Wisconsin Dells over Baraboo

Had to get my basketball fix tonight. This wasn't the greatest game but, it was my alma mater playing four blocks away from my house. Dells was sitting at 3-0 and were picked to win the South Central conference while Baraboo was 0-2 and picked to take last in the Badger North. Despite the predictions I wanted to see a game and figured with Baraboo being a bigger school that they would keep it close and I had seen them last year and knew they had a couple decent players.

From the tip you could see that the Dells had an advantage in height and talent and thought it might be a blow out but, Baraboo fought throughout the game and Dells didn't sub a whole lot which led to some tired legs as the game progressed. Dells starts 6'8 6'5 6'4 6'3 and 5'8 while Baraboo started no one taller then 6'3. Dells played a 1-2-2 zone press and then fell back into a 3-2 in the half court. Baraboo really didn't seem to know how to attack the zone very on and settled for threes and contested mid range jumpers. On the other side the Dells really tried to push the tempo which isn't normal for a Dells team not to mention there height and the lack of bench play. Dells pushed the tempo though to get quick feeds to the post and worked from there. Dells really tried to feed their big men 6'8 senior Tanner Brandt and 6'5 senior Jack Sveum. Brandt was the guy I was looking to watch and he didn't have the greatest night as he forced things a bit and his shot just wasn't falling. Brandt does more extremely well for a big guy, has good body control, and can handle the ball a little bit.

Dells took the lead early on dominating the glass and getting easy buckets and looked as if they were going to blow Baraboo out but, Baraboo finally got the offense going by feeding their star 6'3 senior Mason Peterson who is there point guard and top player. Peterson got the ball out of his hands and moved without the ball and his team mates found him in the middle of the zone and late in the first half he score three straight buckets catching it at the free throw line and then just driving the lane. Baraboo got a little help from 6'0 senior Justus Neuman who hit a pair of threes to keep the game close. Dells had a six point lead at the half.

In the second half Dells just couldn't put Baraboo away and a pair of threes from Neuman and Peterson gave Baraboo the lead before Brandt and company settled down and worked the ball into the inside. Dells seemed to like shooting the threes and the threes weren't falling and I feel like that was part of what kept Baraboo in the game. Late in the game Dells missed there free throws and Baraboo had their chances but, some wild shots just wouldn't fall for them. In the end Wisconsin Dells won 61-55.

Top Players
Jackson Sveum 6'5 senior Wisconsin Dells- Most improved player for the Dells . Has a nice back to the basket game going and did a nice job of shot faking and getting the foul and basket. Battled on the glass all game long and could hit the spot up three.

Brett Hirst 6'3 sophomore Wisconsin Dells- Really does all the little things. Plays good D, helps run the point at times, can score driving, or hit the three. Tonight did a nice job of scoring in transition and just flat out hustling and making little plays.

Bryson Funmaker 5'8 sophomore Wisconsin Dells- Maybe I'm just partial to the little guy but, I liked his game. I like how he pushes the tempo and is a willing passer. May try to be to fancy at times but, he'll get better with that. I believe he took four charges in the game, had a couple steals and numerous long rebounds.

Mason Peterson 6'3 senior Baraboo- Was the best player on the court tonight. When he got to the middle of the Dells zone he was going to score. Had 26 points and I thought he could of been more aggressive. Hit a pair of big threes from the corner late.

Justice Neuman 6'0 senior Baraboo- Doesn't look like a basketball player one bit, but shot the lights out tonight. Hit four big threes and kept his team around.

Box Score (starters in italics)
Dells 61- Sveum 15 Brandt 13 Hirst 12 Riley Eck 5 Dyland Musiedlak 5 Alex Weiss 4 John Pikula 4 Funmaker 3 Darius Mackinnis 0
Baraboo 55- M. Peterson 26 Neuman 13 Connor Grogan 10 Caden Blum 4 Ryan Gehin 2 Calvin Peterson 0 Joe Stout 0 Caden Carpenter 0 Joe White Eagle 0

To be honest I don't think that Wisconsin Dells is that good but, looking at their schedule they should have a pretty good record that will be alittle over inflated. Baraboo on the other side is in for a long season but, Peterson may win them some games on his own.

