Academy of Science headlines top 10 in Division 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One could make the realistic point that the Milwaukee Academy of Science boys' basketball team has as much talent and is as good as any other team in Wisconsin, including the larger schools in Division 1 and Division 2.<br><br>To put it mildly, Academy of Science is loaded, even with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1390441' first='Devin' last='Brown'], a Coastal Carolina recruit, opting to finish his high school days at a prep school in Arizona. Iowa State recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1447228' first='Jamarion' last='Batemon'], a certain contender for the Mr. Basketball award, headlines an experienced returning core of players for coach Agape Keys.<br><br>And, as expected, the charter school located near the Marquette University campus enters the season as the No. 1-ranked team among Division 3 schools by the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook. You can order the 40th edition of the 360-page WBY&nbsp;<a href="https://wbby.sportngin.com/register/form/851170666">here</a>&nbsp;and have it shipped to your home by the end of October.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following is a look at the WBY Division 3 Preseason Top 10. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DIVISION 3 TOP 10<br><br>1. Milwaukee Academy of Science</strong><br><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Agape Keys, 19th season (249-133)<br><strong>2023-24 Record</strong>: 18-8<br><strong>Starters Lost (2):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2540115' first='Elijah' last='Thornton'] (6-7, 4.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1390441' first='Devin' last='Brown'] (6-7, 20.3 ppg, 10.1 rpg, now playing at Phoenix Prep/Overtime Elite).<br><strong>Starters Returning (4): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1390442' first='Agape' last='Keys Jr.'] (6-3, Sr., 11.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1447228' first='Jamarion' last='Batemon'] (6-3, Sr., 21.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, committed to Iowa State), [player_tooltip player_id='1481181' first='Amare' last='Jackson'] (6-4, Sr., 8.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1501903' first='Deuce' last='Burkes'] Jr. (6-3, Jr.), 8.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg).<br><strong>Other Returning Players (4): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2045302' first='Jamir' last='Batemon'] (5-11, Jr., 6.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg), Michael Harris (6-4, Sr., 2.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2505436' first='Mesiyah' last='Ashley'] (6-7, Sr., 2.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg), D'anthony Brown (6-7, Soph., 1.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg).<br><strong>Newcomers (4): </strong>Cameron Pugh (6-7, Jr.), [player_tooltip player_id='2140923' first='Gavin' last='Valeri'] (6-3, Soph.), Bryan Epps (5-4, Jr.), [player_tooltip player_id='2614854' first='Tylen' last='Kingsby'] (6-5, Frosh.).<br><strong>Strengths:</strong> “Guard play, defense, quickness, athleticism, size, experience.<br><strong>Concerns: </strong>Consistent rebounding, consistent perimeter shooting, meeting expectations, difficult schedule. <br><strong>Mark Your Calendars:</strong><br>Dec. 10 at Pewaukee<br>Dec. 26 Eau Claire Memorial at WBY Shootout<br>Dec. 27 De Pere at WBY Shootout<br>Feb. 8 Minneapolis DeLaSalle at River Falls in WI vs. MN Border Battle<br>Feb. 25 Arrowhead<br><br><strong>2. Racine St. Catherine's <br>Head Coach:</strong> Ryan Thompson, 4th year (57-24)<br><strong>2023-24 Record: </strong>14-12<br><strong>Starters Lost (2):</strong> Da'Ron Robinson (6-3, 4 ppg, 3 rpg), Javion Herron (6-0, 5 ppg).<br><strong>Starters Returning (5):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1959723' first='Lamont' last='Hamilton'] (6-1, Jr., 22.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2391089' first='Eddie' last='Vinson'] Jr. (5-11, Jr., 12.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2432733' first='Antoine' last='Ozier'] Jr. (6-1, Jr., 3.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg), A.C. Ward (6-2, Jr., 6.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2399573' first='Richard' last='Watson'] (6-2, Jr., 5.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg).<br><strong>Other Returning Players (2): </strong>Tim Davis (6-5, Sr., 2.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2406142' first='Jayden' last=''] Phillips (6-0, Soph., 5.0 ppg).