken 70% of his shots from downtown. The Wisco's squad is supremely talented, but you cannot downplay how essential guys like Walz are for their overall success as they seek their third straight state title.

It is the most wonderful time of the year as we approach the Wisconsin High School basketball tournament in Madison on Thursday afternoon. The field is loaded with collegiate commits, future collegiate commits, multi-sport athletes, and prolific scorers. Throughout the history of the tournament, players that may not be the "best player" step up to make legendary plays or pump out unforgettable performances to help their teams hoist the gold ball on championship Saturday.