Five Teams That Will Be Better Than Expected in 2022-23

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking ahead to the 2022-23 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down five teams that won't have as big of a dropoff as many expect, despite the challenge of replacing key players...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MILWAUKEE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2021-22 Record: 23-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Losses: [player_tooltip player_id='1390443' first='Davion' last='Hannah'], Tayshawn Bridges, [player_tooltip player_id='1089679' first='Nas' last='Beamon']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Novas are another year away from getting back to Madison, but even though they suffered three tough transfers, there's plenty in the cupboard for Agape Keys. MAS moves up to Division 3 with a very young roster, but features some of the top sophomores in the state, including [player_tooltip player_id='1390441' first='Devin' last='Brown'] (7.3 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1447228' first='Jamarion' last='Batemon'] (7.8 ppg), Agape Keys Jr. (6.4 ppg), and [player_tooltip player_id='1481181' first='Amare' last='Jackson'] (5.8 ppg). This is a youthful, but explosive and fun group to watch. Even against a really tough schedule, think the Novas can win 20 games again. That foursome plays AAU together. There's a cohesion and trust that should transfer over to the high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MILTON</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2021-22 Record: 21-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Losses: Jack Campion (16.8 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Campion was at the top of every scouting report for Milton's opponents and was so dangerous with the ball in his hands. While the Southern Indiana guard isn't replaceable, most of Campion's supporting cast returns in 2022-23, including Brogam McIntyre (13.6 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1289020' first='Ayden' last='Goll'] (10.5 ppg), and Matthew Kirk (9.1 ppg). This trio has been following Campion's lead for years. They know how to win. They also shouldered a lot more of the load last winter and took quite a bit of pressure off Campion at times, who didn't have to be as ball dominant. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LA CROSSE CENTRAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2021-22 Record: 28-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Losses: Devon Fielding (15.2 ppg), Noah Compan (12.8 ppg), Colin Adams (10.2 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central lost a lot of seniors and their top four scorers. However, [player_tooltip player_id='1349129' first='Nic' last='Williams'] (9.3 ppg) was one of the more undervalued players in the state last season. The Riverhawks relied on Wiliams a lot in key moments and he's taken that experience and run with it. Central should have a dangerous 1-2 punch as well with [player_tooltip player_id='1022499' first='Bennett' last='Fried'] (7.0 ppg) likely emerging. A high-upside prospect that's always shown a lot of flashes, Fried should be in store for a breakout season. An athletic, 6-foot-7 wing, Fried just has measurables and leaping ability that most teams on the western part of the state can't match up with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NEENAH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2021-22 Record: 29-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Losses: Chevalier Emery (18.3 ppg), Carter Thomas (14.9 ppg), J.J. Paider (11.7 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fox Valley Association isn't as deep as usual, which will help, but when you have [player_tooltip player_id='963148' first='Cal' last='Klesmit'], you have a chance. The UW-Green Bay commit missed his entire junior season after suffering a torn ACL last fall. Klesmit has been back and should be better than ever based on the summer he had. The reigning Division 1 champs lost a ton of college talent, but don't sleep on junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1203253' first='Brady' last='Corso'] either, who quietly averaged 10 points per game on a loaded lineup. Both Corso and Klesmit may not have a ton of help, but they can shoot Neenah into a lot of games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BROOKFIELD CENTRAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2021-22 Record</em>: 24-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Key Losses:</em> Andrew Rohde (28.5 ppg), Bennett Murray (7.7 ppg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Listen, I don't think anyone expects the Lancers to get back to the Division 1 state title game, let alone the tournament, but few thought they'd reach those heights last season. Still, there's reason for optimism in Brookfield. Dan Wandrey has a program that just refuses to fall off no matter who they lose. Rhode, now a guard for St. Thomas, hands the torch to [player_tooltip player_id='1142131' first='Jack' last='Daugherty'] (13.3 ppg), who has sky-high confidence and is playing the best ball of his life. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='1023255' first='Drew' last='Edmond'] (5.8 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1272671' first='Anthony' last='Rise'] (2.0 ppg) were both thrown into big spots last season and will benefit from it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->