Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook

Observations from the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Summer Tournament held in Kaukauna June 20-21-22:

Pools E-F

Final Standings

Pool E -- Freedom 3-1, Valders 3-1, West Bend West 3-1, Green Bay NEW Lutheran 1-3, Markesan 0-4.

Pool F -- Wrightstown 4-0, Green Bay Preble 3-1, Cedarburg 1-3, Little Chute 1-3, Two Rivers 1-3.

Pool E vs. Pool F title game -- Freedom 39, Wrightstown 38.

Most Valuable Player

Logan Maulick, 6-2, WG, Sr., Freedom
Maulick averaged 10.6 points per game as a junior on a Freedom squad that finished 17-6 under coach John Van Rossum. He scored on a consistent level for Freedom in Kaukauna, including a team-high 19 points in a 60-53 loss to Valders. He has good size and strength and can connect from the perimeter or get to the basket and draw fouls.

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

John Diener, 6-2, Frosh., PG, Cedarburg
Diener doesn't look or play like an incoming freshman. The son of Cedarburg coach Tom Diener, John Diener is physically strong and has a mature game on the court. He makes solid decisions and can score from deep or off the dribble. He led Cedarburg in scoring at 15.0 ppg and appears to be one of the state's top class of 2018 prospects.

Parker Gloudemans, 6-2, Jr., WG, Little Chute
Gloudemans is one of the more experienced players returning for coach Mickey Martin at Little Chute and he was able to help the Mustangs to a 51-44 victory over Two Rivers with his ability to slash to the basket. He'll have to take on a big scoring load in 2014-15 with the graduation loss of St. Norbert College recruit DJ DeValk.

Zac Haese, 6-3, Jr., G, Wrightstown
A returning starter who averaged 8.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per contest as a sophomore, Haese has an intriguing of length and skill. He scored 13 points in the one-point loss to Freedom in the Pool E vs. Pool F title game and showed the ability to rebound, score in a variety of ways and defend. The son of coach Corey Haese, Zac Haese is definitely a player to watch in the Olympian Conference.

Brandon Kahler, 6-3, Sr., G/F, Wrightstown
Kahler did a nice job of finding the basket and providing some scoring for the Tigers, who went 14-10 a year ago and lost four key players to graduation. Kahler scored in double figures three times and was able to knock down three-point shots in each contest.

Matthew Koerner, 6-8, Jr., WF, West Bend West
Koerner's development has been impressive over the last 12 months. He is now able to play inside and outside and moves very well from baseline to baseline. He is a two-year varsity performer for coach Ryan Wietor and a player who appears ready to blossom into a leader for the Spartans as he scored 49 points in four games in Kaukauna.

Connor Lemmens, 6-3, Jr., WG, Green Bay Preble
Lemmens was simply outstanding for Preble, which won three of four games, including a thrilling 54-53 decision over Cedarburg in which he knocked down seven triples en route to a game-high 29 points. Lemmens finished the event with 17 three-point baskets and averaged 18.3 ppg for the Hornets.

Gabe Lloyd, 6-4, Jr., F, Green Bay NEW Lutheran
Lloyd competed on the JV squad at NEW Lutheran last season, but he figures to be a key frontline performer for coach Mark Meerstein over the next two seasons. He went for 18 points in a victory over Markesan and gives the Blazers some much-needed size in the paint.

Brett Schommer, 6-2, Sr., G, Freedom
Like Maulick, Schommer was a key performer for the Irish a year ago and appears poised for a big senior season for a club expected to challenge for the title in the Eastern Valley Conference. Schommer scored in double figures in four of five games, including a team-best 12 in a 39-38 victory over Wrightstown in the Pool E vs. Pool F title contest.

Thomas Schwoerer, 6-1, Sr., G, Valders
Schwoerer does an excellent job of changing speeds with the ball in his hands and thus is able to shake his defender for mid-range jump shots that he connects on for the Vikings. He averaged 13.7 ppg as a junior and teams with senior Parker Korslin (5-10) to give coach Trevor Schwoerer an experienced and talented backcourt combination.

