Badger Small Preview 2026-27

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025-26 Final Standings</strong><br><br>1. (tie) McFarland 11-3 (23-6); 1. (tie) Mount Horeb 11-3 (21-6); 1. (tie) Sauk Prairie 11-3 (17-8); 4. Fort Atkinson 8-6 (13-13); 5. Stoughton 7-7 (12-14); 6. Edgewood 4-10 (9-17); 7. Reedsburg 3-11 (8-17); 8. Portage 1-13 (2-23).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026-27 Picks</strong><br><br>1. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/mcfarland/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/mcfarland/">McFarland</a> -- The overwhelming choice to win the Badger Small and contend for the WIAA Division 2 state championship, McFarland has all the key pieces back from a squad that went 23-6 and lost to Slinger in the state semifinals last March. Led by Colorado State recruit [player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'] and big point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140920' first='Garrett' last='Crull'], the Spartans rank among the best teams in Wisconsin, regardless of division. Krueger (6-10) averaged 21 ppg and 11 rpg as a junior and showed some versatility, scoring from the mid-range and near the basket. Crull (6-5) can see over most backcourt defenders and is outstanding at getting to the basket to score or feed Krueger. Sharpshooting senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='3020977' first='Kam' last='Meinholdt'] (5-8) is a clutch three-point shooter who competes with feistiness while junior [player_tooltip player_id='2423225' first='Braydon' last='Fischer'] (6-0) joined Crull and Meinholdt in the Spartans' three-guard lineup in 2025-26. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='3315080' first='Joe' last='Fortune'] (6-1) earned plenty of playing time as a sophomore as did seniors Parker Roth (6-5), Owen Christensen (6-4), [player_tooltip player_id='3734980' first='Charlie' last='Lewis'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='2283855' first='Brody' last='Robbins'] (6-8).<br><br>2. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/fort-atkinson/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/fort-atkinson/">Fort Atkinson</a> -- Looking to build on a 13-13 finish from a year ago, Fort Atkinson has all five starters back, including unanimous first-team all-league pick [player_tooltip player_id='3559600' first='Graeson' last='Geiger'] (6-1), one of the top returning scorers in the conference at 19.8 ppg. Geiger handles the ball and gets to the basket as well as any other guard in the league and sets the table well for his talented teammates that include vastly improved 6-foot-9 senior post player [player_tooltip player_id='2508476' first='Oliver' last='Evans'] and versatile junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2390204' first='Carter' last='Klopcic'] (6-3). Evans and Klopcic figure to average in double figures along with Geiger in 2026-27 with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140967' first='Nolan' last='Quamme'] (6-4) and Ryley Koester (6-5) also playing important roles for Mike Hintz, now in his 18th year as head coach at the school. Sophomore guard Dante Samuels (5-9) provides some backcourt depth for a team that finished strong during the second half of last season. <br><br>3. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/sauk-prairie/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/sauk-prairie/">Sauk Prairie</a> -- On paper, it appears McFarland and Fort Atkinson are the clear-cut Nos. 1 and 2 finishers in the Badger Small. The order of the remaining six clubs could wildly vary, but Sauk Prairie looks to have a quality team once again under coach Sean McGann. After winning 17 games last winter, the Eagles lost two double-figure scorers to graduation in Boden Breunig (17.4 ppg) and Otis Andres (11.5 ppg). But there is returning talent and a good deal of length in the Sauk Prairie program. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3022088' first='Lincoln' last='Ganser'] (5-10) and Edgewood College recruit [player_tooltip player_id='2508486' first='Brendan' last='Marquardt'] (6-5) started a year ago and averaged 11.3 ppg and 5.4 ppg, respectively. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2906741' first='Braun' last='Meyer'] (6-6) might be the most improved player in the league and figures to earn a starting spot. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3183123' first='Sam' last='Patterson'] (6-1) and [player_tooltip player_id='2906350' first='Jameson' last='Paukner'] (6-3) along with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='3787884' first='Chris' last='Von Haden'] (5-11) and [player_tooltip player_id='3687393' first='Meyer' last='Hartwig'] (6-5) also could figure into the regular rotation. <br><br>4. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/mount-horeb/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/mount-horeb/">Mount Horeb</a> -- Todd Nesheim is one of the more accomplished coaches in Wisconsin as his teams always compete with energy and toughness. That figures to be the case again this time around as the Vikings put together another highly competitive squad in the Badger Conference. Unfortunately for Nesheim and Mount Horeb, talented guard Josh Manchester (6-3) won't be on the floor for the first time in four years as he graduated last spring and now is playing for the University of Wisconsin. Also gone from a 21-win squad are Kam Nesheim, Hayden Anderson and Cal Odgers. That leaves just senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2433100' first='Alex' last='Chapman'] (6-4) as a returning regular. Chapman, who averaged 13.4 ppg and 7.1 rpg as a junior, has committed to NCAA Division II Hillsdale College. Northern Illinois football recruit Evan Leibrfried (6-7) also returns after contributing 5.2 ppg and 4.6 rpg last winter. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3021308' first='Mason' last='Williams'] (6-1), [player_tooltip player_id='3021303' first='Owen' last='Schultz'] (6-1) and Aiden Aeschlimann (6-1) will battle for starting spots along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2642351' first='Kyle' last='Freitag'] (6-2). <br><br>5. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/stoughton/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/stoughton/">Stoughton</a> -- Replacing the 20.8 points per game provided by the graduated Jacob Hibner (6-3) will be a challenge, but the Vikings do welcome back two very talented backcourt pieces. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2508305' first='Jaren' last='Vale'] (6-1) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2369897' first='Holden' last='Ackerman'] (6-1) are proven performers in the Badger Small and give coach Nolan Weber a solid duo to build around. