Wisconsin Valley 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.

Half of the league shared the conference title a season ago as Marshfield, D.C. Everest, and Stevens Point finished 8-2. All three of these teams, plus Wausau West advanced to the regional championship, with Marshfield the only WVC to advance, falling to Appleton North in the sectional semifinals. Along with winning a fifth straight conference titles, Marshfield head coach Chris Fischer surpassed 100 career wins.

It would appear the WVC conference race will once again come down to the three teams that shared the crown a season ago. Stevens Point is loaded with talent back, but Marshfield and D.C. Everest both have plenty of pieces to contend.

Head Coach: Jon Krull - 9th year (125 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Sivan Dinga, Reed Zasta, Jonny Ananidls
Returners: Jackson Bouressa, 6-6, sr; Sam Kornowski, 6-3, jr; Trent Chandonais, 6-2, jr; Jayden Suehs, 6-11, sr; Ryan Malik, 6-5, sr; Zander Millan, 6-3, sr; Jace Moe, sr; Sander Dinga, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Keegan Krull, frosh; CJ Haas, 5-8, jr, Quintin Kohls, jr; Jacob Filut, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Sam Kornowski

Outlook: SPASH took some lumps last year but a young group grew together which bodes well going into 2026-27. Three starters and a handful of other contributors are back and a big reason why there’s optimism this team can make a deep playoff run. Jackson Bouressa and Jayden Suehs form a huge front court while Sam Kornowski and Trent Chandonais are two talented and good sized guards that can take games over. Head coach Jon Krull has done a great job at SPASH and this is one of his most talented groups in a few years, and one to watch in all of Division 1.

Head Coach: Chris Fischer - 7th year (108 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Chris Pohl, Valin Ramber, Vedder MacTggert, Ben Jordan, Nick Hansen
Returners: Camden Kolstad, 6-3, sr; Levi Janssen, 5-10, jr; Will Ketterer, 6-6, sr; Derek Ongna, 6-4, jr; Trevyn Freis, 6-1, sr; Gavin Larson, 6-2, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Ethan Foemmel, 6-3, soph; Jackson Zaleski, soph
Breakout Candidate: Camden Kolstad

Outlook: Marshfield has won at least a share of five straight WVC conference titles under head coach Chris Fischer, but will need to fill 80% of the statistical output from a season ago. Camden Kolstad is a pick to blossom into the role of playmaker for the Tigers while others such as Levi Janssen, Will Ketterer, and Derek Ongna are choices to fill those starting roles. Coach Fischer speaks a lot about standards within his program which helps in years like this where new roles and rotations are still to be fleshed out.

Head Coach: Jake Schalow - 2nd year (89 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Cade Felch, Xavier Edwards, Sam Dassow, Kayden English
Returners: Ransom Dickerson, sr; Vander Truax, sr; Luke Auner, sr; Will Sjoeberg, sr; Ben Gartzke, sr; Will Hopper, sr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Carter Strahota, jr; Xavier Marciulionis, soph; Cullen Studemann, soph; Drake Truax, soph; Gabe Muhle, soph
Breakout Candidate: Xavier Marciulionis

Outlook: Everest won a share of the title last year and are poised to challenge once again in Jake Schalow’s second season with the Evergreens. Top returning scorer Ransom Dickerson is recovering from an injury and expected to miss a little time in 2026-27. However, Vander Truax and Luke Auner both started a season ago and provide that leadership Everest will need to weather Dickerson’s absence. Xavier Marciullionis and Carter Strahota saw limited action a season ago but are good choices to step into bigger roles for Coach Schalow this year.

Head Coach: Nate Lemmens - 14th year (125 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Kargie Cooper, Will Butalla, Ameer Espinoza
Returners: Jackson Riley, sr; Matthew Heilmann, jr; Miles Waldvogel, sr; Carson Thurs, jr; Will Stengl, sr; Chase Kettner, sr; Andrew Kurth, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Matthew Heilmann

Outlook: The Wisconsin Valley is going to be tough this year as West has a really talented group back and is picked fourth here. Nate Lemmens enters Year 14 with four starters back including Jackson Riley, Miles Waldvogel, Matthew Heilmann, and Carson Thurs. That sort of experience is key for a team that was young and took some bumps and bruises a season ago. I would not be surprised one bit to see the Warriors record wins over the three teams expected to contend for the WVC crown and throw a wrench in their conference crown aspirations.

