I will keep this short and sweet as it's been a few days since I was at this game. I have to say this was one of the better played games I've seen all year. Both Sun Prairie and Craig played extremely well and their top players came to play. This game could of easily gone either way and it cemented that Sun Prairie is on the rise and is a team to reckon with, with two top players in 6'4 junior Marlon Ruffin and 6'6 freshmen Jalen Johnson. Craig seems to be on the down fall having lost this game and then dropping a game to Middleton two days later.
Sun Prairie got going early as Johnson hit two big threes to start the game and looks to really be coming in to his own. Craig matched Sun Prairie early on behind the hot shooting of 5'9 senior SanTrell Payton who was money from three point range all game long. After Johnson's initial burst it was Ruffin for much of the game as he was impossible to keep out of the lane driving to the basket. Outside of Payton Craig also had big man 6'9 senior Adam Anhold doing damage. When Anhold got the ball within six feet of the rim he was going to score but, too many times he would catch the ball in the eight foot to 10 foot range and he would get himself into trouble with travels and turnovers.
Second half was really Ruffin and Johnson verse Payton with a little bit of Anhold sprinkled in. Ruffin and Johnson got to the rim at will while Payton was dropping the outside shot. Anhold did his far share of damage on the inside but, it was really Payton who carried them all night. In the end back to back steals and dunks by Ruffin and Johnson sealed the deal.
Box Score
SP 71- Ruffin 29 Johnson 22 Caden White 7 Marty Strey 5 Sean Suchomel 4 Nate Verstegen 4 Mitch Schroeder 0 Alex Schaefer 0 Colin Schaefer 0 Cooper Nelson 0
Craig 64- Payton 28 Anhold 15 Nick Lynch 9 Blake McCann 8 Jake Negus 2 Jacob Ngobi 2 Jacob Blomgren 0 Cade Badertscher 0 Juan Jimenez 0 Luke Malmanger 0
I basically mentioned the top four players already so not going to comment any more on that. I'll be really curious to watch Sun Prairie going forward this year and next year as they really bring a lot back next year.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Monday, January 30, 2017
Week 10 Rankings
Another week has concluded so time for my updated rankings. A couple quick notes though. Many of the top teams lost to Minnesota teams in the Border Battle and a reminder that I don't count those against teams. Also I need to apologize for my last post because I copy and pasted and haven't been able to figure out how to get the typing to show up right resulting in a white block around my previous post.
Division One
Stevens Point lost to a very good team from Minnesota but, sit put at three. Riverside lost to a Minnesota team as well as Milwaukee Washington and drop down to 10. Janesville Craig lost to Middleton and Sun Prairie dropping them from the rankings. Eau Claire North lost to Onalaska and fell to 14. Sheboygan North lost to Bay Port and Ashwaubenon and fall from the rankings. Sun Prairie and Oak Creek are the two new teams to the rankings.
1. Oshkosh North
2. Kimberly
3. Stevens Point
4. Milwaukee Vincent
5. Broofield Central
6. Madison Memorial
7. Bay Port
8. Arrowhead
9. Muskego
10. Milwaukee Riverside
11. Middleton
12. Racine Horlick
13. Sun Prairie
14. Eau Claire North
15. Oak Creek
Division Two
Pewaukee lost to Whitnall who in turned lost to Cedarburg, allowing Pewaukee to drop to six while Whitnall was able to stay at 10 with everyone else having lost behind them. Wausau East lost to Merrill dropping to 12. La Crosse Logan lost to Tomah falling from the rankings and allowing Edgewood into the rankings. Pulaski lost to Bay Port and stayed put at 13.
1. Beaver Dam
2. La Crosse Central
3. Milwaukee Washington
4. Waunakee
5. Stoughton
6. Pewaukee
7. Onalaska
8. Cedarburg
9. Milwaukee Pius
10. Whitnall
11. Luxemburg Casco
12. Wausau East
13. Pulaski
14. Kaukauna
15. Madison Edgewood
Division Three
Westby lost to Onalaska Luther and GET and fall to nine. Wisconsin Dells lost to Adams Friendship and fall from the rankings and are replaced by Adams at 14. Hayward lost to Northwestern dropping to 15. New Hohlstein lost to Howards Grove falling from the rankings and being replaced by Martin Luther.
1. Ripon
2. Xavier
3. GET
4. Prescott
5. Lake Mills
6. Prairie du Chien
7. Columbus
8. Souther Door
9. Westby
10. Evansville
11. Altoona
12. Waupun
13. Martin Luther
14. Adams Friendship
15. Hayward
Division Four
Laconia lost to Ripon which is to be expected so they only drop to four followed by The Prairie School lost to Martin Luther and Stanley Boyd who lost to McDonell Central. Edgar lost to Phillips and drop a spot to eight. Cedar Grove Belgium lost to Hilbert and fell to 15. Markesan lost to Cambria Friesland and fall from the rankings replaced by Wild Rose at 14.
1. Darlington
2. Destiny
3. Cochrane-Fountain City
4. Laconia
5. The Prairie School
6. Stanley Boyd
7. Eau Claire Regis
8. Edgar
9. Marathon
10. Wabeno/Laona
11. Rio
12. Deerfield
13. Young Coggs Prep
14. Wild Rose
15. Cedar-Grove Belgium
Division Five
Barneveld lost to Darlington and Prairie du Chien and drop to seven. Loyal lost to Columbus Catholic and fall to 14 because things are just so close in the rankings.
