Middle Border Preview 2026-27

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2025-26 Standings</strong><br><br>1. (tie) St. Croix Central 10-4 (19-10); 1. (tie) Prescott 10-4 (18-8); 1. (tie) Osceola 10-4 (21-6); 4. Altoona 9-5 (18-8); 5. Ellsworth 8-6 (16-10); 6. Amery 5-9 (14-12); 7. (tie) Baldwin-Woodville 2-12 (5-20); 7. (tie) Somerset 2-12 (9-16)<br><strong><br>2026-27 Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/altoona/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/altoona/">Altoona</a> -- With seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140924' first='Graysen' last='Becker'] (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='2405970' first='Owen' last='Gunderson'] (6-1) back in the Railroaders' backcourt, Altoona enters the season as the pick to win the always-competitive Middle Border Conference title. Becker, a NCAA Division II recruit for Angelo State, averaged 25.7 ppg and 4.3 rpg as a junior and begins his senior season with 1,384 career points. Gunderson, a South Dakota State football recruit, is an excellent perimeter shooter who averaged 20.1 ppg and 4.7 rpg last winter. He has scored 1,222 career points. The experience, toughness, leadership and overall ability of Becker and Gunderson sets Altoona apart from others in the league, but coach Paul Henrichs also welcomes back other key performers, including senior starter [player_tooltip player_id='2827831' first='Connor' last='Gower'] (6-2), junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='3018839' first='Travaires' last='Conner'] (6-2) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2369875' first='Jacob' last='Kelbel'] (5-10). Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3880942' first='Ivan' last='Sun'] (6-5) and freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='2369876' first='Jaxon' last='Kelbel'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='3667919' first='Brennan' last='Henrichs'] (5-11) could also be in the mix for the Railroaders. <br><br>2. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/amery/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/amery/">Amery </a>-- Do yourself a favor and go and watch Amery play a basketball game this winter. You will come to appreciate the toughness, overall strong play and production of senior [player_tooltip player_id='2143926' first='Keaton' last='Wollan'] (6-4), a rugged forward and University of Wisconsin football recruit who averaged 26.2 points and 10.4 rebounds as a junior. Wollan begins his final go around as a high school basketball player with 1,684 career points and is one of three returning starters for coach Tom Mackey along with senior [player_tooltip player_id='3018844' first='Wyatt' last='Hanson'] (6-4) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2614884' first='Regan' last='Granica'] (5-10). Hanson averaged 15.2 ppg and 5.9 rpg while Granica contributed 9.9 ppg and 3.7 rpg as the Warriors finished 14-12. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='3018842' first='Alex' last='Siebenaler'] (5-10) is hoping for a successful return to the hardwood after missing last season with an injury. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3018847' first='Colton' last='Waterman'] (6-1) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2614883' first='Matthew' last='Danielson'] (6-5) figure to contend for starting roles after being top reserves for Amery in 2025-26. <br><br>3. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/prescott/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/prescott/">Prescott </a>-- Nick Johnson starts his 16th season as the head coach at Prescott with 302 wins and just 81 setbacks. Additional success might be forthcoming as the Cardinals have some size and physical strength on the roster. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2809649' first='Emmett' last='Otto'] (6-1) is the lone returning starter and he averaged 12.0 ppg and 5.2 rpg as a junior on a team that went 18-8. Prescott also welcomes back three seniors who played off the bench last winter in [player_tooltip player_id='2860166' first='Gavin' last='Peters'] (6-6), [player_tooltip player_id='2140919' first='Gabe' last='Turner'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='3021830' first='Brody' last='Ripley'] (6-3). Also in the mix for Johnson and the Caredinals in 2026-27 are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3021826' first='Wyatt' last='Budworth'] (5-10) and [player_tooltip player_id='3620691' first='Griff' last='Westberg'] (5-10) along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3620687' first='Elazar' last='Haas'] (6-0). <br><br>4. