SWC 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.

It was a trio of champs in the SWC a season ago as Platteville won its fourth straight conference title, Dodgeville won a share, and Lancaster won a share for the first time since 1988. Dodgeville nearly knocked off one-seed Mineral Point in the playoffs, but fell as the conference was competitive overall. Lancaster and Platteville won regional titles and the Flying Arrows turned back Platteville in the sectional semifinals, only to lose to Lake Mills a game before state. During the historic Flying Arrows season, head coach Brian Knapp surpassed 100 career wins.

NOTE: As a coach with Richland Center, I will not include them in the projected standings.

Platteville is the early favorite to make it five straight league titles with Coach Huser having a good group back. Dodgeville always has good guard play and will be in the race as the season progresses.

Head Coach: Mike Huser - 19th year (237 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Myron Reuter, Jauron Blevins
Returners: Grady Poppy, 6-4, sr; Braden Streight, 6-3, jr; Jace Digman, 6-7, sr; Brody Digman, 5-10, sr; Will Zielinski, 6-4, sr; Jesy Riniker, 6-2, sr; Aiden Voigts, 5-8, sr; Harper Schuhmacher, 5-10, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Hudson Weittenhiller, 6-0, soph; Randyn Schumacher, 6-1, jr; Hudson Poppy, 6-0, frosh; Brad Rupp, 6-0, sr
Breakout Candidate: Braden Streight

Outlook: Platteville has won at least a share of four straight SWC conference titles and with all but two starters back from a season ago, they are the favorite going into 2026-27. Grady Poppy is one of the top players in the conference and leader for this Hillmen squad. A balanced rotation with Braden Streight and Jace and Brody Digman back give Coach Huser threats inside and out. Mike has been at this for a while, and his teams always compete, are deep, and defend at a high level. A newcomer to watch is freshman Hudson Poppy who will be a major contributor from the jump for the Hillmen, just adding to that depth of the varsity team.

Head Coach: Matt McGraw - 12th year (149 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Bryce Crubaugh-Lockard, Andrew Hesseling, Isaiah Argall, Brock Fockler, Wyatt Kratcha
Returners: Jayce Halverson, 5-11, sr; Elliott Hesseling, 6-3, sr; Griffin Busch, 6-0, sr; Blake Stodola, 6-3, jr; Jentry Olson, 5-11, sr; Jaxson Jabs, 5-10, sr; Braxton Staver, 5-11, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Karter McGraw, 5-10, soph; Harper Olson, 6-1, jr; Sawyer Miller, jr
Breakout Candidate: Elliot Hesseling

Outlook: Dodgeville graduated two starters but are well-positioned to compete for an SWC conference title in 2026-27. Coach Matt McGraw has done a great job with his program and developing ball handlers and guard play that translates to wins on the court. Jayce Halverson is one of the better players in the league and can score from anywhere in the half court. Elliott Hesseling and Griffin Busch both are returning starters that add size and shooting on the wings. Blake Stodola is likely to step into a more prominent role as are while Jentry Olson, Jaxson Jabs, and Braxton Staver will give depth on the perimeter.

Head Coach: Luke Thatcher - 14th year (145 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Lucas Klein, Keagan Heiser, Sumner Nachreiner, Quincy Blakley, Kaden Plumley, Jackson Thatcher
Returners: Daniel Zaemisch, soph; Trevor Henkel, jr; Bryce Ferguson, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Taylor Henkel, jr
Breakout Candidate: Daniel Zaemisch

Outlook: River Valley has quite a few holes to fill this upcoming season as the head coach Luke Thatcher has to fill all five starting spots from a season ago. Senior Jackson Thatcher graduating early is a big blow for the Blackhawks who will have just one senior back on a team that will be young in 2026-27. Trevor Henkel and Bryce Ferguson bring back the most experience while Daniel Zaemisch and Taylor Henkel both saw varsity minutes as the season progressed, which was big going into this year. Coach Thatcher does a great job of getting the most out of his teams, so despite the turnover, River Valley will stay competitive throughout the year.

Head Coach: Brian Knapp - 10th year (110 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Zach Hermsen, Dayne Kauffman, Taylor Williams, Brady Schmitz, Brady Mack, Brody Crubel, Anthony Busch
Returners: Lukas Weber, 6-2, jr; Ethan Cicero, 6-0, sr; Max Baudhuin, 6-0, sr; Trason Fishnick, 6-2, jr; Marshal Harris, 5-10, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: John Hermsen, Reid Miles, Alec Foley, Teddy Ragatz, Dax Kauffman, Logan Mcmahan, Wyatt Schwantes, Brendan Scholl, Cooper Morgan
Breakout Candidate: Lukas Weber

Outlook: Lancaster won a share of the conference crown a season ago, the first time since 1988 for the Flying Arrows. Coach Knapp’s squad advanced all the way to the sectional finals, coming a game short of that state tournament berth and did so riding a very talented Class of 2026. Nearly all production graduated with that group so it will be a new look Lancaster squad in the new season. Lukas Weber is the returnee with the most experience while Ethan Cicero, Max Baudhuin, and Trason Fishnick did see minutes and will be looked at to fill the spots in the rotation.

