Fox River Classic Preview 2026-27

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2025-26 Standings</strong><br><br>1. De Pere 16-2 (25-4); 2. Notre Dame 15-3 (21-7); 3. (tie) Bay Port 13-5 (18-7); 3. (tie) West DePere 13-5 (20-7); 5. Sheboygan North 11-7 (16-9); 6. Pulaski 7-11 (11-15); 7. Green Bay Preble 6-12 (10-15); 8. Manitowoc Lincoln 5-13 (9-16); 9. Ashwaubenon 4-18 (6-20); 10. Green Bay Southwest 0-18 (1-24)<br><br><strong>2026-27 Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/de-pere/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/de-pere/"> De Pere </a>-- When you've won five conference championships in a row and fashioned an 86-4 league mark during that time frame, you definitely have earned your stripes. So, once again, De Pere is the preseason favorite to capture yet another FRCC title. Coach Brian Winchester leads one of the state's elite programs, one with as much talent and depth as just about any other in Wisconsin, for the 20th time in 2026-27. Michigan Tech recruit [player_tooltip player_id='2502918' first='Will' last='Krueger'] (6-5) and NCAA Division I prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2618950' first='Silas' last='Cohen'] (6-3) are returning starters from a 25-4 squad. Krueger earned Player of the Year honors in the league after averaging 17.2 ppg and 5.0 rpg while Cohen contributed 9.5 ppg and 2.2 rpg and currently holds scholarship offers from Green Bay and Toledo. Rugged senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2392648' first='Kasen' last='Gregoire'] (6-4) and experienced juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2618953' first='Javon' last='Miller'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2842608' first='Kale' last='Graf'] (6-1) also return. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2400279' first='Will' last='Frelich'] (6-4), juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2828760' first='Tyson' last='Bookter'] (5-10) and [player_tooltip player_id='2618951' first='Xavier' last='Hansen'] (6-7), and perhaps sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2831250' first='Grant' last='Lawton'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2824625' first='Sawyer' last='Weerts'] (6-5) will also contend for playing time. <br><br>2. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/bay-port/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/bay-port/">Bay Port</a> -- With perhaps the top frontcourt player in the 10-team Fox River Classic Conference returning, Bay Port aims to again finish among the top teams in the league. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2824735' first='JT' last='Meyer'] (6-9) is a tough matchup for opponents due to his offensive versatility, size and physical strength. He averaged 12.0 ppg and 5.2 rpg as a junior and owns a NCAA Division II scholarship offer from Northern Michigan. Senior forwards [player_tooltip player_id='2852041' first='Hudson' last='Finlan'] (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='2852036' first='Kamden' last='Finlan'] (6-2) return and will compete for starting spots along with classmates [player_tooltip player_id='2404834' first='Carson' last='Roland'] (5-10), [player_tooltip player_id='2404384' first='Brody' last='Otradovec'] (6-2), [player_tooltip player_id='2405245' first='Griffin' last='Clusman'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='2404402' first='Hudson' last='Hudak'] (6-1). Depth is a big asset for coach Nate Rykal as newcomers from a 23-1 JV1 team look to break into the rotation. That group includes juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2828764' first='Traverse' last='Emery'] (6-2), [player_tooltip player_id='2828756' first='Braydon' last='Maney'] (6-1) and [player_tooltip player_id='2868755' first='Jake' last='Zelzer'] (6-3), along with talented sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2386506' first='Jackson' last='Rykal'] (5-11). Shooting, toughness, basketball IQ and depth are among the strengths listed by Rykal, now in his 22nd season as the Pirates' head coach. <br><br>3. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/west-de-pere/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/west-de-pere/">West DePere</a> -- Five proven players, an abundance of incoming talent from a JV1 team that went 18-5 and impressive athleticism characterize the roster at West DePere as coach Todd Deschane looks to keep the Phantoms among the elite teams in the Fox River Classic Conference. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140897' first='Carson' last='Samson'] (6-1), [player_tooltip player_id='2399057' first='Cooper' last='Borowicz'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2381929' first='Jack' last='Wilichowski'] (6-8) are returning starters from a 20-7 squad. Samson is a four-year varsity performer who runs the show as the Phantoms' point guard. He averaged 12.5 ppg and 5.3 rpg as a junior. Borowicz, a Northern Michigan football recruit, brings physicality, toughness and experience to the wing positions. He averaged 8.8 ppg and 4.6 rpg. And Wilichowski is one of the more improved frontline players in the league after averaging 11.9 ppg and 4.8 rpg last winter. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3022866' first='Sam' last='Schmidt'] (6-5) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='3465708' first='Payton' last='Woldt'] (6-1) also played big minutes for Deschane a year ago. <br><br>4. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/notre-dame/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/notre-dame/">Notre Dame</a> -- The outlook remains positive at Notre Dame, despite losing two key performers to graduation in Leo Weber (14.8 ppg) and Jack Warden (12.3 ppg). Coach Brian Bobinski guided the Tritons to a second-place finish in the league last winter and welcomes back one of the top duos in the league in senior twins [player_tooltip player_id='2140868' first='AJ' last='Hendricks'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140873' first='Austin' last='Hendricks'] (6-2). AJ led Notre Dame in rebounding (6.4 rpg) while also finishing second in scoring (15.6 ppg) while Austin topped the club in scoring (15.7 ppg) and finished as the lone underclassman on the all-FRCC Defensive Team. While the Hendricks twins supply stellar play on both ends of the court, Bobinski will have to find others to fill in around his two star performers. