A couple games I took in last week and didn't have a chance to talk about. Watched Waunakee defeat Monona Grove on a buzzer shot between the elite of the Badger North and South. In the other game saw Middleton take sole possession of the Big Eight conference defeating Madison Memorial. Had Memorial won it would of been a three way tie and very interesting conference race. Also just noticed as I write this that the two teams played each other tonight which I didn't even notice.
Waunakee 62 Monona Grove 59
Didn't know much about either team coming in and came away thinking both teams are very solid not great teams but, they are very good teams. This game was back and forth throughout and many times I thought one team was pulling away and I would look up at the scoreboard and the other team was actually leading. Early on Monona Grove was hitting from the outside which allowed them to get ahead early but, in the second half they really cooled down. 6'0 senior Myles Thomas tried to carry MG but, he just wasn't getting enough help. For Waunakee they were just solid throughout going about their business and I was really impressed by their two starting sophomore guards 6'3 Mitch Listau and 6'2 Mason Steffen. Listau is the big scorer and gets most of the headlines but, Steffen did a nice job of running the point and showed some really nice moves but, just couldn't get the shots to fall. Listau was able to knock down the mid range jumpers all game long and in the end it was Listau hitting his only three of the game at the buzzer to give Waunakee the three point win.
Top Players
Myles Thomas 6'0 senior Monona Grove- Really quick guard that really slashed to the rim driving around defenders and getting contact going to the line in the first half but, finished those drives in the second half.
Mitch Listau 6'3 sophomore Waunkee- Really smooth player that seems to get open without really looking like he's trying that hard. His mid range jumper is money and plays with a ton of confidence.
Mason Steffen 6'2 sophomore Waunkee- Over shadowed by his back court running mate but, I really like Steffen's game. He runs the point and controlled the game completely. Showed a nice game driving and then stopping and popping, unfortunately only one of these fell for him I believe. Might be a little quicker then Listau too.
Top Scorers
MG
Thomas 16 Peyton Mueller 15 Michael Thome 8
Waunakee
Listau 25 Steffen 10 Tyler Ronk 7
Middleton 71 Madison Memorial 63
I really thought Middleton could blow this game out but, it was Memorial that took the early lead using the superior height to control the offensive and defensive glass. Middleton who rely heavily on their outside shooting came out ice cold from three point range. In the early minutes it nearly looked like Memorial might run away with this one. Wasn't a pretty game early on but, just seemed like every loose ball was going Memorial's way and their height was just such a huge factor. Late in the first half though Middleton applied the pressure and like I had expected Memorial turned the ball over allowing Middleton to get back in the game. In the second half Middleton continued with the pressure and Memorial struggled throughout the second half and when Middleton started hitting their threes late the game was over.
Top Players
Jake Ferguson 6'5 junior Madison Memorial- This was finally the game where Feruson broke out a bit and played like the player I thought I would see all year. Did a great job of moving without the ball and grabbing offensive rebounds which led to easy buckets. It was the Ferguson show early on. He also knocked down some mid range jumpers with his back to the basket.
Chris Knight 6'8 junior Madison Memorial- Didn't have a great night but, made a big impression on the defensive end blocking shots. In the second half he did do a good job of catching the ball in the high post and using his quickness to score at the rim.
Storm Murphy 5'11 junior Middleton- Took a lot of bad shots in this one but, there really wasn't anyone on Memorial's team that could stay in front of him. He was able to get to the rim and finish or get fouled and was missing the threes early but, hit a couple big threes late.
Tyree Eady 6'4 junior Middleton- Another guy that was cold early but, was hitting the shots late in the game. Eady hit a pair of monster threes late that sealed the game.
Top Scorers
Memorial
Ferguson 15 Knight 14 Billy Wilson 12
Middleton
Murphy 26 Eady 14 CJ Fermanich 10
Well there's my quick catch up from last week. Might do a player ranking later this week and then next week will be the start of showcase tournaments with the WBBY Shootout and three days of all the basketball you could possibly want. If you want to catch some of the best teams in the state play one place then the shootout at Concordia is the place to be.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Week 3 Rankings
It's Sunday again so another round of rankings. Again these rankings mean absolutely nothing but, are purely for my enjoyment and to give an idea what my rankings would be like if I had a vote.
Division One
Arrowhead lost to Mukwonago which was kind of a bad lose, dropping them to 12. Sun Prairie lost to Middleton but, beat Madison Memorial who also lost to Middleton which allowed Sun Prairie to stay put at nine and Memorial dropped to 13. Neenah was destroyed by Oshkosh North as was De Pere by Stevens Point, who fell to 15 and 14.
1. Stevens Point
2. Germantown
3. Milwaukee King
4. Milwaukee Riverside
5. Middleton
6. Sheboygan North
7. Racine Park
8. Muskego
9. Sun Prairie
10. Kimberly
11. Oshkosh North
12. Arrowhead
13. Madison Memorial
14. De Pere
15. Neenah
Division Two
Onalaska lost to a very good D3 team in GET and fall just a couple spots to five. Monona Grove lost to Waunakee, so they fell just behind them at 11. Greendale lost to Eisenhower and team they should of lost to so only fall a spot to six. Whitnall lost to Brown Deer another good D3 team and drop to 13. Wauwatosa East lost to Sussex Hamilton and fall out of the rankings and are replaced by Wausau East at 14. Whitefish Bay went down to a very good Germantown team and hang on to the 15 spot.
1. Kaukauna
2. La Crosse Central
3. New Berlin Eisenhower
4. Pewaukee
5. Onalaska
6. Greendale
7. Milwaukee Washington
8. Cedarburg
9. Seymour
10. Waunakee
11. Monona Grove
12. Hortonville
13. Whitnall
14. Wausau East
15. Whitefish Bay
Division Three
Ripon went down to a so so D1 team in Milwaukee Vincent and drop a couple spots to three. Evansville lost to Lakeside Lutheran who lost to Marshall, I felt I had to put Evansville behind Lakeside to put them at 12 with Lakeside 10. Brown Deer dropped a game to a very good D2 team in Milwaukee Washington a fall a few spots to 11. Southern Door lost to Algoma and dropped to 15.
1. GET
2. Lake Mills
3. Ripon
4. Marshall
5. Brookfield Academy
6. Xavier
7. Wrightstown
8. Waupun
9. Prescott
10. Lakeside Lutheran
11. Brown Deer
12. Evansville
13. Madison Edgewood
14. Watertown Luther Prep
15. Southern Door
Division Four
Eau Claire Regis lost to a very good McDonnel Central team and drop a couple spots to 11. Racine Luteran lost to St. Joes and Dominican which shouldn't be much of shocks but, they were crushed so they do fall to 15.
1. Amherst
2. Destiny
3. Melrose-Mindoro
4. Kenosha St Joes
5. Dominican
6. Cameron
7. Unity
8. Deerfield
9. La Crosse Aquinas
10. Markesan
11. Eau Claire Regis
12. Darlington
13. Marathon
14. Iowa Grant
15. Racine Lutheran
Division Five
Shullsburg lost to Southerwestern and drop all the way to 12 because no one else lost. Newman lost to Pittsville and fall to 15. Blair Taylor lost to Arcadia and Melrose-Mindoro and fall from the rankings and are replaed at 14 by Solon Springs. .
1. Hillsboro
2. Washburn
3. McDonnell Central
4. Seneca
5. Port Edwards
6. Gresham
7. Columbus Catholic
8. Bangor
9. Almond Bancroft
10. Clayton
11. Pecatonica
12. Shullsburg
13. Hustisford
14. Solon Springs
15. Wausau Newman
It will be two weeks until my next rankings because of the holiday's so both weeks are basically cut in half to I will combine the next two weeks for my rankings. Should be some shake ups and the picture should be more clear after the great holiday tournaments that there are every year.
Division One
Arrowhead lost to Mukwonago which was kind of a bad lose, dropping them to 12. Sun Prairie lost to Middleton but, beat Madison Memorial who also lost to Middleton which allowed Sun Prairie to stay put at nine and Memorial dropped to 13. Neenah was destroyed by Oshkosh North as was De Pere by Stevens Point, who fell to 15 and 14.
1. Stevens Point
2. Germantown
3. Milwaukee King
4. Milwaukee Riverside
5. Middleton
6. Sheboygan North
7. Racine Park
8. Muskego
9. Sun Prairie
10. Kimberly
11. Oshkosh North
12. Arrowhead
13. Madison Memorial
14. De Pere
15. Neenah
Division Two
Onalaska lost to a very good D3 team in GET and fall just a couple spots to five. Monona Grove lost to Waunakee, so they fell just behind them at 11. Greendale lost to Eisenhower and team they should of lost to so only fall a spot to six. Whitnall lost to Brown Deer another good D3 team and drop to 13. Wauwatosa East lost to Sussex Hamilton and fall out of the rankings and are replaced by Wausau East at 14. Whitefish Bay went down to a very good Germantown team and hang on to the 15 spot.
1. Kaukauna
2. La Crosse Central
3. New Berlin Eisenhower
4. Pewaukee
5. Onalaska
6. Greendale
7. Milwaukee Washington
8. Cedarburg
9. Seymour
10. Waunakee
11. Monona Grove
12. Hortonville
13. Whitnall
14. Wausau East
15. Whitefish Bay
Division Three
Ripon went down to a so so D1 team in Milwaukee Vincent and drop a couple spots to three. Evansville lost to Lakeside Lutheran who lost to Marshall, I felt I had to put Evansville behind Lakeside to put them at 12 with Lakeside 10. Brown Deer dropped a game to a very good D2 team in Milwaukee Washington a fall a few spots to 11. Southern Door lost to Algoma and dropped to 15.
1. GET
2. Lake Mills
3. Ripon
4. Marshall
5. Brookfield Academy
6. Xavier
7. Wrightstown
8. Waupun
9. Prescott
10. Lakeside Lutheran
11. Brown Deer
12. Evansville
13. Madison Edgewood
14. Watertown Luther Prep
15. Southern Door
Division Four
Eau Claire Regis lost to a very good McDonnel Central team and drop a couple spots to 11. Racine Luteran lost to St. Joes and Dominican which shouldn't be much of shocks but, they were crushed so they do fall to 15.
1. Amherst
2. Destiny
3. Melrose-Mindoro
4. Kenosha St Joes
5. Dominican
6. Cameron
7. Unity
8. Deerfield
9. La Crosse Aquinas
10. Markesan
11. Eau Claire Regis
12. Darlington
13. Marathon
14. Iowa Grant
15. Racine Lutheran
Division Five
Shullsburg lost to Southerwestern and drop all the way to 12 because no one else lost. Newman lost to Pittsville and fall to 15. Blair Taylor lost to Arcadia and Melrose-Mindoro and fall from the rankings and are replaed at 14 by Solon Springs. .
1. Hillsboro
2. Washburn
3. McDonnell Central
4. Seneca
5. Port Edwards
6. Gresham
7. Columbus Catholic
8. Bangor
9. Almond Bancroft
10. Clayton
11. Pecatonica
12. Shullsburg
13. Hustisford
14. Solon Springs
15. Wausau Newman
It will be two weeks until my next rankings because of the holiday's so both weeks are basically cut in half to I will combine the next two weeks for my rankings. Should be some shake ups and the picture should be more clear after the great holiday tournaments that there are every year.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Middleton over Sun Prairie
Tonight took in the top two teams record wise in the Big Eight conference. I had seen Sun Prairie once before and this was my first time seeing Middleton play but, have seen them a lot in the past so I knew what to expect and didn't disappoint. Middleton subbed constantly throughout the game, shot a lot of threes, and played extremely hard.
Middleton came out and blitzed Sun Prairie with a full court press and Sun Prairie simply couldn't handle it. This really exposed the fact that Sun Prairie doesn't have a great ball handler outside of their point guard 6'1 senior Sam Kerr. The pressure forced the ball out of Kerr's hands and resulted in turnover after turnover. The turnovers combined with 6'5 senior Rod Johnson inability to score and Kerr suffering from a hip injury and foul trouble, led to a near 20 point lead midway through the first half. With Kerr on the bench Johnson had to run the point which seemed to settle things down and Sun Prairie was able to crawl back into the game behind some scrappy play. At half Middleton was up 35 to 27.
For Middleton it was the three headed junior monster all night. Early on it was 6'0 CJ Fermanich scoring in transition and knocking down the open jumpers. Then later in the game it was 6'4 Tyree Eady hitting the threes and sealing the game from the free throw line. Throughout the entire game the strong guard play of 5'11 Storm Murphy controlled the game throughout beating his defenders off the dribble and finding open team mates or provided the defensive pressure on the ball handler on the defensive end.
Sun Prairie battled throughout and were able to get the game down to five points at one time but, Eady and company were always there to push the lead to 10. Johnson couldn't miss from three late in the game and was hitting free throws but, it just seemed like anyone else wanted to take a shot. In the end Sun Prairie's lack of ball handlers did them in and Middleton was able to throw too many players at them. Middleton won 69 to 61.
Top Players
Rod Johnson 6'5 senior Sun Prairie- Johnson did a nice job of running the point when there just wasn't anyone else to do it. Johnson also was hitting the three in the second half which got Sun Prairie back in the game. He was also money from the free throw line all game long as well as being the teams emotional leader all game. I can see him playing at the next level when he posts up a defender and knocks down the fade away, hitting the step back three, or just the deep three, three feet behind the line.
Storm Murphy 5'11 junior Middleton- Didn't have the scoring numbers of the other two big time players but, Murphy was probably my MVP. Murphy completely controlled this game both on offense and defense with his quickness and I don't think anyone could stay in front of him. He also hand his hands on numerous passes on the defense end. Despite his lack of size I really like this kid.
CJ Fermanich 6'0 junior Middleton- Really a heady player that finished around the hoop very well and knocked down the outside shot. Always does a lot but, never seems like he's working hard but, always seems to be in the right spot at the right time.
Tyree Eady 6'4 junior Middleton- Probably the best overall athlete on the team. Does a little bit of everything from shooting the three, to rebounding, and can also handle the ball. Eady was huge in this one hitting two late threes and going 8 of 10 from the free throw line.
Box Score
Sun Prairie 61- Johnson 23 Nate Verstegen 10 Kerr 8 Marlon Ruffin 8 Deshawn Black 6 Ben Hauser 3 Sean Suchomel 3 DJ Jones 0 Taylor Jansen 0 Marty Schroeder 0
Middleton 69- Eady 20 Fermanich 19 Murphy 11 Brogan Brunker 5 Mitch Bacon 3 Kevin Ripp 3 Daydrian Spears 3 Cody Markel 3 Jack Smith 2 Travis Raffel 0 Brady Thomas 0 Myron Ashford Jr 0
Middleton really looks like a conference contender and having seen East and Memorial as well I don't see anyone beating Middleton unless the go completely cold. Sun Prairie on the other hand will need to find some ball handling to help Kerr out otherwise you will just be able to press them all game long.
Middleton came out and blitzed Sun Prairie with a full court press and Sun Prairie simply couldn't handle it. This really exposed the fact that Sun Prairie doesn't have a great ball handler outside of their point guard 6'1 senior Sam Kerr. The pressure forced the ball out of Kerr's hands and resulted in turnover after turnover. The turnovers combined with 6'5 senior Rod Johnson inability to score and Kerr suffering from a hip injury and foul trouble, led to a near 20 point lead midway through the first half. With Kerr on the bench Johnson had to run the point which seemed to settle things down and Sun Prairie was able to crawl back into the game behind some scrappy play. At half Middleton was up 35 to 27.
For Middleton it was the three headed junior monster all night. Early on it was 6'0 CJ Fermanich scoring in transition and knocking down the open jumpers. Then later in the game it was 6'4 Tyree Eady hitting the threes and sealing the game from the free throw line. Throughout the entire game the strong guard play of 5'11 Storm Murphy controlled the game throughout beating his defenders off the dribble and finding open team mates or provided the defensive pressure on the ball handler on the defensive end.
Sun Prairie battled throughout and were able to get the game down to five points at one time but, Eady and company were always there to push the lead to 10. Johnson couldn't miss from three late in the game and was hitting free throws but, it just seemed like anyone else wanted to take a shot. In the end Sun Prairie's lack of ball handlers did them in and Middleton was able to throw too many players at them. Middleton won 69 to 61.
Top Players
Rod Johnson 6'5 senior Sun Prairie- Johnson did a nice job of running the point when there just wasn't anyone else to do it. Johnson also was hitting the three in the second half which got Sun Prairie back in the game. He was also money from the free throw line all game long as well as being the teams emotional leader all game. I can see him playing at the next level when he posts up a defender and knocks down the fade away, hitting the step back three, or just the deep three, three feet behind the line.
Storm Murphy 5'11 junior Middleton- Didn't have the scoring numbers of the other two big time players but, Murphy was probably my MVP. Murphy completely controlled this game both on offense and defense with his quickness and I don't think anyone could stay in front of him. He also hand his hands on numerous passes on the defense end. Despite his lack of size I really like this kid.
CJ Fermanich 6'0 junior Middleton- Really a heady player that finished around the hoop very well and knocked down the outside shot. Always does a lot but, never seems like he's working hard but, always seems to be in the right spot at the right time.
Tyree Eady 6'4 junior Middleton- Probably the best overall athlete on the team. Does a little bit of everything from shooting the three, to rebounding, and can also handle the ball. Eady was huge in this one hitting two late threes and going 8 of 10 from the free throw line.
Box Score
Sun Prairie 61- Johnson 23 Nate Verstegen 10 Kerr 8 Marlon Ruffin 8 Deshawn Black 6 Ben Hauser 3 Sean Suchomel 3 DJ Jones 0 Taylor Jansen 0 Marty Schroeder 0
Middleton 69- Eady 20 Fermanich 19 Murphy 11 Brogan Brunker 5 Mitch Bacon 3 Kevin Ripp 3 Daydrian Spears 3 Cody Markel 3 Jack Smith 2 Travis Raffel 0 Brady Thomas 0 Myron Ashford Jr 0
Middleton really looks like a conference contender and having seen East and Memorial as well I don't see anyone beating Middleton unless the go completely cold. Sun Prairie on the other hand will need to find some ball handling to help Kerr out otherwise you will just be able to press them all game long.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Dunks of the Year
Every year I get to the end of the season and start thinking back to all the dunks I saw and wonder what dunk truly was the best or what were some of the best. I've decided this year to keep a running list of the top 10 dunks I've seen throughout the year to help me remember some of the best. In my mind a good dunk is one that gets the crow excited, maybe wasn't expected, or something that makes you get out of your seat. Some of the best that come to mind from the past 10 years I've been watching is Justin Dahmen throwing one off the glass to Wes Mathews who was trailing the play. Duane Wilson's put back dunk off the glass at the WBBYShootout and the multiple break away dunks. Marquis Mason with to many to count but, the tops are a one power dribble and throwing it down over the defender and the windmill to seal the game against Verona. Last years may of been the put back dunk by Kobe King at the Midwest Classic last year. So far I've only seen three dunks but, we have to start somewhere.