Head Coach: Phil Jagielo - 2nd year (51 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Brody Gilbertson, Cobi Ver Hulst, Ethan Dillingham
Returners: Zak Mancl, 5-11, sr; Colby Dix, 6-4, sr; Walker Schmitt, 5-10, jr; Peyton Ruesch, 6-2, sr; Kais Poteat, 6-2, sr; Carter Braund, 6-0, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Ronmel Ferguson, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Peyton Ruesch

Outlook: A lot of production returns from last year though the loss of Brody Gilbertson will be felt. Zak Mancl, Kais Poteat, Peyton Ruesch, and Walker Schmitt all started games a season ago for the Raiders and are a big portion of what is back for head coach Phil Jagielo. Having won just six games a season ago, I’d wager Rapids improves that number in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Dan Garrett - 7th year (87 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Robbie Angiulli, Miles Caseym Tayshaun Williams
Returners: Xander Klein, 6-2, sr; Connor Lemirand, 6-5, jr; Cooper Schmitt, 5-10, jr; Ethan Loppnow, 6-1, jr; Elijah DeMoss, 6-3, sr; Gavin Okite, 6-1, sr; Eli Hoenisch, 6-2, soph
Newcomers/New Contributors: Anders Bjerke, 6-1, jr; Mick Thomas, 6-0, jr; Everett Gleason, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Connor Lemirand

Outlook: Losing three starters and two players that stood 6-7 is a blow for East, but coach Garrett is hopeful due to the fact that seven players back got plenty of experience a season ago. Xander Klein enters year 4 on varsity and is the primary ball handler, while Connor Lemirand, Cooper Schmitt, and Ethan Loppnow are strong returning players as well. Sophomore Eli Hoenisch played in 22 varsity games as a freshman and will have another offseason of development behind him.

As mentioned above Wausau West could be a sleeper team to watch in the six-team Wisconsin Valley conference. A good group back with four starters for Coach Lemmens is the main reason why the Warriors should not be counted out on any night.

Jackson Bouressa, sr, Stevens Point
A returning second team All-Wisconsin Valley selection, Bouressa is a versatile wing that can play inside and out and effect the game in a multitude of ways. Last year he averaged 12.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game and holds a handful of Division 3 offers, including in-state St. Norbert and UW-Stout.

Trent Chandonais, jr, Stevens Point
Chandonais is key for this Panthers team as he’s the steady point guard that directs the offense. As a sophomore he averaged 9.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game and earned honorable mention all-league honors.

Ransom Dickerson, sr, D.C. Everest
Despite having to miss a part of the season, there is no doubt that Dickerson is one of the top players in the conference. As a junior he averaged 15.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game and was a second team all-league honoree.

Matthew Heilmann, jr, Wausau West
Heilmann is a candidate to be a breakout player in the WVC this season. The 6-5 wing averaged 8.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore on varsity last year.

Xander Klein, sr, Wausau East
Klein is the top returner for the Lumberjacks and will shoulder a bigger load during his senior year. He averaged 10.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game a season ago.

Camden Kolstad, sr, Marshfield
Kolstad is next up in terms of Marshfield playmakers as he’s the lone returning starter in 2026-27. As a junior he averaged 9.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, earning honorable mention all-conference honors. Kolstad does have a few Division 3 offers including St. Norbert and UW-Stout.

Sam Kornowski, jr, Stevens Point
A rising player in the Class of 2028, Kornowski is primed for a breakout season despite the fact he averaged double-digit points a season ago as a sophomore. He was an honorable mention all-conference honoree after averaging 11.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

Zak Mancl, sr, Wisconsin Rapids
Mancl is the top returner for Rapids and was an honorable mention all-conference selection a season ago. He averaged 11.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game and buried 59 triples a season ago.

Jackson Riley, sr, Wausau West
Riley can fill the stat sheet up as he averaged 15.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game a season ago, also making 52 triples. Riley earned second team all-league honors.

Jayden Suehs, sr, Stevens Point
Suehs is a tower of a player on the court pushing 7-0. He’s got plenty of size and is nimble at that, and is ever evolving as a basketball player. He averaged 4.7 points a season ago and holds a Division 3 offer from Northestern-St. Paul.

Vander Truax, sr, D.C. Everest
Truax and Dickerson form a strong, athletic, and versatile forward combination for the Evergreens. Dickerson does most of his damage around the rim as he shot 70% from the field and averaged 14.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, earning honorable mention all-league laurels.

Miles Waldvogel, sr, Wausau West
Waldvogel does a lot of everything for the Warriors and effects the game outside of what is on the stat sheet. He averaged 6.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game and was an honorable mention all-league selection.