<br><strong>Newcomers (3): </strong>Knai Kidd (6-3, Jr.), [player_tooltip player_id='2440095' first='Derrick' last='Dampier'] (6-2, Sr.), [player_tooltip player_id='2550772' first='Travis' last='Martin'] (6-1, Frosh.).<br><strong>Comments from coach Thompson:</strong><br>"Experience, speed, strength, depth, size, shooting, rebounding, defense and the eagerness to compete are all strengths. Sticking together in good times and bad times is a question mark. Our guys need to be students first and athletes second, and making their teammates better."<br><strong>Mark Your Calendars:</strong><br>Nov. 30 Racine Park at Racine Case<br>Dec. 4 at Whitnall<br>Jan. 24 Dominican<br>Jan. 28 Racine Lutheran<br>Feb. 8 at Milwaukee Hamilton<br><br><strong>3. Lake Mills<br>Head Coach:</strong> Steve Hicklin, 13th year (227-78)<br><strong>2023-24 Record:</strong> 23-4<br><strong>2023-24 JV1 Record: </strong>21-1<br><strong>2023-24 JV2 Record:</strong> 16-5<br><strong>Starters Lost (1):</strong> Matt Stenbroten (6-4, 6.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, now playing football at North Dakota State).<br><strong>Starters Returning (4): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1412881' first='AJ' last='Bender'] (6-3, Sr., 22 ppg, 4.7 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2621035' first='Ty' last='Schaefer'] (5-11, Sr., 10.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1745860' first='Brady' last='Benish'] (6-1, Jr., 12.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2346694' first='Tyler' last='Wollin'] (6-4, Soph., 11.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg).<br><strong>Other Returning Players (8): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2253829' first='Ryan' last='Horkan'] (6-2, Sr., 6.0 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='2819684' first='Tanner' last='Wendorf'] (6-5, Sr., 2.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg), Abraham Daniels (6-1, Sr.), Ethan Gliniecki (6-3, Jr.), Nolan Kolkovich (6-3, Jr.), [player_tooltip player_id='2505500' first='Collin' last='Christian'] (6-2, Soph.), Ace Everson (5-11, Jr.), Jack Vogel (6-3, Jr.).<br><strong>Newcomers (2): </strong>Will Kirchberg (5-10, Jr.), Luke Everson (5-11, Jr.).<br><strong>Comments from coach Hicklin:</strong><br>"Experience, shooting and leadership are assets. Inside play and rebounding are our biggest concerns."<br><strong>Mark Your Calendars:</strong><br>Nov. 30 West De Pere at Beaver Dam<br>Dec. 14 Mount Horeb<br>Jan. 18 Onalaska at La Crosse Center<br>Jan. 30 Lakeside Lutheran<br>Feb. 8 Fort Atkinson<br><br><strong>4. Edgerton<br>Head Coach: </strong>Daryl Fox, 9th year (132-69)<br><strong>2023-24 Record:</strong> 18-7<br><strong>2023-24 JV1 Record:</strong> 21-1<br><strong>2023-24 JV2 Record</strong>: 12-10<br><strong>Starters Lost (2):</strong> Preston Schaffner (6-3, 10 ppg, 5 rpg), Leyton McKillips (6-0, 14 ppg, 2 rpg).<br><strong>Starters Returning (4):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1729222' first='Olin' last='Zellmer'] (6-0, Sr., 16.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1561732' first='Bryce' last='Appel'] (6-5, Sr., 12.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2346660' first='Jack' last='Fox'] (6-1, Sr., 8.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1908469' first='Cole' last='Langer'] (6-3, Sr., 3.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg).<br><strong>Other Returning Players (5):</strong> Vinny Fox (6-0, Soph., 4.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Drew Coombs (6-0, Jr., 2.4 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='2731454' first='Eli' last='Kittleson'] (6-0, Soph.), Drew Gunderson (5-10, Sr., 3.3 ppg), Charlie Johnson (6-3, Jr.).<br><strong>Comments from coach Fox:</strong><br>"Varsity experience and the fact we've been through battles is a strength. Our biggest question mark is defending at a high level."<br><strong>Mark Your Calendars:</strong><br>Dec. 27 Mineral Point at WBY Shootout<br>Dec. 28 Martin Luther at WBY Shootout<br>Jan. 4 at Wauwatosa West<br>Jan. 25 at Lakeside Lutheran<br>Feb. 10 Lake Mills<br><br><strong>5. Lakeside Lutheran<br>Coach: </strong>Todd Jahns, 6th year (99-33)<br><strong>2023-24 Record: </strong>27-3<br><strong>2023-24 JV1 Record: </strong>18-3<br><strong>2023-24 JV2 Record: </strong>17-3<br><strong>Starters Lost (3):</strong> Kooper Mlsna (6-3, 11 ppg, 3 rpg), Alex Reinke (6-3, 6.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg), Evan Neumann (6-4, 3.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg).<br><strong>Starters Returning (2): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2025184' first='Wes' last='Rahn'] (6-7, Jr., 16.5 ppg, 11.6 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2381695' first='Kaycee' last='Guzman'] (5-10, Sr., 14.7 ppg, 3.1 apg).