Well the season has come to an end and I will have just a few final posts to conclude things. It's been awhile but, here are my final top dunks and scorers of the year that I saw.
Top Dunks
1. Jalen Johnson 6'9 junior Nicolet vs Milwaukee Washington March 15
This was at state so that adds to it. I don't recall who through the lob pass but, Johnson went up super high to grab the ally oop one handed and throw down hard on 6'9 Michael Foster who was trying to break up the lob pass and just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The pass wasn't great but, that added to the impressive play of Johnson.
2. Ace Evans 6'2 senior Martin Luther vs Brookfield Central December 29
This dunk had the entire gym buzzing. The game was late and Central pretty much had the game in hand. Evans drove left and threw down a very angry dunk right on top of poor Central big man 6'6 sophomore David Joplin. All Joplin could do was smile after the dunk.
3. Prince Aligbe 6'5 freshmen Minnehaha Academy vs Onalaska January 26
Yes he missed like three or four dunks in the game but, this was one of the top of the year. After all the missed I think the team was determined to get him a dunk. First play of the second half out of the half court set Jalen Suggs found Aligbe on the weak side and Aligbe skied out jumping the Onalaska defender and then it right down on him.
4. Prince Aligbe 6'5 freshmen Minnehaha Academy vs La Crosse Central January 19
Nice out of bounds play where the in bounder threw the lob pass over the backboard and Aligbe grabbed it one handed and threw down the dunk all in one motion.
5. Nobal Days 6'9 senior Racine Park vs Milwaukee Vincent February 2
Park was on a two on one breakaway. I can't recall who threw Days the ally oop but, days grabbed it with one hand and in one motion threw it down hard.
6. Keonte Jones 6'3 junior Madison East vs Sun Prairie February 9
Off the half court set offense Jones drove baseline and threw it down hard two handed. This was one of the first plays of the game and was kind of a surprise as I think most people thought Jones would just lay it in.
7. Jalen Suggs 6'4 junior Minnehaha Academy vs La Crosse Central January 19
Kind of a transition dunk where Suggs had a defender running side by side and Suggs threw it down on the defender.
8. Johnny Davis 6'5 junior La Crosse Central vs Minnehaha Academy January 19
Very nice out of bounce sideline play. Brother Jordan Davis found brother Johnny Davis cutting to the hoop on the back side and Johnny absolutely skied to the rim to complete the ally oop dunk.
9. Jamari Sibley 6'9 junior Nicolet vs Sussex Hamilton December 15
Nicolet pulled the ball out and went to a four corners. Star Jalen Johnson handled the ball from the left wing and drove the lane. At the same time Sibley cut back door added by a back screen and Johnson found him with the lob and the completed alley oop dunk.
10. Brayden Dailey 6'5 sophomore Mineral Point vs Wisconsin Dells November 30
Point guard Isaac Lindsey drove just left of the free throw line penetrating the Dells zone while Dailey came from the weak side and Lindsey found him with a nice ally oop pass and dunk.
Top Scorers
1. 41 Trequan Carrington Martin Luther vs Northwestern March 13
2. 36 Mayson Hazaert Wrightstown vs Brown Deer December 8
Will Pytleski Green Bay Southwest vs Wisconsin Lutheran December 29
4. 35 Karter Thomas Oshkosh West vs Brown Deer December 29
Jacob Ognacevic Sheboygan Lutheran vs Columbus Catholic March 15
6. 34 Riley LeTourneau Brookfield East vs Apply Valley Mn January 26
7. 33 Armani Jones Milwaukee Academy of Science vs Kettle Moraine Lutheran December 29
8. 32 Jacob Ognacevic Sheboygan Lutheran vs St Thomas More December 30
Trequan Carrington Martin Luther vs Minneapolis North January 19
10. 31 Gabe Madsen Rochester Mayo vs Waupun January 26
Johnny Davis La Crosse Central vs Milwaukee Washington March 14
12. 30 Jalen Johnson Nicolet vs Sussex Hamilton December 15
Reed Gunnick Laconia vs Lake Mills January 5
Larry Canady Racine Park vs Milwaukee Vincent February 2
15. 29 Nolan Dahmen Kettle Moraine vs New Berlin West December 2926
16. 28 Ryan Waddell Homestead vs Brown Deer December 15
Austin Westra DeForest vs Lakeside Lutheran January 8
Riley Eck Wisconsin Dells vs Mauston January 18
Logan Jedwabny Kaukauna vs La Crosse Logan January 19
Brock Voigt Sun Prairie vs Madison LaFollette February 19
21. 27 Riley Murphy Seymour vs Merrill December 8
Cole Nau Brookfield Central vs Martin Luther December 29
Brayden Dailey Mineral Point vs Milwaukee Academy of Science December 30
Reid Gastner Lake City Mn vs Clear Lake January 26
Jalen Suggs Minnehaha Academy Mn vs Onalaska January 26
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Sunday, March 17, 2019
State Recap
Was a great three days of high school basketball in the state of Wisconsin. We saw some great games that came down to the wire and we saw some of the best players in the state and country for that matter. A fun three days and I'm exhausted and need to catch up for some much on some much needed sleep.
