Last year’s boys basketball season saw Caledonia (13-1, 23-5), Kingsland (16-4, 23-6), and Fillmore Central (4-10, 16-14) make the section semifinals. The Warriors were co-TRC-East division champs. FC upset SEC-East champ Spring Grove (18-2, 25-4) in the play-offs. Rushford-Peterson (8-6, 21-8) was a 20-win team, Houston (10-10, 15-12) was above five-hundred, Mabel-Canton (10-10, 14-14) right at even. Lanesboro (6-14, 8-20), LeRoy-Ostrander (7-12, 7-20), Chatfield (1-14, 3-24), and Grand Meadow (0-20, 0-27) each struggled. SG, Kingsland, and FC each start with new coaches. Glenville-Emmons is now sharing with Alden-Conger and thus out of the SEC.
The Caledonia Warriors will look for big season. But maybe bigger than lately. Last year, Brad King’s group (13-1) shared the TRC-East title with La Crescent/Hokah. Team Cal fell 82-81 to Cannon Falls on a coast-to-coast last section shot in the 1AA semis. The Warriors finished at 23-5. Five Warriors made All-TRC and four return. The only All-league graduation was 1,000-point scoring point guard Lewis Doyle (6’0” G > 12.8 PPG, 5.0 APG). Reid Klug (6’4” Sr. G/F > roughly 16.0 PPG and 6.0 RPG), Mason King (6’0” Sr. G > roughly 16.0 PPG, 69 threes), Ethan Stendel (6’4” Sr. C > 10.3 PPG, 9-plus RPG), and Garrett Konz (6’4” Sr. F > 11.8 PPG, 6-plus RPG) are a very strong foursome. All have played since sophomore year. But Cal took a hit when would-be starter Will Hahn (6’0” Sr. G) tore up his knee in soccer. He will miss the season. Ben Stemper (6’0” Sr. G), Noah Treptow (6’4” Sr. F), and Tyler Hoscheit (5’11” Sr. G) round out an eight-man returning senior class. Grant King (6’0” Fr. G), Aaron Stemper (6’0” Jr. G), Coby Hammell (6’2” Fr. G), and Zeke Gengler (5’7” Jr. G) are four more returning varsity players. The Warriors have their TRC schedule including opening with R-P (away) and LC/H (home). They host R-P and play at the Lancers in early February. Home non-con games are with Holmen, Stewartville, West Salem, Maple River, and Cannon Falls. Road non-con games are at Onalaska and La Crosse-Central. They play Waverly-Shell Rock (in Decorah) and Mount Horeb (in La Crosse) on neutral floors.
Rushford-Peterson enters this season coming off a 20-win campaign. Chris Drinkall’s Trojans went 8-6 in the TRC, but 21-8 overall. They fell to eventual section champ Goodhue 75-64 in the 1A quarters A young R-P team graduated its only All-TRC performer in two-time selection Dawson Bunke (6’4” F > 20.2 PPG, 120 threes, 5.9 RPG), their leading scorer, a 1,300-point career scorer. Starter Sampson Wilkemeyer (6’3” F) also notably graduated. It will be year two for a team dominated by the classes of 2026 and 2027. Said group is led by All-TRC HM pick, point guard Cayden Lea (5’9” So. > 12.8 PPG, 3.6 APG, 2.5 SPG), who had big freshman year. Also back are regulars Will LaFluer (5’11” Jr. G > 9.6 PPG, 42% threes), Carson Johnson (6’1” So. F/G > 9.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG), Cole Thompson (5’10” So. G > 7.6 PPG, 60 threes), Caden Johnson (6’1” Sr. F > 4.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG), Creighton Hoiness (6’0” So. G > 5.7 PPG), and Landon Dahl (6’2” Jr. F > 3.2 PPG). Caden J. is the only returning senior. R-P has its TRC schedule including a home opener with Caledonia and a game at FC (January 24). They host FC and Lanesboro for their holiday tourney. Other home non-con games are with Kingsland, Houston, L-O, Schaeffer Academy and M-C. Road non-con games are with L/P (season-opener), Hayfield, Faribault B.A., SG (February 4), and Grand Meadow.
