Big Eight Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Final Standings</strong><br><br>1. Sun Prairie West 15-3 (19-6); 2. Sun Prairie East 13-5 (16-9); 3. Janesville Craig 12-6 (19-9); 3. Verona 12-6 (15-11); 5. Middleton 11-7 (13-12); 6. Madison East 9-9 (12-11); 6. Madison Memorial 9-9 (12-14); 8. Madison West 4-14 (6-19); 9. Madison La Follette 3-15 (5-19); 10. Janesville Parker 2-16 (5-20).<br><br><strong>2024-25 Picks</strong><br><br><strong>1. Verona </strong>-- There is room at the top for several teams in the Big Eight Conference as the balance and depth in the 10-team circuit is outstanding. Verona brings back four starters for coach Curtrel Robinson, including two-time first-team all-league selection [player_tooltip player_id='1156904' first='Drew' last='Murphy'] (6-6, 23 ppg, 3 rpg, committed to Northern Michigan). Murphy can score in a lot of different ways and his aggressiveness and physicality is very difficult to defend. He gets plenty of help from seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1874957' first='Cameron' last='Williams'] (6-3, 14 ppg, 5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1688319' first='Kamarr' last='Bridges-Miller'] (6-5, 8 ppg, 6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1544745' first='Bennett' last='Buss'] (5-8, 5 ppg, 4 apg). Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2505503' first='Will' last='Stremlow'] (6-3) came off the bench as a freshman and had a strong spring/summer for the [program_tooltip program_id='2078835' first='Wisconsin' last='Swing'] program. <br><br><strong>2. Madison Memorial </strong>-- The Spartans have exceptional depth, good overall size, excellent experience and different players who can score in double figures. That's a lot of positives to work with and long-time coach Steve Collins could definitely have a special team in his 26th year as head coach. Returning starters include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2524112' first='Ian' last='Wischoff'] (5-10, 9 ppg, 5 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2524092' first='Abe' last='Dykstra'] (6-4, 6 ppg, 4 rpg) along with juniors brothers [player_tooltip player_id='2045264' first='Ezra' last='Liggon'] (6-5, 11 ppg, 3 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1561947' first='Caleb' last='Liggon'] (6-5, 13 ppg, 6 rpg). Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1756988' first='Anthony' last='Miller'] (6-0, 9 ppg, 2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2469250' first='Jouseph' last='Rodriguez'] (6-0, 8 ppg, 2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2495043' first='Andrew' last='Braun'] (6-1, 5 ppg) and Brayden Banyai (5-11, 4 ppg, 3 rpg) are offensive threats and provide stellar depth for Madison Memorial, which opens its season with a big non-league game against visiting Milwaukee Juneau on November 26. <br><br><strong>3. Middleton</strong> -- Coach Kevin Bavery lost a key returning player two weeks into the high school football season when junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1756989' first='Isaiah' last='Oliver'] (6-0, 9.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg) moved to Iowa with his family. Regardless, the Cardinals have the size, depth and hunger to contend for the league title. Led by University of Wisconsin recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1447229' first='Will' last='Garlock'] (6-11, 16.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg), Middleton should boast the strongest interior play in the league. Garlock is coming off a foot injury that sidelined him all spring and summer, but is hoping to beat at 100 percent for the start of the season. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2610600' first='Marquise' last='Walker'] (6-3, 7.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg) is a long backcourt prospect who can defend and score. With Garlock and Walker leading the way, Middleton has two of the better players in the league. Seniors Riley Kann (6-4), Drew Cooney (6-4) and Owen Ostreng (6-2) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2626535' first='Jackson' last='Guerrero'] (6-0) also figure to be key players for the Cardinals. <br><br><strong>4. Sun Prairie East </strong>-- While Bavery had to endure the loss of Oliver, Sun Prairie East coach Steve Maselter enjoyed the unexpected addition of Sun Prairie West transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1481176' first='Chris' last='Davis Jr.'], who led the state in scoring last year at 40.8 ppg. Davis had planned to attend DME Academy in Delafield for the 2024-25 school year, but returned home to be with his mother after his father, Chris Davis Sr., suddenly passed away last month. Now living with his mother in the Sun Prairie East district, Davis Jr. is expected to gain clearance from the WIAA to be eligible for the basketball season. Davis Jr. joins a talented returning cast that includes senior starters [player_tooltip player_id='2304732' first='Max' last='Raimer'] (6-5, 17.