SWAL 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.

Darlington won another conference title and was dominant nearly the entire year. The Redbirds fell to eventual state runner-up Cambridge in the sectional semifinals while Mineral Point moved up to Division 3 for a year and fell in the regional final. Clint Nemitz and Southwestern finally got over the hump as Southwestern advanced to the state tournament in Division 5 and finished as runner-up.

Head Coach: Will Schwartz - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Broker Buschor, Grady O’Brien, Cagyn Paisley
Returners: Zeke Zuberbuhler, 6-1, sr; Ryder Fitzsimons, 6-3, jr; Dante Glendenning, 6-0, sr; Sloan Glendenning, 6-2, jr’ Brenden Leary, 5-10, sr; Landon Edgerton, 6-2, jr; Marcus Kendall, 6-4, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Tag Goebel, soph; Parker Smith, soph; Levi Lancaster, jr; AJ Bodden, jr; Ty Thompson, jr; Alex Stauffacher, jr; Grady Hartwig, jr
Breakout Candidate: Dante Glendenning

Outlook: Darlington is one of the best overall athletic smaller schools in the entire state. The Redbirds are always contenders in football and that success leaks over to the hardwood. With that many of the basketball players live in the weight room and that gives them a noticeable advantage on the court where they look bigger and embrace the physical side of the game. Will Schwartz, a 2017 Darlington graduate, takes over the program after Tom Uppena stepped down. He inherits a roster with two of the best players in the conference in Zeke Zuberbuhler and Ryder Fitzsimons. Team defense and program pedigree give the Redbirds the edge.

Head Coach: Clint Nemitz - 14th year (193 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Aiden Keleher, Cayden DeMuth, Remi Lawrence, Drew Martin
Returners: Carsen Splinter, 5-10, sr; Sam Martin, 6-2, soph; Lucas Foley, 6-1, sr; Clayton Keleher, 5-10, jr; Cooper Stangl, 5-8, sr, Caleb Bauer, 5-10, soph; Landon Reuter, 5-7, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Dane Hendricks, 6-3, jr
Breakout Candidate: Sam Martin

Outlook: Southwestern is coming off its second trip to the state tournament after plenty of near misses over the last decade. Losing four starters from that group is a tough blow for Clint Nemitz squad, but the cupboards aren’t bare. Carsen Splinter is a dog and can handle the scoring load that will likely come his way. Sam Martin played a huge role as a freshman and with another year of development is primed to step into a much bigger role. The Wildcats are always in contention with Coach Nemitz on the sideline and with them competing in the difficult SWAL and then dropping down to Division 5 come playoff time, it would be no surprise if they make another deep playoff run.

Head Coach: Kevin Everson - 2nd year (14 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Jude Kinney, Corey Dresen, Brody Roth (injury)
Returners: Jake Kretschman, 6-3, sr; Grant Biba, 6-2, jr; Reece Kelley, 5-9, sr; Giannia Filardo, 5-8, jr; Cooper Imhoff, 6-0, sr; Drew Torgerson, 6-1, sr; Rowan Kinney, 6-3, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Cash Roth, 6-1, jr; Jack Scheckler, 6-0, jr; Carter Millin, jr; Graham Maier, jr; Marshall Biba, 5-11, soph; Brogan Demo, 6-5, soph; Koy Kartman, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Cash Roth

Outlook: Kevin Everson is building something in Fennimore as the depth of the program and structure is pointed in the right direction. There is a lot returning from a squad that went .500 in league play a season ago. However, for the second straight season Brody Roth will be sidelined with a knee injury. Roth averaged nine points per game as a sophomore but will now miss his second straight year due to injury. Jake Kretschman is the leader in the huddle while guard Grant Biba, Reece Kelly, and Cooper Imhoff are back to provide depth and experience. Getting Cash Roth back from an injury last year is an added boost for the Golden Eagles.

Head Coach: David Bartsch - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Trevor VanNatta, Trey Furrer
Returners: Hudson Kieler, 6-1, sr; Carson Collins, 6-3, sr; Landon Geyer, 5-10, jr; Cameryn Guler, sr; Landon Loeffelholz, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Vincent Cummins, jr; Dawson Graber, 5-10, soph; Gavin VanNatta, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Carson Collins

Outlook: Former assistant David Bartsch takes over for the storied Cuban program and inherits a roster that has a lot returning. Hudson Kieler is one of the top players in the conference and will be the catalyst for the Cuban team in 2026-27. Carson Collins is primed for a bigger role offensively as are fellow returnees Landon Geyer and Cameryn Guler. Freshman Gavin VanNatta could work his way into the rotation as well.

Head Coach: Brett McGraw - 2nd year (20 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Drew Aschliman, Keaton Dempsey, Thorin Vamstad, Cole Ripp, Brylen Lee, Hudson Schroeder, Brett Bossert
Returners: Aiden Patterson, 6-3, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Tyce Sylvester, 5-9, sr; Cowan Bishell, 5-11, jr; Tyler Ingwell, 5-9 frosh; Eli James, 5-11, jr; Easton Prust, 6-4, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Aiden Patterson

Outlook: Only one rotational piece from last season’s 20-win team is back for the head coach Brett McGraw and the Pointers. Aiden Patterson is poised to make a big jump during his junior campaign and will need to step into a leadership role for a group that will be rather inexperienced. A few underclassmen may be called upon to step into roles at the varsity level this year for Coach McGraw. The culture within the Pointers program is top notch, so despite the loss in production, I wouldn’t expect a huge dip in success.

