Midwest Classic Preview 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 2024-25 Standings:</strong><br><br>1. Lake Country Lutheran 16-0 (22-4); 2. Brookfield Academy 12-4 (17-8); 2. Living Word Lutheran 12-4 (16-9); 2. University School 12-4 (19-7); 5. Messmer 10-6 (16-9); 6. Kingdom Prep Lutheran 8-8 (10-15); 7. Heritage Christian 7-9 (11-15); 7. St. Francis 7-9 (10-14); 7. Watertown Luther Prep 7-9 (11-14); 10. Catholic Central 2-14 (5-20); 10. St. John's Northwestern 2-14 (3-20); 12. Kenosha Christian 1-15 (6-18).<br><br><strong>2025-26 Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/lake-country-lutheran/">Lake Country Lutheran</a></strong> -- Winners of the last five Midwest Classic titles, Lake Country Lutheran aims to make it six in a row under new coach Zach Jahns, a former head coach at Mayville. Jahns, the son of Lakeside Lutheran coach Todd Jahns, has two players back who averaged in double figures on a 22-4 squad in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2610583' first='Jake' last='Burow'] (6-3, 15 ppg, 8 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2402768' first='Ethan' last='Hans'] (6-2, 12 ppg, 3 rpg). While Burow and Hans give the Lightning plenty of experience and offensive skill, others in the program also boast impressive talent. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020633' first='Connor' last='Lubbers'] (6-3, 5 ppg, 4 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020637' first='Obidiah' last='Mueller'] (6-2, 4 ppg, 2 rpg) will contend for starting roles along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2841010' first='Simon' last='Duston'] (6-6), [player_tooltip player_id='2814532' first='Ben' last='York'] (6-4) and [player_tooltip player_id='2821210' first='Cole' last='Haliburton'] (6-2). <br><br><strong>2. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/brookfield-academy/">Brookfield Academy</a></strong> -- The Djilas triplets again will play major roles at Brookfield Academy, which went 17-8 a year ago under coach pat Clarey, now in his 16th season as the Blue Knights' head coach. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140975' first='Pavle' last='Djilas'] (6-7, 16.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2140952' first='Lazar' last='Djilas'] (6-8, 10.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140963' first='Nikola' last='Djilas'] (6-2, 4.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg) were starters a year ago as was senior [player_tooltip player_id='2915730' first='Eddie' last='Schoyer'] (6-5, 6.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg). That foursome will pave the way for Brookfield Academy, which lost two double-figure scorers to graduation in Ty Mahnke (5-6, 17.2 ppg) and Vincent Pagenkopf (6-0, 15.2 ppg).<br><br><strong>3. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/messmer/">Messmer</a></strong> -- The youth movement coach Ben Hailey went with a year ago could very well pay dividends for the Bishops as four underclassmen return who started last winter on a 16-9 team. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2508293' first='Delvito' last='Velazquez'] (5-10, 25.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2839955' first='Najaeh' last='Garrett'] (6-0, 15.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2389912' first='Breon' last='Bennett'] (6-1, 9.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg) along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2371654' first='Kaeden' last='King'] (6-2, 11.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg) form a rock-solid nucleus for Messmer. In addition to the experience of those mentioned, the Bishops possess quality depth in the form of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2631438' first='Amarre' last='Johnson'] (5-10, 6.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2402418' first='Lyriq' last='Colbert'] (6-2, 4 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2427214' first='[player_tooltip player_id='2427211' first='Davontay' last='']' last='Carr-Hopgood'] (6-0, 4.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg).<br><br><strong>4. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/luther-preparatory-school/">Watertown Luther Prep</a></strong> -- Good size, good experience and good players. Those attributes accurately describe the boys' basketball squad at Watertown Luther Prep. Coach Steve Vasold has five key players back from an 11-14 team, including returning starters [player_tooltip player_id='2631448' first='Gabe' last='Nottling'] (6-4, 17.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3022739' first='Jonas' last='Meyer'] (5-9, 6.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2422274' first='Matthew' last='Kieselhorst'] (6-4, 6.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg). Nottling could average a double/double this winter as he is a strong all-around player. Also returning for the Phoenix are juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2906124' first='Levi' last='Nottling'] (6-4, 9.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022743' first='Nathan' last='Schultz'] (6-1, 1.1 pgp, 1.5 rpg). <br><br><strong>5. </strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/living-word-lutheran/"><strong>Living Word Lutheran</strong> </a>-- Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2509457' first='Jordan' last='Evans'] (6-2, 17 ppg, 4 rpg) headlines the list of returning players for coach Jake Holton at Living Word Lutheran. Ranked as one of the top class of 2028 prospects in the state, Evans has the size, strength and skill to get to the basket and finish through contact. Another returning starter, junior [player_tooltip player_id='2509455' first='Ryde' last='Ehley'] (6-3, 9 pgp, 5 rpg), also shows flashes of being a solid collegiate prospect. Evans and Ehley will provide leadership and toughness to the Timberwolves' lineup. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='3020725' first='Gavin' last='Weissenburger'] (6-2, 8 ppg, 5 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3020713' first='Josh' last='Lyczak'] (6-0, 4 ppg, 2 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3020723' first='Ben' last='Jones'] (6-0, 3 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id='3020715' first='Travis' last='Lofton'] (6-4) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020726' first='Donavan' last='Pettis'] (6-4) also return and will contend for roles alongside Evans and Ehley.