With just two weeks left of the regular season in boys basketball, it's conference championship time. A few conferences have already been locked up, but plenty more are up for grabs over these extremely important two weeks of hoops.
We're going to dive into each conference race, split into two separate articles, and listed alphabetically.
For a full view of the standings, click here
My Preseason Pick: Prentice
Contenders
Rib Lake 10-3 UPDATED 11-3
Phillips 7-6 UPDATED 8-6 (OUT)
Prentice 7-6 UPDATED 7-7 (OUT)
UPDATE: Rib Lake clinched the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
With three games left for each team in the Marawood-North, both Phillips and Prentice are still technically in it. However, Rib Lake would need to lose the final three league games of its season, matching the season total up to this point. Matchups with Phillips and Prentice are tough one for Rib Lake, but the third game is against a Chequamegon team they beat by 37 in January, finishing well above the fourth-place finish I mistook them for in the preseason.
Prediction: Rib Lake wins its second straight Marawood-North title outright.
My Preseason Pick: Stratford
Contenders
Auburndale 12-1 UPDATED 13-2
Stratford 11-2 UPDATED 13-2
Marathon 10-3 UPDATED 11-4 (OUT)
Key Matchups Left
Auburndale at Stratford - February 24 Stratford Won
Marathon at Auburndale - February 27
Auburndale has control of its own destiny in the South division of the Marawood, but it's not an easy route. They'll have both Stratford and Marathon to get through in order to win the title outright. Auburndale beat both teams by a combined seven points the first go-around. Stratford needs Auburndale to stumble once and then win out for its share of the crown while Marathon would need two losses by Auburndale and another by Stratford along with three wins.
Prediction: Auburndale and Stratford both finished 14-2 in the league and share the conference title.
My Preseason Pick: Crivitz
Contenders
Crivitz 12-1 UPDATED 14-1
Niagara 11-3 UPDATED 11-4 (OUT)
Coleman 11-3 UPDATED 12-3 (OUT)
UPDATE: Crivitz has clinched the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
Crivitz at Niagara - February 20 CRIVITZ WON
Crivitz at Coleman - February 27
Crivitz will need to drop two of three games, with two of the above listed and Wausaukee left. The Wolverines have a 20-point win over Coleman and lost its only conference game to Niagara by 5. Niagara and Coleman both need to beat Crivitz and also win out to force a three-way tie for the M&O league crown.
Prediction: Crivitz goes at least 2-1 over its last three games and wins the sixth straight conference title.
My Preseason Pick: Racine St. Catherine's
Contenders
Racine Lutheran 11-1 UPDATED 12-1
Racine St. Catherine's 10-1 UPDATED 12-1
Dominican 7-4 UPDATED 8-5 (OUT)
Key Matchups Left
Racine Lutheran at Dominican - February 27
Racine Lutheran would need to lose both games against Martin Luther and The Prairie School for Dominican to have a shot at the crown. That seems unlikely as the Crusaders beat both teams by 16-plus points. Lutheran and St. Cat's split their season series, but a last game matchup with Dominican and St. Cats is the most important game that'll determine final standings.
Prediction: Both Racine Lutheran and Racine St. Catherine's finish 14-1 in the conference and share the title in the Metro Classic.
My Preseason Pick: Altoona
Contenders
Osceola 10-2 UPDATED 11-2
Prescott 9-3 UPDATED 9-4 (OUT)
Ellsworth 8-4 UPDATED 8-5 (OUT)
UPDATE: Osceola wins the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
Ellsworth at Osceola - February 20 Osceola won
Prescott at Ellsworth - February 27
It's safe to say my preseason pulse on the Middle Border was not a great one. My preseason favorite Altoona is currently tied for last, while the team I predicted seventh sits at the top. Osceola is one game up with games against Ellsworth and Somerset left on its schedule, wins by 6 and 4 points the first time around. Prescott also has Ellsworth left along with Baldwin-Woodville who they fell to earlier and who beat Osceola by 11 last week. Ellsworth would need to win out and hope Osceola loses to Somerset as well in order to claim its share.
Predicition: Osceola and Prescott finish 11-3 and share the conference title for the second straight season.
