Badger Small Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Final Standings</strong><br><br>1. Stoughton 14-0 (24-4); 2. Mount Horeb 12-2 (21-6); 3. Sauk Prairie 8-6 (12-13); 4. McFarland 7-7 (9-15); 5. Baraboo 6-8 (17-9); 6. Edgewood 4-10 (5-20); 6. Reedsburg 4-10 (8-18); 8. Portage 1-13 (7-19). <br><br><strong>2024-25 Picks<br><br>1. Stoughton</strong> --The Vikings ran roughshod over the competition in the Badger Small a year ago and might do the same this time around despite losing three starters to graduation. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1561944' first='Jacob' last='Hibner'] (6-3, 10.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg) had a breakout off season while competing with the [program_tooltip program_id='2076023' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy'] club program and picked up multiple NCAA Division 2 scholarship offers. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1874959' first='Carter' last='Sullivan'] (6-6, 8.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg) gives the Vikings size in the post while seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1331056' first='Jay' last='Johnson'] (6-3, 3.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and LeShawn Brown (6-2, 3.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg) along with junior Ethan Zywicki (6-1, 3.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg) provide solid overall size and athleticism. <br><br><strong>2. Mount Horeb</strong> -- Another 20-plus win season is certainly a possibility for Mount Horeb, which went 21-6 a year ago and welcomes back four starters. Junior sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1561888' first='Josh' last='Manchester'] (6-3, 24.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg) leads the way for coach Todd Nesheim's squad. Manchester ranks among the elite scorers in the state and is receiving strong interest from a number of NCAA Division I programs. Joining Manchester as returning regulars are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2388788' first='Zach' last='MaGuire'] (6-4, 9.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg), Chris Kiel (5-10, 1.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2811286' first='Griffin' last='Hannah'] (6-0, 4.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg).<br><br><strong>3. McFarland </strong>-- The Spartans enjoy an abundance of size within their program as senior [player_tooltip player_id='2493695' first='Ben' last='Forbes'] (6-9, 6.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg), senior Brady Ochalla (6-4, 7.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'] (6-8, 9.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg) all figure to play key roles for coach Jeff Meinholdt. In the backcourt, McFarland will count heavily on returning starters Hayden Harrison (6-0, 4.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and Mason Roe (6-2, 4.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg).<br><br><strong>4. Sauk Prairie</strong> -- Sauk Prairie could be the surprise team in the Badger Small as coach Sean McCann brings back a quick team that boasts good perimeter shooting skill. [player_tooltip player_id='1939628' first='Nicholas' last='Keyser'] (6-1, 11.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2641947' first='Otis' last='Andres'] (5-10, 3.8 ppg) are returning starters while senior Casey Brickl (6-5) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2508486' first='Brendan' last='Marquardt'] (6-5) likely will play key roles on the frontline.<br><br><strong>5. Edgewood</strong> -- Long-time assistant Kevin Schmotzer takes over the permanent head-coaching duties at Edgewood after serving as interim coach for the final 19 games last year. He has a talented backcourt duo to work with as sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2231583' first='Timmy' last='West'] (6-1, 11.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2500063' first='Gannon' last='Bagstad'] (6-1, 5.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg) started on last year's squad. <br><br><strong>6. Reedsburg</strong> -- The Beavers have an experienced trio in the backcourt with seniors Danny Pickle (6-3, 12.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Alek Southworth (6-2, 9.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and Bo Bestor (5-11, 7.5 ppg) all returning to the starting lineup. Coach Ty Horkan is concerned about interior defense and rebounding, but some young players could help in those areas, including junior Joan Williams (6-4) and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2613971' first='Ian' last='McClure'] (6-3).<br><br><strong>7. Portage</strong> -- Rookie coach Caleb Bohrer is worried about the lack of varsity experience at Portage, but he isn't all that troubled about his defense as he feels the Warriors' quickness and strength will be assets on that end of the court. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2381722' first='Elias' last='Vera'] (6-3, 13.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg) is the lone returning starter at Portage, but senior Aidan Warfield (6-6, 3.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg) earned plenty of playing time as a reserve in 2023-24.<br><br><strong>8. Baraboo </strong>-- The Thunderbirds return one of the league's most experienced and talented backcourt players in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2493679' first='Alex' last='Hannagan'] (6-2, 10.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg), but depth. lack of size and overall experience all are major concerns for coach Tyler Fish. <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561888' first='Josh' last='Manchester'], Mount Horeb (24.6 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381722' first='Elias' last='Vera'], Portage (13.3 ppg)<br>Danny Pickle, Reedsburg (12.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2231583' first='Timmy' last='West'], Edgewood (11.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1939628' first='Nicholas' last='Keyser'], Sauk Prairie (11.3 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493679' first='Alex' last='Hannagan'], Baraboo (10.8 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561944' first='Jacob' last='Hibner'], Stoughton (10.5 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561944' first='Jacob' last='Hibner'], 6-3, Jr., Stoughton<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561888' first='Josh' last='Manchester'], 6-3, Jr., Mount Horeb<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'], 6-8, Soph., McFarland<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2231583' first='Timmy' last='West'], 6-1, Soph., Edgewood<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1874959' first='Carter' last='Sullivan'], 6-6, Sr., Stoughton<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381722' first='Elias' last='Vera'], 6-3, Sr., Portage<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2388788' first='Zach' last='MaGuire'], 6-4, Sr., Mount Horeb<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1939628' first='Nicholas' last='Keyser'], 6-1, Sr., Sauk Prairie<br>Danny Pickle, 6-3, Sr., Reedsburg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2493679' first='Alex' last='Hannagan'], 6-2, Sr., Baraboo<br><br><strong>The Big Five<br><br>Best Shooter:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1561888' first='Josh' last='Manchester'], Mount Horeb<br><strong>Best Rebounder: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'], McFarland<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1331056' first='Jay' last='Johnson'], Stoughton<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1561888' first='Josh' last='Manchester'], Mount Horeb<br><strong>Most Improved Player:</strong> Alex Chapman, Mount Horeb<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->