Scenic Bluffs 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.

Royall went 13-1 to win the conference crown in head coach Scott Uppena’s final season with the Panthers. They finished a game ahead of Hillsboro and two over Bangor. Come playoff time, the season ended without a regional championship amongst the league teams. As a whole, the conference went 5-8 against teams outside of the conference in the playoffs.

Royall, Hillsboro, and Bangor are likely to do battle once again for the conference crown once again in 2026-27. Josh Board takes over for Scott Uppena at Royall while Jordan Polk, Hillsboro head coach, is four wins away from 100 for his career.

Head Coach: Josh Board - 1st year (7 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Trey Wildes, Dylan Velazquez, John Muehlenkamp, Brock Preuss, Tavis Wehman
Returners: Braxton Board, 6-2, jr; Bently Rozek, 6-4, soph; Colby Schoeder, 5-10, jr; Jason Johnson, 5-10, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Bentley Olsen, jr; Nevin Stuckey, jr; Kael Olson, jr; Jaxon Valezquez, soph
Breakout Candidate: Bently Rozek

Outlook: Royall will need to replace three starters from last year’s conference championship team as well as a new head coach joins the sideline in Joshua Board. His son Braxton is the top returner and a good lead guard for the Panthers. Bently Rozek was a strong post player as a freshman and has one year of added strength and maturity. The Panthers have been a strong program built up by Coach Uppena and Coach Board has a good group back to continue that. Colby Schoeder and Jason Johnson both saw varsity minutes a season ago while a handful of newcomers will be pegged with the task of stepping into newer, more prominent roles.

Head Coach: Jordan Polk - 7th year (96 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Miles Ravenscroft, David Johnson, Ian Anderson
Returners: Braun Jirschele, 6-2, jr; Malekai Simpson, 5-10, jr; Abe Scheder, 5-9, sr; Marshall Stowell, 5-11, jr; Michael Downing, 5-7, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Dominic Kirkpatrick, 6-2, sr; Lakota Hatfield, 5-10, jr; Matthew Huffman, 6-1, jr; Breyer Bothe, 6-3, jr (transfer from Westby); Luke Holthe, 6-3, soph; Ben Blaha, 5-10, soph
Breakout Candidate: Malekai Simpson

Outlook: Hillsboro will head into the 2026-27 season having to replace multiple-year starters Miles Ravenscroft and David Johnson. That does not mean the cupboards are bare for Coach Polk. Braun Jirschele is a two-year varsity player already coming into his junior season and one of the better all-around players in the conference. Malekai Simpson started every game as a sophomore as well and provides a good ball-handler and scorer at the point guard position. Abe Scheder, Marshall Stowell, and Michael Downing all played roles on last years squad and should vie for starting spots this year. The Tigers will lack substantial size, but Coach’s Polks groups have always defended well and find the right shot.

Head Coach: Nick Meacham - 5th year (61 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Hayden Massman, Brody Edwards, Dayne Langrehr, Brock Daines, Bryce Anderson
Returners: Alex Felch, 5-10, sr; Sawyer Jacobson, 5-10, jr; Tyson Schmidt, 5-10, sr; Weston Pollock, 5-10, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Max Langrehr, 5-10, soph; Easton Cavadini, 5-11, soph; Grant Anderson, 5-11, soph
Breakout Candidate: Sawyer Jacobson

Outlook: Head coach Nick Meacham does have the tough task of replacing four starters from last year’s team that won 16 games and came just two games back in the standings. Alex Felch was the third leading scorer for the Cardinals and returns as one of the better guards in the conference. Sawyer Jacobson had a big role as a sophomore with the Cardinals and is poised for a breakout whitl Tyson Schmidt and Weston Pollock return with varsity experience. Team quickness and a buy-in on the defensive side of the ball are anticipated team strengths for Coach Meacham, while lack of size is a concern.

Head Coach: Brad Bolton - 2nd year (73 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Gavin Olson, Cash Carlson, Vlad Grigorev, Agustin Murillo
Returners: Cam Thellefsen, 6-5, sr; Jack Byrdy, 6-3, sr; Taytn Landsinger, 5-9, sr; Keaton Barreau, 5-10, jr; Tommy Roehling, 5-8, sr; Oliver Hanko, 5-11, jr; Matthew Roloff, 5-9, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Tyler Roloff, frosh; Abe Thayer, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Jack Byrdy

Outlook: Wonewoc won 11 games a season ago and return four of their top five scorers from that group. Cam Thellefsen averaged over 20 points per game and is one of the better players in the conference, which makes the Wolves a tough out. Jack Byrdy adds size in the front court while Taty Landsinger and Keaton Barreau are proven guards. Size, quickness, and a go-to scorer are strengths for Wonewoc going into 2026-27, while depth may be a concern.

Head Coach: Jeremy Mack - 2nd year (7 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Jackson Cunitz, Gavin Havlik, Cullen Brueggeman,
Returners: Brennen Mack, 5-11, sr; Julian Cunitz, 5-10, sr; Luis Gonzalez, 5-8, sr; Owen Waddell, 5-11, sr; Drew Thurston, 6-1, jr; Eligh Holmquist, 6-0, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Brennen Mack

Outlook: The Falcons finished fourth in the conference in Jeremy Mack’s first as head coach and he returns two starters and a few other contributors from that team. Losing Jackson Cunitz and Gavin Havlik will have an effect, but Brennen Mack, Julian Cunitz, and Luiz Gonzalez are three guards that can mitigate that loss. Owen Wadell, Drew Thurston, and Eligh Holmquist add depth to a Brookwood team that will be primarily seniors and juniors.

