Cloverbelt-East 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.

Columbus Catholic squeaked out a conference title over Loyal a season ago, beating the Greyhounds in the final game before the crossover contests by a single point to secure the conference crown outright. Come playoff time, the conference did not fair extremely however as no team made it out of the regionals and as a whole, the Cloverbelt-East went 6-6 with the Marawood sweeping the trio of teams in regional championships. Neillsville’s Mike Gaier hit a coaching milestone, winning his 200th game during the 25-26 campaign.

With no first team all-league performers back in 2026-27, that leaves a lot of talent off the board. The Dons of Columbus Catholic are the favorite with a really strong group back including three all-league seniors. Neillsville, Loyal, and Owen-Withee are the likely contenders while the rest of the league will have teams that can play spoiler on a given night.

Head Coach: Joe Konieczny - 22nd year (440 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Mac Konieczny, Cade Jansen, Kaleb Hilgemann, Jack Kohlbeck, Devlin Timmler, Davis Vinnedge
Returners: Carter Sommer, 6-8, sr; Ben Weiland, 5-11, sr; Ray Becker, 6-2, sr; Elijah Wolf, 6-2, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Cole Wallace, 5-8, sr; Hawk Gardner, 6-2, frosh; Kofi Yeboah, 6-0, frosh; Rocco Maher, 5-10, jr; Nolan Frane, 5-11, jr; Roe Wheeler, 5-10, jr; Daxtyn Wenzel, 5-10, jr; Romah Ostermann, 6-0, jr; David Thill, 5-10, jr; Briar Ostrowski, 5-10, soph
Breakout Candidate: Hawk Gardner

Outlook: Losing the Player of the Year in Mac Konieczny is a blow to the Dons to be certain. However, head coach Joe Konieczny has been at this a while and his team in 2026-27 is going to be talented, deep, and have a mix of experience and young guys ready to compete. Carter Sommer and Ben Weiland are two of the top players in the conference and give Columbus Catholic an edge each and every night. Ray Becker and Elijah Wolf are two more experienced seniors that are key pieces back for the Dons. Filling out the roster will be players from the successful lower levels as well as a few very talented freshman in Hawk Gardner and Kofi Yeboah. As always the Dons have challenged themselves outside of the Cloverbelt with games against Rib Lake, McDonnel Central, Pacelli, and Amery, just to name a few.

Head Coach: Michael Gaier - 11th year (203 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Andrew Hoeser, Collin Knoff, Kaiden Strey, Cody Hart
Returners: Landon Rakestraw, 5-9, jr; Micah Ziebell, 6-3, sr; Zion Jones, 5-10, sr; Jackson Schruth, 6-2, soph; Adam Hoeser, 6-4, jr; Marcus Luchterhand, 6-1, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Devonte Bare, 6-2, sr; Preston Bare, 6-2, soph; Andrew Volovsek, 6-8, jr
Breakout Candidate: Jackson Schruth

Outlook: Michael Gaier enters Year 11 with the Warriors with an experienced group back that is poised to make noise in the Cloverbelt-East and beyond. Double-digit scorers Landon Rakestraw and Micah Ziebell are the two returning starters. Zion Jones, Jackson Schruth, and Adam Hoeser all saw significant minutes off the bench a season ago. The Warriors are going to be big in 2026-27 with three players over 6-3 and size all along the guard positions. Coach Gaier will look to that length to cause deflections, collect rebounds, and lead to the transition offense.

Head Coach: Brandon DeSmet - 7th year (81 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Bryce Deegan, Cain Toufar, Reed Stieglitz, Carson Bremmer, Hunter Walter, Rory Hanson, Ridge Ashbeck, Joeseph Treffinger
Returners: Rhett Lamovec, sr; Carson Prein, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Brody Miller, sr; Jake Lindner, sr; Ryson Ashbeck, jr; Andrew Lavengood, jr; Elliot Hederer, sr; Lincoln Smith, jr
Breakout Candidate: Carson Prein

Outlook: Replacing three starters that were three or four year starters is a tough task to tackle for head coach Brandon DeSmet, but there are great pieces back for the Greyhounds. Rhett Lamovec and Carson Prein both started a season ago and are back as senior leaders for a group that will need that experience. Lamovec and Brody Miller will provide great size on the inside and can be game wreckers with their size and athleticism. The Greyhounds have been in competition for the league crown and 2026-27 will be no different.

Head Coach: Russ Weiler - 27th year (348 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Winston Poehler, Jack Wendler, Colton Paczkowski, Sam Wells
Returners: Preston Fritz, sr; Talon Mueller, sr; Clay Mueller, soph; Isaiah Pyrchalla, soph; Tegan Treankler, soph; Tristan Wojcik, sr; Austin Yeager, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Clay Mueller

Outlook: Like many in the conference. the Blackhawks will look to a mixed group of varsity players with limited experience and a handful of newcomers in 2026-27. Coach Weiler has four starters to replace from a season ago that won 16 games. Preston Fritz and Talon Mueller both started games a season ago and are two aggressive guards that play well above their height. Sophomores Clay Mueller, Isaiah Pyrchalla, and Tegan Treankler all saw varsity minutes as freshman which will serve the Blackhawks well as they are now stronger and a year developed skill-wise as sophomores.

