Division five is by far the toughest division to rank. These are teams that I never see play, never hear about, and well there just small and in obscure parts of the state. This year there really isn't a clear cut favorite. No Sam Dekker led team, no Randolph, and no team that was at state last year that returns a lot of players. I'm really going to have to default to the WBBY yearbook on this one.
1. Port Edwards- Only lost two games a year ago and bring back four starters from that team. Yearbook has them #1 too.
2. Wausaukee- 22 wins a year ago and have two 15 point scoring seniors back in 6'3 Aaron Schlies and 6'1 Zach Orlando.
3. Bangor- Beat out Hillsboro a year ago going undefeated and have 6'7 senior Canon O'Heron back who scored 19 a game a year ago.
4. Milwaukee Academy of Science- Very tough team to judge because you just don't know who their playing. Won 20 games last year but, play some very good teams and also some very big push overs.
5. Barneveld-Strong strong tradition and the yearbook has them ranked fourth.
6. Hillsboro- Yearbook has them ranked third but, when I saw them a year ago I just wasn't that impressed. 6'3 junior Ma Stockwell is very tough in the post though.
7. Frederic- Another year book pick here and they do have four starters back.
8. Central Wisconsin Christian- Have had two very good years the last couple years and have two very good 6'4 seniors back in Tyler De Young and Cody Zonefeld.
9. Necedah- Another team that I did see play last year and I really liked a pair of seniors 5'11 Jordan Murphy and 6'0 Matt Brown.
10. Owen Withee- Yearbook pick here as well. Won 19 games a year ago.
11. McDonell Central- Have a pretty strong tradition recently. Don't always have the best record due to their conference but, are usually there at the end.
12. Randolph- This is not the Randolph of old but, they do have maybe the quickest point guard in D5 in 5'7 senior Duke VanderGalien.
13. Gilmanton- 18 wins a year ago and bring back three players that averaged double digits a year ago.
14. Green Bay NEW Lutheran- State team a year ago and have 6'3 senior Noah Gosse back.
15.Sheboygan Lutheran- Another state team last year and have 6'1 senior Jacob Jurss back who should have a monster year.
Those are my rankings. Take them for what you want as much of them are straight from the yearbook with a little of my own thoughts sprinkled in.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Division Four Preseason
Well today is D4 day also known as the private division. D4 has been dominated by the privates schools and in particular Whitefish Bay Dominican who was won the past three D4 titles. This year should be no different as Dominican has a starting front line of 6'11, 6'8, 6'7 and more then likely four scholarship players.
1. Dominican- I've mentioned it all already with 6'11 senior Diamond Stone going for his fourth straight title and fellow returning senior starters 6'2 Tywon Bressler Jr and 5'9 Austin Moutry. A pair of talented transfers added to the mix in 6'8 senior Garrison Goode and 6'7 junior Kostas Antetokounmpo. No one in D4 can beat this team.
2. Eau Claire Regis- 6'6 senior Billy Wampler is a D1 college player who averaged 25 a game last year and has a solid sidekick in 6'2 junior Logan Rohrscheib who averaged 16 a game.
3. Racine St Catherines- Have one of the best coaches in the state and they always play hard and play the right way. They will be there at the end
4. Mineral Point- Bring back three starters that only lost one game a year ago.
5. Blair Taylor- Last years runner ups have 6'1 senior Brett Ladstein back whose a big time scorer and a talented transfer in 6'3 senior Kolton Flick.
6. Cuba City- All five starters are back from last years team that won 17 games.
7. Fall Creek- Another great coach here and 6'6 senior Matt Anderson is one of the best in the division.
8. Amherst- 18 wins a year ago and have high scoring junior 6'4 Tyler Biadasz back.
9. Brillion- Very strong tradition and have been to state in the recent past and have 6'3 senior Tyler Lemke back.
10. Marathon- Team that has been towards the top of the division for the past five years or so have built a strong tradition.
