Top 10 frontcourts in Wisconsin

To be a complete basketball team, you need the big guy in the middle. The player who will grab the important rebounds and score close to the basket. The guy who will be the backline of your defense and contest any shots in the post. Wisconsin's high school basketball landscape has plenty of good frontline performers. Here is a list of the top 10 frontcouts in the state. 1. OSHKOSH NORTH The thing that is most impressive about the forwards on the Oshkosh North team is they all can play different spots on the floor. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1282617' first='Xzavion' last='Mitchell'] (6-6) handles the ball, shoots the three and creates off the bounce more often than he scores with his back to the basket. Still, his size makes him a demon on the glass on both ends of the court. The Iowa State recruit averaged 25.7 points and 8.6 rebounds as a junior and also blocked 45 shots. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1973116' first='Bryce' last='Ott'] (6-6), like Mitchell, can play inside/outside. Ott's non-stop energy, athleticism, length and size will be huge assets as the Spartans set out to repeat as Fox Valley Association champions after finishing 20-6 a year ago under coach Brad Weber. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2397160' first='Stefan' last='Stojilovic'] (6-6) is another key piece to Oshkosh North's talented frontline. He came off the bench to average 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds last year. Look for juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2498969' first='Owen' last='Weber'] (6-6) and Kallum Larson-Poeschel (6-6) to potentially also play key roles with the Oshkosh North frontcourt. 2. MIDDLETON At 6-foot-11, Middleton senior [player_tooltip player_id='1447229' first='Will' last='Garlock'] is as tall as any other player in Wisconsin. He has talent to go along with that height. The University of Wisconsin recruit is coming off a junior season where he averaged 16.5 points and 8.2 rebounds. Garlock sustained an injury last spring that sidelined him all summer, but he should be in top form once the prep season kicks off in mid November. Another potential contributor to the Cardinals' frontline is senior Torin Pettaway (6-6), who sat out last season but might return in 2024-25. Pettaway did play on the varsity squad for coach Kevin Bavery as a sophomore. Senior Drew Cooney (6-4) is another returning player to the Cardinals' frontline. 3. KAUKAUNA The Ghosts love to push the ball, score in transition and take a lot of three-point shots. Pounding the ball into the post usually isn't something Kaukauna does on a regular basis. However, with 6-foot-9 junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'] back for his third season of varsity hoops, the Ghosts might try to get the ball inside a bit more during the upcoming season as he is the most dominating big man in the 10-team Fox Valley Association. Jensen scores mostly from the mid range or in the paint, but he is extremely versatile in that he can pop outside the three-point arc to make a pass to an open teammate or put the ball on the floor and attack the basket. Jensen, who owns scholarship offers from Green Bay, Marquette, Milwaukee and Mississippi State, among others, averaged 13.5 points and 9.6 rebounds as a sophomore. He also blocked 48 shots last winter. Physical senior forward Caden Graff (6-5) also returns to the Kaukauna frontline after playing off the bench as a junior. He figures to log more minutes in 2024-25 as Kaukauna sets out to improve upon a 19-8 record. 4. PEWAUKEE Look for yet another big year from Pewaukee, which won WIAA Division 2 state championships in 2021, 2022 and 2023 before finishing second last March. Moving up to Division 1 due to the WIAA's success formula, Pewaukee has the frontline horses to compete with any team in the state. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1412882' first='Luka' last='Momcilovic'] (6-8) is a returning regular and inside/outside forward who averaged 12.3 points and 6.7 rebounds for a team that went 25-5 a year ago. Momcilovic picked up a long list of NCAA Division II scholarship offers during the off-season and recently added a DI offer from St. Thomas. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2391091' first='Tyler' last='Tiutczenko'] (6-6) was the first player off the bench for coach David Burkemper a year ago and figures to move into the starting rotation after averaging 7.4 ppg and 2.7 rpg. Frontcourt depth might be an issue -- isn't that a concern for every team? -- but the Pirates have two stellar forwards in Momcilivoc and Tiutczensko. 5. MARSHFIELD The three-time defending Wisconsin Valley Conference champions are favored to four-peat this winter largely because of the Tigers crazy frontcout talent. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2426214' first='Ethan' last='Knecht'] (6-5) is a returning post player for coach Chris Fischer. Knecht isn't a huge scorer (5.5 ppg) or rebounder (3.9 rpg), but he plays his role about as well as any other player in the state. Knecht's job is to provide hustle and physicality on the defensive end while setting screens and scoring garage baskets on offense. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1973149' first='Chris' last='Pohl'] (6-7) is an exceptionally skilled forward who hurts opponents close and far away from the basket. He averaged 14.6 ppg and 6.5 rpg as a sophomore and had a strong spring/summer competing with the [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers']' 17U squad. