North Shore 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 historic year in the North Shore conference as Slinger took home the conference crown, beating Whitefish Bay twice during the regular season to do so. They then found themselves playing in the final game of the year in Division 2, the state championship. Whitefish Bay avenged that earlier season loss and won the Division 2 State Championship in dominating fashion over the Owls. In the sectional finals, Coach Lavine won his 100th game with Slinger.

The North Shore is likely to be one of the better conference races in 2026-27 with three exceptional teams that in any other year would be the favorite. Whitefish Bay is the reigning Division 2 champions and bring back three starters from that squad. Slinger won the conference crown last year but are loaded with two starters and more back. Homestead is has three starters back as well with younger talent ready to step up. Not to mention, each has bonafide Division 1 recruits on the rosters. The depth is great in this league as well as Hartford, Nicolet, and Cedarburg are no slouches.

Head Coach: Alex Lavine - 9th year (102 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Bryson Fogle, Brett Palm, Colton Mantz, Devin Berger
Returners: Jack Kohnen, 6-6, sr; Joey Kohnen, 6-5, jr; Jud Siikarla, 6-6, sr; JJ Feilbach, 6-0, jr; Noah Pressley, 5-9, soph; CJ Bogdanovich, 6-0, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors: Nate Bogdanovich, 5-11, sr; Harric Bonlender, 6-2, soph; Patrick Sherman, 5-10, jr
Breakout Candidate: CJ Bogdanovich

Outlook: The ending to the 2025-26 season is something that is likely the biggest driving force for this Slinger squad in 2026-27. Falling to a conference rival in the state championship game in the fashion they did has likely left Coach Lavine’s team as hungry as any in the state to get back on the court. Jack and Joey Kohnen are two of the best in the state in basketball. Jude Siikarla does it all and adds height and athleticism to a team that has that in oodles. JJ Feilbach, Noah Pressley, and CJ and Nate Bogdanovich are a solid group of guards that show the overall depth of this Owls team. There may not be a team that is more ready for November 16 to get here than the Slinger Owls and they’ll be one to watch in the North Shore and come playoff time in Division 2.

Head Coach: Ryan Fiet - 5th year (82 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Marcus Webb, Matt Schoenfeldt
Returners: Colin Julien, 6-4, sr; Mace Miskel, 5-11, jr; Jack Broderson, 6-2, sr; Reid Muderlak, 6-1, sr; Jack Lodl, 6-3, sr; Juan Milina, 6-0, sr; Tom Ernoux, 6-2, jr.
Newcomers/New Contributors: Marcus Bonilha, 6-3, soph; Will Wagner, 6-4, jr; Cole Moran, 6-0, soph; Joe Sarnowski, 5-9, jr; Charlie Juech, soph
Breakout Candidate: Jack Broderson

Outlook: Whitefish Bay had a season to remember last year. The Blue Dukes finished second in the conference, advanced all the way to the state championship, and beat a Slinger team handily that beat them twice during the regular season. Three starters are back for Coach Fiet in Colin Julien, Mace Miskel, and Jack Broderson. That trio of guards is electric. Beyond that, Coach Fiet will be looking for players to step into new roles and for consistency on the glass as Bay will be guard oriented. Reid Muderlak and Jack Lodl are two other returners with varsity experience. It’ll be a fun race in the North Shore and this Blue Dukes team is a big reason why.

Head Coach: Sean Crider - 11th year (166 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Gio Green, Landon Hinterstocker, Jaden Congleton
Returners: Michael Rogers Jr, 5-11, sr; Oliver Belot, 6-0, sr; Nick Grice, 6-3, jr; Ben Hills, 6-4, jr; Jaylen Trotter, 6-3, jr; Austin Robinson, 6-2, jr; Leo Larsen, 6-0, sr; Larry Walker, 5-10, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Jack Strifling, 6-6, jr; Cael Ebert, 6-1, soph; Jacob Robinson, 6-4 soph
Breakout Candidate: Nick Grice

Outlook: Homestead will be a team that can flat out score the ball in 2026-27. Michael Rogers Jr. and Oliver Belot are two of the better shooters in the entire state and give Coach Crider two very talented senior playmakers to lead his team. Nick Grice, Ben Hills, and Jaylen Trotter are a trio of juniors that saw plenty of action as sophomores that will be looked upon to step into more consistent and productive roles. The Highlanders would be a favorite in many other years in the North Shore but make no mistake, Coach Crider’s group will be in the hunt for the conference crown come February.

