4th Round Team Rankings

This round of rankings was a difficult one for me. Their were a couple of real tough decisions. One of the tough ones were Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire Regis, and Reedsburg. Regis beat the Dells in the game I witnessed and the day before Reedsburg dominated Regis but, in the beginning of the year Dells was able to defeat Reedsburg. I know I said that I was only going to take games into consideration that I had seen but, how can you not think about how these teams have done in games that they had played earlier in the year. Another tough ranking was Middleton who I saw defeat Milwaukee Bay View. I still personally feel that Bay View is a better team but, Middleton just played better this one particular game and also taken into consideration is that Middleton beat Madison Lafollette who I feel is a superior team to Middleton and will probably beat Lafollette the second time around. Once again I will be putting in ( ) how many times I've seen them play.

Rankings
1. Janesville Craig (2)- Their height and defense give Craig an advantage over every team that they play. The have four legit stars in Lucas Burns, Cooper Cullen, Jojo Pregont, and Kyle Goike. This team prefers to play a slow tempo and take their time on offense but, can just as easily play an uptempo game.
2. Madison Lafollette (2)- Really showed me something the way they handled Madison East even with their star Cashton Craig being a non-factor. Lafollette gets the edge over Bay View because they did beat them and have the experience edge. DJ Fuller appears ready to become the #2 scoring option for Lafollette and Darnell Small and Deonte Thompson have provided a low post presence that I believed they lacked.
3. Middleton (1)- Giving Middleton the edge over Bay View because they did beat them even though I feel that Bay View would win the second time around. They are a very disciplined team where everyone knows there role and does their fair share. They don't have that go to guy but, that may be an advantage so that if one player is struggling the entire team isn't struggling.
4. Milwaukee Bay View (2)- Very athletic team, that is also very young. Johnnie Lacy is one of the top players in the country and this team will only get better as the year goes on. They will be able to provide pressure, forcing teams to turn the ball over and allowing for easy baskets.
5. Lacrosse Aquinas (1)- Team that works very very well together. Can really push the tempo but, are just as affective in the half court set. The have a couple glue guys in Lucas Morrissey and Zach Rickaway along with Jimmy Whitehead who is really becoming the star of this team.
6. Laconia (1)- Have a very good starting five that is probably as good as anyone in the state. Kieran Weed is a real stud that can score from anywhere on the court. Their only down fall is their lack of bench depth.
7. Madison Edgewood (1)- Very disciplined team that's very patient on the offensive end and really plays good defense. All five players on the court really attack the glass on offense and defense. Every player on the team seems to know their roll and excepts it.
8. Madison West (2)- This team is much better then I previously thought. They are an extremely athletic team that can score in a hurry. If they keep the ball in point guard Michael Horton's hands they can beat anyone, along with remaining patience and not becoming selfish or flustered when they get down.
9. Eau Claire Regis (1)- Tall team that is another very balanced team. Like Middleton don't have a real go to player which works to their favor. In division three this team is easily a top 10 team.
10. Madison East (2)- This is the because this is the biggest one man team I have seen in awhile. Marquis Mason is a great player but, right now he doesn't have any help. If Mason has a big game then East can play with anyone but, if he doesn't score East has no chance against anyone. Right now the teams I have behind lack a inside presence and Mason would probably torch them.
11. Wisconsin Dells (2)- If East is a one man team, then Wisconsin Dells is the biggest two man team I've seen. Jade Royston and Ryan Wenkman are two very good players but, there really isn't much else there. As of right now I don't think Dells could beat any of the teams ranked above them. This two man team will really struggle when one of the big two are struggling.
12. Reedsburg (1/2)- Tyler Mazur is a really good player that can carry this team and has a very good sidekick in Evan VanCleave. I question they offense they run but, with these two great athletes they should be fine against the average teams in the state but, will struggle against top teams in their conference and division.
13. Portage (1)- A very similar team to Madison Edgewood but, with out the star that Edgewood has. Play a very good zone defense which will keep them in games and have a pretty solid point guard in Kevin Hurd who can run the offense and score.
14. Eau Claire Memorial (2)- Really don't have the athletic ability to play with the Madison teams and lack the go to player to carry them. In the Big Rivers conference they will probably do alright though.
15. Sauk Praire (1)- A team that is ranked only because I have only seen 10 teams play so far this year. A team that really doesn't have a star player to go to and doesn't have many athletes on the team. This team really is a scrappy team though and will make games ugly and really make their opponents earn their wins.

Since I have now seen over 15 teams play I will now be ranking teams by each division.

Division 1
1. Janseville Craig- Tallest team I've seen this year and have the best defense.
2. Madison Lafollette- Very athletic team, that relies on strong guard play.
3. Middleton- Very balanced, disciplined team.
4. Milwaukee Bay View- Athletic team that's very young and likes to get out and run.
5. Madison West- Very athletic team that lacks discipline.
6. Madison East- One man team of Marquis Mason that lacks help.
7. Eau Claire Memorial- Ranked simply because I've only seen seven teams in D1.

Division 2
1.Madison Edgewood- Very disciplined team where everyone knows their role.
2. Wisconsin Dells- One of the best back courts in D2, have no interior help.
3. Reedsburg- Have two very good players in Mazur and VanCleave.
4. Portage- Very disciplined team, that lacks athleticism but, gives 100%.
5. Sauk Praire- Another team ranked only because I've only seen a few D2 teams.

Division 3
1. Lacrosse Aquinas- Very well coached team that takes care of the ball and can run the court or play a half court game.
2. Laconia- Kieran Weed is a stud and they have one of the best starting fives around.
3. Eau Claire Regis- Very tall team that lack the go to star like Laconia and Aquinas.

Division 4
1. Wausau Newman (1/2)- Only D4 team I've seen so they get the nod.

Every week my rankings expand a little bit more and hopefully by the end of the year I'll have at least 30 teams under my belt and at least five teams in each division and hopefully even 10 per division.