Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook

Observations from the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Summer Tournament held in Kaukauna June 21-22-23:

Pools C-D
                                                    
Final Standings
 
Pool C – Wisconsin Lutheran White 4-0, Kaukauna White 3-1, Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln 2-2, Fond du Lac 1-3, Waupun 0-4. 
 
Pool D – Marshfield 4-0, Kimberly 2-2, Oshkosh West 2-2, Ashwaubenon 1-3, Shawano 1-3.

 
Pool C vs. Pool D Championship Game – Wisconsin Lutheran White 41, Marshfield 36.
 
Most Valuable Player 

C.J. Polk, 6-0, Sr., PG, Wisconsin Lutheran White 
Polk is a returning starter for the Vikings who averaged 7.8 points per game and 2.9 rebounds per outing for a team that went 22-6 and lost to Pulaski in the WIAA Division 2 state championship. A quick, versatile backcourt performer, Polk made long-distance shots, used his superior quickness and speed to repeatedly beat defenders off the dribble and was able to finish around the basket with his strength and shooting touch. Polk is receiving recruiting interest from a number of scholarship schools, including Rice, South Dakota State and Stoney Brook at the DI level along with Augustana, Minnesota-Duluth and Upper Iowa at the DII level. After his strong play in Kaukauna, it’s no surprise scholarship schools are in hot pursuit.         

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

 

Alex Bassuener, 5-11, Jr., PG/WG, Wisconsin Rapids

A scoring combination guard with stellar shooting range, Bassuener averaged 10.8 ppg as a sophomore at Wisconsin Rapids and figures to be a prolific scorer for coach Dan Witter over the next two seasons, thanks to his ability to score from the perimeter while also getting places off the dribble. He has grown a couple of inches since last winter and the increased size will help him as he leads Wisconsin Rapids back to the upper echelon of the Wisconsin Valley Conference.

 

Carter Belling, 6-0, Jr., PG, Kaukauna White

One of the better point-guard prospects in the class of 2015, Belling is a steady floor leader who can score himself or set up his teammates. His quickness with the ball in his hands is impressive as is his ability to finish around the basket and his quick release from downtown. Belling is a steady, solid all-around player for the Ghosts.

 

Ben Boots, 6-2, Jr., PG, Kimberly

With teammates Tucker Paschen (6-1) and Austin Weyenberg (6-3) out nursing injuries, Boots took on a bigger offensive role while helping Kimberly to a pair of wins in Kaukauna. He was ableo to make perimeter shots, set up his teammates and play strong defense. Boots’ consistent, solid all-around play on both ends of the court have been impressive all spring.

 

Austin DeNoyer, 6-1, Soph., WG, Wisconsin Lutheran White

The son of highly successful Wisconsin Lutheran football coach, Kirk DeNoyer, Austin DeNoyer turned in a huge second half in helping the Vikings past Marshfield in the Pools C-D title game. He scored all 11 of his points and buried two huge three-point baskets. He has good size and excellent skill while competing with poise beyond his age.

 

Mason Domask, 6-3, Jr., PG/WG, Waupun

Though Waupun went 0-4 while playing against some rather stiff competition, Domask more than lived up to his reputation as one of the elite guard prospects in Wisconsin’s talented class of 2015. He scored at a very high level in each game for Waupun and was especially difficult to contain off of aggressive moves to the basket. He averaged 21.8 ppg over the weekend and poured in 34 in a 52-50 loss to Wisconsin Rapids.

 

Matt Oestreich, 6-2, Sr., PG, Marshfield

A point guard with size and the ability to get into gaps, Oestreich is poised for a breakout season in 2013-14 after averaging 5.4 ppg for the Tigers as a junior. His ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates is impressive as is his skill in shooting mid-range jump shots. He also had a pair of triples in the title-game loss to Wisconsin Lutheran en route to scoring 12 points.

 

Kyle Schalow, 6-2, Sr., WG, Kaukauna White

Schalow is the son of Kaukauna coach Mike Schalow and the younger brother of current Bemidji State wing guard Jake Schalow. His physical stature and athleticism are not eye-popping, but his production is consistent, no matter the competition. He is a very good rebounder, makes long-distance shots, makes terrific decisions with the ball in his hands and is a very willing defender. Schalow is one of those players collegiate coaches need to watch more than once to gain an appreciation for all that he brings to the court each time out.