Head Coach: Chris Smith - 6th year (57 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Sam Richter, Henry Wellinghoff, Brady Walters, Tyler Janicki
Returners: Alex Kuepper, 5-11, sr; Ethan Webb, 6-2, sr; Alex Hoffmann, 6-5, sr; Breylon Melvin, 6-6, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors: Brock Helms, 6-2, frosh; Trever Janicki, 6-0, soph; Carter Tibbs, 6-0, jr; Jaxon Braz, 6-3, jr; Caydenn Segura, 6-2, jr
Breakout Candidate: Breylon Melvin

Outlook: Hartford won the most games it has in a long time last season as head coach Chris Smith’s squad went 18-8 before losing in a regional final. Losing Sam Richter and Henry Wellinghoff is tough, but there is a lot to look forward to with this group back. Alex Kuepper will take up the scoring mantle once again as Ethan Webb and Alex Hoffmann’s production is bound to increase as well. Breylon Melvin is a good sized sophomore that has taken a big jump over the offseason as well. Hartford has done a great job of being competitive each and every night under Coach Smith in his five years there, and I see that continuing in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Terence Smith - 5th year (83 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Rashaad Davis, Deuce McDuffie (transfer), Drevion Parks, Carter Zuithoff, Cooper Harris, CJ Raso
Returners: Edward Bullock, 6-3, sr; Jayden Phillips, 5-11, sr; Donovin Bolden, 5-11, jr; Truman Wetzel, 6-8, sr; Fabian Davis, 6-5, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Kyle Birmingham, soph;
Breakout Candidate: Edward Bullock

Outlook: The Knights won 16 games a season ago but will need to replace four starters from that group. The loss of Deuce McDuffie to transfer is a big blue to Terence Smith’s squad, but opens the door for new athletes to step into bigger roles. Edward Bullock will be heavily relied upon for this as will returning guards Jayden Phillips and Donovin Bolden who saw varsity action a season ago. Senior bigs Truman Wetzel and Fabian Davis will step into bigger roles and sophomore Kyle Birmingham is a younger player to watch pushing for varsity minutes.

Head Coach: Nick Mueller - 9th year (155 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Robert Piskula, Marek Bord, Jordan Puro
Returners: Drew Dykstra, 6-1, sr; Lucas Peterman, 6-1, sr; Braeden Graceffa, 5-11, jr; Gabe Remm, 6-3 sr; Mason Eickberg, 6-0, sr; Joey Mongoven, 6-0, jr; Sawyer Miller, 6-1, sr; Hudson Fitting, 5-11, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: James Einhorn, 6-2, jr
Breakout Candidate: Drew Dykstra

Outlook: Coach Nick Mueller comes into 2026-27 with a lot of players that saw varsity action and started in games, so the loss of three starters may not be felt nearly as much as it would in another year. Drew Dykstra returns as a double digit scorer for the Bulldogs. Lucas Peterman, Joey Mongoven, and Braeden Graceffa all started games last year and bring that much needed experience into this year. Coach Mueller points to the defensive versatility and shooting ability of the Bulldogs as strengths this year.

Head Coach: Connor Voelker - 1st year
Lost Contributors: DJ James, Parker Shaw, Paxton Rechcygl, Adam Dembiec, Braxton Boehlke
Returners: Josiah Gonzales, 6-0, sr; Caleb Battles, 6-1, sr; Hank Doyle, 6-6, soph; Parker Shaw, 6-2, sr; Donnie Hilgart, 6-2, sr; Caleb Bichanich, 6-1, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Dash Metzger, 6-1, jr; Owen Voss, 6-3, soph
Breakout Candidate: Hank Doyle

Outlook: Getting wins is no easy task in the North Shore and Grafton struggled last season in league play. Connor Voelker steps in with the Blackhawks as head coach and the former Kiel standout does have a good portion of production back. Caleb Battles and Josiah Gonzales are both solid guards on the perimeter while Hank Doyle is a maturing and growing forward on the interior.