11. Auburndale- Another team with a strong tradition. Yearbook had them 8th so I had to at least have them up there.
12. Iola Scandinavia- Three starters back from a team that won 18 games a year ago.
13. Stevens Point Pacelli- 6'5 senior James Gollon is finally healthy and should have a huge final year.
14. Luther- Have 6'5 senior Collin Kennedy back who averaged 23 a game last year, along with fellow senior 5'11 TJ Babinec who averaged 12 a game.
15. Deerfield- 6'4 junior Blake Ehrke averaged nearly 20 a game last year and are picked to win trailways south.
1. Dominican- I've mentioned it all already with 6'11 senior Diamond Stone going for his fourth straight title and fellow returning senior starters 6'2 Tywon Bressler Jr and 5'9 Austin Moutry. A pair of talented transfers added to the mix in 6'8 senior Garrison Goode and 6'7 junior Kostas Antetokounmpo. No one in D4 can beat this team.
2. Eau Claire Regis- 6'6 senior Billy Wampler is a D1 college player who averaged 25 a game last year and has a solid sidekick in 6'2 junior Logan Rohrscheib who averaged 16 a game.
3. Racine St Catherines- Have one of the best coaches in the state and they always play hard and play the right way. They will be there at the end
4. Mineral Point- Bring back three starters that only lost one game a year ago.
5. Blair Taylor- Last years runner ups have 6'1 senior Brett Ladstein back whose a big time scorer and a talented transfer in 6'3 senior Kolton Flick.
6. Cuba City- All five starters are back from last years team that won 17 games.
7. Fall Creek- Another great coach here and 6'6 senior Matt Anderson is one of the best in the division.
8. Amherst- 18 wins a year ago and have high scoring junior 6'4 Tyler Biadasz back.
9. Brillion- Very strong tradition and have been to state in the recent past and have 6'3 senior Tyler Lemke back.
10. Marathon- Team that has been towards the top of the division for the past five years or so have built a strong tradition.
11. Auburndale- Another team with a strong tradition. Yearbook had them 8th so I had to at least have them up there.
12. Iola Scandinavia- Three starters back from a team that won 18 games a year ago.
13. Stevens Point Pacelli- 6'5 senior James Gollon is finally healthy and should have a huge final year.
14. Luther- Have 6'5 senior Collin Kennedy back who averaged 23 a game last year, along with fellow senior 5'11 TJ Babinec who averaged 12 a game.
15. Deerfield- 6'4 junior Blake Ehrke averaged nearly 20 a game last year and are picked to win trailways south.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Division Three Preseason
I'll be the first to admit that I don't know a ton about D3 this year and there really aren't any stars in D3 and no clear cut teams. I will defer a lot to the basketball yearbook in their rankings with a little of my own insights added in.
1. GET- Bring back there top six players from a 20 win team and are led by high scoring juniors 6'2 Nick Wagner and 6'4 Lucas Scherr.
2. Poynette- WBBY has them #1 but, just a hunch give GET slight edge. Really like there pair of do everything 6'3 seniors in Tanner Bruchs and Riley Lytle.
3. Brown Deer- Defending champs lost their top two scorers and big men but, bring back their final four mvp in 5'10 senior Lewrenzo Byers along with fellow seniors 6'3 Zack Baun and 5'9 Tony Thomas.
4. Ripon- Have a loaded sophomore class and bring back three guys that averaged double digit in points a year ago.
5. Roncalli- A team that you can pretty much pencil in to make a run to state. Doesn't matter who they have they just always seem to reload and their offense gives there guys freedom to shoot when there open.
6. Kettle Moraine Lutheran- Won 18 games a year ago and have high scoring seniors 6'2 Ethan Bublitz and 6'5 Jared Henning.
7. Waupun- This one might be a reach but, really like 6'3 senior Mason Domask who might be the best scorer in the division. If they can get anything from 6'8 senior Jack VandeZande they could be tough.
