State Tournament Preview: 10 X-Factor players to watch

The stars from each team are well known and, obviously, need to perform well in order for their respective teams to advance at the WIAA State Tournament Thursday through Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison. But as is often the case in games on the state's biggest stage, some "role" players often step forward and end up making game-winning plays. Here's a breakdown of 10 X-Factor players, two in each division, to watch this weekend. DIVISION 1    A small forward with tremendous physical strength and very good ball handling, passing and scoring skills, Greene has committed to NCAA Division III Concordia University in Mequon. The Falcons are getting a player who impacts the game with his court awareness, his ability to get loose balls and his timely scoring. Greene ranks no higher than fourth on the Wisconsin Lutheran squad in scoring at 10.9 ppg, but when opponents spend their defensive energy trying to slow [player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140949' first='Kager' last='Knueppel'], Greene usually swoops in for the big basket. In addition to his scoring averaging, Greene also contributes 3.3 rebounds per game and is third on the team in made three-point shots with 34.     Ramberg provides Marshfield coach Chris Fischer with plenty of versatility and athleticism along the baseline. He runs the floor well, can finish in transition and can also make some shots from outside the three-point arc. At 6-foot-7 and with good verticality, Ramberg has emerged as one of the top rebounders in the Marshfield program as he grabbed 4.3 rpg while helping the Tigers to a 22-6 record. He also is averaging 9.0 ppg and tops the team in blocked shots with 18. Ramberg's length and activity near the basket on defense will be important as the Tigers try to reverse an earlier 59-55 loss to Waunakee when the two teams meet in their rematch in the Division 1 state semifinals.    DIVISION 2    Quick-on-quick point guard who defends with purpose and is always looking to tip the ball away from an opponent or get into the passing lanes for steals, Hennings' presence on the court usually leads to positive results for his talented teammates like [player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='1240337' first='Jake' last='Hansen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1561869' first='Matthew' last='Kloskey']. Hennings quickness in the open court often triggers the Trojans' potent transition game as he ranks second on the team in assists with 91. He also has 38 steals in 28 games for coach Chris Newbauer's squad, which enter the state tournament on a 12-game winning streak. Offensively, Hennings contributes 4.1 ppg and is shooting 71 percent from the foul line for the Trojans.     One of the more wired sophomores in the state, Gwinn comes to play with his high energy and confidence apparent each time he steps onto the court for the Park Panthers. An athletic backcourt prospect who can play either guard spot, Gwinn possesses a strong desire to compete and get things done as he is averaging 14.4 ppg and 4.4 rpg for a Park squad that is 26-2 and won the Southeast Conference championship. Gwinn loves to use his speed and impressive first step toward the basket to get into the lane and either score or draw a foul. He ranks second on the team in free throw attempts and third on the team in steals. Gwinn has emerged as one of the better sophomores in the state and has been instrumental in Park getting to the state tournament for the first time since 1960.    DIVISION 3    Jackson is far from a role player for Academy of Science as he is averaging 10.8 points and 5.7 rebounds for the Novas. But when defenses spend all their energy trying to slow [player_tooltip player_id='1447228' first='Jamarion' last='Batemon'], [player_tooltip player_id='1390441' first='Devin' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1390442' first='Agape' last='Keys Jr.'], Jackson steps up and slashes to the basket for baskets of the high flying variety. His athleticism, quickness and aggressiveness off the bounce as big factors in Academy of Science winning 23 of 24 contests this winter. And at 6-foot-4, Jackson has the size and length to score over most defenders. Jackson also can guard players of different size, giving Academy of Science some versatility in its defensive schemes.     Horkan doesn't start for the very talented squad at Lake Mills, but he's the type of player who can help the L-Cats extend a lead once he checks into a contest. A sweet-shooting backcourt ace, Horkan is connecting on 51 percent of his three-point field goal attempts as he's made 42-of-83 tries from outside the arc. Horkan is averaging 6.7 ppg and can spread the defense with his shooting stroke, particularly when he's on the court at the same time as Lake Mills' other top shooters such as [player_tooltip player_id='1745860' first='Brady' last='Benish'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2621035' first='Ty' last='Schaefer']. Horkan's strong play this season is one of the major reasons why depth is a big asset for Lake Mills as the L-Cats look forward to their state semifinal matchup with Academy of Science.    DIVISION 4    A fast rising prospect in the state's 2027 class, Bahr has the size, length and skill to make it tough on opponents. Bahr had 30 points in a win over Tomah during the regular season, and he averaged 14.0 ppg in the Blugolds' sectional wins over Luther and Cumberland. Bahr can get to the hoop off the bounce and also earn trips to the foul line. He is averaging 13.9 ppg and 7.3 rpg for coach Brad Reinhart's squad while also contributing 3.2 apg. Look for Bahr to continue to climb the Prep Hoops Wisconsin Player Rankings in the 2027 class as he continues to round out his game and add weight and strength to his frame.     If you enjoy watching players give 110 percent, particularly on the defensive end of the court, check out Anvelink when Bonduel takes on The Prairie School in the Division 4 state semifinals. Anvelink has been charged with guarding the best backcourt players on the Bears' schedule this winter and he has more than held his own against players like [player_tooltip player_id='2386279' first='Jett' last='Rogowski'] of Wittenberg-Birnamwood, among others. Anvelink's desire, quickness and high energy make things tough on all opponents, and he's likely going to use those attributes while trying to slow point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1289089' first='Carsen' last='Eeg'] of The Prairie School. Offensively, Anvelink ranks third on the team in scoring at 14.4 ppg. He has made 41 percent of his three-point attempts and also tops coach Duke Copp's squad in steals.      DIVISION 5    Rock steady with the ball and smart with his decisions, Leonhard has emerged as the primary ball handler for Sheboygan Lutheran and the results have been very positive for coach Nick Verhagen's squad. Leonhard leads the Crusaders in assists with 96 (3.7 apg) and does an excellent job of feeding frontline teammates [player_tooltip player_id='2382133' first='Marion' last='Boyland'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2224503' first='Brennen' last='Hackbarth'] in the post. Lest you think Leonhard is just a table setter, consider the fact he is averaging 12.6 ppg to rank third on the squad. He also uses his physical strength, timing and jumping ability to snare 6.9 rpg.     Yet another point guard who is an extension of the coach on the floor, Schmidtknecht helped Cochrane-Fountain City to a 20-2 record in the Dairyland Conference and to playoff wins over Pittsville, Loyal, Columbus Catholic and Royall with his decision making and passing skills. Schmidtknecht leads the team in assists at 5.5 apg while also pitching in 8.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 2.8 spg. [player_tooltip player_id='2624236' first='Cameron' last='Lipinski'] is the offensive star for C-FC, but Schmidtknecht's ability to run the show for coach Jesse Cyrus is equally important to the Pirates' success.

The stars from each team are well known and, obviously, need to perform well in order for their respective teams to advance at the WIAA State Tournament Thursday through Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.

But as is often the case in games on the state's biggest stage, some "role" players often step forward and end up making game-winning plays.

Here's a breakdown of 10 X-Factor players, two in each division, to watch this weekend.

DIVISION 1