This season, we are going to preview the best matchups, storylines, etc twice a week for the entirety of the boys basketball season. Sunday we will preview the games played Monday-Wednesday, then on Wednesday we'll preview Thursday-Saturday's slate.
See below the best matchups for Thursday, January 16 through Saturday, January 16.
Don't forget to use the hashtag #wisbb when talking about any Wisconsin high school basketball stories, scores, and big performances this season.
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Messmer (7-3) at Brookfield Academy (11-1)
Messmer has had a good year so far, with three losses by eleven points or less, and enter this contest on a six game win streak. Sophomore Delvito Velazquez leads the way for the Bishops, averaging 25.8 points per game. Freshman Kaeden King and Najaeh Garrett both average double figure scoring, showing the number of young talented players on the roster. Brookfield has been led by seniors Ty Mahnke and Vinnie Pagenkopf while sophomore Pavle Djilas has been sidelined for seven games.
East Troy (6-5) at Clinton (6-6)
Two teams in opposite divisions of the Rock Valley conference square off in this Thursday night game. For Clinton, senior wing Reagan Flickinger needs to score just one point to become the program's all-time leading scorer after tying the record in the Cougar's most previous game.
Palmyra-Eagle (9-1) at Deerfield (7-4)
Both of these teams come into this one with one loss in the Trailways-South conference. Palmyra fell for the first time last week in a matchup with Johnson Creek, while Deerfield has won four of the previous five games.
Westosha Central (6-6) at Elkhorn (8-3)
It's been an up and down year for Westosha, a team that came in with some promise into this season. The Falcons have lost four of five games, but in there they lost to Milwaukee Academy of Science by just four points. Eklhorn's three losses are by 9, 6, and 1 point. There's a lot of individual talent on both sides, making this a game to watch in the Southern Lakes conference.
River Ridge (12-0; D5 #4) at Highland (10-1; D5 #7)
The two best teams in the Six Rivers conference and two of the better teams in Division 5 make this the top small-school matchup in the state on Thursday night. River Ridge is led by junior point guard Brandon Davis who averages 16.3 points and 5.8 assists per game. Highland has great size in its top two scorers; Michael Esser (6-4) and Wesley Kraisinger (6-3). The winner of this game gets a leg up going into the second half of the conference season.
Holmen (9-2) at La Crosse Central (6-3)
La Crosse Central has had a stronghold on the Mississippi Valley conference with Onalaska for the better part of the past decade. Holmen is off to the races this year and looking for its first league title since the 2014-15 season. The Vikings can light it up from deep and for that reason, can be tough to contain. With a Riverhawks win, four teams will have just one loss in league play, dependent on other results.
Homestead (9-4) at Nicolet (10-2; D2 #2)
Two of the top teams with some of the top talent in the state will do battle on this Thursday night. Nicolet is led by senior and NJIT commit David Bolden and junior Division 1 prospect Rashaad Davis, both of whom average over 20 points per game. Sophomore transfer Ja'Meir Hayfort has also played extremely well for the Knights. For the Highlanders, sophomore Oliver Belot has burst onto the scene and is leading them in scoring. Northern Michigan commit Trevor Polite, Michigan Tech commit Justin Bliesner, and sophomore Michael Rogers Jr. are plenty capable of scoring at a high rate for head coach Sean Crider.
Lomira (9-1; D4 #7) at Saint Mary's Springs (9-3)
Springs is the only undefeated team in the Flyway left, but have a tough task in front of them as Lomira will come to town Thursday night. The Lions do so without junior big man Jake Broeske who suffered a torn ACL last week. For Springs, senior Noah Moul is approaching a career milestone. He is just 12 points away 1,000 career points.
Kohler (9-2; D4 #6) at Sheboygan Lutheran (11-0; D5 #1)
Two of the best small school teams in the state, especially in the northeastern part of the state, do battle in this Big East-South tilt Thursday night. Sheboygan Lutheran is balanced, deep, can shoot the ball, and have been dominant through the first half of the season. Kohler has won six straight after a loss to Oostburg back on December 17th.
Verona (11-1; D1 #4) at Sun Prairie East (8-3; D1 #7)
Two of the top teams in the Big Eight will do battle in this matchup of Division 1, top ten teams. The Cardinals come in on a two-game loss however, while Verona has won 11 straight. With a win, the Wildcats will go up two games in the conference standings over the rest of the league. East can force a tie at the top with 12 more conference games to go.
