After a week and a day of practicing against teammates, the opening night of boys basketball is finally here. Over 80 games will be played Tuesday night with teams from around the state beginning the competition side of their 2025-26 seasons. The itch for many of us hoops fans will be scratched as we get into another year of sneaker squeaks, pep bands echoing throughout the gym, and yells of ‘over the back’ from the stands.
Each week we’ll preview the top games of the week. Below are some of the top ones to watch for on the opening night and second night of hoops. Look for a preview of the top games for Friday and Saturday, including a full holiday tournament schedule, later this week.
Opening Night - Tuesday, November 25
Hillsboro v Kickapoo (D5 #5)
Kickapoo is a team that will look to contend not just in the Ridge & Valley, but a favorite to make a deep run in the playoffs. Hillsboro has a mix of newcomers and a few top returners, including Miles Ravenscroft. This is a great measuring stick game for the Tigers early on, and a good first game for the Panthers in their pursuit of excellence this year.
Whitnall v Catholic Memorial (D2 #4)
Catholic Memorial had quite a few players competing deep into the football playoffs, so it will be interesting to see how that effects the Crusaders in game 1 of the season. Whitnall looks to replace its top leading scorers from a year ago in Jack Lutz and Myles Herro. A Classic Eight v Woodland matchup is always a fun one to tune into.
Fox Valley Lutheran v Freedom (D3 #4)
Donovan Davis comes into his junior year as a top player not just in the state, but the nation in his class. The Irish as a team are coming off a runner-up finish at the state tournament a season ago and with Davis back, should be considered a favorite to get back to the Kohl Center. This used to be a conference game in the Northeastern Conference, but with FVL moving to the Bay, these two old rivals will do battle in a non-con to start the season.
Messmer v Saint Thomas More
Messmer has plenty of talent back from a group that won 16 games a season ago, despite starting and playing a lot of underclassmen. Saint Thomas More is one year removed from a state tournament appearance and have a great leader in Omar Fofana back.
Mount Horeb v River Valley
How far up the scoring record books can senior Josh Manchester rise? He begins his senior campaign with 1,765 career points, more than anyone in the state. Barring injury, he’ll easily hit the 2,000 mark. Opening night begins his ascent.
Horicon v Lomira (D4 #5)
Jake Broeske is back for Lomira after missing most of his junior season to injury. A strong group of now juniors got great experience last season, competing and winning as an underclassmen heavy rotation. After a year under Dan Domask, Lomira will be under the tutelage of a new head coach in Nick Kohler. Horicon is also a very good team that is back in Division 4, with Barrett Meyer leading the way.
Monroe v Monona Grove
This game would likely have been the game of the night and very well is still in consideration but unfortunate news came down regarding Monona Grove’s ultra-talented junior Luchetti. Early in the Silver Eagles’ scrimmage on Saturday, Luchetti suffered a broken fibula and ankle out of rotation, ending his junior year before it started. Both of these teams are going to be talented regardless, and a game to watch in the Madison area on opening night.
Others to Watch
Salam v University School
Oostburg (D3 #3) v Saint Mary’s Springs - The Oostburg squad with high expectations begins its season on the road in on opening night.
Plymouth v Manitowoc Lincoln - Like Manchester, Schultz will easily hit the 2,000 point mark before the season is over. How much past that will he get by the time his senior year ends?
Racine Park v Waterford (D2 #8)- A rematch from last year’s sectional final that saw Racine Park win 71-41 en route to a Division 2 state runner-up. This game will see a whole new Park squad that will have to fill holes from graduation. Waterford is a contender and likely have a little revenge on the mind.
Shoreland Lutheran v Living Word Lutheran
Barneveld v Lancaster
Shebogyan Lutheran (D5 #4) v Cedar Grove-Belgium
Cambridge v Columbus
Kingdom Prep Lutheran v Milwaukee Hamilton - Chauncey Russell steps into the head role at Kingdom Prep Lutheran after serving as an assistant at Milwaukee Academy of Science the past few years.
Wednesday, November 26
Nicolet (D2 #3) v West Allis Central (D1 #2)
Two of the top teams in the state square off on Thanksgiving Eve with this powerhouse non-conference early season matchup. Both squads are absolutely loaded with next-level talent. Yusef Gray Jr., an Iowa State commit, leads a Bulldogs team that is determined to get to the Kohl Center. Nicolet is led by senior and Southern Utah recruit Rashaad Davis as well as Milwaukee King transfer Deuce McDuffie, who holds a number of Division 1 offers. If you’re in the area, get to the E.H. Stech Fieldhouse.
Wisconsin Lutheran (D1 #1) v Pike (IN) at Washington Community High School
The back-to-back state champ Vikings head out of state to take on a very talented Pike team out of Indiana. Wisco has the Knueppel brothers, Northern Iowa commit Zavier Zens, and head coach Ryan Walz are difference makers for Wisco. Pike has a trio of next level prospects in the 2027 class Isaiah Hill (7-0), Jahari Miller (6-2), and Keneth Lampley (6-6).
Brookfield East (D1 #7) v Neenah (D1 #9)
A top ten matchup in Division 1 if you look at our preseason rankings, this is a classic FVA v Greater Metro non-conference banger. Neither teams have the star D1 athlete like some of their conference foes, but both are well coached, fundamental, and going to win a lot of games this season. Don’t let what I just said confuse you however, there is still plenty of really good players that will compete in this one inlcuding Nick Schultz and Roan Keeper at Neenah and TJ Platz and Zeke Sawall from Brookfield East.
Others to Watch
Brown Deer v Sussex Hamilton - Both programs will be under the tutelage of new head coaches in 2025-26. A solid matchup on the opening Wednesday is a good test for both.
Colton Wilson serves a contributor and member of Bound Wisconsin. Wilson has worked in high school sports for 10 years, covering the state of Wisconsin in various sports. He has had roles in content creation, boys basketball coverage, director of events, and data management. Wilson is a graduate of Richland Center High School where he will currently serves as the Varsity Reserve boys basketball coach, entering his eleventh year coaching at the high school level. Wilson also has officiated basketball and organized youth tournaments for multiple years. You can follow him on Twitter at @ColtonWilson23 or reach him at [email protected].