Capitol-North Conference Preview - Boys Basketball

Below is a boys basketball conference preview. Included in each preview is the previous year standings, review, returning all-conference players, projected standings with writeup, a sleeper team, top players to watch, conference break out candidates.

Lake Mills again went undefeated in the conference securing the conference title by two games over Lakeside Lutheran. For the second straight season Lake Mills advanced to the Division 3 state tournament, falling in the state semifinals to eventual champion Racine St. Catherine’s. Lodi did secure a second round upset of Aquinas but fell in a regional championship game, as did Lakeside Lutheran.

Lake Mills seems like the frontrunner in a conference where the usual contenders will be reloading in Lodi, Lakeside Lutheran, and Columbus. Steve Hicklin could hit win number 300 at Lake Mills this year while Lodi coach Ben Leistico is just 15 away from his 100th win.

Head Coach: Steve Hicklin - 15th year (284 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Brady Benish, Ashton Winger, Nolan Kolkovich, Ace Everson, Ethan Gliniecki
Returners: Tyler Wollin, 6-3, sr; Collin Christian, 6-2, sr; Jenner Wellman, 5-11, soph; Macon Rosales Gray, sr; Cam Benish, 6-0, jr, Mason Gray, 6-0, sr; Ben Nordby, 6-3, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Jon Ebert, 6-1, soph; Mason Wyman, 6-2, sr; Trey Smith, sr; Cam Hack, 5-11, jr; Charlie Vogel, 6-4, soph; Jordan Berg, frosh;
Breakout Candidate: Collin Christian

Outlook: Lake Mills came up six points shy of getting by Racine St. Cats in the state semifinals last season, a second straight state berth by the L-Cats. Sophomore Jenner Wellman went down with an injury in the sectional final last year and is still recovering. Tyler Wollin is the reigning Player of the Year in the conference and he and Collin Christian are two proven players for head coach Steve Hicklin that are both all-league performers. Lake Mills system is built on ball movement, making the extra pass, and defending as a team. They excel in that. Having a point-forward in Wollin, scorer in Christian, and supporting cast around those two with underclassmen poised to break out; that’s why Lake Mills is projected to once again finish atop the Capitol-North standings.

Head Coach: Ben Leistico - 7th year (85 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Theo Traeder, Kyle Kurt, Grayson Koeppen
Returners: Colton Waller, 6-0, sr; Silas Seffrood, 5-8, soph; Kale Schneider, 6-2, sr; Reese Schreiber, 5-11, sr; Ace Hoffman, 6-2, sr; Bennett Nyquist, 6-3, sr; Logan Leistico, 5-7, sr; Keaton Waldsmith, 6-3, soph, Max Oberling, 6-6, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Kayson Mack, Alder Kundert, August Sheilds, Liam Etter, Carter Karls
Breakout Candidate: Silas Seffrood

Outlook: Lodi did graduate their top scorer in Theo Traeder from last year, but they have Kale Schneider back, who is one of the best players in the conference. His leadership and poise is a big reason why Lodi won’t take a big step back in 2026-27. Sophomores Keaton Waldsmith and Silas Seffrood are the next breakout players with the Blue Devils as they both played as freshman and played significant minutes. Max Oberling and Bennett Nyquist wil provide the size for Coach Liestico who will primarily rely on the skilled ball handlers up and down his roster.

Head Coach: Austin DeNoyer - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Wes Rahn, Brdy Wolfram, Brecken Jimenez, Jackson Moore, Carson Strohm, Henry Moore
Returners: Oliver Povich, 5-11, sr; Micah Robinson, 6-2, sr; Jacob Decleene, 5-11, sr; Jeremiah Koester, 6-1, sr; Ezra Abram, 6-6 sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Hans Korth, 6-2, jr
Breakout Candidate: Micah Robinson

Outlook: Lakeside will look different in 2026-27. Head coach Todd Jahns has stepped down while former alum Austsin DeNoyer is in as the first year head coach with the Warriors. He will go into this season having to replace all five starters from last year’s 18-win team. Program depth, culture, and consistency is something that Coach Jahns built at Lakeside and for that, it will be next man up for the returning group of seniors that saw limited minutes. Oliver Povich, Micah Robinson, Jacob DeCleene, Jeremiah Koester, and Ezra Abram all will step into new shoes at the varsity level under the tutelage of a first time head coach.

Head Coach: Jeffrey Downing - 5th year (59 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Peyton Powers, Jonny Cotter, Griffinn Corrado, Jordan Mobry, Owen Hacht, Wyatt Graffin, Blake Carthew, Isaac Peck
Returners: Sam Powers, 6-5, soph;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Landen Wiersma, 6-4, jr; Liam Riese, 6-3, soph; Gavin Schultz, 6-1, jr; Grady Corrado, 6-1, jr; Max Pederson, 6-1, soph; Ben Towne, 5-11, jr
Breakout Candidate: Sam Powers

Outlook: Graduating the top seven scorers and nearly 100% of production from a season ago is what Coach Downing has to work with this season. In 2026-27 the Cardinals are going to be inexperienced and a relative unknown. Sophomore Sam Powers saw varsity minutes as a freshman and the 6-6 wing is poised to step into the role with the Cardinals this upcoming season. It may take a while for the team to get their feet under them, as chemistry will need to be built.

