Division One Preseason

I really went back and forth on whether or not I would continue with this blog since they are something that is kind of dying off but, I figured why not. Even if no one is reading it I'm at least getting  my thoughts written down and it's interesting for others to read. I guess you can say that I have a journal but, I'm posting it for the entire world to view. Granted that world may only truly be a handful of people.

Like previous years I will begin the season with my preseason rankings which I will continue to update throughout the entire year. Again these rankings are purely for my benefit, are just for fun, and mean absolutely nothing. If I had a vote in the coaches poll these would be my predictions. I'm looking back at my final thoughts of last year and will go a bit off of them for my rankings and also using the high school yearbook. So here are my starting rankings for division one.

1. Middleton- They bring back nearly everyone from a team that won 19 games a year ago and they are led by a pair of Dl college senior recruits in 6'5 Tyree Eady and 5'11 Storm Murphy. Middleton plays a ton of guys so they have a ton of experience coming back.

2. Milwaukee Riverside- They would of been my clear cut #1 team but, the loss of 6'5 George Dixon will really affect them. Dixon averaged a double double a year ago and absolutely dominated on the inside. Even without Dixon Riverside should have a shot at state led by Iowa State recruit 6'6 senior Terrence Lewis. Lewis also averaged a double double a year ago and is flanked by a pair of fellow double digit scorers in 6'5 senior Alondes Williams and 6'1 junior Carlos Curtis. The question will be what will they do when a team slows them down.

3. Oshkosh North- Headlined by a pair of D1 college recruits in 6'5 senior Phillip Flory and 6'5 junior Tyrese Haliburton combined with the outstanding point guard play of 5'11 senior Shane Wissink. All three of these guys averaged 15 plus points a game. I do question their 1-3-1 zone defense at times but, I think the length of Flory and Haliburton should suit the zone well.

4. Madison Memorial- Another team with five starters back and won 17 games a year ago. 6'8 senior Chris Knight is a D1 college recruit and leads a team with tons of experience. Their D will be good as well as their transition game but, the question mark is what will their offense be in the half court and their outside shooting.

5. Racine Park- Lost only three games a year ago and bring back a pair of double digit scorers in 6'2 sophomore Larry Canady and 5'10 sophomore Demonta Hudson. These two sophomores are joined by fellow sophomore big man 6'9 Nobal Days who averaged a near double double a year ago.

6. Milwaukee Vincent- 18 wins a year ago and they bring back all five starters. They are led by big time scoring seniors 5'7 Justin Brookens and 6'3 Andrew Lewis. Either Brookens or Lewis could go off in the scoring column in a moments notice but, the success of the team will depend on the post play of 6'5 senior twins Jamel and Jamal White.

7. Stevens Point- Yes they have won back to back state championships but, they lost almost everything. The one thing they do have back is 6'8 junior Joey Hauser who will have his choice of any college to go to and could be the best player in the entire state. Question will be, what do they have around Hauser.

8. Arrowhead- 5'11 senior Trevell Cunningham is one of the best point guards in the state and overall their team has some very good size. Seniors 6'5 Alec Hamilton and 6'4 Ben Seefeld are also returing regulars.

9. Fon du Lac- They bring back three double digit scorers in seniors 6'7 Sam Fredrickson, Caleb Goldstein, and 6'1 junior Drew Jorgensen. The most important factor is incoming transfer 6'3 senior Luke Loewe one of the best players in the senior class and more then likely the top point guard.

10. Kimberly- Headlined by a pair of big time scoring seniors in 6'8 Will Chevalier and 6'5 Danny Vandenboom. Kimberly has gotten to the point where they are a top 10- team year in and year out.

11. Janesville Craig- Have a very large and very good senior class. They have stellar senior guard play in 5'10 San'Trell Payton and 6'1 Jake Negus. They also have one of the states better unknown big man in 6'9 senior Adam Anhold.

12. Madison East- Bring back about everyone from a 17 win team but, the once exception is Mr. Everything Deang Deang who scored 20 a game and was the team point guard. I think the scoring will be there but, the point guard play will be the big question mark. 6'6 junior Keshawn Justice is a sharp shooter from the outside and a three year starter and 6'5 senior Steve Wooten should be poised for a break out year.

13. Mukwonago- They have a strong tradition as of late and have 6'8 D1 recruit Brandon Hau leading the way. Also have three starters back.

14. Germantown- Don't know a ton about them this year but, their tradition is so rich it's hard to imagine them not being towards the top.

15. De Pere- Another team that always seem to find them selves somewhere in the top ten and they have a lot of team height.

Well there you have it. Really looking at the rankings you don't have a real favorite and at the end of last year it would of been Riverside by losing Dixon is just to big of a loss so, this thing is really up for grabs. Realistically I would say any of my top seven teams could win state and they next five could have a chance if they got hot at the right time.