Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook

Observations from the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Summer Tournament held in Kaukauna June 19-20-21:

Pools A-B

Final Standings

Pool A – Sheboygan North 4-0, Appleton West 3-1, Wausau West 2-2, Kimberly 1-3, Wisconsin Lutheran -- White 0-4.

Pool B – Luxemburg-Casco 3-1, Marshfield 3-1, West De Pere 2-2, Neenah 2-2, Green Bay Southwest 0-4.

Pool A vs. Pool B Championship Game: Sheboygan North 81, Luxemburg-Casco 46.

Most Valuable Player

Zach Hasenstein, 6-3, Jr., WG, Sheboygan North
A smooth wing player who the ability to score from beyond the three-point arc and off of pull-up jump shots, Hasenstein was outstanding for the Golden Raiders in their convincing victory over Luxemburg-Casco. He went six-of-seven from three-point range and 11-of-12 overall en route to scoring a game-high 28 points. A cerebral player who looks for his teammates, Hasenstein is a good athlete who possesses quickness and skill with the ball in his hands. 

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

Will Chevalier, 6-7, Jr., F, Kimberly
After playing a complementary role a year ago for the defending Fox Valley Association champions, Chevalier needs to increase his scoring and rebounding production as a junior in order for the Papermakers to remain a title contender. He is very capable of doing just that as his skill and size are both huge assets for coach Lucky Wurtz. 

Dazon Faris, 6-0, Jr., WG, Appleton West
Though a bit slight at this point of his development, Faris nonetheless owns the ability to find the bottom of the basket. He was the top player on a West JV squad that went 21-1 a year ago and he scored well both from the perimeter and off of drives at the WBY Tourney.

Jack Flynn, 6-7, Sr., PF, Appleton West
One of the more pleasant surprises of the entire 70-team WBY Tournament, Flynn showed the ability to run the floor, score in the paint and set effective screens on the perimeter with his size and strength. In a 58-57 double overtime loss to Sheboygan North, Flynn scored 11 points and made all five of his foul attempts. He averaged 6.0 ppg as a junior and appears ready for a huge season for coach Brennan Hussey.

Austin Fravert, 6-5, Sr., WF, Marshfield
An honorable mention all-league player in the Wisconsin Valley Conference as a junior, Fravert played very well for Marshfield. He scored 22 points and had a couple of triples in a 63-62 victory over West De Pere and finished in double figures in all four games for the Tigers. A solid athlete with good jumping ability and a solid skill level, Fravert continues to improve in all aspects of the game.

Sam Kaminski, 6-8, Sr., F, Sheboygan North
An emerging big man who runs the floor and has improved his ability to score around the basket, Kaminski scored in double figures in three of the Golden Raiders' five victories at Kaukauna. He made all six of his foul shots and scored 18 points in the Pools A-B title game.

Davis Larson, 6-4, Sr., G, Sheboygan North
Larson enters his senior season as a three-year varsity regular for veteran Sheboygan North coach Tom Desotell. His basketball IQ, skill level and size are impressive, as is his ability to finish off drives with baskets and/or trips to the foul line. A willing passer and defender, Larson is the veteran leader for a Sheboygan North squad expected to challenge Bay Port and De Pere for the Fox River Classic Conference title.

Jonah Matulle, 6-4, Sr., F, Neenah
After averaging 3.4 ppg as a junior for a senior-dominated squad at Neenah, Matulle figures to be one of the top scoring options for first-year coach Lee Rabas in 2015-16. He showed the ability to score at a high level at Kaukauna, netting 29 points and sinking four three-point shots in a 56-51 victory over West De Pere. 

Taylor Rahn, 6-0, Jr., G, West De Pere
After playing on the JV squad for the Phantoms last season, Rahn could be the next three-point shooting star for coach Andy Werner, Though he cannot replicate the size of shooting whiz and San Jose State recruit Cody Schwartz (6-8), Rahn was still extremely productive, scoring in double figures in all four games and finishing with 16 three-point baskets.  

