Woodland 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.

West Allis Central was dominant in league play, but come playoff time, the conference struggled as a whole. Now Iowa State freshman Yusef Gray Jr. suffered a late season injury for West Allis which held him out of the playoffs. The Bulldogs lost in a surprise regional final to Muskego while both Greenfield and Whitnall fell in regional final play as well. No conference team advanced to sectional play for the first time in a while.

NOTE: The Woodland split from having the East and West divisions after last season. The former Woodland-East now is the Woodland conference. Also, Augustine Prep South and West Allis Hale join the conference this season.

Head Coach: David Mlachnik - 16th year (264 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Yusef Gray Jr., Kevin Pittman, Kayden Travis, Thomas Bucio, Donovan Isaac
Returners: Max Jones, 6-4, sr; Isaiah Fox, 6-1, sr; Caiden Alland-Davis, 6-3, sr; Asher Banks, 6-4, soph;
Newcomers/New Contributors: JuVonta Leach Jr, 5-11, frosh; Jayden Thompson, 6-5, frosh; Arroya Edwards Jr, 6-5, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Ju’Vonta Leach Jr.

Outlook: West Allis Central came up short in the playoffs last season after Gray Jr. went down with a late-season injury. The talent back is more than enough to make them a favorite in the Woodland and Division 1 overall however. Jones and Fox are Division 1 college prospects while Alland-Davis and Banks are no slouches. Coach Mlachnik has a handful of incoming freshman that figure to make an impact right away. The Bulldogs haven’t lacked for talent over the past few seasons and this year will be no different. I’d expect another deep playoff run from this team in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Brandon Redman - 1st year (24 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Cooper Markee, Tyler Michalak, Aden Garcia, AJ Campione
Returners: Max Michalak, 6-5, sr; Bryce Beal, 6-3, sr; Corey Gast, 6-6, jr; Layell Carter, soph;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Amare Harper, jr; Liam Mitchell, jr
Breakout Candidate: Corey Gast

Outlook: Whitnall got better as the year progressed a season ago thanks in large part to an extremely difficult schedule. This year the Falcons will have a new coach in Brandon Redman and be without three of the top four scorers from a season ago. Max Michalak has taken a step forward and will be the leader for this squad in his senior year. Corey Gast is another athletic player with size that is poised for a breakout as is sophomore Layell Carter who saw significant time as a freshman.

Head Coach: Terry Bennett - 1st year
Lost Contributors: Xavier Allen, Danzel O’Neil, Markell Causey, Lusine Bility, Corey Brown
Returners: James Ferguson, 6-2, sr; Mykal Woods, 6-4, sr; Ayden Peavy, 6-0, jr; Khader Diabate, 5-8, sr; Marshaun Everett, 6-0, jr; A’Zayah Reasby, jr; Jacob Campbell, 6-8, sr; Jaylen Burns, 5-10, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Lawrence Walker, 5-10, soph; Zaidyn Bell, 5-10, soph; Jack Thornton, 6-5, frosh
Breakout Candidate: Mykal Woods

Outlook: Lutheran had a lot of players contribute at the varsity level a season ago and due to this, there is a large contingent that is back with experience for first year head coach Terry Bennett. Leading that group is James Ferguson who can take games over with his quickness and scoring ability. Jacob Campbell and Mykal Woods will provide size for the Red Knights, though guard play will be the strong suit for this group in 2026-27.

Head Coach: Ryan DePouw - 5th year (75 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Azon Juarez-Quinn, Patrick Morgese, Nate Teicher, Jalenn Chester,
Returners: Luke O’Brien, 6-3, sr; Jaylyn Rogers, 6-8, sr; Ethan Gonzales, 6-0, sr; Trey Burt, 6-3, sr; Braedan Vanderboom, 6-1, sr; Zavion Martin, 6-2, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Braylon Blythers, 6-1, jr
Breakout Candidate: Jaylyn Rogers

Outlook: Greenfield has lot some pretty good individual talent over the past two seasons, but head coach Ryan DePouw’ has continued to build depth within his program. Back this year are two players that were honorable mention all-conference performers in Luke O’Brien and Jaylyn Rogers. Both have size and can effect the game in both scoring and rebounding. Beyond those two is a group of senior guards that got experience a season ago and will step into bigger roles in terms of scoring the ball. The Woodland may not be as competitive as it has been in seasons past, but Greenfield will stay competitive and in the top half of the standings.