Division One
Didn't have the elite players on the smaller divisions but, have a pretty good team there. Everyone doubted Brookfield Central after losing their top scorer and point guard in 6'0 Gage Malensek but. 6'3 senior Cole Nau really took his game to another level and carried his team to the title. I don't know how you can't like Nau as a player. He does whatever it takes for his team to win, all the little things whether it's scoring, running the offensive, or just playing great defense. 6'6 sophomore David Joplin and 6'1 sophomore Ben Nau had nice showings of their own at state and will be exciting to watch these two playing together the next two years.
For Sun Prairie hats off to them. Now they may not be the most impressive team that has ever gotten to a title game but, they played their hearts out. All year I've loved 6'5 senior Brock Voigt who didn't play any minutes at state last year and has become the teams leading scorer. Voigt had a rough semi final game getting in foul trouble and then getting poked in the eye but, had a pretty good game in the final. juniors 6'1 Colin Schaefer and 6'6 Delware Hale had a pair of nice games and one has to think what would of been had they been healthy all year but, those two should have everyone on watch next year.
Brookfield Central was my pick at the start of the year and when Malensek went down I switched my pick and they were still able to pull it off.
Division Two
Well it basically went exactly how everyone thought. Nicolet over Milwaukee Washington in the final with La Crosse Central making it to state as well. The forth team in the mix was a mystery as it ended up being Elkhorn who played their best but, they were just over matched by Nicolet. La Crosse Central played a very good game and 6'5 junior Johnny Davis is making a believer out of me and everyone else in the state. Unfortunately he didn't get enough help from his team mates and some questionable decisions late in the game after Washington cost them in over time.
For Washington had it not been for the three point shooting of sophomore 5'10 Chianti Clay they might of lost to Central. Boy 6'9 sophomore Michael Foster has really improved his overall game. He was huge hitting two late shots to win the game against Central and then didn't his best against Nicolet in the final. Foster moves very well for a big man, can shoot the three, and also has a pretty nice post game. No doubt Foster deserves his ranking in the country as a top five player. 6'5 senior Deontay Long needs to get in a little better shape but, when he gets the ball in the post he's tough to stop. Even against the size of the Nicolet 6'9 juniors Jalen Johnson and Jamari Sibley, Long was able to score. If Long was just a little bigger like 6'7 or 6'8 he would be a big time recruit at this point he will be a mid range player. 6'6 freshmen Tre White shows all the ability to be a high major player but, right now he's just not there just the potential.
Nicolet lived up to all the hype. Johnson had some very impressive plays and dunks that brought the Kohl Center to their feet. Now I'm not saying Johnson is anywhere in Lebron James level but, his game at the high school level very much reminds me of James in the NBA. Johnson is a very willing passer and a good passer, prefers to play facing the basket but, can post up, and has an outside shot thats streaky but, he can get hot from out there. Sibley is a very very nice skilled post player. Doesn't handle the ball as well as Johnson but, he can hit the three point shot and can really post up. Sibley also can run like a deer and gets off the court very quick. Player that really stuck out to me was 6'3 sophomore Kobe Johnson. I'll be honest I really thought he just rode on Jalen's coat tales and was a little over rated. Kobe though really came out and played extremely well at state. Kobe was able to hit the three point shot, had a little floater in the lane, and unlike Jalen he was able to hit his free throws.
Division Three
Sadly there isn't much to say about Northwestern and Denmark for that matter. One thing for Denmark is that I did really like 6'8 senior Patrick Suemnik. Siemnik did a very nice job of guarding Mr. Basketball Waupun senior 6'6 Marcus Domask. Suemnik blocked Domask a couple times and was doing a great job on him until Suemnik picked up his fourth foul.
Anyway in the final Martin Luther's guards were just too quick for the Waupun defenders. 5'10 senior Trequan Carrington and 6'2 senior Ace Evans could get their shots any time they wanted with their ball handling and quickness. Carrington looked like the best player in the state this weekend outside of D2. Carrington could do anything he wanted both games at state but, Evans picked up when Carrington struggled a bit. 6'5 senior Xzavier Jones was a no show a bit mostly due to foul trouble.
Domask was Mr Basketball and he is a great player but, honestly the class was a little weak and it showed that he didn't have the athleticism or quickness. Domask struggled to get his shot at times and ended up forcing things late. No one else on Waupun really showed up for Waupun.
Division Four
Just wow. I said last week that I really liked New Glarus but, I didn't see them winning state. 5'10 senior Jaden Kreklow was hands down the best player in D4 at state. He handles the ball so well and can get anywhere he wants at anytime. They rest of the team for New Glarus was just solid and played a very solid game but, Kreklow was the guy that made things go. 6'2 senior Henry Noone for Oshkosh Lourdes is a very good shooter with a very pretty shot but, sometimes those things fail you at state, that along with some turnovers really killed Lourdes in the final. Not much else to play other then Kreklow dominating but, hats off to Osseo Fairchild 6'2 senior Logan Mulhern who had 34 points and 20 rebounds in the semi final game. Mulhern just worked so so hard and every rebound was his and he nearly single handly carried Osseo Fairchild to a victory.