8. East Troy- Have a strong tradition and a really good coach and bring back five guys that all averaged around 10 points a year ago.
9. Laconia- Won 21 games a year ago and have 6'4 senior Brett Wittchow back for a senior year.
10. Prescott- Bring back three starters from a 21 win team led by leading scorer 6'1 senior Clay Seifert.
11. Marshall- Not a fan of them but the yearbook has them ranked 10th and have some very strong underclassmen.
12. Valders- Three starters back from a team that won 21 games led by 6'1 senior Thomas Schwoerer.
13. Clinton- Bring back four starters from last years team.
14. Brookfield Academy- Have a pair of near double double players in 6'1 junior Ryan Clarey and 6'5 junior Joseph Lemon.
15. Lodi- Lost in the title game last year and lost a lot but, they've been to state three years straight and expecting a big year from their lone returning starter 6'4 junior Derek Paulson.
Well I'm expecting these rankings to switch quite a bit in the first couple weeks until I get a good handle on the top teams. Sitting at about two weeks until the regular season starts.
1. GET- Bring back there top six players from a 20 win team and are led by high scoring juniors 6'2 Nick Wagner and 6'4 Lucas Scherr.
2. Poynette- WBBY has them #1 but, just a hunch give GET slight edge. Really like there pair of do everything 6'3 seniors in Tanner Bruchs and Riley Lytle.
3. Brown Deer- Defending champs lost their top two scorers and big men but, bring back their final four mvp in 5'10 senior Lewrenzo Byers along with fellow seniors 6'3 Zack Baun and 5'9 Tony Thomas.
4. Ripon- Have a loaded sophomore class and bring back three guys that averaged double digit in points a year ago.
5. Roncalli- A team that you can pretty much pencil in to make a run to state. Doesn't matter who they have they just always seem to reload and their offense gives there guys freedom to shoot when there open.
6. Kettle Moraine Lutheran- Won 18 games a year ago and have high scoring seniors 6'2 Ethan Bublitz and 6'5 Jared Henning.
7. Waupun- This one might be a reach but, really like 6'3 senior Mason Domask who might be the best scorer in the division. If they can get anything from 6'8 senior Jack VandeZande they could be tough.
8. East Troy- Have a strong tradition and a really good coach and bring back five guys that all averaged around 10 points a year ago.
9. Laconia- Won 21 games a year ago and have 6'4 senior Brett Wittchow back for a senior year.
10. Prescott- Bring back three starters from a 21 win team led by leading scorer 6'1 senior Clay Seifert.
11. Marshall- Not a fan of them but the yearbook has them ranked 10th and have some very strong underclassmen.
12. Valders- Three starters back from a team that won 21 games led by 6'1 senior Thomas Schwoerer.
13. Clinton- Bring back four starters from last years team.
14. Brookfield Academy- Have a pair of near double double players in 6'1 junior Ryan Clarey and 6'5 junior Joseph Lemon.
15. Lodi- Lost in the title game last year and lost a lot but, they've been to state three years straight and expecting a big year from their lone returning starter 6'4 junior Derek Paulson.
Well I'm expecting these rankings to switch quite a bit in the first couple weeks until I get a good handle on the top teams. Sitting at about two weeks until the regular season starts.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Division Two Preseason
Yesterday was Division One and now today is Division Two. As always D2 may be the most wide open division with numerous teams that could possibly win the title.
1. Rice Lake- State runner ups a year ago. 6'10 senior Henry Ellenson is a top five player in the country and 5'11 senior point guard Ben Widdes is also back.
2. Wisconsin Lutheran- State champ a year ago and this is a team that always reloads and has a ton of depth and quickness. Will rely heavily on 6'4 senior Anthony Carver who guard Ellenson very well a year ago in the title game.
3. Whitefish Bay- A team that always seems to be underrated all year but, play one of the toughest D2 schedules in the state. Have a pair of talented seniors in 6'3 Miles Sigh and 6'4 Isaiah Johnson.
