Coulee 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.

West Salem had an unblemished conference record in the Coulee a season ago as the Panthers advanced all the way to the Division 2 State Tournament, falling in the semifinals to eventual champion Whitefish Bay. G-E-T came just short of representing the Coulee at the Kohl Center as well, falling in the sectional finals to Saint Croix Central.

Head Coach: Shane Schmeling - 2nd year (196 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Tyson Labus, Nathan Dillaber, Spencer Kammel, Will Schmidt, Mekebo Anderson, Aaron Grass, Bennett Rieber
Returners: Drew McConkey, 6-3, sr; Elliott Corcoran, 6-6, sr; Carter Alexander, 6-4, jr; Nate Stefferud, 6-3, sr; Jaxen Quackenbush, 5-11, sr; Owen Hatz, 5-9, sr; Vincent Coppernoll, 6-0, jr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Will Clements, 6-2, sr; Isaiah Laack, sr; Brock Brenengen, 5-10, soph; Cadyn Reding, soph; Canon Boland, 6-2, soph; Liam Wright, soph; Roman Quackenbush, 5-9, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Elliott Corcoran

Outlook: West Salem is coming off a Division 2 State Tournament appearance and will drop down to Division 3 in 2026-27. Player of the Year in the Coulee, Drew McConkey, is back and leads a Panther team that has a good mix of returning experience and new contributors. Elliott Corcoran started his breakout towards the end of last season and provides Coach Schmeling with another true scoring threat. The Panthers are a fundamentally sound group that plays with a level of discipline asked of by their head coach. A handful of sophomores will push for roles with the Panthers as well this season, adding depth within the roster.

Head Coach: Ian Anderson - 3rd year (39 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Mason Brone, Travis Theisen, Mitchell Thell, Carter Giemza, Aiden Johnson
Returners: Talon Fabian, 6-0, jr; Lucas Herman, 6-3, sr; Sam De Jager, 6-1, sr; Bo Sebion, 6-4, jr; Sawyer Foust, 6-2, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Kane Wlaetzko, 6-2, sr; Mason Busch, Brady Hansen, 6-0, soph; Zak Guenther
Breakout Candidate: Bo Sebion

Outlook: The Red Hawks return just three of nine rotational players from a season ago and will have to adjust to life without Mason Brone. Brone was the primarily playmaker for this squad and leader in the locker room. Returning starters Talon Fabian and Lucas Herman are well equipped to handled a larger role as I’d expect to see Fabian step into that role that Brone dominated the past few years. A group of players from the bench and lower level will step into new roles for head coach Ian Anderson and adjustment period may be experienced overall early on for the Red Hawks.

Head Coach: Dan Unke - 4th year (115 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Brody Greeno, Max Huelskamp, Elijah Schaller
Returners: Logan Pierce, 5-10, sr; Javon Zenke, 6-3, soph; Trent Berg, 6-3, sr; Jonathan Abdul-Haqq, 6-0, soph; Jack Petersen, 5-10, sr; Jonathan Holub, 6-1, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Timothy Mueller, 5-9, frosh; Liam Burke, jr
Breakout Candidate: Javon Zenke

Outlook: Luther graduates to important senior leaders from last years’ group, but has enough coming back to believe they’ll challenge for the Coulee crown. Javon Zenke is a very talented sophomore that already was a major contributor as a just a freshman a season ago. Logan Pierce and Trent Berg bring plenty of experience while sophomore Jonathan Abdul-Haqq also saw a bounty of playing time as a freshman. With a few underclassmen likely to push for minutes, Dan Unke’s team will be one to watch, especially come playoff time when they drop Division 4.

Head Coach: Ken Halvorson - 7th year (51 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Jadon Johnson, Chase Quellhorst, Micah Larson, Everett Hoven, Anders Hoven
Returners: Griffin Nelson, 6-0, sr; Maddux Fencl, 6-1, sr; Maddox Torkelson, 6-1, sr; Gage Dahlen, 6-4, jr; Wade Halvorson, 5-10, sr; Kameron Hulst, 6-1, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Jackson Olson, jr; Silas VonFeldt, jr; Ty Halvorson, soph
Breakout Candidate: Gage Dahlen

Outlook: Westby is a sneaky team in the Coulee this season as they have a good group back headlined by senior Griffin Nelson. The Norsemen play well together, set screens at nauseam, and can get it going from deep on almost any given night. Maddux Fencl is one of those that can light up while Maddox Torkelson handles the muscle side of things. Gage Dahlen could be a breakout player in the conference and be a big reason why Westby may climb these projected standings come season’s time.

Head Coach: Ryan Sonnentag - 14th year (138 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Max Blaschko, Jerson Sanchez
Returners: Deklyn Grzadzielewski, 5-10, jr; Carter Wegman, 6-0, sr; Trevor Pronshinske, 5-10, sr; Jonah Slaby, 6-1, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Bronson Jereczek, 6-2, jr; Tharren Schock, 5-10, sr; Ricardo Roque Hernandez, 5-8, sr; Khyle Updike, 5-10, jr
Breakout Candidate: Jonah Slaby

Outlook: Similar to Westby, Arcadia has an experienced group back led by two of the better players in the conference in Deklyn Grzadzielewski and Carter Wegman. Both should surpass 1,000 career points this season and can get hot from beyond the arc. The Raiders are a big undersized as head coach Ryan Sonnentag will rely on guard play and defensive pressure to make up for that lack of height.