The North Shore may be a three horse race in 2026-27 but there are teams that are likely to put a wrench in that narrative. Hartford is one of those teams. Coach Smith’s group are always well-prepared and attain the best of their abilities on the court.

Caleb Battles, sr, Grafton
Battles is a great athlete and after missing time last season is likely itching to get back on the court. As a junior he averaged 14 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game through his eight games.

Oliver Belot, sr, Homestead
One of the best guard tandem’s in the state is at Homestead and Belot is one of those two. As a junior he averaged 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, earning second team All-North Shore recognition. Belot has a handful of Division 3 offers including in-state schools St. Norbert, Wisconsin Lutheran, and UW-Oshkosh.

Jack Broderson, sr, Whitefish Bay
Broderson is the silent assassin for Whitefish Bay as he goes about his business and does it well. As a junior he averaged 12.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, showing he has the ability to effect the game in a plethora of ways.

Edward Bullock, sr, Nicolet
Bullock will step into the role of lead guy this season with Nicolet as he’s the only starter back for the Knights. As a junior he averaged 10.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game and currently holds an offer from Division 1 Eastern Illinois.

Drew Dykstra, sr, Cedarburg
Dykstra is a candidate to break out this season despite the fact he averaged 12.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. The 6-2 guard now steps into the primary scorer role with the Bulldogs as a senior.

Josiah Gonzales, sr, Grafton
Gonzales can get it going from deep as evidenced by his 56 made three-point shots a season ago. As a junior, he averaged 8.4 points per game for the Blackhawks.

Nick Grice, jr, Homestead
Grice is primed for a big season with Homestead as the 6-3 junior provides size on the perimeter for a very guard-oriented Highlanders group. As a sophomore he averaged 7.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

Colin Julien, sr, Whitefish Bay
Julien came out to a state-wide audience last year at the state tournament, showing out while leading the Blue Dukes to a gold ball. As a junior he averaged 18.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 points while earning all-state and first team all-conference honors. Julien is committed to Division 1 college St. Thomas.

Jack Kohnen, sr, Slinger
A top player in the state, Jack does it all, and does it well. He’s got great size, handles, and a smooth shot. As a junior he averaged 20.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game and comes into his senior year with 1,673 career points. Kohnen was the North Shore Player of the Year and an all-state selection as a junior and is committed to play college ball at Division 1 Iowa State.

Joey Kohnen, jr, Slinger
Arguably the top junior in the state, Joey Kohnen plays basketball well beyond his years. As a sophomore he averaged 15.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game and was an all-state selection. He’s got all the tools a college coach would want and it’s no surprise he holds a handful of Division 1 offers, including Gonzaga, Iowa State, Michigan, and Wisconsin, among others.

Alex Kuepper, sr, Hartford
Kuepper is the one that does not stop on the court. Resilient and relentless, he averaged 14.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game a season ago, earning second team all-league honors.

Braylon Melvin, soph, Hartford
Melvin is poised for a break out season with Hartford as the 6-6 forward has great size, skill, and motor. As just a sophomore competing in the North Shore, he averaged 4.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

Mace Miskel, jr, Whitefish Bay
Miskel is lightning in a bottle on the basketball court. He is quick, has good handles with the ball, and competes at a high level. As a sophomore he averaged 12.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, earning honorable mention all-conference recognition.

Michael Rogers Jr, sr, Homestead
Rogers is one of the more shifty players in the state and can flat out put the ball in the. An underrated passer, Rogers averaged 19 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game earning first team all-league honors. Rogers is committed to Division 1 Northern Illinois.

Jude Siikarla, sr, Slinger
Siikarla is coaches dream as he does all the little things that don’t necessarily show up on the scoreboard. For instance, he was tasked with guarding Colorado State recruit Eli Krueger in the state semifinal game a season ago and didn’t back down. As a junior he averaged 5.7 points and 4.2 rebounds.

Ethan Webb, sr, Hartford
Webb provided a great third scoring option for Hartford a season ago and will have the opportunity to step into an even bigger role as a senior. He averaged 11.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game as a junior.