4. Milwaukee Washington- Are going to apply lots of pressure and play an uptempo game, which can help them or hurt them at times. 5'11 junior Te'jon Lucas is a big time transfer that they got added to a very deep backcourt.
5. Mt Horeb- They only lost one game last year but, just not convinced their that good being that they don't play the toughest schedule. 6'1 senior Drew Fredrickson and 6'2 junior Max Meylor are back and they were the top two scorers a year ago.
6. Wauwatosa West- May have the best back court in D2 with a pair of 6'1 seniors in Steffan Brown and Andre Carroll.
7. Kaukauna- Another team with a very strong back court led by 6'1 senior Carter Belling, 5'11 senior Derek Hanson, and 6'0 freshmen Jordan McCabe. Have great coaching and the solid tradition.
8. Milwaukee Pius- 6'7 senior Levi Bradley is one of the top post players in the state and teams with 6'6 senior Dominic Kenyon for a solid front line.
9. La Crosse Central- Bring back 6'5 senior Jerred Ambrose and have a very talented sophomore class.
10. West De Pere- D1 recruit 6'8 senior Cody Schwartz is back along with 6'3 senior Connor Konshak from a final four team.
11. Stoughton- Bring back double double machine 6'8 senior Nick McGlynn and that's all you need to know.
12. Milwaukee Messmer- 20 win team a year ago that I really underestimated. 6'5 senior Dallas Polk-Hillard is back and he was their best player a year ago.
13. Ashwaubenon- Very strong tradition. Have 6'5 senior Kyle Monroe back who averaged 21 a game a year ago.
14. Shawano- Surprise team a year ago that battled with West De Pere and Seymour a year ago.
15. Appleton Xavier- Needed a 15th team to be honest and best I could find.
Had to reach a little bit at the end but, outside of D1 the early rankings are always a hard one.
1. Rice Lake- State runner ups a year ago. 6'10 senior Henry Ellenson is a top five player in the country and 5'11 senior point guard Ben Widdes is also back.
2. Wisconsin Lutheran- State champ a year ago and this is a team that always reloads and has a ton of depth and quickness. Will rely heavily on 6'4 senior Anthony Carver who guard Ellenson very well a year ago in the title game.
3. Whitefish Bay- A team that always seems to be underrated all year but, play one of the toughest D2 schedules in the state. Have a pair of talented seniors in 6'3 Miles Sigh and 6'4 Isaiah Johnson.
4. Milwaukee Washington- Are going to apply lots of pressure and play an uptempo game, which can help them or hurt them at times. 5'11 junior Te'jon Lucas is a big time transfer that they got added to a very deep backcourt.
5. Mt Horeb- They only lost one game last year but, just not convinced their that good being that they don't play the toughest schedule. 6'1 senior Drew Fredrickson and 6'2 junior Max Meylor are back and they were the top two scorers a year ago.
6. Wauwatosa West- May have the best back court in D2 with a pair of 6'1 seniors in Steffan Brown and Andre Carroll.
7. Kaukauna- Another team with a very strong back court led by 6'1 senior Carter Belling, 5'11 senior Derek Hanson, and 6'0 freshmen Jordan McCabe. Have great coaching and the solid tradition.
8. Milwaukee Pius- 6'7 senior Levi Bradley is one of the top post players in the state and teams with 6'6 senior Dominic Kenyon for a solid front line.
9. La Crosse Central- Bring back 6'5 senior Jerred Ambrose and have a very talented sophomore class.
10. West De Pere- D1 recruit 6'8 senior Cody Schwartz is back along with 6'3 senior Connor Konshak from a final four team.
11. Stoughton- Bring back double double machine 6'8 senior Nick McGlynn and that's all you need to know.
12. Milwaukee Messmer- 20 win team a year ago that I really underestimated. 6'5 senior Dallas Polk-Hillard is back and he was their best player a year ago.
