Greater Metro 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.

Four teams shared the conference crown in what is one of the toughest conferences in the entire state. The Greater Metro graduated a handful of Division 1 players, had coaching milestones hit, and more in 2025-26. Three of those teams flexed their muscles and won regional championships, though Brookfield East is the only team to get past the sectional semis, falling to De Pere a game away from state. As a whole, the conference went 10-8 outside of their conference in the playoffs and finished with three regional champions in Brookfield East, Germantown, and Wauwatosa West. Coach Newbauer at Wauwatosa West won his 100th career game.

As it is every year, the Greater Metro is likely to be one of the top conferences in the state as it seems every single year a new team will step into contention. Wins are tough to get. Over 1,600 career wins span the 8 head coaches in the league that also features multiple Division 1 college recruits.

NOTE: West Allis Hale now competes in the Woodland conference.

Head Coach: Joe Rux - 11th year (434 career wins)
Lost Contributors: TJ Platz, Ronje Horton Jr, Zeke Sawall, Grant Kooyenga, Owen Counsell
Returners: Max McMullen, 6-0, soph; Davian White, 6-1, jr; Eric Dusick, 6-5, sr; Jonah Cannizzo, 6-3, sr; Mitch Casperson, 6-3, sr; Bennie Garcia, 6-1, jr; Reuben Veldhouse, 6-5, sr; Matt Christianson, 6-5, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors: Don Marks, jr; Sawyer Anderson, jr; Ethan Gardner, jr; Ethan Risse, jr; Charlie Broerman, jr; Lucas TeWinke, soph
Breakout Candidate: Davian White

Outlook: Brookfield East came one game shy of the state tournament last season, but the Spartans will need to replace four starters from that squad. Joe Rux is one of the winningest coaches in the state and has sophomore sensation Max McMullen on his roster, which is an instant trump card. Davian White started a handful of games as well for East while Jonah Cannizzo, Eric Dusick, and Mitch Casperson all played meaningful minutes. Matthew Christianson is a talented sophomore that could break out. The Spartans have depth, size on the perimeter, and a go-to scorer to lead the way in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Christopher Newbauer - 7th year (107 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Matthew Kloskey, DJ Hennings, Messiah Chambers, Roman Long, Steven Wright, Jalen Brown (transfer)
Returners: Logan “Bear” Collins, 5-10, soph; Max Gogin, 5-10, sr; Kason Mangum, 6-6, sr; Nico Kleist, 6-2, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Reed McGivern, 6-1, soph (transfer from Dominican); Cameron Magee, 6-0, jr; Carter Conway, 6-2, jr; Patrobas Brown, 6-4, jr; Jacob King, 6-0, jr
Breakout Candidate: Kason Mangum

Outlook: Jalen Brown’s transfer to out of state Sequioa Prep (AZ) was a big hit to the Trojans 2026-27 goals. The 20-win team from a year ago also lost a strong group of seniors that had played major roles for head coach Christopher Newbauer over the last four years. However, Tosa West still has really good players on its roster. Max Gogin can shoot lights out, Kason Mangum is poised for a breakout at his forward position, and Logn “Bear” Collins is one of the top sophomores in the state. Add in Dominican transfer Reed McGivern and the cupboards are nowhere near bare. Coach Newbauer is high on this Trojan team’s ability to knock shots down from the perimeter.

Head Coach: Casey Kowalewski - 13th year (177 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Luke Gundrum, Michael Czarnecki, Gavin Coury, Leo Sanders
Returners: Harrison Schwabe, 6-5, sr; Christian Miller, 6-4, sr; George Hohenwalter, 6-1, sr; Liam Minessale, 6-2, sr; Ethan Orr, 6-4, sr; Jayden Przybilla, 6-5, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Bear Bonk, 6-0, soph; RJ Place, 6-9, soph; Jackson Koester, 6-1, jr
Breakout Candidate: Jayden Przybilla

Outlook: Marquette won nine games a season ago, but was competitive nearly night in and night out. Three starters return from that squad; Harrison Schwabe, Christian Miller, and George Hohenwalter. Liam Minessale and Ethan Orr are a pair of other seniors with experience that add leadership for this Hilltopper team that will have some talented younger players. Coach Casey Kowalewski has size, experience, and scoring. All of those are qualities every coach wants in a basketball roster.