1. Jake Ferguson 6'5 junior Madison Memorial vs Sun Prairie December 8.
Ferguson drove the baseline and threw down a powerful two handed dunk. This one was kind of unexpected as I expected him just to lay it in but, he just went up and put it down.
2. Chris Knight 6'8 junior Madison Memorial vs Madison East December 3
Knight caught the ball just past half court and took it to the hoop in transition and threw it down one handed between three East defenders. This play got the crowd pumped up and wasn't a great dunk but, was a tremendous play overall.
3. Chris Knight 6'8 junior Madison Memorial vs Sun Prairie December 8
Typical steal and break away dunk that resulted in a nice little two handed dunk. Almost looked too easy though.
Well there are the first three but, I'm sure not the last.
1. Jake Ferguson 6'5 junior Madison Memorial vs Sun Prairie December 8.
Ferguson drove the baseline and threw down a powerful two handed dunk. This one was kind of unexpected as I expected him just to lay it in but, he just went up and put it down.
2. Chris Knight 6'8 junior Madison Memorial vs Madison East December 3
Knight caught the ball just past half court and took it to the hoop in transition and threw it down one handed between three East defenders. This play got the crowd pumped up and wasn't a great dunk but, was a tremendous play overall.
3. Chris Knight 6'8 junior Madison Memorial vs Sun Prairie December 8
Typical steal and break away dunk that resulted in a nice little two handed dunk. Almost looked too easy though.
Well there are the first three but, I'm sure not the last.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Week 2 Rankings
It's Sunday which means it's time for another week of my personal rankings. Had a few teams lose this week but, nothing that jumps out to me right off hand. Madison East has started the season 0-3 after started the year ranked fifth in my rankings and a state appearance year ago. Defending D2 champion Mount Horeb is also 1-3.
Division One
A pair of top teams lost to a pair of lower rankings teams with De Pere losing to Kimberly and Madison Memorial going down to Sun Prairie.Madison East lost to Middleton and Janesville Craig. and fall from the rankings. Kimberly lost to Neenah which really made things tough at the bottom. Kimberly has already beaten De Pere and Oshkosh North so they had to stay ahead of them with matching records and Appleton West had already lost to Neenah so they hang on at 15b. Muskego is new to the rankings at 10.
1. Stevens Point
2. Germantown
3. Milwaukee King
4. Milwaukee Riverside
5. Middleton
6. Arrowhead
7. Sheboygan North
8. Racine Park
9. Sun Prairie
10. Muskego
11. Madison Memorial
12. Neenah
13. Kimberly
14. De Pere
15. Oshkosh North
15b. Appleton West
Division Two
Whitnall went down to Pewaukee, who seems to be beating everything and Whitnall falls to 10. Waunakee lost to Sauk Prairie, Wauwatosa East lost to Brookfield Central, Whitefish Bay lost to Milwaukee Marquette, and Hortonville lost to Kaukauna all very tough games so no one falls from the rankings but, fall into 12, 13, 14, and 15.
1. Kaukauna
2. La Crosse Central
3. New Berlin Eisenhower
4. Onalaska
5. Monona Grove
6. Greendale
7. Pewaukee
8. Milwaukee Washington
9. Cedarburg
10. Whitnall
11. Seymour
12. Waunakee
13. Wauwatosa East
14. Whitefish Bay
15. Hortonville
Division Three
Brookfield Academy lost to Milwaukee Morse-Marshall and Brown Deer lost to Milwaukee Pius both very tough teams and they drop only a couple spots to six and seven. WLP lost to Lakeside Lutheran and drop just a spot to 15. East Troy lost to two very tough teams in Milwaukee Washington and Destiny but, fall out of the rankings and are replaced by Madison Edgewood who is new to D3 this year having played D2 always in the past.
1. Ripon
2. GET
3. Lake Mills
4. Evansville
5. Marshall
6. Brookfield Academy
7. Brown Deer
8. Xavier
9. Lakeside Lutheran
10. Wrightstown
11. Southern Door
12. Waupun
13. Prescott
14. Madison Edgewood
15. Watertown Luther Prep
Division Four
Only one team in the top 15 lost as Aquinas lost to Regis who was to be expected and Aquinas drops two spots this week. .
1. Amherst
2. Destiny
3. Melrose-Mindoro
4. Kenosha St Joes
5. Dominican
6. Cameron
7. Unity
8. Eau Claire Regis
9. Deerfield
10. Racine Lutheran
11. La Crosse Aquinas
12. Markesan
13. Darlington
14. Marathon
15. Iowa Grant
Division Five
Almond-Bancroft lost to Port Edwards dropping to 10 followed by Clayton who lost to Cameron. Always a tough team to judge with the competition they play but, Young Coggs Prep lost to Milwaukee Hamilton and fall from the rankings.
1. Hillsboro
2. Shullsburg
3. Washburn
4. McDonnell Central
5. Seneca
6. Port Edwards
7. Gresham
8. Columbus Catholic
9. Bangor
10. Almond-Bancroft
11. Clayton
12. Pecatonica
13. Newman Catholic
14. Blair Taylor
15. Hustisford
Division One
A pair of top teams lost to a pair of lower rankings teams with De Pere losing to Kimberly and Madison Memorial going down to Sun Prairie.Madison East lost to Middleton and Janesville Craig. and fall from the rankings. Kimberly lost to Neenah which really made things tough at the bottom. Kimberly has already beaten De Pere and Oshkosh North so they had to stay ahead of them with matching records and Appleton West had already lost to Neenah so they hang on at 15b. Muskego is new to the rankings at 10.
1. Stevens Point
2. Germantown
3. Milwaukee King
4. Milwaukee Riverside
5. Middleton
6. Arrowhead
7. Sheboygan North
8. Racine Park
9. Sun Prairie
10. Muskego
11. Madison Memorial
12. Neenah
13. Kimberly
14. De Pere
15. Oshkosh North
15b. Appleton West
Division Two
Whitnall went down to Pewaukee, who seems to be beating everything and Whitnall falls to 10. Waunakee lost to Sauk Prairie, Wauwatosa East lost to Brookfield Central, Whitefish Bay lost to Milwaukee Marquette, and Hortonville lost to Kaukauna all very tough games so no one falls from the rankings but, fall into 12, 13, 14, and 15.
1. Kaukauna
2. La Crosse Central
3. New Berlin Eisenhower
4. Onalaska
5. Monona Grove
6. Greendale
7. Pewaukee
8. Milwaukee Washington
9. Cedarburg
10. Whitnall
11. Seymour
12. Waunakee
13. Wauwatosa East
14. Whitefish Bay
15. Hortonville
Division Three
Brookfield Academy lost to Milwaukee Morse-Marshall and Brown Deer lost to Milwaukee Pius both very tough teams and they drop only a couple spots to six and seven. WLP lost to Lakeside Lutheran and drop just a spot to 15. East Troy lost to two very tough teams in Milwaukee Washington and Destiny but, fall out of the rankings and are replaced by Madison Edgewood who is new to D3 this year having played D2 always in the past.
1. Ripon
2. GET
3. Lake Mills
4. Evansville
5. Marshall
6. Brookfield Academy
7. Brown Deer
8. Xavier
9. Lakeside Lutheran
10. Wrightstown
11. Southern Door
12. Waupun
13. Prescott
14. Madison Edgewood
15. Watertown Luther Prep
Division Four
Only one team in the top 15 lost as Aquinas lost to Regis who was to be expected and Aquinas drops two spots this week. .
1. Amherst
2. Destiny
3. Melrose-Mindoro
4. Kenosha St Joes
5. Dominican
6. Cameron
7. Unity
8. Eau Claire Regis
9. Deerfield
10. Racine Lutheran
11. La Crosse Aquinas
12. Markesan
13. Darlington
14. Marathon
15. Iowa Grant
Division Five
Almond-Bancroft lost to Port Edwards dropping to 10 followed by Clayton who lost to Cameron. Always a tough team to judge with the competition they play but, Young Coggs Prep lost to Milwaukee Hamilton and fall from the rankings.
1. Hillsboro
2. Shullsburg
3. Washburn
4. McDonnell Central
5. Seneca
6. Port Edwards
7. Gresham
8. Columbus Catholic
9. Bangor
10. Almond-Bancroft
11. Clayton
12. Pecatonica
13. Newman Catholic
14. Blair Taylor
15. Hustisford
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Marshall over Wisconsin Dells
Took in a rare Wisconsin Dells game tonight. Tonight gave me a chance to watch my hometown team as they took on one of the top D3 teams in the state. Going in to the game I didn't think Dells had much of a chance and the game pretty much held to form but, the Dells did hold this one closer for longer then I thought the would.
The game started out very fast and uptempo, which didn't surprise me having watched Marshall in past years but, I don't think this was what the Chiefs wanted but, they ran anyway. Early on Marshall really struggled hitting the outside shot but, they shot a lot of threes, so the shots they did hit were worth more. Marshall's senior star point guard 6'4 senior Adam Link really struggled early on but, he was picked up he was picked up by fellow seniors 6'2 Jordan Gomez and 6'2 Brandon Neuberger. As Marshall hit their threes Dells ran with them but, just couldn't couldn't convert do to Marshall's size advantage leading to rushed bunnies over larger defenders. Dells played just hard enough and got some nice play from 6'0 junior Peyton Rohling and sophomore Tanner Brandt. Rohling was able to hit some big threes and was able to get to the lane and finish. Brandt was money shooting from about 15 feet. Not sure what Brandt's actual height is but, he has to be about 6'5 and really showed a soft touch. These things allowed dells to only be down 28-23 at the half.
In the second half I think the Dells just ran out of gas and there wasn't much to write about. Marshall continued to run and Dells just ran out of gas. Marshall got easy bucket after easy bucket and spread things out which led to easy baskets for them as the Dells defense came out to guard them. Another part to Marshall continue to increase their lead was the play of 6'5 junior Adam Wehking who sat out much of the first half do to foul trouble and in the second half Wehking provide an inside presence and some easy baskets. It didn't feel like it but, in the end Marshall won big 72-49.
Top Players
Adam Link 6'4 senior Marshall- Didn't have a great game but, did a very nice job of running the offense and in the second half was able to slash to the rim and score.
Adam Wehking 6'5 junior Marshall- Sat most of the first half but, made his presence known in the second half scoring in the post and rebounding on the inside. Really works hard in the post and does a good job of fighting for position.
Jordan Gomez 6'2 senior Marshall- Really shot the three well hitting four three point shots. Moved extremely well without the ball and when the open shot was given didn't hesitate to take it.
Brandon Neuberger 6'2 senior Marshall- Probably the most valuable player in the game. He was able to hit the three point shot when it was given. In the second half he really looked to drive to the rim and score and didn't force things and let the game come to him.
Peyton Rohling 6'0 junior Wisconsin Dells- Was knocking down the deep three in this one. He was also able to drive to the rim and finish going to his left, his dominate hand.
Tanner Brandt 6'5 sophomore Wisconsin Dells- Really showed a nice touch from 15 feet and also hit a shot from three as well. Despite his lack of weight did a great job of battling on the block rebounding.
Box Score
Marshall 72- Neuberger 21 Link 16 Wehking 14 Gomez 14 Adam Lutz 5 Tristan Killerlain 2 Nathan Hanna 0 Devon Flynn 0 Reece Leistikow 0 Michael Calvillo 0 Nathan Halzinger 0 Adam Wildman 0 Gregory Hatzinger 0
WD 49- Rohling 18 Brandt 18 Michael Pakos 7 Dominic Morse 4 Adem Ajvazi 2 Colin Hirst 0 Jacob Pakos 0 #12 0
Well Marshall was about what I expected. They are a fun team to watch because they are going to run and gun and shoot a lot of threes. They will probably go as far as their shooting will take them and it will take a pretty good team to beat them. Dells is a team that may not compete on a state level but, will be there on the conference level and height will always be a problem for them.
The game started out very fast and uptempo, which didn't surprise me having watched Marshall in past years but, I don't think this was what the Chiefs wanted but, they ran anyway. Early on Marshall really struggled hitting the outside shot but, they shot a lot of threes, so the shots they did hit were worth more. Marshall's senior star point guard 6'4 senior Adam Link really struggled early on but, he was picked up he was picked up by fellow seniors 6'2 Jordan Gomez and 6'2 Brandon Neuberger. As Marshall hit their threes Dells ran with them but, just couldn't couldn't convert do to Marshall's size advantage leading to rushed bunnies over larger defenders. Dells played just hard enough and got some nice play from 6'0 junior Peyton Rohling and sophomore Tanner Brandt. Rohling was able to hit some big threes and was able to get to the lane and finish. Brandt was money shooting from about 15 feet. Not sure what Brandt's actual height is but, he has to be about 6'5 and really showed a soft touch. These things allowed dells to only be down 28-23 at the half.
In the second half I think the Dells just ran out of gas and there wasn't much to write about. Marshall continued to run and Dells just ran out of gas. Marshall got easy bucket after easy bucket and spread things out which led to easy baskets for them as the Dells defense came out to guard them. Another part to Marshall continue to increase their lead was the play of 6'5 junior Adam Wehking who sat out much of the first half do to foul trouble and in the second half Wehking provide an inside presence and some easy baskets. It didn't feel like it but, in the end Marshall won big 72-49.
Top Players
Adam Link 6'4 senior Marshall- Didn't have a great game but, did a very nice job of running the offense and in the second half was able to slash to the rim and score.
Adam Wehking 6'5 junior Marshall- Sat most of the first half but, made his presence known in the second half scoring in the post and rebounding on the inside. Really works hard in the post and does a good job of fighting for position.
Jordan Gomez 6'2 senior Marshall- Really shot the three well hitting four three point shots. Moved extremely well without the ball and when the open shot was given didn't hesitate to take it.
Brandon Neuberger 6'2 senior Marshall- Probably the most valuable player in the game. He was able to hit the three point shot when it was given. In the second half he really looked to drive to the rim and score and didn't force things and let the game come to him.
Peyton Rohling 6'0 junior Wisconsin Dells- Was knocking down the deep three in this one. He was also able to drive to the rim and finish going to his left, his dominate hand.
Tanner Brandt 6'5 sophomore Wisconsin Dells- Really showed a nice touch from 15 feet and also hit a shot from three as well. Despite his lack of weight did a great job of battling on the block rebounding.
Box Score
Marshall 72- Neuberger 21 Link 16 Wehking 14 Gomez 14 Adam Lutz 5 Tristan Killerlain 2 Nathan Hanna 0 Devon Flynn 0 Reece Leistikow 0 Michael Calvillo 0 Nathan Halzinger 0 Adam Wildman 0 Gregory Hatzinger 0
WD 49- Rohling 18 Brandt 18 Michael Pakos 7 Dominic Morse 4 Adem Ajvazi 2 Colin Hirst 0 Jacob Pakos 0 #12 0
Well Marshall was about what I expected. They are a fun team to watch because they are going to run and gun and shoot a lot of threes. They will probably go as far as their shooting will take them and it will take a pretty good team to beat them. Dells is a team that may not compete on a state level but, will be there on the conference level and height will always be a problem for them.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Sun Prairie over Madison Memorial
Went to Sun Prairie tonight to take in the battle between the Cardinals and the Madison Memorial Spartans. In the past five to 10 years they have really had some epic battles and every game always seems to come down to the wire. This game had some moments of excitement but, overall wasn't a great game and a bit of a defensive struggle. Memorial struggled all night shooting and Sun Prairie started off hot but, cooled off in the second half and actually stopped shooting the threes in the second. Both teams struggled shooting but, both teams did a pretty good job offensive rebounding which led to longer possessions and a lower scoring game.
Sun Prairie jumped all over Memorial early led by three threes from 6'5 senior Rod Johnson who scored 11 points in the first five minutes but, then only scored one point the rest of the game. Along with Johnson the rest of the Sun Prairie lineup was hitting as they got threes from 6'2 senior DJ Jones, 6'2 junior Ben Hauser, and 6'3 junior Bryce Moore. The Sun Prairie hot shooting combined with the extremely poor shooting of Memorial star 6'8 junior Chris Knight led to a 20-8 score at one point in the first half. Knight had an extremely poor shooting night and I would guess he was maybe 1-12 shooting in the first half. Knight has all the moves to get his shot any time but, he's fading away and drifting at times. I would like to see him go straight to the hoop. Really the only highlights of the first half were a pair of dunks, one by 6'5 junior Jake Ferguson driving baseline for a dunk, which was Memorial's first basket after three straight Knight misses, and then a steal and break away dunk by Knight. Despite the start Memorial was able to claw back into the game behind some nice interior play 6'6 junior Matt Caropreso scoring on the inside with some nice post moves including a nice little hook shot. The first half Sun Prairie absolutely dominated the offensive glass as well.
In the second half Knight came out much stronger looking to get the ball deeper in the post and making some easy buckets and drawing fouls. In the second half though Sun Prairie was able to hold on behind the play of their point guard 6'1 senior Sam Kerr. Kerr had a quiet half in the first half but, he came up big controlling the tempo of the game and getting in the lane and hitting some big mid range jumpers as well as getting to the hoop and scoring or drawing contact against the bigger Memorial defenders. In the end Memorial just didn't have anyone to create for themselves on the inside and couldn't get the ball to the post on a consistent basis.
Top Players
Rod Johnson 6'5 senior Sun Prairie- That first five minutes of the game sealed the deal for Johnson. He was making shots with very little room and hit a couple fadeaways with a little Kobe game. In the second half Memorial played very physical with him which took him off his game.
Sam Kerr 6'1 senior Sun Prairie- Didn't have a great game but, did the job of the point guard controlling the game late and dominating the ball late and scoring. I really love Kerr's game as a point guard. He can just run the offensive or he can score when needed and seems like he lets the game come to him and doesn't force things early.
