Capitol South Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Final Standings</strong><br><br>1. Belleville 8-2 (13-13); 1. New Glarus 8-2 (16-9); 3. Cambridge 5-5 (10-15); 3. Marshall 5-5 (16-12); 5. Waterloo 4-6 (9-17); 6. Wisconsin Heights 0-10 (8-17). <br><br><strong>2024-25 Picks</strong><br><strong><br>1. Marshall </strong>-- TJ Zweifel moves from one school in the Capitol South to another as the ex-Belleville coach was chosen to lead Marshall's program last spring. The Cardinals won 16 games last winter and return an abundance of experience, talent, strong guard play and quickness as they set out to win the league title. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1883464' first='Kenyon' last='Miggins'] (5-9, 18.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg) is a four-year varsity performer who can push the ball in transition, get into the lane in the half court, and make difficult shots at crunch time. He is the leader for a ultra-talented backcourt that also includes his younger brother, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2423549' first='Jaylen' last='Miggins'] (6-0, 9.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg), along with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2621276' first='Teseo' last='Ruelas'] (5-10, 11.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and Carson Connelly (6-0, 6.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg). Up front, Marshall returns senior [player_tooltip player_id='2621267' first='Daniel' last='Nickel'] (6-2, 11.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg), junior [player_tooltip player_id='2407473' first='Brady' last='Kleinheinz'] (6-3, 7.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and senior Grant Peters (6-5, 6.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg). <br><br><strong>2. Cambridge</strong> -- Former Lake Mills and UW-Platteville guard Alex Ranney takes over the head-coaching duties at Cambridge at an opportune time as four regulars return from a team that went 10-15. Leading the way for Cambridge is senior [player_tooltip player_id='1598980' first='Matthew' last='Buckman'] (6-5, 25.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg), who recently accepted a NCAA Division II scholarship offer from Hillsdale College in Michigan. Buckman is a four-year varsity performer, a prolific scorer and a player who can get to the foul line. He will get plenty of help from seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2621275' first='Drew' last='Holzhueter'] (6-0, 13.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and Kiefer Parish (6-0, 6.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2758142' first='Jett' last='Horton'] (6-0, 7.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2404952' first='Cal' last='Nottestad'] (6-3, 2.9 ppg). <br><br><strong>3. New Glarus</strong> -- Travis Sysko has averaged almost 14 wins per season during his 22 years as the head coach at New Glarus, and the Glarner Knights figure to have yet another highly competitive squad in 2024-25. Sysko will rely heavily on his lone returning starter, senior wing prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2406282' first='Breckyn' last='Thompson'] (6-2, 9.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg). Thompson will provide leadership for a returning core that also includes seniors Charlie Sarbacker (6-0, 6.1 ppg) and Clayton Streiff (6-2, 3.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg), along with sophomore Nolan Julseth (5-7, 3.3 ppg). Newcomers from a JV1 squad that finished 18-4 also will contend for significant roles.<br><br><strong>4. Belleville</strong> -- First-year coach Drew Shrader takes over a program that welcomes back three regulars from a year ago when the Wildcats tied New Glarus for the league title. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2499896' first='Jackson' last='Scholey'] (5-6, 12.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg) is one of the elite perimeter shooters in the league and his quickness and savvy on the court makes things tough on opponents. Senior Evan Thomas (6-0, 9.4 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2621272' first='Brenden' last='Pawloski'] (6-6, 4.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg) also return to the starting lineup for Belleville. Seniors Bryce Babler (5-10, 7.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg), Adam Cann (6-2, 4.6 ppg) and Samuel Arndt (6-3, 2.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg) figure to also play prominent roles.<br><br><strong>5. Wisconsin Heights</strong> -- The Vanguards have finished in last place in the league standings in each of the past two seasons and own a 1-19 league mark during that time frame. While the recent past has had its share of difficulties, Wisconsin Heights looks to the new campaign with optimism. Second-year coach Nolan Krentz is familiar with the school and players in the program, and he has three starters back in seniors Mike Franscali (6-2, 10.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Reed Adler (6-0, 9.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and Ethan Myers (5-11, 4.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg). Turnovers were an issue for the Vanguards last season, but help in that area might be forthcoming with the addition of freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2613996' first='Graham' last='Crowe'] (5-9).<br><br><strong>6. Waterloo</strong> -- Brian Lutz returns as head coach at Waterloo after serving as the head coach at the school during the 2018-19 season. Although the cupboard isn't bare, Lutz has the tough task of trying to replace the Pirates' top four scorers of a year ago. The top returning players are all backcourt performers and include seniors Jackson Beyer (5-10, 5.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and Caleb Bullock (5-11, 2.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg) along with juniors Ryder Jahnke (5-10, 4.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and Grant Nowak (6-1). Like most of the other teams in the Capitol South, the lack of size is a big concern for Waterloo.<br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1598980' first='Matthew last='Buckman'], Cambridge (25.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1883464' first='Kenyon' last='Miggins'], Marshall (18.4 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2621275' first='Drew' last='Holzhueter'], Cambridge (13.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2499896' first='Jackson' last='Scholey'], Belleville (12.5 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2621267' first='Daniel' last='Nickel'], Marshall (11.7 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2621276' first='Teseo' last='Ruelas'], Marshall (11.0 ppg)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2621283' first='Mike' last='Fanscali'], Wisconsin Heights (10.1 ppg)<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2499896' first='Jackson' last='Scholey'], 5-6, Jr., Belleville<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1598980' first='Matthew last='Buckman'], 6-5, Sr., Cambridge<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1883464' first='Kenyon' last='Miggins'], 5-9, Sr., Marshall<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2406282' first='Breckyn' last='Thompson'], 6-2, Sr., New Glarus<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2621267' first='Daniel' last='Nickel'], 6-2, Sr., Marshall<strong><br><br>Second Team</strong><br>Evan Thomas, 6-0, Sr., Belleville<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2621275' first='Drew' last='Holzhueter'], 6-0, Sr., Cambridge<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2621276' first='Teseo' last='Ruelas'], 5-10, Sr., Marshall<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2423549' first='Jaylen' last='Miggins'], 6-0, Soph., Marshall<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2621283' first='Mike' last='Fanscali'], 6-2, Sr., Wisconsin Heights<strong><br><br>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598980' first='Matthew' last='Buckman'], Cambridge<br><strong>Best Rebounder: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2621272' first='Brenden' last='Pawloski'], Belleville<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1883464' first='Kenyon' last='Miggins'], Marshall<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1598980' first='Matthew' last='Buckman'], Cambridge<br><strong>Most Improved Player:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2758142' first='Jett' last='Horton'], Cambridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->