Baird Bustman Shootout

Headed up to Kaukauna this Saturday to watch some teams that I typically won't get the chance to see during the regular season.I knew going in that it probably wasn't going to be the most elite talent but, I came away pretty happy with the day and felt like I watched some very good games.

Wrightstown 75 Brown Deer 62
Well Brown Deer is a very young team and that was pretty evident in this game. Wrightstown seemed to get lay up after lay up right at the rim and on the other side Brown Deer took the first shot they could take. The poor shot selection and flat out lack of hustle allowed Wrightstown to get out and run time and time again. This was the classic case of the young athletic team playing an old experienced team. Wrightstown dominated the glass on both ends and were up by 20 before Brown Deer made a little run late with their guards driving the lane and scoring or finding open team mates.

La Crosse Logan 65 Marshfield 63
This was kind of a weird game to watch. It felt Marshfield had the upper hand early on and the second half was all Logan but, then Marshfield faught back and hit a three late to send it to over time. Okay wasn't the most clean game but, hey a game that goes to overtime has to be a good one. Marshfield looked like the more experienced team early on and seemed to be the more disciplined team but, in the second half the athleticism and quickness took over for Logan. Logan was able to continually drive the ball to the rim in the second half and score or get fouled. Logan also was able to use their size advantage going to their big man 6'6 senior Maguier Werner.

Merrill 76 Seymour 69
This game wasn't the closest of the day but, in my mind was the most entertaining. Merrill really looked to pound the ball inside first and then kick it out to the three point land if they had to, while Seymour really looked to shoot the three. As what happens more times then not the three point shooting went cold late and Seymour couldn't hang on. The first half Merrill's bigs got in some foul trouble and Seymour's 5'11 junior guard Riley Murphy went off hitting five first half three point shots. In the second half Merrill staid out of foul trouble and they started hitting some threes of their own to take the win.

Kaukauna 73 Wauwatosa West 70
A total tale of two halves in this one. In the first half Kaukauna couldn't hit a shot outside of two foot and West was playing with a ton of energy and took a lead from the jump. Kaukauna came out in a triangle and two on the end which confused West at first but, after the first few possessions West settled down and took advantage of the open shots they were given. Kaukauna had to come out of the zone defense When Kaukauna come out of the zone Tosa West shooting 6'1 junior Justin Steinike got himself going coming off the screens and hitting the jumpers and West was able to get out and score in transition as well. In the second half Kaukauna stopped settling for the outside shots and the wheels fell off for Tosa West. West starting taking ill advised shots, wasn't playing good defense, and were turning the ball over. One of the biggest changes was Kaukauna put 6'5 senior Donovan Ivory on Steinike which really cause Steinike some problems and he just had to work twice as hard to score of the bigger defender. Fouling was also a huge difference as Kaukauna spent a ton of time at the free throw line and West ended up losing their composure late and Kaukauna clung to the victory but, I'm not sure that they earned it.

Top Players
Jaylon Gentry 5'8 senior Brown Deer- Ultra quick guard that could get to the rim at anytime and when the defense came to help he was able to find team mates for open layups.
Jeremy Van Zeeland 6'2 junior Wrightstown- Just the calming influence in the game. Just that heady guard that controlled the game throughout without having to score much.
Mayson Hazaert 6'4 senior Wrightstown- Big time scorer of the day. Really showed an ability to run the court and finish in transition.
Isaac Meverden 6'4 junior Marshfield- Heady player that never seemed to do too much and just had a knack for scoring.
Calvin Mavin 6'2 senior La Crosse Logan-Superior athlete that took some bad shots but, did a good job of controlling the game. Hit some huge shots.
Caleb Timm 6'4 junior Merrill- A tireless worker that always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Battled in the paint throughout the game.
Riley Murphy 5'11 junior Seymour- A kid that moves extremely well to get his shot off. When he's able to get his feet set that shots going to call. Despite his height can get his shot off at any time.
Donovan Ivory 6'5 senior Kaukauna- Just a solid athlete all around that can make a difference in the game without having the score. Really changed the game when he guarded Steinike and shut him down.
Justin Steinike 6'1 junior Wauwatosa West- Tremendous shooter that can hit his shot when his feet are set. Does a tremendous job of moving without the ball and when he comes off the screen he's ready to shoot.

Like I said earlier overall it was a pretty good day of basketball that allowed me to see teams that I probably won't get to see again throughout the year unless one makes a run to state.