Boys Basketball

2026-27 Season Preview

The Roncalli Royals are excited for year five under head coach Jamin Wernke R’02.  The Royals will bring back a lot of talent, but lost their top three scorers, Conner Kesler, Joe Taylor and Luke Feldman from last year’s 18-8 regional championship team. Graduates Luke Baker and Brayden Collins will also be missed, as they were also integral to last year’s team success.  

Senior Will Hegwood is the most experienced player in the program. Hegwood has already started 72 varsity games in his high school career and has accumulated a school record of 300 assists in those games. He has four senior teammates ready to roll with him, Mikey Dillon, Ryder Douglas, Joey Matis and Joey Ortman, who all bring a lot of leadership, skill and toughness to the team. Dillon and Ortman have the most experience, with Dillon having played in all 25 games last year. He was very valuable down the stretch. Ortman only played in the first and last regular season games last year due to a back injury. In the sectional championship, he had 15 points in the second quarter on his way to 19 and helped the Royals win their first sectional championship since 2011. Matis and Douglas will bring great senior leadership in their widened duties in 26-27.

The Royals are also excited about their young core, led by junior Caleb Maurer. He averaged six points per game last year, while shooting 56% from the field and 51% from three-point range.  Juniors Dane Burton, Lincoln Tredway and Jack Quillen are ready to step into expanded roles. Sophomore Vince Uberta and freshman Leon Moses will be dual-roster guys competing for varsity minutes this year.