Southeast 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.

Racine Case went a perfect 12-0 in the league, winning it by a wide four-game margin. The Eagles came one game shy of the state tournament, falling to juggernaut Wisconsin Lutheran in the sectional finals. Both Franklin and Kenosha Bradford came up short in the regional finals. As a whole the Southeast conference went 4-5 against non-Southeast teams come the playoffs. As far as milestones hit, Tyler Podoll won game number 250 and Greg Leech won his 300th game during the 2025-26 campaign.

Case may be the favorite going into 2026-27, but the three teams in Kenosha Bradford, Franklin, and Racine Park are going to make this race interesting. All four have talent back which makes the race that much more interesting.

Head Coach: Jacob Berce - 10th year (134 career wins)
Lost Contributors: William Kaydn, Maceo Collins, Myles McEwen
Returners: Michael Lewis, 6-1, sr; Jayden Searcy, 5-10, jr; Anthony Wheeler, 6-1, jr; Paul Moherek, 6-0, sr; Charlie Kwapil, 6-3, jr; Khyree Brumby, 5-11, soph; Mehki Collins, 6-7, jr; Amillian Hatchett, 5-11, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Mar’e Ozier, frosh; Rashaud Ashley, frosh; Terry Brumby, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Charlie Kwapil

Outlook: Case came one game shy of the state tournament a season, falling to the behemoth that is Wisconsin Lutheran. The Eagles are once again in the same sectional as the Vikings, but have a really talented and deep squad back, making them the favorite in the Southeast in the preseason. Michael Lewis is the senior leader back and one of two starters back; the other being Khyree Brumby who started 22 games as a freshman. Jayden Searcy, Anthony Wheeler, Charlie Kwapil, Amillian Hatchett, and Mehki Collins are part of a deep and talented junior group for Coach Berce who also has Paul Moherek as one of his returning seniors. Incoming freshman Mar’e Ozier, Rashaud Ashley, and Terry Brumby are more young players int he Eagles program that could vie for playing time early in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Greg Leech - 14th year (313 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Naron Hamp, Johanny Smith, Nick Kruetz
Returners: Mikey White, 5-11, sr; Marvin Jones, 5-11, jr; Jordan Gullo, 6-3, jr; Kaiden Humphreys, 5-11, sr; Nolan Helton, 5-11, sr; Jahaziel Herrera-ruiz, 5-11, sr; Christian Moore-Shumway, 6-3, sr; Isaiah Barlow, 5-10, sr; Connor Wilson, 5-9, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Javari Wright, 5-8, jr; Cannon Royal
Breakout Candidate: Jordan Gullo

Outlook: Bradford returns four starters that won 15 games a season ago and lost in the regional championship to conference champ Racine Case. Mikey White and Marvin Jones are dynamic guards that can score the ball and push the tempo as good as anyone. Jordan Gullo and Kaiden Humphreys are the other returning starters and add to the stable of guards for head coach Greg Leech. Nolan Helton and Jahaziel Herrera-Ruiz are just a handful of returning depth for the Red Devils who figure to rely on the ball-handling, quickness, and perimeter defense of their deep guard rotation.

Head Coach: Tyler Podoll - 12th year (257 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Jacob Misslich, Orlando Wendel, Gabriel Barnard, Carter Zahn, Mason Peters, Gabe Mertens
Returners: Cooper Foeckler, 6-5, soph; Noah Mahmoud, 6-1, sr; Elijah Svoboda, 6-1, soph; Gavin Schiek, 6-2, jr; Jackson Boldrey, sr; AJ Chromy, 6-3, sr; Connor Pereira, 5-10, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Colin Greve, 6-7, soph; Owen Griesemer, 6-4, jr; Dominic Bombien, 6-1, jr
Breakout Candidate: Cooper Foeckler

Outlook: Franklin has a good mix of seniors that have 2-3 years of varsity experience back as well as a strong group of underclassmen that have seen varsity minutes or may be looked at to step into those roles. Cooper Foeckler was a third-team all league player as a freshman and averaged 9.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game and is the only returning starter for the Sabers. Elijah Svoboda and Gavin Schiek are two juniors who were contributors off the bench as sophomores and AJ Chromy, Noah Mahmoud, and Jackson Boldrey are a trio of seniors who bring that experience and leadership. Head coach Tyler Podoll believes this team could be get hot from deep and a handful of different players will put that pressure on teams to guard further and further from the rim.

Head Coach: Casey Robbins - 5th year (72 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Jwan Eastland, Jamareon Deleon, Legend Malone, David Kimbrough, Mikaiden Hansen
Returners: Zare Gwinn, 6-3, sr; Cole Betker, 6-2, sr; Donnell Williams, 6-0, sr; Francisco Matsen, 6-1, sr; Daniel Deleon, 5-11, sr; Quinn Bray, 6-4, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Anthony Phillips, sr; Anthony Blunt, soph; Emory Beaver, 6-3, soph; Max Rodriguez, jr
Breakout Candidate: Donnell Williams

Outlook: Racine Park did graduate two starters from last year’s squad that finished third in the conference. Coach Robbins will have two four-year varsity starters back however in Zare Gwinn and Cole Betker. Both are dynamic playmakers that can lead the Panthers. Donnell Williams is much improved and could make a bigger impact with Park this season. Team quickness is listed as a strength for Coach Robbins’ squad in 2026 while lack of size is a concern.

