Metro Classic 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.

Racine Lutheran dropped just one game in league play in one of the toughest conferences in the state. The only game the Crusaders lost was the regular season split with St. Cats. That St. Cats team went on to win the grudge match in the sectional semifinals and eventually completed their year winning the WIAA Division 3 State Championship. The league showed again how deep it is top to bottom as there were only two losses to non-league opponents in the playoffs.

Head Coach: Tyler Hughes - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Sam Pitrof, Isaiah Cosey, Jacobi Jones
Returners: Bryce Austin, 6-3, sr; Deeon Brumby, 6-3, sr; Mikhi Pratt-Hassan, 6-3, sr; Michael Pratt-Hassan, 6-3, sr; Trenton House, 6-1, soph; Max Contreras, 6-1, sr; Kalvin Johnson, 6-4, jr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Ervin Cuff, 5-9, soph; Semaj Wright, 5-6, jr
Breakout Candidate: Trenton House

Outlook: Racine Lutheran was loaded a season ago and despite the loss of starters, the Crusaders are primed for another big year. However, the team will come into the season without their head coach Justin Hullum, who due to personal matters, stepped aside for the season. Assistant Tyler Hughes steps into that role and will lead a group that plays basketball at a high level on both ends. Bryce Austin, Deeon Brumby and twins Mikhi and Michael Pratt-Hassan are experienced, skilled, and put constant pressure on opposing teams. Trenton House is an emerging sophomore in the state and just another piece of the incredible depth of this Crusader roster.

Head Coach: Jason Atanasoff - 16th year (219 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Nolan Greb, Maurice Carter
Returners: Chandler Perry, 6-3, sr; Dalton Ahlensdorf, 6-5, sr; Ryan Vanoss, 6-4, sr; Emmett Wassil, 6-3, jr; Owen Jedicka, 6-6, sr; Hunter Greb, 5-10, jr; Andrew Radke, 5-11, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Brady Remington, 6-4, frosh; Damar Bell, 6-4, frosh; Cooper Tollaksen, 5-11, jr; Braden Harlan, 6-2, jr; Sam Yunker, 5-10, soph
Breakout Candidate: Ryan Vanoss

Outlook: After making it to the state tournament in 2024, the Hawks struggled to just three conference wins a season ago. Back for Jason Atanasoff are four starters that will be three year varsity starters. Chandler Perry, Dalton Ahlensdorf, and Ryan Vanoss are experienced seniors that bring something different to the team that is extremely valuable. Emmett Wassil is one of the better juniors in the state. Beyond that is more experienced rotational pieces plus an influx of younger players who will compete for playing time for the Hawks.

Head Coach: Demonte Bynum - 2nd year (98 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Damariye Redmon, Bryson Dorris, Jayden Shumpert, Elijah Watkins
Returners: Noah Tyler, 6-0, sr; Keneson Wiggins, 6-1, sr; Jordan Blockton, 6-2, sr; Messiah Harmon, 6-1, sr; Jamerion Coleman, 5-10, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Rmani Watson, 6-4, soph; Samaji Pruitt, 6-1, soph; Demonte Bynum Jr., 5-9, jr; Treyvonn Williams, 6-3, soph; Liam Jagusch, 6-0, sr; Caiden McClellan, 5-10, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Rmani Watson

Outlook: Martin Luther will be without two starters from last year but head coach Demonte Bynum has plenty of talent back in his second season at the helm. Noah Tyler is one of the better point guards in the area and can take complete control of a game. Keneson Wiggins is another talented guard back for the Spartans, which has a deep roster of guards. That experienced guard play helps in a conference like the Metro Classic where defenses will pick up full court non-stop and constantly put pressure on decision makers.

Head Coach: Marc Mitchell - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Demetrius Taylor, Amare Nixon, Reed McGivern (transfer), Ethan Moore, Brandon Applewhite, Ja’Mir Griffin
Returners: Zeak Jones, 6-4, sr; Xavier Smith Jr., 5-10, soph; Da’Vion Poweel, 6-1, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors: Jah irCraig, 5-7, frosh; Dazhaum Biami-Jackson, 6-1 jr; Elgin Cook Jr., 6-3, frosh; Mitch Andeson, soph; Maki Jackson, soph;
Breakout Candidate: Elgin Cook Jr.