Division Five
Sheboygan Lutheran had the best players so they won. 6'7 junior Jacob Ognacevic is the best player in D5 and 6'0 freshmen Casey Verhagen may very well be on his way to that. Verhagen sets everything up for his team and they don't score without him assisting on the basket and Ognacevic controls the inside. 6'0 senior Devin Barnstable chips in the outside shooting to help out.
Columbus Catholic played their heart out and had a big come back against Bangor to get to the final. 6'3 senior Jarred Mandel is a tremendous shooter from the outside and 6'3 senior Bryce Fuerlinger had 25 rebounds in the semi final game so that says it all for him. Unfortunately the two best players on the court in the final were on Sheboygan Lutheran.
Division One
Didn't have the elite players on the smaller divisions but, have a pretty good team there. Everyone doubted Brookfield Central after losing their top scorer and point guard in 6'0 Gage Malensek but. 6'3 senior Cole Nau really took his game to another level and carried his team to the title. I don't know how you can't like Nau as a player. He does whatever it takes for his team to win, all the little things whether it's scoring, running the offensive, or just playing great defense. 6'6 sophomore David Joplin and 6'1 sophomore Ben Nau had nice showings of their own at state and will be exciting to watch these two playing together the next two years.
For Sun Prairie hats off to them. Now they may not be the most impressive team that has ever gotten to a title game but, they played their hearts out. All year I've loved 6'5 senior Brock Voigt who didn't play any minutes at state last year and has become the teams leading scorer. Voigt had a rough semi final game getting in foul trouble and then getting poked in the eye but, had a pretty good game in the final. juniors 6'1 Colin Schaefer and 6'6 Delware Hale had a pair of nice games and one has to think what would of been had they been healthy all year but, those two should have everyone on watch next year.
Brookfield Central was my pick at the start of the year and when Malensek went down I switched my pick and they were still able to pull it off.
Division Two
Well it basically went exactly how everyone thought. Nicolet over Milwaukee Washington in the final with La Crosse Central making it to state as well. The forth team in the mix was a mystery as it ended up being Elkhorn who played their best but, they were just over matched by Nicolet. La Crosse Central played a very good game and 6'5 junior Johnny Davis is making a believer out of me and everyone else in the state. Unfortunately he didn't get enough help from his team mates and some questionable decisions late in the game after Washington cost them in over time.
For Washington had it not been for the three point shooting of sophomore 5'10 Chianti Clay they might of lost to Central. Boy 6'9 sophomore Michael Foster has really improved his overall game. He was huge hitting two late shots to win the game against Central and then didn't his best against Nicolet in the final. Foster moves very well for a big man, can shoot the three, and also has a pretty nice post game. No doubt Foster deserves his ranking in the country as a top five player. 6'5 senior Deontay Long needs to get in a little better shape but, when he gets the ball in the post he's tough to stop. Even against the size of the Nicolet 6'9 juniors Jalen Johnson and Jamari Sibley, Long was able to score. If Long was just a little bigger like 6'7 or 6'8 he would be a big time recruit at this point he will be a mid range player. 6'6 freshmen Tre White shows all the ability to be a high major player but, right now he's just not there just the potential.
Nicolet lived up to all the hype. Johnson had some very impressive plays and dunks that brought the Kohl Center to their feet. Now I'm not saying Johnson is anywhere in Lebron James level but, his game at the high school level very much reminds me of James in the NBA. Johnson is a very willing passer and a good passer, prefers to play facing the basket but, can post up, and has an outside shot thats streaky but, he can get hot from out there. Sibley is a very very nice skilled post player. Doesn't handle the ball as well as Johnson but, he can hit the three point shot and can really post up. Sibley also can run like a deer and gets off the court very quick. Player that really stuck out to me was 6'3 sophomore Kobe Johnson. I'll be honest I really thought he just rode on Jalen's coat tales and was a little over rated. Kobe though really came out and played extremely well at state. Kobe was able to hit the three point shot, had a little floater in the lane, and unlike Jalen he was able to hit his free throws.
Division Three
Sadly there isn't much to say about Northwestern and Denmark for that matter. One thing for Denmark is that I did really like 6'8 senior Patrick Suemnik. Siemnik did a very nice job of guarding Mr. Basketball Waupun senior 6'6 Marcus Domask. Suemnik blocked Domask a couple times and was doing a great job on him until Suemnik picked up his fourth foul.
Anyway in the final Martin Luther's guards were just too quick for the Waupun defenders. 5'10 senior Trequan Carrington and 6'2 senior Ace Evans could get their shots any time they wanted with their ball handling and quickness. Carrington looked like the best player in the state this weekend outside of D2. Carrington could do anything he wanted both games at state but, Evans picked up when Carrington struggled a bit. 6'5 senior Xzavier Jones was a no show a bit mostly due to foul trouble.