Head Coach: James Flink - 13th year (108 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Reed Fleischmann, Luke Hannula, Colton Orth, William Lopez, Devon Meyer
Returners: Cyler Pagelsdorf, 6-0, jr; Izaac Carrera, 5-9, sr; Dany Nunez Jr, 5-9, jr; Roylin Hopperdietzel, 6-2, sr; Adrian Capetillo, 6-3, sr; Xander Buchanan, 6-1, sr; Caleb Pagelsdorf, 5-10, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Marcus Garcia, 5-9, soph; Cullen Schmitt, 5-10, soph
Breakout Candidate: Cyler Pagelsdorf

Outlook: The Hornets will return three players that started games a season ago in Cyler Pagelsdorf, Izaac Carrera, and Dany Nunez. A few others return that saw varsity action in Roylin Hopperdietzel, Xander Buchanan, and Adrian Capetillo. The biggest task ahead for Coach Flink will be replacing the top three scorers from a season ago. Coach Flink looks to the depth of his bench and his ability to put out athletic and quick guards as areas of strength for Colby in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Charles Jennings - 4th year (41 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Sam Bezlyk, Mathers McHone, Breckin Miller, noah Anderson
Returners: Weston Nieman, 5-10, sr; Hezekiah Duda, 5-9, jr; Kade Dovenbarger, 6-1, sr; Jack Gorst, 5-11, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Kyden Schueller, 6-0, soph; Parker Manicke, 6-0, soph; Brayden Sebold
Breakout Candidate: Hezekiah Duda

Outlook: Spencer had a great season a year ago, winning 19 games behind a very strong 2026 class. Four starters graduated from that squad and six varsity contributors overall, leaving a small void in the Rockets roster. Weston Nieman is the lone returning starter, and a good one at that. Hezekiah Duda, Kade Dovenbarger, and Jack Gorst are a trio of other returnees that saw action on the varsity squad a season ago. Head coach Charles Jennings looks at early growing pains serving as great learning opportunities for this squad as they progress from November to March.

Head Coach: Tyler Pockat - 4th year (17 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Anthony Syryczuk, Dawson Grunseth
Returners: Kolby Keepers, sr; Beau Pockat, sr; Logan Halida, sr; Max Pockat, jr; Connor Nichols, sr; Jacob Bryan, sr; Henry Syryczuk, sr; Trevin Duellman, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Cullen Noonan, soph; Wyatt Stephens, soph
Breakout Candidate: Beau Pockat

Outlook: Gilman’s hoops season will begin following another successful football season as the Pirates are playing in the 8-player state championship game this Saturday, two days before the first basketball practice. That success can have an effect both positively and negatively as the players come in riding the high off a good fall year, but also come in tired and weary from a long season on gridiron. Tyler Pockat returns four starters on the hardwood in Connor Nichols, Beau Pockat, Logan Halida, and Max Pockat. A deep bench from last year give Coach Pockat a good depth of experience back.

Head Coach: Eric Johnson - 2nd year (26 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Anton Livinston, Peter Kayhart
Returners: Keegan Gipe, sr; Carter Johnson, sr; Brady Rakovec, jr; Mason Kohnert, jr; Max Dyre, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors: Alex Fischer, jr; Steven Toparek, jr
Breakout Candidate: Keegan Gipe

Outlook: Wins have been tough to come by for the co-op as the Cloverbelt is no joke. Returning four starters from last year’s squad, Eric Johnson’s team should be improved from last year’s three-win result. Keegan Gipe, Carter Johnson, Brady Rakovec, and Mason Kohnert were all starters a season ago while Max Dyre saw significant minutes off the bench. Team speed and length are both looked at as positives for the Indians in 2026-27.

Loyal may not considered a sleeper with what they have done over the past few seasons, but with graduating three starters and a strong group from 2026, they may be overlooked. Come February, I’d not be surprised to see the Greyhounds in the hunt for the Cloverbelt-East crown.

Preston Fritz, sr, Owen-Withee
Fritz is an aggressive guard that is one of two returning starters for the Blackhawks this season. As a junior he averaged 10.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.

Keegan Gipe, sr, Greenwood/Granton
Gipe is the top returning scorer for the Indians and is a candidate to surpass 1,000 career points in his senior campaign. As a junior he averaged 12.3 points per game.

Rhett Lamovec, sr, Loyal
Lamovec is a strong big man that effects games with his size and athleticism at both ends of the court. As a junior he averaged ten points per game and six rebounds per game, earning second team all-league honors.

Weston Nieman, jr, Spencer
Nieman is the lone starter back for Spencer, having played alongside a strong group of seniors as a sophomore a season ago. He averaged 14.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game and was an honorable mention all-league selection.

Cyler Pagelsdorf, jr, Colby
Pagelsdorf is the top returning scorer for the Hornets from a season ago. As a sophomore he averaged 5.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game and with the top three scorers from a season ago graduated, he’ll likely see an uptick in production across the board.

Beau Pockat, sr, Gilman
Pockat is one of four starters back for Gilman and a standout receiver and DB on the football field. As a junior on the hardwood he averaged 11.6 points per game for the Pirates.

Landon Rakestraw, jr, Neillsville
Rakestraw is a two-year varsity performer and one of the top guards back in the conference. He averaged 11.8 points and 4.4 assists per game a season ago, also adding 2.4 steals per game on the defensive side. Rakestraw was a second team all-league selection.

Carter Sommer, sr, Columbus Catholic
Sommer is a nightmare to opposing teams when he steps on the court, especially in the lower divisions. At 6-8, he can play near the rim, in the pick and roll, and comfortably away from the basket. He averaged 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds a season ago, earning second team all-conference honors.

Ben Weiland, sr, Columbus Catholic
A solid ying to Sommer’s yang, Weiland is a heady guard that can score it or facilitate to his talented teammates around him. He joined classmate Carter Sommer on the Cloverbelt-East second team all-conference a season ago after averaging 12.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.

Micah Ziebell, sr, Neillsville
Ziebell is one of two double digit scorers for the Warriors in 2026-27. Last year he averaged 10.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game and buried 35 triples. Ziebell was an honorable mention all-conference honoree as a junior.