My Preseason Pick: Lake Country Lutheran
Contenders
Lake Country Lutheran 14-0 UPDATED 16-0
Living Word Lutheran 12-1 UPDATED 12-3
UPDATED: Lake Country Lutheran has won the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
N/A
With a 12-team conference, not every Midwest Classic team plays each team twice within the league. Therefore, Lake Country and Living Word will not play a second game this season. Instead, Lake Country has matchups with Kenosha Christian Life and Kingdom Prep Lutheran, two teams the Lightning have beaten by 30-plus points earlier in the year.
Prediction: Lake Country Lutheran goes 16-0 and wins its fifth straight Midwest Classic conference title.
My Preseason Pick: Golda Meir
Contenders
Milwaukee South 10-0 UPDATED 11-1
Milwaukee School of Languages 10-2 (OUT)
UPDATED: Milwaukee South clinched outright.
Key Matchups Left
Languages at South - February 20 Languages won
South has won at least a share of the league title and needs to win just one of its final two games against Vincent or Languages to clinch outright after moving up from the White Division last season. Languages would need to win out and have South lose out in order to get a share of the title.
Prediction: Milwaukee South goes 12-0 and wins the Milwaukee City-Blue conference title outright after moving up from winning the White division title last year.
My Preseason Pick: Milwaukee Juneau
Contenders
Milwaukee Juneau 10-1UPDATED 11-1
Carmen Northwest 8-2 UPDATED 10-2
UPDATE: Juneau clinches the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
Juneau at Bradley Tech - February 24 Juneau Won
The only game Juneau has left on its schedule in league play will determine whether or not they clinch the title outright, or share it. Juneau has already clinched at least a share after the Pioneers moved up from the Blue Division which it won with an undefeated conference record in 2023-24. Carmen would need that Juneau loss and wins over Marshall and Bradley Tech.
Prediction: Juneau wins over Bradley Tech and wins the Milwaukee City-Gold title outright.
My Preseason Pick: Milwaukee Lifelong Learning
Contenders
Milwaukee Washington 10-1 UPDATED 11-1
Obama SCTE 10-2
UPDATE: Washington won the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
N/A
Milwaukee Washington is almost certainly going to clinch the White Division title outright this week as they'll host Milwaukee Arts, a team the Purgolders beat by a score of 116-36 in December. That's unfortunate for an Obama squad though they were swept by Washington this year.
Prediction: Washington goes 11-1 and wins the conference crown outright.
My Preseason Pick: Onalaska
Contenders
Aquinas 7-2 UPDATED 9-2
Holmen 7-3 UPDATED 8-3
La Crosse Central 7-3 UPDATED 7-4 (OUT)
Onalaska 7-4 UPDATED 8-4 (OUT)
UPDATE: Aquinas has clinched at least a share of the title (Feb 21)
Key Matchups Left
La Crosse Central at Onalaska - February 20 Onalaska won
Aquinas at Holmen - February 27
Aquinas is in the drivers seat in search of its first conference championship in the MVC since the 2010-11 season. The Blugolds have games with Sparta, Tomah, and Holmen left on the schedule and two wins in those three games gets Aquinas at least a share of the crown. Holmen would need to win out and avenge its four point loss to Aquinas from January 28. La Crosse Central would also need to win out and have Aquinas lose one while Onalaska would need to win out, and have a lot more help to get a share.
Prediction: Aquinas wins its final three games in the MVC and wins the conference title outright for the first time since 2010-11.
My Preseason Pick: Freedom
Contenders
Freedom 16-0
Key Matchups Left
N/A
Freedom has gone 16-0 up to this point and clinched the North Eastern title with two weeks left yet in the regular season. One of the top teams in all of Division 3, the Irish have achieved one goal for the season with eyes focused on preparing for a deep playoff push.
Prediction: Freedom goes undefeated and wins the North Eastern for the first time in three years.
My Preseason Pick: Nicolet
Contenders
Slinger 15-1 UPDATED 16-1
Homestead 13-3 UPDATED 14-3 (OUT)
UPDATE: Slinger has clinched the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
N/A
Slinger has won at least a share of the conference title, the first for the Owls since joining the North Shore conference and the first conference title in well over 20 years for Slinger. The Owls finish the season with West Bend West and Hartford, two teams they've beaten so far this year. In order for Homestead to get a share of the crown, Slinger would need to lose both games and the Highlanders would need to beat both Grafton and Nicolet.
Prediction: Slinger goes 17-1 and wins its first conference title in over two decades.
My Preseason Pick: Wabeno/Laona
Contenders
Crandon 8-1
Wabeno/Laona 7-1 UPDATED 8-1
Key Matchups Left
N/A
These two teams split their season series and look like a shared title is in the works. Both have 0-12 Elcho on the schedule while Wabeno also has Florence, a team the Rebels beat by 20 points.