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2381688' first='Valin' last='Ramberg'] (6-6) might be the most improved player in the WVC. His ability to run the floor, score in transition and move his feet on defense are his major strengths. Senior Magnus Machtan (6-6) and junior Vedder MacTaggart (6-5) also could play roles on the Tigers' frontline. 6. LAKESIDE LUTHERAN Coach Todd Jahns knows how fortunate he is to have highly productive junior [player_tooltip player_id='2025184' first='Wes' last='Rahn'] anchor his frontline. The 6-foot-7 Rahn averaged 16.5 points and 11.6 rebounds as a sophomore and helped the Warriors finish with a 27-3 record and a runner-up finish in the WIAA Division 3 State Tournament. Rahn's productivity, consistency and ability to play inside or outside will be huge assets as Lakeside Lutheran sets sail on another anticipated successful season. Outside of Rahn, Jahns isn't quite sure yet what he has in junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2440762' first='Jackson' last='Stein']. Stein was limited to just five games last year due to an injury. But at 6-foot-8 and 290 pounds, Stein most definitely has the size and strength to cause issues for opponents. 7. McFARLAND The size in the McFarland program is enough to make every coach in the state envious. Indeed, coach Jeff Meinholdt boasts a lineup brimming with frontcourt potential. Start with improving and versatile sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'] (6-8), add improving seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2493695' first='Ben' last='Forbes'] (6-9) and Brady Ochalla (6-4), and conclude with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2283855' first='Brody' last='Robbins'] (6-6) and it's easy to understand why post play is an asset for the Spartans. Krueger, in particular, could be poised for a big season. He averaged 9.4 points and 7.5 rebounds as a freshman in 10 games after breaking into the starting rotation following an injury. Forbes has the height, length and bounce to create issues on defense for opponents. He averaged 6.4 points and 5.9 rebounds as a junior. Ochalla enjoyed a strong off season and figures to move into the starting lineup after netting 7.0 ppg and grabbing 4.3 rpg. Robbins might split time between JV1 and varsity due to the Spartans' frontcout depth, but he's a player who figures heavily into the future for McFarland. 8. CUMBERLAND The Beavers might be a bit higher on this list if they had frontcourt support for dominant senior forward and Wyoming recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1853648' first='Gavin' last='Gores']. Unfortunately for coach Brian Dutton, the 6-foot-10 Gores is the lone player on his preseason roster of nine players who is taller than 6-1. Regardless, Gores is so overpowering in the Heart O'North Conference that the Beavers warrant a spot in the top 10 frontcourts of the state. As a junior, Gores put up glossy numbers of 28.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per contest. He also blocked more than one shot per game while altering many more. Although Gores is the lone returning big man at Cumberland, the Beavers nonetheless are hoping for a huge season as four backcourt players join Gores as returning starters from a club that finished 14-12. 9. WEST DEPERE Optimism is running high for a big season at West De Pere. And with good reason. Five starters are back from a club that went 16-9 under coach Todd Deschane last winter. Frontcourt size is one of the Phantoms' strengths. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2140983' first='Tref' last='Rademaker'] (6-9) ranks among the elite class of 2027 prospects in the state and is coming off a productive frosh campaign where he averaged 13.8 points and 8.4 rebounds. Rademaker is an excellent passer out of the post, can score on either side of the hoop and his length is a positive for West De Pere's defense. Deschane's son, senior [player_tooltip player_id='2616470' first='Easton' last='Deschane'], is a 6-foot-4 forward who plays inside and outside. His mobility and versatility are assets as he averaged 7.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg as a junior. Sophomores Sam Schmidt (6-4) and [player_tooltip player_id='2381929' first='Jack' last='Wilichowski'] (6-4) could also factor in the Phantoms' frontline play in 2024-25. 10. WESTOSHA CENTRAL The Falcons have won an average of 19.6 games during James Hyllberg's nine years as head coach. Continued success is likely this time around as Westosha Central features two of the better seniors in southern Wisconsin in point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1289064' first='Elijah' last='Griffin'] (6-3) and center [player_tooltip player_id='1853679' first='Liam' last='Lubkeman'] (6-9). With Griffin handling the guard duties, Hyllberg has little worries. He also has little to to be concerned about with his frontline. In addition to Lubkeman, who averaged 13.0 ppg and 7.2 rpg as a junior, three senior forwards also are back from a club that finished 17-8. Austin Rynberg (6-4), Rex Longrie (6-4) and David Turner (6-4) join Lubkeman on a deep frontline that has plenty of varsity experience as the Falcons look to dethrone Burlington as champions in the Southern Lakes Conference. HONORABLE MENTION: Bonduel, Brookfield Central, Fort Atkinson, Janesville Craig, Kimberly, Lomira, Royall, Sheboygan Lutheran, Turtle Lake.

