Practice has begun as of Monday morning and the boys basketball season is officially underway. The first games aren’t until next Tuesday, November 25, but there are a load of players to keep an eye on this season.
This week we’ll roll out pre-season all-state choices, broken down into the 2028, 2027, and 2026 grades. For the senior class (2026), we will list a first team of ten athletes, a second team of five more, and then a number of honorable mentions. For the junior class (2027), we will list a first and second team, and then a number of honorable mentions. For the sophomore class (2028), we will list a first team, and then a number of honorable mentions.
The talent in the state continues to grow, so many good basketball players will be left of these lists.
First Team
(listed alphabetically)
Owen Birschbach, New Holstein
Birschbach was one of the most productive sophomores a season ago, regardless of division. He averaged 16.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game last season for the Huskies. Birschbach will likely garner more attention from opposing defenses during his sophomore campaign where his skillset progression will be put to the test. The 6-5 forward used his size to his advantage a lot this year, but has put in the work over the past few offseasons to improve his ability to impact the game.
DJ Cooper, Regis
The grandson of former McDonell Central girls coach Don Cooper, DJ was one of the top freshman on the western part of the state a season ago. He was a second team all-Cloverbelt West selection after averaging 10.6 points and 5.1 assists per game, knocking down 51 triples in the process. He’ll go into year two starting alongside senior Blake Risler, forming one of the better scoring guard combos in Division 4. Cooper’s skillset to facilitate and score from the point guard position is a big reason why Regis is considered a contender in Division 4 this season.
Jordan Evans, Living Word Lutheran
Evans is one of the top freshman in the state, regardless of division. He’s a dynamic combo guard that runs the show at Living Word. He is near impossible to guard in space where he attacks defenders hips and puts them on skates. The 6-2 point guard already owns a Division 1 offer from Behtune-Cookman. Evans is a true three level scorer but also puts the work in on the defensive side, turning tips and steals into scoring opportunities.
Ryder Fitzsimons, Darlington
When you can contribute as a freshman for Darlington, you deserved to be mentioned as one of the top sophomores in the state in Division 4. That’s exactly what Fitzsimons did a year ago, averaging 9.7 points per game. Like many of his teammates, he’s benefited from a good weight room program and succeeding on the gridiron with the Redbirds. Fitzsimons stands at 6-3 and can score off the bounce or from the perimeter while he also buys into the defensive side of the ball.
Emmett Wassil, The Prairie School
Wassil got the chance to showcase his ability as a freshman last season and excelled. He’s a bouncy wing that can score off the dribble and in the catch and shoot. Like many of his teammates, he’s fundamentally sound not just on the offensive side, but on the defensive side of things.
Honorable Mentions: Diesel Bosdeck, Kewaunee; Oscar Brown, Cambridge; Brooks Cowley, Melrose-Mindoro; Dane Harrell, Kewaunee; Russell Polkoski, Colfax; Landon Rakestraw, Neillsville; Micah Sells, Heritage Christian; Bradley Wendricks, Mishicot; Corey Collin, Milwaukee Juneau
Colton Wilson serves a contributor and member of Bound Wisconsin. Wilson has worked in high school sports for 10 years, covering the state of Wisconsin in various sports. He has had roles in content creation, boys basketball coverage, director of events, and data management. Wilson is a graduate of Richland Center High School where he will currently serves as the Varsity Reserve boys basketball coach, entering his eleventh year coaching at the high school level. Wilson also has officiated basketball and organized youth tournaments for multiple years. You can follow him on Twitter at @ColtonWilson23 or reach him at [email protected].