Image Credit (Edited): Nate Beier of GX3 Media
We’re a little over two months out from the basketball season beginning on the boys side with the first day of practices set for Monday, November 16. As I did last year, I’ll be rolling out a pre-season all-state team for each class in each division.
Over the next few weeks we’ll roll out pre-season all-state choices, broken down into the 2027, 2028, and 2029 grades. For the senior class (2027), 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 (2028), we will list a first and second team, and then a number of honorable mentions. For the sophomore class (2029), we will list a first team, and then a number of honorable mentions. Number of athletes per class will vary.
The talent in the state continues to grow, so many good basketball players will be left of these lists.
Below is my preseason all-state team for the Class of 2029 in Division 4.
More Preseason All-State Teams
D1 Class of 2027 Preseason All-State
D1 Class of 2028 Preseason All-State
D1 Class of 2029 Preseason All-State
D2 Class of 2027 Preseason All-State
D2 Class of 2028 Preseason All-State
D2 Class of 2029 Preseason All-State
D3 Class of 2027 Preseason All-State
D3 Class of 2028 Preseason All-State
D3 Class of 2029 Preseason All-State
D4 Class of 2027 Preseason All-State
D4 Class of 2028 Preseason All-State
First Team
(listed alphabetically)
Lavonte Johnson, Marshall
Johnson was a starter at Madison Memorial as a freshman where he helped a Spartan team finish as the state runner-up in Division 1 a season ago. He transfers to Marshall for his sophomore season where his impact immediately makes Marshall a team to beat in Division 4. The 6-5 guard plays with poise and can get to the rim at ease when he gets going downhill. Johnson’s length is a big reason why he excels, as he can high point rebounds and also elevate over defenders in the mid-range. Johnson holds a Division 1 offer from San Diego State.
Michael Merlo, Random Lake
Merlo was the top scoring freshman in the state a season ago averaging 21.9 points per game on the season. He was a Big East-South honorable mention selection and also averaged 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. He can do it in every facet of the game as he buried 103 triples but also attempted 96 free throws, forcing defenders to guard him everywhere on the court. Merlo’s shot prep and creation are a big reason why he’s a bonafide scorer in the northeast part of the state.
Asher Morgan, Laconia
Morgan averaged 6.3 points for the Laconia hoops team as a freshman a season ago. With the graduation of two of the top three scorers, Morgan is primed for a much bigger role as a sophomore. The 6-1 guard can light it up from deep and has a great feel for the game. Morgan is the quarterback for the football team and son of girls head coach Chris Morgan and plays with a good IQ, poise, and makes good decisions on the court.
Greyson Rathbun, Regis
Rathbun played in 16 games at Altoona as a freshman a season ago, seeing spot minutes for a squad that had a deep guard wing rotation. He’s now at Regis and will help form a solid backcourt duo with DJ Cooper. Rathbun plays downhill and is a creator with the ball in his hands, whether it be his ability to finish at/around the rim, or facilitate to open teammates when the help defense collapses.
Javon Zenke, Luther
Zenke plays unfazed on the basketball court, something coaches love to see in younger athletes. As a freshman he averaged 10.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game for Luther. Zenke effects the game in a multitude of ways and his strong 6-3 frame can create matchup nightmares for opposing defenders. He’s comfortable on-ball on the perimeter, off-ball in the catch and shoot, and even down near the basket in the post.
Honorable Mentions: Dillon Jorgenson, Cameron; Jake Kotten, Spring Valley; Aidan Schradle, Prairie Farm/Clayton; Jackson Schruth, Neillsville; Asher Sikora, Cadott; Graham Streit, Edgar; Landon Thoma, Crivitz
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].