Week 1 & 2 Rankings

Since the first week was a short week I combined the first two weeks together. Also I haven't had the chance to go to any games mostly because there wasn't any good games in my area to start the year and I was gone over Thanksgiving weekend. Well here are my new rankings. Seems to have been a lot of upsets early on but, that has come to be a common thing early on because you just don't know things earl on.

Division 1
Stevens Point lost to Bay Port without their top player in Joey Hauser which factored into my dropping them to eight.. Brookfield Central lost to Milwaukee Washington a very good D2 team but, I did drop them to six because the top six are just so close. Riverside dropped games to Arrowhead, Oshkosh West, and Whitnall al tough games and I kept them in the rankings at 13 because I want to get to 15 ranked teams. Oshkosh West and Arrowhead were able to jump into the rankings because of that win and La Follette had a lot of hype early on from Mark Miller and a 4-0 start puts them at 10. Madison East was upset on a buzzer shot by Janesville Craig so they hang on at 12.

1. Oshkosh North
2. Racine Park
3. Sun Prairie
4. Waunakee
5. Bay Port
6. Brookfield Central
7. Eau Claire North
8. Stevens Point
9. Oshkosh West
10. Madison La Follette
11. Arrowhead
12. Madison East
13. Milwaukee Vincent
14. Milwaukee Riverside
15. Sussex Hamilton

Division 2 Rankings
Washington lost to Brown Deer a very good D3 team and fall to four followed by La Crosse Central whodropped a game to D1 ranked Eau Claire North. Cedarburg lost to Wauwatosa West and fall just behind them at nine. Whitnall lost to a team from Illinois which I don't hold against them. Stoughton lost to Beaver Dam and fall to 10. Pius lost to Racine Case and Martin Luther while Marshfield lost to Oshkosh North and West dropping them to 11 and 12.

1. Kaukauna
2. Pewaukee
3. Whitnall
4. Milwaukee Washington
5. La Crosse Central
6. La Crosse Logan
7. Wisconsin Lutheran
8. Wauwatosa West
9. Cedarburg
10. Stoughton
11. Marshfield
12. Milwaukee Pius
13. Monona Grove
14. Onalaska
15. Burlington

Division 3 Rankings
Martin Luther lost to Destiny a top D4 team. East Troy lost to Madison Memorial a D1 team and fell to 10.

1. Appleton Xavier
2. Waupun
3. GET
4. Brown Deer
5. Dominican
6. Racine St Catherines
7. Wrightstown
8. Prescott
9. Martin Luther
10. East Troy
11. Lake Mills

Division 4 Rankings
Destiny lost to a top D2 team in Whitnall which led to me not dropping them at all. Milwaukee Academy of Science lost three games early and fall from the rankings and Fennimore comes in at 10.

1. The Prairie School
2. New Glarus
3. Roncalli
4. Markesan
5. Destiny
6. Mineral Point
7. Howards Grove
8. Marathon
9.  Clear Lake
10. Fennimore
11. Oconto

Division 5 Rankings
Deerfield lost to a ranked D3 team in Lake Mills and drop just a bit to five. Lourdes lost to bigger schools in Dominican and Omro and still hang on to rankings at 14. Barneveld has already lost three games and fall from the rankings. Sheboygan Luthern lost to Howards Grove a ranked D4 team and drop a bit to 12. Columbus Catholic lost to Assumption and fall to 15 and Assumption jumps to 11. Hilbert lost three already and drop out.

1. Bangor
2. Black Hawk
3. Solon Springs
4. Mcdonell Central
5. Deerfield
6. Seneca
7. Wauzeka
8. Assumption
9. Royal
10. Almond Bancroft
11. Assumption
12. Sheboygan Lutheran
13. Wild Rose
14. Oshkosh Lourdes
15. Columbus Catholic

Division Five Preseason

I'm going to be completely honest here that I don't have much of a clue when it comes to division five. I'm going to rely heavily on the Wisconsin Yearbook here but, honestly I'm not sure how much of a feel that Mark Miller has. He has three of the four teams back from state last year and those three teams have only one starter back each. So are you going with the same teams or just going with tradition there? Now D5 seems to be the conference where you can go with the tradition so maybe it's a combination of things. Well I will do my best here but, again I'll be really using the book.