Prediction: Crandon and Wabeno/Laona both finish 9-1 in the league and share the Northern Lakes conference title.
My Preseason Pick: Drummond
Contenders
Mellen 14-2 UPDATED 15-2
Bayfield 13-3 UPDATED 14-3
Hurley 12-3 UPDATED 14-3
UPDATE: Mellen has clinched at least a share of the title.
Key Matchups Left
N/A
None of these teams play each other over the final two weeks of the season. In fact, only Mellen has a game against any of the top five teams in the conference, a rematch with Solon Springs who they beat by 26 points in January. Mellen needs just one win to claim a share of the title while a loss and a win out by both/either of Hurley and Bayfield would result in a share of the crown.
Prediction: Mellen goes 16-2 and wins the conference title outright for the first time since 2019-20.
My Preseason Pick: Southern Door
Contenders
Southern Door 12-0 UPDATED 15-0
Kewaunee 10-2 UPDATED 12-3 OUT
Algoma 10-3 UPDATED 12-3 OUT
UPDATE: Southern Door clinched the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
Kewaunee at Southern Door - February 21 Southern Door won
Southern Door has a two game lead on the conference with four league games left in Gibraltar, Kewaunee, Green Bay NEW Lutheran, and Oconto. Two of those teams they've beaten by 37-plus points. Kewaunee can put pressure on the Eagles with a win on Friday and pull within one game, but then Southern Door would have to drop a game to either NEW Lutheran or Oconto. Kewaunee needs to win out, including knocking off Algoma and hope for two Southern Door losses, while Algoma would need to win out and have three Southern Door losses. Both seem unlikely.
Prediction: Southern Door wins out, finishes 16-0, and wins its third straight conference title and tenth in eleven years.
My Preseason Pick: North Crawford
Contenders
North Crawford 11-0 UPDATED 14-0
Seneca 9-3 UPDATED 10-4 (OUT)
Kickapoo 8-3 UPDATED 10-4 (OUT)
Update: North Crawford has clinched the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
N/A
North Crawford has already clinched a share of the league crown and needs just one win in its next three games against Kickapoo, Wauzeka-Steuben, or Weston to win the conference title outright. Kickapoo or Seneca would need to win out and hope for major upsets of the Trojans to get a share of the Ridge & Valley title.
UPDATE: North Crawford beat Weston on Monday, February 17 to clinch the Ridge & Valley conference title outright.
Prediction: North Crawford wins the outright championship in the Ridge & Valley, its second straight title.
My Preseason Pick: Edgerton
Contenders
Edgerton 12-0 UPDATED 14-0
Clinton 8-3 UPDATED 8-5 (OUT)
Turner 8-3 UPDATED 10-4
UPDATE: Edgerton clinched the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
Edgerton at Turner - February 24 Edgerton won.
Clinton at Edgerton - February 27
Edgerton has already clinched at least a share of the conference title and will need to win just one of the final three games to win it outright. They do have matchups with Turner and Clinton to finish out the season, but have double-digit wins over both. Clinton or Turner would need to win out and Edgerton lose out to force a share of the crown.
Prediction: Edgerton finishes 15-0 and wins the Rock Valley-Rock conference championship outright.
My Preseason Pick: Monroe
Contenders
Monroe 10-1 UPDATED 13-1
Key Matchups Left
N/A
Monroe has already clinched the Rock Valley-Valley title, as the Cheesemakers are six games ahead of the second place team in the Valley division of the Rock Valley. The only loss for Monroe in the league was in a crossover against Edgerton in mid-January.
Prediction: Monroe has already clinched the title outright.
My Preseason Pick: Royall
Contenders
Royall 12-0 UPDATED 14-0
Hillsboro 11-1 UPDATED 12-2
UPDATE: Royall won the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
Royall at Hillsboro - February 24 Royall Won
A showdown between these two teams will ultimately decide whether the Scenic Bluffs has one or two champions this season, barring an upset loss by either. Royall won the first matchup 60-48 behind 26 points from senior Carter Uppena and forcing Hillsboro into 20 turnovers in the contest.
Prediction: Royall goes 14-0 and wins the Scenic Bluffs conference title outright for the second straight year.