Head Coach: Kristofer Chwala - 2nd year (5 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Gage Stelsel, Efrain Guardiola
Returners: Finn Katzenberger, 6-4, sr; Owen Kloosterboer, 6-4, jr; Elijah Ewerdt, 6-0, jr; Sutton Nelson, 6-1, soph; Landon Derksen, 5-8, sr; Tymon Aalsma, 6-3, jr; Landyn Hawkinson, 5-11, sr; Brayden Daane, 6-0, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Sutton Nelson

Outlook: Waupun struggled to just two wins a season ago, both coming at the expense of Poynette. A new coach steps in with the Warriors in Kristofer Chwala who was the head coach of Waterloo a season ago. Finn Katzenberger and Owen Kloosterboer are both big wings that averaged over ten points per game. Elijah Ewrdt and Sutton Nelson started games as underclassmen as well, as Waupun does return four starters. The Warriors will be improved, but the Capitol-North is a tough league to climb the standings in.

Head Coach: Cody Odegaard - 11th year (71 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Mason Freimuth, Justin Wells, Zane Johnson, Kyle Hellenbrand, Gabe Fessenden
Returners: Easton Ripp, 6-2, sr; Paceler Moll, 5-10, jr; Connor Raymond, 6-0, jr; Gage Hartman, 5-8, sr; Jordan Tjugum, 6-2, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors: Jeremy Schwanbeck, 6-2, jr; JC Wendt, 6-2, sr
Breakout Candidate: Paceler Moll

Outlook: Poynette went 0-10 in league play a season ago but 10-6 outside of the Capitol North. The Pumas have now lost 28 straight conference games dating back to 2023-24. Back for the Pumas are the top two leading scorers in Easton Ripp and Paceler Moll. The Capitol-North is not an easy conference to win in with depth up and down the league. Poynette is looking to take steps forward in year 11 under Cody Odegaard. Connor Raymond, Gage Hartman, and Jordan Tjugum are contributors back that will look to step into possible starting roles.

Waupun is a sleeper team this year. They return nearly everyone and under a new head coach are primed for a step forward. I would not be surprised if Waupun scores a win or two over Lodi, Lakeside, or Lake Mills in 2026-27.

Collin Christian, sr, Lake Mills
Christian is another steady, scoring, and fundamentally sound guard to come out of Lake Mills under Steve Hicklin’s tenure. He was a second team all-conference selection a season ago after averaging 14.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Christian buried 40% of his shots from deep as well.

Finn Katzenberger, sr, Waupun
Katzenberger was an honorable mention all-league player a season ago after he averaged 10.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. The combo guard has great size at 6-4 and being a lefty always seems to be an advantage on the court for ball handlers.

Owen Kloosterboer, jr, Waupun
Kloosterboer averaged 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore a season ago. Playing primarily near the hoop, he gives the Warriors a presence inside though he did make two of five triples last year.

Paceler Moll, jr, Poynette
Moll was the second leading scorer for the Pumas a season ago as he averaged 10.2 points and 3.6 assists per game as a sophomore. At 5-11, he and teammate Ripp play ying and yang off each other as both are skill ball handlers and can work in space off ball.

Bennett Nyquist, sr, Lodi
Nyquist returns as a senior after having averaged 10.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game as a junior. The 6-3 wing will have an expanded role as a senior a secondary scoring option needed behind Schneider.

Sam Powers, soph, Columbus
Powers is one of the only returners with varsity experience for Columbus this season. As a freshman playing with a team that was senior dominated tells you where Powers was last year and an offseason of development behind him and he’s poised for a big sophomore campaign.

Easton Ripp, sr, Poynette
Ripp averaged 16.9 points per game a season ago and was a second team all-league selection. He’s a 6-2 point guard that scores it, facilitates, and works on putting his teammates in a better position on the court.

Kale Schneider, sr, Lodi
Schneider has started at point guard for Lodi since his freshman season. Last year he averaged 16.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game while earning first team all-league honors. He’s a standout multi-sport athlete, who will play baseball at the next level at Rock Valley Junior College.

Tyler Wollin, sr, Lake Mills
The reigning Player of the Year in the conference and an all-state selection, Wollin is one of the better all-around players in the state. As a junior he averaged 17.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game. When you look at the Lake Mills record book, Wollin’s name is already all over it. On top of that, he’s a heck of a quarterback as he’s committed to play at Winona State next season.