To be a complete basketball team, you need the big guy in the middle.

The player who will grab the important rebounds and score close to the basket. The guy who will be the backline of your defense and contest any shots in the post.

Wisconsin's high school basketball landscape has plenty of good frontline performers. Here is a list of the top 10 frontcouts in the state.

1. OSHKOSH NORTH

The thing that is most impressive about the forwards on the Oshkosh North team is they all can play different spots on the floor. Senior Xzavion Mitchell Xzavion Mitchell 6'7" | SF Oshkosh North | 2025 State #119 Nation WI (6-6) handles the ball, shoots the three and creates off the bounce more often than he scores with his back to the basket. Still, his size makes him a demon on the glass on both ends of the court. The Iowa State recruit averaged 25.7 points and 8.6 rebounds as a junior and also blocked 45 shots. Junior Bryce Ott Bryce Ott 6'7" | SF Oshkosh North | 2026 State WI (6-6), like Mitchell, can play inside/outside. Ott's non-stop energy, athleticism, length and size will be huge assets as the Spartans set out to repeat as Fox Valley Association champions after finishing 20-6 a year ago under coach Brad Weber. Senior Stefan Stojilovic Stefan Stojilovic 6'7" | SF Oshkosh North | 2025 State WI (6-6) is another key piece to Oshkosh North's talented frontline. He came off the bench to average 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds last year. Look for juniors Owen Weber Owen Weber 6'7" | SF Oshkosh North | 2026 State WI (6-6) and Kallum Larson-Poeschel (6-6) to potentially also play key roles with the Oshkosh North frontcourt.

2. MIDDLETON

At 6-foot-11, Middleton senior Will Garlock Will Garlock 6'11" | C Middleton | 2025 State #204 Nation WI is as tall as any other player in Wisconsin. He has talent to go along with that height. The University of Wisconsin recruit is coming off a junior season where he averaged 16.5 points and 8.2 rebounds. Garlock sustained an injury last spring that sidelined him all summer, but he should be in top form once the prep season kicks off in mid November. Another potential contributor to the Cardinals' frontline is senior Torin Pettaway (6-6), who sat out last season but might return in 2024-25. Pettaway did play on the varsity squad for coach Kevin Bavery as a sophomore. Senior Drew Cooney (6-4) is another returning player to the Cardinals' frontline.

