The eighth annual Wisconsin vs. Illinois Border Battle will take place on Saturday, January 31 at The Prairie School in Racine.
Eight games will be played with the first game slated to begin at 9:45 a.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and will be cash only at the game or by using a credit card at the concession stand.
Following is a preview of each contest for the event:
Milwaukee South Division vs. Prospect, 9:45 a.m.
Milwaukee South (6-7) is a member of the Milwaukee City Conference and competes in the Gold Division, the top division for the league. Coach Thomas Shumpert has one of the better scoring guards in Wisconsin in junior Gary Thorpe (6-0), who is averaging nearly 30 points per game for the Cardinals. Thorpe had 40 points in an 80-77 loss to Waukesha North and is one of the quickest players in the City Conference. Senior Kaiden Simpson (6-5) also is a top performer for South Division, which has an enrollment of 1,183 students.
Prospect (9-12) plays in the highly competitive Mid-Suburban West Conference. Coach Brad Rathe, now in his sixth season, returns several key players from a year ago, including seniors Johnny Nellis (6-0), Anderson Neach (6-2) and Will Stratigos' (6-0) along with junior Danny Simon (6-6). Prospect has an enrollment of 2,152 students.
Oak Creek vs. Buffalo Grove, 11:15 a.m.
Oak Creek (7-7) has four players who can put the ball in the basket at a high level. The Knights (8-7) are led by sharpshooting junior wing Tyson Busch (6-2), who is averaging 17.8 ppg for coach Eric Hollow's squad. Seniors Noah Daniel (6-0) and Joey Carini (6-0) join Busch in the backcourt and are averaging 13.9 ppg and 9.9 ppg, respectively. Sophomore Ja'Quan Turner is one of the top class of 2028 prospects in Wisconsin and is contributing 15.9 ppg for the Knights. Oak Creek plays in the Classic Eight Conference and has an enrollment of 2,118 students.
Buffalo Grove is another large school from the Mid-Suburban Conference. The Bison of coach Kevin Geldon compete in the East Division of the league and have a 10-14 overall record and 4-3 conference mark. Three starters return for Buffalo Grove from a year ago when the Bison dropped a Border Battle contest to New Berlin West. They include juniors Dylan Ronczkowski'] (6-2) and Alex Sirbu (6-9) along with sophomore Edwin Karnauchovas (6-0). Buffalo Grove has an enrollment of 1,955 students.
New Berlin West vs. Niles North, 12:45 p.m.
New Berlin West (13-2) is ranked No. 8 in this week's WBCA/Prep Hoops Wisconsin state-wide poll. The Vikings have difficult games with Greendale and rival New Berlin Eisenhower prior to their tussle with a very good Niles North squad. Coach Scott Cook has three players averaging in double figures with his son, junior Jayce Cook (6-1), leading the way at 18.9 ppg. UW-Stevens Point recruit Evan Kern (6-3) contributes 13.6 ppg while senior Elijah Gammage (6-3) sits at 13.9 ppg for the Woodland West Conference squad. New Berlin West has an enrollment of 719 students.
Niles North is a member of the Central Suburban -- North Conference and took an 18-5 record into its game Friday against Maine East. Coach Glenn Olson's squad features excellent guard play with seniors Enzo D'andrea (5-10), Osman Khan (6-5) and Tom Opio (6-2) all playing key roles. Other key performers for Niles North include senior Mustaf Rexhepi (6-4) along with juniors Aidan Avila (6-4) and Collin Tobin (6-3). Niles North has an enrollment of 1,908 students and finished 27-7 a year ago.
Kenosha St. Joseph vs. Chicago St. Francis de Sales, 2:15 p.m.
Kenosha St. Joseph (10-5) plays in the rugged Metro Classic Conference and features three backcourt standouts currently averaging in double figures in junior Christopher Kenesie (6-0) at 22.2 ppg, sophomore Reymundo Garibay (5-11) at 13.1 ppg and senior Tomas Baez'] (6-0) at 10.7 ppg. Seniors Berkley Kuiper (6-2) and Sincere Williams (6-1) handle the bulk of the duties on the Lancers' short but productive frontline. St. Joseph has an enrollment of 206 students.
St. Francis de Sales (7-14) is a southside school in Chicago and competes in the White Division of the Chicago Catholic League. The Pioneers of coach Marcus Halliburton are led by the senior trio of Jacob Thompson (6-6), Kalvin Leonard (6-2) and Stephen George (6-7). St. Francis de Sales boasts excellent all-around size and has played a challenging schedule to date. The school has an enrollment of 165 students.
Racine Lutheran vs. Warren Township, 3:45 p.m.