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2371370' first='Trystan' last='Fry'] (6-2, 10.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2493698' first='Max' last='Glusick'] (5-10, 8.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg).<br><br><strong>5. Madison La Follette</strong> -- The Lancers might have the best young talent in the Big Eight Conference. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1561953' first='Thian' last='Riak'] (6-4) is a two-year varsity performer for coach Torrance Holmes and one of the elite athletes in the league. Sophomore transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2140977' first='Reece' last='Jordan Jr']. (6-1) earned second-team all-league recognition while attending Madison East as a freshman. And class of 2028 prospects [player_tooltip player_id='2399542' first='CJ' last='Costello'] (5-10) and [player_tooltip player_id='2615535' first='Corvalis' last='Stewart'] (6-0) rank among the better freshmen in the Madison area and could contribute sooner than later to the Lancers' varsity squad. Toss in talented senior [player_tooltip player_id='2364727' first='Deb' last='Lumpkin'] (5-11) and Daniel Bryson (6-3) and the Lancers have the talent to make things tough on opponents.<br><br><strong>6. Sun Prairie West </strong>-- Even with the loss of [player_tooltip player_id='1481176' first='Chris' last='Davis Jr.'], the Wolves have talent, experience and the mental toughness required to win games in the highly competitive Big Eight Conference. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2116652' first='Tavian' last='Crawford'] (6-2, 13.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1481177' first='Tyler' last='Haney'] (6-1, 12.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and Casey Wambach (6-2, 5.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg) have all played multiple years of varsity basketball and form a rock-solid core for the Wolves. Developing depth is a concern for coach Jay Swanson, but seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2381693' first='Akhil' last='Aswin'] (6-1) and Dax Anderson (6-1) along with junior Joe Hamilton (5-11) figure to contend for starting roles.<br><br><strong>7. Madison West</strong> -- First-year coach Drew Slempkes takes over for Keith Stewart at a good time as there is plenty of talent in the Regents' cupboard. Led by the electric junior backcourt combination of [player_tooltip player_id='2045266' first='Mikey' last='Wilson'] (6-3, 27.1 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2364732' first='Quincy' last='Mosley'] (5-10, 19.4 ppg), Madison West has the offensive punch required to come away with victories in league play. Senior sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='2364733' first='Aidan' last='Wiley'] (6-2, 15.5 ppg) is one of the league's better long-distance shooters and joined Wilson and Mosley in the starting rotation. Other key returning players for the upstart Regents include senior Cortell Smith (5-10, 7.8 ppg), juniors Jonah Wallace (6-1) and Malachi Gavins (6-1), and sophomore Tre Turner (5-7).<br><br><strong>8. Janesville Craig</strong> -- Jack Hoag takes over the coaching duties at Janesville Craig from Ben McCormick, and is one of four new head mentors in the league. Although Hoag is a rookie head coach, he had been an assistant at Craig for years and is exceptionally familiar with the Big Eight. Craig went 19-9 a year ago and has two returning starters in senior big man [player_tooltip player_id='2492732' first='Judson' last='Henkel'] (6-8, 15.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and junior wing Jamar Jenkins (6-1, 3.3 ppg). Senior Alex Currie (6-2, 2.0 ppg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2452081' first='Keyon'Dre' last='Thornton'] (5-7, 2.3 ppg) also figure to be important players for the Cougars.<br><br><strong>9. Janesville Parker</strong> -- Losing JJ Douglas (6-5, 25.0 ppg, 15.7 rpg) to graduation is a huge hurdle to overcome for Janesville Parker coach Matt Bredesen. As if the loss of Douglas wasn't enough to deal with, Bredesen also must replace Jeff Rowin (6-6, 10.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg), Keegan Skrzypchak (6-4, 9.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Paul Kim (6-2, 6.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg) in his starting rotation. The lone returning regular for the Vikings is senior wing Jjaquari Douglas (6-2, 5.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg). Junior Jay'vion Hill (6-0, 3.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2641822' first='Javonte' last='Johnson'] (6-3, 1.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg) saw action as reserves in 2023-24 and figure to contend for starting spots alongside Douglas.