Norse looking to repeat as Large DC champions

After finishing last season on a tear, the Whitehall boys basketball team is hoping to keep momentum going and repeat as champions of the Dairyland Conference Large Division.

After losing the first four games, Whitehall won 16 of 18 games before losing to Fall Creek in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association regional semifinal round. Among Whitehall’s early losses were two in DC-Large play, which put them behind in the conference standings, but they went 12-1 the rest of the way to tie Alma Center Lincoln for the conference title.

“I expect us to be competing for a conference title once again this year in a competitive Large Dairyland Conference,” coach Tyler Petersen said. “Young and talented group of players that have not hit their potential just yet.”

Among the young returning players is Devon McCune who was a first-team all-conference selection after averaging 14.5 points per game as a freshman. McCune specialized at getting to the basket and drawing fouls as he attempted 172 free throws last year.

While the team has to replace two starters in James Breska and Brandon Dick, it is returning three as Jonathan Thorn and Isaac Skoyen join McCune. Now a senior, Thorn was fourth on the team with an average of 10.7 points per game, while Skoyen averaged 5.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Both were sophomores last year. Ian Pank also returns for his junior season after averaging 4.9 rebounds per game last year.

The team also got key minutes from guards Aidan Sonsalla and Kevin Carroll as they were sophomores last year. Post player Luke Beighley saw his minutes increase as his freshman season progressed.

“We have a good nucleus of young talent to develop this year and if they develop like they are capable this group could make a lot of noise in this region and state,” Petersen said.

Petersen added that his team is a “great group of role models for the school and community to cheer for.”

Now in his fourth year, Petersen has regularly had the Norse in contention. He has built up a record of 41-27 after the team went 2-21 the year before he arrived.