Five Teams Who Will Be Better Than Expected in 2021-22

Evan Flood

November 10, 2021 @ 08:26 PM

This team certainly has taken some hits while playing in a loaded Fox Valley Association over the last two years, but the Lightning’s 9-9 league record was nothing to scoff at. North won also seven more games than the year prior and now return eight of their top nine scorers, including Valparaiso commit Maximus Nelson Maximus Nelson 6'7" | PF Appleton North | 2022 State #236 Nation WI .

The Lightning will have good guard play from junior Trent Mullens and senior Brock Donaldson Brock Donaldson 6'3" | SF Appleton North | 2022 State WI . North will also get one of the state’s top freshmen in Sean Hansen Sean Hansen 5'11" | PG Appleton North | 2025 WI .

While they may not be considered one of the top three contenders in the FVA, keep in mind that North was 5-2 outside of conference play last season, including a huge win over Ashwaubenon.

Bay Port

2020-21 Record: 15-7

WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to De Pere in the Regional Finals

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Everyone believes it’s a two-team battle in the Fox River Classic between Ashwaubenon and De Pere, and that may be the case, but Bay Port is capable of playing spoiler.

The Pirates do lose last season’s leading scorer Gunnar DeCleene, but it’s going to pave the way for junior guard A.J. Lieuwen A.J. Lieuwen 6'0" | CG Bay Port | 2023 State WI , who had one of the best summers in the entire state. Senior center Nate Forystek Nate Forystek 6'7" | PF Bay Port | 2022 State WI is also back and gives Bay Port a huge weapon to control the paint on both ends. Junior Vincent Vandervest Vincent Vandervest 6'4" | SF Bay Port | 2023 State WI is also getting better in a hurry and should be drastically improved.

The Pirates were competitive in their last two games against De Pere in 2020-21 and also split the season series with Ashwaubenon.

Franklin

2020-21 Record: 22-6

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WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Wauwatosa East in the Sectional Finals

Not a lot of household names on this roster, but Franklin hasn’t lost its identity. This is still a blue-collar, bring your lunch pail and hard hat program and their players still carry that identity from what we’ve seen.

The Sabers will have to replace six of their top seven scorers, including Carter Capstran. However, this group was really tough to beat in the Brookfield Central fall league and Franklin had a number of key players still tied up in football.

Look for junior guard Will Gardner Will Gardner 6'2" | CG Franklin | 2023 State WI to emerge as the leader. The 6-foot-2 guard is a guy that does a little bit of everything and provides a steady leadership presence. Sophomore guard Eli Podoll Eli Podoll 6'1" | PG Franklin | 2024 State WI didn’t play varsity last season, but appears poised to be in the starting lineup and help this team rebuild.

Madison La Follette

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2020-21 Record: N/A

WIAA Playoff Finish: N/A

The Lancers didn’t have a season in 2020-21 due to the pandemic. You can beat this group is eagerly awaiting their chance to get back on the floor.

Head coach Curtrel Robinson knows how to coach guards and he’s got a lot of them to work with. Junior Arhman Lewis Arhman Lewis 5'9" | PG Madiosn Laffollette | 2023 State WI and sophomore Quinton Lomack Quinton Lomack 6'1" | CG Madison La Follette | 2024 WI give the Lancers a dynamic pair in the backcourt. Add in seniors K’shawn Gibbs K’shawn Gibbs 6'1" | SG Madison La Follette | 2022 State WI and Cameron Yahnke and you’ve got another La Follette squad that can play small, pressure for 94 feet with organized chaos, and run people out of the gym.

Sussex Hamilton

2020-21 Record: 14-11

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WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Arrowhead in the Regional Finals

Tanner Resch and Patrick Baldwin Jr. are impossible to replace — although the Chargers played all but two games without Baldwin last season. However, Hamilton is playing some really good ball in the off-season and it needs to be recognized.

The Chargers have a go-to scorer in junior guard Luther Smith Luther Smith 6'1" | SG Sussex Hamilton | 2023 State WI Jr., who averaged 15 points per game last season and emerged as a Division 1 prospect. Sophomore guard Aidan Konop Aidan Konop 6'2" | SG Sussex Hamilton | 2024 State WI should be in store for a breakout season as well.

One thing that’s been clear in summer and fall league action, Hamilton is deeper than people think and they’ve got some prospects who fill roles quite well and it’s allowed the Chargers to knock off some big names. It may not be as big as a rebuild job as it looks on paper.