Head Coach: Jared Pierce - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Brandon Skrede, Tyden Lind
Returners: Kolten Peterson, 5-11, sr; Noah Scwharz, 6-2, soph; Weston Benzing; 5-11, jr; Porter Skoda, soph; Declan Swenson, 6-3, sr; Jens Leirmo, 5-10, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Noah Schwarz

Outlook: Viroqua welcomes in a first year head coach in Jared Pierce this year to a group that has pieces back from the four-win squad a season ago. Kolten Peterson is the ball dominant guard that will lead the Viroqua back court while sophomore Noah Schwarz was one of the more physically impressive freshman in the state a season ago.

Head Coach: Tom Epps - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Cole Gearing, Gavin Bolger, Toby Hovland, Christ Antonelli
Returners: Braylon Backaus, 6-1, sr; Mason Meimann, 5-11, sr; Ryan Gunderson, 5-10, sr; Sam Aebly, sr; Will Rahmlow, 6-0, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Ben Breining, 6-2, jr; Keoni Blackdeer, 6-0, jr; Elijah Crawford
Breakout Candidate: Mason Meimann

Outlook: Braylon Backaus is the top returning scorer in terms of career points in the entire state as he has 1,794 scored. First year head coach Tom Epps will need to continue to find the pieces around Backaus that lead to wins on the hardwood. Mason Meimann averaged double figures a season ago and has proven he can handle that, but tbeyond him, there is a lot of production to be split between returnees and newcomers.

Westby is my pick to be a sleeper team in the Coulee as head coach Ken Halvorson has an experienced group back with some scoring firepower at the top of the rotation. That experience is integral especially with the lost production suffered by the three teams predicted ahead of them.

Braylon Backaus, sr, Black River Falls
One of the most prolific scorers in the state, Backaus will hit 2,000 career points with ease if he stays healthy. As a junior he averaged 30.3 points per game and has grown in his skillset to create those scoring opportunities. He was a first-team all-conference selection a season ago.

Trent Berg, sr, Luther
Berg was an honorable mention all-league player a season ago after he averaged 10.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game for the Knights. The 6-3 guard has good size and takes advantage of smaller defenders when given the opportunity.

Elliot Corcoran, sr, West Salem
Corcoran really shined in the second half of last season, stepping into a much bigger scoring role with the Panthers down the stretch. He averaged 10.5 points per game and was an honorable mention all-league selection. Corcoran has size, skills, and an abundance of confidence on the court.

Talon Fabian, jr, G-E-T
The successor to Mason Brone, Fabian can do it all in terms of on-ball or off-ball. He’s lights out in the catch and shoot but can create off the dribble as well. As a sophomore he averaged 16.2 points and 4.4 assists per game and was a second team All-Coulee honoree.

Maddux Fencl, sr, Westby
Fencl is a sharpshooter from deep as that is where he is most comfortable. As a junior he averaged 13.7 points per game and was an honorable mention all-league selection. Fencl’s shot prep and range allow him to pull defenders further from the hoop, opening up driving and cutting lanes for teammates.

Deklyn Grzadielewski, jr, Arcadia
Grzadielewski will likely hit 1,000 career points before his senior season begins. As a sophomore last year he averaged 15.8 points and 4.1 assists and was a second team All-Coulee selection. He’s a dual-threat point guard that makes plays for himself and his teammates with the ball in his hands.

Drew McConkey, sr, West Salem
McConkey is the fiery leader that does everything a coach could ask for on the court. He scores it, rebounds well, and defends all five positions. McConkey averaged 14.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game and was the conference Player of the Year as well as earning honorable mention all-state recognition in Division 2.

Griffin Nelson, sr, Westby
Nelson can fill the stat sheet as evidenced by his 19.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game tallies from a season ago. He was a first team all-conference performer and is comfortable scoring from all three levels on the basketball court.

Kolten Peterson, sr, Viroqua
Peterson was the top scoring for the Blackhawks a season ago, averaging 16.2 points per game. He isn’t necessarily explosive, but makes good decisions with the ball in his hands. Peterson was an honorable mention all-league selection as a junior.

Noah Schwarz, soph, Viroqua
Being physically imposing as a freshman is difficult to obtain for many, but that’s what Schwarz was a season ago. He averaged 13.9 points and 7.9 rebounds as a freshman and displayed the ability to play in the pick and roll as well as with his back to the basket.

Carter Wegman, sr, Arcadia
Wegman comes into his senior season likely to join the 1,000 point club at some point. As a junior he averaged 15.8 point and 5.0 rebounds per game, earning second team all-conference recognition.

Javon Zenke, soph, Luther
Zenke has plenty of physical tools that are ahead of his age and a big reason why he was so productive as a freshman on varsity. On top of that though is a poised skillset that does not get sped up when many his age would. He averaged 10.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game a season ago.