Preseason Rankings: Division 2
We’re just a few weeks away from the start of the 2019-20 season. Last year, Nicolet rolled through the competition en route to the state championship. The field looks to be a bit more wide open this season, with La Crosse Central pegged as the preseason favorite.
Who are the top 10 teams heading into the 2019-20 campaign? Prep Hoops Wisconsin releases our preseason rankings.
1. LA CROSSE CENTRAL
2018-19 RECORD: 24-3
WIAA PLAYOFF FINISH: Lost to Milwaukee Washington in the state semifinals
KEY PLAYERS: Johnny Davis (23.1 ppg), Jordan Davis (12.6 ppg), Terrance Thompson (8.2 ppg), Charles Masewicz (3.0 ppg)
OUTLOOK
The Davis twins and Thompson have never missed the state tournament, winning a gold ball when they were freshmen as well. After losing a
Jordan Davisheartbreaker in the semifinals last season, the Red Raiders will enter 2019-20 extremely hungry to get back as this appears to be the final season of the Central dynasty, which has included five-straight trips to the Kohl Center. Noah Parcher will be one of the more underrated losses across the state, but the Red Raiders have the best trio of talent on their roster. Look for Masewicz to emerge as an x-factor in the starting lineup and Noah Compan to be an instant impact freshman for them as well.
2. ONALASKA
2018-19 RECORD: 20-5
WIAA PLAYOFF FINISH: Lost to La Crosse Central in the sectional semifinal
KEY PLAYERS: Tyrell Stuttley (15.2 ppg) Carson Arenz (15.0 ppg), Sam Kick (7.0 ppg), Gavin McGrath (6.6 ppg)
OUTLOOK
Is this the year that Onalaska breaks through to the state tournament? The Hilltoppers have been closing the gap with Central and now have
Tyrell Stuttleyjust about everything back from last season’s 20-win squad. Onalaska returns all five starters, including seven of their top eight scorers from a year ago. Arenz and Stuttley form a strong 1-2 punch in the frontcourt. Kick and Dakota Mannel give the team excellent point guard play. McGrath, a budding 6-foot-10 center, holds down the middle. Victor Desmond will also provide some athleticism on the wing.
3. KAUKAUNA
2018-19 RECORD: 20-6
WIAA PLAYOFF FINISH: Lost to Nicolet in the sectional finals
KEY PLAYERS: Logan Jedwabny (17.2 ppg), Keaton Ferris (12.9 ppg), Jacob Newhouse (11.9 ppg), Chris Morgan
OUTLOOK
Kaukauna will miss Donovan Ivory, now at UMass-Lowell, but the cupboard is far from bare. Jedwabny had one of the best under the radar
Logan Jedwabnyseasons in 2018-19, scoring better than 17 points per game and emerged as a top 20 prospect in the 2020 class over the spring. Both Ferris and Newhouse figure to see their numbers substantially increase as well. The Ghosts also added Ashwaubenon transfer Chris Morgan, a Division 1 and top 10 recruit in the 2022 class.
4. MILWAUKEE BAY VIEW
2018-19 RECORD: 21-3
WIAA PLAYOFF FINISH: Lost to Milwaukee Washington in the sectional finals
KEY PLAYERS: Shelton Williams-Dryden (14.2 ppg), Kaleel McCray (11.8 ppg), B.J. Hentz (9.0 ppg)
OUTLOOK
Bay View caught many by surprise, splitting the Milwaukee City Conference title with Washington. The Redcats only lost three games last season, two of which came to the Generals, who were the runner-up in Division 2. Bay View may have a tough time replace their top two scorers from last season, Kevin Cook and Malcolm Pickett, but on paper, should be the preseason favorite in the City Conference.
5. NICOLET
2018-19 RECORD: 27-1
WIAA PLAYOFF FINISH: Won the state championship
KEY PLAYERS: Kobe Johnson (10.3 ppg), James Graham (7.4 ppg), Donovan Sparks, Darrius Bolden (2.1 ppg)
OUTLOOK
The reigning state champions had some off-season turnover as their stars Jalen Johnson (IMG Academy) and Jamari Sibley (Oak Hill) both
Kobe Johnsontransferred to premier prep schools. The good news for the Knights? Both Johnson and Graham have had terrific off-seasons and both enter their junior years showing they’re more than capable of keeping Nicolet in the state title hunt. The Knights should also get some help from the sophomore Sparks and the junior Bolden, who is one of the better defenders in the North Shore.