Head Coach: Darryl Longley - 2nd year (84 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Codie Jones, Jayden Ragland, Jordan Reed, Mike Essoka, Jaiden Reed, Terrance Ross, Justin Hester
Returners: Joshua Reed, jr; Nassan Triggs, jr; Rylan Driver, jr;

Outlook: Brown Deer graduated a strong group in 2026 led by two 20-point scorers in Jones and Ragland. A trio of sophomore played significant minutes for the Falcons however in Joshua Reed, Nassan Triggs, and Rylan Driver. Darryl Longley enters year two with Brown Deer and will have to make that adjustment from last year where he had an experienced team coming in to this year, where that lack of experience can lead to growing pains in the beginning of the year.

Head Coach: Cole Reindl - 2nd year (4 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Ivan Taylor Jr, Nathan Torres, Liam Devine, Timothy Carter, Dayvion Humphrey, Si-Jariah Reeder
Returners: Cason Lee, 5-10, sr; Julian Bendlin, 6-2, sr; Caiden Sanders, 6-0, sr; Colton Cohen, 5-10, sr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Abdriel Montanez, 6-5, soph; Majerle Shoults, 6-0, jr; John White-Owens, soph; Anthony Ramirez, 5-10, soph
Breakout Candidate: Cason Lee

Outlook: Hale comes over to a new conference after competing in the extremely difficult Greater Metro conference, where wins were difficult to come by. A new conference and a new look team, the Huskies have to replace the top five scorers from a season ago. Seniors Cason Lee and Julian Bendlin are the top returners and will lead a young Husky group into a new era in a new conference under second-year head coach Cole Reindl.

Head Coach: Marlon Townsend - 1st year
Lost Contributors:
Returners: Jcobi Mathis, 6-0, sr; Martavion Williams, 6-1, soph; Zamari Whitmore, 6-1, sr; Demarius Zollicoffer, 6-2, jr; Kendall Morris, 6-0, jr
Newcomers/New Contributors: Armani Mathis, 5-7, soph
Breakout Candidate: Martavion Williams

Outlook: Augustine Prep South joins the Woodland after playing an independent schedule a season ago. The Lions played some good teams tough a season ago and return the senior duo of Jcobi Mathis and Zamari Whitmore. Sophomore Martavion Williams is poised to break out. A glaring question mark for the Lions is size as no returner is listed over 6-2.

Head Coach: Chris Robinson - 6th year (40 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Jake Sherman, Julian Reuter, Miles Busby, Pablo Santana, Vinnie Bolliger
Returners: McKhale Wesley, 6-3, sr; Nigel Mosley, 6-4, sr; Kingston Nelson, 6-1, jr; Sykere Bratchett, 5-8, soph

Outlook: Despite losing two double-figure scorers from last year’s squad that fell to eventual champion Whitefish Bay in the regional semifinals, head coach Chris Robinson does return one of the top players in the league in McKhale Wesley and another solid guard and double-digit scorer Nigel Mosley. Behind that duo the Greyhounds are pretty inexperienced and a lack of size on the front line may pose problems.