3. KAUKAUNA

The Ghosts love to push the ball, score in transition and take a lot of three-point shots. Pounding the ball into the post usually isn't something Kaukauna does on a regular basis. However, with 6-foot-9 junior forward Andrew Jensen Andrew Jensen 6'9" | PF Kaukauna | 2026 State WI back for his third season of varsity hoops, the Ghosts might try to get the ball inside a bit more during the upcoming season as he is the most dominating big man in the 10-team Fox Valley Association. Jensen scores mostly from the mid range or in the paint, but he is extremely versatile in that he can pop outside the three-point arc to make a pass to an open teammate or put the ball on the floor and attack the basket. Jensen, who owns scholarship offers from Green Bay, Marquette, Milwaukee and Mississippi State, among others, averaged 13.5 points and 9.6 rebounds as a sophomore. He also blocked 48 shots last winter. Physical senior forward Caden Graff (6-5) also returns to the Kaukauna frontline after playing off the bench as a junior. He figures to log more minutes in 2024-25 as Kaukauna sets out to improve upon a 19-8 record.

4. PEWAUKEE

Look for yet another big year from Pewaukee, which won WIAA Division 2 state championships in 2021, 2022 and 2023 before finishing second last March. Moving up to Division 1 due to the WIAA's success formula, Pewaukee has the frontline horses to compete with any team in the state. Senior Luka Momcilovic Luka Momcilovic 6'8" | PF Pewaukee | 2025 State WI (6-8) is a returning regular and inside/outside forward who averaged 12.3 points and 6.7 rebounds for a team that went 25-5 a year ago. Momcilovic picked up a long list of NCAA Division II scholarship offers during the off-season and recently added a DI offer from St. Thomas. Junior Tyler Tiutczenko Tyler Tiutczenko 6'8" | PF Pewaukee | 2026 State WI (6-6) was the first player off the bench for coach David Burkemper a year ago and figures to move into the starting rotation after averaging 7.4 ppg and 2.7 rpg. Frontcourt depth might be an issue -- isn't that a concern for every team? -- but the Pirates have two stellar forwards in Momcilivoc and Tiutczensko.

5. MARSHFIELD

The three-time defending Wisconsin Valley Conference champions are favored to four-peat this winter largely because of the Tigers crazy frontcout talent. Senior Ethan Knecht Ethan Knecht 6'5" | PF Marshfield | 2025 State WI (6-5) is a returning post player for coach Chris Fischer. Knecht isn't a huge scorer (5.5 ppg) or rebounder (3.9 rpg), but he plays his role about as well as any other player in the state. Knecht's job is to provide hustle and physicality on the defensive end while setting screens and scoring garage baskets on offense. Junior Chris Pohl Chris Pohl 6'8" | PF/SF Marshfield | 2026 State WI (6-7) is an exceptionally skilled forward who hurts opponents close and far away from the basket. He averaged 14.6 ppg and 6.5 rpg as a sophomore and had a strong spring/summer competing with the Wisconsin Playmakers ' 17U squad. Junior Valin Ramberg Valin Ramberg 6'7" | SF/PF Marshfield | 2026 State WI (6-6) might be the most improved player in the WVC. His ability to run the floor, score in transition and move his feet on defense are his major strengths. Senior Magnus Machtan (6-6) and junior Vedder MacTaggart (6-5) also could play roles on the Tigers' frontline.

6. LAKESIDE LUTHERAN

Coach Todd Jahns knows how fortunate he is to have highly productive junior Wes Rahn Wes Rahn 6'8" | PF Lakeside Lutheran | 2026 State WI anchor his frontline. The 6-foot-7 Rahn averaged 16.5 points and 11.6 rebounds as a sophomore and helped the Warriors finish with a 27-3 record and a runner-up finish in the WIAA Division 3 State Tournament. Rahn's productivity, consistency and ability to play inside or outside will be huge assets as Lakeside Lutheran sets sail on another anticipated successful season. Outside of Rahn, Jahns isn't quite sure yet what he has in junior forward Jackson Stein Jackson Stein 6'7" | C Lakeside Lutheran | 2026 WI . Stein was limited to just five games last year due to an injury. But at 6-foot-8 and 290 pounds, Stein most definitely has the size and strength to cause issues for opponents.

