Who might be on next year's All-Area basketball teams?
Each year, I take a quick glance into my crystal ball and try to project who might make our All-Area basketball teams next year at this time. This year's girls team featured the last hurrah for a tremendous senior class, featuring Mukwonago's Morgan Glatczak and Bre Cera, Hamilton's Taylor Klug and Pewaukee's Abby Gerrits. The boys team had a little more underclass representation coming off a 2015 season where five of the six selections were seniors (and the lone junior, Bryce Nze, didn't play this season).
Who might find themselves on next year's team? Here's a look at who's next:
Girls
This year's team:Bre Cera, Mukwonago; Morgan Glatczak, Mukwonago; Grace Beyer, Mukwonago; Abby Gerrits, Pewaukee; MacKenzie Schill, Pewaukee; Taylor Klug, Hamilton.
The aforementioned senior departures leaves us with two strong candidates for next year: current junior Schill and freshman Beyer, who was a key component of a state finalist team.
Abby Guidinger of Kettle Moraine was one of our honorable-mention picks, and the junior immediately jumps to mind as another strong candidate, especially after the Lasers staged a surprising run to the Classic 8 Conference title (shared with Mukwonago). Guidinger was named first-team All Conference this season, and the team brings back other top contributors, including juniors Alyssa Pausha, Grace Weber and Hannah Ohm. SophomoreJessie Tischaefer also showed some serious flashes and could be a fast riser.
Another Guidinger, current sophomore Jinda Guidinger, had a solid year at Pewaukee, and she figures to take a more prominent role next year with Gerrits departed. MacKenzie Schillwill be the team's expected leader next year after several graduations.
Arrowhead has several players who could make the list next year, and the Warhawks figure to surge forward after reaching yet another sectional final this year. Junior Grace Gilmoremade the team two years ago, and although injury cost her a strong portion of the season, she was right there at the end when the Warhawks were playing their best. Sophomore Megan Petersonhad a huge sectional semifinal to cap a strong second year on varsity, and Liz Erdmann, Karina Smiths, Karissa Huckeand Caitlyn Harper all figure to return and make Arrowhead a dangerous threat to win the Classic 8.
But Mukwonago will naturally have something to say about it. In addition to Grace Beyer, junior Julia Morelliwill return after playing a key role this year, as will freshman Natalie Andersen. Sophomore Alaina Nashwas starting at the year's outset and will also be a key piece.
Hamilton will lose Klug to graduation, but nobody else, and junior Macy Williams should return as one of the top players in the Greater Metro. Megan Schmitt, a force on the boards, also stands to return and threaten double-double averages.
Audrey Sobczakwas named second-team All Conference in the Wisconsin Little Ten as just a sophomore, making her one of the top returnees in the league next year, though a mind-boggling eight of 10 first- and second-team selections this year are due back next year.
Sophomore Olivia Stoppenbachwill be among the top returnees for Lake Country Lutheran next year, and junior Erika VanDerVoort will be back for University Lake School.
Super-early prediction:Beyer, Gilmore, Abby Guidinger, Peterson, Schill, Williams.
Boys
This year's team:Jacob Hartung, Sussex Hamilton; Brandon Hau, Mukwonago; Brian Wilman, Arrowhead; Sean Miller, Kettle Moraine; Wyatt Cook, Pewaukee; Zach Clayton, Oconomowoc
Half of the selections this year will be back: juniors Hau, Cook and Clayton.
Zach Claytonhelped Oconomowoc win its first conference title since 2003-04, and the top scorer on the squad will make the Raccoons dangerous again next year, even with some significant graduation losses. Jake Ramsalso played a key role this season as a junior.
Wyatt Cook was a double-double waiting to happen on one of the area's best teams, and Pewaukee isn't going anywhere next year. Aidan Nordquist, another junior, returns, as does sharpshooting sophomore Jack Gohlkeand junior forward Redmon Wallace. It means the Pirates bring back four of their top five scorers from a team that won 19 games this year. Look out, Division 2.
Brandon Hau and Mukwonago had some ups and downs this season, but the 6-6 junior scored 16.6 points per game and showed he had the potential to reach even another level. Junior Zach Genrich brings an athleticism and intensity to the floor that will help the cause next year, and juniors Alex Gehland Gabe Cizauskaswere regulars in the lineup this season.
Though he was only honorable-mention this year, Arrowhead's best X-factor is point guard Trevell Cunningham, capable of lighting up the scoreboard and bringing a quickness that can't be matched by other guards in the Classic 8. He really had a breakout season this year and should be counted on to help the Warhawks enjoy a good 2016-17 season. Fellow junior Ben Seefeldjoined Cunningham on second-team All Conference, and junior Alec Hamilton is also back and can fill the role played by Brian Wilman as the team's primary post presence. The team was able to adapt with Bryce Nze injured this year, and next year should be a strong season.
Kettle Moraine relied heavily on seniors Sean Miller and Nick Fuller this year, but it also worked in some underclassmen, notably sophomores Kyle Abattoand Michael Payantand freshman Nate Jenkins. Throw in juniors Nick Dahmenand Ben Psicihulis, and there's reason for optimism next year at KM.
This won't be the first time Hamilton sees several top seniors graduate, but it certainly didn't hurt them this year, when the Chargers were able to win 16 games. Hartung had a lot to do with it, with seniors Luke Semb and Zach Jasinski rounding out the top-three scorers. Sophomore Connor Allenand junior Jordan Smithwill be the top returnees.
Sophomore Ethan Adlerhad a breakout year for Lake Country Lutheran after the transfer of top returning scorer Marko Matejic, and freshman Bryce Haertlealso added to the mix to give the Lightning some serious optimism. Freshman Nick Bieganskiwas the second-leading scorer on University Lake School this year, with senior Hunter Bolger named honorable mention on our All-Area Team after scoring nearly 26 points per game.
Super-early prediction:Clayton, Cook, Cunningham, Hau, Nordquist, Seefeld
Pictured: Abby Guidinger of Kettle Moraine dives on a loose ball. The guard will be a key component of what should be a very good Lasers team next winter.