Head Coach: Matt Ivers - 1st year (8 career wins)
Lost Contributors: Anthony Brooks, Jeremiah Brooks, Dante Knapp, Emanuel Driver, Alijah Torres
Returners: Marcus Castillo, 5-11, jr; Charles Paul Yumang, 5-10, sr; Cipriano Sanapaw, 6-4, sr; Luis Serrano, 6-2, jr;
Newcomers/New Contributors: Elijah Wayne, soph
Breakout Candidate: Cipriano Sanapaw

Outlook: Cudahy struggled in the Woodland a season ago but did finish with five wins outside of the conference. Matt Ivers steps into the lead role with the Packers after coaching Heritage Christian a season ago. He’ll inherit a roster where Marcus Castillo and Charles Paul Yumang were both nearly double figure scorers a season ago. Cipriano Sanapaw is poised to take on a bigger role in 2026-27. Transition offense and defensive tenacity are two keys to Cudahy achieving more success this season.

Head Coach: Matt Joost - 2nd year (1 career win)
Lost Contributors: Alban Alla, Billy Burnett, Ivan Cotto, Immanuel Roche, Connor Trinwith
Returners: Jasiah Jones, 6-2, sr; Manny Matos, 5-10, sr; Gabriel Osborne, 5-10, sr; Chance Weber, 6-6, sr; Jaiden Yumang, 6-1, soph;
Newcomers/New Contributors:
Breakout Candidate: Jasiah Jones

Outlook: Head coach Matt Joost enters year two coming off a one-win season last year. A large group of seniors graduated from that group which means there could be a ‘fresh start’ feel for the Rockets. Jasiah Jones is the top returning contributor and will be relied upon to help lead a squad that will have a mix of seniors with experience and plenty more without. Chance Weber adds size in the middle for South Milwaukee.

Augustine Prep South has a lot of offensive weapons on its roster and coming from an independent schedule a season ago, they are a relative unknown. Size will be an issue, but if they can keep pace offensively, they may have a chance to win some games against the top teams in the conference.

Caiden Alland-Davis, sr, West Allis Central
Alland-Davis is another top player on this Bulldogs team that is brimming with talent. He’s 6-3, athletic, and skilled to boot and one of the trio of senior guards that make WAC a favorite in Division 1.

James Ferguson, sr, Milwaukee Lutheran
Ferguson is lightning quick and has grown a bit since last year. He averaged 17.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game a season ago. He'll lead a guard oriented Red Knights squad that he can push tempo and control pace with the ball in his hands.

Isaiah Fox, sr, West Allis Central
Lightning quick and able to take over games, it’ll be fun to watch Fox blossom into a bigger role with the Bulldogs, which is saying something as he averaged 15.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. Fox does hold Division 1 offers from Eastern Illinois and Jacksonville.

Jasiah Jones, sr, South Milwaukee
Jones is primed to break out as a senior after he averaged 7.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as a junior. He was an honorable mention all-league selection and will serve as the leader in the clubhouse for a team that is lacking in experience.

Max Jones, sr, West Allis Central
Jones is one of the top players in the state and holds a handful of Division 1 offers including Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Northern Iowa. He averaged 20.4 points per game a season ago and was an honorable mention all-state selection. Jones can take over games with the ball in his hands, rebounding it, or on the defensive end.

Jcobi Mathis, sr, Augustine Prep South
Mathis is back with Augustine Prep South and is a high volume scorer that can get it going at any time. Undersized, it does not keep him from putting the ball through the bottom of the net.

Max Michalak, sr, Whitnall
Michalak is one of the top players returning in the conference after he averaged 14.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and was a second team all-league selection. The 6-5 wing is versatile on both ends of the floor and effects the game in every facet of it.

Luke O’Brien, sr, Greenfield
O’Brien averaged 14.5 points and 5.8 rebounds en route to honorable mention all-conference honors a season ago. He’ll now become the guy for a team that is looking to make some noise in the new look Woodland conference.

Jaylyn Rogers, Greenfield
At 6-8 Rogers is one of the premier big men int he conference. A season ago he averaged 13.0 points and 9.1 rebounds per game and earned honorable mention all-conference honors. He’ll make a big impact on both ends of the floor this upcoming season.

McKhale Wesley, sr, Shorewood
Wesley is a solid wing prospect that can create any shot with the ball in his hands. He’s bouncy, lanky, and prefers to play downhill. A season ago he averaged 17.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game and was a second team all-league selection.