13. Ashwaubenon- Very strong tradition. Have 6'5 senior Kyle Monroe back who averaged 21 a game a year ago.
14. Shawano- Surprise team a year ago that battled with West De Pere and Seymour a year ago.
15. Appleton Xavier- Needed a 15th team to be honest and best I could find.
Had to reach a little bit at the end but, outside of D1 the early rankings are always a hard one.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Division One Preseason Rankings
I am finally back at the blog. Last year was kind of a crazy year and I didn't do the greatest job of keeping up with the blog but, I'm hoping this year I will do a much better job and hope to attend more games.
As in the past I will be doing my personal rankings for each division and continue a weekly ranking throughout the year. These rankings are just my personal rankings just for fun and mean absolutely nothing. They probably aren't the most accurate rankings as I obviously don't see every team play but, coaches do rankings and I'm sure they haven't seen every team play either. I may also do rankings of the teams that I have actually seen play but, not sure if I will take the time for that or not, I suppose it will all depend on how bored I am at the time. So here are my division one rankings. ( I will admit that the high school yearbook will help me out with a lot of things).
1. Neenah- State runner ups a year ago bring back their top player in 6'10 senior Matt Heldt along with outside shooter 6'0 Trevor Entwisle who should be very solid at the point. Through in a top 25 player in the state in 6'7 senior transfer Rodney Scales.
2. Stevens Point- Only team that beat them a year ago was Neenah twice and they have the top two juniors in the state in 6'2 Trevor Anderson and 6'6 Sam Hauser. Unfortunately only one of the top two teams can make a state.
3. Milwaukee King- King is a given to be a top five team every single year. Always have a ton of very good guards and lots of depth. Headliners of this team are a pair of seniors in 6'2 Joseph Binyoti and 6'4 Diamante Freeman.
4. Sun Prairie- This will be the year that Sun Prairie gets by Madison Memorial to make state. Led by Marquette recruit 6'2 senior Nick Noskowiak, along with talented returners in 6'6 senior JT Ruffin, and 6'2 senior Malik Robinson who were their top three scorers last year along with sixth man 6'5 sophomore Nate Verstegen.
5. Milwaukee Riverside- Another City team with loads of talent and depth. 6'1 senior James Bateman was their top scorer a year ago and they have two of the top sophomores in the state in 6'5 Terrance Lewis and 6'4 George Dixon.
6. Racine Case- I underestimated them all last year so I may be overestimating them this year but, they have one of the top big men in the state in 6'7 senior Darion King who is a big time football recruit.
7. West Allis Central- Another guard heavy team that is led by the top true point guard in the state in 6'0 senior Brandon Key. I also really like 6'1 senior Jerome Cummings that does alittle bit of everything for this team and is the glue that holds them together.
8. Oshkosh North- Bring back three starters from a team that won 20 games including 6'4 senior Blake Marquardt who is a three year starter. Through in having the top sophomore in the state transferring in with 6'4 Philip Flory.
9. Germantown- State champs from a year ago lost just about everything from that team but, bring back a heady point guard in 5'10 junior Jalen McCloud. G'town is a team that now reloads and never seems to be rebuilding.
10. De Pere- Another team that has really grown a very strong tradition and have 20 point per game scorer back in 6'4 Brevin Pritzl. Team seems to have very good size overall on the team.
11. Madison Memorial- A down year for a power house like Memorial. 5'10 senior Shareef Smith should have a monster year and a pair of 6'5 seniors return in Henry Houden and Brett Tauber. Also have a talented sophomore class.
12. Homestead- I really really like 6'8 senior Jaylen Key a three year starter and also back is 6'3 junior Jack Popp who was a double digit scorer a year ago.
13. Milwaukee Vincent- Seems like there is some turmoil in Vincent land but, they have a very talented sophomore class that saw lots of playing time a year ago.
14. Burlington- A team that has had a very good record the past handful of years or so. Honestly just kind of a hunch to have them here.
15. Arrowhead- Team that always seems to get close to 20 wins year after year. Leading scorer 6'6 junior Bryce Nze is back.