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3021526' first='Herbie' last='Haese'] (6-4) was the top reserve for the Tritons last winter and averaged 4.1 ppg. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3176164' first='Jonas' last='Berndt'] (6-0), [player_tooltip player_id='3021519' first='Jack' last='Whitehouse'] (6-0), [player_tooltip player_id='2553929' first='Aiden' last='Donart-Manty'] (5-11) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021521' first='Jonah' last='Marzec'] (5-10) will battle for playing time along with some promising juniors led by [player_tooltip player_id='2479908' first='David' last='Washington'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2828758' first='Beau' last='Chernick'] (6-1). <br><br>5.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/sheboygan-north/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/sheboygan-north/"> Sheboygan North</a> -- Replacing a pair of graduated double-figure scorers in Blake Buhr (16.0 ppg) and Parion Palmer (11.1 ppg) is a hurdle to overcome, but at the same time, the Golden Raiders also welcome back two double-figure scorers in juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2509483' first='Rylan' last='Buhr'] (14.8 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2619589' first='Nolan' last='Ten Pas'] (11.0 ppg). In addition to finishing second on the team in scoring, [player_tooltip player_id='2509483' first='Rylan' last='Buhr'] also finished second in rebounding at 5.4 rpg. His versatility, length and mobility are big assets while Ten Pas ranks among the top perimeter shooters in the FRCC. Coach Eric Worth anticipates senior [player_tooltip player_id='2417980' first='Samuel' last='Olsen'] (6-2) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2856277' first='Nehemiah' last='Steward'] (6-5) and [player_tooltip player_id='3175956' first='Parker' last='Schramm'] (6-4) to also be key players for the Golden Raiders. <br><br>6. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/pulaski/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/pulaski/">Pulaski </a>-- With first-team all-league performer [player_tooltip player_id='2444613' first='Bohdan' last='Schmidt'] (5-11) returning, coach John Polkowski's squad again looks to be highly competitive. Schmidt averaged 17.0 ppg and 3.3 rpg as a junior while helping Pulaski to an 11-15 record. He was joined in the starting rotation by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2444702' first='Noah' last='Mijal'] (5-11) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021844' first='Eli' last='Brancefield'] (6-1) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='3483869' first='Jax' last='Urben'] (5-11). Mijal averaged 8.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg, Brancefield contributed 5.9 ppg and 5.0 rpg, and Urben added 4.9 ppg and 2.5 rpg. Polkowski looks for juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3601876' first='Benjamin' last='Shaw'] (6-0), [player_tooltip player_id='3738000' first='Andre' last='Burnett'] (6-0), [player_tooltip player_id='3738002' first='Eli' last='Heuser'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='3483870' first='Alex' last='Omernik'] (6-0) to also be in the mix for a team that has strong guard play and team chemistry but lacks size. <br><br>7. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/green-bay-preble/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/green-bay-preble/">Green Bay Preble</a> -- The offseason turmoil surrounding the Preble program and dismissal of former coach Rick Rosinski made headlines in Green Bay last spring and summer. Now that the dust has settled somewhat, Rosinski finds himself in Shawano as the Hawks' new coach while Preble turned to former UW-Green Bay player Steve Baker to take over its program. Baker has some pieces to work with in 2026-27 as three underclassmen started a year ago on a 10-15 squad. They include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2399891' first='Nick' last='Howard'] (6-5), [player_tooltip player_id='2404872' first='Henry' last='Paplham'] (5-10) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020136' first='Will' last='Dornbush'] (6-1). Howard is the top returning scorer (10.1 ppg) and rebounder (4.9 rpg) for the Hornets, but both Paplham and Dornbush are capable scorers in their own right after averaging 8.0 ppg and 9.3 ppg, respectively. A couple of talented sophomores in [player_tooltip player_id='2852069' first='Sammie' last='Kinnard'] (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='2852112' first='Abrian' last='Allen'] (6-3) also could be key performers at Preble. <br><br>8. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/ashwaubenon/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/ashwaubenon/">Ashwaubenon</a> -- Four seniors with plenty of varsity experience form a solid core for coach DeVante Blanks at Ashwaubenon. [player_tooltip player_id='2472951' first='Seneca' last='Nooyen'] (6-4) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140990' first='Wesley' last='Denoble-Winkel'] (6-0) are returning regulars from a team that finished 6-20 with Nooyen averaging 5.8 ppg and 5.1 rpg and Denoble-Winkel adding 4.0 ppg. Classmates [player_tooltip player_id='2472956' first='Pierce' last='Nooyen'] (6-4) and [player_tooltip player_id='2335307' first='Carter' last='Dziatkewich'] (6-1) also played big roles in 2025-26 with Nooyen averaging 4.4 ppg and 2.3 rpg, and Dziatkewich contributing 6.0 ppg and 2.8 rpg. The Jaguars have a solid backcourt with Denoble-Winkel among the more improved players in the conference, and a pair of tough forwards in Seneca and [player_tooltip player_id='2472956' first='Pierce' last='Nooyen']. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='3601861' first='Asher' last='Abel'] (6-2) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2842551' first='Evan' last='Ehrfurth'] (5-11) also could be in the playing rotation for the Jaguars.<br><br>9. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/manitowoc-lincoln/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/manitowoc-lincoln/">Manitowoc Lincoln</a> -- Shane Evans has directed Manitowoc Lincoln to nine wins in each of his first two seasons as the Ships' head coach. Matching or surpassing that victory total is possible in 2026-27, but it will be difficult as all five starters from a year ago have graduated. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2381928' first='Colton' last='Thorison'] (6-6) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020857' first='Jaquan' last='Foth'] (6-0) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2853510' first='Bryce' last='Ducat'] (5-10) were key backups last winter and figure to move into the starting rotation for Evans, who lists chemistry, shooting and rim pressure as assets. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3641320' first='Caden' last='Baudhuin'] (6-0) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2854638' first='Ethan' last='Emmett'] (6-2) also return while a batch of promising juniors, led by forwards [player_tooltip player_id='2962008' first='Michael' last='Weathersby'] III (6-4) and [player_tooltip player_id='3829869' first='Caevyan' last='Simmons'] (6-6), could also be in the mix for Manitowoc Lincoln. <br><br>10. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/green-bay-southwest/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/green-bay-southwest/">Green Bay Southwest </a>-- A three-year conference losing skid that has soared to 54 contests is hanging over the heads, to some degree, of the players in the Green Bay Southwest program. But with a new coach in Mario Charles and some returning experience, things are starting to look up a bit for the Trojans. Charles looks for seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020149' first='Traevaughn' last='Weaver'] (6-1), [player_tooltip player_id='2980101' first='DeBron' last='Danforth'] (5-7) and [player_tooltip player_id='2416676' first='Raylon' last='Baird'] (6-0) to provide solid leadership as the top returning players for the Trojans. Weaver and Danforth started last winter while Baird was one of the first players to get into the game off the bench. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020159' first='Alex' last='Broder'] (5-11) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020160' first='Cade' last='Cottrell'] (6-3) earned some minutes as sophomores while sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2625207' first='Jaxston' last='Tidwell'] (5-8) looks to compete for playing time in the Southwest backcourt. Charles looks for energy, effort and commitment to improving as strengths for the upcoming campaign.<br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2502918' first='Will' last='Krueger'], De Pere (17.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2444613' first='Bohdan' last='Schmidt'], Pulaski (17.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140873' first='Austin' last='Hendricks'], Notre Dame (15.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140868' first='AJ' last='Hendricks'], Notre Dame (15.6 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2509483' first='Rylan' last='Buhr'], Sheboygan North (14.8 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140897' first='Carson' last='Samson'], West DePere (12.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2824735' first='JT' last='Meyer'], Bay Port (12.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381929' first='Jack' last='Wilichowski'], West DePere (11.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2619589' first='Nolan' last='Ten Pas'], Sheboygan North (11.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2399891' first='Nick' last='Howard'], Green Bay Preble (10.1 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2824735' first='JT' last='Meyer'], 6-9, Sr., Bay Port<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2502918' first='Will' last='Krueger'], 6-5, Sr., De Pere<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2618950' first='Silas' last='Cohen'], 6-3, Jr., De Pere<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140873' first='Austin' last='Hendricks'], 6-2, Sr., Notre Dame<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2509483' first='Rylan' last='Buhr'], 6-5, Jr., Sheboygan North<br><strong><br>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2852036' first='Kamden' last='Finlan'], 6-2, Sr., Bay Port<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2399891' first='Nick' last='Howard'], 6-5, Sr., Green Bay Preble<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140868' first='AJ' last='Hendricks'], 6-3, Sr., Notre Dame<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2444613' first='Bohdan' last='Schmidt'], 5-11, Sr., Pulaski<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140897' first='Carson' last='Samson'], 6-1, Sr., West DePere<br><br><strong>The Big Five<br>Top Shooter</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='2502918' first='Will' last='Krueger'], De Pere<br><strong>Top Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2140873' first='Austin' last='Hendricks'], Notre Dame<br><strong>Top Rebounder:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2824735' first='JT' last='Meyer'], Bay Port<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2618950' first='Silas' last='Cohen'], De Pere<br><strong>Most Improved:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2381929' first='Jack' last='Wilichowski'], West DePere</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->