Ethan Willman, 6-2, Sr., WG, Two Rivers
An athletic wing guard who can make shots from well beyond the three-point line, Willman was one of the better wing-guard players at the WBY Tournament. He scored at a high rate and was able to get to the basket and finish off the dribble in addition to drilling long-distance shots.

Team Champion

Freedom
Freedom finished fourth in the Eastern Valley Conference standings a year ago and returns several talented players in 2014-15. Maulick and Schommer played well in Kaukauna and led Freedom to a 4-1 record with a pair of two-year starters -- seniors Collin Hofacker (6-2) and Andy Connelly (5-8) -- unable to play. Seniors Eric Schommer (5-11) and Justin Meyer (6-2) also turned in some solid minutes for the Irish, who figure to slug it out with Ripon and Xavier for the league title in 2014-15.

Notes
Junior Stephen DeCremer (6-2) had some strong moments for Wrightstown and is a returning starter for the Tigers ... Look for junior Connor Curtis (6-5) to have a very productive season for Green Bay Preble. The physical and athletic forward scored in the lane on a consistent basis in Kaukauna and averaged 11.0 ppg for the Hornets ... Sophomore Jordan Johnson (5-10) and freshman Matt Barber (6-4) competed well for Cedarburg and each made shots from three-point range for the Bulldogs ... Junior Brayden Peterson (5-8) is on the smaller side, but he is very skilled and did a nice job of running the point for Two Rivers ... Junior Braden Persinger (6-3) played on the JV squad at Valders last winter and appears ready to give the Vikings a lift on the frontline in 2014-15 ... Sophomore Kyle Wilde (5-11) competes with poise and toughness for West Bend West and is headed for significant playing time over the next three seasons ... Junior Brayden Bernhagen (6-2) and freshman Carson Clark (6-1) had some strong moments for Markesan. Bernhagen is a returning varsity players for coach Mark Nagle while Clark is the nephew of former Markesan standout Brad Clark.

Pools G-H

Final Standings

Pool G -- Kaukauna Black 4-0, Reedsville 3-1, Kewaunee 2-2, Sturgeon Bay 1-3, Crivitz 0-4.

Pool H -- Winnebago Lutheran 3-1, Racine Lutheran 3-1, Algoma 2-2, Shiocton 2-2, Lourdes Academy 0-4.

Pool G vs. Pool H title game -- Kaukauna Black 51, Winnebago Lutheran 41.

Most Valuable Player

Mitch McFarlane, 6-2, Jr., G, Winnebago Lutheran
A combination guard with good size and skill, McFarlane helped the Vikings to victories over Lourdes Academy, Racine Lutheran and Shiocton. He can score from the perimter or use his size and strength to get to the basket. Already a two-year starter for coach Jeremiah Hoffmann, McFarlane averaged 11.1 points per game as a sophomore for Winnebago Lutheran.

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

Will Aird, 6-6, PF, Sr., Winnebago Lutheran
A year ago, Aird averaged 7.3 ppg for the Vikings. That number figures to increase in 2014-15 as Aird is a 'go-to' player in the post for Winnebago Lutheran. He used his size and strength to muscle his way to 13 points in a victory over Lourdes Academy and also did a solid job rebounding on both ends of the court.

Zach Baumgartner, 6-8, F, Jr., Kewaunee
An extremely intriguing wing player with great size and mobility, Baumgartner attacked the basket off the dribble and also made some mid-range jump shots. He is a bit thin yet, but figures to blossom into a solid collegiate prospect over the next 12 months as he refines his skills and adds weight to his long frame. He is definitely a player to watch in the Packerland Conference.

Austin Blaesing, 6-3, WF, Jr., Racine Lutheran
Blaesing is an athletic, versatile player who can hurt opponents from the perimeter or in the post. He scored 24 points in helping the Crusaders register a 43-36 victory over Shiocton. Blaesing was a pleasant surprise to coach Jeff Christensen a year ago when he averaged 12.3 ppg.