Chris Knight 6'8 junior Madison Memorial- Had a very rough game but, did get things going a bit in the second half. I do like his back to the basket game but, would like to see more towards the rim.
Matt Caropreso 6'6 junior Madison Memorial- Had some very nice post up moves in the game and when Ferguson was saddled with foul trouble came up big rebounding.
Box Score
Sun Prairie 49- Johnson 12 Kerr 12 Hauser 6 Jones 5 Moore 5 Nate Verstegen 4 Deshawn Black 4 Marlon Ruffin 2 Sean Suchomel 0
Madison Memorial 43- Knight 12 Logan Knecht 9 Billy Wilson 8 Caropreso 7 Ferguson 5 Terrel Goodwan 2 Jason Weah 0 Ian Brown 0
After this game it really looks like Sun Prairie and Middleton are the two favorites for conference, as Middleton defeated Madison East tonight as well. The biggest question for Sun Prairie is who will be the third scorer behind Kerr and Johnson. Memorial needs to get more consistent production from their guards at least in driving to the hoop. Right now Memorial's offensive is pass it around the perimeter trying to feed the post if that fails just jack up a three. With that said the Big Eight conference seems that it will be very interesting with both Memorial and East losing tonight.
Sun Prairie jumped all over Memorial early led by three threes from 6'5 senior Rod Johnson who scored 11 points in the first five minutes but, then only scored one point the rest of the game. Along with Johnson the rest of the Sun Prairie lineup was hitting as they got threes from 6'2 senior DJ Jones, 6'2 junior Ben Hauser, and 6'3 junior Bryce Moore. The Sun Prairie hot shooting combined with the extremely poor shooting of Memorial star 6'8 junior Chris Knight led to a 20-8 score at one point in the first half. Knight had an extremely poor shooting night and I would guess he was maybe 1-12 shooting in the first half. Knight has all the moves to get his shot any time but, he's fading away and drifting at times. I would like to see him go straight to the hoop. Really the only highlights of the first half were a pair of dunks, one by 6'5 junior Jake Ferguson driving baseline for a dunk, which was Memorial's first basket after three straight Knight misses, and then a steal and break away dunk by Knight. Despite the start Memorial was able to claw back into the game behind some nice interior play 6'6 junior Matt Caropreso scoring on the inside with some nice post moves including a nice little hook shot. The first half Sun Prairie absolutely dominated the offensive glass as well.
In the second half Knight came out much stronger looking to get the ball deeper in the post and making some easy buckets and drawing fouls. In the second half though Sun Prairie was able to hold on behind the play of their point guard 6'1 senior Sam Kerr. Kerr had a quiet half in the first half but, he came up big controlling the tempo of the game and getting in the lane and hitting some big mid range jumpers as well as getting to the hoop and scoring or drawing contact against the bigger Memorial defenders. In the end Memorial just didn't have anyone to create for themselves on the inside and couldn't get the ball to the post on a consistent basis.
Top Players
Rod Johnson 6'5 senior Sun Prairie- That first five minutes of the game sealed the deal for Johnson. He was making shots with very little room and hit a couple fadeaways with a little Kobe game. In the second half Memorial played very physical with him which took him off his game.
Sam Kerr 6'1 senior Sun Prairie- Didn't have a great game but, did the job of the point guard controlling the game late and dominating the ball late and scoring. I really love Kerr's game as a point guard. He can just run the offensive or he can score when needed and seems like he lets the game come to him and doesn't force things early.
Chris Knight 6'8 junior Madison Memorial- Had a very rough game but, did get things going a bit in the second half. I do like his back to the basket game but, would like to see more towards the rim.
Matt Caropreso 6'6 junior Madison Memorial- Had some very nice post up moves in the game and when Ferguson was saddled with foul trouble came up big rebounding.
Box Score
Sun Prairie 49- Johnson 12 Kerr 12 Hauser 6 Jones 5 Moore 5 Nate Verstegen 4 Deshawn Black 4 Marlon Ruffin 2 Sean Suchomel 0
Madison Memorial 43- Knight 12 Logan Knecht 9 Billy Wilson 8 Caropreso 7 Ferguson 5 Terrel Goodwan 2 Jason Weah 0 Ian Brown 0
After this game it really looks like Sun Prairie and Middleton are the two favorites for conference, as Middleton defeated Madison East tonight as well. The biggest question for Sun Prairie is who will be the third scorer behind Kerr and Johnson. Memorial needs to get more consistent production from their guards at least in driving to the hoop. Right now Memorial's offensive is pass it around the perimeter trying to feed the post if that fails just jack up a three. With that said the Big Eight conference seems that it will be very interesting with both Memorial and East losing tonight.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Week 1 Rankings
With the first full week of play under way, it's time for my week one rankings. I'll be building off my preseason rankings so there may be some surprise teams that aren't in the rankings yet because I didn't think they would be that. Most teams have only played two or three games so these rankings don't mean much at this time and things usually play themselves out come the end of the year.
Division One
Milwaukee Riverside got destroyed by Stevens Point but, who wouldn't so they only dropped a spot to four. Madison East lost to Madison Memorial in their opener and dropped to a couple spots behind them at 11.There's always big battles in the Fox Valley where Oshkosh North lost to Kimberly and Appleton West went down to Neenah, knocking North and West down to 14 and 15 while Kimberly jumped into the rankings at 13 after Mukwanago lost to Waukesha South and fell from the rankings.
1. Stevens Point
2. Germantown
3. Milwaukee King
4. Milwaukee Riverside
5. Middleton
6. De Pere
7. Arrowhead
8. Madison Memorial
9. Sheboygan North
10. Racine Park
11. Madison East
12. Sun Prairie
13. Kimberly
14. Oshkosh North
15. Appleton West
Division Two
The division that always seems to have the most movement and the first week didn't disappoint. Milwaukee Washington lost to Pewaukee and DeLaSalle from Minnesota. The Minnesota lose I won't hold against them but, the Pewaukee lose dropped them to 10 behind Pewaukee at eight. Mount Horeb lost their first two games of the year losing to Burlington and Reedsburg and fall out of the rankings. Seymour lost to Green Bay Southwest and nearly fell from the rankings but, stuck at 15. Wauwatosa East went down to Waunakee, allowing Waunakee to get into the rankings at nine and putting East at 11. Cedarburg lost to Muskego but, did beat Whitefish Bay and Hortonville, dropping all three teams together to 12, 13, and 14. Ashwaubenon lost to Kaukauna and West De Pere and fall from the rankings but, they are on the radar still just outside the rankings.
1. Kaukauna
2. La Crosse Central
3. New Berlin Eisenhower
4. Onalaska
5. Monona Grove
6. Greendale
7. Whitnall
8. Pewaukee
9. Waunakee
10. Milwaukee Washington
11. Wauwatosa East
12. Cedarburg
13. Whitefish Bay
14. Hortonville
15. Seymour
Division Three
Brown Deer lost a tough game to Milwaukee Riverside and drop just two spots to five. Marshall lost to Lake Mills and fall to seven. Xavier lost to a D1 school in Appleton East and drop just a spot to eight. Roncalli has already lost five games four of which are ranked in their division so I wouldn't be shocked to see them reappear in the rankings. East Troy got crushed by Stevens Point so they hold their spot at 15. Watertown Luther Prep jumps into the rankings at 14.
1. Ripon
2. GET
3. Lake Mills
4. Brookfield Academy
5. Brown Deer
6. Evansville
7. Marshall
8. Xavier
9. Lakeside Lutheran
10. Wrightstown
11. Southern Door
12. Waupun
13. Prescott
14. Watertown Luther Prep
15. East Troy
Division Four
Not as much changes here in D4. Dominican lost to an elite team in Brown Deer and drop just three spots to five. Darlington lost to Cuba City dropping them to 13 probably because of missing players due to injury. Deerfield lost to a highly ranked D3 school in Lake Mills and only fell a little to 10. 14 and 15 are a pair of schools that lost to much bigger schools with Marathon losing to Mosinee and Iowa Grant losing to Dodgeville.
1. Amherst
2. Destiny
3. Melrose-Mindoro
4. Kenosha St. Joes
5. Dominican
6. Cameron
7. Unity
8. Eau Claire Regis
9. La Crosse Aquinas
10. Deerfield
11. Racine Lutheran
12. Markesan
13. Darlington
14. Marathon
15. Iowa Grant
Division Five
GBNew Lutheran lost twice to Sheboygna Christian and Southern Door and they dropped out of the rankings. Blair Taylor lost to Bangor who jumped to 11 and Blair Taylor fell to 14. Pecatonica lost to Cuba City and dropped to 12. Newman Catholic lost to a D1 school in Wausau East and held at 13 along with Young Coggs Prep at 15 who lost to a pair of bigger schools in Beloit and Oregon.
1. Hillsboro
2. Almond-Bancroft
3. Shullsburg
4. Washburn
5. McDonnell Central
6. Seneca
7. Port Edwards
8. Clayton
9. Gresham
10. Columbus Catholic
11. Bangor
12. Pecatonica
13. Newman Catholic
14. Blair Taylor
15. Young Coggs Prep
Friday, December 4, 2015
Madison Memorial over Madison East
For my first game of the year I decided take in a contest between two of the top teams in the Big Eight conference. Nearly anyone that follows high school ball has one of these two teams picked as the favorite to win the Big Eight. Memorial has won the conference title 12 years in a row now and a win in this game would give them a great start to 13. East is coming off a state run a year ago and bring back four starters from that state game. With East having the majority of the players back Memorial is nearly completely turning over with one starter and one significant bench player back. Memorial also has a new star in De Forest transfer 6'8 junior Chris Knight who leads fives juniors in the starting lineup. East has their returning star in 6'4 senior Deang Deang but, the also have an emerging star in 6'5 sophomore Keshawn Justice.
The game started out pretty rough for both teams offensively and it was pretty obvious that this was both teams first game of the year. Memorial starts a big front line of 6'8, 6'6, and 6'5 along with a pair of smaller guards at 5'11 and 6'0. To take advantage of that front court height and possibly to allow their bigs not to have to guard on the perimeter Memorial played a 2-3 zone which nearly switched into a switching man to man defense. At times the Memorial defenders would stay with the East player across the zone and other times they would stay in their position. Early on it seemed that East was clearly the better team and it was just fouls and the Memorial height that were keeping them in the game. The East guards just seemed too quick for the Memorial guards early on and Memorial had a tough time even getting into their offense. Despite that fact East was just never able to take a big lead early on and Memorial hung around. The game could pretty much be summarized in one play where Deang picked the pocket of the Memorial guard and drove towards a wide open hoop. As Deang put the lay up, up 6'5 Memorial junior Jake Ferguson chased him down and pinned the lay up against the back board which would be the first of four of those types of blocks by Ferguson. Every Memorial turn over seemed to be followed up by an East turnover. Foul trouble by the East bigs lead to Memorial being able to take advantage in the post in particular 6'6 junior Matt Caropreso who was Memorial's leading scorer in the first half on mostly garbage buckets. At half time Memorial led 25-21.
In the second half things got going as Knight found his game as he seemed lost at times in the first half. Knight really has a strong back to the basket game and seems pretty comfortable going over either shoulder. Knight had a huge run making three straight bucks in a row finalized by a jumper from just inside the free throw line. Knight also had the momentum dagger as he caught the ball on a fast break just past half court and took the ball to the rim and threw it down which got a the crowd into the game and made it feel like I was watching the old Memorial teams that would run and press and get electrifying break away dunks. For East no one could really get it going as even Deang seemed to struggle putting the ball in the hoop and late in the second half is when Justice started getting him self going hitting big three after big three any time he was open. There didn't seem to be much scoring outside of the threes by Justice but, that was all the needed to hang around in this one. Unfortunately the game was pretty much sealed when Deang was injured with just under two minutes left and Memorial made the free throws to seal the game 61 to 53.
Top Players
Chris Knight 6'8 junior Madison Memorial- Knight gives this team a go to player in a group of very good players. Knight is a true post player that seems to love to play with his back to the basket. I'd like to see a little more emotion out of him but, maybe that isn't his style. Knight completely dominated the glass and wouldn't be surprised if he had 20 rebounds and I'm sure he had a double double.
Jake Ferguson 6'5 junior Madison Memorial- The lone returning starter and probably the biggest key to their success. He is going to take the place of Henry Houden on last years team as the glue guy that holds the team and just does everything well, from scoring, ball handling, rebounding, moving his feet, and of course blocking shots as he had a handful of those, four of witched pinned to the glass.
Keshawn Justice 6'5 sophomore Madison East- Really is more of a guard and really shot the three extremely well in this game. Deang is probably the better player right now but, Justice could very well lead them in scoring. Plays with a ton of confidence.
Box Score (starters in italics)
Memorial- Knight 19 Caropreso 11 Billy Wilson 11 Ferguson 9 Logan Knecht 8 Chase Danielson 2 Jason Weah 1 Terrel Goodwan 0
East- Justice 20 Deang 12 Oliver Allison 8 Tre'vone Irby 4 Courtland Cuevas 4 Cameron Cratic 4 Davion Washington 1 Chris Warren 0 Ali Saffold 0
Yes this game was pretty rough and wasn't great basketball but, this game was the first of the year for both teams so that is to be expected. With Knight Memorial has a game changer and with East, Middleton, and possibly Sun Prairie should battle for a league title. East was missing two of the top players in 6'0 junior Kenny Jones who started at times last year and 6'6 sophomore Steven Wooten who I've heard a lot about as being a top player for his class. If and when those two returned with give East a huge boast he next time around. Should be a fun season and this was a nice start.
The game started out pretty rough for both teams offensively and it was pretty obvious that this was both teams first game of the year. Memorial starts a big front line of 6'8, 6'6, and 6'5 along with a pair of smaller guards at 5'11 and 6'0. To take advantage of that front court height and possibly to allow their bigs not to have to guard on the perimeter Memorial played a 2-3 zone which nearly switched into a switching man to man defense. At times the Memorial defenders would stay with the East player across the zone and other times they would stay in their position. Early on it seemed that East was clearly the better team and it was just fouls and the Memorial height that were keeping them in the game. The East guards just seemed too quick for the Memorial guards early on and Memorial had a tough time even getting into their offense. Despite that fact East was just never able to take a big lead early on and Memorial hung around. The game could pretty much be summarized in one play where Deang picked the pocket of the Memorial guard and drove towards a wide open hoop. As Deang put the lay up, up 6'5 Memorial junior Jake Ferguson chased him down and pinned the lay up against the back board which would be the first of four of those types of blocks by Ferguson. Every Memorial turn over seemed to be followed up by an East turnover. Foul trouble by the East bigs lead to Memorial being able to take advantage in the post in particular 6'6 junior Matt Caropreso who was Memorial's leading scorer in the first half on mostly garbage buckets. At half time Memorial led 25-21.
In the second half things got going as Knight found his game as he seemed lost at times in the first half. Knight really has a strong back to the basket game and seems pretty comfortable going over either shoulder. Knight had a huge run making three straight bucks in a row finalized by a jumper from just inside the free throw line. Knight also had the momentum dagger as he caught the ball on a fast break just past half court and took the ball to the rim and threw it down which got a the crowd into the game and made it feel like I was watching the old Memorial teams that would run and press and get electrifying break away dunks. For East no one could really get it going as even Deang seemed to struggle putting the ball in the hoop and late in the second half is when Justice started getting him self going hitting big three after big three any time he was open. There didn't seem to be much scoring outside of the threes by Justice but, that was all the needed to hang around in this one. Unfortunately the game was pretty much sealed when Deang was injured with just under two minutes left and Memorial made the free throws to seal the game 61 to 53.
Top Players
Chris Knight 6'8 junior Madison Memorial- Knight gives this team a go to player in a group of very good players. Knight is a true post player that seems to love to play with his back to the basket. I'd like to see a little more emotion out of him but, maybe that isn't his style. Knight completely dominated the glass and wouldn't be surprised if he had 20 rebounds and I'm sure he had a double double.
Jake Ferguson 6'5 junior Madison Memorial- The lone returning starter and probably the biggest key to their success. He is going to take the place of Henry Houden on last years team as the glue guy that holds the team and just does everything well, from scoring, ball handling, rebounding, moving his feet, and of course blocking shots as he had a handful of those, four of witched pinned to the glass.
Keshawn Justice 6'5 sophomore Madison East- Really is more of a guard and really shot the three extremely well in this game. Deang is probably the better player right now but, Justice could very well lead them in scoring. Plays with a ton of confidence.
Box Score (starters in italics)
Memorial- Knight 19 Caropreso 11 Billy Wilson 11 Ferguson 9 Logan Knecht 8 Chase Danielson 2 Jason Weah 1 Terrel Goodwan 0
East- Justice 20 Deang 12 Oliver Allison 8 Tre'vone Irby 4 Courtland Cuevas 4 Cameron Cratic 4 Davion Washington 1 Chris Warren 0 Ali Saffold 0
Yes this game was pretty rough and wasn't great basketball but, this game was the first of the year for both teams so that is to be expected. With Knight Memorial has a game changer and with East, Middleton, and possibly Sun Prairie should battle for a league title. East was missing two of the top players in 6'0 junior Kenny Jones who started at times last year and 6'6 sophomore Steven Wooten who I've heard a lot about as being a top player for his class. If and when those two returned with give East a huge boast he next time around. Should be a fun season and this was a nice start.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Big Eight Preview
By far the conference that I follow the closest is the Big Eight Conference which is a D1 conference which contains the Madison schools and surrounding suburbs. This is mostly because this is the closest D1 conference to where I live and year in and year out they have some of the best basketball in the state. In the past 10 years that I've followed high school ball and can name a handful of players from each school that have been considered some of the best players in the state of their time. It seems every team has had their time to shine with the exception of Janesville Parker and the one constant has been Madison Memorial winning conference. Back when eight teams went to state in D1 the Big Eight was nearly guaranteed to have two teams there. The question of every year is when will Memorial's rain end and for the past three years I thought we would see but, we still haven't. So without further a due here are my preseason Big Eight rankings and thoughts.