Head Coach: Mark Becker - 1st year (3 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Phillip Heintz, Mason Hustad, Konrad Borzym, Eli Karbowski
Returners: Elijah Peak, 5-11, sr; Mason Bottensek, 5-10, jr; Ricky Smith, 6-1, jr; Luke Murphy, 6-2, jr; Davion Hoernke, 6-0, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Owen Mericle, 6-3, frosh; Nolan Mueller, 6-2, soph
Breakout Candidate: Luke Murphy

Outlook: Necedah will have to replace three starters from last year’s six-win team, but the projection is forward for this group. Mark Becker steps into his first year with the Cardinals and will have the top two scorers from a season ago back in Luke Murphy and Elijah Peak. Ricky Smith, Mason Bottensek, and Davion Hoernke saw plenty of varsity action and add to that returning action. Necedah won just three conference games a season ago, but with the experience back, I’d expect to see the Cardinals improve upon that.

Head Coach: Grant Radke - 3rd year (8 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Trent Kast, Brady Wells, Drew Butzler, Rory Mlsna, Gabe Martin
Returners: Traeton Gill, 6-0, sr; Cody Schroeder, 5-10, jr; Graham Hemmersbach, 5-10, jr; Landon Laufenberg, 5-10, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Bo Von Ruden, soph; Milo Newton, soph; Gradyn Wurzenberger, soph; Winston Brown, Malachi Goede, soph; Jovany Tinoco, soph
Breakout Candidate: Landon Laufenberg

Outlook: Cashton struggled at time to put the ball in the hoop, averaging just 46 points per game. The Eagles do have a trio of sophomores back that saw significant playing time in Graham Hemmersbach, Landon Laufenberg, and Cody Schroeder. Only one senior is listed on this team’s roster in Traeton Gill. Head coach Grant Radke will have a deep group of juniors and sophomores to push internally for playing time.

Head Coach: Jeremiah Pfaff - 10th year (75 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Carter Pfaff, Josh Homan, Jamesen Pfaff, Rowyn Sloan
Returners: Colby Pfaff, jr; Joseph Asberry, sr; Sehraj Grewal, sr; Jude Keltner, sr; Cash Plueger, sr; Dawson Stickney, jr; Ayden Hare, jr; Gavin Gesler, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Semaj Grewal

Outlook: The Rockets struggled to just three conference wins a season ago. Two starters must be replaced from that squad, but Jeremiah Pfaff will have his top three scorers back in Colby Pfaff, Sehraj Grewal, and Joseph Asberry. Ayden Hare, Cash Plueger, and Jude Keltner all provided quality minutes a season ago. The returning cast is experienced and there will be a handful of players who will vie for minutes and the starting spots for the Rockets.

Wonewoc-Center is a team to watch beyond the top three in the projected standings. The top scorer in the league is back for the Wolves as well as surrounding cast with size and experience to cause issues within the league.

Braxton Board, jr, Royall
One of three first-team all-conference selections returning from a year ago, Board is poised for an even bigger season ahead as a junior. Last year he averaged 13.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.

Jack Byrdy, sr, Wonewoc-Center
Byrdy provides size and muscle down near the rim for the Wolves. Last season as a junior he averaged 8.8 points and 5.6 rebounds while earning honorable mention all-conference honors.

Sehraj Grewal, sr, New Lisbon
Grewal is one of two double digit scorers back for the Rockets after he averaged 10.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. For that, he was named to the honorable mention all-conference team as a junior.

Alex Felch, sr, Bangor
Felch was an honorable mention all-conference selection as a junior and is expected to step into a much larger role with the Cardinals in his final season. He averaged 10.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game as a junior.

Graham Hemmersbach, jr, Cashton
Hemmersbach averaged 11.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game a season, knocking down 42 shots from beyond the arc. He was an honorable mention all-league selection as a sophomore.

Braun Jirschele, jr, Hillsboro
Jirschele has been a varsity contributor for two years already and is one of three first team all-league performers back in the Scenic Bluffs. As a sophomore he averaged 16.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.

Luke Murphy, jr, Necedah
Murphy was a second team all-conference selection a season ago for the Cardinals. He led the squad with 12.9 points per game while adding 5.5 rebounds and made 42 triples as a sophomore.

Elijah Peak, sr, Necedah
Peak averaged 9.2 points per game a season ago, good enough for third on the team. He also averaged 2.1 steals per game, as he excelled in getting hands in passing lanes and disrupting dribblers. Peak was an honorable mention all-league honoree as a junior.

Colby Pfaff, jr, New Lisbon
Pfaff led the Rockets in scoring a season ago, averaging 11.3 points. He showed his all-around effect on a game by adding 6.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, earning honorable mention all-league honors.

Bentley Rozek, soph, Royall
Rozek saw extended minutes as a freshman a season ago on the conference championship Panthers. He averaged 6.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game off the bench and earned honorable mention All-Scenic Bluffs honors.

Abe Scheder, sr, Hillsboro
Scheder also earned all-conference honors as a junior a season ago, as he played a huge role off the bench for the Tigers. He averaged 5.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

Malekai Simpson, jr, Hillsboro
Simpson handled point guard duties as a sophomore a season ago and averaged 8.3 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.5 assists per game for the Tigers. He was an honorable mention all-league player.

Camden Thellefsen, sr, Wonewoc-Center
Thellefsen is the highest scorer returning in the Scenic Bluffs conference as he’s already surpassed the 1,000 point milestone in his prep career. As a junior he averaged 20.4 points and 12.9 rebounds per game and is a walking double-double. He was a first team all-league performer a season ago.