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2415508' first='Devin' last='Rogers'] (6-2) also started last season while forwards Liam Burroughs (6-4), Tate Schneider (6-1) and Brooks Richter (6-5) all look to play key roles for the Vikings. Other returning players include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2415936' first='Jackson' last='Keis'] (6-1), [player_tooltip player_id='2860012' first='Derrick' last='Sutton'] (5-10) and [player_tooltip player_id='3164987' first='Mathew' last='Bubon'] (5-11). Lack of physicality is a concern, but guard play is a definite asset for Stoughton. <br><br>6. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/edgewood/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/edgewood/">Edgewood</a> -- Year No. 2 of the [player_tooltip player_id='2140929' first='Jackson' last='Riley'] coaching era at Edgewood gets underway next month and Riley has a veteran group to work with, led by returning second-team all-Badger Small selection [player_tooltip player_id='2452072' first='Drew' last='Christensen'], a 6-foot-2 wing who led Edgewood in scoring a year ago at 14.7 ppg. Physical senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2404032' first='Jack' last='Clark'] (6-4) and versatile junior guard/forward [player_tooltip player_id='2673454' first='Kaleb' last='Oeth'] (6-5) also return to the starting rotation for the Crusaders. Christensen, Clark and Oeth form a solid nucleus that also includes senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2415505' first='Ben' last='Morey'] (6-3), who came off the bench a year ago to average 9.6 ppg and 3.3 rpg. Others who figure to contend for playing time include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3019840' first='Tristan' last='Mitchell'] (6-2), [player_tooltip player_id='2415360' first='Owen' last='Rist'] (6-5), [player_tooltip player_id='3102618' first='Tyler' last='Klipstine'] (6-6) and [player_tooltip player_id='2829022' first='Kayden' last='Calado'] (5-7) along with improved juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2834433' first='Oliver' last='Milesko'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='3287482' first='Will' last='Voss'] (5-10).<br><br>7. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/reedsburg/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/reedsburg/">Reedsburg</a> -- The Beavers might be projected to finish in seventh place, but coach Justin Kuhnau nonetheless boasts a competitive group led by a potential all-league performer in athletic junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2553682' first='Lincoln' last='Benish'] (6-2), who averaged 14 ppg as a sophomore to lead the team in scoring. Reedsburg went 8-17 a year ago and returns three returning starters in addition to Benish in senior Nehamiah Guy (6-0), junior [player_tooltip player_id='2916777' first='Lucius' last='Wells'] (6-0) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3334290' first='Symon' last='Pelton'] (5-9). Guy showed improvement over the summer and looks to improve upon his 6.5 ppg average of a year. Some younger players also figure to play big roles for the Beavers as sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2800791' first='Weston' last='Kast'] (6-1), [player_tooltip player_id='3580451' first='Brock' last='Wilson'] (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='3712128' first='Bodey' last='Thompson'] (6-4) along with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2829075' first='Ames' last='Moeller'] (6-0), look to battle for starting spots. <br><br>8. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/portage/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/portage/">Portage </a>-- First-year coach Daniel Harkins fully understands the challenges facing his Warriors this winter as Portage looks to avoid the Badger Small cellar for the fourth year in a row. A former All-State performer who led Portage to the WIAA State Tournament in 2003, Harkins will attempt to establish a strong work ethic, a love for the game and skill development during the Warriors final season in the Badger before joining the Capitol Conference next year. Portage went 2-23 a year ago and lost four starters to graduation so the going might be rough in a league as good as the Badger Small. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='3287972' first='Liam' last='Gordon'] (5-10) will be a key player for the Warriors, who lack size, experience and a winning culture at this point. <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'], McFarland (21.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3559600' first='Graeson' last='Geiger'], Fort Atkinson (19.8 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140920' first='Garrett' last='Crull'], McFarland (19.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2452072' first='Drew' last='Christensen'], Edgewood (14.3 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2553682' first='Lincoln' last='Benish'], Reedsburg (14.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2433100' first='Alex' last='Chapman'], Mount Horeb (13.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2390204' first='Carter' last='Klopcic'], Fort Atkinson (13.3 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3022088' first='Lincoln' last='Ganser'], Sauk Prairie (11.3 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508305' first='Jaren' last='Vale'], Stoughton (11.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3020977' first='Kam' last='Meinholdt'], McFarland (10.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2423225' first='Braydon' last='Fischer'], McFarland (10.0 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='3559600' first='Graeson' last='Geiger'], 6-1, Sr., Fort Atkinson<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'], 6-10, Sr., McFarland<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140920' first='Garrett' last='Crull'], 6-5, Sr., McFarland<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2433100' first='Alex' last='Chapman'], 6-4, Sr., Mount Horeb<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508476' first='Oliver' last='Evans'], 6-9, Sr., Fort Atkinson<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2390204' first='Carter' last='Klopcic'], 6-3, Jr., Fort Atkinson<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2452072' first='Drew' last='Christensen'], 6-3, Sr., Edgewood<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2553682' first='Lincoln' last='Benish'], 6-2, Jr., Reedsburg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508305' first='Jaren' last='Vale'], 6-1, Sr., Stoughton<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2673454' first='Kaleb' last='Oeth'], 6-5, Jr., Edgewood<br><br><strong>The Big Five<br>Best Shooter</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='3020977' first='Kam' last='Meinholdt'], McFarland<br><strong>Best Rebounder:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'], McFarland<br><strong>Best Defender: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2433100' first='Alex' last='Chapman'], Mount Horeb<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'], McFarland<br><strong>Most Improved Player:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2906741' first='Braun' last='Meyer'], Sauk Prairie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->