1. Columbus Catholic
2. Shullsburg
3. Seneca
4. Bangor
5. Hilbert
6. Drummond
7. Barneveld
8. McDonell Central
9. Assumption
10. Phelps
11. Gresham
12. Pecatonica
13. Almond Bancroft
14. Loyal
15. Alma/Pepin
Division One
Stevens Point lost to a very good team from Minnesota but, sit put at three. Riverside lost to a Minnesota team as well as Milwaukee Washington and drop down to 10. Janesville Craig lost to Middleton and Sun Prairie dropping them from the rankings. Eau Claire North lost to Onalaska and fell to 14. Sheboygan North lost to Bay Port and Ashwaubenon and fall from the rankings. Sun Prairie and Oak Creek are the two new teams to the rankings.
1. Oshkosh North
2. Kimberly
3. Stevens Point
4. Milwaukee Vincent
5. Broofield Central
6. Madison Memorial
7. Bay Port
8. Arrowhead
9. Muskego
10. Milwaukee Riverside
11. Middleton
12. Racine Horlick
13. Sun Prairie
14. Eau Claire North
15. Oak Creek
Division Two
Pewaukee lost to Whitnall who in turned lost to Cedarburg, allowing Pewaukee to drop to six while Whitnall was able to stay at 10 with everyone else having lost behind them. Wausau East lost to Merrill dropping to 12. La Crosse Logan lost to Tomah falling from the rankings and allowing Edgewood into the rankings. Pulaski lost to Bay Port and stayed put at 13.
1. Beaver Dam
2. La Crosse Central
3. Milwaukee Washington
4. Waunakee
5. Stoughton
6. Pewaukee
7. Onalaska
8. Cedarburg
9. Milwaukee Pius
10. Whitnall
11. Luxemburg Casco
12. Wausau East
13. Pulaski
14. Kaukauna
15. Madison Edgewood
Division Three
Westby lost to Onalaska Luther and GET and fall to nine. Wisconsin Dells lost to Adams Friendship and fall from the rankings and are replaced by Adams at 14. Hayward lost to Northwestern dropping to 15. New Hohlstein lost to Howards Grove falling from the rankings and being replaced by Martin Luther.
1. Ripon
2. Xavier
3. GET
4. Prescott
5. Lake Mills
6. Prairie du Chien
7. Columbus
8. Souther Door
9. Westby
10. Evansville
11. Altoona
12. Waupun
13. Martin Luther
14. Adams Friendship
15. Hayward
Division Four
Laconia lost to Ripon which is to be expected so they only drop to four followed by The Prairie School lost to Martin Luther and Stanley Boyd who lost to McDonell Central. Edgar lost to Phillips and drop a spot to eight. Cedar Grove Belgium lost to Hilbert and fell to 15. Markesan lost to Cambria Friesland and fall from the rankings replaced by Wild Rose at 14.
1. Darlington
2. Destiny
3. Cochrane-Fountain City
4. Laconia
5. The Prairie School
6. Stanley Boyd
7. Eau Claire Regis
8. Edgar
9. Marathon
10. Wabeno/Laona
11. Rio
12. Deerfield
13. Young Coggs Prep
14. Wild Rose
15. Cedar-Grove Belgium
Division Five
Barneveld lost to Darlington and Prairie du Chien and drop to seven. Loyal lost to Columbus Catholic and fall to 14 because things are just so close in the rankings.
1. Columbus Catholic
2. Shullsburg
3. Seneca
4. Bangor
5. Hilbert
6. Drummond
7. Barneveld
8. McDonell Central
9. Assumption
10. Phelps
11. Gresham
12. Pecatonica
13. Almond Bancroft
14. Loyal
15. Alma/Pepin
Friday, January 27, 2017
Top 10 Dunks
Again update of the top 10 dunks that I've seen this year in person.
1. Kobe King 6'4 senior La Crosse Central vs Waunakee
I'm sure if you follow high school ball at all in Wisconsin you saw this dunk. King caught the ball at the three point drove along the baseline and finished right over the help side Waunakee defender who was rewarded with a blocking foul.
2. Carlos Curtis 6'3 junior Milwaukee Riverside vs Oshkosh North December 29
Was a little unexpected but, was a very nice dunk. Curtis drove baseline from the left side and came back with his right hand to finish a nice powerful dunk.
3. Marlon Ruffin 6'4 junior Sun Prairie vs Middleton January 20
Ruffin had a nice drive baseline and threw down a monster two handed dunk of a Middleton defender.
4. Marlon Ruffin 6'4 junior Sun Prairie vs Madison West December 20
Not as powerful as Curtis but similar in that he came from the left elbow drove the lane in the half court and again finished with the right hand.
5. Brett Ellestad 6'2 senior Oshkosh North vs Milwaukee Riverside December 29
Mostly here because of the surprise of it. Ellestad caught a full court pass off the bounce and was able to grab it in one motion and finish with the dunk.
6. Tyree Eady 6'4 senior Middleton vs Sun Prairie January 20
This had a lot to do with the momentum in the game as Eady picked the ball handlers pocket in open court and threw down a two handed dunk to take the lead in the game.
7. Xzavier Jones 6'5 sophomore Martin Luther vs Brookfield Academy December 29
In the transition Jones's team mate drove baseline and found a cutting Jones who finished at the rim with a nice one handed dunk.
8. Victor Nwagbaraocha 6'4 senior Milwaukee Pius vs La Crosse Central December 29
Nothing too special here but, it was with a lot of power. Break away dunk and he threw it down hard.
9. Nate Carter 6'6 junior Waunakee vs Burlington January 7
Nothing too special but, it was a one step and one dunk. He also converted the free throw.
10. Marlon Ruffin 6'4 junior Sun Prairie vs Janesville Craig January 26
Huge momentum dunk as the game was a two point game at this time. Ruffin stole the ball on a cross over and finished with an authoritative one handed dunk to give Sun Prairie the lead for good.