1. Madison East- Last year appeared to be the year East would dethrone Memorial but, East faultered late and Memorial peaked at the right time. In the end though East got the last laugh as they were the team that made state. They lose only one starter from last years team in DeShawn Burkes who was the team leader a year ago but, 6'3 senior point guard Deang Deang should be able to take over that role this year. East also finally has the height they've lacked in the past with 6'5 senior Courtland Cuevas, 6'5 sophomore Keshawn Justice, and 6'6 junior Steve Wooten who all prefer to play on the perimeter but, they give them length and size to rebound. 5'10 senior Tre'vone Irby and 6'0 junior Kenny Jones give them solid front court depth.
2. Madison Memorial- In my mind this team may of fallen all the way down to fourth in the conference had they not received the transfer of 6'7 junior Chris Knight from Deforest. Memorial brings back only one starter in 6'6 junior Jake Ferguson but, they have a very talented junior class that saw a decent amount of action a year ago off the bench. Despite have a strong junior class they didn't have that big time go to player but, with Knight they just might have that. 6'7 junior Matt Caropreso is a returner that can give them a very big front line if he starts with Knight and Ferguson. 6'0 junior Billy Wilson, 5'10 junior Logan Knecht, and 6'0 senior Jason Weah all saw minutes off the bench a year ago. I would expect Wilson and Knecht to do most of the ball handling and Weah to be the defensive stopper you can guard anyone on the court whether it be a big or a guard.
3. Middleton- I think this will really be a three team race with Middleton being the third team. They play a ton of guys so they return a lot of players that saw a lot of solid minutes last year including five of their top six players from last years team. They also have strong junior class which should lead to some very good battles with Memorial the next two years. With a Middleton team you know that they are going to play extremely hard tell the game ends. 6'3 junior Tyree Eady is poised for a monster year in my mind as he is a returning second team all conference and they have a pair of very good 5'11 junior guards in CJ Fermanich and Storm Murphy. Fermanich is very heady player that does all the little things and is a three year varsity player while Murphy is a big time scorer in his own right and despite his size he can get his shot off at any time.
4. Sun Prairie- This team will probably live and die with 6'1 senior point guard Sam Kerr. Last year Kerr only started after Noskowiak missed all his time last year and Kerr ended up being the teams leading scorer. I love Kerr's game and he can score big time or can distribute to his team mates. To help Kerr out they need 6'6 senior Rod Johnson to step up. Last year Johnson was asked to come in and just knock down outside shots but, this year they will need more and I think he has it in him. 6'5 senior DeShawn Black, 6'3 junior Ben Hauser, and 6'6 junior Nate Verstegen are also returners that saw some time in the starting lineup last year.
5. Janesville Craig- After tying for last a year ago this might be the biggest mover of the year. I never saw them play last year but, have heard some very good things and they seemed to peak at the end of last year which should learn to some good things this year. Junior point guard 5'10 San'Trell Payton was a second teamer last year and they have some tremendous size in 6'9 junior Adam Anhold and 6'11 senior Riley Jensen. After taking a quick look it appears that they have size in Anhold and I don't know anything about Jensen other then he's 6'11 as he didn't score in their first game of the year and doesn't show any stats from last year.
6. Verona- I really like coach Buss and think he gets the most out of his players even when the talent may not always be there. They bring back three starters from a fifth place finish a year ago, led by 6'4 senior Cole Schmitz who averaged 14 points a game a year ago and was second team all conference.
7. Madison West- Didn't see them a year ago and really don't know much but, they bring back five starters none of which averaged double digits from a team that finished 6-12 in conference a year ago.
8. Beloit- Another team I really didn't see a year ago. 5'10 junior Drew Freitag is a three year varsity player but, think they will really miss Kyan Pleasant who led them in scoring and rebounding a year ago. Thinking back I did see them once play at Just a Game here in the Dells but, other then Pleasant I hardly remember anyone.
9. Madison La Follette- Lots of unknowns here. The Darold Thomas era is over and double digit scorers Quinten Shere and Cortez McCree are gone. Coach Robinson will probably get the most out of his team with hustle and threes but, not sure there is much left for scoring on this team at least guys that can get their own basket.
10. Janesville Parker- In all my years I don't think I watched a Parker team play and that is because they are usually towards the bottom of the conference and it has been pretty rare that they ever finish at the top.
Predicted Standings Big Eight Records
Madison East 15-3
Madison Memorial 13-5
Middleton 13-5
Sun Prairie 12-6
Janesville Craig 11-7
Verona 9-9
Madison West 7-11
Beloit 4-14
Madison La Follette 3-15
Janesville Parker 2-16
Looking at the run down it appears that just like the rest of the state that the junior class is incredibly strong in the Big Eight. After running down the teams I see that the conference is incredibly deep and every team in the top seven has some very strong positives and could challenge anyone else in the conference on any given night. Top to bottom this might be one of the strongest conferences in the state. That being said there probably isn't a state champion contender but, the lower teams are pretty tough and if they were in another conference would probably finish much higher. Thursday night my season will start with a tough one right off the bat in Madison East verse Madison Memorial, my top two teams.
1. Madison East- Last year appeared to be the year East would dethrone Memorial but, East faultered late and Memorial peaked at the right time. In the end though East got the last laugh as they were the team that made state. They lose only one starter from last years team in DeShawn Burkes who was the team leader a year ago but, 6'3 senior point guard Deang Deang should be able to take over that role this year. East also finally has the height they've lacked in the past with 6'5 senior Courtland Cuevas, 6'5 sophomore Keshawn Justice, and 6'6 junior Steve Wooten who all prefer to play on the perimeter but, they give them length and size to rebound. 5'10 senior Tre'vone Irby and 6'0 junior Kenny Jones give them solid front court depth.
2. Madison Memorial- In my mind this team may of fallen all the way down to fourth in the conference had they not received the transfer of 6'7 junior Chris Knight from Deforest. Memorial brings back only one starter in 6'6 junior Jake Ferguson but, they have a very talented junior class that saw a decent amount of action a year ago off the bench. Despite have a strong junior class they didn't have that big time go to player but, with Knight they just might have that. 6'7 junior Matt Caropreso is a returner that can give them a very big front line if he starts with Knight and Ferguson. 6'0 junior Billy Wilson, 5'10 junior Logan Knecht, and 6'0 senior Jason Weah all saw minutes off the bench a year ago. I would expect Wilson and Knecht to do most of the ball handling and Weah to be the defensive stopper you can guard anyone on the court whether it be a big or a guard.
3. Middleton- I think this will really be a three team race with Middleton being the third team. They play a ton of guys so they return a lot of players that saw a lot of solid minutes last year including five of their top six players from last years team. They also have strong junior class which should lead to some very good battles with Memorial the next two years. With a Middleton team you know that they are going to play extremely hard tell the game ends. 6'3 junior Tyree Eady is poised for a monster year in my mind as he is a returning second team all conference and they have a pair of very good 5'11 junior guards in CJ Fermanich and Storm Murphy. Fermanich is very heady player that does all the little things and is a three year varsity player while Murphy is a big time scorer in his own right and despite his size he can get his shot off at any time.
4. Sun Prairie- This team will probably live and die with 6'1 senior point guard Sam Kerr. Last year Kerr only started after Noskowiak missed all his time last year and Kerr ended up being the teams leading scorer. I love Kerr's game and he can score big time or can distribute to his team mates. To help Kerr out they need 6'6 senior Rod Johnson to step up. Last year Johnson was asked to come in and just knock down outside shots but, this year they will need more and I think he has it in him. 6'5 senior DeShawn Black, 6'3 junior Ben Hauser, and 6'6 junior Nate Verstegen are also returners that saw some time in the starting lineup last year.
5. Janesville Craig- After tying for last a year ago this might be the biggest mover of the year. I never saw them play last year but, have heard some very good things and they seemed to peak at the end of last year which should learn to some good things this year. Junior point guard 5'10 San'Trell Payton was a second teamer last year and they have some tremendous size in 6'9 junior Adam Anhold and 6'11 senior Riley Jensen. After taking a quick look it appears that they have size in Anhold and I don't know anything about Jensen other then he's 6'11 as he didn't score in their first game of the year and doesn't show any stats from last year.
6. Verona- I really like coach Buss and think he gets the most out of his players even when the talent may not always be there. They bring back three starters from a fifth place finish a year ago, led by 6'4 senior Cole Schmitz who averaged 14 points a game a year ago and was second team all conference.
7. Madison West- Didn't see them a year ago and really don't know much but, they bring back five starters none of which averaged double digits from a team that finished 6-12 in conference a year ago.
8. Beloit- Another team I really didn't see a year ago. 5'10 junior Drew Freitag is a three year varsity player but, think they will really miss Kyan Pleasant who led them in scoring and rebounding a year ago. Thinking back I did see them once play at Just a Game here in the Dells but, other then Pleasant I hardly remember anyone.
9. Madison La Follette- Lots of unknowns here. The Darold Thomas era is over and double digit scorers Quinten Shere and Cortez McCree are gone. Coach Robinson will probably get the most out of his team with hustle and threes but, not sure there is much left for scoring on this team at least guys that can get their own basket.
10. Janesville Parker- In all my years I don't think I watched a Parker team play and that is because they are usually towards the bottom of the conference and it has been pretty rare that they ever finish at the top.
Predicted Standings Big Eight Records
Madison East 15-3
Madison Memorial 13-5
Middleton 13-5
Sun Prairie 12-6
Janesville Craig 11-7
Verona 9-9
Madison West 7-11
Beloit 4-14
Madison La Follette 3-15
Janesville Parker 2-16
Looking at the run down it appears that just like the rest of the state that the junior class is incredibly strong in the Big Eight. After running down the teams I see that the conference is incredibly deep and every team in the top seven has some very strong positives and could challenge anyone else in the conference on any given night. Top to bottom this might be one of the strongest conferences in the state. That being said there probably isn't a state champion contender but, the lower teams are pretty tough and if they were in another conference would probably finish much higher. Thursday night my season will start with a tough one right off the bat in Madison East verse Madison Memorial, my top two teams.
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Division Five Preseason Rankings
I know that I complained about the previous two divisions being tough to pick but, D5 might be the toughest division of all to predict. I don't see that many D5 games during the regular season which leads to me not following D5 that closely. I see state and that might be all of D5 I see all year long. This year there is a clear cut number one with Hillsboro and after that there is a lot of mystery.
1. Hillsboro- State runner ups a year ago and they bring all five starters back led by Mr. Everything in 6'5 senior Max Stockwel who averaged 18 points a game last year and did everything from play in the post to bringing the ball up at times last year.
2. Almond-Bancroft- Yearbook had them sitting at two and they won 18 games a year ago and bring back four starters. All the returning starters are between 6'2 to 6'6 so they have pretty good overall team size.
3. Shullsburg- Have some really nice size coming back in a pair of double digit scoring junior big men in 6'5 Hunter Mayte and 6'8 Joseph Meyer. Through a third starter in 6'3 junior Lance Lieman and sixth man 6'4 junior Noah Wand. They also won 24 games last year and could be a challenge to Hillsboro in the Southwest.
4. Green Bay NEW Lutheran- A private school playing in a bigger division that always comes to play come playoff time. Three starters back from last years team and they are tough to judge because they may go .500 but, will always be a tough out.
5. Washburn- State final four team a year ago and they have 6'7 senior Brant Schick back fresh off committing to D2 Minnesota Duluth.
6. McDonnell Central- Sectional finalist a year ago after winning 19 games. Leading scorer 6'1 senior Ben Retzlaff is back and they have three returners that are 6'5 or taller.
7. Blair Taylor- Benefit from moving down a division this year when they've always been one of the top teams in D4. 6'5 senior Dillon Zinn and 6'6 junior River Kirschner who are both three year starters and both averaged 13 points a game.
8. Seneca- 20 win team a year ago and bring back four starters from that team.
9. Pecatonica- Three starters back from a 19 win team led by AJ Hendrickson a 6'5 junior who averaged 23 points and 7 boards a year ago.
10. Port Edwards- Won 23 games a year ago and they lost four starters but, they have 6'7 senior Jared Joslin back who was their second leading scorer a year ago and averaged a near double double.
11. Clayton- All five starters are back including two seniors who averaged nearly 20 a game last year in 6'3 Brandon Gilbertson and 5'9 Cameron Bodsberg.
12. NEW Catholic- Went 19-7 last year and have there top two scorers back in 6'3 senior Dane Fronek and 6'2 senior Jake Gajewski.
13. Gresham- Three starters back from a 21 win team a year ago.
14. Columbus Catholic- Three double digit scorers return for the Dons.
15. Young Coggs Prep- Only here because they are the defending champs and the yearbook had them even higher. I think losing Tiwon Jones and their back court is just too much to over come.
1. Hillsboro- State runner ups a year ago and they bring all five starters back led by Mr. Everything in 6'5 senior Max Stockwel who averaged 18 points a game last year and did everything from play in the post to bringing the ball up at times last year.
2. Almond-Bancroft- Yearbook had them sitting at two and they won 18 games a year ago and bring back four starters. All the returning starters are between 6'2 to 6'6 so they have pretty good overall team size.
3. Shullsburg- Have some really nice size coming back in a pair of double digit scoring junior big men in 6'5 Hunter Mayte and 6'8 Joseph Meyer. Through a third starter in 6'3 junior Lance Lieman and sixth man 6'4 junior Noah Wand. They also won 24 games last year and could be a challenge to Hillsboro in the Southwest.
4. Green Bay NEW Lutheran- A private school playing in a bigger division that always comes to play come playoff time. Three starters back from last years team and they are tough to judge because they may go .500 but, will always be a tough out.
5. Washburn- State final four team a year ago and they have 6'7 senior Brant Schick back fresh off committing to D2 Minnesota Duluth.
6. McDonnell Central- Sectional finalist a year ago after winning 19 games. Leading scorer 6'1 senior Ben Retzlaff is back and they have three returners that are 6'5 or taller.
7. Blair Taylor- Benefit from moving down a division this year when they've always been one of the top teams in D4. 6'5 senior Dillon Zinn and 6'6 junior River Kirschner who are both three year starters and both averaged 13 points a game.
8. Seneca- 20 win team a year ago and bring back four starters from that team.
9. Pecatonica- Three starters back from a 19 win team led by AJ Hendrickson a 6'5 junior who averaged 23 points and 7 boards a year ago.
10. Port Edwards- Won 23 games a year ago and they lost four starters but, they have 6'7 senior Jared Joslin back who was their second leading scorer a year ago and averaged a near double double.
11. Clayton- All five starters are back including two seniors who averaged nearly 20 a game last year in 6'3 Brandon Gilbertson and 5'9 Cameron Bodsberg.
12. NEW Catholic- Went 19-7 last year and have there top two scorers back in 6'3 senior Dane Fronek and 6'2 senior Jake Gajewski.
13. Gresham- Three starters back from a 21 win team a year ago.
14. Columbus Catholic- Three double digit scorers return for the Dons.
15. Young Coggs Prep- Only here because they are the defending champs and the yearbook had them even higher. I think losing Tiwon Jones and their back court is just too much to over come.
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Division Four Preseason Rankings
This is going to be a very tough year for me to do these rankings as the normal #1 in D4 Whitefish Bay Dominican is a big of a mystery with Mr Diamond Stone having moved on to the University of Maryland. Along with that you don't have the obvious private schools that jump out to you. I am going to start out by going with my gut, past history, and obviously looking at the high school yearbook. Added in D4 has a lot of private schools that play much bigger schools during the regular season adding into the difficulty of doing rankings solely based on records. So here goes...
1. Amherst- A final four state team a year ago and they bring back four starters. Led by 6'4 senior Tyler Biadasz a D1 football recruit that averaged 16 points and nine rebounds a game a year ago.
2. Whitefish Bay Dominican- This is Dominican so they have to be towards the top of the rankings and in the official rankings they are #1 but, to be honest I'm not sold on this. Everyone seems extremely high on 6'9 senior Kostas Antetokounmpo and I don't see it. Yes his brother is in the NBA but, he seemed so very raw in the limit action I saw him. I'm sure there is more talent coming and they will have very good height.
3. Destiny- Hard to tell with this team because they play an independent schedule but, they won 15 games a year ago and bring back five starters. They start 6'7, 6'6, and 6'5 on the front line which is huge in D4 and they have a 6'5 player off the bench.
4. Melrose-Mindoro- I saw this team a year ago and I was pretty impressed. They have three starters back including their top two scorers in 6'0 junior Erik Christopherson and 6'5 senior Aaron Scafe who each averaged 15 points a game on a team that won 19 games last year.
5. Darlington- Ok to be honest I question this ranking a little bit after looking at the team in the yearbook but, the yearbook has them ranked third so we will see. There top returning scorer 6'2 junior Hunter Johnson was injured in the state title football game two days ago.
6. Kenosha St. Joes- Should have one of the best backcourts in the state for D4 with both guards back from last years 16 win team, headlined by 6'1 junior DeAndre Johns who averaged 18 points a game a year ago. Matthew Brown is a talented 5'11 freshmen that I believe is John's cousin and from what I heard should be a starter.
7. Deerfield- Four starters back from an 18 win team a year ago. I've never seen them play but, judging by numbers 6'4 Blake Ehrke is a beast averaging 19 points and 15 boards last year.
8. Marathon- Another questionable team year but, another yearbook pick. They have the strong tradition going and they only lost one game a year ago and have two starters back.
9. Cameron- Another team that always seems to have great record after great record and have two big time scoring seniors in 6'4 Mike Verdegan 14 points and 6'5 Peyton Dibble 18 points.
10. Unity- Varsity only lost three games and JV was undefeated last year with three starters returning from last years team. 6'6 senior Logan Bader is a double double guy.
11. Eau Claire Regis- State final four team a year ago that lost a lot with the graduation of Billy Wampler but, 6'2 senior Logan Rohrscheib is back with his 20 plus points a game. This is also a team that has a very rich tradition going now and Regis is always one of the best in D4.
12. La Crosse Aquinas- Another tough team to judge because they play in a conference with all D2 schools which does benefit them come playoff time. They bring back two of their better players in 6'4 senior Chris Ancius and 5'10 junior Eddie Harwick.
13. Racine Lutheran- Have four starters back from last years team and they've gotten to the point where they have a very good tradition built in their program.
14. Iowa Grant- I've been hearing some very good things out of this IG team throughout the summer and they have four starters back from last years team. 6'4 senior Isaac Anderson averaged 17 points a game last year.
15. Markesan- 19 win team a year ago and they have four starters back including leading scorer Brayden Bernhagen who averaged 14 points a game last year.
Well those are my D4 ranks hate them or love them those are my picks but, I probably won't stand by them, at least not very long.