<br><br><strong>6. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/university-school-of-milwaukee/">University School</a> </strong>-- Coach Andy Fitzgerald begins his fourth season with two starters back from a 19-7 squad in juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2479757' first='Kristian' last='Bartl'] (6-6, 15.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140940' first='Jordan' last='Coleman'] (5-10, 14.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg). Bartl is a versatile big who can score inside and outside and has two seasons of varsity experience under his belt. Coleman will handle much of the backcourt duties for University School while getting help from senior [player_tooltip player_id='3022665' first='Donovan' last='Ford'] (6-0, 5.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2530849' first='Chase' last='Janssen'] (5-10, 2.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg). Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2968409' first='Will' last='Merluzzi-Hitter'] (6-3, 2.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg) is also back for the Wildcts, who have good length and cohesiveness but lack depth.<br><br><strong>7. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/st-francis-3/">St. Francis</a> </strong>-- Lance Marifke is back at St. Francis after most recently serving as the head man at South Milwaukee. He is excited to be back at St. Francis and has a couple of top-notch players to build around in juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2405555' first='Josh' last='Green'] (6-1, 14.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2761979' first='Dai'lend' last='Jett'] (6-0, 14.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg). Green, Jett and junior [player_tooltip player_id='3022358' first='Silas' last='Bielinski'] (5-10, 2.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg) started on the Mariners' 10-14 squad last winter. A strong junior class at the school also includes [player_tooltip player_id='3022361' first='Elijah' last='Stewart'] (6-2), [player_tooltip player_id='3022362' first='Maurice' last='Smith'] (6-1), [player_tooltip player_id='2832145' first='David' last='Garcia'] (6-2), [player_tooltip player_id='3022359' first='Jordan' last='Mack'] (5-9) and [player_tooltip player_id='3022364' first='Valentino' last='Velazquez'] (5-11). Sophomore sharpshooter Elijah Chapman (6-2) also could play a big role for St. Francis.<br><strong><br>8.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/kingdom-prep-lutheran/"> Kingdom Prep Lutheran</a></strong> -- Like so many other teams in the Midwest Classic, Kingdom Prep Lutheran has some offensive firepower back from a year ago. First-year coach Chauncey Russell gets the luxury of working with four senior starters off of last year's club that finished 10-15. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2631452' first='Myles' last='Zawacki'] (6-3, 21.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg) is a tough player to slow down due to his size and skill combination. Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2832087' first='Ladarius' last='Finkley'] (6-0, 20.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg) also can put the ball in the basket. Other returning regulars include [player_tooltip player_id='3020566' first='Andrew' last='Brown'] (6-6, 8.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3020564' first='Gavyn' last='Polnitz'] (6-1, 6.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg). The Wolfpack could be a surprise team in the league as guard play, experience and offensive execution are listed strengths by Russell. Look for sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='3019743' first='Lavant' last='Johnson'] (6-4) to have a breakout season for the Wolfpack.<br><br><strong>9. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/heritage-christian-4/">Heritage Christian</a></strong> -- Former Martin Luther assistant Matt Ivers takes over the coaching duties at Heritage Christian and looks to keep the Patriots among the better programs in the Midwest Classic. He has two key returning players to work with this winter in senior [player_tooltip player_id='2484459' first='Marcus' last='Seroyer'] (6-0, 13.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2140903' first='Chase' last='Porter'] (6-1, 10.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg). Both were starters for the Patriots on last year's 11-15 squad. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2452139' first='Aidan' last='Ganiere'] (6-0, 4.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2614875' first='Micah' last='Sells'] (5-10, 10.7 ppg) also figure to be key contributors for a team that lacks size but has plenty of good shooting. <br><br><strong>10. <a href="https://prephoops.com/team/catholic-central-2/">Catholic Central</a> </strong>-- Dan Meddaugh has spent the past decade or so serving as an assistant at both Catholic Central and Burlington. Now, he gets the chance to take over as a head coach as he replaced Steve Smith as the Hilltoppers' coach earlier this fall. Meddaugh, a teacher at Catholic Central, inherits a program that has struggled of late but has a strong tradition and a strong core of returning players. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2487657' first='Sam' last='Fait'] (6-4, 29.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg) is an exciting player to watch because of his size, scoring ability, athleticism and ability to take over a game. He'll get some help from returning starters [player_tooltip player_id='2724890' first='Quin' last='Graf'] (6-0, 7.4 pgp, 4.8 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3019343' first='Nate' last='Rohner'] (5-8, 4.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='3019342' first='Nate' last='Robson'] (6-0, 1.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='3019349' first='Wyatt' last='Leiting'] (6-1, 5.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg).<br><br><strong>11.