1. Kobe King 6'4 senior La Crosse Central vs Waunakee
I'm sure if you follow high school ball at all in Wisconsin you saw this dunk. King caught the ball at the three point drove along the baseline and finished right over the help side Waunakee defender who was rewarded with a blocking foul.
2. Carlos Curtis 6'3 junior Milwaukee Riverside vs Oshkosh North December 29
Was a little unexpected but, was a very nice dunk. Curtis drove baseline from the left side and came back with his right hand to finish a nice powerful dunk.
3. Marlon Ruffin 6'4 junior Sun Prairie vs Middleton January 20
Ruffin had a nice drive baseline and threw down a monster two handed dunk of a Middleton defender.
4. Marlon Ruffin 6'4 junior Sun Prairie vs Madison West December 20
Not as powerful as Curtis but similar in that he came from the left elbow drove the lane in the half court and again finished with the right hand.
5. Brett Ellestad 6'2 senior Oshkosh North vs Milwaukee Riverside December 29
Mostly here because of the surprise of it. Ellestad caught a full court pass off the bounce and was able to grab it in one motion and finish with the dunk.
6. Tyree Eady 6'4 senior Middleton vs Sun Prairie January 20
This had a lot to do with the momentum in the game as Eady picked the ball handlers pocket in open court and threw down a two handed dunk to take the lead in the game.
7. Xzavier Jones 6'5 sophomore Martin Luther vs Brookfield Academy December 29
In the transition Jones's team mate drove baseline and found a cutting Jones who finished at the rim with a nice one handed dunk.
8. Victor Nwagbaraocha 6'4 senior Milwaukee Pius vs La Crosse Central December 29
Nothing too special here but, it was with a lot of power. Break away dunk and he threw it down hard.
9. Nate Carter 6'6 junior Waunakee vs Burlington January 7
Nothing too special but, it was a one step and one dunk. He also converted the free throw.
10. Marlon Ruffin 6'4 junior Sun Prairie vs Janesville Craig January 26
Huge momentum dunk as the game was a two point game at this time. Ruffin stole the ball on a cross over and finished with an authoritative one handed dunk to give Sun Prairie the lead for good.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Week 9 Rankings
Sunday night so that means it's time for my updated rankings.
Division One
Muskego lost to Arrowhead and felt that I had to drop them behind Arrowhead at 10. Middleton went down to Sun Prairie and falling to 13 but, still hanging on to the ranking with Sun Prairie on the door step of getting in the rankings. Sheboygan North lost to Pulaski a ranked D2 and North falls to 14. Racine Park lost to Racine Horlick and Horlick replaces Park at 15.
1. Oshkosh North
2. Kimberly
3. Stevens Point
4. Milwaukee Vincent
5. Milwaukee Riverside
6. Brookfield Central
7. Madison Memorial
8. Bay Port
9. Arrowhead
10. Muskego
11. Janesville Craig
12. Eau Claire North
13. Middleton
14. Sheboygan North
15. Racine Horlick
Division Two
Stoughton lost to Waunakee and end up dropping just behind them at six. Milwaukee Washington lost to Chicago Simeon and as always I don't hold an out of state loss against them. Kaukauna lost to Fon du Lac and maybe I'm bias but, I kept them at 15 because they play in such a tough conference. Wausau East lost to Stevens Point which is to be expected and they actually move up a spot to 11. Green Bay Notre Dame lost to Green Bay Southwest and Bay Port and fall from the rankings and are replaced by Luxemburg Casco.
1. Pewaukee
2. Beaver Dam
3. La Crosse Central
4. Milwaukee Washington
5. Waunakee
6. Stoughton
7. Onalaska
8. Cedarburg
9. Milwaukee Pius
10. Whitnall
11. Wausau East
12. La Crosse Logan
13. Pulaski
14. Luxemburg Casco
15. Kaukauna
Division Three
Prescott lost to GET and move down a couple spots to five. Valders lost to Two Rivers and fall from the rankings and are placed by Altoona at 14. Waupun lost to Ripon but, stay in the rankings at 15.
1. Ripon
2. Xavier
3. GET
4. Westby
5. Prescott
6. Lake Mills
7. Prairie du Chien
8. Columbus
9. Southern Door
10. Wisconsin Dells
11. Evansville
12. Hayward
13. New Hohlstein
14. Altoona
15. Waupun
Division Four
Young Coggs Prep lost to the Hope School and drop one spot to 13. Markesan lost to Westby and fall to 15. St Mary's Springs lost to Winnebago Lutheran and St Croix Falls lost to Luck both dropping from the rankings being replaced by Deerfield at 12 and Cedar Grove at 14.
1. Darlington
2. Laconia
3. Destiny
4. The Prairie School
5. Stanley Boyd
6. Cochrane-Fountain City
7. Edgar
8. Eau Claire Regis
9. Marathon
10. Wabeno/Laona
11. Rio
12. Deerfield
13. Young Coggs Prep
14. Cedar Grove
15. Markesan
Division Five
McDonell Central lost to Marathon and fall to eight while Alma/Pepin lost to Eleva Strum and drop all the way to 15.
1. Columbus Catholic
2. Barneveld
3. Shullsburg
4. Seneca
5. Bangor
6. Hilbert
7. Drummond
8. McDonnell Central
9. Loyal
10. Assumption
11. Phelps
12. Gresham
13. Pecatonica
14. Almond Bancroft
15. Alma/Pepin
Division One
Muskego lost to Arrowhead and felt that I had to drop them behind Arrowhead at 10. Middleton went down to Sun Prairie and falling to 13 but, still hanging on to the ranking with Sun Prairie on the door step of getting in the rankings. Sheboygan North lost to Pulaski a ranked D2 and North falls to 14. Racine Park lost to Racine Horlick and Horlick replaces Park at 15.
