Final Senior Rankings

I know this has been a longtime coming as I have been lacking on my posts and I haven't done player rankings since back in early February. I've decided for my rankings to do a ranking class by class to give the underclassmen their respect and go more in depth then just the top 10 in each class. The season is over so I might as well focus on each class more since I really don't have any other topics to talk about. Again my rankings will only include players that I have actually seen play in the past year and only take into consideration the games that I saw them play. Also I don't include their potential level, so a player may look very good at the high school level and I will rank them high but, deep down I know that they will not be able to be as effected at the higher college level, while on the other side I won't favor the 7 foot players that have the high level of potential. So here are my rankings for the senior class of 2010.


1. Vander Blue 6'3 Madison Memorial- Yes I know he didn't have a very good state championship game and didn't have the greatest state as a whole but, I truly believe that he was the best player in the state this year. Has a very good team around him so his numbers aren't as great as some of the other top players. His ball handling skills really impressed me this year and I've been watching this kid 10 plus games a year the past three years and his outside shooting has progressed, yes it needs to improve to succeed at the college level but, were talking high school now. Has a very nice mid range shot, goes to the rim very hard where he can finish in a variety of ways, rebounds very well, can jump out of the gym, if you watch on rebounds his head is up by the rim, and actually plays some pretty good defense when he isn't trying to jump the passing lane.
2. Marquis Mason 6'4 Madison East- Love watching Mason play. I've probably said it a 100 times but, he's one of those rare players that can control a game and doesn't need to score double digits. He's the best shot blocker that I've seen this year even though he isn't always the tallest player and also the best rebounder. Along with that rebounding he is a fairly good outlet passer usually finding a a cheating Nimrod Hillard wide open for a 3/4 court pass and wide open layup. Yes Mason does make some ill advised passes from time to time but, what high school kid doesn't? Offensively Mason is a beast to stop and if he gets the ball deep in the block he's going to score without question. Just a final thing to throw in was also the best dunker in the state this year.
3. Kyle Kelm 6'10 Randolph- Very similar player to a Steve Novack in that he prefers playing on the perimeter as apposed to playing in the post using his size advantage. He isn't a soft player and doesn't have a problem going to the inside when needed but, most teams play a zone against Randolph and there really isn't much room for Kelm on the inside to score. Kelm is the most dangerous when he gets the ball at the free throw line. Kelm can knock down the mid range jumper, drive to the hoop, or pass to an open teammate which is probably his most valuable asset he brings to the table. Kelm passes exceptionally well for a guy that's nearly 7 foot tall and is probably in the top 10 three point shooters in the state.
4. TJ Bray 6'4 Catholic Memorial- I know I'll probably hear it from some people for this ranking because Bray won the Mr. Basketball award but, I don't think he is necessarily the best player in the state. Bray is a near triple double every time he steps on the court and nearly averaged a double double in points and rebounds. Bray doesn't blow you away with one particular skill but, he just does everything well. He runs the teams offense and does a good job of finding open teammates. He can hit the three point when its there to take, has a very quick first step that allows him to get past his defender, and he's the best rebounding guard in the state.
4. Austin Armga 6'3 Waupun- In my opinion he's the best scorer that I saw this year. He is nearly impossible to stay in front of. He has one great skill that nearly anyone that plays basketball lacks and that's the ability to knock down the mid range shot. From about 15 to 10 feet in he's going to make the shot. The only thing that he is lacking is the ability to knock down the three point shot consistently but, that doesn't stop him from averaging nearly 30 points a game. Uses his teammates exceptionally well running off of screens and finding openings in the defense.
5. Steve McWhorter 6'2 Racine St. Catherines- Best on the ball defender that I've seen this year. His defense is his biggest asset. He always guards the other teams best defender whether there a post player or perimeter player he can handle them. Does a very good job of running the teams offense and really has a knack of knowing when to push the ball and when to slow up the tempo. He never seems out of control and really lets the game come to him. He's nearly automatic from the outside shooting and can get to the rim when the opening in the defense is there.
6. Tre Edwards 6'1 Racine Park-I saw him the first game of the year so maybe I just wasn't up to date on my basketball at that time but, he was a very impressive player. Another point guard that really runs his team really well and is a leader on the court. Plays very tough in your face defense and does a nice job of jumping the passing lane. Can finish at the hoop with either hand going around or over defenders. Appears to need to work on his outside shooting though as it appears that he wants nothing to do with the three point shot.
