Independents Preview 2026-27

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2025-26 Records</strong><br><br>Lake Country Classical 9-16<br>Milwaukee Academy of Science 12-15<br>Saint Ambrose Academy 20-7<br>Saint Lawrence Seminary 8-13<br>Salam 3-21<br>Stockbridge 7-17<br>Superior 18-6<br><br><strong>2026-27 Previews</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/lake-country-classical/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/lake-country-classical/">Lake Country Classical </a>-- The Sentinels have a new coach in Dave Pazurek and look to replace their top three scorers of a year ago, all lost to graduation. The public charter school located in Oconomowoc will turn to two returning starters to lead the way in 2026-27 as seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2958858' first='Alec' last='Welch'] (6-4) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020623' first='Eli' last='Horn'] (6-2) give Lake Country Classical a solid core to build around. Welch averaged 6.7 points and 5.3 rebounds while Horn added 5.7 ppg and 4.1 rpg as the Sentinels finished 9-16. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3020625' first='Alex' last='Schultz'] (6-2) was the top reserve last winter and figures to move into the starting rotation after averaging 4.3 ppg and 3.2 rpg. Other returning players include juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020624' first='Sam' last='Pazurek'] (6-1) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020628' first='Jonathan' last='Ratcliffe'] (6-1) along with sophomore Rowan Dalbke. <br><br><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/milwaukee-academy-of-science/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/milwaukee-academy-of-science/">Milwaukee Academy of Science</a> -- Despite losing four starters, Milwaukee Academy of Science figures to rebound from a down season a year ago when the 2025 WIAA Division 3 state champions went 12-15. Coach Raymont McElory boasts some of the top freshmen talent in Wisconsin to go along with a few key returning players, including potential all-state forward [player_tooltip player_id='3218220' first='D'Anthony' last='Brown'], a physical 6-foot-7 senior who averaged 16.4 ppg and 13.2 rpg as a junior. With Brown providing toughness and leadership in the paint for the many young players in the MAS program, the Novas figure to be one of the better teams in Division 3 this winter. Freshmen Sehldon Yarbrough (6-7), [player_tooltip player_id='3623866' first='Jorryl' last='Robinson'] (6-4), Tyi'Zire Briley-Carter (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='2893550' first='Michael' last='Grzesk'] (6-1) all come into the MAS program with extensive club experience and rank among the top 2030 prospects in Wisconsin. All four figure to contend for big minutes. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2539267' first='Bentley' last='Fowlkes'] (6-4), a transfer from Pius XI Catholic, and Romir Hunter (6-3) could also figure into the mix. Senior Jakai Terrill (6-0) and sophomore Quevon Clinton (6-0) earned playing time a year ago and also will contend for spots in the loaded Novas' rotation.<br><br><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/st-ambrose-academy/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/st-ambrose-academy/">Saint Ambrose Academy</a> -- The Madison Catholic school had a huge season last winter, finishing 20-7 a year after a 3-22 finish. Coach Chris Zwettler begins his fourth year at Saint Ambrose needing 15 wins to reach 600 for his long coaching career. He might get it this winter as well as the Guardians bring back four starters in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2628169' first='Michael' last='Schmiesing'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2957667' first='Damien' last='Hebert'] (6-2) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2957668' first='Adam' last='Sturm'] (5-8) and [player_tooltip player_id='2972295' first='Isaac' last='Moreland'] (6-0). All four are capable scorers and averaged between 9.7 ppg and 12.0 ppg. Other returning players include senior [player_tooltip player_id='3022311' first='Augustine' last='Matenaer'] (6-0), juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3142085' first='Grayson' last='Sabbarese'] (6-1) and [player_tooltip player_id='3142093' first='Luke' last='Schumacher'] (6-2), and sophomore Anthony Pietrzkowski (5-11). Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3142090' first='Evan' last='Anthony'] (6-1) and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3142088' first='Blaise' last='Hebert'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022310' first='Jonathan' last='Simon'] (6-0) could also work their way into the rotation for the Guardians. <br><br><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/st-lawrence-seminary/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/st-lawrence-seminary/">Saint Lawrence Seminary</a> -- As usual, the Hilltoppers lack size. But they do bring back plenty of experience from a club that finished 8-13. Fifth-year coach Quan Nguyen welcomes back two starters in seniors Zacahry Kucharski (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022378' first='Alex' last='Garcia'] (5-9). Kucharski averaged 8.0 ppg and 4.2 rpg while Garcia contributed 7.6 ppg and 3.9 rpg. