Sauk Prairie tabbed for fifth

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following preview of the Badger North Conference boys basketball season was compiled by the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook. To purchase the Yearbook, visit https://wbby.sportngin.com/register/form/584418781. Currently, not all schools inside the Badger North are sure if they’ll have a season due to Dane County guidelines surrounding COVID-19. If there is a season, though, here’s how the WBY predicts it will go.   BADGER NORTH    PREDICTIONS 1. WAUNAKEE — Warriors boast four returning starters from a conference-title team, but several key newcomers. 2. DE FOREST — Junior class is loaded and led by do-everything guard Max Weisbrod. 3. MOUNT HOREB — Balance and good overall size will be big assets for the Vikings. 4. BEAVER DAM — Beavers lack size, but have plenty of offensive punch in backcourt.  5. SAUK PRAIRIE — Senior Brandt Wilson is one of the more versatile players in the league. 6. REEDSBURG — Lots of holes to fill in lineup, but senior Zach Bestor is a clutch performer.  7. PORTAGE — Lack of size is a concern, but coach Darrin Berger does have some depth.  8. BARABOO — Thunderbirds will be improved, but league is brutally tough.    1. WAUNAKEE Head Coach: Dana MacKenzie, 18th year  Record at School: 279-131  Overall Varsity Record: 319- 141  2019-20 Varsity Record: 19-6  2019-20 JV1 Record: 19-3  2019-20 JV2 Record: 17-3  Assistants: Tyler Selk, Blake Knutson, Jeff Knatz, Mike Janusek, Jared Cralam  Twitter: @Kee_Hoops Affiliation: WIAA Division 1  Enrollment: 1,337  Starters Lost (2): Jake May (6-0, 4.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg), Caden Hough (6-5, 8.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg).  Starters Returning (4): Caden Nelson (6-3, Sr., 10.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Andrew Keller (6-6, Jr., 12.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Jaxson Zibell (6-0, Sr., 9.5 ppg), Jack Dotzler (6-6, Jr., 4.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg).  Other Returning Players (6): Casey Fischer (6-0, Sr., 4.9 ppg), Aidan Driscoll (6-3, Jr., 3.4 ppg), Drew Regnier (6-2, Soph., 2.0 rpg), Randy Vojtisek (6-2, Sr.), Connor Keenan (6-4, Sr.), Joey Fuhremann (6-7, Jr.). Strengths: Experience, chemistry, hunger Questions: Responding to long COVID break.   2. DE FOREST Head Coach: Craig Weisbrod, 21st year  Record at School: 248-220  Overall Varsity Record: 307-255  2019-20 Varsity Record: 19-6  2019-20 JV1 Record: 15-7  2019-20 JV2 Record: 10-10  Assistants: Bill Lapp, Eric Stewart, Matt Anderson, Conner Ludeman, Brett Minick, Alan Ligocki, Ryne Franz  Twitter: @PlayHardDeFo  Affiliation: WIAA Division 2  Enrollment: 1,027  Starters Lost (3): Trey Schroeder (6-1, 14.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg), Jahyl Bonds (6-3, 9.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg), Colby Hartig (6-5, 7.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg).  Starters Returning (3): Max Weisbrod (6-3, Jr., 13.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.0 apg), Deven Magli (6-2, Jr., 7.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Nolan Hawk (6-5, Jr., 7.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg).  Other Returning Players (6): Trace Grundahl (6-3, Sr.), Alex Winters (6-4, Jr., 2.