1. Bangor- Lost in the sectional final a year ago and bring back three double digit scorers in a talented senior class in 6'0 Luke Reader, 6'3 Caleb Miedema, and 6'0 Drew Johnson. Fresh off their football title they'll be looking to win a basketball one.

2. Deerfield- Won 21 games last year and bring back a pair of 16 point per game scorers in 6'2 senior Noah Gjermo and 6'4 senior Nate Siewart and they both nearly averaged double digit rebounds.

3. Black Hawk- Having just lost to Bangor in the football title game they'll be looking to avenge it in basketball. They won 20 games a year ago and bring back four starters headlined by 6'4 junior Conner Meyer who averaged 20- points a game and 6'5 senior CJ Leuzinger who averaged 13.

4. Solon Springs- Won 19 games a year ago and have four starters back that started at least part time and led by 6'6 senior Jens Gehl who averaged a double double last year.

5. Lourdes Academy- Had a solid year last year and have two 13 point scorers back in a pair of juniors 6'2 Henry Noone and 6'1 Benny Huizenga. 

6. McDonell Central- Lost in the state semis a year ago they bring back ultra talented 6'5 senior Hayden Baughman.

7. Barneveld- State champs lost nearly everyone but, have super athletic junior back in 6'4 Malcolm Reed and a strong tradition.

8. Sheboygan Lutheran- Had a so so record last year but, they play in a tough conference and have high scorer 6'3 senior Jared Jurss back for his senior year.

9. Columbus Catholic- Only have one starter back in 5'11 senior Nick Malovrh who averaged 13 points a game last year but, the tradition is strong at Columbus Catholic.

10. Hilbert- A super strong tradition at Hilbert even with a new coach the beat should go on.

Well there are my final rankings. I think I've said it after every ranking but, it really should be a fun year. I feel like I'm not as familiar with this season as I've been in the past but, just give me some time and I should get right back in the flow.

Division Four Preseason

In the lower divisions we've really seen an influx of the "charter schools". These schools aren't your traditional private school powers that we are used to see but, new upstart schools with strange names and some of them are private, in the case of Destiny last year in D4. You have Destiny, Milwaukee Academy of Science in D4 and then in D5 even more with Young Coggs Prep winning a title two years ago. This will further the private vs public or better worded city vs rural. There no doubt needs to be something done but, there isn't a blanket solution for all. For every "non traditional" school that dominates there's two or three that can hardly compete in their conference and theres some that have even left the WIAA all together. Myself I'm in favor of a multiplier of 1.5 or so but, I'm not here to talk about those issues here are my D4 rankings for preseason.

1. The Prairie School- Have one of the best players in the division and the state in 6'5 senior JC Butler who averaged 26 points a game and nearly 10 rebounds. Butler isn't the only one as they bring back three other starters including fellow senior 6'1 Troy Mikaelian who averaged 16 a game himself.

2. New Glarus- Four starters back from a 20 win team, including three who averaged 13 plus points in in juniors 6'1 Zach Feller, 5'10 Jaden Kreklow and 6'5 senior Cullen Brooks.

3. Roncalli- State team a year ago and they bring back four starters. Headlined by their back court in 6'0 senior Mitchel Schneider and 5'9 junior Chombi Lambert.

4. Markesan- 15 wins a year ago. They are led by a pair of 20 point scoring seniors in 6'1 Carson Clark and 6'0 Drew Bernhagen.

5. Destiny- Defending state champs lost all five starters but, they had a ton of talent on their team and should have a monster year from 6'3 senior Devonte Caldwell who can flat out score.

6. Mineral Point- 17 win team that bring back a pair of 20 point scorers in 6'3 senior Chance Wendhausen and 6'2 sophomore Isaac Lindsey. Have a talented freshemn class coming in.

