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Returning talent makes Rock Valley interesting

The first season of Rock Valley North and South boys basketball went about as expected.

After ruling the Southern Lakes, new member East Troy cruised to the Rock Valley North title with a 15-1 record.

Brodhead, behind 6-foot-9 super sophomore J.J. Panoske, edged Walworth Big Foot by one game for the South title .

Although the defending champions are expected to make a push to repeat, both races appear to be wide open as conference play tips off tonight.

Brodhead is the favorite in the South, thanks to the return of Panoske and senior point guard Jacob Cole, both All-Rock Valley South first-team selections a year ago, but talented Big Foot and up-and-coming Beloit Turner figure to keep the heat on the Cardinals.

The Rock Valley North appears to be up for grabs. Four teams got first-plae votes in the coaches’ pre-season rankings, which should make for an entertaining season.

“It’s tough to pick a favorite in either league because the results of the crossover games will go a long way toward determining who wins the North or the South,” Evansville coach Chris Wagner said.

“All I know is that life will not be easy in the Rock Valley this season.”

The South returns six all-conference first-team selections from a year ago, led by Orfordville Parkview’s Nick Melton, the Player of the Year.

Panoske and Cole combined to average nearly 28 points a game last season, while Melton led the division with a 17-point average.

Big Foot will look for a conference title behind the return of first-team selections Alec McGreevy and Nathan Nagel, along with three-year starter Steve Dowden at point guard.

East Troy lost plenty of firepower to graduation, but returns senior Scott Beckwith, a first-team selection a year ago.

“I think every team will be very competitive in the Rock Valley North,” East Troy coach Darin Lottig said.

Whitewater’s Tony Bilderback is the only other first-team selection returning. The senior forward averaged 16 points and seven rebounds a game last season.

Edgerton’s hopes for a second conference title in the last three years took a blow when junior Tyler Dobratz suffered broken leg in football and may not be back until January.

Rock Valley North

EAST TROY

Head coach: Darin Lottig, seventh year (79-55).

2008-09 record: 17-6, 15-1 in Rock Valley North (first place).

Last conference title: 2008-09.

Key losses: Mitch Windle and Dan Douglas, both All-Rock Valley North first team.

Returning starters: Scott Beckwith, 6-0, sr., g; Brett Bouwman, 6-0, sr., g.

Other likely contributors: Myles Olsen, 6-1, soph., g; Colin Schroeder, 5-10, jr., g; Brandon Schmidt, 6-1, sr., g; Erik Penniston, 5-10, jr., g; Tanner Plomb, 6-5, soph., c; Marcus Jones, 5-10, jr., g; Logan Jacob, 6-3, sr., g; Nate Hodge, 6-2, fr., f.

Season outlook: After winning three straight conference championships, including the inaugral Rock Valley North title, the Trojans may be hard-pressed to make it four in a row. But they always seem to have talent—and especially shooters.

Windle and Douglas combined to score nearly 30 points between them a year ago.

“Our post play could be a question mark, as we do not have that prototypical post presence,” Lottig said. “But I think if we play together on both ends of the floor, rebound and share the basketball, we will have a chance of being very competitive in the Rock Valley North.”

EDGERTON

Head coach: Mark Wanless, 16th year (201-129).

2008-09 record: 16-7, 10-6 in Rock Valley North (tied for third place).

Last conference title: 2007-08.

Key losses: Four starters, including four-time All-Rock Valley first-team selection Bryan Gregory, along with Brek Perry, Josh Eastman and Zac Palet.

Returning starter: Dan Ozga, 5-10, sr., g.

Other likely contributors: Tyler Dobratz, a 6-3, jr., forward, who is out until at least midseason with a broken leg; Adam Gregory, 5-10, sr., g; Christian Fox, 6-0, sr., f; Kyle Johnson, 6-0, sr., f.

Season outlook: Dobratz’s injury is a major setback for the Crimson Tide. This is the second straight year that Dobratz, a projected starter, is sidelined indefinitely.

The other major setback is trying to replace the 22-point scoring average of Gregory—the school’s all-time scoring leader.