6. RIVER FALLS
2018-19 RECORD: 16-7
WIAA PLAYOFF FINISH: Lost to Onalaska in the regional finals
KEY PLAYERS: Zac Johnson (14.9 ppg), J.T. Dougherty (10.9 ppg), Liam Dougherty (3.0 ppg)
OUTLOOK
A player like Johnson is going to have the green light every time he touches the ball as a junior. The sharpshooter emerged as a potential
Zac JohnsonDivision 1 recruit over the spring and summer and has only added to his game, able to score in isolation and showcasing a pretty step-back jumper. The Dougherty twins (6-8) continue to show flashes and provide a nice 1-2 punch on the interior and have the potential to go get anything off the glass that Johnson may miss.
7. GRAFTON
2018-19 RECORD: 14-9
WIAA PLAYOFF FINISH: Lost to Milwaukee Madison in the regional finals
KEY PLAYERS: Alex Huibregtse (21.0 ppg), J.P. Benzschawel (10.0 ppg), Bryson Clague (9.8 ppg)
OUTLOOK
One of the most improved squads from last season, the Blackhawks are ready to take another step forward in 2019-20. Huibregtse, a Wright
Bryson ClagueState commit, is back for his senior season. Benzschawel, a Wisconsin football commit, is one of the most imposing forces in the North Shore. Clague was a steady playmaker for Grafton throughout last season and one of the more unheralded unsung heroes across the state.
8. MILWAUKEE LUTHERAN
2018-19 RECORD: 20-4
WIAA PLAYOFF FINISH: Lost to Milwaukee Washington in the sectional semifinals
KEY PLAYERS: Jourdan Weddle (16.8 ppg), JaVeon Tolliver (15.9 ppg), Danny Perdzock (8.8 ppg)
OUTLOOK
Tolliver and Weddle should form one of the top backcourts in the state. The Red Knights may have an emerging prospect in Marcus Taliaferro as well. The preseason favorites in the Woodland East, Milwaukee Lutheran had some tough wins last season, including Brown Deer (twice), Wisconsin Lutheran (twice), and Milwaukee Academy of Science. A high-scoring unit, ,the Knights scored 90 or more points 10 times, including three 100-point efforts.
9. WAUWATOSA EAST
2018-19 RECORD: 8-16
WIAA PLAYOFF FINISH: Lost to Wisconsin Lutheran in the regional semifinals
KEY PLAYERS: Brian Parzych (12.7 ppg), John Lovelace (10.8 ppg), Leon Bond (5.5 ppg), Jay Hinson
OUTLOOK
It’s tough to rank East, given that they play in the Greater Metro, arguably the state’s best conference, which is loaded with the top talent in
Leon BondDivision 1. However, this might be the most improved ball club in the state. Their leader, Parzych, had a nice season as a sophomore, but Tosa East can now surround him with more talent and allow the playmaking guard to really thrive as a floor general. Speaking of improvement, Lovelace is going to be one of the biggest risers in the state. Super sophomore Leon Bond had a tremendous summer and is now the second-ranked player in the 2022 class. Also look for Hinson and Alex Singleton to give the Red Raiders big minutes this season.
10. MONROE
2018-19 RECORD: 13-11
WIAA PLAYOFF FINISH: Lost to Mount Horeb in the regional finals
KEY PLAYERS: Cade Meyer (11.2 ppg), J.T. Seagreaves (7.2 ppg), Carson Leuzinger (6.0 ppg)
OUTLOOK
Monroe had some solid seniors last season, but now that their young core is now at the forefront of the roster, the Cheesemakers have the
Carson Leuzingerpotential to go deep into March. Everything is going to be centered around Meyer, who had a huge AAU season and emerged as the No. 2 ranked player in the 2021 class. Sophomores Leuzinger and Seagreaves played well in their first taste of varsity action and appear poised for bigger and better things in year two.
Honorable Mention: Wisconsin Lutheran Lutheran, Elkhorn, Stoughton, Pewaukee, DeForest, Milwaukee Washington, Milwaukee Madison, Merrill, Whitnall, Westosha Central, Mosinee, Plymouth, Reedsburg, Catholic Memorial, Waukesha North, Waukesha West