Domask was Mr Basketball and he is a great player but, honestly the class was a little weak and it showed that he didn't have the athleticism or quickness. Domask struggled to get his shot at times and ended up forcing things late. No one else on Waupun really showed up for Waupun.
Division Four
Just wow. I said last week that I really liked New Glarus but, I didn't see them winning state. 5'10 senior Jaden Kreklow was hands down the best player in D4 at state. He handles the ball so well and can get anywhere he wants at anytime. They rest of the team for New Glarus was just solid and played a very solid game but, Kreklow was the guy that made things go. 6'2 senior Henry Noone for Oshkosh Lourdes is a very good shooter with a very pretty shot but, sometimes those things fail you at state, that along with some turnovers really killed Lourdes in the final. Not much else to play other then Kreklow dominating but, hats off to Osseo Fairchild 6'2 senior Logan Mulhern who had 34 points and 20 rebounds in the semi final game. Mulhern just worked so so hard and every rebound was his and he nearly single handly carried Osseo Fairchild to a victory.
Division Five
Sheboygan Lutheran had the best players so they won. 6'7 junior Jacob Ognacevic is the best player in D5 and 6'0 freshmen Casey Verhagen may very well be on his way to that. Verhagen sets everything up for his team and they don't score without him assisting on the basket and Ognacevic controls the inside. 6'0 senior Devin Barnstable chips in the outside shooting to help out.
Columbus Catholic played their heart out and had a big come back against Bangor to get to the final. 6'3 senior Jarred Mandel is a tremendous shooter from the outside and 6'3 senior Bryce Fuerlinger had 25 rebounds in the semi final game so that says it all for him. Unfortunately the two best players on the court in the final were on Sheboygan Lutheran.
Monday, March 11, 2019
Sun Prairie and New Glarus advance to state
Saturday was sectional final day so of course I was at a game and even got two in. Waunakee had the top D1 Madison area teams so that was a given for me and then Middleton wasn't too far away so I took in Belleville verse New Glarus.
Sun Prairie 66 Madison Lafollette 53
They always say how it's so tough to beat a team three times in the same year and this game showed to be no different. It also probably didn't help Lafollette that this was the first time 6'0 junior Colin Schaefer and 6'6 junior Delaware Hale actually both played. To add insult the game had no flow and was a bit of a disaster. Right before both teams were about to come out on the court to warm up both scoreboards went dark and wouldn't come back on. After about 15 minutes they did finally get the boards back working. With six minutes left in the game the one scoreboard quit working and then 30 seconds later the horn quit working and they just gave up on it and grab a scoreboard that just sat on the scorers table. Well after such a long break they gave each team three minutes to warm up again which delayed things again. Thankfully the game never really was that close as Lafollette could never get the game into single digits late.
Honestly Sun Prairie took control of this game from the get go and never relinquished the lead. Size was a huge factor in the game as Sun Prairie always had at least three players 6'5 or taller on the court while Lafollette never played anyone over 6'2. Isn't wasn't rebounding or pounding in the paint that the size caused but, the zone defense Sun Prairie played that kept Lafollette from getting the ball inside. Lafollette was forced to settle for outside shots and the shots just weren't falling tonight. I know for a fact Lafollette was 1-10 from three in the first half and were probably were 3-20 for the game before they hit three threes late in the game. Lafollette senior guards 6'1 Troy Reeves and 5'9 Donneil Gray picked the worst time to have their worst games of the year., 6'1 senior Isaiah Stewart did have a nice game finishing in the lane and hitting three threes. Sun Prairie was able to score inside at will but, they seem content to not completely rely on that and scored a lot in transition. Schaefer was huge in the transition game while Hale and 6'5 senior Alex Voigt was huge in the post. Lafollette did do a tremendous job on the glass which kept them some what in the game. The game was never really in question throughout and as it was a struggle all game long for Lafollette. Honestly Sun Prairie looks like the team I had thought they would be all year and will be a problem with Schaefer and Hale healthy.
New Glarus 65 Belleville 40
This one got away pretty quick but, I did really enjoy watching New Glarus play. New Glarus full court pressed right out of the get go and turned Belleville over all game long. Belleville came out in a box and one on New Glarus senior 5'10 Jaden Kreklow but, the other four players did a great job of playing against it. 6'1 junior Connor Siegenthaler took advantage of the zone right away hitting some big threes which forced Belleville to come out of the zone. Once Belleville went to the man Kreklow was able to go to work driving the ball to the hoop. Kreklow seemed to love playing off the dribble and driving to the rim or pulling up for the mid range jumper. Another player I really like for New Glarus was 6'4 sophomore Mason Martinson. Martinson is really their only height and is a very active athletic player. I'll be curious to watch Martinson progress in the next two years. New Glarus has a very nice team but, unfortunately they got the four seed and will have to see Roncalli at state.
