Fox Valley Association 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.

One of, if not the, toughest conference in the state flexed it muscles once again. Kaukauna and Appleton North shared the conference championship, splitting the regular season series, though the Lightning and their senior-led group won the grudge match in the sectional final. Appleton North gave eventual champion Wisconsin Lutheran their best game, but fell short in the Division 1 state semifinals. Oshkosh North, Neenah, and Kaukauna all joined Appleton North as regional champions. A lot of talent has graduated from this conference the past two years but the has some of the best coaches in the state in it.

Head Coach: Lee Rabas - 12th year (309 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Nick Schultz, Roan Koeper, Cal Juckem
Returners: Kolton Fleege, 6-2,sr; Jackson Rindt, 5-9, sr; Xavier Bezares, 6-1, sr; Jacob Jungwirth, 6-7, sr; Matthias Charles, 6-2, sr; Chase Nitz, 6-2, sr; Henry Farrell, 6-3, sr; Tyler Clark, 6-0, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Jeremy Bruder, 6-1, jr; Deaken Rittner, 5-11, jr; Elliot Devlin, 6-5, jr; Jonah Rivet, 6-4, jr; Christian Flees, 5-10, jr; Dumont Mason, 6-1, soph; Gregorio Balandran, 6-6, soph
Breakout Candidate: Jacob Jungwirth

Outlook: Neenah had no player average double figure points last season and return seven seniors that scored between three and nine points per game. This does not equate to this group being less talented. Fleege, Rindt, Bezares and Jungwirth are all very talented individual players. What the Rockets do best is play together, defend at an elite level, and play fundamental and mistake free basketball. That stems from head coach Lee Rabas. The senior group is deep, experienced, and versatile. It’s no wonder the Rockets are picked to finish at the top of the conference by many of the coaches in the league.

Head Coach: Ryan Bowers - 2nd year (24 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Andrew Jensen, Jonah Roehrig, Kavanaugh Weyenberg
Returners: Tyler Schwalbach, 6-3, jr; Drew Bowers, 6-3, soph; Josh Carl, 6-3, sr; Elijah O’Claire, 6-10, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Cooper McMullin, 5-10, sr; Cam Catlin, 6-8, jr; Gannon Keough, 5-10, jr; Landon Fox, 6-0, jr; Bennett Scherrer, 5-11, jr; Charlie Jongert, 6-3, soph; Reid Eisenberger, 6-1, soph (transfer from Appleton North)
Breakout Candidate: Elijah O’Claire

Outlook: Losing 6-9 DePaul recruit Andrew Jensen is impossible to replace at Kaukauna, but the pieces that are back make the Gallophing Ghosts one of the preseason favorites. Tyler Schwalbach and Drew Bowers are elite shot makers and ranked among the best in their class. Despite returning a lot of talent, this group is still going to be relatively young with just three seniors listed on the roster. 6-10 big man Elijah O’Claire is a raw basketball player but with a big step forward could be a difference maker for head coach Ryan Bowers. Josh Carl is a great third option as well. Despite losing D1 talent the past two seasons, Kaukauna is still going to be a contender in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Kam Cerroni - 2nd year (68 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Kegan Pleau, Ryan Buchanan, Hunter Holschuh
Returners: Alex Krause, 6-5, sr; Jaxson Wyngaard, 6-1, jr; Cayden Vosters, 5-9, sr; Sam Voskuil, 6-5, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Chase Lukasavage, sr; Chase Scheidermayer, sr; Bo Grabner, sr;
Breakout Candidate: Chase Lukasavage

Outlook: Kimberly returns a balanced group from a season ago led by one of the two returning first team all-league players in Alex Krause. Head coach Kam Cerroni enter his second season with the Papermakers and will get a big boost as Chase Lukasavage returns to the squad after missing all but ten games a season ago due to injury. Wyngaard and Vosters are both all-league players and provide depth, stability, and experience on the wings. In a tough league, Kimberly will contend.

Head Coach: Drake Diener - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Zavion Davis, TJ Johnson
Returners: Eli Michalkiewicz, 6-1, jr; Keondre Schaefferkoetter, 6-0, jr; Jensen Jacobitz, 6-5, sr; Byron Jones, 6-6, jr; Lamontae Foster, 6-0, sr; Kamon Parker-Hersey, 6-2, sr; Mason Geasland, 6-0, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Nolan Michalkiewicz, 5-10, soph
Breakout Candidate: Byron Jones

Outlook: The Cardinals did lose their top scorer from a season ago, but do return almost the rest of their production. Eli Michalkiewicz, Keondre Schaefferkoetter, and Byron Jones were huge contributors as sophomores and are a year seasoned and improved. Drake Diener takes over as athletic director and head coach with Fondy and brings a lot of basketball experience having last coached at Marian University and played collegiately and professionally. A big bump for the Cardinals program, Diener inherits a roster that should be highly competitive in the ever difficult FVA.

