Madison Memorial over Verona

I'm a little behind on my first Madison Memorial game that I saw Thursday night but, I've gone to games the past three nights and haven't had much of a chance to post. This was a highly touted game with Memorial being the #1 team in the state and this being Verona's first year in the Big Eight after being a top team the Badger South the last few years. Both teams have gone to state multiple times in the past five years and many people picked Verona to finish third or second behind Memorial in the conference.

The game opened up with Verona taking the early lead as they were able to knock down some open threes and get some easy layups. Memorial was able to storm back with their trapping defense which allowed for some fast break points. Throughout the first half Memorial dominated the boards getting second and third chances almost every time down the court. Memorial held a small lead at the half. In the second half Memorial came out even more intense with their pressure defense and rebounding and were able to extend their lead to 20 points before both benches were cleared and the final score ended up at 68-55 which may of been much worse had the starters played the entire game.

Madison Memorial is very similar to last years team in that there going to bring the full court trapping pressure and their at their best when they are able to push the tempo and get fast breaks. Still appears that they lack outside shooting like last year, which killed them in the championship game last year. 6'6 senior Jeronne Maymon had a huge overall game as he recorded 24 points 16 rebounds 6 assists and 5 blocked shots. Maymon was able to get out in transition and score as well as get the ball in the post and score or create scoring opportunities for others. Maymon had two nice dunks in the game a one step two handed dunk and a break away dunk that he really cocked back and threw down hard. He also missed a one handed put back dunk. Besides the Maymon show rebounding was a huge key for Memorial when they were unable to get the fast break going. All five of Memorials starters bound the offensive glass. Besides Maymon 6'1 senior Fred Ringhand, 6'3 junior Vander Blue, 6'4 freshmen Junior Lomomba and even 5'10 senior Xavier Jones are all able to get offensive rebounds which led to numerous easy buckets.

The story for Verona in the game was their guards inability to handle the Memorial pressure and the inability to keep Memorial off the glass. The two positives for Verona was their two returning starting forwards 6'4 senior Jason Ziemer and 6'3 junior Adam Wadzinski. I knew these guys were good last year but, this year they appear ready to really break and have great all around games. Everyone knows about Ziemer's great inside game rebounding and scoring in the paint but, in the game he really showcased his outside game. Ziemer knocked down at least one three pointer and was able to penetrate past Memorial defenders and score as well as his normal inside game. Last year Wadzinski was just a roll player, which may of been because he was a sophomore but, this year he appears ready to team with Ziemer to carry this team. Like Ziemer, Wadzinski has greatly improved his perimeter game.

Madison Memorial 68
Verona 55

Box Score (starters in italics)
Memorial- Maymon 24 Blue 19 Lomomba 13 Jones 7 Tre Creamer 4 Ace Davis 1 Russel Henderson 0 Ringhand 0 Eric Blue 0 Miles Chamberlain 0
Verona- Ziemer 24 Wadzinski 12 Travis Schaaf 8 Sam Karls 4 Kevin Reinke 3 Scott Plato 2 Sam Riebau 2 Klayton Brandt 0 Matt Ropel 0 Chris Mason 0 Kaden Nauman 0 Brandon Banzhaf 0 Scott Christensen 0 Taylor Peterson 0 Ethan Malofsky 0

Top Players
Jeronne Maymon 6'6 senior Madison Memorial- His stat line that I stated above pretty much stats it all.
Vander Blue 6'3 junior Madison Memorial- Probably the best rebounding guard in the state right now. Also gets out and runs extremely well.
Junior Lomomba 6'4 freshmen Madison Memorial- Very similar to Blue in rebounding and running and also does a nice job of cutting to the hoop and getting himself open. Needs to work on his hands though, not very soft.
Xavier Jones 5'10 senior Madison Memorial- Hit the only two three point shots for Memorial which will be need later in the season, also had a nice little shake and bake move to get by his defender and found Maymon for the lay in.
Jason Ziemer 6'4 senior Verona- He can now do it all from handling the ball, to shooting the three, and of course his inside game.
Adam Wadzinski 6'3 junior Verona- Can do everything that Ziemer does, just not quiet as good.

Right now I think Memorial is a very beatable team. If your guards can take care of the ball you should be in the game and once you get in past half court you need to pump fake because their guys are very block happy. Defensively I would pack it in with some type of a zone because right now Memorial does not shoot the three ball very well, just like last year.