Greater Metro Preview 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2024-25 Standings:</strong><br><br>1. Wauwatosa West 12-4 (24-6); 1. Brookfield Central 12-4 (19-8); 3. Brookfield East 11-5 (16-10); 4. Germantown 10-6 (14-11); 5. Menomonee Falls 9-7 (13-12); 6. Marquette 8-8 (12-14); 7. Sussex Hamilton 6-10 (10-15); 8. Wauwatosa East 3-13 (5-19); 9. West Allis Hale 1-15 (2-23).<br><br><strong>2025-26 Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wauwatosa-west/"><strong> Wauwatosa West</strong> </a>-- The Trojans won't give an inch to opponents again this season. Coach Christopher Newbauer has another roster loaded with exceptionally competitive players who are ready to go toe-to-toe with any team in Wisconsin from opening tip until final buzzer. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'] (6-5, 22.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 5.2 apg), who owns several high-major NCAA Division I scholarship offers, including Wisconsin, leads a team that won 24 of 30 games a year ago when it captured the league crown and the WIAA Division 2 state title. Joining Brown in the toughness and never-back-down department are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1561869' first='Matthew' last='Kloskey'] (6-5, 22.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1558479' first='DJ' last='Hennings'] (5-9, 4.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.1 apg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2402461' first='Messiah' last='Chambers'] (6-2, 2.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg). Kloskey is an athletic wing who recently picked up an offer from Green Bay while Hennings is a varsity veteran who can put extreme ball pressure on opposing guards. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2423561' first='Max' last='Gogin'] (5-10, 3.4 ppg) and Karson Mangum (6-6, 2.9 ppg) along with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1561954' first='Steven' last='Wright'] (5-10, 3.0 ppg) give the Trojans tremendous depth.<br><br><strong>2. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/brookfield-central/"><strong>Brookfield Central</strong> </a>-- The Lancers are looking at trying to beat defending WIAA Division 2 state champion Wauwatosa West not only in the Greater Metro, but also in Sectional 2 of the playoffs. Two of the top teams in the entire state, regardless of division, Wauwatosa West vs. Brookfield Central hoops is must watch on December 19 in Wauwatosa and February 5 in Brookfield. Coach Dan Wandrey has five players back who started on last year's 19-8 squad. That group includes Green Bay recruit Henry Greutzmacher (6-9, 14.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg), vastly improved point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1258390' first='Evan' last='Prusko'] (6-2, 12.7 ppg, 3.4 apg), emerging junior [player_tooltip player_id='2641639' first='Nasir' last='Avery'] (6-0, 6.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and senior wings [player_tooltip player_id='1561915' first='Matthew' last='James'] (6-2, 4.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3019179' first='Derek' last='Treis'] (6-2). Also back are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3019178' first='Ethan' last='Koceja'] (6-2, 3.2 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3019173' first='Brady' last='Craddock'] (5-10).<br><br><strong>3. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/brookfield-east/">Brookfield East</a></strong> -- There is a lot going in the right direction for the Brookfield East basketball program this winter. For one thing, coach Joe Rux has four starters back from a 16-win squad. For another, the depth on the team is outstanding with newcomers from a 20-2 JV1 squad battling for playing time along with the holdovers. And, finally, the health of standout senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2492552' first='TJ' last='Platz'] (6-3, 17 ppg, 5.5 rpg) appears good. Platz, a stellar shooter and competitive combination guard, has missed games in the past three seasons due to various injuries, but he is locked in for a strong senior campaign. Joining Platz as key returning players for the Spartans are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2500059' first='Zeke' last='Sawall'] (6-4, 15.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2521916' first='Carter' last='Mantei'] (6-2, 5.7 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='3019190' first='Ronje' last='Horton Jr.'] (5-7, 6.1 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='3019193' first='Owen' last='Counsell'] (5-10, 4.5 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2500862' first='Grant' last='Kooyenga'] (6-7, 3.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg). Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2438156' first='Davian' last='White'] (6-0, 4.0 ppg) is also back for the Spartans.<br><br><strong>4. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/germantown-2/">Germantown</a></strong> -- A trio of double-figure scorers return for coach Kyle Fueger at Germantown. Those three players helped the Warhawks to a 14-11 mark last season and form a very strong nucleus. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2116495' first='Cahlil' last='Jones'] (6-3, 20.