Head Coach: John Nonemacher - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Will Sweeney, Grant Hardy, Nathan Ramus, Ben Zdzieblowski
Returners: Matt Rosplochowski, 6-3, jr; Ethan Arft, 6-6, jr; Ethan Eisenberg, 6-2, sr; Evan Ryan, 6-5, jr; Sam Kuehl, 6-2, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Tyler Seidl, 6-1, soph (transfer from Appleton East)
Breakout Candidate: Evan Ryan

Outlook: Losing four seniors played 3-4 years of varsity basketball and are playing basketball collegiately is difficult at any level. That loss, plus a new coach and Appleton North may experience a few growing pains early on this season. The good news? First year head coach John Nonemacher will have Division 1 prospect Matt Rosplochowski back. The smooth lefty led the Lightning in scoring and leads a group that does have size in Ethan Arft and Evan Ryn. Senior Ethan Eisenberg and Sam Kuehl and Appleton East transfer Tyler Seidl are three other important pieces that will play important minutes this season.

Head Coach: Brad Weber - 10th year (154 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Bryce Ott, Jackson Anderson, Brady Anderson (transfer to Oshkosh West), Tylan Lister, Owen Weber, Kallum Larson-Poeschl
Returners: Jay Weber, 6-3, jr; Blake Lederhaus, 6-3, jr; Brendyn Sawall, 6-4, sr; Cooper Snell, 6-0, sr; Leo Arteaga, 5-10, sr; Phanique Thompson, 6-5, sr; Campbell Harrison, 5-10, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Jayden Pyke, 6-0, sr; Wesley Loewe, 6-2, sr; Lawrence Anderson, 6-2, sr; Talen Oesterrich, 6-0, sr; Brock Binder, 5-10, sr; Ka’marion Ricks, 5-10, sr; Lakshay Dhirar, 6-2, sr
Breakout Candidate: Jay Weber

Outlook: Coach Weber has a lot to replace this season as the top seven scorers are gone including Brady Anderson transferring to cross-town rival West. Junior Jay Weber is the top returner for a squad that will be stepping into brand new roles at the varsity level. Coach Weber has replaced talent before and his teams compete regardless, so the Spartans may surprise some this year despite the fact that the returning experience is limited.

Head Coach: Tanner Schieve - 1st year (68 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Joey Ware, Malakai Herlihy, Brayden Kufel, Kole Stauffacher
Returners: Carter Kufel, 6-2, jr; Tyler Moderson, 5-11, sr; Billy Berg, 6-2, jr; Evan Danhy, 6-0, sr; Henry Weis, 6-5, sr; Drew Abitz, 6-3, jr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: TJ Majok, 6-8, sr; Evan Danahy, 6-0, sr; Carter Schmidt, 6-2, soph; Ray Snyder, jr; Eren Camlibel, 5-10, jr; Brady Anderson, jr (sitting out due to injury/transfer rule)
Breakout Candidate: Henry Weis

Outlook: Tanner Schieve takes over at West after three years at Cuba City. He inherits a roster that graduated three starts and its top two scorers. There is good coming back however as Carter Kufel and Tyler Moderson are two talented guards while Henry Weis provides size and the presence on the inside. TJ Majok is 6-8 and will provide another big body in the middle.

Head Coach: Matt Hintz - 15th year (252 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Elliott Vedder, Max Chan, Aiden Sweeney, Blake Eidahl, Brooks Marman, Kellen Pavich
Returners: Jaden Van Handel, 6-1, sr; Noah Rindt, 5-7, sr; Nathan Tousey, 6-2, sr; Griffin Heckert, 6-1, sr; Blake Przybylski, 6-0, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors: Reid Van Epps, 5-11, sr; Spencer Lund; Lucas Olive, 5-10, jr; Bennett Leiteritz, 6-4, sr; Ryder McGlone, 6-5, jr
Breakout Candidate: Blake Przybylski

Outlook: Like many in the conference, Coach Hintz graduated a strong and productive group from a season ago. One of the top six scorers is back from last year in Jaden Van Handel. The Polar Bears will be small but sharing the ball and pace of play are two things Coach Hintz says will be strengths. Sophomore Blake Przybyslki is a sophomore to watch in the state and poised to break out.