Head Coach: Tim Arndorfer - 20th year (242 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Tommie Muskgrow, Ben Walker
Returners: Donovan Calloway, 6-2, sr; Parker Mitchell, 6-2, sr; Jack Clark, 6-0, sr; Connor Sellinger, 6-2, jr; Kayden Washington, 5-10, sr; Louie Fox, 6-3, sr; Luke Gendrich, 6-0, sr; Epic Pace, 5-10, sr; Gibran Spector, 6-4, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Gibran Spector

Outlook: Tosa East is on the rise after last year’s .500 season. Tim Andorfer’s Red Raiders have one of the better players in the conference and all of Division 2 in Donovan Calloway. Jack Clark and Parker Mitchell were both starters a season ago and provide leadership and experience. Sophomore Gibran Spector missed most of last season with an injury and will be back and one of the top players in the Class of 2029. Tosa East lost all eight times to the four conference champs last season. Six of those losses came by 11 points or less.

Head Coach: Dan Wandrey - 13th year (452 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Henry Gruetzmacher, Evan Prusko, Ethan Koceja, Matt James
Returners: Nasir Avery, 6-0, sr; Kellan Larkin, 6-4, jr; Vinnie Walker, 5-9, jr; Afanyu Nfor, 6-6, jr; Sam Coraggio, 6-2, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Drew Heun, 6-1, jr; Sam Klug, 6-0, jr; Caleb Hedtke, 6-2, soph; Nolan Sukowatey, 6-2, jr; TJ Harwood, 5-9, jr; Connor Oujiri, 6-2, soph; Devin Quisler, 6-2, jr; Mike Antonopolous, 6-3, jr
Breakout Candidate: Afanyu Nfor

Outlook: Central shared the title a season ago as head coach Dan Wandrey won his 450 career game. Replacing four starters including Green Bay recruit Henry Gruetzmacher is a tough task. However, Coach Wandrey has been at this for a while and has had to replace college athletes consistently during his tenure at Central. Nasir Avery is the lone returning starter. Juniors Kellan Larkin, Vinnie Walker, Sam Coraggio, and Afanyu Nfor all saw varsity minutes as sophomores and are poised for bigger seasons each. The Greater Metro is no joke, so having any sort of experience back is a plus, especially in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Kyle Fueger - 7th year (121 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Cahlil Jones, JJ Walters, Darius Peete, Dylan Merryfield, Payton Laabs, AJ Melcher
Returners: Cole Reiter, 6-7, sr; Jack Olszewski, 6-3, jr; Aidan Bonner, 6-1, sr; Mason Maciejewski, 6-2, sr; Grady Roeglin, 6-0, sr; Ben Martin, 6-6, sr; Jackson Maier, 6-5, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Tage Siegert, 6-4, jr; Nolan Janke, Vander Hausmann, 6-4, jr; RJ Wright
Breakout Candidate: Jack Olszewski

Outlook: Replacing five starters from a co-conference champion is no easy task. Germantown is usually up near the top half of the standings, so seeing them projected at sixth is a testament to the strength of the league but also the loss of that group. Wisconsin football commit Cole Reiter is a force on the interior and Jack Olszewski, Aidan Bonner, and Mason Maciejewski will be looked upon to step into those minutes.

Head Coach: Jason Schneider - 2nd year (7 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Zimir Boyden, Cole Widen
Returners: Alec Vernon, sr; Lincoln Heberer, jr; Cole Erdmann, sr; Kobe Humphrey, soph, Cody Berlin, jr; Timmy Tobolic, sr; Jack Dolney, sr; Nick Filo, sr; Demarcus Allen, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Colin Shirley, soph; Easton Erdmann, soph
Breakout Candidate: Kobe Humphrey

Outlook: Not many teams can boast they return all five starters from a season ago. In fact Hamilton is the only one in the conference that can. Alec Vernon and Lincoln Heberer were both all-league selections while Kobe Humphrey started every single game as a sophomore. Cole Erdmann and Timmy Tobolic round out the rest of the returning five. On top of the returning starters, there are a handful of others back that played roles off the bench and a pair of sophomores in Colin Shirley and Easton Erdmann. That depth is a huge asset for Coach Schneider in year 2.

Head Coach: Kevin McKenna - 1st year (100 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Anthony Ness, Luke Bleimehl, Cameron Pugh, Logan Rouse, Antwoine Fourte
Returners: Calvin Tischer, 6-3, sr; Alec Johnson, 6-3, sr; Cameron Wentworth, 6-3, jr; Jackson Gemignani, 6-2, jr; Charlie Bleimehl, 5-9, jr; Chaz Perry, 5-10, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Charlie Kasubowski, 6-0, soph; Evan Dohn, 6-4, soph; Elijah Bates, 6-2, jr
Breakout Candidate: Cameron Wentworth

Outlook: There’s going to be a lot of new at Menomonee Falls this upcoming season as four starters are gone from last year’s 15-win team and a new coach will sit the sideline in Kevin McKenna. Calvin Tischer is the lone returning starter for the Phoenix. Alec Johnson, Cameron Wentworth and Jackson Gemignani all saw action a season ago and are likely choices to fill those starting roles.

