Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook

Observations from the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Tournament held in Kaukauna on June 20-21-22.

Pools I-J

Final Standings

Pool I -- Sheboygan South 4-0, Laconia 3-1, Oshkosh West 2-2, Brillion 1-3, Marinette 0-4.

Pool J -- Regis 4-0, Brookfield Academy 3-1, Mosinee 2-2, Denmark 1-3, Montello 0-4.

Pool I vs. Pool J title game -- Regis 57, Sheboygan South 45.

Most Valuable Player

Billy Wampler, 6-6, Sr., WG/WF, Regis
With scholarship offers on the table from 14 different NCAA Division I schools, Wampler enters the crucial open-evaluation period in July hoping to earn a few more. Coaches from Minnesota and Wisconsin plan to take a close look at Wampler next month. The prolific-scoring wing player is tuning up for that time frame by playing with Regis in June. He was simply outstanding in Kaukauna, scoring at a very high rate while making three-point shots, driving to the basket and scoring in transition. He averaged 27.4 points per game in five victories and drilled 18 three-point shots on the weekend. His best offers to date have come from Bucknell, Creighton, Davidson, Green Bay, La Salle and Richmond. Look for more to come his way in the coming month.

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

Zac Brandrup, 6-4, Sr., WF, Regis
A three-year varsity performer for the Ramblers, Brandrup averaged 7.2 ppg as a junior and appears ready to step into the role as Regis' No. 3 scorer in 2014-15 behind Wampler and junior Logan Rohrscheib. Brandup has excellent length and good skill and can make shots in the halfcourt and from three-point range.

Ryan Clarey, 6-1, Jr., G, Brookfield Academy
Clarey is a skilled combination guard who has a good feel for the game. The son of Brookfield Academy coach Pat Clarey, Ryan Clarey scored in double figures in all four games for the Blue Knights, including 17 in the loss to Regis. He got to the basket and finished over taller defenders, earned multiple trips to the foul line and connected from three-point range.

Jake Guenther, 6-4, Sr., WG, Oshkosh West
Guenther competes with high energy and is difficult to contain off the dribble. He loves to attack the basket and finish with his athleticism, but he can also pop from three-point range. He finished with 17 points and a pair of triples in a 52-49 loss to Laconia.

Joe Lemon, 6-5, Jr., F, Brookfield Academy
Lemon is a long, skilled forward who can finish in the lane. He is a solid rebounder, can put the ball on the ground and is a very willing passer. As he continues to grow into his body and develop his skills, Lemon figures to emerge as a very good collegiate prospect in the next 12 months.

Aaron Maas, 5-11, Sr., PG, Mosinee
A physical, skilled lead guard who can score, defend and distribute, Maas was very impressive in Kaukauna. He scored in double figures in each game and helped Mosinee to impressive victories over Denmark and Montello.

Jacob Mathiebe, 5-10, Sr., G, Brillion
Mathiebe put up 20 points and drained four three-point baskets in a 45-38 loss to Sheboygan South. He competes with tremendous energy, makes good decisions with the ball and defends well on the perimeter, traits that figure to help new coach Chad Shimek keep the Lions among the elite in the Olympian Conference.

T.J. Pitsch, 5-10, Sr., G, Sheboygan South
Pitsch enters his senior year at South as one of the more experienced backcourt performers in the Fox River Valley Conference. A varsity performer since his sophomore year, Pitsch competed at a high level for the Redwings by scoring, distributing and leading.

Logan Rohrscheib, 6-2, Jr., WG, Regis
Rohrscheib is one of the better backcourt prospects in the state in the class of 2016 and he played well alongside Wampler in Kaukauna. A good perimeter shooter with strength and excellent ball-handling skills, Rohrscheib went for 21 points and drilled four triples in the Ramblers' victory over Sheboygan South in the Pool I vs. Pool J title game.

Erik Tetschlag, 6-4, Sr., WF, Sheboygan South
After playing very well at the WBY Camp June 15-17 at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Tetschlag carried his strong play over to Kaukauna, leading the Redwings to a 4-1 record. He scored from the perimeter and off the dribble and also did a solid job of defending away from the basket.

Brett Wittchow, 6-3, Sr., WG, Laconia
One of the top all-around performers of the entire tournament, Wittchow was extremely steady and highly productive for the Spartans. He can make long-range shots, is good with the ball in his hands and can defend. In a tight game against Oshkosh West, Wittchow went for 18 points and made several clutch plays down the stretch for the Spartans.

