Dunn-St. Croix 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.

Durand-Arkansaw captured the league crown for the third straight year by a large three game berth in 2025-26. Come playoff time, both the Panthers and Warriors of Clear Lake won regional championships with Clear Lake falling one game shy of the state tournament to Regis, the same team that ended Durand’s season in the sectional semifinals The league as a whole went 8-8 overall in playoff games outside of the conference. Spring Valley head coach Rob Bosshart hit a huge coaching milestone as he surpassed 500 career wins.

Clear Lake, Colfax, and Mondovi have a lot of returning talent in 2026-27 while Justin Redetzke’s Durand-Arkansaw team is never out of it. Three new head coaches will take over for squad this year with three others under four years of head coaching and the other three in year 15 over more.

Head Coach: Jason Sargent - 25th year (359 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Kasey Becker, Lane Prusak, Drew Brantner
Returners: Caleb Arcand, 6-2, sr; Max Everts, 6-4, sr; Miles Johnson, 6-3, sr; Connor Monson, 6-3, sr; Liam Swanepoel, 5-9, jr; Seth Cain, 5-10, sr; Bennett Buhr, 6-0, soph; Brody Buhr, jr; Aaron Tilseth, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Bennett Buhr

Outlook: Clear Lake outlasted the entirety of the conference come playoff time in its first year in the Dunn-St. Croix. Jason Sargent enters Year 25 of coaching and will have his top three scorers, all who averaged double digit points per game, back. That group includes seniors Miles Johnson, Max Everts, and the reigning Player of the Year Caleb Arcand. That sort of experience and scoring punch is enviable by any coach any year, and is a reason why the Warriors are the preseason favorite. Connor Monson, Liam Swanepoel and Bennett Buhr provide depth as they saw extended varsity minutes a season ago.

Head Coach: Nick Heit - 3rd year (28 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Orion Nichols, Charlie Charbonneau
Returners: Russell Polkoski, 6-6, jr; Tegan Lydon, 6-2, jr; Isaiah Entzminger, 5-9, jr; Trey Larson, 5-9, sr; Conner Arntson, 5-11, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Easton Wedlund, 5-10, jr; Austin Coates, 6-2, sr
Breakout Candidate: Russell Polkoski

Outlook: Colfax also returns four starters from last year’s team that won 16 games and finished second in the standings. Junior Russell Polkoski, Tegan Lydon, Isaiah Entzminger and senior Trey Larson all averaged over ten points per game for Coach Heit. That experience, scoring punch, and balance on the offense side are reasons for hope that Colfax will be pushing for the league crown. The Vikings as a team shot 35.5% from beyond the arc, as shot selection and sharing the ball is emphasized, even as they were a younger group a season ago.

Head Coach: Sarah Brenner - 4th year (16 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Haydn Rykal, Keaton Schoonover
Returners: Bode Falkner, 6-0, jr; Beau Spindler, 6-2, jr; Griffin Rud, 5-8, jr; Mason Brenner, 6-1, sr; Tyler Brenner, 5-10, jr; Cameron Gruber, 5-11, jr; Trent Roetter, 6-3, jr; Arthur Mathis, 5-11, sr; Quin Sandberg, 5-11, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Braxton Weber, 6-2, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Beau Spindler

Outlook: Mondovi returns all five starters from last year’s 11-win squad. In many other years, they might be the favorite. A quartet of juniors in Bode Falkner, Beau Spindler, Griffin Rud, and Tyler Brenner all were starters a year ago and are going into year three on varsity. This group has plenty of chemistry having played together for years. Mondovi has the pieces to push Colfax and Clear Lake. Coach Brenner has seen steady progress over her three seasons at the helm and is hoping for another big one in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Justin Redetzke - 15th year (229 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Brett Breidung, Billy Weisenbeck, Ethan Mack, Max Anderson, Isaac Sabelko
Returners: Luke Weber, 5-11, sr; Dylan Berger, 5-10, sr; Miles Kralewski, 5-10, sr; Akin Fuentes, 6-0, sr; Jackson Pichler, 6-2, sr; Lucas Reckin, 5-5, jr; Drake Peterson, 6-0, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Dylan Berger

Outlook: Durand has won the past three conference titles and despite losing a handful of contributors to graduation, there is no reason to count out Coach Redetzke’s Panthers. Leading that group is Luke Weber who averaged 16 points per game as a junior but was limited to just nine games due to injuries. Dylan Berger is the other top returning contributor as new roles will be stepped into for many others beyond that duo. Guard play is is looked to be a strength while lack of size and rebounding are areas of concern.

