Park Ridge 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.

Wisconsin Lutheran won its third straight conference championship, third straight WIAA State Championship, and recorded its second 30-0 season in the last three while led by Mr. Basketball Zavier Zens. New Berlin West came one game shy of reaching the state tournament falling in the sectional finals to McFarland. No others reached sectional play.

NOTE: The Woodland split from having the East and West divisions to a newly created Park Ridge conference with all teams from the Woodland-West a season ago.

Head Coach: Ryan Walz - 19th year (372 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Zavier Zens
Returners: Kager Knueppel, sr, 6-10; Kinston Knueppel, jr, 6-7; Riley Walz, sr, 6-0; Jamail Sewell, sr, 6-8; Kendall Newman, jr, 6-0; Tristan Hahn, jr - 5-11
Newcomers/New Contributors: Kash Knueppel, soph, 6-4; Tyler Treder, jr, 6-7; Owen York, soph, 6-5; Jackson Fischer, soph, 6-4
Breakout Candidate: Kendall Newman

Outlook: Wisconsin Lutheran looks primed to be the preseason favorite not just in the newly minted Park Ridge conference, but for a fourth straight state championship. Head coach Ryan Walls will take the sideline for the final time as he announced he’ll be retiring at the end of this season. He welcomes back Duke commit Kager Knueppel who figures to be a front runner for Mr. Wisconsin in 2026-27. Younger brother Kinston is another year advanced while Jamail Sewell and transfer Tyler Treder (averaged over 40 points a game in California) provide an abundance of size for the Vikings. Coach Walz’ son Riley will man the point guard once again and provide that grit and leadership role. This Vikings team may be deeper than the past few years as a handful of younger athletes such as Kendall Newman, Kash Knueppel, Jackson Fischer, and Owen York are one more year experienced.

Head Coach: Dan Carey - 7th year (81 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Jayson Kowalski, Gabe Vinson, DeAndre Haynes Jr., Cuong Ly Phu
Returners: Justin Jones, sr, 5-10; Aiah Baldwin, jr, 6-6; Torrence Rivera, sr, 6-3; Preston Kirchoff, sr, 5-10; Franky Simo Kamden, jr, 6-7
Newcomers/New Contributors: Massimo Ruz, sr
Breakout Candidate: Massimo Ruz

Outlook: Coach Carey returns six players that started 3 or more games a season ago for the Popes including point guard Justin Jones, who is a returning all-league player. A big addition for this group is Massimo Ruz who played JV last year after transferring from Spain. That duo of Jones and Ruz are why the Popes will be much improved and likely finish in the top half of the standings. Juniors Aiah Baldwin and Franky Simo Kamden saw plenty of action as sophomores and will provide the size up front in a league where Wisconsin Lutheran has not shortage of it.

Head Coach: Scott Cook - 9th year (100 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Evan Kern, Elijah Gammage, Luke Krueger, Connor Krier
Returners: Jayce Cook, sr, 6-2; Zach Hewitt, sr, 6-5; Tanner Krjcir, sr, 6-1; Greyson Casto, soph, 6-6
Newcomers/New Contributors: Will Pelton, soph, 6-5, Jackson Ruiz, soph, 5-5; Rhys Cook, frosh, 6-0
Breakout Candidate: Greyson Casto

Outlook: Winning 24 games and coming one game shy of the state tournament is impressive. Coach Cook will have to fill the shoes of three starters that were key players for the Vikings a season ago. Thankfully he can rely on his senior son Jayce who is one of the top shooters in the entire state and forward Zach Hewitt who will carry a bigger load than he did a season ago. Sophomore forward Greyson Casto is the breakout candidate for West while a handful of other underclassmen figure to vie for playing time including freshman Rhys Cook. Overall size may cause an issue for the Vikings in certain games, but if history tells us anything, they’ll be able to shoot the ball.

Head Coach: David Burkermper - 9th year (171 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Tyler Tiutczenko, George Davis, Landon Stelse, Ben Schwerin
Returners: John Gerdes,sr, 6-5; Jonah Schaefer, sr, 6-2; Nick Tempelis, jr, 6-3;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Caarson Buchberger, soph, 6-1
Breakout Candidate: Nick Tempelis

Outlook: Losing your top two scorers can be difficult to do for a team, especially your top scorer averaged 24.0 points per game like Tyler Tiutczenko did a year ago. However, John Gerdes appears ready to take a big step forward for the Pirates and take over that mantle of playmaker. Inexperience will be something this Pewaukee team struggles with early but Jonah Schaefer and Nick Tempelis are both capable of stepping into bigger roles with the Pewaukee offense.

Head Coach: Lee Montez - 4th year (27 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Isaiah Crawford, Luke Trendel
Returners: Keegan DeGeorge, sr, 6-1; Jordan Garcia, sr, 6-2; Richard Leckie, sr, 6-1; Lucas Ortega, soph, 6-4
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Lucas Ortega

Outlook: South returns its top two scorers in Keegan DeGeorge and Jordan Garcia who averaged a combined 36 points per game a season ago. There is plenty of experience to pull from that would make it feel like a big jump in the standings is plausible for this Blackshirts group. Ten different juniors saw minutes on varsity last season which means internal competition for the minutes this year will only make South better as the season progresses. A breakout for sophomore Lucas Ortega may be in the works after he averaged 4.2 points per game as a freshman on varsity.