Team Champion

Regis
The Ramblers finished 15-9 under veteran coach Bill Uelmen a year ago and appear poised to make a strong run at the title in the very competitive Western Division of the Cloverbelt Conference next season. Wamper is the league's returning Player of the Year and gives Uelmen a real difference maker in tight games. Rohrscheib earned second-team all-league recognition as a sophomore and is a very capable scorer as is Brandrup. Look for sophomore Cody Osborn (5-8) to play point guard with seniors Brady Martin (6-1) and Pat Reardon (6-4) also playing key roles for the Ramblers.

Notes
Seniors Conner Harrison (6-1) and Sam Selk (5-10) were solid all weekend for Sheboygan South, which figures to be vastly improved under second-year coach Mike Rank ... Junior Blake Johnson of Oshkosh West turned in some solid scoring games for the Wildcats, finishing with 15 points and hitting three shots from three-point range in a victory over Brillion ... Senior left-handed wing guard Noah Greve (6-2) played very well for Laconia, showing the ability to score off the bounce and in transition while also rebounding on a consistent basis ... Senior Grif Oleszczuk (5-11) and sophomore Alex Setzer (6-6) were solid for Brookfield Academy with Olesczuk giving the Blue Knights another perimeter scoring threat while Setzer ran the floor and finished well in the post ... Senior Matt Bolanda (6-6) provided a solid inside scoring threat for Mosinee and scored in double figures in three of four games ...Brillion senior Tyler Lemke (6-3) missed two games on Saturday, but played well on Sunday for the Lions. He averaged 16.0 ppg as a junior and showed the ability to score from the high post, from deep and in transition ... Marinette did not win a game in Kaukauna, though the Marines were very competitive in loss to Laconia (48-42), Brillion (47-43) and Sheboygan South (39-26). Junior guards Garrett Waloway (5-8) and Daquota Skenandore (5-11) were solid for coach Nick Semenas ... Senior guard Darren Schlaeffer (6-0) and senior forward Ryan Wieting (6-7) had moments of solid play for Montello and figure to be leaders for the Hilltoppers and coach Matt Bredesen next winter ... Senior Jack Collins (6-2) led a balanced scoring attack for Denmark.

Pools K-L

Pool K -- Pacelli 4-0, Marathon 3-1, Edgar 2-2, Wild Rose 1-3, Kaukauna Orange 0-4.

Pool L -- McDonell Central 3-1, St. Mary's Springs 3-1, St. Mary Central 2-2, Columbus Catholic 2-2, Pittsville 2-2, Green Lake/Princeton 0-4.

Pool K vs. Pool L title game -- McDonell Central 47, Pacelli 35.

Most Valuable Player

James Gollon, 6-5, Sr., G, Pacelli
Missing all but 11 games last winter due to hip surgery, Gollon appears to be rounding into tip-top shape heading into the all-important July evaluation period. He is playing exceptionally well right now and is 100 percent healthy for the first time in two years. Gollon can play point or off guard, can make three-point shots or use his size, skill and strength to get to the basket. He helped Pacelli to a 21-3 record a year ago and the title in the Central Wisconsin 8 Conference. He will definitely be a marked man next winter, but he figures to be up to the task of leading Pacelli to another successful season. Gollon currently holds a NCAA Division II offer from Sioux Falls, and played at a very high level in Kaukauna, averaging 20.2 points per game while helping Pacelli to a 4-1 record.

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

Mitch Ballwenz, 6-3, Sr., WG, North Fond du Lac
Ballwenz averaged 10.3 ppg as a junior for coach Kris Saiberlich and appears primed to lead the Orioles in that department next winter. He has excellent size, a good shooting touch and is a smart player in terms of making decisions with the ball in his hands.

Isaac Barber, 6-3, Sr., F, Marathon
The Red Raiders were without two of their top players as both Ethan Seubert (5-9) and Xavier Lechleitner (6-1) missed the tournament. But Barber and senior Zac Rihn (6-1) played well in their absence. Barber was especially effective, scoring in double figures three times and making shots from different spots on the court.

Sam Bleskachek, 6-4, Sr., F, McDonell Central
Bleskachek is a tough matchup for opponents because of his ability to get places quickly off the dribble. He can score using the glass in the lane and is a solid rebounder for the Macks. Bleskachek is also a good defender who runs the floor very well.

