Preseason Power 25: No. 4 Kimberly

March 23, 2017

The Wisconsin high school season kicks off on March 28, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on March 20, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.

Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be rolling out team previews of high school teams all across the state and across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 25.

We have been sending out our annual Preseason Questionnaire to coaches all across the state and as the responses flood in we will bring you a snapshot of what to expect along with top players and keys to success for that particular team. If you don’t see your team’s season preview make sure your head coach fills out his Preseason Questionnaire.

Team: Kimberly
Preseason Rank: 4
2016 Record: 24-6
Conference: Fox Valley Association
WIAA Division: 1
Head Coach: Ryan McGinnis
Playoff Run: Sectional Champions
2016 Final Rank: 3

TOP PLAYERS

Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
Danny Vanden Boom	WI	Kimberly	2017	SS/RHP	Wisconsin (football)
Drew Johnson	WI	Kimberly	2017	3B	Concordia (WI)
Davis Matz	WI	Kimberly	2017	C
Ryan Carney	WI	Kimberly	2017	IF
Zach Carney	WI	Kimberly	2017	OF	Wabash Valley JC
Davis Matz	WI	Kimberly	2017	RHP/1B
Ben Buckner	WI	Kimberly	2017	OF

X-FACTOR

RHP/SS Danny Vanden Boom, a Wisconsin football commit, will be called on to lead the Papermakers on the mound and at the plate in 2017. Vanden Boom posted a 6-1 record with a 1.30 ERA and hit .346 for the Papermakers in 2016. He was named first team all conference last year.

STAT RAT

7 of 9: The Papermakers have won seven of the last nine Fox Valley Association titles. Last year they dominated the conference going 16-2 and had a five game advantage over Appleton North. The Papermakers wrapped up the conference title last year with two weeks left to play.

OUTLOOK

Since 2007 Kimberly has made it to state seven times and has won seven of the last nine Fox Valley Association titles. The Papermakers are coming off a 24-6 season and made it to the State semifinal game before losing to Arrowhead. Danny Vanden Boom is back, and will be the teams top arm after posting a 6-1 record with a 1.30 ERA. Vanden Boom is the teams top returning hitter after batting .346. Drew Johnson (.318) and Zach Carney (.354) also return to the lineup. The Papermakers will need new arms to step up behind Vanden Boom and fill the void left by Tanner Haessly. Haessly went 8-1 with a 1.84 ERA. The offense is experienced and the Papermakers will again be the team to beat in the FVA.