Dairyland-Small 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.

A year after winning the Division 5 state championship, Cochrane-Fountain City again took home a conference title in the Small Division of the Dairyland. The Pirates made another run at the Kohl Center, but came up short, falling in the sectional semifinals to Assumption. As a whole the conference went 5-5 against teams not within their own conference in the playoff.

Long-time head coach at Blair-Taylor Randy Storlie became the second winningest coach in state history a season ago, currently sitting at 679 wins. Other coaching milestones were hit as Jesse Cyrus won game number 100 at Cochrane-Fountain City.

Independence/Gilmanton moves from the small division to the large for this upcoming season, leaving just five teams in the small division. Cochrane-Fountain City is the favorite with a good group back.

Head Coach: Jesse Cyrus - 9th year (110 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Tucker Bambenek, Aiden Auth
Returners: Aidan Lisowski, 6-2, sr; Mavrik Ehrat, 6-0, sr; Kaleb Tollefson, 6-0, jr; Parker Kujak, 6-2, sr; Dylan Hager, 5-10, sr; Nolan Hunger, 5-11, jr; Audi Schwanke, 5-8, jr; Grant Yapp, 6-1, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Easton Baueres, Ethan Holzer, 5-11, soph
Breakout Candidate: Kaleb Tollefson

Outlook: CFC is coming off a conference and regional championship. Head coach Jesse Cyrus won game number 100 a season ago and enters this year with a strong returning group. Aidan Lisowski is the muscle and leader for the Pirates as he and a strong senior group will lead the way. Mavrik Ehrat, Parker Kujak, Dylan Hager, and Kaleb Tollefson were all key contributors the Pirates team this past season. CFC has built out good standards under Coach Cyrus, leading to the consistent success. Add in the success of the football program, and the basketball team benefits from that buy in to the weight room and physical side of the game.

Head Coach: Jamie Paul - 2nd year (15 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Jay Stetzer, Levi Marek, Eddie LaBar
Returners: Sean Stetzer, 5-9, jr; Drew Stetzer, 5-9, jr; Jackson Wyss, 6-3, sr; Bryce Arnold, 5-8, sr; Dylan Jahn, 6-0, jr; Jake Stuessel, 6-1, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Owen Cummings, soph; Hunter Bauer, Leland Elmer
Breakout Candidate: Drew Stetzer

Outlook: Alma Center will come into this year having to replace two starters and the top scorer from a season ago. A handful of contributors are back however as brothers Sean and Drew Stetzer are two steady guards that will likely step up in terms of scoring production. Jackson Wyss provides size on the inside whereas Bryce Arnold and Dylan Jahn will vie for extended minutes. Developing consistency night in and night out will be a key for this team that has built depth.

Head Coach: Randy Storlie - 38th year (679 career wins)
Lost Contributors: CJ Dummer, Collin Johnson, Austin Olson, Kyle Jahr
Returners: Adam Halverson, 6-5, sr; Brady Thompson, 6-1, sr; Matt Beck, 6-0, jr; Jack Anderson, 6-3, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Colby Dahl, 5-11, soph; Beau Trapp, 5-10, jr; Carter Markos, 6-0, soph
Breakout Candidate: Adam Halverson

Outlook: Blair loses three starters and the top three scorers to graduation from last year’s squad. Post players Adam Halverson and Brady Thompson provide size and a presence on the inside. Guard play could pose an issue at least early on. Jack Anderson and Matt Beck are both expected to step into larger roles and then a group from the lower levels will build out the depth for the Wildcats.

Head Coach: John Radichel - 6th year (65 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Dulton Eberhardt, Malcolm Bauer
Returners: Jake Zimmerman, sr; Tom Carstensen, sr; Tanner Quade, sr; Sawyer Sydow, sr; Derek Wales, jr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Cameron Nelson, jr;
Breakout Candidate: Cameron Nelson

Outlook: Immanuel Lutheran did struggle to just six wins a year ago but have four starters back from that squad. The best scorer in the conference resided with the Lancers as Jake Zimmerman can put the ball in the hoop. Tanner Quade, Tom Carstensen, and Sawyer Sydow all started a majority of the games a season ago. Juniors Cameron Nelson and Derek Wales saw significant time as well on the varsity roster. A year more in the weight room, on the court, and building their skillset, Immanuel Lutheran should build upon last year’s six-win campaign.

Head Coach: Nash Gilles - 3rd year (20 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Breckin Hullopter, Owen Post, Trenton Krzoska, Jake Komisar, Liam Midtovne, Justin Bergmann
Returners: Anders Seifert, sr; Anders Johansen, sr; Blake Carlson, jr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Clay Carlson, Will Jumbeck, jr
Breakout Candidate: Anders Seifert

Outlook: The Eagles won seven league games a season ago but must replace four starters from that squad, including two double-digit scorers. The good news for Coach Gilles is the return of Anders Seifert. Beyond Seifert, not returning player has scored more than two points per game at the varsity level. That level of scoring production to fill will be the biggest task at hand for Coach Gilles in his third year with the team.

Blair-Taylor has one of the second winningest coach in state history at the helm in Randy Storlie. Despite the loss of three seniors, Coach Storlie has done a great job of building the Blair-Taylor program to stay competitive year in and year out.

Aidan Lisowski, sr, Cochrane-Fountain City
A starter on the state championship team as a sophomore two years ago, Lisowski sets the tone night in and night out with his leadership, work ethic, and demeanor. As a junior he averaged 12.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists en route to earning first team all-league honors.

Mavrik Ehrat, sr, Cochrane-Fountain City
Ehrat was the third leading scorer for the Pirates a season ago, as he averaged 11.2 points and also tallied 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Ehrat was a second-team all league selection.

Adam Halverson, sr, Blair-Taylor
A presence on the inside for the Wildcats, the offense will be run more through Halverson this year as he is the top returning scorer. As a junior he averaged 7.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.

Anders Seifert, sr, Alma/Pepin
Seifert is the lone returning starter for an Eagles team that will desperately need his leadership and playmaking ability. As a junior he was second on the team with 12.6 points per gaem and added 2.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

Drew and Sean Stetzer, jr, Alma Center Lincoln
The Stetzers come back to lead the Hornets in 2026-27 and do so with an expected uptick in production. Last year they combined to averaged 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists per game.

Jake Zimmerman, sr, Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran
Zimmerman is one of just three total first team all-league players back in the Dairyland conference. As a junior he averaged 22.4 points per game, buried 49 three-point shots, and led the team with 2.9 assists per game.