South Central 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.

Mauston took home the conference crown, losing just one conference game a season. Come playoff time however, the conference struggled as a whole in the second season of March. The eight South Central teams went a combined 4-8 when playing out of conference squads.

The South Central should be a two to three team race yet again this year as Adams-Friendship and Mauston both have very talented squads back, while Ripon and Wisconsin Dells should be better than a season ago as well.

Head Coach: Keith Bork - 7th year (66 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Zarek Nawrot, Kale Gatterman, Xander Cook, Kayleb Armstrong, Hayden Amell
Returners: Caleb Decorah, 6-3, jr; Nolan Bork, 6-0, jr; Danny Matson, 6-0, sr; Isaac Rommelfanger, 6-8, sr; Merrik Moore, 6-3, jr; Rylan Amell, 5-10, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Omari Currie, 5-10, sr; Jacob Lange, 6-1, jr; Jackson Bonnett, jr
Breakout Candidate: Omari Currie

Outlook: Adams-Friendship has a lot to look forward to with this group in 2026-27. Caleb Decorah and Nolan Bork enter year 3 on varsity and are one of the top guard duos in the state in Division 3. Isaac Rommelfanger holds it down on the interior for the Green Devils and is the third returning starter. Omari Currie sat out a year of varsity action after transferring into the district a season ago and adds another weapon on the perimeter for head coach Keith Bork. The Green Devils should excel on the offensive side of the ball this year as it could be a fun year of hoops in Adams-Friendship.

Head Coach: Ryan Frye - 5th year (48 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Will Miller, Isaac Steinke, Cody Komiskey, Johann Wolf, Terrell Frogg
Returners: Jase Navis, 6-7, jr; Andrew Dillin, 6-0, soph; Carter Ruland, 6-3, sr; Trevor Manning, 5-9, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors: Jonny Riley, 6-3, soph; Kaden Gottschalk, 6-2, jr; Mikey Murphy, 6-2, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Andrew Dillin

Outlook: The Golden Eagles come into 2026-27 with one of the top players in the state in Jase Navis. He can carry his team in a handful of different ways and is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. Sophomore Andrew Dillin is another top player for head coach Ryan Frye who will have to replace minutes from five seniors a season ago. The duo of Navis and Dillin will win games this season as the supporting cast finds their groove. Carter Ruland and Trevor Manning are two returners who saw varsity minutes a season ago while newcomers like Jonny Riley, Kaden Gottschalk, and Mikey Murphy could step into the rotation.

Head Coach: Andrew Bradley - 3rd year (11 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Logan Pollesch, Carson Kaiser, Reid Stollfuss, Eric Cumber
Returners: Blake Bradley, 6-2, jr; Tyler Brewer, 6-2, sr; Landyn Garrett, 5-9, sr; Ben Calmes, 5-9, jr; Cam Grenier, 6-1, sr; Ben Gehrke, 6-0, jr; Devin Donovan, 6-0, sr; Brett Kastenschmidt, 6-2, jr; Marshall Rueter, 6-0, sr; Logan Beahm, 5-11, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Cass Greene, Will Dragolovich, Freddy Walker
Breakout Candidate: Landyn Garrett

Outlook: Three regular starters and three others who started games are back for a Ripon team that won nine games a season ago. Blake Bradley and Tyler Brewer are talented scorers that can take over games with their ability to put the ball in the hoop. Devin Donovan is the glue guy that started every game for the Tigers while Landyn Garrett, Brett Kastenschmidt, and Cam Grenier all started games a season ago. That about of experience is huge for head coach Andrew Bradley as he looks for this Ripon squad to compete in the top half in Year 2 in the South Central.

Head Coach: Brad Rohling - 21st year (356 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Carer Syverson, Boyd Witt, Curtis Greifenhagen, Cooper Whitehurst, Logan Cunningham
Returners: Corey Hindsley, 6-5, sr; Jax Gall, 6-0, sr; Braxton Moritz, 6-2, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Liam Westedt, 6-5, jr; Viktor Kostov, 6-1, jr; Trevor Gantz, 6-4, jr; Caiden Kurtz, Gabe Berje, Aiden White Eagle, jr (transfer); Junior Stewart, Lincoln Van Ert
Breakout Candidate: Jax Gall

Outlook: It was an unusual down year in the South Central for Wisconsin Dells last year. The Chiefs are usually in contention for the conference crown, which is what head coach Brad Rohling hopes they can get back to in 2026-27. Corey Hindsley and Jax Gall are the top two returners as is Braxton Moritz. Size could be an advantage for the Dells in 2026 as Hindsley stands 6-5 and newcomers Liam Westedt and Trevor Gantz are 6-4 or taller. A lot of newcomers, including Nekoosa transfer Aiden White Eagle, this year makes the Dells an intriguing team to watch in their hunt to get back on top in the South Central.

Head Coach: Mike Pica - 3rd year (26 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Skyler Royston, Eli Graser, Chuck Blader, Chris Henderson
Returners: Peyton Pica, 6-1, sr; Carson Rose, 6-1, jr; Marshel Woyak, 5-9, sr; Jett Richard, 6-4, sr; Ryan Young, 6-0, sr; Grant Kulibert, 5-10, sr; Quinn Gruszka, 6-4, soph; Brice Weiland, 6-2, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Carson Rose

Outlook: Wautoma will need to replace two starters including its top scorer from a season ago, but there’s a lot of experience back for head coach Mike Pica. Peyton Pica, Carson Rose, and Marshel Woyak are three regular starters back to provide that stability for the Hornets. Jett Richard, Grant Kulibert, Ryan Young, and Quinn Gruszka are four more Hornets that saw extended action on varsity in 2025-26. That experience, team shooting, and chemistry are all viewed as strengths by Coach Pica.