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3022377' first='Tam' last='Tran'] (5-9) and [player_tooltip player_id='3357423' first='Alex' last='Sanchez Mendoza'] (5-11) earned big minutes off the bench for Saint Lawrence Seminary and averaged 3.2 ppg and 8.0 ppg, respectively. Other returning players include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3174401' first='Jeremy' last='Galan'] (5-7) and [player_tooltip player_id='3174409' first='Giap' last='Vuong'] (5-7) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='3174395' first='Yubal' last='Vazquez Cenil'] (6-3). Junior Alan Grajales Vazquez (5-9), the top scorer on last year's JV1 team, could be in the mix as well as the Hilltoppers rely on defensive intensity to overcome a lack of size. <br><br><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/salam/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/salam/">Salam</a> -- The Stars, once again, will rely heavily on the scoring ability of senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2736852' first='Mohammad' last='Badwan']. The muscular and versatile Badwan poured in 34.1 ppg as a junior while also coming down with 11.8 rpg. His productivity will be crucial for coach Abadallah Badwan and the Stars. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2632659' first='Oday' last='Alqam'] (6-2) looks to support his teammate after averaging 10.3 ppg and 5.5 rpg last winter. Salam also welcomes back a pair of juniors in [player_tooltip player_id='3219951' first='Asrar' last='Anwar'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='3219950' first='Mazen' last='Otallah'] (5-9) along with sophomore Hamza Saffullah (5-7), who averaged 3.7 ppg as a freshman. Salam finished 3-21 a year ago, but the Stars figures to be improved this time around with plenty of returning experience and talent. <br><br><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/stockbridge/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/stockbridge/">Stockbridge</a> -- After capturing seven victories last winter, the Indians look to match or surpass that total this time around as three starters are back for sixth-year coach Chris Moehn. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3022437' first='Griffin' last='Karls'] (6-0), [player_tooltip player_id='3022425' first='Owen' last='Olson'] (5-9) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022434' first='Carter' last='Strebe'] (5-11) provide a strong nucleus for Stockbridge with Karls averaging 11.9 ppg, Olson 8.2 ppg and Strebe 6.0 ppg in 2025-26. Also returning are sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3441485' first='Grant' last='Karls'] (5-10), who came off the bench to net 7.7 ppg, and senior [player_tooltip player_id='3022435' first='Trenton' last='Hegewald'] (5-9). Others who could factor into the playing rotation for the small but quick Indians include sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3704736' first='Parker' last='Spreeman'] (5-10) and freshman Trevan Menzel. <br><br><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/superior/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/superior/">Superior</a> -- The Spartans compete as the lone Wisconsin representative in the Lake Superior Conference and their chances for a big season took a major hit over the summer when junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2860484' first='Beckum' last='Lull'] (6-1) suffered a knee injury while playing club basketball. Lull averaged 10.0 ppg and 3.1 rpg as a sophomore starter for the Spartans, who finished 18-7 under coach Kory Deadrick. Deadrick will count on senior [player_tooltip player_id='2852262' first='Reid' last='Charles'] (6-0) and sophomore Cooper Lebard (6-0) to lead a very young team that boasts strong guard play, but lacks size up front. Deadrick and Lebard both started a year ago and averaged 6.8 ppg and 5.6 ppg, respectively. Talented freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='2859892' first='Nate' last='Schultz'] (6-0) and Kam Taylor (6-2) could be in the mix for the Spartans as well. <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2736852' first='Mohammad' last='Badwan'], Salam (34.1 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3218220' first='D'Anthony' last='Brown'], Milwaukee Academy of Science (16.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2972295' first='Isaac' last='Moreland'], Saint Ambrose (12.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3022437' first='Griffin' last='Karls'], Stockbridge (11.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2632659' first='Oday' last='Alqam'], Salam (10.3 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2957667' first='Damien' last='Hebert'], Saint Ambrose (10.3 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2628169' first='Michael' last='Schmiesing'], Saint Ambrose (10.1 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2860484' first='Beckum' last='Lull'], Superior (10.0 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->