Wauwatosa East is a sleeper to watch in terms of challenging for the conference title this season. A lot of talent is back for Coach Andorfer, including a likely Player of the Year challenger in Donovan Calloway.

Nasir Avery, sr, Brookfield Central
Avery was an honorable mention all-league performer a season ago and is the lone returner back for the Lancers. He averaged 8.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists and his experience and leadership is paramount for Coach Wandrey’s squad.

Logan “Bear” Collins, soph, Wauwatosa West
Collins is lightning quick and one of the top sophomores in the entire state. He started games as a freshman a season ago and averaged 10.8 points and 2.1 assists per game. Collins holds an offer from UW-Milwaukee and likely has more to come on the horizon.

Donovan Calloway, sr, Wauwatosa East
Calloway is one of the more slept on players in the state and has a chance to break out to the masses in a big way. As a junior he averaged 18.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game and was a first-team all-conference selection. He holds Division 3 offers from St. Norbert and Lakeland.

Eric Dusick, sr, Brookfield East
Sitting behind a strong senior front court, Dusick is pegged to step into a larger role after playing 13 minutes a game and averaging 3.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 63% from the field.

Max Gogin, sr, Wauwatosa West
Gogin is one of the better shooters in the area and all of Division 2. He averaged 7.6 points while shooting 45.3% from the three, earning honorable mention all-league honors. Gogin holds an offer from Division 3 UW-Stout.

Lincoln Heberer, jr, Hamilton
Heberer earned honorable mention all-league honors as a sophomore a season ago. He averaged 10.9 points per game. Heberer can light it up from deep as he led the team in triples a season ago, making 56 at a 35% success rate.

Kellan Larkin, jr, Brookfield Central
Larkin played in 26 games as a sophomore, starting one. The 6-4 guard averaged 4,8 points and 3.2 rebounds and shot over 60% from three on the few attempts he had.

Kason Mangum, sr, Wauwatosa West
Mangum has had to sit behind Matthew Kloskey and Jalen Brown the last three seasons with Tosa West. A breakout performance at the state tournament as a sophomore, Mangum would figure to be ready to step into that primary post player as a senior. He averaged 5.2 points off the bench as a junior.

Reed McGivern, soph, Wauwatosa West
McGivern transfer into Tosa West from Dominican where he averaged 10,4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, earning Greater Metro honorable mention all-league honors. He provides depth and shooting at the guard position for a very good Trojans squad.

Max McMullen, soph, Brookfield East
McMullen is considered by many as the top sophomore in the entire state. The 6-0 lead guard is a playmaker with the ball in his hands and efficient on top. As a freshman he averaged 17.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists earning first team all-league honors. McMullen holds a Division 1 offer from Milwaukee with many more to come over the next few years.

Christian Miller, sr, Marquette
Miller was an honorable mention all-league selection as a junior after he averaged 13.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. The 6-3 wing is resilient going downhill and ready for a big senior year.

Parker Mitchell, sr, Wauwatosa East
Mitchell averaged 10.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game as a junior. He can get it going from deep where he made 46 triples a season ago.

Jack Olszewski, jr, Germantown
With five starters gone from a season ago, Olszewski is primed to step into a much bigger role with the Warhawks. As a sophomore he averaged 4.4 points off the bench.

Cole Reiter, sr, Germantown
The Wisconsin football commit is one of the bigger forces on the inside in the conference. His strength is a difference maker. Last year he averaged 5.3 points on 66% shooting.

Harrison Schwabe, sr, Marquette
Schwabe is a menace on the court and does a lot of really good things that lead to team success. He averaged 14.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game a season ago and earned second team all-Greater Metro honors.

Gibran Spector, soph, Wauwatosa East
Spector had his season cut short as a freshman, but not before he made an impact. The 6-5 wing started one of the eight games played and averaged 3.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. He’s one of the top players in the Class of 2029.

Alec Vernon, sr, Hamilton
The senior leader for a strong returning Chargers group, Vernon averaged 11.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a junior. He was an honorable mention all-league player.

Davian White, jr, Brookfield East
White worked his way into the starting rotation as a sophomore where he proceeded to average 6.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. He’s poised to break out as his production is likely to increase in a big way for the Spartans.