 

Eli Stanek, 6-4, Sr., WG, Oshkosh West

Stanek was dropping three-point shots all weekend for the Wildcats, who went 2-2 with victories over Kimberly and Ashwaubenon. In addition to his success from beyond the arc, Stankey used his size and strength to score around the basket and get to the foul line. He averaged 5.0 ppg as a junior, but will need to at least double that output in 2013-14 in order for Oshkosh West to have success in a brutal and exceptionally deep FVA.

 

Bryce Van Laanen, 6-0, Sr., WG, Ashwaubenon

Van Laanen had college coaches talking about his strong performance over the weekend. He had a terrific shooting performance in a loss to Marshfield, scoring 17 points and hitting three triples. He started and averaged 5.0 ppg as a junior, but his production figures to skyrocket this season with added confidence and skill.  

 

Luke Zuiker, 6-4, Sr., WG, Marshfield

A lanky, skilled wing with size and length, Zuiker is an extremely unselfish player who can score in a variety of ways. He has a jumper from beyond the arc, though he seems to prefer creating off the dribble or scoring in the lane. In the title game against Wisconsin Lutheran White, Zuiker hit two three-pointers in the second half when his team needed an offensive boost so he is more than capable from beyond the arc. He scored 17 points in the loss to Wisco and was able to get past defenders and earn trips to the foul line. Nearby Division III power Stevens Point is already expending plenty of energy in the recruitment of Zuiker, who plays for his father, Bill, at Marshfield. 

 

Team Champion
 
Wisconsin Lutheran White
Wisconsin Lutheran coach Ryan Walz entered two teams in the WBY Tournament and the Vikings went a combined 8-1. What’s even more impressive is that Wisconsin Lutheran accomplished that success while basically splitting into two evenly divided squads. Depth obviously will be a major strength for Wisconsin Lutheran, but make no mistake, there is also loads of talent in the program. The White squad got stellar play from seniors C.J. Polk (6-0), Jamare Griffin (6-0) and Milton Cummings (6-4), along with promising sophomore Austin DeNoyer (6-1). Wisconsin Lutheran is the heavy favorite to capture yet another Wisconsin Little Ten Conference title, and the Vikings are certainly among a handful of teams more than capable of capturing the Division 2 state championship come next March.     
 
Notes
Kaukauna seniors Trent Nytes (6-5) and Alec Smasal (6-6) give the Ghosts good size and production in the paint. Nytes is a high-flyer who won the WIAA Division 1 state high-jump title while Smasal has shown great strides in his overall game over the past six months … Former UW-Oshkosh assistant coach Tim Gaubatz coached the Waupun squad in Kaukauna and his son, T.J. Gaubatz, will be a junior point-guard on the varsity squad next winter … Wisconsin Rapids freshman Phillip Flory (6-2), the son of former Rhinelander and Marquette University star Mike Flory, competed with plenty of basketball savvy while also showing the ability to score from beyond the arc and in traffic. He figures to be a varsity mainstay at Wisconsin Rapids the next four seasons … Wisconsin Rapids also received strong play from junior Riley Presley (6-3), who scored around the basket by using his length and quickness … Oshkosh West played without returning junior Jake Guenther (6-2), one of the premier class of 2015 prospects in the FVA … Senior Cole Johnson (5-10) gave Oshkosh West a consistent scoring threat from deep during the WBY Tournament … Shawano got some solid minutes from returning junior guard Zach Sousek (5-10), but the Hawks missed the offensive output of senior guard Will Cox (6-2), who did not play in Kaukauna … Ashwaubenon junior Kyle Monroe (6-5) sat out Friday’s games after sustaining an injury earlier in the week, but came back to play on Saturday … Fond du Lac was without three of its key players in senior point guard Joe Schorse (6-0), who is out with a wrist injury, along with junior forwards Brian Luteyn (6-4) and Robert Windsor (6-4). Nonetheless, the Cardinals went 1-3 in the event thanks to some inspired play by senior Danny Sosalla (6-1) and junior Marcus Ruch (6-4).