Big East North Preview 2026-27

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025-26 Final Standings</strong><br><br>1. Reedsville 10-2 (28-3); 2. (tie) Howards Grove 9-3 (21-7); 2. (tie) St. Mary Catholic 9-3 (17-9); 4. Manitowoc Lutheran 8-4 (18-8); 5. (tie) Hilbert 3-9 (13-13); 5. (tie) Elkhart Lake 3-9 (18-10); 7. Mishicot 0-12 (5-20).<br><br><strong>2026-27 Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/howards-grove/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/howards-grove/">Howards Grove</a> -- Despite finishing a game out of first place in 2025-26, Howards Grove remains the standard in the Big East North and the Tigers look to regain their spot on top of the league standings behind a veteran team loaded with athleticism, desire, quickness and scoring punch. Leading the way for coach Wade Georgeff's 11th team at the school is talented senior [player_tooltip player_id='2417144' first='Trace' last='Damrow'] (6-5), who averaged 19.6 points and 8.5 rebounds while helping the Tigers to a 21-7 record last season. Damrow can play on the perimeter or in the post and is relentless on the offensive glass. Sharpshooting senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='3020323' first='Harry' last='Schroeder'] (5-11) averaged 15.0 ppg while physical forward [player_tooltip player_id='2920427' first='McCoy' last='Milbrath'] (6-1) contributed 10.1 ppg and 7.3 rpg. Quick and sure-handed senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='3020320' first='Reid' last='Vandoske'] (5-8) also returns while the Tigers welcome some talented newcomers, including Georgeff's twins, freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='3630519' first='Jordan' last='Georgeff'] (5-11) and [player_tooltip player_id='3630520' first='Oliver' last='Georgeff'] (5-9). <br><br>2. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/st-mary-catholic/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/st-mary-catholic/">St. Mary Catholic</a> -- Four starters, five key reserves and a couple newcomers from a 17-4 JV1 squad comprise the majority of the roster for a talented squad at St. Mary Catholic. Sharpshooting junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2381627' first='Dylan' last='Brenn'] (6-6), who made 46 percent of his three-point attempts last winter (50 of 109), headlines the list of players back from a 17-9 squad. Brenn averaged 13.9 points and 5.1 rebounds and started alongside four-year varsity performer [player_tooltip player_id='2508290' first='Luke' last='Fairweather'] (6-0), athletic wing [player_tooltip player_id='2920553' first='Tarver' last='Trinkner'] (6-1) and productive big man [player_tooltip player_id='3022387' first='Max' last='Vosters'] (6-3). Fairweather is the Zephyrs' intelligent point guard and a very good on-ball defender. He averaged 11.7 ppg and 6.4 apg as a junior. Trinkner contributed 9.5 ppg and 2.2 rpg while Vosters used his physicality and soft shooting touch to contribute 9.0 ppg and 6.2 rpg. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3022389' first='Alex' last='Klinkhammer'] (6-2), juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2346902' first='Gavin' last='Beck'] (5-10), [player_tooltip player_id='3022391' first='George' last='Voss'] (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='2381631' first='Bryce' last='Heimann'] (5-10), along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2884280' first='Caleb' last='Vogel'] (6-2), also return for coach Paul Bradshaw's squad.<br><br>3. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/elkhart-lake-glenbeulah/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/elkhart-lake-glenbeulah/">Elkhart Lake</a> -- The Resorters piled up 18 wins a year ago and figure to match or possibly even surpass that total in 2026-27 as coach Mike Koehler has three starters back while also adding one of the top class of 2030 prospects in the state to his lineup. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3019868' first='Soren' last='Holzwart'] (5-10), junior [player_tooltip player_id='2613973' first='Brayden' last='Smith'] (6-1) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3068967' first='Evan' last='Conrad'] (6-2) are the returning regulars for Elkhart Lake. Smith led the team in scoring at 21.0 ppg and also made 110 of 240 shots from three-point range for 46 percent. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='3717609' first='Brighton' last='Webb'] (6-5) opted to open enroll to Elkhart Lake from Plymouth and has proven in showcases and on the club circuit he belongs in the discussion as one of the premier players in the state's frosh class. Webb's size, athleticism and versatility will be huge assets for the Resorters, who also welcome back reserves [player_tooltip player_id='3187322' first='Mason' last='Chapman'] (6-0) and Gage Klapperich (5-11). <br><br>4. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/manitowoc-lutheran/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/manitowoc-lutheran/">Manitowoc Lutheran</a> -- Rookie head coach Brandon Ott steps into a program that must replace five starters from an 18-8 squad, but one that also had JV1 and JV2 teams that finished a combined 42-4. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2854730' first='Aaden' last='Krause'] (5-11) is the top returning player for the Lancers as he came off the bench to average 8.8 ppg as a sophomore. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3101774' first='Chase' last='Fischer'] (6-4) also earned substantial playing time and looks to better his averages of 2.9 ppg and 2.9 rpg. Newcomers who will contend for significant action include juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3660965' first='Charlie' last='Berg'] (6-0) and Landon Hackman (6-4) along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3594516' first='Ethan' last='Brooks'] (5-9). Size and physicality are assets for Manitowoc Lutheran and consistent shooting and experience are question marks. <br><br>5. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/reedsville/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/reedsville/">Reedsville</a> -- The Panthers successfully climbed to the summit last season, winning the Big East North title and the WIAA Division 5 state championship. Four starters from that 28-3 squad graduated last spring, leaving coach Ron Prochnow with a bit of an untested lineup and one that certainly will need increased production from those that did see some playing time a year ago. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2613974' first='Zach' last='Prochnow'] (6-0) is the lone returning starter for the Panthers and he averaged just 3.8 ppg as a sophomore. Four others who saw action off the bench also return in senior [player_tooltip player_id='3021919' first='Connor' last='McDonald'] (6-0) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2615524' first='Braylon' last='DeCleene'] (5-11), [player_tooltip player_id='3021922' first='Kenson' last='Zipperer'] (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021917' first='Landon' last='Maertz'] (6-0). Finishing in the top three in league play for the sixth straight season might be too much to ask, but Reedsville could surprise as the Panthers always come prepared to battle from opening tip until final buzzer.<br><br>6. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/mishicot/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/mishicot/">Mishicot</a> -- This seems to be the time for Mishicot to end an unsightly 58-game losing streak within the Big East Conference. The Indians won five games a year ago, but none in league play. In fact, you have to go back to the 2021-22 season to find the last time Mishicot won a Big East contest. Coach Randy Wiebensohn hopes to change that narrative in 2026-27 and he has a talented roster to potentially end that nasty streak. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2387144' first='Bradley' last='Wendricks'] (6-1) is one of the better players in the league. The athletic and versatile wing averaged 16.5 points and 5.0 rebounds as a sophomore for Mishicot and earned second-team all-league honors. Three additional starters return in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2842644' first='Brady' last='Ledvina'] (6-2) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3021225' first='Brylee' last='Garcia'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2386784' first='Michael' last='Wendricks'] (5-10). Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='3021221' first='Quinn' last='Sand'] (6-2) is also back for the Indians, who open league play with difficult contests against Howards Grove (Dec. 4), St. Mary Catholic (Dec. 11) and Elkhart Lake (Dec. 18).<br><br>7. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/hilbert/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/hilbert/">Hilbert </a>-- Hilbert won 13 games last winter and returns three starters, but the Wolves are still projected to finish in the cellar in the Big East North. That's either a dumb prediction or an indication of how deep and talented the seven-team loop will be in the 2026-27 season. Connor Kuhn begins his third year as head coach at Hilbert looking for leadership and increased production from seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020247' first='Ezra' last='Sevela'] (5-10), [player_tooltip player_id='3020254' first='Cashtan' last='Konen'] (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020245' first='Jack' last='Pakala'] (6-3). That trio accounted for a combined 16 ppg and 11 rpg and will form the core of the Wolves' squad. Promising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2388567' first='Kendrix' last='Grenzer'] (6-2), who averaged 6.0 ppg off the bench, figures to contend for a starting spot along with senior [player_tooltip player_id='3020246' first='Luis' last='Pena'] (6-0), junior [player_tooltip player_id='3020255' first='Roberto' last='Nolasco'] (5-11) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2388303' first='Tyson' last='Wesener'] (6-4).<br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2613973' first='Brayden' last='Smith'], Elkhart Lake (21.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2417144' first='Trace' last='Damrow'], Howards Grove (19.6 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2387144' first='Bradley' last='Wendricks'], Mishicot (16.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3020323' first='Harry' last='Schroeder'], Howards Grove (15.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381627' first='Dylan' last='Brenn'], St. Mary Catholic (13.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508290' first='Luke' last='Fairweather'], St. Mary Catholic (11.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2920427' first='McCoy' last='Milbrath'], Howards Grove (10.1 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2417144' first='Trace' last='Damrow'], 6-5, Sr., Howards Grove<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2387144' first='Bradley' last='Wendricks'], 6-1, Jr., Mishicot<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381627' first='Dylan' last='Brenn'], 6-6, Jr., St. Mary Catholic<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3717609' first='Brighton' last='Webb'], 6-5, Frosh., Elkhart Lake<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2613973' first='Brayden' last='Smith'], 6-1, Jr., Elkhart Lake<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='3020323' first='Harry' last='Schroeder'], 5-11, Sr., Howards Grove<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2920427' first='McCoy' last='Milbrath'], 6-1, Sr., Howards Grove<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508290' first='Luke' last='Fairweather'], 6-0, Sr., St. Mary Catholic<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3020245' first='Jack' last='Pakala'], 6-3, Sr., Hilbert<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2854730' first='Aaden' last='Krause'], 5-11, Jr., Manitowoc Lutheran<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><strong>Top Shooter: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2613973' first='Brayden' last='Smith'], Elkhart Lake<br><strong>Top Rebounder</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='2417144' first='Trace' last='Damrow'], Howards Grove<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2508290' first='Luke' last='Fairweather'], St. Mary Catholic<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='3717609' first='Brighton' last='Webb'], Elkhart Lake<br><strong>Most Improved:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2387144' first='Bradley' last='Wendricks'], Mishicot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->