Sun Prairie 66 Madison Lafollette 53
They always say how it's so tough to beat a team three times in the same year and this game showed to be no different. It also probably didn't help Lafollette that this was the first time 6'0 junior Colin Schaefer and 6'6 junior Delaware Hale actually both played. To add insult the game had no flow and was a bit of a disaster. Right before both teams were about to come out on the court to warm up both scoreboards went dark and wouldn't come back on. After about 15 minutes they did finally get the boards back working. With six minutes left in the game the one scoreboard quit working and then 30 seconds later the horn quit working and they just gave up on it and grab a scoreboard that just sat on the scorers table. Well after such a long break they gave each team three minutes to warm up again which delayed things again. Thankfully the game never really was that close as Lafollette could never get the game into single digits late.
Honestly Sun Prairie took control of this game from the get go and never relinquished the lead. Size was a huge factor in the game as Sun Prairie always had at least three players 6'5 or taller on the court while Lafollette never played anyone over 6'2. Isn't wasn't rebounding or pounding in the paint that the size caused but, the zone defense Sun Prairie played that kept Lafollette from getting the ball inside. Lafollette was forced to settle for outside shots and the shots just weren't falling tonight. I know for a fact Lafollette was 1-10 from three in the first half and were probably were 3-20 for the game before they hit three threes late in the game. Lafollette senior guards 6'1 Troy Reeves and 5'9 Donneil Gray picked the worst time to have their worst games of the year., 6'1 senior Isaiah Stewart did have a nice game finishing in the lane and hitting three threes. Sun Prairie was able to score inside at will but, they seem content to not completely rely on that and scored a lot in transition. Schaefer was huge in the transition game while Hale and 6'5 senior Alex Voigt was huge in the post. Lafollette did do a tremendous job on the glass which kept them some what in the game. The game was never really in question throughout and as it was a struggle all game long for Lafollette. Honestly Sun Prairie looks like the team I had thought they would be all year and will be a problem with Schaefer and Hale healthy.
New Glarus 65 Belleville 40
This one got away pretty quick but, I did really enjoy watching New Glarus play. New Glarus full court pressed right out of the get go and turned Belleville over all game long. Belleville came out in a box and one on New Glarus senior 5'10 Jaden Kreklow but, the other four players did a great job of playing against it. 6'1 junior Connor Siegenthaler took advantage of the zone right away hitting some big threes which forced Belleville to come out of the zone. Once Belleville went to the man Kreklow was able to go to work driving the ball to the hoop. Kreklow seemed to love playing off the dribble and driving to the rim or pulling up for the mid range jumper. Another player I really like for New Glarus was 6'4 sophomore Mason Martinson. Martinson is really their only height and is a very active athletic player. I'll be curious to watch Martinson progress in the next two years. New Glarus has a very nice team but, unfortunately they got the four seed and will have to see Roncalli at state.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Mount Horeb wins Sectional Semi
Took in the D2 sectional semi final as it was four blocks from my house tonight. Pitted conference rivals Mount Horeb and Deforest and I believe both regular season games were fairly close and being that they are rivals should of been another good game.
Early on this game was a battle back and forth. Mount Horeb was bombing threes as they hit 10 threes in the first half. 6'1 Mount Horeb junior Qwen Ziegler led the way knocking down four first half three pointers. Ziegler is just a pure shooter every time I see him play and when he shoots you expect the shot to go down. 6'5 senior Jason Larson hit four threes of his own. Larson doesn't have the prettiest shot but, it is effected none the less. 5'11 senior point guard Dusty Zenz added a pair of his own threes to make it 10 for the half. For Deforest they did just enough to hang with Mount Horeb as they were led by 6'5 senior Jack Bogan in the middle you just did a good job of positioning himself in the post. and his team mates did a great job of finding him. Mount Horeb led at the half 34 to 31.
In the first half Deforest star 6'6 senior Austin Westra had a tough time getting himself going and in the second half that continued early on as Mount Horeb was able to extend their lead. The three point trio each hit another three to give Mount Horeb 13 threes for the game and Zenz and 6'2 senior Gunnar Nortman did a nice job of driving to the rim and scoring. Zenz also did a nice job of knocking down his free throws late to seal the game. Westra did eventually get himself going but, it was so late in the game that the deal was basically sealed. Westra and Bogan early on no one else really got themselves going.
Top Players
Owen Ziegler 6'1 junior Mount Horeb- Like I said earlier he just couldn't miss and thats been all three games I've seen him play. When he shoots you expect it to go in.
Jason Larson 6'5 senior Mount Horeb- To be honest he doesn't look like a great player but, in actuality he is a pretty good player. I was really surprised by his three point shooting in this one and he showed some ability to handle the ball and get to the rim as well.
Dusty Zenz 5'11 senior Mount Horeb- Most aggressive he's been all year long. Really attacked the rim with the ball in his hands and when the threes presented themselves he was able to knock them down.