1. Amherst- A final four state team a year ago and they bring back four starters. Led by 6'4 senior Tyler Biadasz a D1 football recruit that averaged 16 points and nine rebounds a game a year ago.
2. Whitefish Bay Dominican- This is Dominican so they have to be towards the top of the rankings and in the official rankings they are #1 but, to be honest I'm not sold on this. Everyone seems extremely high on 6'9 senior Kostas Antetokounmpo and I don't see it. Yes his brother is in the NBA but, he seemed so very raw in the limit action I saw him. I'm sure there is more talent coming and they will have very good height.
3. Destiny- Hard to tell with this team because they play an independent schedule but, they won 15 games a year ago and bring back five starters. They start 6'7, 6'6, and 6'5 on the front line which is huge in D4 and they have a 6'5 player off the bench.
4. Melrose-Mindoro- I saw this team a year ago and I was pretty impressed. They have three starters back including their top two scorers in 6'0 junior Erik Christopherson and 6'5 senior Aaron Scafe who each averaged 15 points a game on a team that won 19 games last year.
5. Darlington- Ok to be honest I question this ranking a little bit after looking at the team in the yearbook but, the yearbook has them ranked third so we will see. There top returning scorer 6'2 junior Hunter Johnson was injured in the state title football game two days ago.
6. Kenosha St. Joes- Should have one of the best backcourts in the state for D4 with both guards back from last years 16 win team, headlined by 6'1 junior DeAndre Johns who averaged 18 points a game a year ago. Matthew Brown is a talented 5'11 freshmen that I believe is John's cousin and from what I heard should be a starter.
7. Deerfield- Four starters back from an 18 win team a year ago. I've never seen them play but, judging by numbers 6'4 Blake Ehrke is a beast averaging 19 points and 15 boards last year.
8. Marathon- Another questionable team year but, another yearbook pick. They have the strong tradition going and they only lost one game a year ago and have two starters back.
9. Cameron- Another team that always seems to have great record after great record and have two big time scoring seniors in 6'4 Mike Verdegan 14 points and 6'5 Peyton Dibble 18 points.
10. Unity- Varsity only lost three games and JV was undefeated last year with three starters returning from last years team. 6'6 senior Logan Bader is a double double guy.
11. Eau Claire Regis- State final four team a year ago that lost a lot with the graduation of Billy Wampler but, 6'2 senior Logan Rohrscheib is back with his 20 plus points a game. This is also a team that has a very rich tradition going now and Regis is always one of the best in D4.
12. La Crosse Aquinas- Another tough team to judge because they play in a conference with all D2 schools which does benefit them come playoff time. They bring back two of their better players in 6'4 senior Chris Ancius and 5'10 junior Eddie Harwick.
13. Racine Lutheran- Have four starters back from last years team and they've gotten to the point where they have a very good tradition built in their program.
14. Iowa Grant- I've been hearing some very good things out of this IG team throughout the summer and they have four starters back from last years team. 6'4 senior Isaac Anderson averaged 17 points a game last year.
15. Markesan- 19 win team a year ago and they have four starters back including leading scorer Brayden Bernhagen who averaged 14 points a game last year.
Well those are my D4 ranks hate them or love them those are my picks but, I probably won't stand by them, at least not very long.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Division Three Preseason Rankings
Coming in line D3 are my next preseason rankings. I feel like I know D3 a little more then D2 so I can give a more accurate predictions here. The top teams this year were mostly sectional finalist a year ago that bring back a lot. I'll be honest though the last couple teams ranked are really based on past history of certain schools.
1. Ripon- Have one of the best junior classes in the state led by two of the best in 6'3 point guard Luke Loewe and 6'7 Bennett Vander Plas who averaged a double double a year ago. Throw in 6'2 junior Eddie Muench who averaged 11 points a game a year ago.
2. GET- A pair of four year senior starters return in 6'3 Nick Wagner and 6'4 Lucas Scherr. Wagner is headed to Northern Illinois and Scherr will be playing at the next level if he chooses. They bring back two other starters from a team that won 19 games a year ago.
3. Brown Deer- Two time defending state champs lost a lot but, they always bring a good team and will be battle tested throughout the year. Coach Appleby has only been there four years but, he's making a name for himself quickly. 6'5 senior Taurus Adams is back after average 12 points a game last year and seven boards. 5'10 senior Craig Schimenz is also back for his third year of varsity.
4. Marshall- Went 18-5 a year ago and bring back four starters led by 6'3 senior point guard Adam Link who averaged 16 points a year ago. Also back is 6'5 junior Adam Wehking that averaged a double double last year and 6'5 senior Andy Lutz who averaged 11 points and six rebounds himself. This team can really shoot the three which can hurt a team at times if they fall in love with it.
5. Lake Mills- Another 18 win team a year ago and lost only one player from their top eight players. 6'6 senior Simon Lensmire is a double double guy and junior guards 5'11 Brady Wagner and 5'10 Alex Ranney will have a year more of experience.
6. Brookfield Academy- Four starters back from a 20 win team led by Northern Michigan recruit 6'1 senior point guard Ryan Clarey who averaged 21 points a game a year ago and on the inside they have 6'5 senior Joseph Lemon who averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds a game a year ago.
7. Appleton Xavier- State team a year ago they have a pair of double digit scorers returning in 5'11 senior Sam Burkart and 6'1 senior Sam Simons. Height be a concern but, they didn't have much height a year ago.
8. Evansville- Five starters back from last years team that won 16 games. 6'0 junior Brennen Banks averaged 21 points a game last year and 6'6 senior Kyle Rutkowski is a double double guy averaging 15 points and 12 rebounds last year.
9. Lakeside Lutheran- They may of only went .500 a year ago but, they bring back four starters and have 6'3 senior Mason DeNoyer who averaged 18 points a game last year. DeNoyer is joined by his cousin 6'1 senior Austin DeNoyer who transferred in to Lakeside Lutheran.
10. Wrightstown- Four starters back from last years team and their led by 6'3 senior Zac Haese who averaged 16 points a game a year ago.
11. Southern Door- Three double digit scorers are back from a 19 win team. 6'3 senior Mitchell Gerend (13 pts), 6'4 senior Trevor Hawkey (12 pts), and 5'10 junior Nick LeCaptain (12 pts) are returners.
12. Waupun- Always one of the best teams in D3, led by 6'1 senior Jordan McGinnis who averaged 13 points a game last year and 6'7 senior Colton Homan who has had a big summer and should hopefully carry that into the school season.
13. Prescott- 7'0 junior Owen Hamilton should have a huge year and their success will rest on him.
14. Roncalli- Not much back but, they have a very strong tradition and the Jets and always a very tough team that shoots the three well and run their offense very effectively.
15. East Troy- State team a year ago they bring back 6'4 senior Justin Growel and top returning scorer 6'3 Joe Ciracks.
As you can see there is one running theme in these top teams. They have a ton of returning talent, there were a ton of teams that had very good records last year, and there were a lot more double doubles averaged then I every thought. D3 always continues to be one of the most interesting divisions.
1. Ripon- Have one of the best junior classes in the state led by two of the best in 6'3 point guard Luke Loewe and 6'7 Bennett Vander Plas who averaged a double double a year ago. Throw in 6'2 junior Eddie Muench who averaged 11 points a game a year ago.
2. GET- A pair of four year senior starters return in 6'3 Nick Wagner and 6'4 Lucas Scherr. Wagner is headed to Northern Illinois and Scherr will be playing at the next level if he chooses. They bring back two other starters from a team that won 19 games a year ago.
3. Brown Deer- Two time defending state champs lost a lot but, they always bring a good team and will be battle tested throughout the year. Coach Appleby has only been there four years but, he's making a name for himself quickly. 6'5 senior Taurus Adams is back after average 12 points a game last year and seven boards. 5'10 senior Craig Schimenz is also back for his third year of varsity.
4. Marshall- Went 18-5 a year ago and bring back four starters led by 6'3 senior point guard Adam Link who averaged 16 points a year ago. Also back is 6'5 junior Adam Wehking that averaged a double double last year and 6'5 senior Andy Lutz who averaged 11 points and six rebounds himself. This team can really shoot the three which can hurt a team at times if they fall in love with it.
5. Lake Mills- Another 18 win team a year ago and lost only one player from their top eight players. 6'6 senior Simon Lensmire is a double double guy and junior guards 5'11 Brady Wagner and 5'10 Alex Ranney will have a year more of experience.
6. Brookfield Academy- Four starters back from a 20 win team led by Northern Michigan recruit 6'1 senior point guard Ryan Clarey who averaged 21 points a game a year ago and on the inside they have 6'5 senior Joseph Lemon who averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds a game a year ago.
7. Appleton Xavier- State team a year ago they have a pair of double digit scorers returning in 5'11 senior Sam Burkart and 6'1 senior Sam Simons. Height be a concern but, they didn't have much height a year ago.
8. Evansville- Five starters back from last years team that won 16 games. 6'0 junior Brennen Banks averaged 21 points a game last year and 6'6 senior Kyle Rutkowski is a double double guy averaging 15 points and 12 rebounds last year.
9. Lakeside Lutheran- They may of only went .500 a year ago but, they bring back four starters and have 6'3 senior Mason DeNoyer who averaged 18 points a game last year. DeNoyer is joined by his cousin 6'1 senior Austin DeNoyer who transferred in to Lakeside Lutheran.
10. Wrightstown- Four starters back from last years team and their led by 6'3 senior Zac Haese who averaged 16 points a game a year ago.
11. Southern Door- Three double digit scorers are back from a 19 win team. 6'3 senior Mitchell Gerend (13 pts), 6'4 senior Trevor Hawkey (12 pts), and 5'10 junior Nick LeCaptain (12 pts) are returners.
12. Waupun- Always one of the best teams in D3, led by 6'1 senior Jordan McGinnis who averaged 13 points a game last year and 6'7 senior Colton Homan who has had a big summer and should hopefully carry that into the school season.
13. Prescott- 7'0 junior Owen Hamilton should have a huge year and their success will rest on him.
14. Roncalli- Not much back but, they have a very strong tradition and the Jets and always a very tough team that shoots the three well and run their offense very effectively.
15. East Troy- State team a year ago they bring back 6'4 senior Justin Growel and top returning scorer 6'3 Joe Ciracks.
As you can see there is one running theme in these top teams. They have a ton of returning talent, there were a ton of teams that had very good records last year, and there were a lot more double doubles averaged then I every thought. D3 always continues to be one of the most interesting divisions.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Division Two Preseason Rankings
I feel pretty good about my D1 rankings but, with my D2 rankings I don't feel confident whats so ever. My top three to fie I'm pretty good with but, to be honest the remainder of my rankings will be coming straight from the basketball yearbook. So here are my preseason D2 rankings.
1. Kaukauna- 20 win team a year ago and they bring back two double digit scorers in 5'11 sophomore Jordan McCabe and 6'2 junior Adam Smith. McCabe is one of the top players in the sophomore class and Smith can score points in bunches. They are also boosted by the incoming transfer 6'4 sophomore Eric Carl who was a starter at Shawano a year ago.
2. La Crosse Central- Have an extremely strong junior class and bring back four starters from last years team. They are headlined by Badger recruit 6'3 junior Kobe King and he has a very good sidekick in fellow junior 6'0 Bailey Kale.
3. Milwaukee Washington- Always a very tough team that has a ton of athletes and a lot of talent. They have a great point guard in 6'1 senior University of Illinois recruit Te'jon Lucas who can harness in all that talent and quickness.
4. Mount Horeb- State champs a year ago and they bring back three starters including a pair of seniors who averaged double digits in points in 6'3 Max Meylor and 6'6 Terek Nesheim.
5. Seymour- Seymour is always a tough team and they are coming off a 22 win season and a conference title a year ago. They have one of their top players back in 6'4 senior Brayden Wilinski.
6. Wauwatosa East- I underestimated them last year and this year I won't do that. I expect a huge year from 6'3 senior Ja'Vionne Green.
7. Cedarburg- I may be going out on a limb here but, I have a feeling with it and they have a great coach in Tom Diener. Have a very good sophomore and junior class led by 6'4 sophomore John Diener who averaged 22 points a year ago and 6'3 junior Jordan Johnson who averaged 14 points.
8. Whitefish Bay- Benefit from playing in a very tough conference with Cedarburg and they have double digit scorer 6'0 senior Elijah Moore back.
9. New Berlin Eisenhower- Bring back four starters from last years team all of week averaged double digit points last year.
10. Onalaska- Don't know much about them but, they won 16 games a year ago and have all five of their starters back.
11. Hortonville- A year book pick here they bring back four starters from last years team.
12. Monona Grove- Total yearbook pick here as they bring only two starters back and having won 187 games last year.
13. Ashwaubenon- Mostly by history here but, they always seem to have a very tough team and no reason to think that would change.
14. Greendale- Final four state team a year ago and bring back three starters, two of which averaged double digits in 6'6 senior David Pulizos and 6'0 senior Nate Thomson.
15. Whitnall- Bring back four starters, three of which averaged double digits in scoring. 6'3 sophomore Tyler Herro had a monster summer and that should continue into the regular season.
There are my opening rankings. As I said take them for however you want, I honestly don't know a ton this year on D2 and I'm relying on the yearbook here.
1. Kaukauna- 20 win team a year ago and they bring back two double digit scorers in 5'11 sophomore Jordan McCabe and 6'2 junior Adam Smith. McCabe is one of the top players in the sophomore class and Smith can score points in bunches. They are also boosted by the incoming transfer 6'4 sophomore Eric Carl who was a starter at Shawano a year ago.
2. La Crosse Central- Have an extremely strong junior class and bring back four starters from last years team. They are headlined by Badger recruit 6'3 junior Kobe King and he has a very good sidekick in fellow junior 6'0 Bailey Kale.
3. Milwaukee Washington- Always a very tough team that has a ton of athletes and a lot of talent. They have a great point guard in 6'1 senior University of Illinois recruit Te'jon Lucas who can harness in all that talent and quickness.
4. Mount Horeb- State champs a year ago and they bring back three starters including a pair of seniors who averaged double digits in points in 6'3 Max Meylor and 6'6 Terek Nesheim.
5. Seymour- Seymour is always a tough team and they are coming off a 22 win season and a conference title a year ago. They have one of their top players back in 6'4 senior Brayden Wilinski.
6. Wauwatosa East- I underestimated them last year and this year I won't do that. I expect a huge year from 6'3 senior Ja'Vionne Green.
7. Cedarburg- I may be going out on a limb here but, I have a feeling with it and they have a great coach in Tom Diener. Have a very good sophomore and junior class led by 6'4 sophomore John Diener who averaged 22 points a year ago and 6'3 junior Jordan Johnson who averaged 14 points.
8. Whitefish Bay- Benefit from playing in a very tough conference with Cedarburg and they have double digit scorer 6'0 senior Elijah Moore back.
9. New Berlin Eisenhower- Bring back four starters from last years team all of week averaged double digit points last year.
10. Onalaska- Don't know much about them but, they won 16 games a year ago and have all five of their starters back.
11. Hortonville- A year book pick here they bring back four starters from last years team.
12. Monona Grove- Total yearbook pick here as they bring only two starters back and having won 187 games last year.
13. Ashwaubenon- Mostly by history here but, they always seem to have a very tough team and no reason to think that would change.
14. Greendale- Final four state team a year ago and bring back three starters, two of which averaged double digits in 6'6 senior David Pulizos and 6'0 senior Nate Thomson.
15. Whitnall- Bring back four starters, three of which averaged double digits in scoring. 6'3 sophomore Tyler Herro had a monster summer and that should continue into the regular season.
There are my opening rankings. As I said take them for however you want, I honestly don't know a ton this year on D2 and I'm relying on the yearbook here.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Division One Preseason Rankings
Yes I am still around and still following high school basketball fairly closely. I've changed the title to just include High School Basketball in Wisconsin, which is really what it has been for the past few years anyway. I'll keep things fairly similar to what I've done in the past with doing my top 15 teams for each divisions each week, write up of games that I've been to, and then rankings of the players that I have actually seen. With the season starting within a couple weeks here is my first preseason rankings for division one which will give me a starting point for my rankings. Once again these are solely my own personal rankings and mean absolutely nothing. It's very interesting to see how my rankings differ from the high school yearbook (even though I steal some from them).
1. Stevens Point- Not sure anyone is going to come close to them this year. The defending state champs bring back four starters and only lost one guy from their rotation from last year. Headlined by a pair of senior D1 recruits in 6'6 Sam Hauser (Marquette) and 6'2 Trevor Anderson (UWGB) and a future D1 recruit 6'7 sophomore Joey Hauser maning the inside.
2. Germantown- State runner ups a year ago may only lose to Stevens Point again this year. They have tremendous team size led by seniors 6'6 Max Keefe and 6'5 Conner Edmonds. 6'0 senior Juwan McCloud a Northern Iowa recruit gives this team some quickness that past teams really haven't had.
3. Milwaukee Riverside- Very very strong junior class that may be a year away from winning a title. Bring back four starters from last years team led by a pair of juniors that averaged double doubles last year in 6'6 Terrence Lewis and 6'4 George Dixon.
4. Milwaukee King- King you can pretty much put in the top five teams year after year have one of the best coaches in the state in coach Gosz and always gets the most out of his players. Michigan recruit 6'2 junior Jordan Poole gives them a big time scorer and they have a ton of talent around him.
5. Madison East- Surprising final four team a year ago bring back four starters. 6'3 senior Deang Deang is a four year starter that average 15 points a game last year and fellow double digit scorers 6'4 sophomore Keshawn Justice and 5'10 senior Tre Irby are back as well.
6. Oshkosh North- Should have one of the better back courts in the state in 6'4 junior Philip Flory and 6'3 sophomore Tyrese Baliburton. Flory was the three point champion a year ago. Can't forget that 1-3-1 zone defense.
7. Middleton- Team that loves to run the court and plays a ton of guys which allows them to play extremely hard. They have four starters back and a very good junior class. 6'3 junior Tyree Eady is a star in the making and 5'11 junior guards Storm Murphy and CJ Fermanich may be small but, their very heady and can score big in bunches.
8. De Pere- Three starters back from last years team that give them tremendous size in 6'5 senior Zach Rabas, 6'6 junior Aaron Vopal, and 6'6 junior Max Huddleston.
