NY2LA Recap

Went do to Brookfield Saturday to take in what I assumed to be some of the best basketball that I would see all year and I wasn't disappointed. Yes the first two games ended up not being so good but, the last game really made up for it.

Homestead 79 Brown Deer 61 
This game went about how I expected with the exception that Brown Deer played close for the first half. In the first half 5'8 senior Jaylon Gentry was hitting some very deep threes and was caring his team but, in the second half he went ice cold and didn't score in the second half. Homestead was the bigger more disciplined team and kept wearing Brown Deer away. If was Homestead size in the first half and then it was the play of 6'2 senior Ryan Waddell in the second half. Waddell is a just a flat out scorer. Brown Deer looked better then last week but, still no patients and too many bad shots.

Brookfield Central 72 La Crosse Central 49
La Crosse Central looked flat out bad and nothing going offensively. 6'5 junior Johnny Davis hit some threes in the first half but, then got shut down in the second and no one looked good for Lax. I think at times La Crosse got anxious and really started forcing some things and weren't playing team ball. One the other side Brookfield executed team basketball to a T. BC moved the ball so well which led to 6'1 sophomore Ben Nau hitting six first half threes on the way to a team high 23 points. Late in the game Brookfield's senior guards 6'0 Gage Malensek and 6'3 Cole Nau salted the game way. I really like the play of 6'6 sophomore David Joplin whose really a smooth player and can really run the court.

Nicolet 78 Sussex Hamilton 70
As I said earlier this game really lived up to the hype. 6'9 Nicolet junior Jalen Johnson did his thing and 6'9 Sussex sophomore Patrick Baldwin did his. Both players are very similar and showed why they are both top five players nationally in their classes. Johnson came out earl firing the threes and knocking them down while Baldwin played with his team mates a little more but, when things got tight he took the shot. Both guys hit the threes, drove the lane, and dished off to their team mates. Johnson is probably a little more explosive right now and stronger while Baldwin is probably quicker and better ball handler. Watching these guys they have NBA written all over them. Big long players that can handle the ball and move more like guards then clumsy big man.

Nicolet was the far more talented team in this one but, Sussex played more like a team. Sussex relied on the three point shot very heavily and unfortunately for them the threes went a little cold late. Nicolet did a great job of playing off Johnson all night. When Johnson drove his team mates would cut to the hoop and he would find them open cutting. Nicolet junior 6'9 Jamari Sibley had a relatively quiet came but, he did take his time guarding Baldwin which helped Johnson get some rest and not having to guard all the time while Baldwin was switching off guarding both big men. I truly think that Baldwin will end up being the better player when it's said and done.

Top Players 
Jaylon Gentry 5'8 senior Brown Deer- Really carried his team in the first half hitting some very deep threes. Also was quick driving the lane and scoring over the bigger defenders.

Brooklyn Jagers 6'2 senior Brown Deer- Yea he took a lot of shots but, was able to finish in a variety of ways around the rim. As a floater that's a nice shot but, shoots it a little too much.

Declan Ciurlik 6'3 junior Homestead- A real glue guy that does a bit of everything. Scoring and defending in the paint. Rebounding, running the point, and having the ability to guard anyone on the court.

Ryan Waddell 6'2 senior Homestead- Like I said earlier just a flat out scorer. Super athletic and can really get to the rim and score.

Johnny Davis 6'5 junior La Crosse Central- Superior athlete that showed the ability to step out and hit the tough three point shot. Can drive the lane and uses his leaping ability to finish at the rim.

Ben Nau 6'1 sophomore Brookfield Central- Hit six threes in the first half what more do you have to say. A flat out shooter that can get his shot off in a hurry.

David Joplin 6'6 sophomore Brookfield Central- Big man with a very soft touch around the rim. Can really run the court for a big man as well.

Tanner Resch 6'0 sophomore Sussex Hamilton- Came off the bench ready to shoot. Was really hitting the threes in this game and showed the ability to hit the floater in the lane.

Patrick Baldwin 6'9 sophomore Sussex Hamilton- Can do it all. There's a reason he's #1 sophomore in the country. Handle the ball, shoot it, pass the ball, block shots, and can guard anyone on the court.

Jalen Johnson 6'9 junior Nicolet- Basically repeat everything I just said for Baldwin and might be a little stronger.

Jamari Sibley 6'9 junior Nicolet- Didn't have a great game but, really showed his athletic ability in this one. Can run the court like a deer and can really get up off the floor and attack the rim.

Sonny Phinisee 6'0 senior Nicolet- Doesn't get a lot of hype but, I really like this kid. Plays with a ton of heart and can defend like no other. Can knock down the three when he's left open.