Head Coach: Rob Bosshart - 37th year (501 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Collin Brunner, Toby Shafer
Returners: Jake Kotten, 6-4, soph; Tyler Traynor, 5-10, jr; Jake Hannack, 6-0, sr; Sam Bauer, 6-5, soph; Cooper Supri, 5-10, soph; Brady Lamb, 6-4, jr; Parker Cipriano, 6-1, sr; Blake Bengston, 6-1, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Maverick Marko, 5-10, soph; Brayden Turner, 6-4, jr; Braden Gregg, 6-2, sr; Boomer Bune, soph; Dustyn Raleigh, 6-1, jr; Ruger Peavey, 6-1, sr
Breakout Candidate: Jake Kotten

Outlook: Spring Valley, like the teams projected above, are loaded with talent back this season. Four starters and a few contributors return for head coach Rob Bosshart who hit the 500 career win mark a season ago. Three freshman and three sophomores saw significant playing time a season ago. Jake Kotten led the team in scoring as a freshman while Tyler Traynor, Jake Hannack, Sam Bauer, and Cooper Supri all averaged over five points per game. The Cardinals have depth, experience, and a head coach that is one of the more winningest in state history.

Head Coach: Paul McDonough - 3rd year (14 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Braeden Bechel, Ariel Perez, Skyler Fischer, Hudson Hewitt
Returners: Logan Auth, 6-0, sr; Caleb Kopp, 6-2, jr; Brewer Link, 6-1, sr; Landen McDonough, 5-11, sr; David Kopp, 6-4, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Teigen Bauer, sr; Lucas Hartung, Gus Elbe, 6-3, jr; Bryce Bechel, Gabe Karshbaum
Breakout Candidate: Caleb Kopp

Outlook: Elmwood/Plum City has a good chunk of returners back in 2026-27 for head coach Paul McDonough. Having finished at the bottom of the league standings a year ago, that experience is key in comparison to other teams that are slated to finish in the bottom half. Logan Auth and Landen McDonough were both all-league performers a season ago while Caleb Kopp, David Kopp, and Brewer Link all played significant roles. Four of those players averaged over nine points per game and that balance is going to be key for the Wolves.

Head Coach: Lee Killoren - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Brodrick Olson, Luke Anderson, Ethan Brown, Elliot Rihn, Noah Hamley
Returners: Jude Poppe, 5-11, sr; Tanner Wood, 5-8, sr; Anders Olson, 5-11 sr
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Tanner Wood

Outlook: Lee Killoren takes over for the Bulldogs after serving as assistant the past few seasons. He does so having to replace five contributors. Jude Poppe was the leading scorer a season ago and will look at bringing along the inexperienced group as the season progresses. Tanner Wood and Anders Olson both saw extended action and will be key pieces for Chetek as well. Lack of experience will be an issue in a conference that is filled with it.

Head Coach: Rob Ohman - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Brody Olson, Brady Thompson, Brody Riba, Mitchell Main, Clayton HOffman
Returners: Tristen Wink, 6-1, sr; Connor Dopkins, 5-10, jr; Dylan Miller, 6-2, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors: Max Peterson, 5-10, sr; Jordan Hager, 5-6, jr; Dillon Riba, Aiden Thompson
Breakout Candidate: Dylan Miller

Outlook: A new coach steps into the first chair as Rob Ohman will have to replace three starters and the top three scorers from a season ago. Tristen Wink is back to lead the Hilltoppers while Connor Dopkins saw plenty of action as well. Dylan Miller got into a handful of games later in the season as a freshman and is poised for a breakout season. Filling of the roles will be something to watch as Glenwood City enters 2026-27.