Outlook: Dominican will have its third coach in three seasons as Marc Mitchell takes over for the Knights. Lucky for him he’ll have the best player in the conference to lead this squad in Zeak Jones. This team has a plethora of talented underclassmen behind Jones including a pair of sophomore Da’Vion Powell and Xavier Smith who were key contributors as freshman as well as a talented freshman class this season that includes Elgin Cook Jr. Dominican does move up to Division 3 from 4 this year, which adds another task to tackle come the postseason.

Head Coach: Kyle Clark - 3rd year (23 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Tomas Baez, Sincere Williams, Berkley Kuiper
Returners: Christopher Kenesie, 6-1, sr; Max Peyette, 6-0, jr; Reymundo Garibay, 5-11, jr; Eric McCray, 5-11, jr; Charlie Guttormsen, 5-9, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Mason Gename, soph; Mihallo Popuvac, frosh, Dominic Sturino, jr
Breakout Candidate: Reymound Garibay

Outlook: Like many in the conference, there is a lot of returning talent for Kyle Clark and St. Joes this year. Christopher Kenesie is one of the best multi-sport athletes in the state and committed to Northern Iowa for football. Reymundo Garibay is one of the top juniors, but despite that is primed for a breakout year. The Lancers also have a group of freshmen that will push for playing time, causing internal competition, which is always a good thing. Controlling the pace and competing on defense are two staples within this Lancer program.

Head Coach: Ryan Thompson - 6th year (103 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Lamont Hamilton, Ej Vinson, AC Ward, Antoine Ozier, Richard Watson, Knai Kidd, Ja’Nyus Lockrdige, Julius Calvillo,
Returners: Jayden Phillips, 5-10, sr; Quinton Zamecnik, 6-1, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Korben Sugars, 5-10, soph; Jeremiah Stephens, 6-1, soph; Karmelo Hunter, 6-0, soph
Breakout Candidate: Jayden Phillips

Outlook: St. Cats is the reigning Division 3 state champions as Ryan Thompson’s group showed out to a state-wide audience the style of play of the Angels and their relentless approach on the court. Nearly every contributor from that squad graduated leaving this year’s St. Cats team one of the less experienced in a long while. Jayden Phillips played a role on the perimeter last year, but will need to step into a much bigger creator as a senior. A lot competition for a lot of minutes is something to watch early on this year.

Head Coach: Tony Mane - 5th year (73 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Omar Fofana, Brayden Alivo, Brandon Andrzejewski, Sebastian Cruz, Quinn Buscher
Returners: Jakobe Cruz, 5-10, soph; Maxum Pagac, 5-11, sr; Evan Coon, 6-0, sr; Griffin Mallum, 5-11, sr; Damon Kriz, 6-0, sr; Aiden Alazar Knitter, 5-11, sr; Dezmin Barnett-Nelson, 6-2, soph, Brody Alivo, 5-10, sr; Nolan Cassidy, 6-0, soph; John Pica Melendez, 6-3, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: JJ Wardlow, frosh; Oliver Walsh, jr; Leelan Schoefield-Pieper, jr
Breakout Candidate: Jakobe Cruz

Outlook: St. Thomas More played a good deal of younger athletes a season and will have a blend of experienced younger players and a few older rotational players that will fill the roster this season. Tony Mane will rely on Jakobe Cruz to handle a bigger role as a sophomore. There is a depth of experience which is good for a team that also has an influx of younger talent.

Head Coach: Paul Strutz - 21st year (208 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Owen Hahm, D’Amirion Mayweather, Mason Sittig, Joel Lindemann, Zeka Barajas
Returners: Johnny Roehl, 6-3, sr; Riley Jacobsen, 6-1, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Aiden Mallet, 6-8, jr; TJ Hagedorn, jr, 6-4; Genesis Watts, jr, 6-3; Owen Kassulke, jr, 6-1
Breakout Candidate: Aiden Mallet

Outlook: Shoreland graduated a strong senior group from last year’s squad. Paul Strutz has been at the help for over 20 years for the Pacers and bring stability to the program. Johnny Roehl is one of the premiere players in the conference and returns to lead a group that has a good amount of size compared to many of the schools in the difficult Metro Classic Conference.

