Way-Too-Early Top 10 For 2019-20: Division 1
The 2018-19 season only came to an end days ago. While travel ball will steal the majority of the headlines for the next 4-5 months, Prep Hoops Wisconsin looks ahead to the race in Division 1 next season with our…
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Continue ReadingThe 2018-19 season only came to an end days ago. While travel ball will steal the majority of the headlines for the next 4-5 months, Prep Hoops Wisconsin looks ahead to the race in Division 1 next season with our way-too-early top 10…
1. Sussex Hamilton
Like Brookfield Central last season, Sussex Hamilton is going to have a bad taste in their mouth all off-season. The Chargers were unexpectedly knocked out in the sectional semifinals by the Lancers. The good news for Hamilton? Pretty much everyone is back including Patrick Baldwin Jr.
2. Brookfield Central
The defending Divison 1 state champs lose Cole Nau, which will be very difficult to overcome, but Ben Nau, David Joplin, Malik Abdul-Wahid, and others are back.
3. Madison East
The Purdgolders were stunned in the regional finals by Racine Horlick after going 21-1 to that point. Both Anthony Washington and Keonte Jones are back and will be one of the better 1-2 punches in the Madison area.
4. Arrowhead
Leading scorer Tyler Gouin is gone, but the Warhawks have a do-it-all forward in Carter Gilmore who is one of the toughest matchups in the state. If Sam Hytinen takes some major steps forward, this team could be primed for a much bigger run in March.
5. Sun Prairie
This is a team that was one of the biggest surprises in the state, reaching the Division 1 title game. The Cardinals suffer some tough losses, most notably Brock Voigt, but can reload behind Delaware Hale and a now healthy Collin Schaefer.
6. Racine Case
Case will have some of the best young talent in the state next season and gets their leading scorer, JaKobe Thompson, back. After a hot start, the Eagles faded late in the season, but Terryon Brumby and Amari Jedkins should make a big jump in 2019-20 and help Case be one of the fastest, most athletic teams in the state.
7. Brookfield East
Another year where the Spartans are going to lose their best player, but head coach Joe Rux knows how to rebuild. Riley LeTourneau won’t be there to dominate the paint, but East will return a big part of their core, including Hayden Doyle, Michael Poker, and Sam McGath.
8. Neenah
Logan Morrow is going to be a big loss and put a lot more pressure on Max Klesmit next season, but the Rockets now have state experience after reaching the semifinals. Perhaps another state tournament run is a long shot, but this team won’t fall off as much as some people might think.
9. Kimberly
This is a tough one to project. The Papermakers lose Reed Miller and Levi Borchert — a core most thought would get to the state tournament this season. Despite those losses, can Jake Buchanan lead this group to another run? That may depend on the development of Grant Asman and Logan Pearson, two young players who are going to see their roles change dramatically next season.
10. Eau Claire North
Dalton Banks is coming off a big junior season and is only getting better. He’ll lose some of his running mates, but the Huskies are very difficult to match up with, surrounding Banks with a lot of guards who can shoot the basketball from deep.
Toughest to Leave Out
Eau Claire Memorial
The Old Abes finished third in a very tough Big Rivers Conference last season. Memorial will return leading scorer and rebounder Caden Boser, who nearly averaged a double-double last season.
Kenosha Indian Trail
This was a young team that finished tied for third in the Southeast Conference last season. KIT’s leading scorer, Ezra Stargell will be back as well.
Madison La Follette
It’s tough to see this team getting better after losing Donneil Gray and Troy Reeves, but the gut feeling is that Ben Probst may have a big breakout season and keep La Follette relevant in Division 1. One of the most valued role players in the state last season, Probst will now become the featured player for the Lancers, who also have a guard in Isaiah Stewart that’s better than a lot of people know as well.
Honorable Mention: Homestead, Oshkosh West, Eau Claire Memorial, Kenosha Indian Trail, Madison La Follette, Milwaukee King, Oconomowoc, Bay Port, Menomonee Falls, Oshkosh North