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/somerset/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/somerset/">Somerset</a> -- The Spartans look to take a big jump upward in the Middle Border Conference standings thanks to the return of four starters and three double-figure scorers from a 9-16 squad. Coach Troy Wink will count heavily on seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2429607' first='Kellen' last='Donnelly'] (6-2), [player_tooltip player_id='2429613' first='Rece' last='Anderson'] (6-2), [player_tooltip player_id='2429610' first='Nick' last='Carufel'] (6-4) and [player_tooltip player_id='2429611' first='Logan' last='Kinde'] (6-3). Donnelly led Somerset in scoring (18.7 ppg) and rebounding (5.9 rpg) as a junior, followed by Anderson at 14.9 ppg, Carufel at 10.4 ppg and Kinde at 3.7 ppg. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2868011' first='Cooper' last='Gullickson'] (5-10) is a top candidate to move into the Spartans' starting lineup after he averaged 7.0 ppg and 3.0 rpg off the bench. Other returning players include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2868018' first='Owen' last='Kazle'] (6-6), [player_tooltip player_id='3022238' first='Sawyer' last='Owen'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='3250819' first='Cash' last='Kraft'] (6-0). Wink lists experience and depth as the Spartans' main strengths while consistency is the biggest concern entering the 2026-27 campaign.<br><br>5.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/baldwin-woodville/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/baldwin-woodville/"> Baldwin-Woodville </a>-- Led by one of the top young players in northwestern Wisconsin in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2885130' first='Luke' last='Janke'] (6-1), Baldwin-Woodville is looking to better a 5-20 finish. First-year coach Noah Kearney will count on the skill level and overall ability of Janke, who averaged 12.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg as a freshman. Janke, senior [player_tooltip player_id='2837731' first='Joe' last='Jensen'] (6-1) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='3018970' first='JT' last='Dachel'] (5-8) are returning starters for the Blackhawks. Jensen finished second on the team in scoring at 11.6 ppg while Dachel added 7.6 ppg and 3.1 rpg. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3018967' first='Aidan' last='Foster'] (6-2) will contend for a starting spot along with three sophomores in [player_tooltip player_id='3493111' first='Landyn' last='Kuske'] (6-0), [player_tooltip player_id='3018966' first='Gabe' last='Arcand-Danielson'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='2828837' first='Colten' last='Winkler'] (6-3). Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='3731402' first='Bennet' last='Logterman'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='3731403' first='Gabe' last='Kusilek'] (6-5) also could be in the playing rotation for the Blackhawks.<br><br>6. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/st-croix-central/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/st-croix-central/">St. Croix Central</a> -- Four starters from last year's tri-conference championship squad graduated, leaving coach Matt Bailey with a lack of proven scoring punch. The two most experienced back for the Panthers include senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2409155' first='Aaron' last='Siler'] (6-0) and junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2820491' first='Braden' last='Pierce'] (6-1). Both played big minutes a year ago while helping St. Croix Central to a 19-10 record. Siler averaged 7.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 3.5 apg while Pierce contributed 6.7 ppg and 2.8 rpg. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='3022342' first='Joe' last='Pettit'] (6-1) and seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2419450' first='Will' last='Traynor'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='3135625' first='Jayson' last='Dreher'] (6-3) also return and look for bigger roles in 2026-27. Top players off a successful JV1 squad include juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3135631' first='Dane' last='Gottfredsen'] (6-2), [player_tooltip player_id='3022343' first='Blake' last='Host'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='3135628' first='Aidan' last='Johnson'] (5-9) along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3564905' first='Owen' last='Matzek'] (5-10). <br><br>7. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/osceola/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/osceola/">Osceola</a> -- Experience, depth and perimeter play are among the concerns of coach Tyler Olson, who has guided Osceola to the past four Middle Border Conference championships. The five starters from a year ago all graduated so last year's backups will need to take a major step forward. Among those competing for starting positions for the Chieftains are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2860051' first='Aiden' last='Anderson'] (6-0), [player_tooltip player_id='2862251' first='Brody' last='Mayer'] (6-4), [player_tooltip player_id='2868009' first='Hunter' last='Giebel'] (6-1), [player_tooltip player_id='2861851' first='Gage' last='Gruender'] (6-6), [player_tooltip player_id='2861921' first='Cooper' last='Steffen'] (6-0) and [player_tooltip player_id='2861854' first='Cole' last='Lund'] (6-2). Junior [player_tooltip player_id='3694673' first='Reid' last='Ohman'] (6-5) also returns after averaging 3.7 ppg and 3.5 rpg as a sophomore. Although Osceola may not win its fifth straight league crown, the Chieftains figure to get better as the season progresses as the players in the program get up to speed with the speed and physicality at the varsity level. <br><br>8. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wi/ellsworth/" data-type="link" data-id="prephoops.com/team/wi/ellsworth/">Ellsworth</a> -- Losing five starters and four double-figure scorers to graduation means Ellsworth has a bit of a rebuild on its hands for the 2026-27 season. Coach Derek Staley led the Panthers to a 16-10 mark last winter and does bring back two experienced players in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2419448' first='Spencer' last='Peterson'] (6-1) and [player_tooltip player_id='2417755' first='Jacob' last='Michels'] (5-11). Both played substantial minutes in reserve roles as juniors and both will need to provide leadership for a young squad that includes a couple of promising young players in freshman [player_tooltip player_id='3880926' first='Ashton' last='Langer'] (6-4) and sophomore Bentley McHardy (6-1). Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3369179' first='Adolfo' last='Perez-Mendez'] (5-10), [player_tooltip player_id='3368936' first='Ethan' last='Moe'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='3019894' first='Gavin' last='Wittenberg'] (6-0) could also work their way into the mix for Ellsworth. <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2143926' first='Keaton' last='Wollan'], Amery (26.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140924' first='Graysen' last='Becker'], Altoona (25.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2405970' first='Owen' last='Gunderson'], Altoona (20.1 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2429607' first='Kellen' last='Donnelly'], Somerset (18.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3018844' first='Wyatt' last='Hanson'], Amery (15.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2429613' first='Rece' last='Anderson'], Somerset (14.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2885130' first='Luke' last='Janke'], Baldwin-Woodville (12.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2809649' first='Emmett' last='Otto'], Prescott (12.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2837731' first='Joe' last='Jensen'], Baldwin-Woodville (11.6 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2429610' first='Nick' last='Carufel'], Somerset (10.4 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140924' first='Graysen' last='Becker'], 6-2, Sr., Altoona<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2405970' first='Owen' last='Gunderson'], 6-0, Sr., Altoona<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2143926' first='Keaton' last='Wollan'], 6-4, Sr., Amery<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2809649' first='Emmett' last='Otto'], 6-1, Sr., Prescott<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2429607' first='Kellen' last='Donnelly'], 6-2, Sr., Somerset<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2885130' first='Luke' last='Janke'], 6-1, Soph., Baldwin-Woodville<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2409155' first='Aaron' last='Siler'], 6-0, Sr., St. Croix Central<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2429613' first='Rece' last='Anderson'], 6-2, Sr., Somerset<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2369875' first='Jacob' last='Kelbel'], 5-11, Soph., Altoona<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3018844' first='Wyatt' last='Hanson'], 6-4, Sr., Amery<br><br><strong>The Big Five<br>Top Shooter: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2405970' first='Owen' last='Gunderson'], Altoona<br><strong>Top Defender: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2429607' first='Kellen' last='Donnelly'], Somerset<br><strong>Top Rebounder:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2143926' first='Keaton' last='Wollan'], Amery<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2140924' first='Graysen' last='Becker'], Altoona<br><strong>Most Improved:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2860166' first='Gavin' last='Peters'], Prescott</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->