9. Arrowhead- Five starters back form last years team headlined by 6'6 senior Bryce Nze who is a top five player in the state.
10. Madison Memorial - Memorial is always one of the elite teams in the state and despite not having many seniors they have a great junior class. They were without a star until 6'7 junior Chris Knight transferred in to give them that star and inside presence. If they choose could have a starting front line of 6'7, 6'7, and 6'6.
11. Appleton West- This was a total yearbook pick as I don't know much at all about West.
12. Mukwonago- Only one starter back but, that starter is 6'7 junior Brandon Hau who should have a big year now that he is the "man". Muk has earned the respect in the state as always having one of the most consistent teams.
13. Sheboygan North- Yearbook had them ranked high and have high scoring 6'4 senior Davis Larson back.
14. Racine Park- 6'7 senior Kaj Days is back and he is joined by his brother 6'9 freshmen Nobal Days who is one of the elite players in the country for his class.
15. Sun Prairie- Bring back five of their top eight players and they had a very good JV team. Fellow seniors 6'1 Sam Kerr and 6'6 Rod Johnson should have break out monster years.
Looking at the rankings it seems every team has a strong junior class so you can already see who the top teams will be the following year. Outside of the top three or four the senior class isn't the strongest but, none the less should be another great year.
1. Stevens Point- Not sure anyone is going to come close to them this year. The defending state champs bring back four starters and only lost one guy from their rotation from last year. Headlined by a pair of senior D1 recruits in 6'6 Sam Hauser (Marquette) and 6'2 Trevor Anderson (UWGB) and a future D1 recruit 6'7 sophomore Joey Hauser maning the inside.
2. Germantown- State runner ups a year ago may only lose to Stevens Point again this year. They have tremendous team size led by seniors 6'6 Max Keefe and 6'5 Conner Edmonds. 6'0 senior Juwan McCloud a Northern Iowa recruit gives this team some quickness that past teams really haven't had.
3. Milwaukee Riverside- Very very strong junior class that may be a year away from winning a title. Bring back four starters from last years team led by a pair of juniors that averaged double doubles last year in 6'6 Terrence Lewis and 6'4 George Dixon.
4. Milwaukee King- King you can pretty much put in the top five teams year after year have one of the best coaches in the state in coach Gosz and always gets the most out of his players. Michigan recruit 6'2 junior Jordan Poole gives them a big time scorer and they have a ton of talent around him.
5. Madison East- Surprising final four team a year ago bring back four starters. 6'3 senior Deang Deang is a four year starter that average 15 points a game last year and fellow double digit scorers 6'4 sophomore Keshawn Justice and 5'10 senior Tre Irby are back as well.
6. Oshkosh North- Should have one of the better back courts in the state in 6'4 junior Philip Flory and 6'3 sophomore Tyrese Baliburton. Flory was the three point champion a year ago. Can't forget that 1-3-1 zone defense.
7. Middleton- Team that loves to run the court and plays a ton of guys which allows them to play extremely hard. They have four starters back and a very good junior class. 6'3 junior Tyree Eady is a star in the making and 5'11 junior guards Storm Murphy and CJ Fermanich may be small but, their very heady and can score big in bunches.
8. De Pere- Three starters back from last years team that give them tremendous size in 6'5 senior Zach Rabas, 6'6 junior Aaron Vopal, and 6'6 junior Max Huddleston.
9. Arrowhead- Five starters back form last years team headlined by 6'6 senior Bryce Nze who is a top five player in the state.
10. Madison Memorial - Memorial is always one of the elite teams in the state and despite not having many seniors they have a great junior class. They were without a star until 6'7 junior Chris Knight transferred in to give them that star and inside presence. If they choose could have a starting front line of 6'7, 6'7, and 6'6.
11. Appleton West- This was a total yearbook pick as I don't know much at all about West.
12. Mukwonago- Only one starter back but, that starter is 6'7 junior Brandon Hau who should have a big year now that he is the "man". Muk has earned the respect in the state as always having one of the most consistent teams.
13. Sheboygan North- Yearbook had them ranked high and have high scoring 6'4 senior Davis Larson back.
14. Racine Park- 6'7 senior Kaj Days is back and he is joined by his brother 6'9 freshmen Nobal Days who is one of the elite players in the country for his class.
15. Sun Prairie- Bring back five of their top eight players and they had a very good JV team. Fellow seniors 6'1 Sam Kerr and 6'6 Rod Johnson should have break out monster years.
Looking at the rankings it seems every team has a strong junior class so you can already see who the top teams will be the following year. Outside of the top three or four the senior class isn't the strongest but, none the less should be another great year.
Monday, March 23, 2015
State Thoughts
Well state has come and gone and just going to give a few of my thoughts of each division and the state games. Probably any one that looks at this already knows who won the games so won't really dwell on who won or lost but, just give my thoughts. This year had some great talent but, there really wasn't a lot of good games. Most of the games ended up being 15 point games or more.
Division Five
Young Coggs Prep may of won state but, I'm not completely sure that they were the best team at state and may of very well of been the fourth best team. YCP had a pair of talented seniors in 5'9 DeAngelo Crawford and 6'1 Tiwon Jones but, overall the team was some what middle of the road. The difference was YCP turned up the pressure and the other teams just couldn't handle it and they played much faster then there used to which resulted to turnovers and easy buckets for YCP. I was excited to see Washburn and 6'3 senior Cody Tomlinson play but, they never seemed to get into a rhythm and Tomlinson just seemed very uncomfortable on the court. For Hillsboro 6'4 junior Max Stockwell was just a rock steady force throughout both games and nearly single handily kept his team in the game against YCP. Green Bay NEW Lutheran's biggest problem in their game was that their leading scorer 6'3 senior Noah Gosse was in foul trouble and could never get himself going.
Division Four
This division was all about Whitefish Bay Dominican and 6'10 senior Diamond Stone dominating. Eau Claire Regis was probably the second best team but, I think they were just a little too hyped up and tried to do more then they could and did a little too much one on one with their top two scorers 6'6 senior Billy Wampler and 6'2 junior Logan Rohrscheib. Both got their points but, you need more then that against Dominican and this allowed Dominican to get out of the fast break on long rebounds. Mineral Point was probably playing way over their head and did much better then most people thought against Dominican. Mineral Point moved the ball extremely well and shot the three pretty well and kept the game close until Stone and company used their height to take over.
Division Three
The speed of Brown Deer was just too much. Brown Deer had just enough height on the inside against Prescott and against Xavier I thought they could of run them over but, Xavier is a very strong scrappy team that wouldn't go away. Brown Deer had a huge speed advantage and Xavier had the strength advantage and did their work on the glass. Xavier only got to the title game after East Troy kind of choked the semi final game away as they couldn't drop the free throws and Xavier just hung around, hung around and finally took the lead late.
Division Two
Thought this division was going to be the Ellenson show and it was until Ellenson suffered a hand injury in the semi final game. Even with a one handed Ellenson Rice Lake was able to take down Greendale. West De Pere nearly took down Mount Horeb behind the strong play of 6'8 senior Cody Schwartz. Schwartz was able to knock down big three after big three. Mount Horeb had the better team overall and they were able to win with a team effort. In the final without Ellenson Rice Lake didn't have much of a chance but, they played with all their heart led by 6'0 senior Ben Widdes as they hit three after three and kept the game close. In the end though Rice Lake just couldn't hit enough threes to take down Mount Horeb who fast breaked their way to victory.
Division One
Stevens Point and Germantown were destined to be on a collision course. West Allis Central and Madison East were just speed bumps in the way and there really isn't much to talk about with those two. Stevens Point has the top juniors 6'2 Trev Anderson and 6'6 Sam Hauser along with 6'6 freshmen Joey Hauser and that's all they really needed. In the title game Sam Hauser hit the gas early dropping the 16 first quarter points and Point rode him in the first half and then Anderson in the second half. Germantown's 6'0 junior Juwan McCloud did what he could but, Germantown just didn't have the athletes to compete with Anderson and the Hauser's.
Next few days I'll be doing my final team rankings, my all state tournament team, and then the early favorites for next year.
Division Five
Young Coggs Prep may of won state but, I'm not completely sure that they were the best team at state and may of very well of been the fourth best team. YCP had a pair of talented seniors in 5'9 DeAngelo Crawford and 6'1 Tiwon Jones but, overall the team was some what middle of the road. The difference was YCP turned up the pressure and the other teams just couldn't handle it and they played much faster then there used to which resulted to turnovers and easy buckets for YCP. I was excited to see Washburn and 6'3 senior Cody Tomlinson play but, they never seemed to get into a rhythm and Tomlinson just seemed very uncomfortable on the court. For Hillsboro 6'4 junior Max Stockwell was just a rock steady force throughout both games and nearly single handily kept his team in the game against YCP. Green Bay NEW Lutheran's biggest problem in their game was that their leading scorer 6'3 senior Noah Gosse was in foul trouble and could never get himself going.
Division Four
This division was all about Whitefish Bay Dominican and 6'10 senior Diamond Stone dominating. Eau Claire Regis was probably the second best team but, I think they were just a little too hyped up and tried to do more then they could and did a little too much one on one with their top two scorers 6'6 senior Billy Wampler and 6'2 junior Logan Rohrscheib. Both got their points but, you need more then that against Dominican and this allowed Dominican to get out of the fast break on long rebounds. Mineral Point was probably playing way over their head and did much better then most people thought against Dominican. Mineral Point moved the ball extremely well and shot the three pretty well and kept the game close until Stone and company used their height to take over.
Division Three
The speed of Brown Deer was just too much. Brown Deer had just enough height on the inside against Prescott and against Xavier I thought they could of run them over but, Xavier is a very strong scrappy team that wouldn't go away. Brown Deer had a huge speed advantage and Xavier had the strength advantage and did their work on the glass. Xavier only got to the title game after East Troy kind of choked the semi final game away as they couldn't drop the free throws and Xavier just hung around, hung around and finally took the lead late.
Division Two
Thought this division was going to be the Ellenson show and it was until Ellenson suffered a hand injury in the semi final game. Even with a one handed Ellenson Rice Lake was able to take down Greendale. West De Pere nearly took down Mount Horeb behind the strong play of 6'8 senior Cody Schwartz. Schwartz was able to knock down big three after big three. Mount Horeb had the better team overall and they were able to win with a team effort. In the final without Ellenson Rice Lake didn't have much of a chance but, they played with all their heart led by 6'0 senior Ben Widdes as they hit three after three and kept the game close. In the end though Rice Lake just couldn't hit enough threes to take down Mount Horeb who fast breaked their way to victory.
Division One
Stevens Point and Germantown were destined to be on a collision course. West Allis Central and Madison East were just speed bumps in the way and there really isn't much to talk about with those two. Stevens Point has the top juniors 6'2 Trev Anderson and 6'6 Sam Hauser along with 6'6 freshmen Joey Hauser and that's all they really needed. In the title game Sam Hauser hit the gas early dropping the 16 first quarter points and Point rode him in the first half and then Anderson in the second half. Germantown's 6'0 junior Juwan McCloud did what he could but, Germantown just didn't have the athletes to compete with Anderson and the Hauser's.
Next few days I'll be doing my final team rankings, my all state tournament team, and then the early favorites for next year.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Sectionals
Went to two sectional games last week and just going to do a quick write up of each game just some of my thoughts and top players.
Kenosha Indian Trail over Madison Memorial
I really didn't know anything about Indian Trail but, thought for sure that Memorial would beat them as Memorial just seemed poised to make a state run behind 5'10 senior Shareef Smith. My thoughts weren't the case though as Indian Trail shot the lights out and it seemed every player of their team could shoot the ball and Memorial couldn't really play their chaotic defense because they would always leave a guy open who would be able to convert the shot. Memorial doesn't play great man to man defense but, plays good team defense so they had a hard time chasing 6'3 senior Perion Little all over the court. Little was unbelievable all night long knocking threes down with a very quick release and making shots with defenders in his face. For Memorial Shareef Smith never could really get going but, fellow senior 6'0 Koko Songolo had a big night but, sometimes he just wasn't quick enough to get to the rim. This game was pretty even throughout but, I just had this feeling that Memorial was going to pull it out. This game was really a good battle and just when it seemed one team was going to get the momentum the other team would claw back. A steal in the fourth by 6'3 Henry Houden that resulted in a dunk and put Memorial down one seemed like the clincher to give Memorial the momentum was dashed away when a minute later 6'0 senior Andre Brown threw down a huge dunk. Memorial was down three with five seconds left and it seemed to be Smith time but, tonight wasn't Smith's night as the shot bounced off the back of the rim.
Mineral Point over Melrose-Mindoro
This game was a real battle back and forth and could of gone either way at the end. MM had a much bigger team and seemed to dominate the glass but, MP was the quicker team and more disciplined team. Not sure if disciplined is right word but, they new their strengths and really stuck to their game plan. Early on for Mineral Point it was 6'4 senior Tarek Oellerich that carried them and in the second half it was 6'1 senior Alec Schmitz that got going from the outside. These two were the big scorers while 6'0 senior point guard Sy Staver was just solid throughout controlling the team and Staver was able to drive the lane and finish with some nice scoop shots. For Melrose-Mindoro it was junior Aaron Scafe and senior Derek Antony. Didn't have heights so not sure but, believe Antony was 6'6 and Scafe maybe 6'4? not completely sure. Scafe was able to fake the outside shot and get to the middle of the 1-3-1 zone and knock down the mid range shots. Antony did most of his damage of the offensive glass and dishes from Scafe and point guard sophomore Erik Christopherson. Melrose was hindered by foul trouble early on and in the second half things seemed to even out and the calls seemed to be going against Mineral Point then. MM had the chance to hit the game winner at the end but, they couldn't get the shot they wanted and Antony had to force one from the corner.
Indian Trails went on to lose to Madison East by 20+ after Memorial had beaten East by 30 in their last game so it's like go figure. Maybe Indial Trail was hotter then normal against Memorial or maybe they were colder then normal against East. For Mineral Point they are a very good team, run their stuff, and guessing a pretty good coach and guessing they'll beat Auburndale but, would have a very very tough time against Dominican. Point is just too small and not quick enough in my opinion.
Kenosha Indian Trail over Madison Memorial
I really didn't know anything about Indian Trail but, thought for sure that Memorial would beat them as Memorial just seemed poised to make a state run behind 5'10 senior Shareef Smith. My thoughts weren't the case though as Indian Trail shot the lights out and it seemed every player of their team could shoot the ball and Memorial couldn't really play their chaotic defense because they would always leave a guy open who would be able to convert the shot. Memorial doesn't play great man to man defense but, plays good team defense so they had a hard time chasing 6'3 senior Perion Little all over the court. Little was unbelievable all night long knocking threes down with a very quick release and making shots with defenders in his face. For Memorial Shareef Smith never could really get going but, fellow senior 6'0 Koko Songolo had a big night but, sometimes he just wasn't quick enough to get to the rim. This game was pretty even throughout but, I just had this feeling that Memorial was going to pull it out. This game was really a good battle and just when it seemed one team was going to get the momentum the other team would claw back. A steal in the fourth by 6'3 Henry Houden that resulted in a dunk and put Memorial down one seemed like the clincher to give Memorial the momentum was dashed away when a minute later 6'0 senior Andre Brown threw down a huge dunk. Memorial was down three with five seconds left and it seemed to be Smith time but, tonight wasn't Smith's night as the shot bounced off the back of the rim.
Mineral Point over Melrose-Mindoro
This game was a real battle back and forth and could of gone either way at the end. MM had a much bigger team and seemed to dominate the glass but, MP was the quicker team and more disciplined team. Not sure if disciplined is right word but, they new their strengths and really stuck to their game plan. Early on for Mineral Point it was 6'4 senior Tarek Oellerich that carried them and in the second half it was 6'1 senior Alec Schmitz that got going from the outside. These two were the big scorers while 6'0 senior point guard Sy Staver was just solid throughout controlling the team and Staver was able to drive the lane and finish with some nice scoop shots. For Melrose-Mindoro it was junior Aaron Scafe and senior Derek Antony. Didn't have heights so not sure but, believe Antony was 6'6 and Scafe maybe 6'4? not completely sure. Scafe was able to fake the outside shot and get to the middle of the 1-3-1 zone and knock down the mid range shots. Antony did most of his damage of the offensive glass and dishes from Scafe and point guard sophomore Erik Christopherson. Melrose was hindered by foul trouble early on and in the second half things seemed to even out and the calls seemed to be going against Mineral Point then. MM had the chance to hit the game winner at the end but, they couldn't get the shot they wanted and Antony had to force one from the corner.
Indian Trails went on to lose to Madison East by 20+ after Memorial had beaten East by 30 in their last game so it's like go figure. Maybe Indial Trail was hotter then normal against Memorial or maybe they were colder then normal against East. For Mineral Point they are a very good team, run their stuff, and guessing a pretty good coach and guessing they'll beat Auburndale but, would have a very very tough time against Dominican. Point is just too small and not quick enough in my opinion.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Week 15 Rankings
Well state has been set and really the rankings should be set but, still thought it would be interesting to see what the rankings would be and also be interesting with how many teams have made state that weren't in the top 15 and a couple teams that didn't even have winning records. In D1 West Allis Central had a losing record headed to the playoffs, in D5 Green Bay NEW Lutheran was a .500 team, and Greendale in D2 was barely over .500. Other teams that weren't in my rankings or anyone's for that matter is Madison East in D1 who has just been on the boarder all year of my rankings, East Troy in D3 who was ranked early in the year, and Auburndale D4, another team that was ranked early and fell out of the rankings. So here are my rankings the best I could do anyway.
Division One
Milwaukee King was upset by Milwaukee Marquette who then was upset by West Allis Central, who also beat Racie Case and Kimberly was beaten by Germantown. De Pere was beat by Kimberly. Stevens Point beat Neenah and Superior. Madison Memorial went down to Kenosha Indian Trail who then lost to Madison East. Homestead was the final team that lost to Germantown.
1. Stevens Point
2. Germantown
3. Milwaukee King
4. Kimberly
5. De Pere
6. Neenah
7. Superior
8. Kenosha Indian Trail
9. Milwaukee Marquette
10. Madison Memorial
11. Racine Case
12. Muskego
13. Milwaukee Riverside
14. Madison East
15. Racine Horlick
Division Two
West De Pere took out Seymour. Mount Horeb beat Monona Grove. Wauwatosa East lost to Greendale and Shawano lost to Merrill. Monona Grove lost to Mount Horeb.