Head Coach: Sam Benoy - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Carson Roemhild, Owen Rydel, Jon Madison, Landyn Leslie, Isaac Williams
Returners: Gavin Rydel, 6-0, jr; Pietro Biasetti, sr; Eli Weber, 6-1, jr; Walter Schaff, 5-10, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Rodrigo Garcia, Granger Roemhild, Clayton Score, 6-2, soph; Sam Barstad
Breakout Candidate: Gavin Rydel

Outlook: Sam Benoy has a tough task in year one with Boyceville needing to replace its top three scorers and four of its top five. He will have Gavin Rydel who is thought to have a big jump from his sophomore year to junior year and leads a group back that will have a lot of new faces. Athleticism and defense are expected to be strengths while that experience and scoring are causes for concern early on.

In a league where it seems as either your whole team is back or you have a lot to replace, there are a few that could be considered sleepers. When looking at those projected in the bottom half, I could see Spring Valley falling into this category. A coach with 500 wins, a lot of underclassmen that will still be maturing, and a lot of production back is a good formula for that.

Caleb Arcand, sr, Clear Lake
Arcand leads a really strong Warriors group back in 2026-27. He was the Player of the Year in the conference a season ago after averaging 20.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. Arcand enters his senior year having scored 1,325 points and has a chance at becoming the school’s all-time leader in that category before graduation.

Logan Auth, sr, Elmwood/Plum City
Auth earned honorable mention all-league honors as a junior. The 6-0 guard averaged 11.5 points per game, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting over 40% from three.

Dylan Berger, sr, Durand-Arkansaw
Berger is a returning all-league nominee after he averaged 6.9 points and 4.8 rebounds for the Panthers as a junior. He’ll lead a group that is in need of his leadership and production output in 2026-27.

Max Everts, sr, Clear Lake
Everts is likely to join teammate Arcand in the 1,000 point club as he sits 52 points shy of that milestone coming into his senior year. Last season he averaged 16.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game and was a second team all-league selection.

Isaiah Entzminger, jr, Colfax
Entzminger earned honorable mention all-league honors last season as a sophomore. He averaged 12.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.

Bode Falkner, jr, Mondovi
Falkner is part of a really talented junior group with Mondovi and enters his third season on varsity. Last year averaged 13.2 points and 4.3 rebounds and was a second team all-league selection as a sophomore.

Miles Johnson, sr, Clear Lake
Johnson is the third in the Clear Lake trio of double digit scorers as he averaged 10.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He was a second team all-league selection.

Jake Kotten, soph, Spring Valley
Kotten was an honorable mention all-league performer as a freshman. He led the Cardinals in scoring with 9.5 points per game, and led in rebounds, averaging 5.9 rebounds per game.

Trey Larson, sr, Colfax
Larson is one of four double digit scorers back for Colfax. As a junior he averaged 11.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game and was an honorable mention all-conference selection.

Tegan Lydon, jr, Colfax
Lydon earned second team all-league honors a season ago and is the second leading scorer and top facilitator for a really good Colfax squad. As a sophomore he averaged 12.9 points, 7.8 rebounds. and 4.9 assists per game, proving his worth is well beyond scoring the ball.

Landen McDonough, sr, Elmwood/Plum City
McDonough also earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a junior a season ago. He averaged 9.1 points per game and led the Wolves with 3.1 assists per game.

Russell Polkoski, jr, Colfax
Polkoski averaged 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore a season ago, earning second team all-DSC honors. The 6-6 wing can score the ball from deep having buried 45% a season ago, but is also efficient in his scoring from inside the arc.

Jude Poppe, sr, Chetek-Weyerhaeuser
Poppe was a second team all-league performer a season ago leading the Bulldogs in scoring. He averaged 14.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game but will relied upon even more for his leadership in 2026-27.

Griffin Rud, jr, Mondovi
Rud is the energizer bunny for Mondovi. He earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a sophomore after averaging 9.1 points per game.

Gavin Rydel, soph, Boyceville
Rydel is the top returner for a Bulldogs squad that will be looking to fill a lot of production from newer players this upcoming season. He averaged 9.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game a season ago.

Beau Spindler, jr, Mondovi
Spindler is the top returning rebounder and second leading scorer for this Buffalo squad. As a sophomore he averaged 13.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. He’l look to help lead Mondovi into another year of progress in 2026-27.

Luke Weber, sr, Durand-Arkansaw
As a sophomore, Weber earned second team honors. This past year he earned honorable mention honors despite playing in just nine total games. Weber averaged 16.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.