This was my first post in a long time hopefully it was a half way decent post. One thing that really popped out to me is that there is a very strong sophomore class on the rise. Many of these top teams have very good underclassman and should be very fun the next two years.
As in the past I will be doing my personal rankings for each division and continue a weekly ranking throughout the year. These rankings are just my personal rankings just for fun and mean absolutely nothing. They probably aren't the most accurate rankings as I obviously don't see every team play but, coaches do rankings and I'm sure they haven't seen every team play either. I may also do rankings of the teams that I have actually seen play but, not sure if I will take the time for that or not, I suppose it will all depend on how bored I am at the time. So here are my division one rankings. ( I will admit that the high school yearbook will help me out with a lot of things).
1. Neenah- State runner ups a year ago bring back their top player in 6'10 senior Matt Heldt along with outside shooter 6'0 Trevor Entwisle who should be very solid at the point. Through in a top 25 player in the state in 6'7 senior transfer Rodney Scales.
2. Stevens Point- Only team that beat them a year ago was Neenah twice and they have the top two juniors in the state in 6'2 Trevor Anderson and 6'6 Sam Hauser. Unfortunately only one of the top two teams can make a state.
3. Milwaukee King- King is a given to be a top five team every single year. Always have a ton of very good guards and lots of depth. Headliners of this team are a pair of seniors in 6'2 Joseph Binyoti and 6'4 Diamante Freeman.
4. Sun Prairie- This will be the year that Sun Prairie gets by Madison Memorial to make state. Led by Marquette recruit 6'2 senior Nick Noskowiak, along with talented returners in 6'6 senior JT Ruffin, and 6'2 senior Malik Robinson who were their top three scorers last year along with sixth man 6'5 sophomore Nate Verstegen.
5. Milwaukee Riverside- Another City team with loads of talent and depth. 6'1 senior James Bateman was their top scorer a year ago and they have two of the top sophomores in the state in 6'5 Terrance Lewis and 6'4 George Dixon.
6. Racine Case- I underestimated them all last year so I may be overestimating them this year but, they have one of the top big men in the state in 6'7 senior Darion King who is a big time football recruit.
7. West Allis Central- Another guard heavy team that is led by the top true point guard in the state in 6'0 senior Brandon Key. I also really like 6'1 senior Jerome Cummings that does alittle bit of everything for this team and is the glue that holds them together.
8. Oshkosh North- Bring back three starters from a team that won 20 games including 6'4 senior Blake Marquardt who is a three year starter. Through in having the top sophomore in the state transferring in with 6'4 Philip Flory.
9. Germantown- State champs from a year ago lost just about everything from that team but, bring back a heady point guard in 5'10 junior Jalen McCloud. G'town is a team that now reloads and never seems to be rebuilding.
10. De Pere- Another team that has really grown a very strong tradition and have 20 point per game scorer back in 6'4 Brevin Pritzl. Team seems to have very good size overall on the team.
11. Madison Memorial- A down year for a power house like Memorial. 5'10 senior Shareef Smith should have a monster year and a pair of 6'5 seniors return in Henry Houden and Brett Tauber. Also have a talented sophomore class.
12. Homestead- I really really like 6'8 senior Jaylen Key a three year starter and also back is 6'3 junior Jack Popp who was a double digit scorer a year ago.
13. Milwaukee Vincent- Seems like there is some turmoil in Vincent land but, they have a very talented sophomore class that saw lots of playing time a year ago.
14. Burlington- A team that has had a very good record the past handful of years or so. Honestly just kind of a hunch to have them here.
15. Arrowhead- Team that always seems to get close to 20 wins year after year. Leading scorer 6'6 junior Bryce Nze is back.
This was my first post in a long time hopefully it was a half way decent post. One thing that really popped out to me is that there is a very strong sophomore class on the rise. Many of these top teams have very good underclassman and should be very fun the next two years.
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