1. Oshkosh North
2. Kimberly
3. Stevens Point
4. Milwaukee Vincent
5. Milwaukee Riverside
6. Brookfield Central
7. Madison Memorial
8. Bay Port
9. Arrowhead
10. Muskego
11. Janesville Craig
12. Eau Claire North
13. Middleton
14. Sheboygan North
15. Racine Horlick
Division Two
Stoughton lost to Waunakee and end up dropping just behind them at six. Milwaukee Washington lost to Chicago Simeon and as always I don't hold an out of state loss against them. Kaukauna lost to Fon du Lac and maybe I'm bias but, I kept them at 15 because they play in such a tough conference. Wausau East lost to Stevens Point which is to be expected and they actually move up a spot to 11. Green Bay Notre Dame lost to Green Bay Southwest and Bay Port and fall from the rankings and are replaced by Luxemburg Casco.
1. Pewaukee
2. Beaver Dam
3. La Crosse Central
4. Milwaukee Washington
5. Waunakee
6. Stoughton
7. Onalaska
8. Cedarburg
9. Milwaukee Pius
10. Whitnall
11. Wausau East
12. La Crosse Logan
13. Pulaski
14. Luxemburg Casco
15. Kaukauna
Division Three
Prescott lost to GET and move down a couple spots to five. Valders lost to Two Rivers and fall from the rankings and are placed by Altoona at 14. Waupun lost to Ripon but, stay in the rankings at 15.
1. Ripon
2. Xavier
3. GET
4. Westby
5. Prescott
6. Lake Mills
7. Prairie du Chien
8. Columbus
9. Southern Door
10. Wisconsin Dells
11. Evansville
12. Hayward
13. New Hohlstein
14. Altoona
15. Waupun
Division Four
Young Coggs Prep lost to the Hope School and drop one spot to 13. Markesan lost to Westby and fall to 15. St Mary's Springs lost to Winnebago Lutheran and St Croix Falls lost to Luck both dropping from the rankings being replaced by Deerfield at 12 and Cedar Grove at 14.
1. Darlington
2. Laconia
3. Destiny
4. The Prairie School
5. Stanley Boyd
6. Cochrane-Fountain City
7. Edgar
8. Eau Claire Regis
9. Marathon
10. Wabeno/Laona
11. Rio
12. Deerfield
13. Young Coggs Prep
14. Cedar Grove
15. Markesan
Division Five
McDonell Central lost to Marathon and fall to eight while Alma/Pepin lost to Eleva Strum and drop all the way to 15.
1. Columbus Catholic
2. Barneveld
3. Shullsburg
4. Seneca
5. Bangor
6. Hilbert
7. Drummond
8. McDonnell Central
9. Loyal
10. Assumption
11. Phelps
12. Gresham
13. Pecatonica
14. Almond Bancroft
15. Alma/Pepin
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Badger Classic
Took in a couple Badger Classic games pitting Badger North and South teams against each other. Always a nice showcase because you get the entire conference in one place and you know your going to get at least two pretty good games with the #1s and #2s playing. Today didn't get a chance to get their until late and only caught the last two games which were the best games anyway. I did catch the end of Monona Grove and Deforest but, the game was never in question and MG basically cruised to the win.
Madison Edgewood 61 Sauk Prairie 50
I think Edgewood was clearly the better team skill wise but, Sauk Prairie really played hard and with a lot of intensity which kept them in this game. Sauk jumped out early behind 6'3 junior Dawson Evert who scored 12 of the teams first 14 points but, then went silent for the rest of the game. Thankfully for Edgewood they had 6'0 senior Conner Finnegan who made four first half threes early in the game to pull them back in to the game. Edgewood's stars 6'3 junior Mandela Deang and 6'4 senior Austin Arians was able to salt the game away. Sauk really did played hard but, when they had a chance late in the game they forced threes when they really didn't have to.
Top Players
Conner Finnegan 6'0 senior Edgewood- Hit four threes early on and shot the ball well all game.
Mandela Deang 6'3 junior Edgewood- Hit some big shots late in the game and scored in a variety of ways in transition, in the paint, mid range, and of course the three ball.
Dawson Evert 6'3 junior Sauk- Had monster first five minutes of the game scoring in the paint and knocking down the three. Unfortunately after the first five minutes went quiet.
Josh Holler 6'0 senior Sauk- Kind of an undersized forward but, he was able to use his strength on the inside to score in the game around bigger defenders. Also a high energy guy.
Waunakee 74 Stoughton 63 OT
This game lived up to the hype with two top five teams playing each other. Stoughton jumped out early behind a very pro Stoughton crowd and then Waunakee crawled back into it to take a six point lead at half. Early in the second half it felt like Waunakee was going to run away and hide but, they just couldn't put the game away and Stoughton hit some big shots late in the game and Waunakee turned the ball over late to allow Stoughton to tie it up late. In overtime it was all Waunakee as they outscored Stoughton 13 to 2. These teams played a little bit of a different style as Stoughton was a complete team effort while Waunakee relied on their two junior stars 6'3 Mitch Listau and 6'2 Mason Steffen, who scored 25 and 24 points each. They real reason that Stoughton lost this game was the close range shots they missed and the poor shot selection throughout the game and I would say Waunakee was just slightly more disciplined but, Listau took his share of poor shots. Be props to 6'6 Waunakee junior Nate Carter, who didn't have a great game but, came up with a pair of monster blocks in overtime and Stoughton didn't get a shot to the rim until there was about two minutes left in overtime.