Austin Westra 6'6 senior Deforest- Tonight the outside shot wasn't falling for Westra but, he did a nice job of getting in the post and scoring with his back to the basket. He also really battled on the glass on both ends.
Jack Bogan 6'5 senior Deforest- Does a very good job of positioning himself in the paint and seeling off the defenders in the post.
Box Score
Moutn Horeb 79- Larson 21 Zenz 21 Ziegler 17 Nortman 8 Bryce Farnsworth 6 Ethan Post 2 Carter Gilkes 0 Torrin Hannah 0 Logan Rasmussen 0 Simeon Smith 0 Gunnar Bagstad 0 Colin KNaurer 0 Anthony Lange 0 Joey Henderson 0 Zach Nelson 0 Trey Ryan 0
Deforest 64- Westra 25 Bogan 14 Trey Schroeder 8 Cade Ludeman 7 Cody Riggs 6 Jaiden Magli 2 Jahyl Bonds 2 Brandon Hunt 1 Joe Scalissi 0 Max Weisbrod 0 Kennedy Wallace 0 Casey Faust 0 Adam White 0
Well the season ends for Deforest after a fairly solid season. Mount Horeb caught a bit of a break as Westosha Central was upset tonight and Mount Horeb should be the favorite to get to state against Elkhorn.
Early on this game was a battle back and forth. Mount Horeb was bombing threes as they hit 10 threes in the first half. 6'1 Mount Horeb junior Qwen Ziegler led the way knocking down four first half three pointers. Ziegler is just a pure shooter every time I see him play and when he shoots you expect the shot to go down. 6'5 senior Jason Larson hit four threes of his own. Larson doesn't have the prettiest shot but, it is effected none the less. 5'11 senior point guard Dusty Zenz added a pair of his own threes to make it 10 for the half. For Deforest they did just enough to hang with Mount Horeb as they were led by 6'5 senior Jack Bogan in the middle you just did a good job of positioning himself in the post. and his team mates did a great job of finding him. Mount Horeb led at the half 34 to 31.
In the first half Deforest star 6'6 senior Austin Westra had a tough time getting himself going and in the second half that continued early on as Mount Horeb was able to extend their lead. The three point trio each hit another three to give Mount Horeb 13 threes for the game and Zenz and 6'2 senior Gunnar Nortman did a nice job of driving to the rim and scoring. Zenz also did a nice job of knocking down his free throws late to seal the game. Westra did eventually get himself going but, it was so late in the game that the deal was basically sealed. Westra and Bogan early on no one else really got themselves going.
Top Players
Owen Ziegler 6'1 junior Mount Horeb- Like I said earlier he just couldn't miss and thats been all three games I've seen him play. When he shoots you expect it to go in.
Jason Larson 6'5 senior Mount Horeb- To be honest he doesn't look like a great player but, in actuality he is a pretty good player. I was really surprised by his three point shooting in this one and he showed some ability to handle the ball and get to the rim as well.
Dusty Zenz 5'11 senior Mount Horeb- Most aggressive he's been all year long. Really attacked the rim with the ball in his hands and when the threes presented themselves he was able to knock them down.
Austin Westra 6'6 senior Deforest- Tonight the outside shot wasn't falling for Westra but, he did a nice job of getting in the post and scoring with his back to the basket. He also really battled on the glass on both ends.
Jack Bogan 6'5 senior Deforest- Does a very good job of positioning himself in the paint and seeling off the defenders in the post.
Box Score
Moutn Horeb 79- Larson 21 Zenz 21 Ziegler 17 Nortman 8 Bryce Farnsworth 6 Ethan Post 2 Carter Gilkes 0 Torrin Hannah 0 Logan Rasmussen 0 Simeon Smith 0 Gunnar Bagstad 0 Colin KNaurer 0 Anthony Lange 0 Joey Henderson 0 Zach Nelson 0 Trey Ryan 0
Deforest 64- Westra 25 Bogan 14 Trey Schroeder 8 Cade Ludeman 7 Cody Riggs 6 Jaiden Magli 2 Jahyl Bonds 2 Brandon Hunt 1 Joe Scalissi 0 Max Weisbrod 0 Kennedy Wallace 0 Casey Faust 0 Adam White 0
Well the season ends for Deforest after a fairly solid season. Mount Horeb caught a bit of a break as Westosha Central was upset tonight and Mount Horeb should be the favorite to get to state against Elkhorn.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Sectional Previews - State picks redue
Well sectionals are this week and just wanted to look back at my state predictions and where there sitting. Only doing top three divisions that I truly know about.
Division One
Sectional One
Sticking with Kimberly here as this sectional has held up with chalk here.
Kimberly over Appleton West
Sectional Two
Homestead snuck in to mess things up a bit but, still sticking with Sussex Hamitlon. The two Brookfield schools Central and East still make me nervous in possibly taking Hamilton out.