Head Coach: Brandon Greene - 1st year (111 career wins prior)
Lost Contributors: Luke Bauer, Thaison Martin, Christopher Nimmer, Mavox Nimani, Charlie Wait, Jake Veley
Returners: Austin Couillard, jr, 6-5; Will Kowske, jr, 6-5; Spencer Carlson, sr, 6-5
Newcomers/New Contributors: Will McCormick, soph, 6-1; Brett Gonzales, jr, 5-10; Max Weidenbaum, jr
Breakout Candidate: Will Kowske

Outlook: Graduating your top six scorers is nearly impossible to replace, but that is the task in front of new head coach Brandon Greene. Thankfully for him there are a handful of younger players ready to step into bigger roles including juniors Austin Couillard and Will Kowske and sophomore Will McCormick. That youth may lead to some bumps and bruises playing in the tough Park Ridge, but will do this group wonders come February and into the following seasons.

Head Coach: Ryan Johnsen - 15th year (193 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Zavier Castillo, Brandon Harper, Tyler Roche, Marquis Norris, Logan Nowak
Returners: Grady Smith, sr, 6-0; Korben Pfeifer, sr, 6-0; Brady Lindholm-Krisman, sr, 6-2;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Leo Pluer, jr, 6-0; Cooper Wichman, jr, 6-0; Ricardo Cerventas, sr, 6-0
Breakout Candidate: Korben Pfeifer

Outlook: Greendale has graduated some really good basketball players over the last two years that had a lot of success on the court. This year Ryan Johnson returns just two starters and will rely on a handful of newcomers/players that did not see too much action a season ago. Overall size may be an issue for the Panthers, but Coach Johnsen’s groups have always competed hard when in this challenging league.

Head Coach: Mitchell Hennes - 2nd year (7 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Dave Stuart, Jessiah Martin, Chase Muchow, Joe Merten
Returners: Derek Williams, jr, 6-5; Drew Thompson, sr, 6-1; Henry Koopmeiners, sr, 6-5; Manny Loren-Garcia, sr, 5-11;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Nolan Strick, jr; Jaylen Wright, sr
Breakout Candidate: Henry Koopmeiners

Outlook: North lost four contributors from a team that struggled a season ago. However, Coach Hennes will have Derek Williams back as he’s one of the top players in the league and in the Class of 2028 overall. Williams commands a lot of attention so finding consistent scoring beyond him will be a task that the trio of seniors in Drew Thompson, Henry Koopmeiners, and Manny Loren-Garcia hope to fill.

Waukesha South should not be slept on in this league with that duo of DeGeorge and Garcia at the top of the roster. Those two have been experiencing individual success on the gridiron this fall and come winter are primed to have South competing night in and night out.

Jayce Cook, sr, New Berlin West
Cook averaged 18.8 points per game while earning all-state honorable mention honors a season ago. He is one of the top shooters in the entire state and currently holds a Division 1 scholarship from Milwaukee.

Keegan DeGeorge, sr, Waukesha South
A standout wideout on the gridiron, DeGeorge can absolutely get it going on the basketball court. A season ago he averaged 23 points per game and can fill the stat sheet up from anywhere on the court.

Jordan Garcia, sr, Waukesha South
Garcia makes a great running mate for DeGeorge at South as he plays that point guard role well, similar to the quarterback position he mans on Friday nights. He averaged 12.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game last year and effects the complexion with his ability to score, rebound, and facilitate.

John Gerdes, sr, Pewaukee
Gerdes is primed to step into the major contributor role for the Pirates this season after averaging 9.6 points and 5.1 rebounds a season ago. With that expansion of role, he’ll be able to showcase his skillset as he’s asked to create more offense.

Zach Hewitt, sr, New Berlin West
Hewitt does it all for the Vikings with averages of 8.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game last year. With the graduation of three starters, I’d expect to see the Sioux Falls football recruit to step into a much larger role in terms of playmaking.

Justin Jones, sr, Pius XI Catholic
Jones and the Popes are poised for a breakout year in 2026-27. As a junior he averaged 11.1 points per game and with an added year of development he figures to be one of the tougher guards in the league.

Kager Knueppel, sr, Wisconsin Lutheran
Knueppel is a returning all-state selection, arguably the best player in the state, and has committed to Duke before his senior year has even started. He averaged 16.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists a season ago and then spent time dominating the club circuit with Team Herro.

Kinston Knueppel, jr, Wisconsin Lutheran
The younger Knueppel, Kinston is primed for a bigger role with the Vikings coming into his junior year. He’s taken strides each and every year and his attention to detail such and patience sets him apart. He currently holds D1 offers from Davidson, Toledo, and Wake Forest.

Will Kowske, jr, New Berlin Eisenhower
Kowske is primed to step into a much bigger role with Eisenhower this upcoming season after averaging 4.3 points per game as a sophomore. The son of Wisconsin standout Andy Kowske, Will has great size and skills and is one to watch in the junior class.

Masimo Ruz, sr, Pius XI Catholic
Ruz will get to showcase his talents at the varsity for the first time this upcoming school season as the Spain transfer played JV a season ago. He is the definition of a point guard and will finally be able to test himself against the better players in the conference.

Tyler Treder, jr, Wisconsin Lutheran
A transfer in from California, Treder fits right in with his size and ability at Wisconsin Lutheran. At 6-8, he’s versatile and is another added weapon for the Vikings who seek a fourth straight state title.

Riley Walz, sr, Wisconsin Lutheran
The steady leader, Walz is an extension of his father and head coach Ryan out on the court. He averaged 7.6 points and 3.3 assists per game last season and competes at a very high level. One last go around with his retiring father will be a fun one to watch this upcoming year.

Derek Williams, jr, Waukesha North
Williams is one of the top players in the conference and is already a two-year starter with Northstars. As a sophomore he averaged 16.3 points and 9.1 rebounds, taking games over with his strength and physicality around the rim.