Top Players
Mitch Listau 6'3 junior Waunakee- Carried this team in the first half when nothing was going. Listau was able to knock some three down and get to the lane where he hit the short jumpers. Second half he was able to get right to the rim as well and score. Also took the task of guarding Stoughton star 6'0 senior Troy Slaby late in the game.
Mason Steffen 6'2 junior Waunkee- Slow first half but, in the second he was able to drive the lane with some nice ball handling skills and finishing with the finger rolls.
Max Fernholz 6'1 junior Stoughton- Not a huge night but, he hit the three to send the game into overtime.
Troy Slaby 6'0 senior Stoughton- Struggled a bit tonight but, did hit some huge very deep threes in this one. Has a pretty shot and surprised when it doesn't go in.
Overall opinion is that the Badger conference is down a bit but, Stoughton and Waunakee are one of the top teams in the state but, other then them I don't see anyone doing much playoff
Madison Edgewood 61 Sauk Prairie 50
I think Edgewood was clearly the better team skill wise but, Sauk Prairie really played hard and with a lot of intensity which kept them in this game. Sauk jumped out early behind 6'3 junior Dawson Evert who scored 12 of the teams first 14 points but, then went silent for the rest of the game. Thankfully for Edgewood they had 6'0 senior Conner Finnegan who made four first half threes early in the game to pull them back in to the game. Edgewood's stars 6'3 junior Mandela Deang and 6'4 senior Austin Arians was able to salt the game away. Sauk really did played hard but, when they had a chance late in the game they forced threes when they really didn't have to.
Top Players
Conner Finnegan 6'0 senior Edgewood- Hit four threes early on and shot the ball well all game.
Mandela Deang 6'3 junior Edgewood- Hit some big shots late in the game and scored in a variety of ways in transition, in the paint, mid range, and of course the three ball.
Dawson Evert 6'3 junior Sauk- Had monster first five minutes of the game scoring in the paint and knocking down the three. Unfortunately after the first five minutes went quiet.
Josh Holler 6'0 senior Sauk- Kind of an undersized forward but, he was able to use his strength on the inside to score in the game around bigger defenders. Also a high energy guy.
Waunakee 74 Stoughton 63 OT
This game lived up to the hype with two top five teams playing each other. Stoughton jumped out early behind a very pro Stoughton crowd and then Waunakee crawled back into it to take a six point lead at half. Early in the second half it felt like Waunakee was going to run away and hide but, they just couldn't put the game away and Stoughton hit some big shots late in the game and Waunakee turned the ball over late to allow Stoughton to tie it up late. In overtime it was all Waunakee as they outscored Stoughton 13 to 2. These teams played a little bit of a different style as Stoughton was a complete team effort while Waunakee relied on their two junior stars 6'3 Mitch Listau and 6'2 Mason Steffen, who scored 25 and 24 points each. They real reason that Stoughton lost this game was the close range shots they missed and the poor shot selection throughout the game and I would say Waunakee was just slightly more disciplined but, Listau took his share of poor shots. Be props to 6'6 Waunakee junior Nate Carter, who didn't have a great game but, came up with a pair of monster blocks in overtime and Stoughton didn't get a shot to the rim until there was about two minutes left in overtime.
Top Players
Mitch Listau 6'3 junior Waunakee- Carried this team in the first half when nothing was going. Listau was able to knock some three down and get to the lane where he hit the short jumpers. Second half he was able to get right to the rim as well and score. Also took the task of guarding Stoughton star 6'0 senior Troy Slaby late in the game.
Mason Steffen 6'2 junior Waunkee- Slow first half but, in the second he was able to drive the lane with some nice ball handling skills and finishing with the finger rolls.
Max Fernholz 6'1 junior Stoughton- Not a huge night but, he hit the three to send the game into overtime.
Troy Slaby 6'0 senior Stoughton- Struggled a bit tonight but, did hit some huge very deep threes in this one. Has a pretty shot and surprised when it doesn't go in.
Overall opinion is that the Badger conference is down a bit but, Stoughton and Waunakee are one of the top teams in the state but, other then them I don't see anyone doing much playoff
Friday, January 20, 2017
Sun Prairie over Middleton
Tonight took in a battle of two teams in the top half of the Big Eight Conference. My preseason pick Middleton who had been struggling a bit of recent and surprise team Sun Prairie and #1 ranked freshmen in the state 6'6 Jalen Johnson. This game may of been the best game I've seen this year as both teams played pretty well and was a relatively clean game over all that didn't have those ugly possessions.
This game start out as to be expected with 5'11 senior Storm Murphy and company taking control and Middleton jumping out to the early lead. After the initial run though Sun Prairie was able to climb back into it. Murphy had two quick baskets to start the game but, overall Murphy struggled tonight. His outside shot wasn't falling as I think that he went 0 for whatever from three point range and he turned the ball over a handful of times trying to make the fancy pass or the tough pass. Thankfully for Middleton 6'5 senior Tyree Eady had the best game I've seen him play. Eady battled on the glass getting second chance points and did a nice job of slashing to the basket and finishing some very tough shots. For Sun Prairie it was really a balanced attack as everyone was chipping in and there star 6'4 junior Marlon Ruffin really wasn't taking over. Johnson didn't have the greatest first half as he turned the ball over a bit to much for my liking.
