Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lutheran boys basketball pursues three-peat with revamped lineup

Published

3 months ago

December 13, 2025

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Wisconsin Lutheran boys basketball pursues three-peat with revamped lineup

Wisconsin Lutheran returns to Division 1 seeking a third consecutive state championship.
The team returns its two leading scorers, senior Zavier Zens and junior Kager Knueppel.
New starters will need to fill the roles of three key graduates from last season’s title team.
Coach Ryan Walz expects Zens to become a more vocal leader and for Knueppel to develop as a three-level scorer.

Over the first couple weeks of the WIAA high school boys basketball season, the Journal Sentinel will be checking in with the Milwaukee area’s three reigning state championship teams.

Our visits began with reigning Division 3 champion Milwaukee Academy of Science, which will compete in D2 in the WIAA postseason this year. The next check-in comes with a team that knows all about repeating in a higher division, the two-time defending state champions from Wisconsin Lutheran. The Vikings won their fourth WIAA state title and second consecutive after receiving a competitive balance elevation from D2 to D1 last season. The quest for a third straight title will also be in D1, and the Vikings look up to the challenge.

Here is what to know about Wisconsin Lutheran, which improved to 4-0 with a 69-20 victory over New Berlin West on Dec. 12.

Roles to fill around returning stars Zens, Knueppel

Wisco’s two leading scorers from the 2024-25 team return, but the surrounding cast looks a bit different this season. Northern Iowa commit and 6-foot-7 senior forward Zavier Zens (22.2 points per game last season) and 6-10 junior guard Kager Knueppel (13.5 ppg) are the two returning starters, while the three graduated starters include guard Isaiah Mellock (11.1 ppg, Wisconsin Lutheran College), forward/guard Alex Greene (10.9 ppg, Concordia) and forward Ben Langebartels (2.3 ppg).

Coach Ryan Walz said he wants to see Zens become a more vocal leader this year, while adding Knueppel can round out his ability as a three-level scorer.

“I think that’s a big step for any senior to make, to get outside of yourself, to be able to be engaged with other people on the team and not just always be worried about what you’re doing, but also being concerned for your teammates and showing that kind of leadership,” Walz said of Zens.

“From our standpoint, we want to see [Kager] be an effective basketball player at the basket, in the midrange and from three-point range. That’s the next step for guys who are on the cusp of being really, really good players, and that’s what Zavier did last year,” Walz added on Knueppel.

In place of the graduates this season have been former reserve 6-foot junior guard Riley Walz (4.2 ppg last season), former reserve forward and 6-6 senior Kinston Knueppel (5.0 ppg) as well as junior 6-7 forward Jamail Sewell.

“Riley’s going to have to handle the ball and distribute it, get us into offense and really control what we do, and Kinston is that versatile piece – kind of like Alex Greene last year – where he has to find ways where he can influence the game offensively with his intelligence, his skill level, his flexibility of being able to go inside and outside,” coach Walz said. “Jamail is 6-7, almost 6-8, and obviously anybody who saw him in football pads saw this enormous man, and he moves really, really well and has great hands. He needs to catch up on some of his basketball things and his skill and his understanding of the game, but he is an enormous presence on the floor.”

The Vikings again do not lack for size and will send one of the tallest starting fives in the state to the floor night-in and night-out between Zens, Kinston Knueppel, Kager Knueppel and Sewell. Kager Knueppel said teams will also have to watch out for Riley Walz on the perimeter as they crowd the paint.

“He’s been working really hard. I like him coming into the point guard role because he does not turn the ball over and he can shoot threes really well,” Kager Knueppel said.

As they learned with a late substitution in the D1 title game in March, every player needs to be ready for their moment.

“You don’t know when your time is going to come but you have to be ready, and so as coaches it’s our job to absolutely keep pushing them and moving them forward as best that we can,” coach Walz said.

Wisconsin Lutheran not shying from expectations

Returning top players to a team coming off consecutive state titles creates expectations around the program to compete for a three-peat. Zens said the team is embracing those expectations, while relying on the experience that has led them this far.

“We all know there’s high expectations for us, but those are our expectations for ourselves as well,” Zens said.

The pressure to defend a title is nothing new for Kager Knueppel, and something he thinks the team will be prepared for on a nightly basis.

“All of our guys understand that we have a target on our back, and people will want to come after us and beat us,” Knueppel said.

Coach Walz said the tone of keeping expectations in their proper framework is set by Zens.

“He is intrinsically motivated,” Walz said. “If your best player has no letdown and is leading by example, then that just brings everybody else along.”

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Wisconsin

These Wisconsin Rapids restaurants are offering Easter specials

Published

5 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

These Wisconsin Rapids restaurants are offering Easter specials

If you’re looking to make reservations for an Easter meal, check out these Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Calendars are quickly filling up with Easter services, egg hunts, photos with bunnies and brunch plans.

If cooking isn’t your thing, or you’ve been too busy to plan and cook this year, you have options in the Wisconsin Rapids area. Several local restaurants and businesses have you covered with all of your favorite Easter treats.

The following Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants and businesses will be offering Easter breakfast, brunch or dinner.