Fillmore Central comes off a deep post-season progression. The Falcons went 4-10 in the TRC, but 16-14 overall. They upset Spring Grove in the 1A quarters before falling to Goodhue 86-66 in the semis, their first trip that far since 2009. FC gets a new coach. Jeremy Plowman takes over for Brady O’Connor. FC graduated four key seniors, most notably All-TRC picks Jayce Kiehne (6’2” G > 16.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.0 APG) and Luke Hellickson (6’3” F > 18.2 PPG, 94 threes, 5.8 RPG, 2.7 APG). Kiehne was thrice All-TRC. He finished with a Falcon record 1,457 career points. Hellickson scored 1,131. Both were three-year starters. The Falcons’ top returnee is All-TRC HM pick, Greg Kennedy (6’6” Sr. F/C > 13.4 PPG, team-best 8.4 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 1.8 BPG). Josh Haugerud (6’0” Sr. G > 6.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG), Bridon Bahl (6’0” So. G > 4.8 PPG), Clayton Schoepski (5’10” Jr. G > 3.8 PPG, 3.0 APG), and Anthony Kiehne (5’11” Sr. G) are four more key returnees. Tyler Gulbranson (6’7” C), Owen Schoepski (5’11” Sr. G), Maddex Rindels (6’3” Sr. C), Dillon Winslow (6’2” Sr. F), Logan Soeby (6’1” Sr. G), and Carter O’Connor (5’10” G) give FC a 10-man senior class. The Falcons have their TRC schedule including hosting R-P January 24. FC plays the Trojans and Southland at R-P’s holiday tourney. Other road non-con games are with Goodhue (season opener), SG (second game), Kingsland, Lanesboro, and GM. Home ones are with K-W, BP, Schaeffer, Hayfield, Houston and M-C.
Spring Grove and Hall of Fame coach Wade Grinde claimed a fourth straight SEC East championship, their 13th title in the last 14 seasons and a No. 10 state ranking in the final Class A poll. The Lions (18-2 SEC, 25-4) split with Fillmore Central, but the loss, by one point, came in the section quarters. Two All-SEC graduates are now wearing college jerseys, and the program is replacing not only four starters but the entire high school coaching staff. After 29 years and 18 conference titles, 2019 Class A State Coach of the Year, Grinde has retired along with all varsity assistants. The head coach will be a product of the program, Dakotah Rostad (formerly a head at GM). He and assistant Aric Elton, both past SG Male Athletes of the Year and three-time All-SEC picks, are two of the most decorated cagers in SG history. Only one starter returns, All-SEC Ben Udstuen (6’5” F > team-third-best 13.3 PPG, team-second-best 6.7 RPG, 2.0 SPG). Five other letter winners plan to use their experience as reserves to assume major roles: Bryce Berns (5’10” Sr. G > 4.6 PPG), Zach Brumm (6’2” Sr. G), Troy Reinhardt (5’10” Sr. G), Caleb Eiken (6’2” Sr. G) and Devon Williams (6’1” Jr. F). Nate Crouch (6’3” Sr.) returns from an injury-shortened season. Depth may develop from a large senior class, including Kohl Betcher, Jackson Moen and Zander Thorson plus two capable junior guards, Kolton Nerstad and Lyric Stadtler, along with three promising sophomores – Emery Bartell, Dylan Halverson and Gabe Van Minsel. The Lions remain the team to beat in the SEC East with last year’s only two league losses coming against West champion Southland. There is talent; the B-team went 19-4. If replacements perform as expected, SG could contend for section honors as well. Non-conference games feature familiar rivals R-P, LC/H and FC as well as Osage (IA), St. Charles, BP, and possibly Pine Island.