In the second half Johnson got things going a bit hitting a huge step back three and doing his fair share of slashing to the rim and finishing in a variety of ways. Ruffin also got things going a bit driving to the rim hard and he had a monster two handed dunk to tie the game midway through the second half going through a defender. Sun Prairie hit some big threes in the second half one from 5'9 freshmen Colin Schaefer and one from 6'3 junior Marty Strey. 6'2 junior Caden White did a lot of damage on the inside working for loose balls and second chance buckets. Everyone seemed to have a highlight in this one showing how it was a team effort while Middleton really relied on Eady to carry them tonight. I thought Middleton may of sealed this game up with Eady picked Johnson off the dribble and finished with a powerful two handed dunk. Sun Prairie kept fighting back though and in the end Middleton's lack of outside shooting did them in and they rushed things late when they had their chance to tie the game up.
Top Players
Tyree Eady 6'5 senior Middleton- Really battled tonight and played extremely hard. Did a tremendous job rebounding offensively and defensively. Also really finished well at the rim on some very tough shots.
Ben Jackson 6'5 senior Middleton- A tremendous three point shooter, when he can get his feet set he's going to make the shot. Also got out and scored in transition as well as getting offensive rebounds leading to easy buckets.
Marlon Ruffin 6'4 junior Sun Prairie- Always going to be the teams leading scorer. Really attacked the rim hard where he was able to score.
Jalen Johnson 6'6 freshmen Sun Prairie- Did a nice job of rebounding on the offensive side and throwing the outlet pass leading to easy buckets. Another guy that really attacks the rim and with his size he's able to finish over smaller defenders.
Box Score
MD 69- Eady 24 Jackson 14 Murphy 9 Davis Roquet 6 CJ Fermanich 5 Jack Smith 4 Myron Ashford 3 Brogan Brunker 3 Alan Roden 1 Cole Ragsdale 0 Parker Sigmon 0
SP 71- Ruffin 16 Johnson 16 Strey 12 White 9 Nate Verstegen 7 Schaefer 7 Sean Suchomel 4 Mitch Schroeder 0 Cooper Nelson 0
I felt that Sun Prairie lacked scoring the first time I saw them but, with the addition of Johnson I really like the future for them and they seem to be moving upward and next year will be an exciting year for them. Middleton puzzles me because they really should be one of the top teams in the conference but, with Murphy struggling their offense seems to struggle at times.
This game start out as to be expected with 5'11 senior Storm Murphy and company taking control and Middleton jumping out to the early lead. After the initial run though Sun Prairie was able to climb back into it. Murphy had two quick baskets to start the game but, overall Murphy struggled tonight. His outside shot wasn't falling as I think that he went 0 for whatever from three point range and he turned the ball over a handful of times trying to make the fancy pass or the tough pass. Thankfully for Middleton 6'5 senior Tyree Eady had the best game I've seen him play. Eady battled on the glass getting second chance points and did a nice job of slashing to the basket and finishing some very tough shots. For Sun Prairie it was really a balanced attack as everyone was chipping in and there star 6'4 junior Marlon Ruffin really wasn't taking over. Johnson didn't have the greatest first half as he turned the ball over a bit to much for my liking.
In the second half Johnson got things going a bit hitting a huge step back three and doing his fair share of slashing to the rim and finishing in a variety of ways. Ruffin also got things going a bit driving to the rim hard and he had a monster two handed dunk to tie the game midway through the second half going through a defender. Sun Prairie hit some big threes in the second half one from 5'9 freshmen Colin Schaefer and one from 6'3 junior Marty Strey. 6'2 junior Caden White did a lot of damage on the inside working for loose balls and second chance buckets. Everyone seemed to have a highlight in this one showing how it was a team effort while Middleton really relied on Eady to carry them tonight. I thought Middleton may of sealed this game up with Eady picked Johnson off the dribble and finished with a powerful two handed dunk. Sun Prairie kept fighting back though and in the end Middleton's lack of outside shooting did them in and they rushed things late when they had their chance to tie the game up.
Top Players
Tyree Eady 6'5 senior Middleton- Really battled tonight and played extremely hard. Did a tremendous job rebounding offensively and defensively. Also really finished well at the rim on some very tough shots.
Ben Jackson 6'5 senior Middleton- A tremendous three point shooter, when he can get his feet set he's going to make the shot. Also got out and scored in transition as well as getting offensive rebounds leading to easy buckets.
Marlon Ruffin 6'4 junior Sun Prairie- Always going to be the teams leading scorer. Really attacked the rim hard where he was able to score.
Jalen Johnson 6'6 freshmen Sun Prairie- Did a nice job of rebounding on the offensive side and throwing the outlet pass leading to easy buckets. Another guy that really attacks the rim and with his size he's able to finish over smaller defenders.
Box Score
MD 69- Eady 24 Jackson 14 Murphy 9 Davis Roquet 6 CJ Fermanich 5 Jack Smith 4 Myron Ashford 3 Brogan Brunker 3 Alan Roden 1 Cole Ragsdale 0 Parker Sigmon 0
SP 71- Ruffin 16 Johnson 16 Strey 12 White 9 Nate Verstegen 7 Schaefer 7 Sean Suchomel 4 Mitch Schroeder 0 Cooper Nelson 0
I felt that Sun Prairie lacked scoring the first time I saw them but, with the addition of Johnson I really like the future for them and they seem to be moving upward and next year will be an exciting year for them. Middleton puzzles me because they really should be one of the top teams in the conference but, with Murphy struggling their offense seems to struggle at times.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Midwest Showcase
I know this is another post that is a little late but, Saturday was up in La Crosse watching the Midwest Showcase at the La Crosse Center which has become one of the top basketball days in the state of Wisconsin. They always seem to get some elite talent and paired with the fact that La Crosse has some very good basketball right now in their own right made this one of the top Showcases they've had. Since it has been a while since the games were played I will keep this short and sweet of each game and of course there were six games as well so can't go into any of the games too deep.