Branding Iron Supper Club will offer an Easter Dinner from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 5 at 9721 State 13 S. in Saratoga. The Easter menu includes a ham dinner, a prime rib dinner, Branding Iron’s full menu, salad bar and a fresh fruit mimosa bar. The Easter Bunny will also visit from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations are available at 715-325-8102.
Lake Arrowhead Association will host an Easter Brunch Buffet from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 5 at Lake Arrowhead, 1195 Apache Lane in Rome. The menu will include a variety of options including a carving station for prime rib and smoked ham, mahi mahi with a Korean glaze, sliced pork loin, chicken Alfredo, chicken tenders, mac & cheese, french fries, baby red potatoes, carrots, a build-your-own omelet station, biscuits and gravy, french toast sticks, pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit, vegetables and more. Reservations are required, including a $25 non-refundable deposit to reserve a spot and can be made at 715-325-2915 or banquets@lakearrowheadgolf.com or events@lakearrowheadgolf.com.
Nekoosa Court will host an Easter Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 4 at Nekoosa Court, 145 N. Cedar St. in Nekoosa. Breakfast will include all-you-can-eat eggs, sausage, pancakes and beverages with an Easter Egg Hunt to follow.
Olympic II will host Easter Weekend Specials from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 4 and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5 at 2520 Eighth St. S. in Wisconsin Rapids. The Easter specials include a breakfast special of an 8-ounce New York strip steak and eggs, hashbrowns and toast, as well as a tenderloin and jumbo shrimp dish, a roast turkey and ham combo, chicken breast and four shrimp, ham steak, roast chicken and roast turkey. Reservations and orders for takeout can be placed at 715-424-4744.
Quality Foods is offering a complete Heat & Serve Easter Dinner, including a ham dinner for eight people with off-the-bone ham, mashed potatoes and beef gravy or eight three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, homemade stuffing, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and eight slices of cheesecake. The store also will offer an Easter prime rib dinner for four, including prime rib, four three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and cheesecake while supplies last at 1021 W. Grand Ave. and 1811 Baker Drive in Wisconsin Rapids. Orders must be placed by April 1 at 715-423-8350 for Baker Drive and at 715-423-9750 for West Grand Avenue. Orders must be picked up by noon April 5.
Slice of Heaven Bakery will host a free Easter dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 5 at 1158 Snow Pass in Rome. Guests can eat at the event or order for takeout. Reservations are not needed, but those who need a delivery should contact rebeccalacount@gmail.com or call 608-449-0702.
The Whitney will offer an Easter Breakfast Buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 5 at Hotel Mead Resorts & Convention Centers, 451 E. Grand Ave. in Wisconsin Rapids. Hot dishes include pancakes, pumpkin spice pancakes, french toast casserole, cheesy hashbrown casserole, quiche, frittatas, breakfast burritos, scrambled eggs, poached eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, breakfast sandwiches, eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy and chicken and wild rice soup. Cold dishes include a yogurt bar, fruit skewers, deviled eggs, muffins, cranberry bread, croissants, biscuits and an English muffin. Desserts include fruit pie, carrot cake, peach cobbler and coffee cake. The buffet is available by reservation only at 715-423-1500.

Want to add your business to the list? Please email cshuda@usatodayco.com with the name of your restaurant, your Easter hours, what your Easter menu will include, and whether reservations are required.

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Wisconsin

How to live stream Wisconsin vs Dartmouth: NCAA hockey, TV channel

Published

18 hours ago

March 26, 2026

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How to live stream Wisconsin vs Dartmouth: NCAA hockey, TV channel

March continues on the ice as Dartmouth Big Green takes on Wisconsin Badgers in a regional semifinal matchup in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament.

MORE: How to live stream NCAA men’s hockey tournament 2026: TV channel, schedule

How to Watch Wisconsin vs Dartmouth

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026

Wisconsin enters the tournament as one of the more complete teams in the field, combining strong defensive structure with high-end offensive talent. The Badgers have leaned on forward Cruz Lucius, a dynamic scorer capable of creating chances in transition, along with Kirsten Simms, who has been a consistent offensive presence throughout the season. On the blue line, Wisconsin’s physicality and ability to limit quality scoring chances have made it a difficult matchup.

Dartmouth arrives as a disciplined and well-coached group that thrives on structure and goaltending. The Big Green will look to slow the game down and rely on key contributors like John Fusco and Cade Webber to control play in their own zone while generating offense through efficient puck movement.

This matchup will likely come down to pace and execution. Wisconsin prefers to push tempo and create scoring opportunities off the rush, while Dartmouth will aim to keep things tight, limit mistakes, and capitalize on special teams opportunities.

Fans can watch the NCAA hockey tournament across the ESPN family of networks, with games airing on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU, while select matchups stream exclusively on ESPN+.

Watch Wisconsin vs Dartmouth Live on Fubo

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for March 25, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for March 25, 2026

The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 25, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 25 drawing

07-21-55-56-64, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 25 drawing

Midday: 6-0-9

Evening: 8-8-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 25 drawing

Midday: 2-3-0-0

Evening: 4-4-1-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from March 25 drawing

Midday: 01-02-04-08-09-10-11-12-19-20-21

Evening: 04-05-06-07-09-10-13-14-16-18-21

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from March 25 drawing

02-09-15-18-29

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from March 25 drawing

02-06-15-18-24-26, Doubler: N

Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Megabucks numbers from March 25 drawing

09-13-18-28-37-38

Check Megabucks payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.

Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?

No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.

When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.

That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **

WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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