<br><strong>Other Returning Players (3):</strong> Ben Krauklis (5-10, Sr., 2.5 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='2621019' first='Easton' last='Wolfram'] (5-11, Sr., 3.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2500858' first='Brady' last='Wolfram'] (6-3, Jr., 3.0 ppg).<br><strong>Newcomers (2):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2440762' first='Jackson' last='Stein'] (6-8, Jr.), [player_tooltip player_id='2404956' first='Brecken' last='Jimenez'] (6-3, Jr.).<br><strong>Comments from coach Jahns:</strong><br>"Depth, playing experience, point-guard play, athleticism and versatility are strong areas. Perimeter shooter is a question mark."<br><strong>Mark Your Calendars:</strong><br>Dec. 6 at Marshall<br>Jan. 21 at Wisconsin Dells<br>Jan. 25 Edgerton<br>Jan. 30 at Lake Mills<br>Feb. 27 Lake Mills<br><br><strong>6. Freedom<br>Head Coach: </strong>Andrew Gibbons, 2nd year (23-5)<br><strong>2023-24 Record:</strong> 23-5<br><strong>2023-24 JV1 Record: </strong>15-7<br><strong>2023-24 JV2 Record: </strong>19-3<br><strong>Starters Lost (3):</strong> Ashton Peterson (6-5, 13.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg), Matt Eberhardt (6-2, 8.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg), Andrew Sowinski (6-4, 5.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg).<br><strong>Starters Returning (2): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1847792' first='Donovan' last='Davis'] (6-7, Soph., 17.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2492814' first='Drew' last='Kortz'] (6-1, Sr., 14.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg).<br><strong>Other Returning Players (4):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2724372' first='Kaden' last='Vandenberg'] (6-1, Soph., 2.9 ppg), Andrew Wesoloski (6-2, Sr., 2.5 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='2140894' first='Cal' last='Calhoon'] (5-8, Soph.), Sawyer Rueckl (5-10, Jr.).<br><strong>Newcomers (2):</strong> Connor Kurey (6-2, Jr.), Carson Peters (6-3, Jr.).<br><strong>Comments from coach Gibbons:</strong><br>"Scoring and shooting are our strengths. Defense, rebounding and replacing our seniors are our concerns."<br><strong>Mark Your Calendars:</strong><br>Dec. 14 Mosinee at Kaukauna<br>Dec. 26 Catholic Memorial at WBY Shootout<br>Dec. 27 Slinger at WBY Shootout<br>Jan. 9 at Fox Valley Lutheran<br>Feb. 27 at Wrightstown<br><br><strong>7. Prescott<br>Head Coach: </strong>Nick Johnson, 14th year (267-64)<br><strong>2023-24 Record: </strong>21-7<br><strong>2023-24 JV1 Record: </strong>12-10<br><strong>2023-24 JV2 Record:</strong> 18-4<br><strong>Starters Lost (3): </strong>Dallas Wallin (6-5, 20.3 ppg, 10.1 rpg), Ian Leask (5-10, 7.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg), Mason Schommer (6-1, 5.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg).<br><strong>Starters Returning (2):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2432823' first='Kobe' last='Russell'] (6-2, Jr., 7.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg), Barrett Temmers (5-11, Sr., 7.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg).<br><strong>Other Returning Players (2): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2500056' first='Max' last='Monteith'] (6-1, Jr., 5.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg), Teddy Bernick (6-0, Sr.).<br><strong>Newcomers (4):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2415798' first='Eyan' last='Miller'] (6-2, Jr.), Gavin Miller (6-0, Jr.), Aidan Dorau (6-0, Sr.), Evan Kochendorfer (5-11, Jr.).<br><strong>Comments from coach Johnson:</strong><br>"Rebounding and interior play are concerns. I think our work ethic, defense, depth and shooting should all be strengths."<br><strong>Mark Your Calendars:</strong><br>Dec. 7 McDonell Catholic at UW-Stout<br>Jan. 6 River Falls<br>Jan. 18 Northwestern<br>Jan. 31 Somerset<br>Feb. 11 Altoona<br><br><strong>8. Seymour<br>Head Coach:</strong> Bobby Kuchta, 5th year (62-43)<br><strong>2023-24 Record:</strong> 16-10<br><strong>2023-24 JV1 Record:</strong> 7-15<br><strong>2023-24 JV2 Record: </strong>4-16<br><strong>Starters Lost (2): </strong>Keanu Chinana (5-8, 8.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg), Ethan Volz (5-10, 6.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg).<br><strong>Starters Returning (3): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2391083' first='Kyler' last='Marks'] (6-4, Jr., 18.5 ppg, 11.7 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2508494' first='[player_tooltip player_id='2408715' first='[player_tooltip player_id='2402467' first='Isaac' last='']' last='']' last='Feske'] (6-3, Soph., 11.