Six Rivers-West 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.

Belmont won its first conference title in 22 years last year edging out Potosi/Cassville and River Ridge by a game. The Braves got there maybe a year before everyone thought with their young roster and were the only team to advance to a regional final from the West side of the Six Rivers, falling to North Crawford in a hotly contested matchup.

Head Coach: Beau Buchs - 3rd year (42 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Logan Kress, Ian Austin
Returners: Thomas Freeman, 6-6, jr; Wyatt Temperly, 6-2, jr; Boone Havens, 6-0, jr; Chase Riechers, 6-6, sr; Griffin McNett, 5-11, jr; Braydin Galle, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Beckett Heinrichs, soph; Brigz Burbach, 5-10, soph; Brady Schmelz; soph
Breakout Candidate: Chase Riechers

Outlook: Belmont won its first conference title in 22 years under third head coach Beau Buchs and nearly the entire roster is back, including the three starters and two key reserves. He has a trio of juniors in Thomas Freeman, Wyatt Temperly, and Boone Havens that averaged double figures in points and with another offseason of development and physical maturity will be even harder to guard as a whole. On top of that Chase Riechers has shot up and gives Belmont two twin towers on the inside of their defense. A deep supporting cast that has plenty of experience is a big reason why there is a lot of optimism in Belmont beyond just repeating as conference champions.

Head Coach: Mike Uppena - 25th year (370 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Alex Friederick, Kolton Vogelsberg
Returners: Aaron Edge, 6-1, sr; Ben Infield, 6-0 sr; Drew Richardson, 6-0, sr, Sam Infield, 6-0, sr; Kaia Kerkenbush, 6-1, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Declan Fishnick, 5-11, frosh; Eli Richardson, 5-8, frosh; Dayton Schauff, 5-9, sr; Jon Kitelinger, 5-11, jr
Breakout Candidate: Sam Infield

Outlook: Potosi/Cassville has plenty of experience back from a team that won 17 games a season ago and have one of the most winning active coaches in the state in Mike Uppena. Under his tutelage he’ll have first team selection Aaron Edge back who is one of the best all-around players in the conference. Ben Infield, Drew Richardson, and Sam Infield round out a group of four starters back for the co-op. Lack of size may cause issues for Coach Uppena’s squad, but that experience and guard play are key strengths in 2026-27. The matchups between this squad and Belmont will be must watch in the Six Rivers-West this season.

Head Coach: Dan Moris - 2nd year (19 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Brandon Davis, Brock Bunge, Reese Drew,
Returners: Noah Copsey, 5-10, sr; Lane Copsey, 5-8, jr; Kameren Reynolds, 6-0, sr; Jackson White, 6-2, sr; Blake Reynolds, 5-11, sr; Aaren Bedward, 6-0, sr; Collin Raisbeck, 6-2, sr; Draven Moris, 6-0, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Brogan Mezera, jr; Preston Gage, jr; Mason Mezara, jr
Breakout Candidate: Lane Copsey

Outlook: Life without two-time all-state selection and four year varsity performer Brandon Davis will be something new for this River Ridge squad, but Dan Moris’ team has experience coming back in a group that is heavy with seniors and juniors. This group has played a lot of basketball together and that chemistry is looked at as an advantage for them in 2026-27. Lack of size may be an issue but Noah Copsey, Lane Copsey, Kameren Reynolds and company will battle defensively and be a fundamentally sound group under the leadership of Moris.

Head Coach: Adam O’Brien - 2nd year (10 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Logan Nethery, Cyril Martin, Logan Grunenwald, Parker Mullen, Liam Stierman-McGovern
Returners: Lane Martin, 5-9, jr; Connor Doyle,5-9, jr; Colton Fennel, 6-0, sr; Hudson Wiegel, 6-1, rr; Aden Wiegel, 6-2, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Tyler Andrews, 6-2, sr
Breakout Candidate: Lane Martin

Outlook: Shullsburg finished nearly .500 a season ago but will have to replace a lot of size on the inside. That being said a strong junior group led by Lane Martin and Connor Doyle will give second year head coach Adam O’Brien a strong nucleus that gained a ton of experience as underclassmen. Getting Tyler Andrews back after he missed last season to injury will be a boost for the Miners. This group will likely play a different style that is guard oriented and look to win the transition and defensive side of the game.