</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/team/st-johns-northwestern-academy/"><strong> St. John's Northwestern</strong> </a>-- Hocine Gaham becomes the third coach in as many seasons at St. John's Northwestern in Delafield and will work with two of the better players in the Midwest Classic in juniors [player_tooltip player_id='3022373' first='Mamadou' last='N'diaye'] (6-9, 15.2 ppg, 12.2 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2840072' first='James' last='Visocky'] (6-6, 12.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg). N'diaye is an emerging class of 2027 prospect who took strides in his game last season and over the spring/summer with the 24: Up club program. He continues to add some strength to his long frame. Visocky gives the Lancers a scoring wing who competes with size and experience. <br><br><strong>12.<a href="https://prephoops.com/team/kenosha-christian-life/"> Kenosha Christian Life</a></strong> -- New coach Fidel Prado looks to move up from a 6-18 finish with four starters returning from last season. Leading the way for the Eagles is senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2831280' first='Matthew' last='Reyes'] (5-11, 17.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg), one of the better backcourt players in the Midwest Classic. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2968763' first='Ezra' last='Jones'] (5-11, 7.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg), [player_tooltip player_id='2968766' first='Kevin' last='Krass'] (6-2, 6.6 ppg, 9.4 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='2968765' first='Evan' last='Shaffer'] (5-10, 3.0 ppg) also return for Kenosha Christian Life. <br><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2487657' first='Sam' last='Fait'] (Catholic Central) 29.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508293' first='Delvito' last='Velazquez'] (Messmer) 25.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2631452' first='Myles' last='Zawacki'] (Kingdom Prep) 21.7 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2832087' first='Ladarius' last='Finkley'] (Kingdom Prep) 20.6 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2631448' first='Gabe' last='Nottling'] (Watertown Luther Prep) 17.3 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2509457' first='Jordan' last='Evans'] (Living Word Lutheran) 17.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140975' first='Pavle' last='Djilas'] (Brookfield Academy) 16.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2839955' first='Najaeh' last='Garrett'] (Messmer) 15.6 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2479757' first='Kristian' last='Bartl'] (University School) 15.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3022373' first='Mamadou' last='N'diaye'] (St. John's Northwestern) 15.2 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2610583' first='Jake' last='Burow'] (Lake Country Lutheran) 15.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2405555' first='Josh' last='Green'] (St. Francis) 14.9 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140940' first='Jordan' last='Coleman'] (University School) 14.6 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2761979' first='Dai'lend' last='Jett'] (St. Francis) 14.4 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2484459' first='Marcus' last='Seroyer'] (Heritage Christian) 13.9 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2840072' first='James' last='Visocky'] (St. John's Northwestern) 12.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2402768' first='Ethan' last='Hans'] (Lake Country Lutheran) 12.0 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2371654' first='Kaeden' last='King'] (Messmer) 11.5 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140952' first='Lazar' last='Djilas'] (Brookfield Academy) 10.8 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2614875' first='Micah' last='Sells'] (Heritage Christian) 10.7 ppg<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140903' first='Chase' last='Porter'] (Heritage Christian) 10.0 ppg<br><br><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong><br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2610583' first='Jake' last='Burow'], Sr., Lake Country Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2509457' first='Jordan' last='Evans'], Soph., Living Word Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2479757' first='Kristian' last='Bartl'], Jr., University School<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2508293' first='Delvito' last='Velazquez'], Jr., Messmer<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2487657' first='Sam' last='Fait'], Jr., Catholic Central<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2631448' first='Gabe' last='Nottling'], Sr., Watertown Luther Prep<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140975' first='Pavle' last='Djilas'], Jr., Brookfield Academy<br><br><strong>Second Team</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='2402768' first='Ethan' last='Hans'], Jr., Lake Country Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2631452' first='Myles' last='Zawacki'], Sr., Kingdom Prep Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2140952' first='Lazar' last='Djilas'], Jr., Brookfield Academy<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2839955' first='Najaeh' last='Garrett'], Jr., Messmer<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2509455' first='Ryde' last='Ehley'], Jr., Living Word Lutheran<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3022373' first='Mamadou' last='N'diaye'], Jr., St. John's Northwestern<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2405555' first='Josh' last='Green'], Jr., St. Francis<br><br><strong>The Big Five</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2508293' first='Delvito' last='Velazquez'], Messmer<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2610583' first='Jake' last='Burow'], Lake Country Lutheran<br><strong>Best Rebounder:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='3022373' first='Mamadou' last='N'diaye'], St. John's Northwestern<br><strong>Best Collegiate Prospect</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='2140975' first='Pavle' last='Djilas'], Brookfield Academy<br><strong>Most Improved:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2631452' first='Myles' last='Zawacki'], Kingdom Prep Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->