Greendale (9-3) at West Allis Central (7-4)
Two very good Woodland-West teams that are hoping to hang around in the standings make this one intriguing. Greendale's Devin Isaj has been on a tear of late, scoring 33, 40, and 24 points in three of the past four games, all wins. West Allis Central's losses are to some of the top teams in the state as the Bulldogs have beat everyone else in its path.
Neenah (8-3) at Appleton North (9-3)
These two teams make up a wild race in an FVA conference that seems as deep as it's ever been. Both teams have two losses in conference and are two of the top five teams in the league within one game of each other. Neenah is a defensive minded team, allowing just 50.9 points per game, with just two games where teams scored over 60 points. North averages 67.6 points per game.
Sheboygan North (11-1; D1 #5) at Ashwaubenon (8-3; D2 #9)
Both of these teams have played a top level game in the past week, coming into this FRCC showdown. For Sheboygan, they knocked off Notre Dame on Tuesday and have played extremely well behind Cale Buboltz and Logan Steffensmeier. Ashwaubenon fell to De Pere last Friday in an instant classic, and will be looking to get the first statement win of the season.
Stratford (11-1; D4 #4) at Auburndale (11-1)
The two top teams in the Marawood-South conference will square off for the first of two times in this one. Both teams have just one loss. Auburndale is coming off a thrilling double-overtime win over Marathon on Tuesday as this is the second game of a tough four-game stretch for the Eagles. Stratford's lone loss is a one-point defeat to Marathon back on December 17 as the Tigers have rattled off seven straight victories since.
Menomonee Falls (9-4) at Brookfield East (9-3; D1 #8)
Two strong teams in the Greater Metro conference will each play their second conference game of the week on Friday night. Menomonee is coming off a win over Sussex Hamilton, while East fell to Germantown on Tuesday. These teams are proof in the pudding that the Greater Metro is one of the top leagues in the entire state.
Darlington (6-1; D4 #9) at Cuba City (8-4)
Two teams that are playing extremely well and are rivals in the SWAL will clash in Cuba City on Friday night. Darlington has won eight straight games, including a few emphatic ones over very good teams. These two teams met back on December 5 and Darlington won decidedly 77-58. Since, the Cubans have rattled off eight wins in nine games and have relied heavily on its stifling defense, allowing 60-points just once during that stretch.
Kaukauna (8-3) at Fond du Lac (9-4)
Fondy hasn't gotten the fan fare and many outside of the fox valley area may not know that the Cardinals are alone atop the FVA standings. They've got wins over Neenah, Hortonville, Appleton North, and Oshkosh North and have done a good job of limiting opponents top scorers. Kaukauna on the other hand is one of four teams just behind Fondy in the standings and have an offense that can score in bunches behind Keegan Van Kauwenberg and Andrew Jensen.
Milwaukee Juneau (7-6) at Milwaukee Hamilton (6-2)
This is the second matchup between these two Milwaukee City-Gold squads this season as Juneau came away victorious in the first matchup 80-77. Five players score in double figures for Hamilton, led by Jayden Burrell's 22.2 points per game. Sophomore Dooney Johnson leads Juneau, a team that has had up and down moments through the first half of the year.
Southwestern (11-3; D5 #8) at Mineral Point (10-0; D4 #1)
The first matchup between these two teams was not competitive as Mineral Point won 69-49. The Wildcats have since dropped league games to Darlington and Cuba City while the Pointers have rolled through the competition.
Stewartville, MN (11-2; Class 3A #8) at Rice Lake (9-2; D2 #10)
The penultimate game on Friday night of the Midwest Players Classic pits two ranked teams against each other from each side of the Mississippi. After starting 8-0, Rice Lake is 1-2 in the past week. This will be the fourth game in 8 days for the Warriors.
Mankato East, MN (11-1; Class 3A #3) at Stevens Point (8-5)
Mankato East is one of the top teams in the second biggest division in Minnesota and has an explosive offense, led by Sioux Falls commit Brogan Madson. Stevens Point is led by seniors Grant Chandonais and Jaydon Awe and have won four of five games coming into this one.
Evansville (3-9) at St. Ambrose Academy (0-10)
This one isn't a top matchup of the week, but it does need to be mentioned and highlighted. St. Ambrose head coach Chris Zwettler will coach his 1,000th career game on Saturday, a feat not met by many in the coaching profession. Congratulations to Coach Zwettler on the longevity and commitment to the sport of basketball.
Pacelli (8-2) vs Alma Center Lincoln (9-3) @JustAGame Fieldhouse, Wisconsin Dells
Pacelli could possibly be riding a six game win streak coming into this one, dependent on its Thursday night outcome with Port Edwards. Lincoln's three losses are to the other top teams in the Dairyland as the Hornets are looking for a marquee win on the season.
