Mississippi Valley 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.

Onalaska came out on top in a heated conference race in 2025-26. The Hilltoppers swept La Crosse Central to win the title outright but fell to West Salem in the regional final. Central was the only MVC team to advance to sectional play, also falling up short to the Panthers out of West Salem while Aquinas fell early in the Division 3 playoffs.

Head Coach: Isaac Castellano - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Ian Kowal, Trent Oyen, Rowan McGrath, Tristan Molling, Gabe Whited (transfer)
Returners: Tyler Kowal, 6-0, jr; Gavin McRoberts, 6-3, jr; Brendan Chenault, 6-3, sr; Gabe Whited, 6-5, jr; Wylder Burch, 6-2, jr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Carter Delong, 5-9, soph; Lucas Fillbach, 6-1, sr; Hudson Winchel; Bradyn Delong, 5-9, jr
Breakout Candidate: Gabe Whited

Outlook: Onalaska took home the conference crown a season ago but will enter this year without their long-time head coach Craig Kowal, who is now on the UW-La Crosse mens basketball staff, where Ian, his son is playing. Isaac Castellano takes over for the Hilltoppers and has a plethora of talent back, specifically in their junior class. Tyler Kowal and Gavin McRoberts are proven scorers while Gabe Whited and Wylder Burch are primed to step into bigger roles. Senior leader Brendan Chenault is working his way back from an injury, and once he does will provide an immeasurable spark and boost for this squad.

Head Coach: Todd Fergot - 23rd year (405 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Joey Pretasky, Max Davis
Returners: Gabe Servais, 6-0, sr; Anthony Jones, 6-1, sr; Will Schilling, 6-0, sr; Jorden Calvert, 6-1, jr; Ezra Weise, 6-2, sr; Drew Ehler-Blum, 5-10, sr; Gander Conrad, 6-0, sr; Cullen MacGlashin, 6-4, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Elmer McCloud, 6-0, sr; Sam George, 6-0, sr; Tommy Brudos, jr; Tremell Jones, jr
Breakout Candidate: Jorden Calvert

Outlook: Central is always a contender in the MVC and after winning 22 games a season ago, head coach Todd Fergot returns nearly his entire roster. Gave Servais was an all-state selection a season ago and he, Anthony Jones, and Will Schilling bring plenty of shooting and defense back for the Riverhawks. Central is a guard-oriented team with floor spacers at every position. They defend the floor 90 feet and are in your face on the perimeter with sound footwork and off-ball rotations. In a deep MVC this year, that grit could be the determining factor for the Central come February.

Head Coach: Brad Reinhart - 11th year (157 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Logan Becker, Finley Strom, Ryan Johnson, Talan Reinhart
Returners: Calvin Bahr, 6-5, sr; Will Dickinson, 6-1, jr; Roman Kirchner, 6-2, jr; Henry Berns, 6-1, sr; Brady Lee, 6-2, sr; Will Horihan, 6-2, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Owen Ludlow, 6-0, sr; Cullen Swanson, 6-0, sr; Adiel Onyeabor, 6-3, soph
Breakout Candidate: Roman Kirchner

Outlook: Aquinas has to replace four starters from a team that won 20 games a season ago. Thankfully for Coach Reinhart he returns the Player of the Year in the conference in Calvin Bahr. Bahr’s skillset allows him to effect the game without scoring which is extremely valuable when he’ll likely attract more attention this year. Will Dickinson and Roman Kirchner are both breakout candidates as they received great experience last year as sophomores. The Blugolds defend well, are well-coached, and can reload within the program. That is why they’re always a contender to come away with the league crown.

Head Coach: Ryan Meyer - 7th year (70 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Alex Berget, Colin Williams
Returners: Jayden Bartels, 6-3, sr; Cohen Kendhammer, 6-3, jr; Brody Wilber, 6-0, sr; Taj Hauser, 6-1, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Miracovsky Pierre, 6-6, frosh; Jarell Ayed, 5-11, frosh; Boston Popp, sr
Breakout Candidate: Miracovsky Pierre

Outlook: In other years, this Holmen team may be the favorite in the conference coming into the year. That is a testament to the talent and depth of the MVC in 2026-27. Jayden Bartels and Cohen return as double-digit scorers to lead a group that will have plenty of shooting, athleticism, and a mix of upper and lowerclassmen. Freshmen Miracovsky Pierre and Jarell Ayed figure to make immediate impacts with the Vikings. As this group grows and matures through the season, it is not one many will want to see come February.

Head Coach: Nathan Pollnow - 2nd year (12 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Kayden Kaat, Jackson Bender, Angel Martinez, Alec Von Ruden, Kory Miller, Dontell Redding
Returners: Everett Laufenberg, 6-4, sr; Dylan Ziegler, 6-2, jr; James Thurston, 5-11, sr; Simon Schmitz, 6-0, jr; Afton Raymer, 6-0, sr; Easton Berg, 6-4, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Easton Berg

Outlook: Sparta has the misfortune of competing in one of the better conferences on the west side of the state. The Spartans are back in Year 2 under head coach Nathan Pollnow and do have a really strong duo that can lead them in Everett Laufenberg and Dylan Ziegler. Easton Berg is primed for a breakout season after contributing as a freshman at the varsity level. Playing in the MVC may be a battle night in and night out for the Spartans, but it will help them come playoffs.