Ethan Voss, 6-1, Sr., G, Marshfield
Voss provided Marshfield with an offensive lift thanks to his long-range shooting ability. He had 15 points and three triples in the victory over West De Pere and 15 points and five three-pointers in a loss to Luxemburg-Casco. His ability to make long-distance shots was impressive and will help Marshfield as it attempts to move out of the cellar in the Wisconsin Valley Conference.

Jake Zeitler, 6-5, Sr., WG, Luxemburg-Casco
A returning first-team all-league performer, Zeitler is a long-range shooter with excellent size. He had six three-point baskets and 25 points in a narrow victory over Marshfield, drilling five triples in the first half of that contest. A three-year varsity performer for coach John Hampton, Zeitler is the team leader for another solid L-C squad that joins the new North Eastern Conference in 2015-16.

Team Champion
 
Sheboygan North
The Golden Raiders finished 17-7 a year ago and must replace a couple of key performers, including honorable mention all-Fox River Classic Conference guard Eli Belmore. At the same time, Desotell welcomes back some veteran, talented players who appear ready to take the next step and help the Golden Raiders make a serious push for the league title. Hasenstein, Larson and Kaminski give North an excellent nucleus with Hasenstein and Larson both capable of scoring in a variety of ways while Kaminski gives his team a solid low-post presence. Junior guard Ethan Cinealis (6-0) also figures to play a prominent role for North, which lost to Kimberly in a WIAA Division 1 regional final last March.

Notes
Luxemburg-Casco joins the new 10-team North Eastern Conference at a good time as the Spartans return a solid core of players from last year's club that went 18-6. Senior Spencer Kanz (6-5) gives L-C a low-post presence and a stellar rebounding force on both ends of the court while junior guard Nathan TeKulve (6-0) and freshman forward Nathan Coisman (6-2) figure to be key performers alongside Kanz and Zeitler ... Appleton West lost some key players to graduation, but the Terrors return a solid group of players and welcome some talented newcomers, giving them hope for a top three finish in the Fox Valley Association. Faris and Flynn played very well at Kaukauna as West went 3-1 while junior forward Joey Reader (6-5) and senior guard Jeason Thomas (6-1) also had some strong moments. Reader is a gifted athlete who can score while Thomas is a very good defender. Senior Pierre Majors (6-3) sat out the event with an injury but should also be a key performer for the Terrors next winter ... First-year Marshfield coach Scott Scheuer could have a very good shooting team next winter. In addition to Fravert and Voss, senior Tyson Slade (6-0) and junior Alec Hinson (5-11) showed the ability to make perimeter shots ... West De Pere senior Luke Pannier (6-2), who averaged 10.5 ppg as a junior but sat out the WIAA State Tournament due to an injury, is still sidelined but is expected to be back soon. His presence along with that of Rahn, senior Cole Kempen (6-3) and junior Joe Janus (6-2) should help West De Pere remain highly competitive in the revamped Bay Conference ... Junioe Joe Jung (6-0) and senior Peyton Mericle (6-0) had some strong moments for Neenah, which rebounded from an 0-2 start on Friday with a pair of victories on Saturday ... Kimberly played without its top returning player as senior Jordan Janssen (6-4) sat out with an injury. He is expected to return to action soon and teams with Chevalier, senior point guard Steve Behnke and junior forward Danny Vanden Boom (6-2) to give Kimberly another solid core of players as it sets out to defend its FVA title ... Wausau West was without junior Jakob Tordsen (6-3) and sophomore Morqurius Sykes (5-11), but the Warriors got some solid production from senior Steven Lewandowski (6-3) and juniors Zach Raeder and Justin Rager in going 2-2 ... Green Bay Southwest did not win a game at Kaukauna, but the Trojans were highly competitive in losses to Luxemburg-Casco and West De Pere. Coach John Polkowski is hoping for big years out of seniors Tyl Froistad (5-8), Clayton Ladsten (6-3) and Tyler Ichella (6-1).