Abundant Life Christian (7-2; D5 #10) at Palmyra-Eagle (9-1)
This game features a contrast in styles between two teams that are vying for a Trailways-South conference crown. Abundant Life plays fast and is guard oriented behind senior twins Jacob and Jonah Koon. Palmyra relies on big man Devin Patrick, but will also be coming off a conference game with Deerfield on Thursday.
At Brookfield Central High School
Kettle Moraine (12-0; D1 #3) vs Marquette University (3-8)
These two teams met in the WIAA Division 1 State semifinals last year at the Kohl Center as Marquette took home the win and the eventual state championship. It's been a tough go of it early on for the young Marquette team this year. However, seven of the eight losses by the Hilltoppers are by 12 points or less, with four of those coming by 4 or less. They've been competitive with a lot of good teams, but Kettle Moraine has been rolling in 2024-25.
Lakeside Lutheran (9-1; D3 #5) vs Brookfield Central (8-5)
The host Lancers have had a strong run the past three games with wins over Menomonee Falls, Germantown, and Wauwatosa West. Lakeside is another big matchup for Brookfield, with both teams having an opportunity to put a quality win on the résumé.
Germantown (9-2; D1 #9) vs West Allis Central (7-4)
A Greater Metro vs Woodland-West matchup should be one of the better games throughout the day. Yusef Gray Jr. and Max Jones are two dynamic wings with West Allis while on the other side, Cahlil Jones has paced the Warhawks in scoring at 19.7 points per game.
Notre Dame (7-2; D2 #7) vs Menomonee Falls (9-4)
Menomonee Falls offense can score the ball in bunches, with four games of 80-plus points on logged. Notre Dame on the other hand plays some lock down defense, having allowed 70-plus points in just two games.
Brookfield East (9-3; D1 #8) vs Racine Park (9-1; D2 #4)
The only matchup between two ranked teams will be the only game played at Brookfield East High School during the day. East plays in the extremely competitive Greater Metro conference and is coming off a loss to Germantown on Tuesday. Park on the other hand has won 9 straight games since its opening loss to St. Cats. Four of those games have been by eight points or less, proving the Panthers can close out tight matchups.
At La Crosse Center, La Crosse
Caledonia, MN (11-2; Class 2A #3) vs Mount Horeb (12-0; D2 #1)
The top team in Division 2 in the state of Wisconsin takes on the third-ranked team in Class 2A in a top matchup in the state. Mount Horeb junior Josh Manchester is having a tremendous season, averaging nearly 32 points per game while shooting over 51% from three. Caledonia has been a strong team for years in Minnesota and has had plenty of strong performances at this event in the past.
Onalaska (10-2; D2 #6) at Lake Mills (8-2; D3 #4)
This top ten matchup pits two extremely balanced, fundamentally sound, and skilled teams. Onalaska recently knocked off undefeated Aquinas and is led by Broden Steiner and Ian Kowal. AJ Bender is a top senior in the state and committed to Minnesota State-Mankato. He leads a L-Cats team that can light it up from deep.
Marshfield (7-4) vs Waunakee (11-2; D1 #10)
Marshfield has some of the better length and size in the state with six players listed at 6-5 or taller on the roster including returning junior forward Chris Pohl. Waunakee plays fundamental basketball and is led by senior guards Kaden MacKenzie and Eli Selk. That duo matching up with Marshfield's Brooks Hinson and Landon Lee will be fun ones to watch.
Linn-Mar, IA (8-2) vs Eau Claire Memorial (9-2; D1 #6)
Linn-Mar out of Iowa will square off with a ranked Eau Claire Memorial team in the 6:15 game. For the Lions out of Iowa, Davis Kern (6-9) averaged 20-plus points per game and is a South Dakota State commit. Wesley Mboga and Cooper Jesperson are both next level prospects for Memorial and will lead the Old Abes as they look for a possible sixth straight win.
Breck (6-6; Class 2A #7) vs Wisconsin Lutheran (11-0; D1 #1)
Despite six losses, Breck is still ranked in Class 2A in Minnesota. Miles Newton is the leading scorer for a Mustangs squad that has plenty of height. For Wisconsin Lutheran, the Vikings are riding a 41 game win streak dating back to last season. Coach Ryan Walz has a very skilled and balanced squad with Division 1 college prospects Zavier Zens (2026) and Kager Knueppel (2027) as well as lower level prospects Alex Greene (2025) and Isaiah Mellock (2025).
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