7. McFARLAND

The size in the McFarland program is enough to make every coach in the state envious. Indeed, coach Jeff Meinholdt boasts a lineup brimming with frontcourt potential. Start with improving and versatile sophomore Eli Krueger Eli Krueger 6'9" | PF McFarland | 2027 State WI (6-8), add improving seniors Ben Forbes Ben Forbes 6'9" | PF McFarland | 2025 State WI (6-9) and Brady Ochalla (6-4), and conclude with sophomore Brody Robbins Brody Robbins 6'8" | PF/C McFarland | 2027 WI (6-6) and it's easy to understand why post play is an asset for the Spartans. Krueger, in particular, could be poised for a big season. He averaged 9.4 points and 7.5 rebounds as a freshman in 10 games after breaking into the starting rotation following an injury. Forbes has the height, length and bounce to create issues on defense for opponents. He averaged 6.4 points and 5.9 rebounds as a junior. Ochalla enjoyed a strong off season and figures to move into the starting lineup after netting 7.0 ppg and grabbing 4.3 rpg. Robbins might split time between JV1 and varsity due to the Spartans' frontcout depth, but he's a player who figures heavily into the future for McFarland.

8. CUMBERLAND

The Beavers might be a bit higher on this list if they had frontcourt support for dominant senior forward and Wyoming recruit Gavin Gores Gavin Gores 6'10" | PF Cumberland | 2025 State WI . Unfortunately for coach Brian Dutton, the 6-foot-10 Gores is the lone player on his preseason roster of nine players who is taller than 6-1. Regardless, Gores is so overpowering in the Heart O'North Conference that the Beavers warrant a spot in the top 10 frontcourts of the state. As a junior, Gores put up glossy numbers of 28.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per contest. He also blocked more than one shot per game while altering many more. Although Gores is the lone returning big man at Cumberland, the Beavers nonetheless are hoping for a huge season as four backcourt players join Gores as returning starters from a club that finished 14-12.

9. WEST DEPERE

Optimism is running high for a big season at West De Pere. And with good reason. Five starters are back from a club that went 16-9 under coach Todd Deschane last winter. Frontcourt size is one of the Phantoms' strengths. Sophomore forward Tref Rademaker Tref Rademaker 6'9" | PF West De Pere | 2027 WI (6-9) ranks among the elite class of 2027 prospects in the state and is coming off a productive frosh campaign where he averaged 13.8 points and 8.4 rebounds. Rademaker is an excellent passer out of the post, can score on either side of the hoop and his length is a positive for West De Pere's defense. Deschane's son, senior Easton Deschane Easton Deschane 6'4" | SF West De Pere | 2025 WI , is a 6-foot-4 forward who plays inside and outside. His mobility and versatility are assets as he averaged 7.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg as a junior. Sophomores Sam Schmidt (6-4) and Jack Wilichowski Jack Wilichowski 6'5" | PF/SF West De Pere | 2027 WI (6-4) could also factor in the Phantoms' frontline play in 2024-25.

10. WESTOSHA CENTRAL

The Falcons have won an average of 19.6 games during James Hyllberg's nine years as head coach. Continued success is likely this time around as Westosha Central features two of the better seniors in southern Wisconsin in point guard Elijah Griffin Elijah Griffin 6'3" | PG Westosha Central | 2025 State #352 Nation WI (6-3) and center Liam Lubkeman Liam Lubkeman 6'9" | C Westosha Central | 2025 State WI (6-9). With Griffin handling the guard duties, Hyllberg has little worries. He also has little to to be concerned about with his frontline. In addition to Lubkeman, who averaged 13.0 ppg and 7.2 rpg as a junior, three senior forwards also are back from a club that finished 17-8. Austin Rynberg (6-4), Rex Longrie (6-4) and David Turner (6-4) join Lubkeman on a deep frontline that has plenty of varsity experience as the Falcons look to dethrone Burlington as champions in the Southern Lakes Conference.

HONORABLE MENTION: Bonduel, Brookfield Central, Fort Atkinson, Janesville Craig, Kimberly, Lomira, Royall, Sheboygan Lutheran, Turtle Lake.