A handful of teams can be selected here as a ‘sleeper team’ as the Metro Classic is difficult, top-to-bottom. For the sake of this segment I’ll go with Kenosha St. Joseph as one to watch as the guard duo of Christopher Kenesie and Reymundo Garibay are both skilled guards that will be tough to contain both each game every night.

Dalton Ahlensdorf, sr, The Prairie School
Ahlensdorf is the big piece to The Prairie School and how competitive they’ll be this year. He’s a force on both ends of the court, having averaged 10.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game en route to honorable mention all-league honors. He can jump out of the gym, outrun most other bigs down the floor, and has no fear when getting in the fray.

Bryce Austin, sr, Racine Lutheran
Austin is a standout on the football field where he is heading to Division 1 Western Illinois to play following his senior year. On the court, he can dominate the game in plenty of ways. Austin averaged 13.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game en route to first team all-league recognition.

Deeon Brumby, sr, Racine Lutheran
Brumby is another very talented wing that causes chaos on defense and pressure on offense. As a junior he averaged 11.7 points and 3.7 rebounds and started the ten games he played in before his season was cut short.

Jakobe Cruz, soph, St. Thomas More
Cruz averaged 5.3 points per game last season as a freshman playing in the difficult Metro Classic Conference. The point guard is quick, shifty, and can put opposing defenders on skates with the ball in his hands. Cruz will take command of the Cavalier offense for this year and the two to follow.

Reymundo Garibay, jr, Kenosha St. Joseph
Garibay is listed a breakout candidate though that may be a cheat on my part. As a sophomore a season ago he averaged 12.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, earning honorable mention all-conference laurels. Garibay creates shots for himself and teammates and his effectiveness with the ball in his hands puts constant pressure on opposing defenses.

Zeak Jones, sr, Dominican
Jones is one of the top players in the state in the Class of 2027. As a junior a season ago he averaged 25.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while earning All-State and first team all-conference recognition. He’s scored over 1,200 career points and could hit the 2,000 point mark before he graduates. Jones is committed to play college ball at Division 1 Northern Illinois.

Christopher Kenesie, sr, Kenosha St. Joseph
Kenesie is an incredible three-sport athlete and would have the option to play football, baseball, or basketball at the next level. He’s ultimately chosen to play football, committing to Division 1 Northern Iowa. Last season on the hardwood he averaged 20.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game earning first team all-conference honors as well as being name the conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Chandler Perry, sr, The Prairie School
Perry is the steady leader for The Prairie School. He plays with poise and is versatile in how he effects the game. Perry was a second team all-league selection a season ago after he averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.

Jayden Phillips, sr, Racine St. Catherine’s
Phillips is a state champion and played a huge part on that team as a junior last year. He’s a nuisance on defense and expected to step into a much larger role on offense this year. As a junior he averaged 10.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game and was an honorable mention all-league selection.

Michael and Mikhi Pratt-Hassan, sr, Racine Lutheran
The Pratt-Hassan twins are a dynamic duo within the family ranks and on the basketball court. They are both lanky, quick, and skilled ball handlers but equally pesky on the defensive side. The duo combined for 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game as juniors.

Johnny Roehl, sr, Shoreland Lutheran
Roehl averaged 17.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game as a junior, earning Metro Classic second team honors. His role will somehow expand as a senior which means his ability to effect a game grows with the ball in his hands even further.

Noah Tyler, sr, Martin Luther
Tyler was a second team all-Metro Classic selection last season as he averaged 14.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. He is as effective and efficient as any in the conference with the ball in his hands as he creates scoring opportunity after scoring opportunity for himself and his teammates.

Ryan Vanoss, sr, The Prairie School
Vanoss has had a big spring AAU season which has resulted in a handful of Division 3 offers including Loras and Elmhurst. He averaged 8.6 points and 4.3 rebounds a season ago and despite the returning talent, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take a bigger step forward in his production.

Emmett Wassil, jr, The Prairie School
Wassil plays a very important role with The Prairie School and at any time he can be relied upon to take over games. He averaged 8.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game as a sophomore and continues to display his ability to effect winning in a positive and handful of ways.

Keneson Wiggins, sr, Martin Luther
Wiggins was an honorable mention all-conference selection a season ago as he averaged 7.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. His combination of motor and skillset make him one of the better back court players in the conference.