Sussex Hamilton over Brookfield East
Sectional Three
This ones been shaken up as the top two seeds Madison East and Racine Park have gone down so things have opened up. I'm going with Sun Prairie here and their size over Madison Lafollette but, if I'm being completely honest it's a coin flip.
Sun Prairie over Madison Lafollette
Sectional Four
Held tight with the top four moving on and sticking with Waukesha West.
Waukesha West over West Allis Central
State Picks
Sussex Hamilton over Sun Prairie
Waukesha West over Kimberly
Sussex Hamilton over Waukesha West
Division Two
Same as my original picks as the top four teams in the division are favorites for a reason.
Nicolet over Westosha Central
Milwaukee Washington over La Crosse Central
Nicolet over Milwaukee Washington
Division Three
Sectional One
Interesting one here as the defending champs Prescott have gone down. I see this coming down to the winner of Stratford and Wisconsin Dells to take it. Stratford is undefeated to I'll go with them.
Stratford over Northwestern
Sectional Two
Everything held firm so staying the same.
Wrightstown over Denmark
Sectional Three
Prairie du Chien went down but, they weren't my pick anyway. Martin Luther is still the top team in D3.
Martin Luther over Beloit Turner
Sectional Four
Columbus was a surprise to get here but, that just means an easier game for Waupun. Waupun is still the 1b in D3 with Martin Luther as 1a.
Waupun over Brookfield Academy
Martin Luther over Stratford
Waupun over Wrightstown
Martin Luther over Waupun
Division One
Sectional One
Sticking with Kimberly here as this sectional has held up with chalk here.
Kimberly over Appleton West
Sectional Two
Homestead snuck in to mess things up a bit but, still sticking with Sussex Hamitlon. The two Brookfield schools Central and East still make me nervous in possibly taking Hamilton out.
Sussex Hamilton over Brookfield East
Sectional Three
This ones been shaken up as the top two seeds Madison East and Racine Park have gone down so things have opened up. I'm going with Sun Prairie here and their size over Madison Lafollette but, if I'm being completely honest it's a coin flip.
Sun Prairie over Madison Lafollette
Sectional Four
Held tight with the top four moving on and sticking with Waukesha West.
Waukesha West over West Allis Central
State Picks
Sussex Hamilton over Sun Prairie
Waukesha West over Kimberly
Sussex Hamilton over Waukesha West
Division Two
Same as my original picks as the top four teams in the division are favorites for a reason.
Nicolet over Westosha Central
Milwaukee Washington over La Crosse Central
Nicolet over Milwaukee Washington
Division Three
Sectional One
Interesting one here as the defending champs Prescott have gone down. I see this coming down to the winner of Stratford and Wisconsin Dells to take it. Stratford is undefeated to I'll go with them.
Stratford over Northwestern
Sectional Two
Everything held firm so staying the same.
Wrightstown over Denmark
Sectional Three
Prairie du Chien went down but, they weren't my pick anyway. Martin Luther is still the top team in D3.
Martin Luther over Beloit Turner
Sectional Four
Columbus was a surprise to get here but, that just means an easier game for Waupun. Waupun is still the 1b in D3 with Martin Luther as 1a.
Waupun over Brookfield Academy
Martin Luther over Stratford
Waupun over Wrightstown
Martin Luther over Waupun
Monday, March 4, 2019
Regionals
Playoffs have started and this past weekend was Regionals. Friday night took in the regional semi finals between Racine Case and Waunakee. This was a battle of seven seed and ten seed with two teams with the same record so I figured this game was going to be a good one. I have seen Waunakee in the past and new they were solid game and are disciplined team that will always play very hard. Racine Case on the other side I had never seen play but, knew they were coming from a good conference and were probably a pretty athletic team.
Waunakee 67 Racine Case 60
Early on Waunakee couldn't buy a shot and Racine case came out firing hitting threes right off the bat. 5'11 senior Mylin Duffie was firing early for Case and then 6'0 junior Logan Schmidtmann came off the bench and just couldn't miss from outside. Waunakee struggled from the outside early on and really looked to 6'5 senior Josh Cash in the post who was more aggressive then I've ever seen him in the past. Cash really looked to score in the post and was driving to the rim from the high post. Case was able to take a half time lead of 30-23.
In the second half Case made some questionable decisions. They started three different starters and the biggest question was why Duffie came out on the bench and really didn't play much in the second half. Waunakee seemed to wear Case down and as the game got close Case began to press on the offensive end and rush their shots and take some bad shots. Waunakee began hitting some threes then led by Cash who hit back to back threes and then there leading scorer 6'1 senior Will Knatz got going and hit a pair of his own threes. The moment basically went Waunakee's way for good when 5'10 Case junior Jayvian Farr picked up his fourth flow and then for whatever reason picked up a technical which elimindated Farr from the game and gave Waunakee two free throws and the ball. Honestly I didn't see anything so can only assume Farr said something to get the T but, Case never recovered from this. Case continued to struggle with foul trouble late as four players fouled out and despite Case's best efforts Waunakee just wasn't missing their shots.
