Middle Border 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.

It was a three-way split for the conference crown as the Middle Border again was one of the best conference races in the state a season ago. Prescott, Saint Croix Central, and Osceola shared the 2025-26 title. Come playoff time all three plus Altoona played in a regional championship where Osceola knocked off Prescott and Saint Croix Central advanced. The Panthers beat Osceola by two in the sectional semis and made it to the Kohl Center for the second time in six seasons, falling in the Division 3 state semifinals. The longest tenured coach in the conference Nick Johnson won game number 300 during this past season.

A few coaches will likely hit milestones in their careers as both Tyler Olson of Osceola and Matthew Bailey of Saint Croix Central are within three and six wins of 100 total. The Middle Border is always a fun conference where many teams are in the mix in the final few weeks of the season and this year will likely be the same.

Head Coach: Paul Henrichs - 8th year (223 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Sawyer Van Vleet, Ethan Michels, Greyson Rathbun, soph (transfer)
Returners: Graysen Becker, 6-3, sr; Owen Gunderson, 6-1, sr; Jacob Kelbel, 5-10, soph; Connor Gower, 6-2, sr; D’Andre McCoy, 5-10, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Dylan Michels, 6-3, jr; Ethan Hraban, 6-1, jr; Travaries Conner, 6-1, jr; Brock Stillp, 5-10, jr; Jaxon Kelbel, frosh, 6-2; Brennan Henrichs, frosh, 5-9
Breakout Candidate: Jacob Kelbel

Outlook: The Railroaders are positioned to win their first Middle Border conference title since joining the league in 2021. An elite backcourt tandem of Graysen Becker and Owen Gunderson is a luxury to have for head coach Paul Henrichs as both were 20+ point scorers and great shot creators. Jacob Kelbel is another very good wing that is one of the better sophomores in the state. Connor Gower mans the interior. Altoona will be able to score the ball in bunches this season and look to push the tempo and get consistently attack on the offensive side of the ball.

Head Coach: Tom Mackey - 5th year (52 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Valdin Anderson, Samuel Streich
Returners: Keaton Wollan, 6-4 sr; Wyatt Hanson, 6-4, sr; Regan Granica, 5-10, jr; Colton Waterman, 6-1, sr; Matthew Danielson, 6-5, soph; Mateo Aizpurua, 5-9, soph; James Densow, 5-10, soph; Alex Siebenaler, 5-10, jr; Joey Byrnes, 6-0, sr; Ian Bursik, 5-10, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors: Beckett Wollan, 5-8, frosh; Nolan Melberg, 5-11, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Matthew Danielson

Outlook: Amery has come up just short of the top of the conference a handful of times over the past few seasons. The Warriors will be in the chase once again in 2026-27 thanks in large part to the return of the talented wing duo of Keaton Wollan and Wyatt Hanson. The duo combined for 40 points per game and provide size, athleticism, and leadership for head coach Tom Mackey. Regan Granica provides ball handling and defense on the perimeter. A handful of sophomores got plenty of experience as freshmen and a few other seniors are back in Joey Byrnes and Colton Waterman. It’s a balanced group, with chemistry, that is physical on both ends of the floor.

Head Coach: Nick Johnson - 16th year (302 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Kobe Russell, Jack Matzek, Max Monteith, Eyan Miller, Evan Kochendorfer
Returners: Emmett Otto, 6-2, sr; Gabe Turner, 6-1, sr; Gavin Peters, 6-6, sr; Brody Ripley, 6-3, sr; Wyatt Budworth, 5-11, sr; Griffin Westberg, 5-10, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Elazar Haas, 5-11, soph
Breakout Candidate: Gavin Peters

Outlook: Coach Nick Johnson has had a lot of success at Prescott and does a great job of getting the best out of his teams year after year. Emmett Otto will lead the Cardinals as the three-year varsity player is the top returner. The Cardinals were senior dominant a season ago, but the core of the returning group were juniors last year. Seniors, and a depth of seniors, is a good thing to have in high school basketball. Gabe Turner, Gavin Peters, Wyatt Budworth, and Brody Ripley were rotational players a season ago and should vie for those four starting roles, as will sophomore Elazar Haas. Size, strength, and the head coach are three strengths of Prescott going into 2026-27.