Head Coach: Jacob Marshall - 2nd year (25 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Sam Kramer, Garrett DeHart, Steven Duha, Brock Folsom, Ashton Landt
Returners: Cayden Sutter, 5-8, jr; Bryce Krachey, 6-0, jr; Parker Bedward, 6-0, jr; Micahel Jazdzewski, 6-0, jr; Landon Smith, 6-1, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Elias Kimbler, 6-4, jr;
Breakout Candidate: Cayden Sutter

Outlook: It’s been a struggle for Prairie du Chien over the last handful of years. Jacob Marshall’s group will have four starters to replace from last year’s one-win squad so it will be a whole fresh start for the Blackhawks. Cayden Sutter is the top returner and lone returning starter while Bryce Krachey, Parker Bedward, and Elias Kimbler are a trio the most varsity action of the rest of the returnees.

Head Coach: Brian Puls - 12th year (94 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Liam Fingerson, Brady Dosch, Abe Bosworth, Cutler Palmer, Grayson Clements, Ray Fergson
Returners: Jayden Schoepp, 6-1, sr; Kyzan Schwichtenberg, 6-4, sr; Deakyn Heisz, 6-0, sr; Connor Stoltz, 6-1, jr; Will Weiss, 5-11, sr; Max Woodman, 6-2, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Gabe Metz, 6-2, sr; Fynn Lemke, 6-2, jr; Ashton Bewick, 6-2, jr; Bronson Perkins, 5-11, soph; Kwyntan Schwichtenberg, 6-3, jr; Henry Martin, 5-9, jr; Cody Pauls, 5-9, jr; Nash Burkhamer, 6-0, jr; Drew Melby, 6-3, jr; Laif Morris, 6-0, jr; Cayden Nelson, 5-7, jr
Breakout Candidate: Kyzan Schwichtenberg

Outlook: The Hornets return three starters from a season ago and a few other contributors to a team that will be guard oriented in 2026-27. Jayden Schoepp is the lone first team all-conference player back in the league and can score the ball in bunches. Kyzan Schwichtenberg is primed for a breakout year as a senior and Deakyn Heisz and Connor Stoltz are both proven guards on the perimeter for RC. Head coach Brian Puls will have a large junior class that will step in and compete for reps this year as will sophomore Bronson Perkins. Internal competition will be a strength of this group as they’ll be able to go at it in practice and make each other better.

I don’t want to be bias here and take Richland Center, so I will look a little further and go with River Valley. Head coach Luke Thatcher has consistently done a great job of getting the most out of his teams. The Blackhawks defend well as Coach Thatcher has done a great job of stressing accountability and discipline with his program.

Jayce Halverson, sr, Dodgeville
A second team all-conference player a season ago, Halverson can get it going scoring the ball in games. As a junior he averaged 14.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, excelling when the ball was in his hands.

Trevor Henkel, jr, River Valley
Henkel will step into a much more prominent role this upcoming year as River Valley loses all five starters from a season ago. As a sophomore he averaged 5.0 points and 2.2 rebounds off the bench.

Elliot Hesseling, sr, Dodgeville
Hesseling is likely to step into a bigger role this season scoring the ball as he has the tools to do so. He’s grown year after year and that will aide him in improving upon his 9.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game a season ago. Hesseling was an honorable mention all-league player a season ago.

Grady Poppy, sr, Platteville
Poppy can score it from all three levels and has grown his game and body to continue to make plays from anywhere on the court. He comes in to his senior season having already surpassed 1,000 points and was a second team all-league player as a junior. Poppy averaged 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds a season ago.

Jayden Schoepp, sr, Richland Center
Schoepp is the lone returning first team all-conference player back this season in the SWC. As a junior he averaged 16.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game and buried 82 shots from beyond the arc. He’s one of the top players in the SWC and will now step into a leadership role for his Hornets.

Kyzan Schwichtenberg, sr, Richland Center
Schwichtenberg is a great athlete that has a lot of versatility in his game. He missed the last month of the season last year recovering from a surgery, but is back and primed for a big break out year in Richland Center.

Braden Streight, jr, Platteville
Streight provided a big scoring option off the bench a season ago with the Hillmen, so much so that he earned honorable mention all-league honors. He averaged 9.8 points per game and buried 60 triples as a sophomore.

Cayden Sutter, jr, Prairie du Chien
Sutter is the top returner for the Blackhawks, as the four other starters are gone from a season ago. As a sophomore he led the team in scoring, averaging 8.5 points per game and was an honorable mention all-league player.

Lukas Weber, jr, Lancaster
A strong lefty, Weber played major minutes for a team that was senior dominated last year. He’ll be the top returner for Coach Knapp after he averaged 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.