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg), Brody Hartig (6-2, Soph.), Justin Hausser (6-3, Sr.), Keagon Kaufmann (6-0, Sr.), Oliver Vandehay (6-2, Sr.).  Newcomers (8): Josh Jansen (6-3, Jr.), Mason Keyes (6-1, Soph.), Tim Fredrickson (5-10, Jr.), Caleb Ekezie (6-2, Jr.), Blake Olson (5-10, Jr.), Isaac Busse (6-5, Jr.), Cole Thennes (6-0, Jr.), Alex Van Ooyen (6-0, Soph.). Strengths: Athleticism, experience, returning scoring, chemistry.  Questions: Depth.   3. MOUNT HOREB Head Coach: Todd Nesheim, 13th year  Record at School: 187-105  Overall Varsity Record: 187-105  2019-20 Varsity Record: 12-11  2019-20 JV1 Record: 10-11  2019-20 JV2 Record: 10-10  Assistants: Jack Prehn, Paul Manchester, Cain Mueller, Mark Fredrickson  Twitter: @MHVikingHoops  Affiliation: WIAA Division 2  Enrollment: 777  Starters Lost (2): Owen Ziegler (6-2, 13.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg), Carter Gilkes (6-2, 8.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg).  Starters Returning (3): Torin Hannah (6-3, Sr., 13.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Anthony Lange (6-2, Jr., 6.3 ppg), Tyler Banfield (6-0, Sr., 3.0 ppg).  Other Returning Players (4): Ray Woller (6-3, Jr., 5.7 ppg), Reece Rick (6-3, Sr.), Carter Ackerman (6-5, Sr.), Caden Thomas (6-4, Jr., 3.7 ppg).  Newcomers (2): Paul Matthews (Jr.), Madden Thome (Jr.).  Strengths: Guard play, experience, defense.  Questions: Rebounding, interior scoring, depth, size   4. BEAVER DAM Head Coach: Tim Ladron, 13th year  Record at School: 173-115  Overall Varsity Record: 173-115  2019-20 Varsity Record: 11-13  2019-20 JV1 Record: 9-13  2019-20 JV2 Record: 10-10  Assistants: Chris Smith, Andrew Gibbons, Andy Tietz, Eric Kittel  Twitter: @BDBeavers_Bball  Affiliation: WIAA Division 2  Enrollment: 1,114  Starters Lost (1): Broden Boschert (6-0, 16.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg).  Starters Returning (5): Nate Abel (6-2, Sr., 21.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.2 apg), Brady Helbing (5-10, Jr., 7.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 5.3 apg), Tyler Bunkoske (6-0, Jr., 10.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg), Alex Soto (6-1, Jr., 5.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Evan Sharkey (5-11, Jr., 2.1 rpg).  Other Returning Players (4): Braxton Davis (6-4, Sr.), Colton Fakes (6-3, Jr.), Marshall Kuhl (6-1, Jr.), Ben Scharfenberg (5- 11, Jr.).  Newcomers (7): Brody Stofflet (6-3, Jr.), Simon Loomans (6-4, Jr.), Matt Hansen (6-3, Jr.), Riley Rueckert (6-3, Jr.), Kadin Jimenez (5-9, Jr.), Max Sether (5-9, Jr.), Colin Streblow (5-10, Jr.).  Strengths: Experience, guard play, shooting, quickness, team chemistry.  Questions: Size, inside play, rebounding.    5. SAUK PRAIRIE Head Coach: Sean McGann, 3rd year  Record at School: 20-27  Overall Varsity Record: 20-27  2019-20 Varsity Record: 12-12  2019-20 JV1 Record: 7-15  2019-20 JV2 Record: 12-10  Assistants: Allan Ballweg, Aaron Andres, Todd Breunig, Lee Kostroski, Spencer Kostroski  Twitter: @SaukHoops  Affiliation: WIAA Division 2  Enrollment: 878  Starters Lost (3): Trevor Spray (6-7, 14.2 ppg, 9.6 rpg), Ben German (5-10, 6.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg), Parker Breunig (6-0, 6.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg).  Starters Returning (2): Brandt Wilson (6-7, Sr., 12.