La Crosse Logan 57 Rushford Peterson 56
Logan may of won this game but, I came away more impressed by Rushford Peterson. Watching warmups I thought that Logan would win this game easily going away but, the Trojans really surprised me. Obviously I don't know much about them being that they are from Minnesota buy RP seems to be a very well coached team. They have no one over 6'1 that played and they play with a ton of heart and intensity. Their also very patient in their offense which very minimal dribbling, which are always calling cards of well coached teams. If not for some late game heroics from Logans 6'0 junior CJ Siegel this game could of very easily gone the other way.
Onalaska 77 Minnehaha Academy 65
Minnehaha had all the hype in this one but, Onalaska just out played them from the get go. 6'4 senior Jared Sample did a good job on the nationally ranked 6'3 freshmen Jalen Suggs but, Suggs really took himself out of the game with settling for outside shots and then getting in foul trouble. I was another freshmen 5'11 Terry Lockett that was huge for Minnehaha knocking down threes and driving the lane and finishing. Onalaska really has some good senior guards as 5'10 Jalen Zubich didn't have a great game but, that didn't matter. 5'11 Noah Fredrickson was hot from the outside as was 6'2 Tyler Hughes who also was able to drive the lane strong and finish over bigger defenders.
La Crosse Aquinas 46 Wisconsin Rapids Assumption 34
Unfortunately this game wasn't the most entertaining. Both teams struggled to get any rhythm in the first half and thankfully for Aquinas in the second half 5'10 senior Eddie Harwick got things going. Harwick is a superior ball handler who did a nice job of finding his mid range shot as he scored 18 points in a low scoring game. Assumption looked to get the ball to the inside but, it just wasn't there all game.
Wauwatosa West 74 Caledonia 68
Tosa West came out like gang busters in this one as they were just too fast for Caledonia early on. This looked to be a blow out early on as Caledonia was missing everything and took those misses and pushed the tempo leading to quick bucket after quick bucket in transition. Caledonia didn't go away though like well coached teams do and I've seen them enough in the past three years to believe this, and clawed back into the game. Caledonia star 6'3 junior Owen King had some hot shooting to carry his team but, just couldn't get enough with their leading scorer brother Noah a 6'1 freshmen who was out with an ankle injury. West had a huge size advantage but, that didn't seem to matter.
Woodbury 82 Milwaukee Riverside 65
Missing 6'6 senior Terrence Lewis really hurt Riverside. 6'3 junior Carlos Curtis and 6'5 senior Alondis Williams played extremely well as they both scored 20 in the game and Williams is an exceptional passer and Curtis did a lot on the glass but, they lacked the consistent outside shooting of Lewis. On the other side Woodbury had that outside shooting in the form of 6'4 junior Michael Jones who was on fire from the outside making eight three point shots and scoring 37 points.
La Crosse Central 75 Waunakee 54
This game was over very early as the senior pair of 6'4 Kobe King and 6'0 Bailey Kale where just to much for Waunakee. Kale was knocking down the three point shot and King was hitting the mid ranges and also had to dunk of the year driving pass line and finishing the dunk with the and one. King also did a great job of guarding Waunakee star 6'3 junior Mitch Listau. Listau just wasn't quick enough to get around King and his long arms and really got frustrated in this game. The entire Waunakee team as a whole just couldn't hit anything and you have to wonder if playing with the open back ground played a part in this.
My All Tournament Team
1st
Michael Jones 6'4 junior Woodbury- Just couldn't miss as he hit those eight three pointers and was the high scorer of the day.
Bailey Kale 6'0 senior La Crosse Central- First time I've seen Kale shooting the ball well and he really did tonight really creating space off the dribble and knocking threes down.
Kobe King 6'4 senior La Crosse Central- Has really improved his mid range shot and I would say it looks very pure right now. Everyone knows he can jump which can be seen by his monster dunk.
Tyler Hughes 6'2 senior Onalaska- Missed much of last year and now I see what they were missing. Hughes shot the three well but, really excelled taking the ball to the rim and scoring over bigger defenders.
Alondes Williams 6'5 senior Milwaukee Riverside- Really not a point guard but, ran it a lot and he's an exceptional passer. Not quick but, he has eyes in the back of his head I swear and he hit some big threes. Not to mention he's playing with one hand as he has some sort of injury to his left wrist and it's heavily tapped and you can tell he favors it.
2nd
Terry Luckett 5'11 freshmen Minnehaha Academy- Hit spot up three pointers from the outside and was also able to really drive the lane and score.
Owen King 6'3 junior Caledonia- King carried his team at times hitting monster threes when nothing else was falling. I've loved this kid since I saw him play as a freshmen. Competiter is all you need to say.
Noah Fredrickson 5'11 senior Onalaska- Superb ball handler but, he was really hitting from the outside tonight.
Carlos Curtis 6'3 junior Milwaukee Riverside- Kind of took over Lewis's off the ball game rebounding and scoring on the inside in this one. I really like Curtis and can't wait to see what he has to offer next year.
CJ Seigel 6'0 junior La Crosse Logan- Seigel had a full length drive and finish at the buzzer to send his game to over time which really sticks out. Just a smooth player that doesn't force things and lets the game come to him. Has a very nice mid range jump shot.