Head Coach: Tyler Olson - 7th year (97 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Caleb Irlbeck, Hunter Bradway, Waylon Cole, Kasey Williamson, Cameron Landgren, Carter Marincel
Returners: Aiden Anderson, 6-0, sr; Reid Ohman, 6-4, jr; Hunter Giebel, 6-1, sr; Brody Mayer, 6-3, sr; Gage Gruender, 6-6, sr; Cooper Steffen, 5-11, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Jacob Haase, jr; Ryley Finnegan, jr; Grayson DeNucci, jr; Colin Marincel, jr; Bryce McDonald, jr; Luke Gilbertson, jr
Breakout Candidate: Aiden Anderson

Outlook: Osceola shared the conference crown a season ago, but now have to replace all five starters from that squad. Head coach Tyler Olson looks to a returning group of seniors and juniors from a JV squad to step into new roles that they have yet to experience at the varsity level. Size will be a strength as Coach Olson goes for his 100th win in 2026-27. There may be growing pains early for the Chieftains but that physical maturity of having mostly seniors and juniors is a strength.

Head Coach: Noah Kearney - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Dane Veenendall
Returners: Luke Janke, 5-11, soph; Joe Jensen, 6-1, sr; Landyn Kuske, 6-0, jr; JT Dachel, 5-8, jr; Gabe Arcand-Danielson, 6-0, jr; Aidan Foster, 6-2, sr; Nate Ramberg, 5-8, sr; Bennett Logterman, 5-10, soph; Colten Winkler, 6-1, jr; Colton Palmer, 5-10, jr; Dawson Nigbor, 6-0, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Gabe Kusilek, 6-5, soph
Breakout Candidate: Gabe Kusilek

Outlook: Baldwin struggled to just one conference win a season ago but lost just one starter and contributor to graduation. Noah Kearney steps into his first year coaching with the Blackhawks and has a full stable of experienced athletes back. Lke Janke and Joe Jensen both averaged double-digit scorer with Landy Kusek and JT Dachel not far behind, forming the four returning starters. Gabe Arcand-Danielson, Aidan Fostser, and newcomer Gabe Kusilek are just a couple of players that will look to vie for that fifth and final starting spot.

Head Coach: Troy Wink - 8th year (261 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Wyatt Mielke, Siam Newman
Returners: Kellen Donnelly, 6-1, sr; Rece Anderson, 6-1, sr; Nick Carufel, 6-3, sr; Cooper Gullickson, 5-9, jr; Logan Kinde, 6-2, sr; Gabe McCutcheon, 6-0, jr; Owen Kazle, 6-5, sr; Cash Kraft, 5-11, sr; Sawyer Owen, 6-2, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Parker Schellhorn, jr
Breakout Candidate: Nick Carufel

Outlook: Somerset returns 95% of the production from last year’s team that went just 2-12 in the tough Middle Border but 4-4 outside of it. The Spartans have a trio of seniors that averaged double-digit points in Kellen Donnelly, Rece Anderson, and Nick Carufel. Owen Kazle provides size on the interior and Cooper Gullickson and Logan Kinde were major contributors off the bench/in the starting lineup. Coach Wink has put together a challenging non-conference schedule to go along with a grueling Middle Border slate. This is a team to watch in how many steps forward they’ll take in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Matt Bailey - 5th year (94 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Matyas Larson, Tanner Grinnell, Braiden Rasmussen, Chayton Gottfredsen
Returners: Aaron Siler, 6-0, sr; Braden Pierce, 5-10, jr; Joe Pettit, 5-11, jr; Will Traynor, 6-0, sr; Jayson Dreher, 6-2, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Dane Gottfredsen, 6-0, jr; Aidan Johnson, 5-8, jr; Blake Host, 5-10, jr; Owen Matzek, 5-8, soph
Breakout Candidate: Braden Pierce

Outlook: Saint Croix Central advanced all the way to the state tournament a season ago, coming up short. Matt Bailey’s group was led by four seniors in that group that are going to be difficult to replace. Aaron Siler is the returning starter and he, Braden Pierce and Joe Pettit all played key roles on that state tournament team. That experience alone for the trio and the others within the program will be integral to the Panthers not taking as big of a step as some may think. Coach Bailey will likely hit win number 100 this year. What the Panthers will lack in height, they’ll make up in defensive effort and a guard play.