Pools C-D

Final Standings

Pool C – Kaukauna -- White 4-0, Bay Port 3-1, Fond du Lac 1-3, Waupun 1-3, Wisconsin Lutheran -- Blue 1-3.

Pool D – Shawano 3-1, Hortonville 3-1, Appleton East 3-1, Manitowoc Lincoln 1-3, Ashwaubenon 0-4.

Pool C vs. Pool D Championship Game: Kaukauna -- White 86, Shawano 43.

Most Valuable Player

Jordan McCabe, 5-11, Soph., PG, Kaukauna -- White
Few players in recent Wisconsin prep history have been able to use the dribble to set up their shot opportunities as well as McCabe, who recently picked up NCAA Division I scholarship offers from De Paul, Green Bay, Milwaukee and Missouri. With the ball on a string, McCabe gets defenders on their heels and uses his superior quickness, extreme confidence and stellar quick release to knock down perimeter shots, both from beyond the arc and from mid-range off the bounce. His basketball IQ and instincts are highly impressive and he's a willing distributor as well. One of the top backcourt players in the state, regardless of class, McCabe averaged 23.2 ppg in the five tournament games and connected on 19 three-point shots.

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

Eric Carl, 6-3, Soph., WG, Shawano
A wing player with huge potential, Carl has a basketball frame that just needs more weight and strength, which figures to happen over the next three seasons. He brings an impressive skill package to the court as he can pass, shoot, dribble and rebound. He buried five triples and had 19 points in a 39-34 victory over Hortonville.

Dalton Erdman, 6-2, Sr., WG, Kaukauna -- White
Erdman averaged a mere 2.8 ppg as a junior, but don't let that stat fool you. He can flat-out play and figures to be one of the most improved players in the Fox Valley Association in 2015-16. He can score off the dribble and from deep, and has the strength and length to get past defenders. He had 21 points and five triples in the Ghosts win over Fond du Lac.

Sam Fredrickson, 6-7, Jr., F, Fond du Lac
The ever-improving frontline prospect had a couple of solid showings for Fond du Lac, scoring 18 points in a 76-56 loss to Kaukauna -- White and 16 points in a 60-54 loss to Wisconsin Lutheran -- Blue. His ability to make short jump shots and get to the foul line will be key for the Cardinals and coach Mark Ziebell as they attempt to move up in the FVA standings.

Grant Geissler, 6-4, Sr., F, Bay Port
On a team loaded with scoring options, Geissler emerged at Kaukauna as the top scorer for the Pirates, who played Kaukauna -- White tougher than any team in the event. Geissler finished with 14 points in the 56-51 loss to the Ghosts, and dropped two huge three-point baskets in the second half. He had six triples and 22 points in the Pirates' victory over Waupun. 

Colton Homan, 6-6, Sr., F, Waupun
Homan averaged 8.0 ppg as a junior for the Warriors and figures to be the 'go-to' player for coach Dan Domask next winter. He had a strong weekend at Kaukauna, scoring in double figures in three of four games and netting 20 in a 56-52 loss to Fond du Lac. Homan finishes well around the basket and can draw fouls off his moves to the hoop.

Ryan Krueger, 6-5, WG, Jr., Hortonville
A wing player with size and eye-popping shooting ability, Krueger had nine three-point baskets while helping his team to victories over Appleton East and Shawano on Friday. He did not compete on Saturday, but he showed enough Friday to gain a spot on the All-Tournament team as he finished the two games with 33 points.

Keishon Parker, 6-3, Sr., WG, Wisconsin Lutheran -- Blue
A three-year varsity performer for coach Ryan Walz, Parker has the size and skill to have a big season for the Vikings. He is a volume scorer who scored in double figures in all of Wisconsin Lutheran's games in Kaukauna. He can score off the dribble and from the perimeter, traits the Vikings will need in their quest to win another Wisconsin Little Ten Conference title.

