Boys Basketball Preseason All-State: Division 5, Class of 2027

(listed alphabetically)

Arcand returns for his senior season as the reigning Player of the Year in the Dunn-St. Croix. As a junior he averaged 20.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game and has amassed 1,326 career points. At 6-2, he’s a strong, physical guard that can assert his dominance through the physicality of the game, but also has a developed skillset with the ball in his hands. Clear Lake is going to be one of the top teams in the DSC this year and Arcand will lead the charge.

Brady is one of the more skilled big men in the state and comes into his senior year having earned All-State and CWC-North Player of the Year honors a season ago. He averaged 24.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game and if he plays an entirely healthy season, will eclipse 2,000 career points. Brady is 6-10 and towers above most on the court with him. He’s fleet of foot, dominates the paint on both sides of the ball, and has done work on his frame physically that has helped his development in other areas of the game. Recently Brady committed to Division 3 UW-Platteville.

Chrisman was an honorable mention All-State and first team All-Northern Lakes selection as a junior a season ago for a Wabeno/Laona squad that won 22 games and came two games short of the Kohl Center. He averaged 17.9 points and 4.2 rebounds and returns as the top option for Coach Allen in his senior campaign. He and classmate Cooper Albrecht both surpassed 1,000 points last season, as did graduate Walker Winkelman. Chrisman buried 78 triples and 100 free throws a season ago and puts pressure on defenses whether the ball is in his hands or not.

Fait has had a target on him when he steps on to the court since his freshman season, and he still is one of the top scorers in the state. As a junior he averaged 27.5 points per game and was an All-State honorable mention selection and first team All-Midwest Classic honoree. Fait is 6-4 and can score at all three levels on the court. He’s proven he can beat double-teams with above avareage length and athleticism. He currently holds an offer from Division 2 South Dakota School of Mines and sits at 1,724 career points.

Leibham returns to lead a Sheboygan Lutheran squad that is coming off two straight state tournament appearances. The ultimate competitor, Leibham has improved on his skillset each and every year. He averaged 13.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game as a junior. Leibham makes smart decisions on the court, effects the game with his IQ and work ethic, and defends willingly.

Lisowski started on the state championship team as a sophomore two years ago and is a great multi-sport athlete at Cochrane-Fountain City. The 6-3 forward is strong, smart, and calculated on the hardwood. As a junior he averaged 12.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game earning first team All-Dairyland honors. Lisowski pairs his work ethic and physicality with a confidence on the court that allows him to effect the game played in a handful of different and meaningful ways.

Noll is one of the more elite scorers in Division 5 and is coming off a season where he earned All-State honors as well as being named the Six Rivers-East co-Player of the Year. He averaged over 20 points per game during his junior season and comes into his final season with 1,250 career points.

Columbus Catholic is one of the better teams in Division 5 consistently under head coach Mac Konieczny and Sommer returns as one of the leaders for a Dons program that should be very good once again. As a junior Sommer averaged 14.1 points and was a second-team all-conference selection but is poised for an even bigger year as a senior. Sommer is 6-8 and is versatile in his game. He effects game with his size and length around the paint, but is equally comfortable and disruptive in space and further from the hoop.

Splinter was a key reason why Southwestern finished as the state runner-up a season ago in Division 5. He can knock down shots at a high rate from deep, burying 67 triples at a 38.2% clip. Splinter is steadying force with the ball in his hands and his decision making in crunch time set him apart from his peers. As a junior he averaged 15.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and was a first team All-SWAL honoree.

Thellefson can fill the stat sheet up, as evidence by the fact he averaged 20.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game a season ago, earning Scenic Bluffs First Team honors. The 6-5 forward is relentless around the rim where he outworks those around him for loose balls and then uses his size and strength to finish when he’s close. Thellefson comes into his senior year with 1,060 career points.

Edge was a first team All-Six Rivers East selection a season ago after averaging 15.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Now in his senior year, he’ll step even further into that leadership role for the basketball co-op. Edge can score it in the mid-range, off the dribble, and in catch and shoot situations.

Farley is a walking double-double as he averaged 26.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game as a junior a season ago. He was a first team All-Marinette & Oconto selection a season ago and comes into his senior year with 1,246 career points. Just 5-10, Farley is lightning quick on the court and instinctual when it comes to knowing where loose balls and rebounds will come out.

Like Farley, Johnson is also primed to record a double-double on any given night. Earning Lakeland-East first team honors as a junior, he averaged 20.5 points and 10.3 rebounds a season ago. The 6-2 forward uses a non-stop motor and athletic advantage to get to where he wants on the court.

Meddaugh will lead a Tri-County team that is much improved and will make some noise in Division 5 this upcoming season. The 6-2 wing was the Player of the year in the CWC-South conference a season ago after he averaged 14.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Meddaugh does a majority of his damage on the court within the arc in both the mid-range and near the rim.

Schultz is a strong guard at 6-1 and that strength only adds to the confidence he plays with on the court. As a junior he averaged 20.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, earning first team All-Packerland honors. Schultz doesn’t stop on the court and with his strength, he can wear defenders down each possession.

Thies is the son of boys basketball head coach Mike Thies and has been a part of the winning culture at Abundant Life for the past three seasons. He’s 6-5 and versatile in his game, which allows him to effect the outcome of possessions in a handful of different ways. Last year Thies averaged 17.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, earning Trailways-South first team honors.

Honorable Mentions: Cooper Albrecht, Wabeno/Laona; Gage Beggs, Tri-County; Zack Bender, North Crawford; Isaac Brown, Flambeau; Jackson Buttke, Lourdes Academy; Aaron Christensen, Drummond; Dylan DeLaet, Rosholt; Bevyn Dennis, Riverdale; Dax Diethelm, Athens; Ty Durtschi, Monticello/Albany; Max Everts, Clear Lake; Trey France, Assumption; Elliot Harder, New Auburn; Hardy Hueckman, Prentice; Thomas Kaquatosh, Gresham; Brayden Kilcoyne, Benton; Harlan Kuehn, Lourdes Academy; Luke Leonard, Pecatonica; Kaden Seim, Fall River; Brody Tarman, Turtle Lake; Ben Weiland, Columbus Catholic; Jake Williams, Pacelli; Jake Zimmeran, Eau Claire Immanuel