Head Coach: Derek Staley - 5th year (41 career wins)
Lost Contributors: George Rohl, Gavin Klos, Jack Stoltenburg, Omar Coulson, Parker Peterson, Andrew Girdeen, Keegan Stahlke, Wyley Myers
Returners: Spencer Peterson, 6-0 sr; Jacob Michels, 5-10, sr; Gavin Wittenberg, 5-11, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Adolfo Mendez Perez, 5-9, sr; Ethan Moe, 6-3, sr; Bentley McHardy, 6-0, soph, Ryan Acker, 6-2, sr
Breakout Candidate: Spencer Peterson

Outlook: Like many in the conference Ellsworth will have a big overhaul from last year to this year. Losing all five starers, Derek Staley has to look to the few returners with experience in Spencer Peterson, Jacob Michels and Gaving Wittenberg as well as a handful of newcomers from the lower levels. In a difficult Middle Border conference, wins are hard to come by on a nightly basis.

Picking one sleeper team in a conference like the Middle Border doesn’t do justice to the balance of this league as a whole. For this year I’d look to Baldwin-Woodville to make some noise in the league. A first year coach with a strong returning roster, the Blackhawks aren’t going to be an easy out for anyone in the league.

Rece Anderson, sr, Somerset
Anderson earned honorable mention All-Middle Border recognition a season ago after averaging 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He does a majority of his damage in and around the rim where he attacks downhill and puts opposing defenders on skates.

Graysen Becker, sr, Altoona
Becker was an All-State selection and co-Player of the Year in the Middle Border a season ago after he averaged 25.7 points and 4.3 rebounds. An elite athlete and scorer, he comes into his senior year already as Altoona’s all-time leading scorer with 1,384 points. Becker has committed to Division 2 Angelo State following his senior year.

Kellen Donnelly, sr, Somerset
Donnelly is a superb athlete that excels in more than just basketball. On the hardwood however, he averaged 18.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game a season ago, earning second team all-league honors. Donnelly holds offers from a handful of Division III teams in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Regan Granica, jr, Amery
Granica comes into his junior year with two years of varsity experience already under his belt. As a sophomore he averaged 9.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists and orchestrates an offense with good scorers surrounding him.

Owen Gunderson, sr, Altoona
Gunderson is a four-year varsity contributor and will likely end his prep career with the basketball team as the school’s second leading scorer, behind classmate Becker. He sits at 1,192 career points and was a first team all-league player a season ago after averaging 20.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Gunderson is equally talented on the football field where he’s committed to Augustana to play at the next level.

Wyatt Hanson, sr, Amery
Hanson broke out last year as the second scoring option for the Warriors. He averaged 15.2 points and 5.9 rebounds, earning honorable mention all-league honors. Hanson provides size and versatility on the wings and physically can match up inside and out.

Luke Janke, soph, Baldwin-Woodville
Janke was one of the top players in the conference as just a sophomore a season ago. He averaged 12.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. A very good athlete and strong for his age, Janke was a second team All-Middle Border selection a season ago.

Joe Jensen, sr, Baldwin-Woodville
Jensen averaged 11.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game as a junior a season ago, good for second on the team in terms of scoring. He’s poised for another big year as Baldwin-Woodville returns nearly everyone around him.

Jacob Kelbel, soph, Altoona
Kelbel averaged 6.8 points off the bench as a freshman on the Railroaders varsity squad a season ago. Playing behind the talented guards he does, he provides a great spark off the bench and is another talented ball handler and scorer for the Altoona.

Emmett Otto, sr, Prescott
Otto is the lone returning starter for Prescott and one of the better wings in the entire conference. As a junior he averaged 12.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, earning second team All-Middle Border honors.

Braden Pierce, jr, Saint Croix Central
Pierce played a key role off the bench as a sophomore for the state tournament team a season ago. He averaged 6.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He’s expected to step into a starting role as a junior and help lead the Panthers in 2026-27.

Aaron Siler, sr, Saint Croix Central
Siler is the lone returning starter from the state tournament Panthers from a season ago. He’ll need to step up in terms of production and leadership but appears ready for the task. As a junior Siler averaged 7.0 points and 3.5 assists per game.

Keaton Wollan, sr, Amery
One of the best multi-sport athletes in the state, Wollan comes into his senior year having scored 1,684 points on the hardwood, but having committed to the Wisconsin football team. As a junior he averaged 25.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game and was the co-Player of the Year and All-State honoree. Wollan is the epitome of a competitor and has all the intangibles that make him a coaches dream.