My Preseason Pick: Barneveld
Contenders
Barneveld 14-2 UPDATED 15-3
Argyle 12-4 UPDATED 14-4
Key Matchups Left
Barneveld at Highland - February 21 Highland won
Argyle at Barneveld - February 27
Barneveld is two games up on Argyle and with a crossover game with Highland on the schedule, the final game between the Golden Eagles and Argyle will be likely serve as the game to determine if its an outright title win or a share for the crown. Two weeks ago Barneveld topped Argyle 80-67, limiting the Orioles to just 4 of 18 shooting from deep.
Prediction: Barneveld sweeps Argyle and wins the Six Rivers-East title outright for the third straight season.
My Preseason Pick: Potosi
Contenders
Highland 15-1 UPDATED 16-2
Potosi 15-1 UPDATED 17-1
River Ridge 14-2 UPDATED 16-2
UPDATE: Potosi has clinched at least a share of the title.
Key Matchups Left
Highland at River Ridge - February 18 RIVER RIDGE WON
Potosi at River Ridge - February 27
The Six Rivers-West conference race comes down to three of the top teams in Division 5 in the state and will be a great race to follow these next few weeks. Highland has River Ridge on the schedule as well as Barneveld and Belmont. Potosi has River Ridge, Benton, and Monticello. River Ridge has the top two teams and Albany left. River Ridge could make make a big splash by going 3-0 and forcing a possible three-way share of the league crown.
Prediction: Highland goes 3-0 while Potosi drops a game and Highland wins the conference title outright in well over two decades.
My Preseason Pick: Wisconsin Dells
Contenders
Westfield 7-1 UPDATED 8-1
Wisconsin Dells 7-1 UPDATED 8-1
Adams-Friendship 5-3 UPDATED 5-4 OUT
Key Matchups Left
N/A
Westfield and Wisconsin Dells split their season series and sit tied atop the standings with Adams-Friendship two games back with two games to go. The Green Devils have games against both the top teams left but would have to avenge losses to both and hope the other two lose out in hopes for a share of the crown.
Prediction: Westfield and Wisconsin Dells finish 9-1 in the league and share the South Central championship, the seventh straight for the Dells and the first for Westfield in over 20 years.
My Preseason Pick: Racine Case
Contenders
Racine Park 11-0 UPDATED 12-1
Franklin 9-3 UPDATED 10-3
UPDATED: Racine Park has clinched outright.
Key Matchups Left
N/A
Park has already clinched a share of the conference title and with games against Tremper, Bradford, and Indian Trail left, seemed poised to win the title outright as they'd need to drop all three to force a share of the crown. Park is one of the top teams in the state regardless of Division and contender to get to the Kohl Center come late March.
Prediction: Racine Park goes 14-0 and wins the Southeast conference title for the first time since 2018-19.
My Preseason Pick: Westosha Central
Contenders
Waterford 11-1 UPDATED 12-1
Westosha Central 11-1 UPDATED 11-2
UPDATE: Waterford has clinched a share of the title.
Key Matchups Left
Elkhorn at Westosha Central - February 21 ELKHORN WON
Westosha Central at Waterford - February 27
These two teams seemed destined to meet on February 27 tied at the top of the conference with a league title on the line. Elkhorn could very well throw a wrench in that plan however with a win over Westosha this Friday. The Elks lost by just three back in mid-January to the Falcons. The first matchup between Westosha and Waterford was a 12-point Westosha win where the Falcons held Caden Gustafson and Jamison Beesley to a combined 17 points for the Waterford.
Predictions: Waterford wins out, avenges its previous loss to Westosha, and wins the Southern Lakes outright, the first conference championship for the Wolverines since the 2009-10 season.
My Preseason Pick: Platteville
Contenders
Platteville 8-0
Key Matchups Left
N/A
Platteville has already clinched the SWC conference title having gone 8-0 and up three games over Lancaster with just two games left in the conference. The Hillmen are also vying for the top seed in their sub-sectional with three games left on its schedule.
Prediction: Platteville has won its third straight title and will likely extend its conference winning streak to 25 straight games.
My Preseason Pick: Mineral Point
Contenders
Mineral Point 11-1 UPDATED 12-1
Darlington 9-3 UPDATED 10-3
UPDATE: Mineral Point has clinched the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
N/A
Mineral Point has claimed at least a share of the conference title already and can win the crown outright with a win over Riverdale or Iowa-Grant over the next two weeks. It seems extremely unlikely the Pointers will drop both, let alone one, of those matchups, leaving no path for Darlington to claim a share.