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg), Xavier Salman (6-0, Jr., 10.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg).<br><strong>Other Returning Players (3): </strong>Colten Nieland (6-0, Sr.), Sam Geyso (6-0, Jr.), Carson Johnson (6-1, Jr., 2.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg).<br><strong>Newcomers (5):</strong> Carter Gessay (6-0, Jr.), Kessler Jansen (5-10, Soph.), Keldon VanDenHeuvel (5-8, Soph.), [player_tooltip player_id='2508496' first='Teage' last='Cornell'] (5-8, Frosh.), [player_tooltip player_id='2508497' first='Greg' last='Salzman'] (5-8, Frosh.).<br><strong>Comments from coach Kuchta:</strong><br>"Post play, rebounding and scoring are strengths. Point-guard play and mental toughness are concerns."<br><strong>Mark Your Calendars:</strong><br>Dec. 16 at Southern Door<br>Dec. 20 West De Pere<br>Dec. 27 Brillion at Kress Center<br>Jan. 30 at Notre Dame<br>Feb. 21 at Xavier<br><br><strong>9. Wisconsin Dells<br>Head Coach: </strong>Brad Rohling, 19th year (324-119)<br><strong>2023-24 Record: </strong>20-7<br><strong>2023-24 JV1 Record:</strong> 14-7<br><strong>2023-24 JV2 Record: </strong>6-14<br><strong>Starters Lost (3):</strong> Riley White (5-10, 15.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg), Degan Jensen (6-1, 12.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg), Carson Hirst (5-10, 1.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg).<br><strong>Starters Returning (2):</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2636704' first='Raphael' last='Berje'] (6-4, Sr., 7.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2493653' first='Jaren' last='Ward'] (6-8, Sr., 12.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg).<br><strong>Other Returning Players (5): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2636721' first='Brady' last='Young'] (6-2, Sr., 7.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg), Isaiah Hanna-Funmaker (6-3, Sr., 4.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg), Zion Alwin (6-0, Sr.), Jordan Martinez (6-7, Sr.), Everett Northam (5-10, Sr.).<br><strong>Newcomers (3):</strong> Carter Sverson (5-11, Jr.), Corey Hindsley (6-3, Soph.), Jax Gall (5-11, Soph.).<br><strong>Comments from coach Rohling:</strong><br>"We have some size coming back and we should be a very athletic team with strong guard play. Defense is our biggest question mark."<br><strong>Mark Your Calendars:</strong><br>Dec. 5 Platteville<br>Dec. 10 at Pardeeville<br>Dec. 28 Rhinelander<br>Jan. 7 at Waupun<br>Feb. 8 Edgewood at Just A Game Fieldhouse<br><br><strong>10. Dominican<br>Head Coach: </strong>Steve Showalter, 4th year (60-19)<br><strong>2023-24 Record:</strong> 22-4<br><strong>2023-24 JV1 Record:</strong> 10-8<br><strong>2023-24 JV2 Record:</strong> 4-12<br><strong>Starters Lost (4): </strong>Jaiden Martin (6-2, 18.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, now playing at Parkland College)), Markel Webb (6-3, 15.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Derrick Johnson (6-2, 13.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, now playing at Loras), Jeremiah Mitchell (6-0, 4.7 ppg, 1.2 rpg).<br><strong>Starters Returning (1): </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1351718' first='Aaron' last='Womack'] III (6-6, Sr., 21.9 ppg, 9.4 rpg, committed to Syracuse).<br><strong>Other Returning Players (6): </strong>Demitrius Taylor (5-9, Jr., 5.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2127267' first='Zaihir' last='Jones'] (6-4, Soph., 8.2 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='1874983' first='Kyon' last='Myles'] (6-2, Sr., 1.9 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='2728593' first='Amare' last='Nixon'] (6-3, Jr., 1.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2613201' first='Brandon' last='Applewhite'] (6-3, Jr.), [player_tooltip player_id='2610573' first='Ethan' last='Bailey'] (6-3, Jr.).<br><strong>Newcomers (3):</strong> Ethan Moore (6-3, Jr.), Ja'Mir Griffin (5-8, Jr.), [player_tooltip player_id='2610595' first='Leonard' last='Biddle Jr']. (6-0, Jr.).<br><strong>Comments from coach Showalter:</strong><br>"A winning mindset, team work, coachability and work ethic are strengths. Lack of experience, size, scoring punch, defense and rebounding are concerns."<br><strong>Mark Your Calendars:</strong><br>Dec. 26 Milwaukee Juneau at WBY Shootout<br>Dec. 28 Mineral Point at WBY Shootout<br>Jan. 24 at Racine St. Catherine's<br>Jan. 29 at Milwaukee Hamilton<br>Feb. 21 at Martin Luther<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->