Head Coach: Luke Tyson - 4th year (67 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Tyler Reints, Isaiah Santiago
Returners: Brayden Kilcoyne, 5-10, sr; Nolan Keleher, 5-10, sr; Carter Rury, 6-1, sr; Desmand Morrissey, 6-0, sr; Drew Haffele, 6-2, jr; Sam Klang, 5-10, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Nolan Keleher

Outlook: Benton returns the top four scorers from last years group and a few other key contributors. Brayden Kilcoyne and Nolan Keleher are two of the top guards in the conference and can set the tone with their downhill approach with the ball in their hands. Guard play and experience figure to be the keys to success for this Zephyrs team while a lack of size could pose an issue in a conference where the top team has it in bunches.

Head Coach: Ryan Hill - 3rd year (65 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Jack Tarrell, Kaden Washa, Koyer Zadrzail, Cooper Oleson, Liam Thielorn
Returners: Arthur Hay, jr; Brady Nankey, 6-0, jr; Bryce Bedward, 5-6, soph; William Fritsch, 6-4, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Isaiah Pierick, 6-0, soph
Breakout Candidate: William Fritsch

Outlook: Highland graduated its top three scorers from the team last year that combined to score over 47 points per game. Youth will be the story with this Cardinals team in 2026-27 and head coach Ryan Hill. William Fritsch and Brady Nankey are two juniors that were key contributors as sophomores and will be asked to step into the top roles in their junior season.

I’m taking a cop out here and saying either Shullsburg or Benton as a sleeper team in this half of the Six Rivers. Both return a lot of experience and could surprise the teams at the top and push for a higher spot in the standings.

Noah Copsey, sr, River Ridge
Expect to see an uptick in production from Copsey this season with the graduation of point guard Brandon Davis. A season ago he averaged 8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game and will take on an even bigger role as the primary ball handler in his senior year. Copsey was an honorable mention all-league selection a season ago.

Connor Doyle, jr, Shullsburg
Doyle averaged 9.4 points and 3.3 rebounds a season ago earning honorable mention all-league honors. He’ll be another year developed in his skillset and physical maturity and be relied upon to lead a young Shullsburg squad in 2026-27.

Aaron Edge, sr, Potosi/Cassville
Edge is one of the top two-way guards in the conference as he averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists en route to first team all-league honors. Edge sets the tone for his team on both ends of the floor and can create shots for both himself and his teammates at an efficient rate.

Thomas Freeman, jr, Belmont
Freeman is 6-6 and is one of the top big men in Division 5. He’s got a soft touch, high IQ, and is underrated as a passer. As a sophomore he averaged 17.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists and was a first team all-conference selection.

Boone Havens, jr, Belmont
Havens fit right in in Belmont after he transferred from Shullsburg the previous year. He averaged 13.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists and is an all-around player within the Belmont system. He earned second team honors a season ago as a sophomore.

Ben Infield, sr, Potosi/Cassville
Infield averaged 12.4 points and 4,8 rebounds per game as a junior and does a lot of things that don’t show up in the box score. He’s a hustle player and willingly defends all positions. Infield was a second team all-conference selection a season ago.

Nolan Keleher, sr, Benton
Keleher was an honorable mention all-conference selection last year after averaging 9.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. He’s a willing passer and does a great job of setting his teammates up for scoring opportunities.

Brayden Kilcoyne, sr, Benton
Despite standing under six feet, Kilcoyne is one of the better scorers and rebounds in the conference as evident by his 13.1 points and 6.7 rebounds he averaged a season ago, earning second team all-conference honors. His tenacity and leadership are two reasons why Benton could surprise teams this upcoming season.

Lane Martin, jr, Shullsburg
Martin is part of a strong junior group with the Miners and is one of the top returning scorers in the conferences as he averaged 13.5 points per game a season ago. On top of that he averaged 6.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, earning honorable mention all-conference honors, proving he can effect a game in many different aspects on the court.

Wyatt Temperly, jr, Belmont
Temperly is a talented and hard working combo guard that sets the tone for the Braves. As a sophomore he averaged 15.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists and was an all-league selection. Temperly does all the things a coach wants while also serving as the primary ball-handler and creator in the offense.