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1561962' first='JJ' last='Walters'] (6-5, 14.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2498966' first='Darrius' last='Peete'] (6-3, 11.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg) could very well be the best threesome in the Greater Metro. Getting production from some others will be key to the Warhawks' success. The list of potential contributors beyond those previously mentioned include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020047' first='AJ' last='Melcher'] (6-2, 2.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3020045' first='Payton' last='Laabs'] (6-0, 2.3 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2833578' first='Dylan' last='Merryfield'] (6-5, 2.8 ppg) along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2396859' first='Cole' last='Reiter'] (6-8, 1.6 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2394833' first='Mason' last='Maciejewski'] (6-2). Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2869673' first='Jack' last='Olszewski'] (6-2) could also factor into the playing rotation.<br><br><strong>5. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/marquette-university/">Marquette</a></strong> -- Depth, versatility and a desire to get back in the first division are all positives for the Hilltoppers, who won the 2024 WIAA Division 1 state crown before falling to 12-14 last winter. Coach Casey Kowalewski will count heavily on seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020937' first='Cal' last='Ferber'] (6-0, 9.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3020942' first='Gavin' last='Coury'] (6-3, 6.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='1561924' first='Luke' last='Gundrum'] (6-0, 8.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020939' first='Frank' last='Briscoe'] (5-10, 2.4 ppg). All of those players started at times last year. Also back are juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2642421' first='Christian' last='Miller'] (6-3, 10.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2835400' first='Harrison' last='Schwabe'] (6-4, 3.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg). Senior [player_tooltip player_id='3020938' first='Leo' last='Sanders'] (6-4), who was injured last winter, and junior sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='2841012' first='Liam' last='Minessale'] (6-0) also figure to be key performers for the Hilltoppers.<br><br><strong>6. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/menomonee-falls/">Menomonee Falls</a></strong> -- Scrappy. Feisty. Competitive. Those traits almost always typify a Freddie Riley-coached team. And those traits are core principles to the Menomonee Falls' program. Pressure defense and toughness will characterize this year's squad as Riley has two starters back from a 13-12 squad in senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1874952' first='Anthony' last='Ness'] (5-10, 13 ppg, 2 rpg) and senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2381464' first='Logan' last='Rouse'] (6-4, 11 ppg, 5 rpg). Others who figures to make a big impact include seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2408467' first='Luke' last='Bleimehl'] (6-2, 5 ppg, 3 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3021011' first='Jeff' last='Simms Jr.'] (6-1) and [player_tooltip player_id='2381459' first='Antwoine' last='Fourte'] (6-4) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='3021012' first='Calvin' last='Tischer'] (6-3). Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2560723' first='Jackson' last='Gemignani'] (6-2), [player_tooltip player_id='2672494' first='Cameron' last='Wentworth'] (6-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='2672610' first='Charlie' last='Bleimehl'] (5-7) could also factor into the playing rotation.<br><br><strong>7.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/wauwatosa-east/"> Wauwatosa East</a></strong> -- Tim Arndorfer is in his 19th season as the head coach at Wauwatosa East and his squad this winter could be a surprise in the Greater Metro. Arndorfer, who has won 229 games at the school, has some key pieces back from a squad that went 5-19. The key returnees for the Red Raiders include juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3022806' first='Louie' last='Fox'] (6-4, 6.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1900422' first='Donovan' last='Calloway'] (5-11, 11.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg), along with seniors Tommie Muskgrown (6-3, 9.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2864718' first='Ben' last='Walker Jr.'] (6-4, 4.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg). Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140973' first='Parker' last='Mitchell'] (6-1, 3.0 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022805' first='Luke' last='Gendrich'] (5-10) provide quality depth for Wauwatosa East. <br><br><strong>8. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/hamilton-7/">Sussex Hamilton</a></strong> -- The Greater Metro is strong and deep, more so this year than a year ago. Thus, a quality program and team like Sussex Hamilton is picked no higher than eighth. The Chargers certainly could finish higher, maybe even much higher, in the final standings, but there are just no easy triumphs in this circuit. First-year coach Jason Schneider knows that as well as anybody as he previously served as an assistant under long-time coach Andy Cerroni, who retired last summer. Schneider was named to replace his former mentor earlier this fall. Two starters return from a 10-15 squad in juniors Cole Erdman (6-2, 8.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2440784' first='Alec' last='Vernon'] (6-4, 5.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg). Erdman and Vernon are emerging class of 2027 prospects in the state and will give the Chargers plenty of production. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2837066' first='Lincoln' last='Heberer'] (5-10, 3.2 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2684120' first='Dane' last='Warren'] (6-1, 4.0 ppg) along with junior [player_tooltip player_id='3022510' first='Timmy' last='Tobolic'] (6-2, 3.5 ppg) also will play big roles. <br><br><strong>9. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/nathan-hale/"><strong>West Allis Hale</strong> </a>-- It's been a tough go of it for West Allis Hale the past two seasons as the Huskies have won just one of 32 league games during that time span. New coach Cole Reindl knows about the Huskies' struggles of late, but his enthusiasm and desire to turn this program around will be big assets now and into the future. Four key players are back from a 2-23 squad in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3022848' first='Ivan' last='Taylor Jr.'] (6-3, 7.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3022851' first='Liam' last='Devine'] (6-3, 5.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2850998' first='Dayvion' last='Humphrey'] (6-0, 5.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022849' first='TJ' last='Carter'] (6-0, 3.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg). That group will have to provide leadership and a can-do attitude in order for the Huskies to win more than one league game this winter. <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'] (Wauwatosa West) 22.1 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561869' first='Matthew' last='Kloskey'] (Wauwatosa West) 22.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2116495' first='Cahlil' last='Jones'] (Germantown) 20.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2492552' first='TJ' last='Platz'] (Brookfield East) 17.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2500059' first='Zeke' last='Sawall'] (Brookfield East) 15.1 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561962' first='JJ' last='Walters'] (Germantown) 14.9 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561913' first='Henry' last='Gruetzmacher'] (Germantown) 14.9 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1874952' first='Anthony' last='Ness'] (Menomonee Falls) 13.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1258390' first='Evan' last='Prusko'] (Germantown) 12.7 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2498966' first='Darrius' last='Peete'] (Germantown) 11.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1900422' first='Donovan' last='Calloway'] (Wauwatosa East) 11.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2381464' first='Logan' last='Rouse'] (Menomonee Falls) 11.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2642421' first='Christian' last='Miller'] (Marquette) 10.9 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3020937' first='Cal' last='Ferber'] (Marquette) 9.8 ppg<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'], Jr., Wauwatosa West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2116495' first='Cahlil' last='Jones'], Sr., Germantown<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561869' first='Matthew' last='Kloskey'], Sr., Wauwatosa West<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561913' first='Henry' last='Gruetzmacher'], Sr., Brookfield Central<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2492552' first='TJ' last='Platz'], Sr., Brookfield East<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1561962' first='JJ' last='Walters'], Sr., Germantown<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2500059' first='Zeke' last='Sawall'], Sr., Brookfield East<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1874952' first='Anthony' last='Ness'], Sr., Menomonee Falls<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1258390' first='Evan' last='Prusko'], Sr., Brookfield Central<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2642421' first='Christian' last='Miller'], Jr., Marquette<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2500059' first='Zeke' last='Sawall'], Brookfield East<br><strong>Best Rebounder:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1561913' first='Henry' last='Gruetzmacher'], Germantown<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'], Wauwatosa West<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'], Wauwatosa West<br><strong>Most Improved Player:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2642391' first='Kason' last='Mangum'], Wauwatosa West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->