1. Rice Lake
2. Mount Horeb
3. Kaukauna
4. Milwaukee Pius
5. West De Pere
6. Seymour
7. Beaver Dam
8. Stoughton
9. Wauwatosa East
10. Whitefish Bay
11. Milwaukee Washington
12. Shawano
13. Monona Grove
14. McFarland
15. Luxemburg Casco
Division Three
Ripon lost to Poynette who then lost to Brown Deer. Arcadia lost to West Salem in an upset and Roncalli lost to Valders who then went and lost to Xavier. East Troy is new to the rankings having made their state run.
1. Prescott
2. Appleton Xavier
3. Brown Deer
4. Poynette
5. Ripon
6. Arcadia
7. GET
8. Kettle Moraine Lutheran
9. Laconia
10. Brookfield Academy
11. Freedom
12. Valders
13. Roncalli
14. East Troy
15. Lake Mills
Division Four
Unity lost to Regis, who also beat Fall Creek. St Cats lost to Dominican. Brillion lost to Auburndale. Amherst lost to Brillion. St Mary's Springs lost to Howards Grove.
1. Eau Claire Regis
2. Mineral Point
3. Whitefish Bay Dominican
4. Racine St Catherines
5. Unity
6. Fall Creek
7. Marathon
8. Oshkosh Lourdes
9. Cuba City
10. Brillion
11. Amherst
12. Darlington
13. St Mary's Springs
14. Auburndale
15. Wabenon/Laona
Division Five
Wausaukee lost to Green Bay NEW Lutheran who also knocked out Port Edwards. Hillsboro took out Shullsburg and Gilmanton. Fredric lost to Washburn, who also beat Mcdonell Central. Hustisford lost to Young Coggs Prep. Sheboygan Lutheran lost to Young Coggs Prep. Mcdonell Central lost to Washburn. Newman lost to Port Edwards.
1. Washburn
2. Wausaukee
3. Port Edwards
4. Hillsboro
5. Young Coggs Prep
6. Frederic
7. Shullsburg
8. Gilmanton
9. Bangor
10. Hustisford
11. Sheboygan Lutheran
12. Gresham
13. Mcdonell Central
14. Wausau Newman
15. New Auburn
Division One
Milwaukee King was upset by Milwaukee Marquette who then was upset by West Allis Central, who also beat Racie Case and Kimberly was beaten by Germantown. De Pere was beat by Kimberly. Stevens Point beat Neenah and Superior. Madison Memorial went down to Kenosha Indian Trail who then lost to Madison East. Homestead was the final team that lost to Germantown.
1. Stevens Point
2. Germantown
3. Milwaukee King
4. Kimberly
5. De Pere
6. Neenah
7. Superior
8. Kenosha Indian Trail
9. Milwaukee Marquette
10. Madison Memorial
11. Racine Case
12. Muskego
13. Milwaukee Riverside
14. Madison East
15. Racine Horlick
Division Two
West De Pere took out Seymour. Mount Horeb beat Monona Grove. Wauwatosa East lost to Greendale and Shawano lost to Merrill. Monona Grove lost to Mount Horeb.
1. Rice Lake
2. Mount Horeb
3. Kaukauna
4. Milwaukee Pius
5. West De Pere
6. Seymour
7. Beaver Dam
8. Stoughton
9. Wauwatosa East
10. Whitefish Bay
11. Milwaukee Washington
12. Shawano
13. Monona Grove
14. McFarland
15. Luxemburg Casco
Division Three
Ripon lost to Poynette who then lost to Brown Deer. Arcadia lost to West Salem in an upset and Roncalli lost to Valders who then went and lost to Xavier. East Troy is new to the rankings having made their state run.
1. Prescott
2. Appleton Xavier
3. Brown Deer
4. Poynette
5. Ripon
6. Arcadia
7. GET
8. Kettle Moraine Lutheran
9. Laconia
10. Brookfield Academy
11. Freedom
12. Valders
13. Roncalli
14. East Troy
15. Lake Mills
Division Four
Unity lost to Regis, who also beat Fall Creek. St Cats lost to Dominican. Brillion lost to Auburndale. Amherst lost to Brillion. St Mary's Springs lost to Howards Grove.
1. Eau Claire Regis
2. Mineral Point
3. Whitefish Bay Dominican
4. Racine St Catherines
5. Unity
6. Fall Creek
7. Marathon
8. Oshkosh Lourdes
9. Cuba City
10. Brillion
11. Amherst
12. Darlington
13. St Mary's Springs
14. Auburndale
15. Wabenon/Laona
Division Five
Wausaukee lost to Green Bay NEW Lutheran who also knocked out Port Edwards. Hillsboro took out Shullsburg and Gilmanton. Fredric lost to Washburn, who also beat Mcdonell Central. Hustisford lost to Young Coggs Prep. Sheboygan Lutheran lost to Young Coggs Prep. Mcdonell Central lost to Washburn. Newman lost to Port Edwards.
1. Washburn
2. Wausaukee
3. Port Edwards
4. Hillsboro
5. Young Coggs Prep
6. Frederic
7. Shullsburg
8. Gilmanton
9. Bangor
10. Hustisford
11. Sheboygan Lutheran
12. Gresham
13. Mcdonell Central
14. Wausau Newman
15. New Auburn
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
D3 D4 D5 Sectional Predictions
I have three divisions tonight so going to keep this one a little shorter and sweeter then the previous two.
Division Three
Sectional One
Prescott over Northwestern
Arcadia over West Salem
Prescott over Arcadia
Sectional Four
Ripon over Poynette
Brown Deer over Milwaukee North
Brown Deer over Ripon
Sectional Two
Xavier over Peshtigo
Roncalli over Valders
Xavier over Roncalli
Sectional Three
River Valley over Adams Friendship
East Troy over Evansville
River Valley over East Troy
State
Brown Deer over Prescott
Xavier over River Valley
Brown Deer over Xavier
Prescott is the favorite but, both Arcadia and West Salem make me a little nervous. Ripon is my pick but, wouldn't be surprised to see Poynette win and either one could beat Brown Deer. Xavier is my clear pick to make state with Roncalli and Valders being a toss up. Sectional three is the weakest sectional and River Valley is the best I guess. Whoever comes out of Sectional Four will be the state champion and I think it'll be Brown Deer.
Division Four
Sectional One
Unity over Phillips
Regis over Fall Creek
Regis over Unity
Sectional Four
Howards Grove over St Mary's Springs
Dominican over Racine St Cats
Dominican over Howards Grove
Sectional Two
Auburndale over Crivitz
Brillion over Amherst
Brillion over Auburndale
Sectional Three
Melrose Mindoro over Pardeeville
Mineral Point over Deerfield
Mineral Point over Melrose Mindoro
State
Dominican over Regis
Mineral Point over Auburndale
Dominican over Mineral Point
Dominican is the cream of the crop and the other two undefeated teams are the picks with Mineral Point and Regis. Brillion plays in a conference where there the smallest school and should have no problem in D4.
Division Five
Sectional One
Washburn over Frederic
Mcdonell Central over Rib Lake
Washburn over Mcdonell Central
Sectional Four
Hustisford over Williams Bay
Sheboygan Lutheran over Young Coggs Prep
Sheboygan Lutheran over Hustisford
Sectional Two
Port Edwards over Wausau Newman
Wausaukee over Green Bay NEW Lutheran
Wausaukee over Port Edwards
Sectional Three
Gilmanton over Hillsboro
Shullsburg over Fennimore
Shullsburg over Gilmanton
State
Washburn over Sheboygan Lutheran
Wausaukee over Shullsburg
Wausaukee over Washburn
I went with Wausaukee from the get go so I'm going to stick with them for the tournament. Honestly I don't know much else other then what I've heard about these teams.
Division Three
Sectional One
Prescott over Northwestern
Arcadia over West Salem
Prescott over Arcadia
Sectional Four
Ripon over Poynette
Brown Deer over Milwaukee North
Brown Deer over Ripon
Sectional Two
Xavier over Peshtigo
Roncalli over Valders
Xavier over Roncalli
Sectional Three
River Valley over Adams Friendship
East Troy over Evansville
River Valley over East Troy
State
Brown Deer over Prescott
Xavier over River Valley
Brown Deer over Xavier
Prescott is the favorite but, both Arcadia and West Salem make me a little nervous. Ripon is my pick but, wouldn't be surprised to see Poynette win and either one could beat Brown Deer. Xavier is my clear pick to make state with Roncalli and Valders being a toss up. Sectional three is the weakest sectional and River Valley is the best I guess. Whoever comes out of Sectional Four will be the state champion and I think it'll be Brown Deer.
Division Four
Sectional One
Unity over Phillips
Regis over Fall Creek
Regis over Unity
Sectional Four
Howards Grove over St Mary's Springs
Dominican over Racine St Cats
Dominican over Howards Grove
Sectional Two
Auburndale over Crivitz
Brillion over Amherst
Brillion over Auburndale
Sectional Three
Melrose Mindoro over Pardeeville
Mineral Point over Deerfield
Mineral Point over Melrose Mindoro
State
Dominican over Regis
Mineral Point over Auburndale
Dominican over Mineral Point
Dominican is the cream of the crop and the other two undefeated teams are the picks with Mineral Point and Regis. Brillion plays in a conference where there the smallest school and should have no problem in D4.
Division Five
Sectional One
Washburn over Frederic
Mcdonell Central over Rib Lake
Washburn over Mcdonell Central
Sectional Four
Hustisford over Williams Bay
Sheboygan Lutheran over Young Coggs Prep
Sheboygan Lutheran over Hustisford
Sectional Two
Port Edwards over Wausau Newman
Wausaukee over Green Bay NEW Lutheran
Wausaukee over Port Edwards
Sectional Three
Gilmanton over Hillsboro
Shullsburg over Fennimore
Shullsburg over Gilmanton
State
Washburn over Sheboygan Lutheran
Wausaukee over Shullsburg
Wausaukee over Washburn
I went with Wausaukee from the get go so I'm going to stick with them for the tournament. Honestly I don't know much else other then what I've heard about these teams.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
D1 & D2 Sectional Predictions
This is kind of a second chance at my state picks here after the first week of playoffs.. All four of my final four teams are still alive so that will remain the same but, here are my picks over all and some reasons why.
Sectional One
Superior over Marshfield
Stevens Point over Neenah
Stevens Point over Superior
Point was and is still my pick to win state. They have the top one two punch in Anderson and Hauser and they've beaten Neenah already. Marshfield has hit a hot streak but, now that their not playing Big Rivers team that might run out.
Sectional Four
Milwaukee King over Milwaukee Marquette
Racine Case over West Allis Central
Milwaukee King over Racine Case
Speed, quickness, and depth will carry King to a state birth. Case's size will just be too much for an undersized WAC team that is finally playing to their ability.
Sectional Two
Kimberly over De Pere
Germantown over Homestead
Germantown over Kimberly
Kimberly has beaten De Pere once this year so know how to do it and just don't think De Pere has enough scoring outside of Pritzl. Germantown has beaten Homestead twice already and don't see Homestead given them much of a game. Germantown's size will carry them past Kimberly then.
Sectional Three
Madison East over Verona
Madison Memorial over Kenosha Indian Trail
Madison Memorial over Madison East
Don't see Memorial getting much of a challenge in either game then again I don't know much about Indian Trail. East and Verona are conference opponents and East will have no problem handling Verona again.
State
Stevens Point over Milwaukee King
Germantown over Madison Memorial
Stevens Point over Germantown
This was my picks prior to state and they remain the same. I'm surprised how many people picked Germantown and King to win state and thinking about it now I would probably give all three an even chance to win state with Memorial being the long shot. I would go Point one, King Two, Germantown three, and Memorial four for order of best chances.
Division Two
Well I've pretty much destroyed my bracket for D2 so getting a little redemption here for new picks.
Sectional One
Rice Lake over Onalaska
Shawano over Merrill
Rice Lake over Shawano
It'll be the Ellenson show in this sectional and no one will stop Ellenson and may get 40 plus in both of these games. Shawano has played much better competition the Merrill all year long.
Sectional Four
Greendale over Waukesha North
Whitefish Bay over Wauwatosa East
Whitefish Bay over Greendale
A little shaky for the Whitefish Bay verse Tosa East game but, Bay has played a much tougher schedule throughout the year and will be more prepared. Don't know about about the other two teams but, North is a .500 team and I can't see them going any further.
Sectional Two
Seymour over West De Pere
Beaver Dam over Slinger
Seymour over Beaver Dam
Seymour was my #1 ranked team late in the year and I should of gone with them I guess but, wouldn't be shocked to seeing West De Pere winning after taking down the favorite Kaukauna. Beaver Dam is a team that came on late in the year and just don't have the faith in Slinger.
Sectional Three
Mt Horeb over DeForest
Monona Grove over Wilmot
Mt Horeb over Monona Grove
Mt Horeb was the conference champs and DeForest took third so that answers that question but, DeForest did beat them late in the year. MG comes out of the tough Badger South and should have no problem with Wilmot. Mt Horeb was destined last year it seemed but, I think this is the year to make state.
State
Rice Lake over Whitefish Bay
Seymour over Mount Horeb
Rice Lake over Seymour
Again it's going to be the Ellenson show all tournament long. No one can match up with him on any of these teams. Ellenson could very well break some tournament records. Seymour has been a little more consistent through out the year. I think either game could go either way but, the top game is the better two teams.
Sectional One
Superior over Marshfield
Stevens Point over Neenah
Stevens Point over Superior
Point was and is still my pick to win state. They have the top one two punch in Anderson and Hauser and they've beaten Neenah already. Marshfield has hit a hot streak but, now that their not playing Big Rivers team that might run out.
Sectional Four
Milwaukee King over Milwaukee Marquette
Racine Case over West Allis Central
Milwaukee King over Racine Case
Speed, quickness, and depth will carry King to a state birth. Case's size will just be too much for an undersized WAC team that is finally playing to their ability.
Sectional Two
Kimberly over De Pere
Germantown over Homestead
Germantown over Kimberly
Kimberly has beaten De Pere once this year so know how to do it and just don't think De Pere has enough scoring outside of Pritzl. Germantown has beaten Homestead twice already and don't see Homestead given them much of a game. Germantown's size will carry them past Kimberly then.
Sectional Three
Madison East over Verona
Madison Memorial over Kenosha Indian Trail
Madison Memorial over Madison East
Don't see Memorial getting much of a challenge in either game then again I don't know much about Indian Trail. East and Verona are conference opponents and East will have no problem handling Verona again.
State
Stevens Point over Milwaukee King
Germantown over Madison Memorial
Stevens Point over Germantown
This was my picks prior to state and they remain the same. I'm surprised how many people picked Germantown and King to win state and thinking about it now I would probably give all three an even chance to win state with Memorial being the long shot. I would go Point one, King Two, Germantown three, and Memorial four for order of best chances.
Division Two
Well I've pretty much destroyed my bracket for D2 so getting a little redemption here for new picks.
Sectional One
Rice Lake over Onalaska
Shawano over Merrill
Rice Lake over Shawano
It'll be the Ellenson show in this sectional and no one will stop Ellenson and may get 40 plus in both of these games. Shawano has played much better competition the Merrill all year long.
Sectional Four
Greendale over Waukesha North
Whitefish Bay over Wauwatosa East
Whitefish Bay over Greendale
A little shaky for the Whitefish Bay verse Tosa East game but, Bay has played a much tougher schedule throughout the year and will be more prepared. Don't know about about the other two teams but, North is a .500 team and I can't see them going any further.
Sectional Two
Seymour over West De Pere
Beaver Dam over Slinger
Seymour over Beaver Dam
Seymour was my #1 ranked team late in the year and I should of gone with them I guess but, wouldn't be shocked to seeing West De Pere winning after taking down the favorite Kaukauna. Beaver Dam is a team that came on late in the year and just don't have the faith in Slinger.
Sectional Three
Mt Horeb over DeForest
Monona Grove over Wilmot
Mt Horeb over Monona Grove
Mt Horeb was the conference champs and DeForest took third so that answers that question but, DeForest did beat them late in the year. MG comes out of the tough Badger South and should have no problem with Wilmot. Mt Horeb was destined last year it seemed but, I think this is the year to make state.
State
Rice Lake over Whitefish Bay
Seymour over Mount Horeb
Rice Lake over Seymour
Again it's going to be the Ellenson show all tournament long. No one can match up with him on any of these teams. Ellenson could very well break some tournament records. Seymour has been a little more consistent through out the year. I think either game could go either way but, the top game is the better two teams.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Madison Memorial over Sun Prairie
Saturday night took in the regional final game between Madison Memorial and Sun Prairie. This game was another interesting game because Sun Prairie 6'3 senior Nick Noskowiak was back playing and when he was playing Sun Prairie was able to defeat Memorial. Also the last time I saw Memorial they were playing some of the best basketball I had seen them play all year long.
With Sun Prairie's starting point guard Sam Kerr out with an injury I thought we might see Noskowiak starting but, it was 6'4 junior Rod Johnson that got the start and Johnson made the most of the start. Johnson showed a nice ability to drive the lane and score and use his length early on. When Noskowiak did get his chance to come in he was able to come up with some big shots and knock them down. This game was really a struggling early on for Memorial as the only guy that could get anything going was their top guy 5'10 senior Shareef Smith who is playing some of the best basketball I've seen any body play. Smith scored all seven of Memorial's first quarter points and first three in the second before having to sit with two fouls. Smith joined, 6'3 senior Henry Houden, and 6'0 senior Koko Songolo on the bench for about half the second quarter and Memorial went stagnate as their top three scorers were sitting on the bench. At half time the score was only 18-13 with Sun Prairie on top.
In the second half Memorial picked things up a little bit getting the uptempo game going but, Sun Prairie kept it going themselves and Memorial never could over take Sun Prairie. Late in the fourth Sun Prairie was up by three I believe and had a chance to seal the game when Noskowiak missed a free throw giving Memorial a chance which they capitalized and scored. Then Johnson went to the line to make it at least a two point game but, Johnson couldn't come through and Memorial was able to go down and score and take the lead with under a minute to go and with free throws Memorial won by two. Noskowiak had some costly ball handling mistakes late which can be led to him being a little rusty.