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg), Isaac Breunig (6-2, Sr., 7.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg).  Newcomers (2): Eddie Breunig (6-0, Jr.), Dame Wright Rodriguez (6-3, Jr.).  Strengths: Coachability. Questions: Experience, toughness.   6. REEDSBURG Head Coach: Josh Rupnow, 7th year  Record at School: 66-77  Overall Varsity Record: 66-77  2019-20 Varsity Record: 17-7  Assistants: Jason Noble, Lucas Farber, Michael Bindl, Nate Runde  Twitter: @rahshoops  Affiliation: WIAA Division 2  Enrollment: 884  Starters Lost (5): Will Fuhrmann (6-0, 17.0 ppg, 8.9 rpg), Zach Hale (6-0, 5.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg), Max Tully (6-2, 11.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Carter Daniels (6-2, 11.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Danny Kast (5-11, 3.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg).  Starters Returning (1): Zach Bestor (6-0, Sr., 13 ppg, 5 rpg). Other Returning Players (5): Ethan Peper (6-6, Sr.), Hunter Dempsey (6-4, Sr.), Alex Woodruff (6-3, Sr.), Hunter Wais (6-0, Sr.), Keith Curtin (6-1, Sr.). Newcomers (6): Jack Campbell (Jr.), Jalen Roman (Soph.), Kaden Meyer (Soph.), Zach Tourdot (Jr.), Brady Mikonowicz (Jr.), Joseph Lindholm (Jr.).  Strengths: Togetherness, teamwork, grit, determination, attitude, selfishness.  Questions: Experience.   7. PORTAGE Head Coach: Darrin Berger, 2nd year  Record at School: 2-20  Overall Varsity Record: 26-89  2019-20 Varsity Record: 2-20  2019-20 JV1 Record: 11-10  2019-20 JV2 Record: 9-12  Assistants: Donn Trinrud, Kody Brost, Tyler Carl, Taylor Krocker  Twitter: @PortageWarriors  Affiliation: WIAA Division 2  Enrollment: 778  Starters Lost (2): Matt Miles (6-3, 10.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Brett Walker (6-0, 12.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg).  Starters Returning (2): Isaac Paul (6-1, Jr., 5.0 ppg), Cooper Roberts (5-10, Jr., 5.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg).  Other Returning Players (4): Bennett Bass (6- 2, Sr.), Kaden Hooker (6-3, Jr.), Hayes Hensler (6-5, Sr.), Alex Schette (5-8, Sr.).  Newcomers (10): Greg Hammer (5-11, Jr.), Eric Brouette (5-10, Jr.), Jared Michael (6-0, Jr.), Logan Mael (6-0, Jr.), Andrew Kophamer (6-2, Jr.), Brandon Simons (6-3, Sr.), Kaden Chapman (6-0, Jr.), Kyan Reichoff (6-0, Soph.), Ashton Krasovec (6-1, Soph.), Johnathan Stout (5-11, Frosh.).  Strengths: Ball handling, passing, shooting, depth.  Questions: Defense, rebounding.   8. BARABOO Head Coach: Tyler Fish, 2nd year  Record at School: 4-19  Overall Varsity Record: 4-19  2019-20 Varsity Record: 7-14  2019-20 JV1 Record: 7-14  2010-20 JV2 Record: 3-19  Assistants: Damion Beth, Justin Olson, Josh Statz, Kyle White Eagle, Justus Neuman, Spencer Pfaff  Twitter: @tylerfish2  Affiliation: WIAA Division 2  Enrollment: 896  Starters Lost (3): Calvin Peterson (6-2, 16.9 ppg), Max Koenig (6-1, 11.7 ppg), Graham Langkamp (5-10, 4.0 ppg).  Starters Returning (2): Justin Philipp (6-4, Sr., 7.7 ppg), Owen Nachtigal (5-10, Sr., 3.8 ppg).  Other Returning Players (3): Gabe McReynolds (6-4, Jr., 3.4 ppg), Jaykee Williams (5-10, Sr.), Mason Schultz (6-3, Sr.).  Newcomers (2): Brady Kelly (6-4, Jr.), Derek Gehin (6-4, Soph.).  Strengths: Length, team defense, rebounding.  Questions: Scoring punch, lack of experience, guard play.