7. Howards Grove- 20 wins last year and they have three starters back. Did lose their top two scorers though.

8. Marathon- They've really become a given for the top 10 in D4 and have four starters back three of which averaged double digits in points.

9. Clear Lake- D5 power moving up to D4 and the success should continue.

10. Milwaukee Academy of Science- Guaranteed to win at least 15 games a year in the past five years or so. 6'1 sophomore Kaleim Taylor. is a big time scorer.


You see a few of the normal teams but, there is quite a few new teams as well.

Division Three Preseason

Looking at D3 things seem to be a little bit of an unknown. Most of the state teams from a year ago aren't expected to be back and there has been a bit of an influx of private and charter schools that could change things.

1. Appleton Xavier- I'm not sure how it can be anyone else here. The defending state champs and undefeated team return their top three scorers in three seniors that have a ton of experience. 6'1 Hunter Plamann and 6'0 Sam Ferris do the damaged from the outside and 6'5 Nate DeYoung is a double double guy on the inside. All three have played at state the past two years as well.

2. Waupun- Four starters back from a 19 win team led by 6'5 junior Marcus Domask and 6'3 senior Owen Theune who have started for two years each already and have already won a state title. They also have some pretty good size overall.

3. GET- All five starters are back from a 20-5 team. Seniors 6'4 Chris Thompson and 6'1 Tyler Scherr have a ton of experience and averaged 15 plus in points year ago.

4. Martin Luther- They have a ton of hype and won 22 games a year ago but, when I saw them I was just a little underwhelmed to be honest. Ultra talented junior class led by 6'5 Xzavier Jones and 5'9 Trequan Carrington.

5. Brown Deer- They ave been a power in D2 and now move back to D3. 6'1 senior guard Jay Gentry averaged 19 points a game last year and leads a strong senior class.

6. East Troy- Four starters back three of which are over 6'3 and nearly their entire bench is back as well and they have some very talented underclassmen.

7. Dominican- Really didn't show much last year but, the talent is there. Should expect a big season from 6'0 senior Gacoby Jones he's a three year starter and it will show this year. 6'6 sophomore Alex Antetokounmpo may have a break out year.

8. Racine St Catherines- Four starters are back, three of which averaged double digits in points all of which are juniors led by 6'6 junior Quinn Cafferty.

9. Wrightstown- School that has a ton of success in recent years but, haven't made the big stage yet. They have a pair of seniors that both averaged 15 points a game in 6'4 Luke Haese and 6'2 James Hansen.

10. Prescott- They are starting to get some state recognition as they've been to state twice in recent years and 6'2 senior Petey Brookshaw is back from their state appearance a year ago.


After actually looking at my rankings the top 10 is full of teams that had a great season last year and brought back quiet a few starters so should be a much better year in D3 then I originally thought.

Division Two Preseason

Just like last year division two might be the most exciting division. You have the defending champs in La Crosse Central who lost a lot but, have an extremely talented sophomore class and the all the individual stars around the state that could carry their teams to a title. Jordan McCabe, Tyler Herro, and John Diener are all big time college recruits that could carry their teams far in the playoffs and then you have the teams that are just good overall in Milwaukee Washington, Pewaukee, and Stoughton.

1. Kaukauna- West Virginia recruit 5'11 senior Jordan McCabe makes everyone better around him and he can carry this team. He has a pair of very good senior side kicks in sharpshooter 6'6 Eric Carl who will playing D2 college and 6'7 Dylan Kurey who is beginning to get some D1 looks.

2. Milwaukee Washington- A state team a year ago that brings back three starters including Mr. Everything in 6'5 junior Deontay Long who averaged nearly 20 points a game a year ago. They have some good overal team size with nine players at 6'3 or taller. 6'2 senior Jordan Dinsmore can be a defensive stopper and can score as well.

3. Pewaukee- Just a solid team thats led by D1 recruit 6'9 senior Grant Basile and D2 recruit 6'3 senior Jack Gohlke doing his thing from the outside. The last few years Pewaukee always seems to find themselves towards the top of the division.