Kingsland had a big year last season. The Knights went 16-4 in the SEC, taking second in the West to Southland (17-3, 22-6). Kingsland made the 1A semis before falling to Blooming Prairie 74-72. They finished 23-6, their best season since 2006-2007. Five seniors including four starters moved on. Included were All-SEC picks Jayden Brink (6’0” G > 16.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.5 APG), the team’s leading scorer, Ayden Howard (6’1” F > 6.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG), the top defender, and Courtland Drury-DeBoer (6’0” F > 12.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG), an All-SEC HM selection, plus Sam Snitker (6’2” G > 5.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG). Brink was a four-year starter with 1,421 career points. Kingsland starts with a new coach. Jim Hubka, an assistant last year, takes over for John Fenske (who slid over to head the girls). Hubka inherits a group that notably returns All-SEC 2nd team selection Max Erdman (6’5” Sr. F/C > 14.7 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 2.9 combined blocks/steals). Third-year guard Kaaleem Reiland (5’10” Jr > 4.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.1 APG), Gavin Hubka (6’5” Sr. F/C > 3.9 PPG, 2.4 RPG), Parker Johnson (6’1” Sr. F > 3.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG) and Caden Reiter (6’0” Sr. G) are five more key holdovers. Zach Reiland (6’1” Sr. G) also returns after missing a year ago to injury. With Ira Schmidt (6’1” F/C), the Knights have six returning seniors. Kingsland has their SEC schedule including games with Southland on December 19 (away) and February 13 (home). Home non-con games are with Medford, Hayfield, FC, K-W and W-K. Away non-con games are with Goodhue, BP and R-P.
After several years of rolling out young teams, Houston finally matured last year for a solid campaign. Jake Merchlewitz’s Hurricanes went 10-10 in the SEC. Houston fell to FC in a Round of 16 play-off game 78-50 to finish 15-12 overall. They were 5-22 the year prior. The Hurricanes return an experienced and senior-laden squad. Heading the cast is one of the SEC’s top shooters, All-SEC 1st team pick, Morgan Rohweder (6’3” Sr G/F > 18.6 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.3 SPG, 97 of 251 threes, 39%). Already a 1,000-point scorer, he holds Houston’s all-time three-point make record. Also back is Carter Geiwitz (6’5” Sr. F > 11.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.5 APG), last year’s All-SEC HM pick. Maddox Rodriguez (5’11 Sr. G > 9.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.7 APG), Zach Olson (5’8” Sr. G > 8.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.0 APG), Alex Wedl (6’2” Sr. F > 7.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG), and Casey Herek (5’10” Sr. G > 3.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG) allow team double-H to return its top six from last year. Dawson Pedretti (6’1” C) and Owen Sobotta (5’9” G) give the Hurricanes eight seniors. Houston has it SEC schedule including games with SG December 20 (home) and January 6 (away). They have one pure home non-con game with W-K. Road non-con games are with Cotter (season-opener), R-P, Chatfield, and FC. Neutral court games are with MFL Mar Mac (in Decorah) and Eleva-Strum (at the Target Center).
LeRoy-Ostrander will try to ride some state football mojo to a better basketball season. The Cardinals went 7-13 in the SEC last year, 7-20 overall. They fell to Faribault B.A. 67-66 in a 1A play-in game. L-O starts the year with a new coach. Justin Stevens takes over for new girls coach Ryan Evans. Stevens inherits a group that returns its main players, as only two (non-factor) seniors departed. The cast is headed by All-SEC 2nd team pick Camden Hungerholt (6’2” Sr. G > 24.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.1 SPG), the SEC’s most prolific returning scorer. He is already over 1,200 career points. Also back is L-O’s All-SEC HM pick, Reid Hungerholt (6’2” So. G > 13.7 PPG) plus Ryder Stern (6’0” Sr. F > 3.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG), Carter Sweeney (6’1” Sr. F > 7.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG), and Talan Lewison (6’0” Jr. G). Southland import Tyson Stevens (5’11” Sr. G) additionally joins the fray. The above are the team’s four seniors. L-O has its SEC schedule. Home non-con games are with AC/G-E and Medford. Road non-con games are with Hayfield, K-W, W-K, and R-P plus GM’s Holiday Tourney (GM, BP, Goodhue).