Top Players
Shareef Smith 5'10 senior Memorial- Just lightning quick with the ball in his hands and no one was able to stay in front of him. Smith was also able to knock down the outside shot as well.
Nick Noskowiak 6'3 senior Sun Prairie- Was the one consistent scorer in this game knocking down the three and driving to the rim and scoring.
Rod Johnson 6'4 junior Sun Prairie- Used his length to score over and around defenders and was able to hit the outside shot.
Box Score
MM- Smith 18 Houden 7 Songolo 6 Brett Tauber 3 Billy Wilson 3 Matt Caropreso 2 Joe Ferguson 1 Jason Weah 1 Travis Lindquist 0
SP- Noskowiak 15 Johnson 11 Nate Oehrlein 5 Deshawn Black 4 Ben Hauser 2 JT Ruffin 2 Malik Robinson 0 Nate Vergstegen 0
Well season came to an end for Sun Prairie and Madison Memorial will meet Kenosha Indian Trail on Thursday where they will again be the favorite. State seems like a given for Memorial but, only time will tell.
With Sun Prairie's starting point guard Sam Kerr out with an injury I thought we might see Noskowiak starting but, it was 6'4 junior Rod Johnson that got the start and Johnson made the most of the start. Johnson showed a nice ability to drive the lane and score and use his length early on. When Noskowiak did get his chance to come in he was able to come up with some big shots and knock them down. This game was really a struggling early on for Memorial as the only guy that could get anything going was their top guy 5'10 senior Shareef Smith who is playing some of the best basketball I've seen any body play. Smith scored all seven of Memorial's first quarter points and first three in the second before having to sit with two fouls. Smith joined, 6'3 senior Henry Houden, and 6'0 senior Koko Songolo on the bench for about half the second quarter and Memorial went stagnate as their top three scorers were sitting on the bench. At half time the score was only 18-13 with Sun Prairie on top.
In the second half Memorial picked things up a little bit getting the uptempo game going but, Sun Prairie kept it going themselves and Memorial never could over take Sun Prairie. Late in the fourth Sun Prairie was up by three I believe and had a chance to seal the game when Noskowiak missed a free throw giving Memorial a chance which they capitalized and scored. Then Johnson went to the line to make it at least a two point game but, Johnson couldn't come through and Memorial was able to go down and score and take the lead with under a minute to go and with free throws Memorial won by two. Noskowiak had some costly ball handling mistakes late which can be led to him being a little rusty.
Top Players
Shareef Smith 5'10 senior Memorial- Just lightning quick with the ball in his hands and no one was able to stay in front of him. Smith was also able to knock down the outside shot as well.
Nick Noskowiak 6'3 senior Sun Prairie- Was the one consistent scorer in this game knocking down the three and driving to the rim and scoring.
Rod Johnson 6'4 junior Sun Prairie- Used his length to score over and around defenders and was able to hit the outside shot.
Box Score
MM- Smith 18 Houden 7 Songolo 6 Brett Tauber 3 Billy Wilson 3 Matt Caropreso 2 Joe Ferguson 1 Jason Weah 1 Travis Lindquist 0
SP- Noskowiak 15 Johnson 11 Nate Oehrlein 5 Deshawn Black 4 Ben Hauser 2 JT Ruffin 2 Malik Robinson 0 Nate Vergstegen 0
Well season came to an end for Sun Prairie and Madison Memorial will meet Kenosha Indian Trail on Thursday where they will again be the favorite. State seems like a given for Memorial but, only time will tell.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Sun Prairie over Burlington
Friday night I took in the Sun Prairie verse Burlington game. It was the closes game to me that was actually good. Sun Prairie was the seventh seed and took fourth in the Big Eight conference and Burlington was the tenth seed and took second in their conference. I was interested to see how Burlington would compete with a Big Eight team. Typically the Big Eight is one of the better conferences in the state but, this year I felt like the Big Eight was a little weaker then past years. This also gave me the chance to see 6'3 senior Nick Noskowiak back in action after missing half the season dealing with some personal issues, which I won't get into on here.
Early on Sun Prairie had a tough time getting the bunnies to go and Burlington was knocking down the outside shots led by 6'0 junior Cal Tully who hit some big corner threes early on. On the inside 6'3 senior Frankie Hozeska was doing his damaged using his quickness to get to the rim and rebounding for second chance buckets. Sun Prairie weathered the storm behind big man 6'5 senior JT Ruffin. Ruffin was able to post up deep in the post and his team mates were able to find him. Ruffin showed a couple nice up and under moves in the post and if he hadn't struggled so much from the free throw line Sun Prairie may of led at half, instead they were down 23-21 at the half. Noskowiak didn't start and game in with about 30 seconds left in the first. Noskowiak went right to the rim on his first possession and scored and then had a mid range jumper from the baseline mid way through the second, for four points in the first half.
Second half Sun Prairie got things going forcing turnovers led by 6'1 senior Malik Robinson and Noskowiak. Sun Prairie's starting point guard 6'0 junior Sam Kerr got hurt early in the third quarter which forced Noskowiak into the starting rotation and big minutes. Noskowiak took full advantage and really turned the tide on an end one break away where he hit the free throw for the three point play. Throughout the game Sun Prairie dominated on the glass all game long and Burlington never really figured out the 1-3-1 zone defense. The two bright spots for Burlington in the second half was Hozeska hitting a couple threes and then 5'10 freshmen Nick Klug hit a pair of threes himself. In the end Robinson had back to back break away layups off steals that really sealed the game. Final score was 57-42.
Top Players
Nick Noskowiak 6'3 senior Sun Prairie- Was a nice spark off the bench and was able to get to the rim and score. 5-6 from the free throw line late and had an end one three and layup.
Malik Robinson 6'1 senior Sun Prairie- Really made his presence felt on the defensive end. Had at least five lay ups that led to some easy buckets and used his quickness to drive the lane and score in the half court.
JT Ruffin 6'5 senior Sun Prairie- Really did a great job of posting up deep in the post and using some nice moves with his back to the basket. Also dominated the glass all night on both ends.
Cal Tully 6'0 junior Burlington- Was the sharp shooter from the outside and was the one guy consistantly hitting the outside shot.
Nick Klug 5'10 freshmen Burlington- Had a real nice outside shot as well hitting three threes and really showed off his ball handling skills at times.
Frankie Hozeska 6'3 senior Burlington- Was real aggressive getting to the hoop and scoring and hit a couple of threes as well.
Box Score
SP- Noskowiak 14 Robinson 13 Ruffin 13 Kerr 5 Deshawn Black 4 Nate Vergstegen 4 Rod Johnson 3 Ben Hauser 0 Malick Ceesay 0 Sean Schomel 0 Nate Oehrlein 0 DJ Jones 0 Darian Grant 0
B- Klug 14 Tully 13 Hozeska 13 James Tully 2 Mitch Klug 0 Nathaniel Sibley 0 Bryan Sturdevant 0 Andrew Ohm 0 Jacob Weidert 0 Aaron Mutter 0
Well I was a little late on this game since Sun Prairie has since lost to Madison Memorial which I will be doing a write up on tomorrow.
Early on Sun Prairie had a tough time getting the bunnies to go and Burlington was knocking down the outside shots led by 6'0 junior Cal Tully who hit some big corner threes early on. On the inside 6'3 senior Frankie Hozeska was doing his damaged using his quickness to get to the rim and rebounding for second chance buckets. Sun Prairie weathered the storm behind big man 6'5 senior JT Ruffin. Ruffin was able to post up deep in the post and his team mates were able to find him. Ruffin showed a couple nice up and under moves in the post and if he hadn't struggled so much from the free throw line Sun Prairie may of led at half, instead they were down 23-21 at the half. Noskowiak didn't start and game in with about 30 seconds left in the first. Noskowiak went right to the rim on his first possession and scored and then had a mid range jumper from the baseline mid way through the second, for four points in the first half.
Second half Sun Prairie got things going forcing turnovers led by 6'1 senior Malik Robinson and Noskowiak. Sun Prairie's starting point guard 6'0 junior Sam Kerr got hurt early in the third quarter which forced Noskowiak into the starting rotation and big minutes. Noskowiak took full advantage and really turned the tide on an end one break away where he hit the free throw for the three point play. Throughout the game Sun Prairie dominated on the glass all game long and Burlington never really figured out the 1-3-1 zone defense. The two bright spots for Burlington in the second half was Hozeska hitting a couple threes and then 5'10 freshmen Nick Klug hit a pair of threes himself. In the end Robinson had back to back break away layups off steals that really sealed the game. Final score was 57-42.
Top Players
Nick Noskowiak 6'3 senior Sun Prairie- Was a nice spark off the bench and was able to get to the rim and score. 5-6 from the free throw line late and had an end one three and layup.
Malik Robinson 6'1 senior Sun Prairie- Really made his presence felt on the defensive end. Had at least five lay ups that led to some easy buckets and used his quickness to drive the lane and score in the half court.
JT Ruffin 6'5 senior Sun Prairie- Really did a great job of posting up deep in the post and using some nice moves with his back to the basket. Also dominated the glass all night on both ends.
Cal Tully 6'0 junior Burlington- Was the sharp shooter from the outside and was the one guy consistantly hitting the outside shot.
Nick Klug 5'10 freshmen Burlington- Had a real nice outside shot as well hitting three threes and really showed off his ball handling skills at times.
Frankie Hozeska 6'3 senior Burlington- Was real aggressive getting to the hoop and scoring and hit a couple of threes as well.
Box Score
SP- Noskowiak 14 Robinson 13 Ruffin 13 Kerr 5 Deshawn Black 4 Nate Vergstegen 4 Rod Johnson 3 Ben Hauser 0 Malick Ceesay 0 Sean Schomel 0 Nate Oehrlein 0 DJ Jones 0 Darian Grant 0
B- Klug 14 Tully 13 Hozeska 13 James Tully 2 Mitch Klug 0 Nathaniel Sibley 0 Bryan Sturdevant 0 Andrew Ohm 0 Jacob Weidert 0 Aaron Mutter 0
Well I was a little late on this game since Sun Prairie has since lost to Madison Memorial which I will be doing a write up on tomorrow.
Week 14 Rankings
Going to give this a try and try to continue my weekly rankings. Not sure how it will work out exactly cause so often the best teams don't always make it to state many times. The other thing to take into account is that typically I don't drop teams when they don't lose but, once a team is knocked out of the playoffs their obviously not going to continue to play. Also if a team gets hot and runs the table to you jump other teams in the rankings that lost fewer games? Well here goes my week 14/playoff rankings.
Division One
Muskego got upset by Janesville Craig showing that maybe they weren't as good as everyone thought and drop them all the way to 11. Milwaukee Riverside got beat by Marquette so dropped them just behind Marquette at 13. Racine Horlick was upset by West Allis Central and check in at 14. Sheboygan North lost to Kimberly which allowed Homestead to jump into the 15 spot.
1. Stevens Point
2. Milwaukee King
3. Germantown
4. Kimberly
5. De Pere
6. Neenah
7. Madison Memorial
8. Superior
9. Kenosha Indian Trail
10. Racine Case
11. Muskego
12. Milwaukee Marquette
13. Milwaukee Riverside
14. Racine Horlick
15. Homestead
Division Two
D2 was in complete upheaval as many of the top teams didn't get the job down and were upset. Kaukauna continued their poor play dropping a game to West De Pere and Pius was upset in the second round by under achieving Wauwatosa West and drop to three and four. Stoughton was upset by Deforest in the regional final dropping to seven. Washington was taken out by Whitefish bay and fall just behind them at 12. Mcfarland was knocked out by Monona Grove and their just behind them at 14. Luxemburg Casco lost to Seymour early so they stay in the rankings. Port Washington, Wisconsin Lutheran, Sauk Prairie, and La Crosse Central all lost too early and fall from the rankings.
1. Seymour
2. Rice Lake
3. Kaukauna
4. Milwaukee Pius
5. Mount Horeb
6. Beaver Dam
7. Stoughton
8. West De Pere
9. Wauwatosa East
10. Shawano
11. Whitefish Bay
12. Milwaukee Washington
13. Monona Grove
14. McFarland
15. Luxemburg Casco
Division Three
Lots of top 15 matchups here so a lot of the same teams just rearranging of the teams. GET was upset by West Salem and fall to eight. Brown Deer knocked out Kettle Moraine Lutheran and Brookfield Academy dropping them to 9 and 11. Ripon took out Laconia and Freedom. Valders beat Southern Door replacing them in the rankings and Lake Mills beat Marshall replacing them. Waupun lost to Poynette allowing River Valley to sneak into the rankings.
1. Prescott
2. Appleton Xavier
3. Ripon
4. Brown Deer
5. Poynette
6. Arcadia
7. Roncalli
8. GET
9. Kettle Moraine Lutheran
10. Laconia
11. Brookfield Academy
12. Freedom
13. Valders
14. Lake Mills
15. River Valley
Division Four
Marathon was the first undefeated to fall as they were upset by Auburndale dropping them to eight and allowing Auburndale into the rankings at 14. Lourdes was upset by St Mary's Springs putting them at nine and putting Springs at 12. Darlington was beat by Cuba City who comes in at 11 with Darlington falling to 13. Wabeno/Laona was upset by Crivitz and hang out to the rankings at 15. Markesan, Iola Scandenavia, and Ozaukee all fall from the rankings.
1. Eau Claire Regis
2. Mineral Point
3. Whitefsih Bay Dominican
4. Racine St Catherines
5. Unity
6. Fall Creek
7. Brillion
8. Marathon
9. Oshkosh Lourdes
10. Amherst
11. Cuba City
12. St Mary's Springs
13. Darlington
14. Auburndale
15. Wabeno/Laona
Division Five
Bangor lost to Gilmanton knocking them to seven behind Gilmanton. Cameron was D4 so that takes them out of the rankings. Gresham lost to Green Bay NEW Lutheran and New Auburn lost to Mcdonell Central dropping both teams to 11 and 15. Mcdonell comes in at 13. Randolph lost to Hutisford, Seneca lost to Fennimore, and Eleva Strum lost to Gilmanton knocking all three out of the rankings. Sheboygan Lutheran and Newman are new teams to the rankings.
1. Wausaukee
2. Port Edwards
3. Shullburg
4. Frederic
5. Washburn
6. Gilmanton
7. Bangor
8. Hillsboro
9. Hustisford
10. Young Coggs Prep
11. Gresham
12. Sheboygan Lutheran
13. Mcdonell Central
14. Wausau Newman
15. New Auburn
Division One
Muskego got upset by Janesville Craig showing that maybe they weren't as good as everyone thought and drop them all the way to 11. Milwaukee Riverside got beat by Marquette so dropped them just behind Marquette at 13. Racine Horlick was upset by West Allis Central and check in at 14. Sheboygan North lost to Kimberly which allowed Homestead to jump into the 15 spot.
1. Stevens Point
2. Milwaukee King
3. Germantown
4. Kimberly
5. De Pere
6. Neenah
7. Madison Memorial
8. Superior
9. Kenosha Indian Trail
10. Racine Case
11. Muskego
12. Milwaukee Marquette
13. Milwaukee Riverside
14. Racine Horlick
15. Homestead
Division Two
D2 was in complete upheaval as many of the top teams didn't get the job down and were upset. Kaukauna continued their poor play dropping a game to West De Pere and Pius was upset in the second round by under achieving Wauwatosa West and drop to three and four. Stoughton was upset by Deforest in the regional final dropping to seven. Washington was taken out by Whitefish bay and fall just behind them at 12. Mcfarland was knocked out by Monona Grove and their just behind them at 14. Luxemburg Casco lost to Seymour early so they stay in the rankings. Port Washington, Wisconsin Lutheran, Sauk Prairie, and La Crosse Central all lost too early and fall from the rankings.
1. Seymour
2. Rice Lake
3. Kaukauna
4. Milwaukee Pius
5. Mount Horeb
6. Beaver Dam
7. Stoughton
8. West De Pere
9. Wauwatosa East
10. Shawano
11. Whitefish Bay
12. Milwaukee Washington
13. Monona Grove
14. McFarland
15. Luxemburg Casco
Division Three
Lots of top 15 matchups here so a lot of the same teams just rearranging of the teams. GET was upset by West Salem and fall to eight. Brown Deer knocked out Kettle Moraine Lutheran and Brookfield Academy dropping them to 9 and 11. Ripon took out Laconia and Freedom. Valders beat Southern Door replacing them in the rankings and Lake Mills beat Marshall replacing them. Waupun lost to Poynette allowing River Valley to sneak into the rankings.
1. Prescott
2. Appleton Xavier
3. Ripon
4. Brown Deer
5. Poynette
6. Arcadia
7. Roncalli
8. GET
9. Kettle Moraine Lutheran
10. Laconia
11. Brookfield Academy
12. Freedom
13. Valders
14. Lake Mills
15. River Valley
Division Four
Marathon was the first undefeated to fall as they were upset by Auburndale dropping them to eight and allowing Auburndale into the rankings at 14. Lourdes was upset by St Mary's Springs putting them at nine and putting Springs at 12. Darlington was beat by Cuba City who comes in at 11 with Darlington falling to 13. Wabeno/Laona was upset by Crivitz and hang out to the rankings at 15. Markesan, Iola Scandenavia, and Ozaukee all fall from the rankings.
1. Eau Claire Regis
2. Mineral Point
3. Whitefsih Bay Dominican
4. Racine St Catherines
5. Unity
6. Fall Creek
7. Brillion
8. Marathon
9. Oshkosh Lourdes
10. Amherst
11. Cuba City
12. St Mary's Springs
13. Darlington
14. Auburndale
15. Wabeno/Laona
Division Five
Bangor lost to Gilmanton knocking them to seven behind Gilmanton. Cameron was D4 so that takes them out of the rankings. Gresham lost to Green Bay NEW Lutheran and New Auburn lost to Mcdonell Central dropping both teams to 11 and 15. Mcdonell comes in at 13. Randolph lost to Hutisford, Seneca lost to Fennimore, and Eleva Strum lost to Gilmanton knocking all three out of the rankings. Sheboygan Lutheran and Newman are new teams to the rankings.
1. Wausaukee
2. Port Edwards
3. Shullburg
4. Frederic
5. Washburn
6. Gilmanton
7. Bangor
8. Hillsboro
9. Hustisford
10. Young Coggs Prep
11. Gresham
12. Sheboygan Lutheran
13. Mcdonell Central
14. Wausau Newman
15. New Auburn
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