Matthew Carlson, 6-6, Soph., F, Pittsville
One of the more pleasant surprises of the entire WBY Tournament, Carlson was outstanding for coach Dan Hoffa and the Panthers. He uses his size and skill to score around the basket and draw fouls, but he also ventured away from the hoop and made some three-point shots. Carlson runs the floor, rebounds and competes at a high level.

Griffin Jack, 6-1, Sr., WG, St. Mary Central
A solid all-around athlete, Jack was difficult to contain off the dribble as he utilized his quickness to get around defenders. Jack can also step outside and make three-point shots for the Zephyrs, who have a new coach in Dave Michalkiewicz.

Colin Jamison, 6-1, Sr., WG, Pacelli
Jamison is an experienced wing player who can make shots, move the ball, rebound and defend. He was the Cardinals' second-leading scorer in Kaukauna, but went down with a torn ACL in the title game against McDonell Central. It's a shame, too, because he was playing stellar basketball. The WBY Tournament staff wishes a speedy recover to Jamison heading into his senior year.

Cory Neis, 5-10, Sr., G, St. Mary's Springs
A physically and mentally tough combination guard who can take it to the basket or knock down long-range bombs, Neis is one of three key returning seniors for coach Kyle Krueger. Twins Collin (5-11) and Brennen (5-11) Ottery, who missed the Ledgers' two games on Saturday, also figure to be prominent players for St. Mary's Springs.

Evan Nikolai, 6-1, Jr., G, Columbus Catholic
Nikolai is one of the more experienced players returning from a Columbus Catholic squad that won the Eastern Division title in the Cloverbelt Conference. He has grown a few inches and can make shots from the perimeter or take it to the basket and draw. Nikolai figures to be one of the Dons' top scoring options in 2014-15.

Ben Retzlaff, 6-0, Jr., WG, McDonell Central
An attacking wing who can put it on the floor and draw fouls or rain in three-point shots, Retzlaff is an emerging player in the Eau Claire-Chippewa Falls area. He went 26-of-30 from the foul line in five games and scored in double figures four times. Retzlaff needs to get a bit stronger and work on a quicker release from the perimeter, but he is definitely a player to watch in the state's class of 2016.

Jordan Wesner, 6-5, Sr., F, Green Lake/Princeton
The Tigersharks played a bit short handed as neither Sam Soda (6-4) nor Sawyer Soda (6-0) were able to play in Kaukauna. Wesner tried to make up the difference and used his size, strength and athleticism to score in the post, netting 21 points in a loss to Pittsville.

Championship Team

McDonell Central
The Macks figure to challenge Altoona, Fall Creek and Regis for the title in the Western Division of the Cloverbelt Conference next season. Coach Archie Sherbinow has a roster loaded with versatile, athletic and skilled players which makes McDonell Central capable of advancing deep in the WIAA Division 5 playoffs. Bleskachek and Retzlaff are the top players for the Macks, but by no means the only players who can hurt opponents. Sophomores Alex Ohde (6-5) and Grayson Knowlton (6-4) figure to play key roles along with seniors Kendall Dorn (5-11), James Davis (6-3) and Lance Schoch (6-1).

Notes
Senior Troy Flugar (5-10) competed well and drilled several three-pointers for Pacelli ... Pittsville's guard play will be of vital importance this winter as the Panthers attempt to work the ball inside to Carlson. Look for junior Aron Masanz (5-10) to have a big season for the Panthers ... Seniors Connor Schodorf (5-10), Sam Hunt (6-2) and Chris Brunn (6-2) put in some good minutes for St. Mary Central, which went 2-2 and defeated McDonell Central ... Seniors Christian Payant (5-11) and Ben Behling (5-10) were able to connect from distance for Columbus Catholic and both finished with double scoring figures in two of four games for coach Joe Konieczny ... North Fond du Lac seniors Jacob Klapa (5-9) and Tyler Thielke (5-11) team with Ballwenz to give the Orioles a solid foundation to build around next winter ... Edgar makes the move from the Southern Division of the Marawood Conference to the Northern Division next season and will have a pair of talented bigs to build around in juniors Austin Borchardt (6-4) and Matt Urmanski (6-4) ... Wild Rose figures to again contend for the title in the Central Wisconsin 10 Conference as James Komp returns a solid nucleus led by senior forward Aaron VandeCastle (6-3) and junior guard Tanner Hudziak (5-10).