Top Scorers
Michael Jones Woodburg 37
Owen King Caledonia 29
Tyler Hughes Onalaska 27
Carlos Curtis Riverside 20
Terry Luckett Minnehaha 20
Bailey Kale Central 20
Kobe King Central 20
Alondes Williams Riverside 19
Noah Fredrickson Onalaska 19
Ike Thilgen Woodbury 18
Eddie Harwick Aquinas 18
CJ Siegel Logan 18
La Crosse Logan 57 Rushford Peterson 56
Logan may of won this game but, I came away more impressed by Rushford Peterson. Watching warmups I thought that Logan would win this game easily going away but, the Trojans really surprised me. Obviously I don't know much about them being that they are from Minnesota buy RP seems to be a very well coached team. They have no one over 6'1 that played and they play with a ton of heart and intensity. Their also very patient in their offense which very minimal dribbling, which are always calling cards of well coached teams. If not for some late game heroics from Logans 6'0 junior CJ Siegel this game could of very easily gone the other way.
Onalaska 77 Minnehaha Academy 65
Minnehaha had all the hype in this one but, Onalaska just out played them from the get go. 6'4 senior Jared Sample did a good job on the nationally ranked 6'3 freshmen Jalen Suggs but, Suggs really took himself out of the game with settling for outside shots and then getting in foul trouble. I was another freshmen 5'11 Terry Lockett that was huge for Minnehaha knocking down threes and driving the lane and finishing. Onalaska really has some good senior guards as 5'10 Jalen Zubich didn't have a great game but, that didn't matter. 5'11 Noah Fredrickson was hot from the outside as was 6'2 Tyler Hughes who also was able to drive the lane strong and finish over bigger defenders.
La Crosse Aquinas 46 Wisconsin Rapids Assumption 34
Unfortunately this game wasn't the most entertaining. Both teams struggled to get any rhythm in the first half and thankfully for Aquinas in the second half 5'10 senior Eddie Harwick got things going. Harwick is a superior ball handler who did a nice job of finding his mid range shot as he scored 18 points in a low scoring game. Assumption looked to get the ball to the inside but, it just wasn't there all game.
Wauwatosa West 74 Caledonia 68
Tosa West came out like gang busters in this one as they were just too fast for Caledonia early on. This looked to be a blow out early on as Caledonia was missing everything and took those misses and pushed the tempo leading to quick bucket after quick bucket in transition. Caledonia didn't go away though like well coached teams do and I've seen them enough in the past three years to believe this, and clawed back into the game. Caledonia star 6'3 junior Owen King had some hot shooting to carry his team but, just couldn't get enough with their leading scorer brother Noah a 6'1 freshmen who was out with an ankle injury. West had a huge size advantage but, that didn't seem to matter.
Woodbury 82 Milwaukee Riverside 65
Missing 6'6 senior Terrence Lewis really hurt Riverside. 6'3 junior Carlos Curtis and 6'5 senior Alondis Williams played extremely well as they both scored 20 in the game and Williams is an exceptional passer and Curtis did a lot on the glass but, they lacked the consistent outside shooting of Lewis. On the other side Woodbury had that outside shooting in the form of 6'4 junior Michael Jones who was on fire from the outside making eight three point shots and scoring 37 points.
La Crosse Central 75 Waunakee 54
This game was over very early as the senior pair of 6'4 Kobe King and 6'0 Bailey Kale where just to much for Waunakee. Kale was knocking down the three point shot and King was hitting the mid ranges and also had to dunk of the year driving pass line and finishing the dunk with the and one. King also did a great job of guarding Waunakee star 6'3 junior Mitch Listau. Listau just wasn't quick enough to get around King and his long arms and really got frustrated in this game. The entire Waunakee team as a whole just couldn't hit anything and you have to wonder if playing with the open back ground played a part in this.
My All Tournament Team
1st
Michael Jones 6'4 junior Woodbury- Just couldn't miss as he hit those eight three pointers and was the high scorer of the day.
Bailey Kale 6'0 senior La Crosse Central- First time I've seen Kale shooting the ball well and he really did tonight really creating space off the dribble and knocking threes down.
Kobe King 6'4 senior La Crosse Central- Has really improved his mid range shot and I would say it looks very pure right now. Everyone knows he can jump which can be seen by his monster dunk.
Tyler Hughes 6'2 senior Onalaska- Missed much of last year and now I see what they were missing. Hughes shot the three well but, really excelled taking the ball to the rim and scoring over bigger defenders.
Alondes Williams 6'5 senior Milwaukee Riverside- Really not a point guard but, ran it a lot and he's an exceptional passer. Not quick but, he has eyes in the back of his head I swear and he hit some big threes. Not to mention he's playing with one hand as he has some sort of injury to his left wrist and it's heavily tapped and you can tell he favors it.
2nd
Terry Luckett 5'11 freshmen Minnehaha Academy- Hit spot up three pointers from the outside and was also able to really drive the lane and score.
Owen King 6'3 junior Caledonia- King carried his team at times hitting monster threes when nothing else was falling. I've loved this kid since I saw him play as a freshmen. Competiter is all you need to say.
Noah Fredrickson 5'11 senior Onalaska- Superb ball handler but, he was really hitting from the outside tonight.
Carlos Curtis 6'3 junior Milwaukee Riverside- Kind of took over Lewis's off the ball game rebounding and scoring on the inside in this one. I really like Curtis and can't wait to see what he has to offer next year.
CJ Seigel 6'0 junior La Crosse Logan- Seigel had a full length drive and finish at the buzzer to send his game to over time which really sticks out. Just a smooth player that doesn't force things and lets the game come to him. Has a very nice mid range jump shot.
Top Scorers
Michael Jones Woodburg 37
Owen King Caledonia 29
Tyler Hughes Onalaska 27
Carlos Curtis Riverside 20
Terry Luckett Minnehaha 20
Bailey Kale Central 20
Kobe King Central 20
Alondes Williams Riverside 19
Noah Fredrickson Onalaska 19
Ike Thilgen Woodbury 18
Eddie Harwick Aquinas 18
CJ Siegel Logan 18
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