Head Coach: Shawn Dailey - 4th year (34 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Treaton Loeffelholz, Sam Lundell, Everett Zimmer, Maddox Fisher
Returners: Tyler Schultz, 6-0, sr; Landon Friesen, 6-1, sr; Grant Rickard, 6-4, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Trygve Collins, 6-1, soph; Jaedon Roelli, 6-2, soph
Breakout Candidate: Grant Rickard

Outlook: Like many in this league, Iowa-Grant graduated a lot of production from last year’s team. However a trio of juniors are back that were big pieces of the puzzle in Grant Rickard, Tyler Schultz, and Landon Friesen. Sophomore Trygve Collins and Jaedon Roelli got varsity minutes as freshman and will be looked upon to take another step forward in their progression. Depth and shooting are perceived strengths for the Panthers while size and rebounding are concerns.

Head Coach: Joe Childs - 4th year (12 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Jonah Knowles, Tyler Miller, Carter Molzof, Nathan Gunderson, Israel Koumouganh
Returners: Kiptyn Brown, 6-2, jr; Graydon Richter, 6-0, jr; Caleb Peterson, 6-1, jr; Gage Wayne, 6-0, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Carter Hehn; Grant Richter
Breakout Candidate: Kiptyn Brown

Outlook: Boscobel loses a bit of production from a team that improved last year, but a strong junior group is back for coach Joe Childs. Calling Kiptyn Brown a breakout candidate is a bit of a cheat as he averaged 14.9 points per game last year but he’s one of the better players back in the SWAL. Size could be an issue with the Bulldogs this upcoming year, but the group is strong on the defensive side of the ball.

Head Coach: Chris Kinyon - 5th year (22 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Conlan Walsh
Returners: Bevyn Dennis, 5-8, sr; Owen Blankenship, 5-11, sr; Henry Drone, 6-3, sr; Enerel Gantulga, 6-4, sr; Eli Campbell, jr; Landon Kinyon, 5-10, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors: Myles Dailey; Cameron Nelson
Breakout Candidate: Landon Kinyon

Outlook: Riverdale graduated just one senior from last year’s four-win team and return senior Bevyn Dennis who is one of the top scorers in the conference. Four freshman saw varsity minutes a season ago for Chris Kinyon’s group which will pay off dividends for a team looking to improve in 2026-27. Size and rebounding are two areas of concern for the Chieftains though they do make up for it in experience and effort.

Iowa-Grant does have three seniors back from last year that make them a team to watch projected in the bottom half in the standings. The Panthers won 16 games a season ago so those athletes know how to win.

Kiptyn Brown, jr, Boscobel
Brown has worked on his game relentlessly over the last three years and is a true scoring threat from anywhere in the half court. Brown studies the game and is coachable and with his combination of shot creation and athleticism, he’s poised for a big season.

Bevyn Dennis, sr, Riverdale
Dennis can absolutely fill the stat sheet up as he averaged 17.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while earning first team all-league honors. He’s quick and strong for his height and scored 1,193 career points before his senior campaign.

Ryder Fitzsimons, jr, Darlington
Fitzsimons has been a varsity contributor since he was a freshman and will come into year three on the squad after earning first team All-SWAL honors a season ago. He averaged 13.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game during his sophomore campaign and is solid athlete with a robust skillset.

Hudson Kieler, sr, Cuba City
Kieler is one of the top players back this season and the leader of the Cubans on the hardwood. He was a first team all-league performer as a junior and is on track to surpass 1,000 points in his prep career.

Jake Kretschman, sr, Fennimore
Kretschman averaged 8.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season for Fennimore and was an honorable mention all-conference selection. He's the top returner for a Golden Eagles squad that will be much improved in year two unver Kevin Everson.

Sam Martin, soph, Southwestern
Martin was a key piece to the state runner-up Wildcats as just a freshman last season. He has good size and instincts for his age. Martin averaged 6.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game a season ago and with the graduation of a good senior group, he’ll slide into a bigger role for Coach Nemitz’ squad.

Aiden Patterson, jr, Mineral Point
Patterson is one of the top candidates to have a huge bump in production in the conference. He averaged 7.9 points per game as a sophomore and was an honorable mention all-league selection. The lefty is poised to step into the playmaker role for the Pointers and lead a group that is relatively inexperienced.

Grant Rickard, sr, Iowa-Grant
One of three starters back with Iowa-Grant, Rickard averaged 11.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game a season ago. At 6-4, he has size advantage over a lot of other guards and with the graduation of the top two scorers, Rickard will take on the role of primary playmaker.

Carsen Splinter, sr, Southwestern
Splinter can light it up from deep but plays with a poise that all head coaches want in their lead guards. Last season he averaged 15.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and was one of the key reasons why Southwestern went home with a silver ball on the final day of the regular season.

Zeke Zuberbuhler, Darlington
Zuberbuhler is a standout multi-sport athlete as he’s heading to the Air Force following high school to play football. On the court, he’s a supreme athlete and was an honorable mention all-state selection and first team all-conference pick after averaging 16.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.