Head Coach: Josh Kolo - 4th year (24 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Adam Alameda, Deklin Christianson, Landen Wilhorn, Mason Chinbold, Aiden White Eagle (transfer)
Returners: Fin Krcmar, 6-3, sr; Kyle Ruemier, 5-10, sr; Dell Krcmar, 6-0, soph; Pryce Newlun, 6-0, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Owen Dankemyer, 5-8, jr; Henry Reimer, 6-2, soph
Breakout Candidate: Henry Reimer

Outlook: Nekoosa has a good group back this year though the transfer of second leading scorer Aiden White Eagle could be a tough blow. Head coach Josh Kolo will lean on all-conference selection Fin Krcmar to lead the way as he’s a proven playmaker for the Papermakers. Dell Krcmar and Henry Reimer both played significant minutes as freshman a season ago and while seniors Kyle Rumier and Pryce Newlun as well as junior Owen Dankemeyer could all step into much bigger roles for head coach Josh Kolo in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Nick Brakebush - 5th year (49 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Austin Lyon, Treyten Roos, Andrew Crivello, Miles Groskreutz, Colvin Adams
Returners: Ethan Kind, 5-8, sr; Drew Brakebush, 5-8, sr; Memphis Groskreutz, 6-2, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors: Landry Heinemeier, 5-10, sr, Jabari Etuk, 5-10, sr; Nathan Hell, 5-9, jr; Journey Mitchell, AJ Vanderwerf, Logan Hamilton, Jarett Bourman
Breakout Candidate: Memphis Groskreutz

Outlook: It’ll be a year of learning in Westfield as they’ll be without four starters from a season ago, including 26 points per game scorer Austin Lyon. Ethan Kind and Drew Brakebush are two seniors with the most experience that will be relied upon to lead this young Pioneers squad that could have a handful of freshmen and sophomores contributing major minutes on varsity. Memphis Groskreutz played in every game as a freshman and is a likely candidtate to step into one of the open starting spots.

Head Coach: Jeremy Mercer - 6th year (79 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Hayden Redington, Carter Hess, Blake Metoxen, James Paskey, Cayson Starks, Daniel Dunbar, Thomas McCarthy, Royce Lichtenberg, Conrad Van Ornum
Returners: Mitchell Lundt, 5-9, sr; Emmaus Fredenberg, 5-10, sr; Hunter Bellman, 5-9, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Julian Vega, jr; Zander Beck, jr
Breakout Candidate: Julian Vega

Outlook: It will be a fresh start for Jeremy Mercer and Berlin as 99% of the production is now gone to graduation from last year’s 21-win team. Experience is very limited as Mitchell Lundt and Hunter Bellman saw limited minutes a season ago while Julian Vega transfers over from Tri-County where he played varsity as a sophomore. A year of bumps and bruises may be ahead for the Indians as the unknowns outweigh the known for this varsity squad in 2026-27.

Calling Wisconsin Dells a sleeper team in the South Central seems unnatural. The Chiefs have consistently been in the hunt for the conference crown, but faltered last year, finishing second to last. Despite losing some talented players, Coach Rohling is never to be counted out in the league.

Nolan Bork, jr, Adams-Friendship
Bork is a great running mate with Decorah in the Adams-Friendship back court. The primary ball handler, he averaged 17.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game as a junior. Bork was named to the South Central all-conference first team.

Blake Bradley, jr, Ripon
Bradley is one of the better juniors in the state and one of the top returning scorers in his class, sitting less than 100 points shy of 1,000 in his prep career. As a sophomore he averaged 19.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and buried 73 triples, earning first team All-South Central honors.

Blake Brewer, sr, Ripon
Brewer can light it up from deep, as evidenced by his 61 made three-point shots at a 43% clip. As a junior he averaged 15.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game and was a second-team all-conference honoree.

Caleb Decorah, jr, Adams-Friendship
Decorah is a premier scorer in the South Central conference and one half of the dynamic duo in Adams-Friendship. As a sophomore he averaged 20.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game, where he earned first team all-league honors.

Andrew Dillin, soph, Mauston
Dillin came out to the conference as a freshman in a big way last year. He averaged 13.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists and was a second team all-South Central selection.

Jax Gall, sr, Wisconsin Dells
Gall can get it going from deep as he does not need much room to get his shot up in the half court. He connected on 61 triples a season ago and averaged 9.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.

Corey Hindsley, sr, Wisconsin Dells
The top returning scorer for the Dells, Hindsley averaged 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while making 57 shots from beyond the arc. The 6-5 versatile wing was an honorable mention all-league selection.

Fin Krcmar, sr, Nekoosa
Krcmar is the top returner for Nekoosa as the 6-3 wing does a little bit of everything to effect winning for the Papermakers. As a junior he averaged 16.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.8 steals per game, earning second team All-South Central honors.

Jase Navis, jr, Mauston
Navis is one of the top juniors in the entire state and can absolutely fill the stat sheet. As a sophomore he averaged 20.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists and comes into this year having already surpassed 1,000 career points. Navis was a first team all-South Central pick a year ago and currently holds a Division 1 offer from Toledo.

Peyton Pica, sr, Wautoma
Pica was the second leading scorer for the Hornets a season ago and was a second team all-conference selection. The senior leader this year, he averaged 14.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while also making 64 shots from deep.