7. Josh Gasser 6'4 Port Washington- Very similar to Bray in that he doesn't do anything exceptionally well but, just does everything pretty good. Runs the point, rebounds, and can score. Does a great job of getting to the rim and scoring and if he gets fouled goes to the line and makes the free throw shot. Is another great leader.
8. Cody Odegaard 6'2 Poynette- A sharpshooter from the perimeter. Gets great elevation on his jump shot and is money from 15 foot and out to the three point line. When he's hot he doesn't miss even if there is a player in his face or not. Comes off screens and is immediately ready to shoot and has a very quick release. He's a flat out scorer.
9. Steve Tecker 6'5 Northwestern- Just a beast on the court that can just push his defender into the post. With his strength he is able to score on his defenders on the inside. As well as playing on the post he is able handle the ball and help bring the ball up the court. Will need to improve his three point shooting at the next level.
10. Andy Fox 6'0 Arrowhead- Ultra quick point guard that is impossible to stop going to his right when he drives. Does a great job of feeding his big man Ben Mills and driving and dishing and finding open teammates. Never picks up his dribble to early and doesn't turn the ball over. He can also hit the three himself when the open shot is there.
11. Donnie Hissa 6'8 Northwestern- Really does a great job of sealing off his defender and scoring in the post. Also does a nice job of feeding the post from the high post. Can also knock down the three point shot and doesn't need to be set.
12. Ben Mills 7'1 Arrowhead- Big man with a real nice soft touch around the rim, can step out and hit the jump shot out to 10 feet. Does a nice job of following the missed shots and getting the putbacks.
13. Jordan Mach 6'3 Antigo- Very similar player to Armga in that he moves exceptionally well without the ball. Shoots alittle too much for my liking. Could tell he's a big time scorer even though he didn't have the greatest game when I saw him at state.
14. Tre Creamer 6'2 Madison Memorial- Really stepped up his game this year to be a very nice second option to Blue. When Blue was struggling Creamer was able to take over and carry the team. Really has a nice step back three point shot that he will showcase whether its necessary or not but, that's what gets him in rhythm. Does a nice job of slashing to the hoop and scoring and has a very nice little slid step move he uses to get to the rim.
15. Brett Meinecke 6'2 Sussex Hamiliton- Very heading point guard that really looks for his teammates and keeps the offense balanced. Knocks down the three and can get to the rim and score.
16. Sam Karls 6'4 Verona- Ultimate competitor on the court. Always guards the other teams best offensive player whether their a post or perimeter player. Is a great rebounder that can score in a variety of ways. Can hit the three when he's able to spot up, drive to the hoop, and score on the block. He's a glue player that I would love to have on my team.
17. Kevin Hurd 6'0 Portage- Just a heady lead guard that knows how to play the game. He runs the teams offense even if he's not the guy bringing the ball up the court. He can hit the three when he's able to spot up and has a nice little step back mid range jumper that he's able to knock down. He does a nice job of rebounding without even having to jump off the floor.
18. Matt Everson 6'2 Middleton- Another flat out scorer that handles the ball very well and makes smart decisions with the ball. Shoots the three well when its there and can penetrate but, really likes to post up smaller guards. Never misses from the free throw line which is his best offense at times.
19. Derek Schell 6'1 Catholic Memorial- Very good outside shooter that can hit the three and can also get to the hoop and score. Has adequate ball handling skills for a guard. Another guy that moves well without the ball or setting up his teammates.
20. Brad Brooks 6'5 Green Lake- Honestly didn't have a great game in the one game that I saw him but, could tell by watching him in warm ups that he's a great player. He moves extremely well for a guy his size and when he has the open shot he's not going to miss out to the three point line and he gets a nice elevation on his shot.
21. Ryan Solberg 6'6 Waukesha West- Big guy that runs the court very well and has a very nice mid range game. Seems like a soft player but, isn't afraid to go to the inside and battle.
22. Justin Ward 6'4 Wisconsin Dells- Long lanky player that is an assassin from the outside and when he gets going from three point range is tough to stop. Not a real quick player but, has the ability to drive to the hoop and score.
23. Terry Taylor 5'11 Milwaukee Washington- Ultra quick point guard that loves to push the tempo and uses his superior ball handling skills to get around defenders and can hit the open outside shot.
24. KJ Evans 6'3 Beloit- Another very competitive, tough player that is able to use his strength and drive to the lane and score or get fouled. A very good leaper that rebounds very well.
25. Adams Ganske 6'3 Eau Claire Regis- Just a very fundamentally sound player that does alittle bit of everything. Is very tough on the block with his back to the basket but, can go outside just as well and handle the ball and drive to the rim. Just an alright outside shot.
HM
Jackson Retzlaff 5'11 Monona Grove
Andrew Schwoerer 6'4 Valders
Derrick Cook 6'0 Milwaukee South
Sam Koenig 6'5 Sauk Prairie
Nate Gibson 6'9 Wisconsin Dells
Isaiah Bridges 5'8 Racine Park
Taylor Dayton 6'4 Clayton
Brian Krohn 6'2 Sussex Hamilton

Honestly I'm alittle too tired after all this to type much more and will do my best to keep up with my other post in the next few days or so. Softball is around the corner and not sure if I'll try to keep up with the posting or not. I know that I will try but, mid summer I will be so busy that I won't have much of a chance to post on a regular bases.