“Team unity and work ethic are strengths,” Wanless said. “The biggest concern heading into the season is remaining healthy.”

EVANSVILLE

Head coach: Chris Wagner, eighth year (110-44).

2008-09 record: 15-7, 12-4 in Rock Valley North (second place).

Last conference title: 2007-08.

Key losses: Three starters, including Andrew Keister and Jesse Deininger, both All-Rock Valley North first team.

Returning starters: Juniors Dylan Erickson, 6-2, f., and Casey Moseley, 6-2, f.

Other likely contributors: Brian Lunde, 5-9, sr., g; Zach McDonough, 5-11, sr. g; James May, 6-1, sr. f; Nate Watson, 6-5, sr., c; Adam Stamm, 6-2, jr., f; Lucas Hurtley, 6-1, jr., f; Danny Walczak, 6-0, soph.

Season outlook: With the graduation of four-year starter and three-time all-conference selection Andrew Keister, Wagner must find a point guard to run the show.

The North title race figures to be wide open, and Wagner is confident the Blue Devils can contend.

“Life in the Rock Valley will not be easy, and it’s very difficult to pick a favorite,” Wagner said. “But Evansville will contend.

“Teams with size could be a problem, but our kids scrap.”

JEFFERSON

Head coach: Jay Benish, third year (12-33).

2008-09 record: 8-14, 6-10 (sixth place).

Last conference title: 1997-98 (Southern Lakes).

Key losses: Three starters, including Trevor Probst (19 points per game), All-Rock Valley North first team.

Returning starters: Tyler Tomczak, 5-11, sr., g; Luis Torres, 5-9, sr., g.

Other letter winners: A.J. Neils, 6-5, sr., c; Sam Nevins, 6-0, jr., g; Lucas Smillie, 6-3, sr., f.

Other likely contributors: Doug Beilke, 6-1, jr., g; Pete Linse, 5-9, sr., g; Sean Mueller, 6-6, soph. c.

Season outlook: After a winless conference season two years ago in the Southern Lakes, the Eagles won six games in their first Rock Valley North season.

Although the Eagles must replace their leading scorer from a year ago in Probst, Benish believes the climb up the conference standings will continue.

“I feel we can be a top three team in the Rock Valley North,” Benish said. “We’ve got great chemistry, and our depth and quickness will help.”

McFARLAND

Head coach: Jeff Meinholdt, fourth year (30-36).

2008-09 record: 11-10, 8-8 (fifth place).

Last conference title: 2001-02 (Badger South).

Key losses: Four starters, including Lucas Schmitz, a first team All-Rock Valley North selection who averaged 16 points per game.

Returning starters: Brett Kaether, 5-9, jr., g.

Other letter winners: Tyler Wedel, 6-1, jr., g; Sean Engelhart, 6-0, sr., g; Jordan Wink, 6-3, sr., f.

Other likely contributors: Steven Jordan, 5-10, jr., g; Paul Wedel, 6-0, sr., g; James Runde, 6-2, jr., g; Jacob Peeters, 6-2, jr., f; Derekl Patten, 6-5, jr., c.

Season outlook: Experience and a successful junior varsity team from a year ago has Meinholdt excited about his team’s chances to contend in the Rock Valley North.

Despite losing more than 75 percent of their scoring, the Spartans have the size and depth to make a run.

“We should be in the hunt for a conference title,” Meinholdt said. “We have athleticism, experience, and our guards are excellent players.”

WHITEWATER

Head coach: Hugh Gnatzig, 21st year (230-207).

2008-09 record: 12-9, 10-6 (tied for third place).

Last conference title: 1994-95 (Southern Lakes).

Key losses: Three starters, including Miles Hookstead, a first-team All-Rock Valley North selection. Hookstead, who is now playing at Dubuque University, averaged 19 points and 15 rebounds last season.

Returning starters: Tony Bilderback, 6-3, sr., f; David Shears, 5-11, sr., g.

Other letter winners: Mike Gabbey, 6-2, sr., f; Jordan Michaels, 6-3, sr., f; Josh Price, 6-0, sr., g; Tony Floyd, 6-0, sr., g.