<br><br><strong>10. Madison East </strong>-- Matt Miota retired after 15 seasons as head coach at Madison East last spring. He compiled a 180-137 record during his tenure and almost always had highly competitive squads. A whole new chapter in Eastside basketball gets underway in 2024-25 as Ryan Sheehy takes over the coaching dutires. Sheehy coached in the Las Vegas area last season and at Pleasant Grove High School in Elk Grove, California, two years ago. All five regulars from a 12-11 team have moved on, but junior [player_tooltip player_id='2406142' first='Jayden' last=''] (5-10, 3.2 ppg) did play big minutes a year ago and will be a leader for the Purgolders.<br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1481176' first='Chris' last='Davis Jr.'], Sun Prairie West (now attending Sun Prairie East), (40.8 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2045266' first='Mikey' last='Wilson'], Madison West (27.1 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1156904' first='Drew' last='Murphy'], Verona (23.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2364732' first='Quincy' last='Mosley'], Madison West (19.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2304732' first='Max' last='Raimer'], Sun Prairie East (17.6 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1447229' first='Will' last='Garlock'], Middleton (16.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2492732' first='Judson' last='Henkel'], Janesville Craig (15.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2364733' first='Aidan' last='Wiley'], Madison West (15.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1874957' first='Cameron' last='Williams'], Verona (14.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2116652' first='Tavian' last='Crawford'], Sun Prairie West (13.9 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140977' first='Reece' last='Jordan Jr']., Madison La Follette (13.2 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561947' first='Caleb' last='Liggon'], Madison Memorial (13.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1481177' first='Tyler' last='Haney'], Sun Prairie West (12.3 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2045264' first='Ezra' last='Liggon'], Madison Memorial (11.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2371370' first='Trystan' last='Fry'], Sun Prairie East (10.5 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2045266' first='Mikey' last='Wilson'], 6-3, Jr., Madison West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1481176' first='Chris' last='Davis Jr.'], 6-5, Sr., Sun Prairie East<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1447229' first='Will' last='Garlock'], 6-11, Sr., Middleton<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2492732' first='Judson' last='Henkel'], 6-8, Sr., Janesville Craig<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1156904' first='Drew' last='Murphy'], 6-6, Sr., Verona<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561947' first='Caleb' last='Liggon'], 6-5, Jr., Madison Memorial<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561953' first='Thian' last='Riak'], 6-4, Jr., Madison La Follette<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2610600' first='Marquise' last='Walker'], 6-3, Sr., Middleton<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2304732' first='Max' last='Raimer'], 6-5, Sr., Sun Prairie East<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2116652' first='Tavian' last='Crawford'], 6-2, Sr., Sun Prairie West<br><br><strong>Third Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2364732' first='Quincy' last='Mosley'], 5-10, Jr., Madison West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2045264' first='Ezra' last='Liggon'], 6-5, Jr., Madison Memorial<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1481177' first='Tyler' last='Haney'], 6-1, Sr., Sun Prairie West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140977' first='Reece' last='Jordan Jr']., 6-1, Soph., Madison La Follette<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1688319' first='Kamarr' last='Bridges-Miller'], 6-5, Sr., Verona<br><br><strong>The Big Five<br><br>Best Shooter: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1481176' first='Chris' last='Davis Jr.'], Sun Prairie East<strong><br>Best Rebounder: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1447229' first='Will' last='Garlock'] Middleton<strong><br>Best Defender: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1874957' first='Cameron' last='Williams'], Verona<strong><br>Best Collegiate Prospect: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1447229' first='Will' last='Garlock'], Middleton<strong><br>Most Improved Player:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2492732' first='Judson' last='Henkel'], Janesville Craig</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->