Head Coach: Rob Van Dyke - 6th year (71 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Silas Bolton, Logan Fowler, Ca’Von Collins
Returners: Josiah Lindsey, jr; Johnathan Thomas, jr; William Sepanski, sr; Steven Brown, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Alliance Willis, soph; Clay Tithoff, soph; Jax Greno, jr; Blake Rasch, jr
Breakout Candidate: Josiah Lindsey

Outlook: Indian Trail will have to replace two starters from last year’s squad including its only double-digit scorer, Silas Bolton. Josiah Lindsey is a lanky wing that will step into a much bigger role creating for the Hawks. Johnathan Thomas, William Sepanski, and Steven Brown all played major minutes a season ago and and will likely see an uptick in production. Alliance Willis is a talented sophomore than could work his way into opportunities throughout the season for Rob Van Dyke.

Head Coach: Brandon Morris - 7th year (62 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Josiah Delacy, Jacob Prahl, Jonta Young
Returners: Brock Baldwin, sr; Ben Blatter, sr; Stefano Belle, soph; Xavier Gordon, sr; Ryan Papka, sr; Ja’Merion Davis, sr

Outlook: Only one starter is gone from last year’s eight-win squad which is something Brandon Morris’ group can build upon. Brock Baldwin, Ryan Papka, Ben Blatter, and Ja’Merion Davis all started games as juniors and are a strong senior core to lead the Trojans. Stefano Belle saw starts as a freshman and is a candidate to step into that final first five spots. Depth is a concern for Tremper as is a lack of size.

Head Coach: Mark Eickner - 4th year (10 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Cameron Jones, Sadarion Tyler, Damare Gilliam, Jaxo Scalf, Jeremiah Jones, Paul Fronian-Frisco
Returners: Avery Holliman, 6-3, sr; Maurice Mullins, 6-0, sr; Brooks Jackson, 6-0, sr; Dontarrion Cotton, sr; Carter Haynes, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Jonathon Day, soph; Doneirro Hall, soph; Levar Carter, soph; Darrell Longstreet, jr; Jesse Ortiz, jr
Breakout Candidate: Maurice Mullins

Outlook: Three starters are to be replaced as is a handful of other contributors from las year’s squad. The good news, Avery Holliman is back after he averaged 18.4 points and 7.7 assists per game as is the lone other starter Maurice Mullins. Finding depth behind that duo is going to be a tough task as returner Brooks Jackson, Dontarrion Cotton, and Carter Haynes did see varsity minutes and a handful of players from the lower levels will be asked to step into new roles on varsity.

Racine Park has two players with the most varsity experience back on their roster in Zare Gwinn and Cole Betker. Those two were integral pieces to the 2024-25 Division 2 State Runner-Up squad and are a big reason why Park could win any night against anyone in the Southeast conference.

Cole Betker, sr, Racine Park
Betker is the ultimate competitor and with another solid season will join teammate Zare Gwinn in the 1,000 point club. As a junior he averaged 19.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game and was a second team all-league honoree.

Khyree Brumby, soph, Racine Case
Brumpy started 22 games as a freshman with Case last season and is a quick and instinctive player on the court that excels defensively. As a freshman he averaged 4.2 points and 2.8 steals and was an honorable mention All-Southeast selection.

Ja’Merion Davis, sr, Kenosha Tremper
Davis is one of four starters back for Tremper and does so after averaging 10.0 points per game and leading the trojans with 6.1 rebounds per game. He earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a junior.

Cooper Foeckler, soph, Franklin
Foeckler was a standout freshman in the state a season ago and started every game for the Sabers. The athletic and skilled wing averaged 9.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game and earned third team all-league honors as a freshman.

Zare Gwinn, sr, Racine Park
Gwinn will be a four-year varsity starter after this season and the 6-3 guard comes into 2026-27 with 1,097 career points. As a junior he was first team all-league while averageing 19.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.

Avery Holliman, sr, Racine Horlick
Holliman is a downhill scorer that did just that at a high clip last season, averaging 18.4 points and 7.7 rebounds. He was named to the All-Southeast third team.

Marvin Jones, jr, Kenosha Bradford
Jones had a breakout year as a sophomore a season ago, where he averaged 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, playing well above his height. He is one of three returning first team all-conference selections.

Charlie Kwapil, jr, Racine Case
Kwapil is poised for a breakout year with Case as he’s one of a very talented junior group of Eagles. At 6-5 he’s versatile and aggressive on the wings and averaged 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore off the bench.

Michael Lewis, sr, Racine Case
Lewis is the steady senior leader back for Case and with a good season, will likely end as a 1,000 point scorer. As a junior he averaged 11.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and earned first team all-league honors.

Josiah Lindsey, jr, Kenosha Indian Trail
Lindsey averaged 8.9 points per game a season ago, including 30 shots from deep. His production is likely to increase after his honorable mention all-conference outing a year ago.

Ryan Papka, sr, Kenosha Tremper
Papka led the Trojans in scoring a season ago, averaging 12.5 points per game and adding 3.1 rebounds per game. The 6-2 guard earned third team all-league honors along the way.

Mikey White, sr, Kenosha Bradford
White was a first team All-Southeast honoree for the second straight year a season ago after he averaged 18.4 points and 3.2 assists per game. Coming into his senior year, the sharpshooter has 1,062 career points and holds offers from Division 1 schools Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Eastern Illinois.