Other likely contributors: Damon Vohs, g; Branden Voss, g; Clark Zinzow, f.

Season outlook: Bilderback figures to be one of the top players in the conference after coming off a season where he averaged 16 points and seven rebounds a game.

The Whippets will be ultra-fast and very strong defensively. If another scorer or two surfaces to take the pressure off Bilderback, Whitewater could be in the mix.

“We hope to be in the race again this year,” Gnatzig said. “We return a veteran team. Finishing games remains a question mark.”

Rock Valley South

BELOIT TURNER

Head coach: Ken Watkins, second year (11-11).

2008-09 record: 11-11, 8-8 in Rock Valley South (third place).

Last conference title: 2001-02.

Key losses: Mike Jacobs, first-team All-Rock Valley South selection.

Returning starters: Jordan Conway, 6-3, sr., Aaron Jones, 6-3, sr., f; D.J. Hill, 5-7, sr., g.

Other letter winners: A.J. Bernstein, 6-3, sr., f; Grant McLain, 6-0, sr., f; Brandon Streubin, 5-9, sr., g; Dan Schliesmann, 5-11, sr., g; Terien Pinckney, 6-0, jr., g; Adam Mikkelsen, 6-1, sr., g.

Other likely contributors: Ryan Klopfenstine, 6-4, sr., f; Jacob Somers, 6-2, jr., f; Paul Sorenson, 5-10, jr., g.

Season outlook: The Trojans had an up-and-down first season under Watkins.

The return of Jones, a first-team All-Rock Valley South selection a year ago, gives the Trojans one of the top post players in the conference. Jones and Conway, another returning starter, averaged 24 points a game between them a year ago.

Watkins hopes the experience of playing under a new system will pay off this season for the returnees.

“If we continue to work and sacrifice, we fully expect to compete for a conference title,” Watkins said. “We should have plenty of scoring punch, and we will be solid defensively.”

BRODHEAD

Head coach: Brian Kammerer, third year (23-22).

2008-09 record: 14-8, 10-6 (first place).

Last conference title: 2008-09 (Rock Valley South).

Key losses: Two starters, including first-team All-Rock Valley South selection Ryan Miller.

Returning starters: Jacob Cole, 5-9, sr., g; Nick Jacobson, 6-4, jr., f; J.J. Panoske, 6-9, jr., c.

Other letter winners: Alex Wallace, 5-11, jr., g; Michael Peterson, 6-3, jr., f; Brandon McKee, 6-2, jr., f; Carson Scheidegger, 5-10, jr., g.

Other likely contributors: Blair Chapman, 5-9, j., g; Noah Trueblood, 5-10, jr., g; Donnie Nieman, 5-11, jr., g.

Season outlook: All eyes will be on the 6-foot-9 Panoske, who verbally committed to UW-Green Bay before retracting his decision.

Panoske helped lead the Cardinals to the South title a year ago and will team with Cole to give Brodhead one of the best 1-2 scoring punches in the league. Cole and Panoske were first team All-Rock Valley South selections last season.

The key for Brodhead will be keeping Panoske on the floor and out of foul trouble.

“We must step it up defensively and limit second-chance opportunities,” Kammerer said. “With Panoske’s size, and Cole’s ball handling and leadership skills, I expect them to make the players around them better.”

CLINTON

Head coach: Denny Morris, fourth year (20-46).

2008-09 record: 5-16, 3-13 in Rock Valley South (fifth place).

Last conference title: 1995-96.

Key losses: Austin DeLong, All-Rock Valley South first team.

Returning starters: Mitch Cernek, 6-1, sr. f; Andrew Moen, 5-8, sr., g; Zak Wisowaty, 5-10, sr., g.

Other letter winners: Brett Eiszewski, 5-10, sr., g; Brian Gilbank, 5-10, sr., g; Justin Langley, 5-10, sr., g; Gavin North, 6-1, sr., f.

Other likely contributors: Ros Oldenburg, 6-3, jr., f; Cody Risseeuw, 6-3, fr., f.

