A New Chapter for the Bonduel Bears
The Bonduel Bears boys basketball program has been elevated to WIAA Division 3 after a series of deep postseason runs, including a state‑tournament appearance last year. The decision came after head coach Duke Copp filed an appeal to stay in Division 4, but the association rejected the request.
Copp argued that the team’s recent success stemmed from the dominance of former standout Ryan Westrich rather than broader enrollment growth or recruiting efforts. With Westrich’s departure, the Bears now face the task of reshaping their identity on the court.
Despite the loss of Westrich’s inside presence, the squad has been active during the offseason, competing in summer leagues and tournaments to test new schemes. The players and staff are focused on developing a style of play that can compete at the higher division without relying on a single dominant post player.
The Bears’ regional and sectional brackets remain familiar, featuring opponents such as Amherst, Wittenberg‑Birnamwood and Menominee. Their objectives stay unchanged: capture the conference championship, secure a high tournament seed and pursue a deep run in the state playoffs.
Community support remains strong, and the coaching staff believes the experience gained from previous successes will help the team adapt quickly. As they head into the new season, the Bonduel Bears are poised to meet the challenge head‑on and write the next chapter of their basketball legacy.