4. La Crosse Central- State champs lost four starters but, have a super talented sophomore class in 6'3 twins Johnny and Jordan Davis along with 6'7 Terrence Thompson that transferred in. They also have a solid point guard that started a year ago in 6'0 junior Noah Parcher.

5. Cedarburg- State runner ups a year ago and are headlined by 6'5 senior John Diener who could carry a team if needed but, has a second option in 6'8 senior Matthew Barber.

6. Whitnall- Four starters back from a pretty good team. All you really need to know is high major recruit 6'5 senior Tyler Herro is back for his senior year and is looking to impress since decommitting from Wisconsin and he is basically a free agent.

7. Stoughton- Three starters back that scored in double digits from a 19 win team and 6'0 senior Brady Schipper who started two years ago.

8. Milwaukee Pius-  Lost three starters but, I really like what they bring back in a pair of seniors in 6'7 Bilal Shabaz and 6'6 Preston Maccoux. Both guys have a ton of upside and I expect big things.

9. Marshfield- I'll be honest completely stole things one from Mark Miller and the high school basketball yearbook.

10. La Crosse Logan- I know this is a stretch but, I do have a lot of faith in 6'1 senior CJ Siegel, that he'll have a big year.


Should be a fun year of D2 ball.

Division One Preseason

Debated a bit about writing the blog but, decided to stick with it at least for another year. Hey I'm a single guy what else do I have to do with all my free time. I'm not sure if I'm just out of the loop but, I feel like there aren't the clear cut top teams out there like there have been in the past. Today will be my day one post of the year with the season just a week away. Like always I will start with my preseason rankings and begin with division one as always.

In D1 the story is can Stevens Point win their fourth straight title. After back to back titles Point really wasn't the favorite to win as they had some struggles during the season and their star 6'8 junior Joey Hauser messed half the year. Oshkosh North was the odds on favorite all year but, dropped the ball late and fell short of even making state and honestly Point won it fairly easily.


1. Stevens Point- State champs bring back their top two scorers in Hauser who is a senior now and is hands down the top player in the state and fellow senior 6'3 Drew Blair. Both average 20 plus points a game and Hauser is headed to Marquette and Blair is going to a D2 school. SPASH is now at that point will success if just expected every year.

2. Brookfield Central- State team a year ago and bring back their top three scorers in 5'10 junior Gage Malensek, 6'2 Andres Peralta-Werns, and 6'3 junior Cole Nau. Nau and Malensek form possibly the best backcourt in the state. They don't blow you away but, they play as a team and can really shoot the three.

3. Oshkosh North- Was the team of destiny a year ago but, so many times it seems that those teams win it all the year after that team of "destiny". Three starters are back led by 6'5 senior Tyrese Haliburton and a high energy defensive guy that can score in 6'3 senior Quincy Anderson.

4. Racine Park- This junior class has had a ton of hype since they've been in school. 6'9 Nobal Days may finally reach his potential and 6'3 Larry Canady is already a star.

5. Sun Prairie- This is a team that always makes me nervous but, they have two of the most talented players in the state in 6'4 senior Marlon Ruffin and 6'6 sophomore Jalen Johnson. Johnson is an elite talent thats known throughout the country.

6. Waunakee- A D2 power that moves up to D1 this year. Strong senior class led by a pair of four year starters in 6'5 Mitch Listau and 6'4 Mason Steffen and through in big man 6'6 Nate Carter in the post.

7. Bay Port- A ton of size coming back from last year. Led by football recruit 6'8 senior Jack Plumb.

8. Milwaukee Riverside- As always they have a ton of talent and their led by 6'3 senior Carlos Curtis.

9. Madison East- Team that always plays extremely hard and have 6'6 senior Keshawn Justice back for his fourth year of varsity.

10. Eau Claire North- Had a tremendous season a year ago and have their starting back court back in seniors 6'1 Noah Hanson and 6'0 Jack Kron.

Again these rankings are purely for my enjoyment and just give a little look into my personal thoughts on how things should be ranked. I will also probably be expanding to 15 as the season goes on.