Head Coach: Jeff Brieske - 7th year (110 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Owen Vandenhoogen, Brennen Worde, Boe Rewey, Micahel Zastopuil
Returners: Quinn Gerke, 6-2, sr ; Owen Laudon, 5-11, sr; Silas Cram, 6-5, sr; Ethan Kuehl, 5-11, sr; Max Haldeman, 6-4, sr, Nate Hendricks, 6-0, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Tyler Boettcher, 6-0, sr; Brennan Brown, 6-0, sr; Wyatt Hanson, 6-4, soph, Brody Richardson, soph
Breakout Candidate: Wyatt Hanson

Outlook: Tomah returns one of the top players on the western side of the state in Quinn Gerke, who has a proven track record of being able to score the ball at an extremely high clip. Paired with 6-5 forward Silas Cram, and Tomah has talent back for head coach Jeff Brieske. The Timberwolves did take a major blow in the offseason however as senior point guard and leader Owen Laudon suffered an injury that will keep him out of his senior year. Sophomores Wyatt Hanson and Brody Richardson are two players from the lower levels that will be thrust into roles on the varsity team this year.

Head Coach: Erick Check - 4th year (16 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Diogenes Leone, Adrian Bye, Richard Mc
Returners: Bubba Leaver, 6-4, sr; Harper Kendle, 6-3, sr; Ryan Thruman, 6-0, sr; Thomas Check, 6-0, jr; Henry Bosch, 6-1, jr; Charlie Zellner, 6-4, jr, Brylan Moore
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Bubba Leaver

Outlook: Logan is looking to improve upon its two-win season a year ago and return nearly the entire roster from that squad, so experience won’t be an issue. The Rangers are also coming into the season after a perfect 9-0 football regular season with playoffs yet to begin, so momentum may carry for those that participated. The Rangers have a few different options in scoring the ball, which bodes well for a team looking to make an impact in 2026-27.

Holmen has all the tools to be a sleeper team in 2026-27. Returning production, an influx of talented youth, and depth across the program. The MVC is deep and there are landmines for any team wanting to compete for the conference title on any given league night. Holmen can be that landmine that could move into contender for the conference title.

Calvin Bahr, sr, Aquinas
Bahr was an All-State selection a season ago and is the returning Player of the Year in the MVC. The 6-5 forward averaged 19.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game and is one the most well-rounded players in the Class of 2027. He holds offers from Viterbo and UW-Stout with plenty more likely on the horizon for the standout multi-sport athlete.

Jayden Bartels, sr, Holmen
Bartels has a ton of varsity experience that will be relied upon by Coach Meyer in his senior season. As a junior he averaged 13.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while earning honorable mention all-conference recognition. He’s a strong and poised wing that does a bit of everything on the court. Bartels currently holds a Division 3 offer from St. Norbert.

Thomas Check, jr, La Crosse Logan
Check was an honorable mention all-conference player a season ago after averaging double-digit points. He’s a physically talented 6-0 guard that plays well above his height.

Silas Cram, sr, Tomah
Cram has shot up vertically and is poised to continue to impact the game in a positive way, similar to what he did last year when he averaged 13.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. With the loss of Owen Laudon, even more will fall on him this year in terms of production alongside Quinn Gerke.

Quinn Gerke, sr, Tomah
Gerke is one of the more prolific scorers back in the state this year as he comes into his senior season with 1,537 career points. He can score it in bunches from deep and currently holds a handful of Division 3 college offers including UW-Stout and Bethel.

Anthony Jones, sr, La Crosse Central
Jones, like his teammates, impacts games in a multitude of ways on the basketball court. He can score it, is a willing facilitator, and defends at a high clip on the perimeter. Jones was a second-team all-conference selection a season ago and is primed for a big senior year.

Cohen Kendhammer, jr, Holmen
Kendhammer averaged 12.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore a season ago, earning honorable mention all-league honors. He can light it up from deep but has continued to evolve his tool kit with the ball in his hands.

Ian Kowal, jr, Onalaska
As just a sophomore, Kowal led the Hilltoppers in scoring a season ago, having averaged 16.7 points per game and earning first-team All-MVC honors. Ian is a coaches kid and plays like it; poised, confident, and fundamentally sound. Kowal is a great decision maker with the ball in his hands and one of the top playmakers in the league.

Everett Laufenberg, sr, Sparta
Laufenberg lost a portion of his junior season to injury last year but is back as a senior ready to take over. The 6-4 wing is smooth, bouncy, and can get it going from beyond the arc. He averaged 14.1 points per game as a junior and was an honorable mention all-league selection. Laufenberg holds an offer from Edgewood College.

Gavin McRoberts, jr, Onalaska
McRoberts is a physical wing that can score the ball from outside, inside, and everywhere in between. As a sophomore he averaged 11.6 points per game and was a second team all-conference selection. McRoberts does not get fazed on the court and plays with a level of confidence that is tough to match.

Gabe Servais, sr, La Crosse Central
Servais was the top scorer for Central a season ago and is as impactful on the offensive side as he is on the defensive end. He was an all-state honorable mention selection after averaging over 15 points per game. Servais leads a deep and experienced Riverhawks team into 2026-27.

Dylan Ziegler, jr, Sparta
Ziegler was an honorable mention All-MVC selection as a sophomore after averaging 8.3 points per game. With the graduation of a few major contributors, Ziegler is poised for a breakout season as a junior. He is relentless on his attacks to the rim and is a willing defender on the perimeter.