Season outlook: The Cougars will look to three returning starters to improve upon last year’s three-win conference season.

Depth and experience at the guard position should make the task a bit easier.

“Guard play, team speed and overall depth are strengths,” Morris said. “Team chemistry and youth are question marks.”

OFORDVILLE PARKVIEW

Head coach: Paul Saevre, third year (24-22).

2008-09 record: 7-14, 5-11 in Rock Valley South (fourth place).

Last conference title: 1965-66 (State Line League).

Key losses: Two starters, including Seth Hanson, All-Rock Valley South honorable mention.

Returning starters: Michael Jess, 6-1, sr., g; Nick Melton, 6-1, sr., g; Jamie Wichser, 6-1, sr., f.

Other letter winners: Cole Isenberger, 5-10, sr., g; Jay Naatz, 6-0, sr., g; Ross Reinhardt, 6-3, sr., f; Kyle Woodworth, 5-9, jr., g; Cameron Zipse, 5-8, sr., g.

Other likely contributor: T.J. Kaiser, 6-1, jr., f.

Season outlook: Melton, the Rock Valley South Player of the Year last season after averaging 17 points and eight rebounds a game, will lead a Parkview team that is athletic but undersized.

“We are an athletic group,” said Saevre, whose team is 2-2 in already playing four nonconference games. “Last year, we had many first-year varsity players, and now we return a team with quite a bit of varsity experience.

“The biggest question is how will we handle teams with size. Last year, we struggled against teams that were bigger and more physical than us.”

PALMYRA-EAGLE

Head coach: Matt McGraw, fourth year (8-57).

2008-09 record: 2-19, 0-16 in Rock Valley South (sixth place).

Last conference title: 1989-90 (Eastern Suburban).

Key losses: Two starters, including Chris McMillan, All-Rock Valley South honorable mention.

Returning starters: Kevin McGivern, 5-10, jr., g; Kevin Watts, 5-10, sr., g.

Other letter winners: B.J. Peardon, 5-11, jr., g; Dan Meyer, 6-4, jr., f; Shane Houk, 5-10, jr., g; Tyler Troiola, 6-5, soph., f; Brian Kelly, 6-3, jr., f.

Other likely contributors: Eric Merriner, 5-11, jr., g; Ben Preuss, 6-0, jr., g; Dale Feil, 5-11, jr., f.

Season outlook: There’s nowhere to go but up for the Panthers after an 0-16 conference season a year ago. And they are shooting for their first winning season since 1990.

With only one senior on the roster, Palmyra-Eagle is still in rebuilding stages. That one senior—Kevin Watts—will likely miss the entire season with a torn ACL.

“Every game is big for us,” McGraw said. “We need to win games we should win, and surprise some teams that supposedly we should not beat.

WALWORTH BIG FOOT

Head coach: Dan Dowden, 10th year (89-108).

2008-09 record: 12-9, 9-7 in Rock Valley South (second place).

Last conference title: 1998-99 (co-champion with Brodhead and Evansville).

Key losses: T.J. Schaid and Micheal Spadoni, who was a first team All-Rock Valley South selection.

Returning starters: Steve Dowden, 6-1, sr., g; Alec McGreevy, 6-5, sr., c; Nathan Nagel, 6-0, sr., g.

Other letter winners: Michael Schauf, 6-4, sr., f; Michael Walker, 5-10, sr., g; Jon Keeler, 6-5, sr., c; Marcus greben, 6-4, sr., f; Michael Kunes, 6-1, jr., Matt McCarthy, 5-10, sr., g.

Other likely contributor: Morgan Volbrecht, 5-10, jr., g.

Season outlook: Will the success of the WIAA Division 4 state football championship team carry over to the basketball team?

Three starters return for the Chiefs who were an integral part of the football team, including first-team All-Rock Valley South selections McGreevy, who averaged 12.1 points per game last season, and Nagel.

“We have great senior leadership, and return most of our offensive scoring and rebounding from last year,” Dowden said. “My biggest concern is staying healthy after a long fall sports season.”