Racine Lutheran (13-2) is ranked No. 4 among WIAA Division 3 schools in Wisconsin in the latest WBCA/Prep Hoops Wisconsin poll and is led by a talented group of returning players from a squad that finished 24-3 last season. Coach Justin Hullum's squad is led by senior wing Sam Pitrof (6-4), an athletic player who is averaging a team-best 26.0 points and 10.2 rebounds. The Crusaders also has three additional players averaging in double figures in junior Bryce Austin (6-3) at 13.0 ppg, senior Isaiah Cosey (5-11) at 12.3 ppg and junior Deeon Brumby (6-2) at 11.7 ppg. Racine Lutheran plays in the Metro Classic Conference and has an enrollment of 370 students.
Warren Township (18-2) boasts one of the elite teams in Illinois and is led by junior Jaxson Davis, a 6-foot-1 point guard who is being recruited by Iowa, Marquette, Michigan and Purdue, among many others. Davis had 25 points a year ago in the Wisconsin vs. Illinois Border Battle when the Blue Devils lost an overtime game to eventual WIAA Division 3 state champion Milwaukee Academy of Science. In addition to Davis, coach Zack Ryan counts heavily on seniors Braylon Walker (6-4) and Avonn King (6-4), among others. Warren Township competes in the North Suburban Conference and has an enrollment of 3,398 students.
Marquette High vs. Chicago St. Ignatius, 5:15 p.m.
Marquette High (6-8), which won the WIAA Division 1 state title in 2024, has a young team that has improved as the season has progressed. The Hilltoppers of coach Casey Kowalewski are led by senior guard Luke Gundrum (5-11), who is averaging 11.2 points per game and tossed in 22 in a recent victory over Homestead. Juniors Christian Miller (6-4) and Harrison Schwabe (6-5) contribute 12.6 and 12.0 ppg, respectively. Marquette High has an enrollment of 940 (all boys) and plays in the Greater Metro Conference, one of the top league's in Wisconsin.
Chicago St. Ignatius, like Marquette High a Jesuit-run school, plays in the Blue Division of the Chicago Catholic League and boasts one of the better teams in Illinois. Coach Matt Monroe's squad is led by senior Chris Bolte, a 6-foot-7 forward headed to Yale to play college basketball. The Wolfpack also boast two stellar sophomores in Amir Tucker (6-2) and D.J. Caldwell (6-3). St. Ignatius owns a 19-4 record and has an enrollment of 1,485.
West DePere vs. Yorkville Christian, 6:45 p.m.
West DePere (10-4) has enjoyed a successful season to date as coach Todd Deschane's squad has been able to navigate the school's move from the Bay to the Fox River Classic Conference. The Phantoms have four players averaging in double figures and another just below that total. Seniors Patrick Greisen (6-3) is averaging 12.2 ppg while classmate Erik Bouchard (6-1) contributes 12.3 ppg. Juniors Carson Samson (6-0) at 12.5 ppg, Jack Wilichowski (6-7) at 11.7 ppg and Cooper Borowicz (6-4) at 8.2 ppg also play important roles for West DePere, which has an enrollment of 1,070 students.
Yorkville Christian (13-8) plays an independent schedule and owns wins over two Wisconsin teams -- Madison La Follette and Appleton North. The Mustangs of coach Chris Sherman are led by dynamic senior point guard Jayden Riley (6-2), who has committed to NCAA Division I SIU - Edwardsville. Another key performer for Yorkville Christian is smooth-shooting sophomore wing Jordan Purvis (6-3). Juniors Blake Wells (6-1), Tray Alford (5-10) and Kayden Maxwell (6-1) round out the starting rotation. Yorkville Christian has an enrollment of 187 students.
The Prairie School vs. Unity Christian, 8:15 p.m.
The Prairie School has played an extremely difficult schedule and is 8-7 under coach Jason Atanasoff. Members of the Metro Classic Conference, the Hawks are led in scoring by senior guard Nolan Greb (6-1), who is averaging 13.9 points per outing. A strong junior class, led by forward Dalton Ahlensdorf (6-5), plays a pivotal role for The Prairie School. Ahlensdorf contributes 11.8 ppg and 6.9 rpg while classmates Chandler Perry (6-3) at 12.4 ppg and Ryan Vanoss (6-4) at 9.6 ppg and 5.1 rpg also are important pieces. Sophomore Emmett Wassil (6-3) handles much of the ball-handling and distributing for the Hawks while also contributing 7.1 ppg and 5.6 rpg. The Prairie School has an enrollment of 222 students.
Unity Christian is taking the place of Niles West in the Border Battle and the Phoenix arrive in Racine with a strong team. Senior Malachi O'Neal (6-0) tops Unity Christian in scoring at 15.8 points per game followed by juniors Vincent Allen (6-7) at 13.2 ppg and Donovan O'Neil Jr. (6-0) at 9.9 ppg. Coach Donovan O'Neil''s squad is a member of the Metro Prep Conference, is located in South Holland and has an 11-6 record. Unity Christian has an enrollment of 114 students.