Wisconsin Dells 73 Mauston 59
Saturday night decided to head to my alma mater to see them take on Mauston. I figured it was a good game to go to because they had split during the regular season and both games were one point wins where the losing team had a chance to win on a last second shot. Unfortunately this game was over before it began. Mauston seemed to have no answer for the Dells zone and on the other end the Dells just couldn't miss a shot. Everything was following for Wisconsin Dells as they hit eight threes in the first half and the mid range jumpers were falling too as they took a 41 to 18 half time lead and never really looked back. Looking at the stats 5'10 Dells junior Bryson Funmaker isn't a big time scorer by any means but, two of the games I've seen him play he's gone off. Funmaker was knocking down all his three point shots and it just seemed that he was always able to find himself wide open. Everyone was hitting the shots not just Funmaker though. 6'0 junior Riley Eck chipped in a pair of threes of his own in the first half on his way to 16 points for the game. Really wasn't much to say in the first half for Mauston.
In the second half Mauston came out with a little more aggression and they brought out the full court press as well which got things going their way. Mauston was able to get a few easy buckets off the press and then 6'4 junior Cade Hall got himself going a little bit. Hall wasn't super aggressive but, when they shots presented themselves he was able to hit them. I thought that Hall's team mates should of looked for him a little more and got him a few more shots. Hall was able to hit the threes and then hit the mid range jumpers as well. I believe Mauston may of cut the lead to nine at one point but, in the end they just weren't able to hit enough threes to come all the way back. Funmaker and company struggle a bit from the free throw line late but, in the end they hit just enough free throws to win. The game really dragged on late as Mauston started the fouling with just over four minutes to go. 6'1 junior Joe Bauer got himself going late but, it was just too late in the game Bauer did finish off a nice dunk late in the game though but, his efforts were for not late. Dells ended up with four players in double figures
Waunakee 67 Racine Case 60
Early on Waunakee couldn't buy a shot and Racine case came out firing hitting threes right off the bat. 5'11 senior Mylin Duffie was firing early for Case and then 6'0 junior Logan Schmidtmann came off the bench and just couldn't miss from outside. Waunakee struggled from the outside early on and really looked to 6'5 senior Josh Cash in the post who was more aggressive then I've ever seen him in the past. Cash really looked to score in the post and was driving to the rim from the high post. Case was able to take a half time lead of 30-23.
In the second half Case made some questionable decisions. They started three different starters and the biggest question was why Duffie came out on the bench and really didn't play much in the second half. Waunakee seemed to wear Case down and as the game got close Case began to press on the offensive end and rush their shots and take some bad shots. Waunakee began hitting some threes then led by Cash who hit back to back threes and then there leading scorer 6'1 senior Will Knatz got going and hit a pair of his own threes. The moment basically went Waunakee's way for good when 5'10 Case junior Jayvian Farr picked up his fourth flow and then for whatever reason picked up a technical which elimindated Farr from the game and gave Waunakee two free throws and the ball. Honestly I didn't see anything so can only assume Farr said something to get the T but, Case never recovered from this. Case continued to struggle with foul trouble late as four players fouled out and despite Case's best efforts Waunakee just wasn't missing their shots.
Wisconsin Dells 73 Mauston 59
Saturday night decided to head to my alma mater to see them take on Mauston. I figured it was a good game to go to because they had split during the regular season and both games were one point wins where the losing team had a chance to win on a last second shot. Unfortunately this game was over before it began. Mauston seemed to have no answer for the Dells zone and on the other end the Dells just couldn't miss a shot. Everything was following for Wisconsin Dells as they hit eight threes in the first half and the mid range jumpers were falling too as they took a 41 to 18 half time lead and never really looked back. Looking at the stats 5'10 Dells junior Bryson Funmaker isn't a big time scorer by any means but, two of the games I've seen him play he's gone off. Funmaker was knocking down all his three point shots and it just seemed that he was always able to find himself wide open. Everyone was hitting the shots not just Funmaker though. 6'0 junior Riley Eck chipped in a pair of threes of his own in the first half on his way to 16 points for the game. Really wasn't much to say in the first half for Mauston.
In the second half Mauston came out with a little more aggression and they brought out the full court press as well which got things going their way. Mauston was able to get a few easy buckets off the press and then 6'4 junior Cade Hall got himself going a little bit. Hall wasn't super aggressive but, when they shots presented themselves he was able to hit them. I thought that Hall's team mates should of looked for him a little more and got him a few more shots. Hall was able to hit the threes and then hit the mid range jumpers as well. I believe Mauston may of cut the lead to nine at one point but, in the end they just weren't able to hit enough threes to come all the way back. Funmaker and company struggle a bit from the free throw line late but, in the end they hit just enough free throws to win. The game really dragged on late as Mauston started the fouling with just over four minutes to go. 6'1 junior Joe Bauer got himself going late but, it was just too late in the game Bauer did finish off a nice dunk late in the game though but, his efforts were for not late. Dells ended up with four players in double figures
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