Prediction: Mineral Point goes 13-1 and wins its first outright conference title since 2017-18.
My Preseason Pick: Oakfield
Contenders
Oakfield 11-1 UPDATED 12-1
Dodgeland 9-2 UPDATED 9-4
Wayland Academy 8-2 UPDATED 9-4
UPDATE: Oakfield has clinched the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
Wayland Academy at Dodgeland - February 18 WAYLAND WON
Dodgeland at Oakfield - February 21 OAKFIELD WON
Oakfield will need avenge its only league loss of the year to Dodgeland in order to claim an outright title this season. In that matchup, Dodgeland was 18 of 26 from the free throw line to clinch the win while Oakfield was just 2 of 10. For Dodgeland, they'll have to avenge a loss to Wayland Academy before that matchup and then win over Horicon as well. Wayland needs Oakfield to drop one game and win its final four to get a share of the crown.
Prediction: Oakfield wins the Trailways-East conference outright for the second time in four seasons.
My Preseason Pick: Abundant Life
Contenders
Abundant Life 9-1 UPDATED 10-1
Deerfield 8-1 UPDATED 10-1
Key Matchups
N/A
These two teams split their season series, the only loss for either within the Trailways-South. Abundant Life has Johnson Creek and Parkview left on its schedule, two teams they've beaten by 15-plus points. Deerfield has Madison Country Day, Williams Bay, and Palmyra-Eagle left all who the Demons won by 18-plus points the first go around.
Prediction: Abundant Life and Deerfield both finish 11-1 in the conference and share the league championship for the second consecutive season.
My Preseason Pick: Pardeeville
Contenders
Pardeeville 11-0 UPDATED 13-0
Fall River 8-3 UPDATED 10-3 (OUT)
Randolph 8-3 UPDATED 8-5 (OUT)
UPDATED: Pardeeville clinched the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
Randolph at Pardeeville - February 18 PARDEEVILLE WON
Pardeeville has clinched at least a share of the conference title and if the Bulldogs knock sweep Randolph on Tuesday, they'll clinch the title outright. If the Bulldogs do lose that one, they'll have Montello and Princeton/Green Lake left who they've beaten by 25-plus points each. Randolph and Fall River would need to win out and have Pardeeville lose out to get a share.
Prediction: Pardeeville goes 14-0 and wins the Trailways-West outright for the first time since 2017-18.
My Preseason Pick: Marshfield
Contenders
Marshfield 11-0
Key Matchups Left
N/A
Marshfield has clinched the Wisconsin Valley conference title outright for the fourth straight season, as the Tigers hold a four-game lead with three games left. Chris Fischer's group has begun to click since the return of junior big man Chris Pohl and are gearing up for a playoff run in a Division 1 sectional with many talented teams from the FVA conference.
Prediction: Marshfield has clinched its fourth straight Wisconsin Valley conference championship.
My Preseason Pick: Whitnall
Contenders
Greenfield 10-0 UPDATED 11-1
Whitnall 8-2 UPDATED 10-2
UPDATE: Greenfield clinched the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
N/A
With wins over Whitnall and Brown Deer last week, Greenfield clinched its first league title since 2018-19. With one more win over Milwaukee Lutheran or Shorewood, the Hustlin Hawks win the conference title outright and break a four-year conference championship streak of Whitnall. The Falcons of Whitnall would need Greenfield to slip up in both games and win out for its share of the league title.
Prediction: Greenfield goes 14-0 and wins the Woodland-East conference championship outright.
My Preseason Pick: West Allis Central
Contenders
Wisconsin Lutheran 9-1 UPDATED 11-1
West Allis Central 9-3 (OUT)
Pewaukee 7-3 UPDATED 7-5 (OUT)
UPDATE: Wisconsin Lutheran has clinched the title outright.
Key Matchups Left
Pewaukee at Wisconsin Lutheran - February 18
Wisconsin Lutheran has clinched at least a share of the Woodland-West title, leading the contenders by two with just two games left. Pewaukee can make the race more interesting with a win on Tuesday over the Vikings, but even then, Wisco would have a matchup with New Berlin Eisenhower left, a team they beat by 49 earlier in the year. Both West Allis Central and Pewaukee would need Wisco to get upset and also win their final games to get a share of the crown.
Prediction: Wisconsin Lutheran wins its second straight outright Woodland-West conference championship.
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