Mabel-Canton ended last year right at five-hundred. Russ Larson’s Cougars went 10-10 in the SEC and 14-14 overall. M-C fell to Kenyon-Wanamingo 83-59 in the 1A Round of 16. The Cougars gradated a really good one, four-time All-SEC pick Cayden Tollefsrud (G > 26.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, 2.0 SPG). Tollefsrud earned the Player of the Year in the conference a season ago, finishing with a Cougar-best 2,328 career points. He was one of six seniors to move on including two other every-game guys. Tyler Larson (6’0” Sr. F > 9.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG), an All-SEC HM pick last year, and Isaac Underbakke (6’1” Jr. G > 11.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.4 SPG) are the teams’ top two veterans coming back. Darian Hershberger (6’0” Jr. F > 4.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG), Bode Weidemann (6’0” Sr. G), and Kale Tollefsrud (5’6” Jr. G) are three more key returnees. Ayden Underbakke (5’9” G) gives M-C returning three seniors. The Cougars have their SEC schedule, opening with Southland (home). They have home non-con games with W-K and AC/G-E. Road non-con games are with Faribault B.A., FC, and R-P, plus South Winn (in Decorah).
Lanesboro enters the season coming off a down year. The Burros went 6-14 in the SEC and 8-20 overall. Matt Asleson’s group fell to Spring Grove 48-37 in the 1A Round of 16. Lanesboro graduated its All-SEC pick, three-time 2nd team selection and 1,233-point career scorer Mason Howard (6’0” G > 15.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.0 APG). Also departing was the team’s leading scorer, All-SEC HM selection Will Harvey (6’0” Sr. G > 15.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.5 APG). All told, six seniors, who contributed, graduated. The Burros’ two main holdovers are David Harvey (6’1” Jr. F > 5.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.0 SPG) and Levi Rogers (6’3” Jr. F > 5.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG). Nick Taylor (6’3” So. F), Jackson Taylor (6’8” Sr. C), and Aedan Flaby (6’2 Sr. G) also played in 15-plus games last year. Parker Wangen (6’4” Sr. F) gives the Burros three returning seniors. Lanesboro has their SEC schedule, opening at Kingsland. Home non-con tilts are with Rochester STEM and FC. Road non-con games are with Chatfield plus R-P and Hayfield at the Trojans’ holiday tourney. The Burros also take on Crestwood (in Decorah) and GM (at Target Center) on neutral courts.
Chatfield will look for a few more wins in 2024-2025. The Gophers had just a trio of seniors a season ago and they went 1-14 in the TRC and 3-24 overall. Jeremy McBroom’s group fell to Caledonia in the 1AA Round of 16 84-40. The Gophers’ only honored player is returnee Carson Harstad (6’2” So. G), who made All-TRC HM after leading the team in scoring at 12.5 PPG. He will be joined by five other key returnees in Ross Stoehr (5’11 So. G > 7.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG), Masyn Kreter (6’2” Sr. G > 6.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG), Ryan Rindels (6’0” Sr. G/F > 3.5 PPG), Tobin McMahon (5’10” Sr. G), and Aiden Johnsrud (5’10” Sr. G). Ethan Eickhoff (6’0” Sr. G) gives the Gophers five seniors. Chatfield has its normal TRC schedule. Home non-con games are with Pine Island, Cannon Falls, Houston, Lanesboro and Decorah. Away non-con games are with Rochester STEM (season-opener), Albert Lea and Triton.
Grand Meadow went 0-20 in the SEC and 0-27 overall last year. Chad Burmester’s group fell to G-E 77-44 in a 1A play-in contest. The Superlarks did not graduate much. They return their leading scorer in All-SEC HM pick Carter Glynn (6’2” Jr. F/G > around 10.0 PPG). Cohen Craft (6’0” Jr. G), Logan Grafe (6’4” So. F), Graham Eastlee (6’2” So. F), Keaton Gehling (6’0” Jr. G), and Sawyer Hanenberger (6’0” Jr. G) are other notable returnees. Alex Lopez (6’2” Sr. F/G), a contributor in 2022-2023, Skyler Wangen (6’5” F), and Malachi Carrington-Young (5’8” G) are the Larks’ three seniors. GM has its normal SEC schedule. They host a holiday tourney (Goodhue, BP, L-O). Other home non-con games are with FC, Hayfield, and R-P. They play neutral site affairs with Postville (in Decorah) and Lanesboro (at Target Center), one of three games with the Burros.
Non-Conference Boys Basketball (11/30)
Houston 53, Cotter 68 (H: Zach Olson 17 pts (4-7 threes); Morgan Rohweder 14 pts (4-5 FTs), 5 rebs, 5 stls; Maddox Rodriguez 12 pts. It was Houston’s season opener)
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