Here are the top 14 boys basketball players to watch in Manitowoc/Sheboygan areas
A brand-new high school boys basketball season tips off on Tuesday across Wisconsin with several players from Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties worth keeping an eye on.
Here are the 14 area players to watch in the 2023-24 season, in alphabetical order.
Pierce Arenz, sr., Kiel
Arenz was named first team all-Eastern Wisconsin Conference and honorable mention Division 3 by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association last season after finishing second in the conference with 18.9 points per game and tying for second with 4.9 assists per game. He shot 39% from beyond the arc and is the Raiders all-time leader in steals and assists. “Our expectations for Pierce are sky high,” said Raiders coach Marcus Rumpff. “We expect him to be more efficient than last season and increase his free throw attempts and percentage. We look to him again to be one of the better perimeter defenders in our conference creating havoc on the ball.”
Cade Buboltz, jr., Sheboygan North
Buboltz earned honorable mention all-Fox River Classic Conference honors as a sophomore after averaging 15.7 ppg and shooting 42.4% from deep. Golden Raiders coach Eric Worth says the point guard has a ton of playmaking ability.
Blake Buhr, so., Sheboygan North
Buhr started for the Golden Raiders as a freshman and while he only averaged 6.4 ppg and 3.5 rpg Worth expects the now sophomore to take a huge leap with his potential. He’s among the top 50 players in the class of 2026 according to WisSports.Net.
Cade Dirkse, so., Oostburg
Flying Dutchmen coach Kevin Bruggink says Dirkse is physically strong on both ends of the court and has great leadership skills despite being just a sophomore. He was first team all-Big East South after averaging 11.6 ppg 3.8 apg and 1.9 spg.
Camden Dvorachek, sr., Reedsville
Dvorachek, who was first team all-Big East North, led the conference in rebounding at 11.9 rpg while also averaging 17.9 ppg. He shot 63% from the floor and 68% from the free throw line. “Cam will likely be the only senior to play on the varsity this season,” said Panthers coach Ron Prochnow. “Obviously, he will bring us great leadership to go along with his potential for a double-double each and every night. Cam will be our go to guy in the post and his leadership with the young guys will be crucial to our success this season.”
Trent Grunewald, jr., Howards Grove
A second team all-Big East North selection as a sophomore, he averaged 11.2 ppg and 5.4 rpg. Grunewald has started the past two years and was in the role of a facilitator and secondary option, but Tigers coach Wade Georgeff thinks that will change this season. “This season we are going need him to step up and be the man, something I know he is capable of being,” Georgeff said. “He leads by example so I'm going to challenge him to be a vocal leader as well. With that, I'm looking for him to lead our offense. Continue to knock down open looks, finish at the rim, and find his open teammates. Something I think he did a great job of this summer.”
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Jack Jacquat, sr., Plymouth
Jacquat is coming off a junior season in which he earned second team all-East Central Conference honors after averaging 11.0 ppg and 6.2 rpg. “Jack is expected to play a key role on both ends of the floor for us this year,” said Panthers coach Tim Schultz. “His rebounding, defense and scoring will be important to our success.”
Trey Keller, sr., Kohler
Keller was a unanimous first team all-Big East South selection as a junior after he averaged 21.8 ppg and 1.6 spg. Blue Bombers coach Ken Roeder expects another great season for Keller.
Grant Manz, sr., Kiel
Manz led the EWC with 12.2 rpg while scoring 12.2 ppg and was named first team all-conference. “High expectations again,” Rumpff said. “We expect to see a more aggressive Grant scoring wise, and like Pierce getting to the line more and having a better free throw percentage. He's a great passer for a big, and we look forward to Grant taking more steps and expanding his game.”
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Aaron Nehls, sr., Ozaukee
Nehls was second team all-Big East South as a junior and averaged 13.6 ppg. Ozaukee coach Bob Domach thinks Nehls will compete for conference player of the year.
Kayden Schultz, so., Plymouth
Schultz was named first team all-ECC as just a freshman, averaging 15.2 ppg and 6.4 rpg while finishing third in assists (3.2). “His overall leadership and skill set from the point guard position will be a key for us,” Tim Schultz said of his youngest son.
Ashton Thuecks, so., Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah
Thuecks, one of the top 50 players in the class of 2026, averaged 10.6 ppg and 5.3 rpg but is expected to take on an increased role this season. "Ashton worked hard in the weight room during the off season and additional strength should help him take his game to the next level in various respects,” Resorters coach Mike Koehler said. “Last year, our team had two 1,000-point career scorers and thus Ashton was not a primary offensive option, but this year he will be and he is ready for that."
Zane Willadsen, jr., Kohler
Roeder says Willadsen was on his way to becoming a first team all-conference selection before his season was ended after seven games. He was averaging around 13 ppg, 8 rpg and 2 blocks per game. “He will be one of the better players in either division of the Big East should he stay healthy,” Roeder said.
JJ Zavatchin, so., Oostburg
Much like his teammate Dirkse, Bruggink praised Zavatchin’s physical strength on both ends of the court and exceptional leadership. A unanimous first team all-Big East South as a freshman, he averaged 20.2 ppg and 7.6 rpg.
Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 or tdombeck@htrnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Tom_Dombeck.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: The top 14 boys hoops players to watch in Manitowoc, Sheboygan areas