Logan Brusky, 6-4, F, Sr., Kewaunee
Brusky missed two games on Friday, but came ready to play on Saturday, netting 31 points and making six three-point shots in a 53-32 victory over Crivitz. As a junior, Brusky averaged 13.7 ppg and he figures to be the leader for a Kewaunee program now under the guidance of rookie coach Keil Ganz.

Dalton Erdman, 5-11, WG, Jr., Kaukauna
Like Moreau, Erdman was a top performer for the Ghosts' JV squad last winter. And like Moreau, Erdman figures to be in the playing rotation for a young but talented Kaukauna squad next season. He made perimeter jump shots and used his quickness and skill to beat defenders off the dribble.

Wyatt Hassemer, 6-0, G, Jr., Reedsville
The Panthers were crushed by graduation, but came into Kaukauna and surprised a lot of people by finishing 3-1. One of the big reasons for Reedsville's success was the all-around player of Hassmer, a talented junior who figures to play a prominent role for the Panthers in each of the next two seasons.

Colton Lange, 6-2, Sr., F, Crivitz
Lange missed two games on Friday due to other commitments, but played well on Saturday for the Wolverines. He can score from the perimeter or use his size to go inside and earn trips to the foul line.

Marcus Moreau, 6-2, Jr., WG, Kaukauna Black
Moreau was one of the top players on the Kaukauna junior varsity squad a year ago and figures to be a solid contributor for coach Mike Schalow on the varsity in 2014-15. An athletic, slashing wing player, Moreau scored 27 points and hauled in 13 rebounds in a 61-37 victory over Reedsville.

Eliot Prokash, 6-3, WF, Sr., Algoma
After averaging 8.9 ppg as a junior for coach Bob Graf, Prokash came into Kaukauna as the top returning player for the Wolves. He was a bit streaky from the perimeter, though he did manage to sink seven triples and help Algoma to a 2-2 record, finishing with three bombs from beyond the arc in a win over Lourdes Academy.

Nathan Schmidt, 6-1, G, Soph., Shiocton
Schmidt is an exceptionally skilled backcourt performer with a smooth shooting touch and an excellent overall feel for the game. The son of Shiocton coach Chad Schmidt, Nathan Schmidt averaged 13.0 ppg as a freshman and is one of the better class of 2016 prospects in Wisconsin.

Championship Team

Kaukauna Black
The Ghosts are a traditional power in the ultra-competitive Fox Valley Association and that figures to remain the case next season as depth should be an asset for Schalow and his coaching staff. Erdman and Moreau were outstanding for the Black team, which also got a big lift from incoming freshman point guard Jordan McCabe (5-8) in a victory over Kewaunee. With McCabe and seniors Carter Belling (6-0) and Derek Hansen (5-10) playing in the backcourt and sophomore Adam Smith (6-2) and senior Nic Patterson (6-2) handling things under the basket, Kaukauna has a strong starting unit. Throw Moreau and Erdman into the mix and the Ghosts also boast quality depth.

Notes
Winnebago Lutheran got solid production from senior Tim Edwards (6-2) and senior Ryan Boelk (6-6) en route to finishing 3-2. Boelk is a active, mobile big man who can play inside and outside for the Vikings ... Freshman Luol Ciabwill (6-2) showed a lot of promise for Lourdes Academy. He is long and athletic and skilled, knocking down several three-point shots for a very young squad ... Senior Devin Kostichka (6-0) and junior Alex Dellis (6-2) had some strong performances for Algoma ... Junior point guard Gage Kemp (5-10) of Algoma used his quickness and ball handling ability to weave around defenders and set up his teammates. He also displayed some scoring punch, netting 17 points and drilling three triples in a loss to Winnebago Lutheran ... Racine Lutheran figures to be vastly improved from a year ago with Blaesing and juniors Brendan Naegeli (6-0) and Isaac Brandeis (5-11) playing key roles. Both Naegeli and Brandeis were solid in Kaukauna, helping the Crusaders to a 3-1 record ... Senior guard Matt Van Bramer (6-0) and junior lead guard Levi Haight (5-8) put in some good minutes for Sturgeon Bay. Van Bramer netted 13 points in a victory over Crivitz.