Head Coach: Turner Botz - 5th year (31 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Miles Bertrand, Joshua Christansen, Mason O’Rilley, Tyler Seidl (transfer to Appleton North), Elijah Childs
Returners: Evan Schmidt, 6-2, jr; Bennett Hron, 5-10, sr; Levi Boegh, 6-1, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Aiden Espy, 5-10, frosh; Brody Thompson, 6-5, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Evan Schmidt

Outlook: After winning just one game a season ago, it may be tough sledding again for Coach Botz’ group after graduating three of his top four scorers and promising freshman Tyler Seidl transferring across town to North. Evan Schmidt did average 10.2 points per game last season as a sophomore and has taken great strides in the offseason. Playing in a tough FVA conference, the lack of experience will be difficult on the Patriots.

Head Coach: Zach Zeuske - 2nd year (8 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Braylon Ise, Parrion Peace, Reid Hinkens, Jake Van Straten, Bennett Nelson
Returners: Dylan Voster, 6-1, sr; Amin Chlyh, 5-9, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Myles Trudeau, 5-10, soph; Jeryl Munes, 6-2; jr; Bjorn Jeskie, 6-2, jr; Sawyer Figlinski, jr, 6-0
Breakout Candidate: Dylan Voster

Outlook: It seems like every team in the FVA took a big hit to graduation and that is no different here as West lost its top three scorers and depth behind. Coach Zeuske will have Dylan Voster as his top returner, but the roster behind him is mostly unproven.

Oshkosh North could surprise teams this year despite the fact it suffered major losses to graduation. Coach Weber has won over 150 games in his career so if I were to pick a team projected in the bottom half that could easily prove me wrong, I’ll go with Coach Weber and the Spartans.

Drew Bowers, soph, Kaukauna
Bowers is an elite shooter and one of the top sophomores in the entire state. He has great IQ and plays like a coaches son. Bowers earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a freshman after averaging 11.2 points per game including four, 20-point games.

Kolton Fleege, sr, Neenah
Fleege was a second team all-league player a season ago and is back as the top returning scorer for the Rockets. He averaged 8.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game and leads a really balanced Neenah squad into 2026-27.

Jensen Jacobitz, sr, Fond du Lac
Another big and versatile player for Coach Diener, Jacobitz could very well average a double-double this season after he averaged 9.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

Byron Jones, jr, Fond du Lac
Jones does a bit of everything and averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game as as a sophomore. At 6-5 he’s versatile and with coach Drake Diener stepping in, Jones is poised for a big season in Fond du Lac.

Jacob Jungwirth, sr, Neenah
Jungwirth has only gotten better as he’s progressed over the past four years. He’s coming off a season where he averaged 7.0 points and 3.9 rebounds and currently holds an offer from Division 3 Concordia-Chicago.

Alex Krause, sr, Kimberly
Krause is one of two returning first team all-conference selections after averaging 15.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. He excels both offensively and defensively and is the engine that powers the Papermakers ship.

Carter Kufel, sr, Oshkosh West
Kufel was an honorable mention all-league performer a season ago after averaging 11.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He’ll handle lead duties for Tanner Schieve’s squad in 2026 and lead a group that will compete each night.

Eli Michalkiewicz, jr, Fond du Lac
Michalkiewicz averaged 10.0 points per game as a sophomore last season. Like many of his teammates, he is likely to take a big step forward after earning honorable mention all-conference recognition a season ago.

Jackson Rindt, sr, Neenah
One of three all-league players back for Neenah, Rindt averaged 7.4 points per game a season ago. At 5-9 he’s quick and can get into opposing ball handlers on the perimeter and blow by defenders with the ball in his hand.

Matt Rosplochowski, jr, Appleton North
Rosplochowski is one of the top juniors in the entire state and holds Division 1 offers from Central Michigan and Milwaukee. He averaged 16.6 points per game a season ago and with the loss of the talented 2026 class, I’d imagine that average will bump up dramatically.

Evan Schmidt, jr Appleton East
Schmidt is the top returner for an East team that struggled to score last season. He averaged 10.2 points per game as a sophomore and will shoulder an even bigger load in his junior year.

Tyler Schwalbach, jr, Kaukauna
Schwalbach effects a game in multiple ways, including being a top tier scorer. He averaged 15.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game en route to All-State honorable mention and first team all-conference recognition. He holds offer from both Green Bay and Milwaukee going into his junior season.

Tyler Seidl, soph, Appleton North
Seidl averaged 5.1 points per game playing varsity as a freshman for Appleton East last year. He now plays for the cross-town rival Lightning and will step into a big role with his new team.