TJ Schneider, 6-7, Jr., G/F, Manitowoc Lincoln
A versatile, emerging wing player with size and skill, Schneider made three-point shots and got to the foul line for Manitowoc Lincoln. He scored in double figures in all four games and had a team-high 20 points in a 53-44 victory over Ashwaubenon. Schneider could wind up being one of the top collegiate prospects in Wisconsin in the class of 2017 if he continues to add strength and weight to his long frame.

Adam Smith, 6-1, Jr., WG, Kaukauna -- White
Efficient wing prospect who makes good things happen with the ball in his hands, Smith can score, pass, rebound and defend. Smith is a double-figure scorer who can get to the foul line and drill long-range shots. He teams with McCabe and Erdman to give the Ghosts one of the premier backcourt trios in the state.  

Kyle Witthuhn, 6-2, Sr., WG, Hortonville
A physical wing prospect who can get to the basket and make shots beyond the arc, Witthuhn is a three-year varsity starter at Hortonville, which returns four starters from a club that went 9-15 a year ago during its first season in the FVA. Witthuhn can get on a roll from deep and is a 'go-to' player offensively, thanks to his ability to score going to the basket. He averaged 12.4 ppg and 3.5 rpg as a junior for coach Matt Hintz.

Team Champion
 
Kaukauna -- White
McCabe, Erdman and Smith are fantastic in the backcourt, but you also need some frontline production in order to win championships. The Ghosts have a pair of developing forwards in senior Marcus Moreau (6-3) and sophomore Dylan Kurey (6-6). Moreau is an athletic forward who can crash the boards, fill the lanes on the break and score in the paint while Kurey is an emerging post player with solid footwork and an improving ability to finish around the basket. The key for coach Mike Schalow and his staff is finding role players off the bench to provide relief for his stellar starting five. Look for junior Brad Vosters (6-0), senior Tanner Pritchard (6-3) and junior Bailey McDaniel (6-1) to potentially fill those relief roles. 

Notes
Hortonville went 2-0 on Friday with a complete roster, but the Polar Bears were 1-1 on Saturday as Krueger attended an out-of-state camp and steady junior point guard Charlie Schabo (5-9) went down with an injury. Kruger, Schabo, Witthuhn and athletic senior forward Sam Thompson (6-3) form a solid nucleus for Hortonville, which could very well end up among the upper-division teams in the FVA in 2015-16 ... Bay Port likely is the preseason favorite to win the Fox River Classic Conference and coach Nate Rykal's club was certainly highly impressive in Kaukauna. The Pirates got solid play from Geisser along with senior Dante DeCleene (6-4), junior Brett Frieder (6-2) and emerging sophomore Jack Plumb (6-8). The offensive balance, size and versatility of the Bay Port players gives the Pirates the edge over De Pere and Sheboygan North for the FRCC crown ... Fond du Lac's young backcourt tandem of junior Caleb Goldstein (6-0) and sophomore Drew Jorgenson (5-11) led the Cardinals to a 56-52 victory over Waupun. Goldstein finished the game with 26 points and three triples while Jorgenson added 20 points on six made three-point attempts. Goldstein, Jorgenson and Fredrickson give Fond du Lac a solid core to build around in 2015-16 ... Waupun lost top scorer and Winona State recruit Mason Domask to garduation, but the Warriors could emerge as a title-contender in the new East Central Conference behind the strong play of Homan, senior Jordan McGinnis (6-1), senior Ben Heeringa (5-10), sophomore Owen Theune (6-3) and freshman Marcus Domask 96-2). McGinnis missed Kaukauna, but both Theune and Domask were solid contributors throughout the WBY event. Theune, a physically strong and skilled 6-3 forward, averaged 12.9 ppg as a freshman at Central Wisconsin Christian before opting to transfer to Waupun earlier this month ... Junior guard OJ James (5-8) and sophomore forward Brunard Williams (6-3) had some impressive moments for Wisconsin Lutheran -- Blue. James has exceptional quickness and is aggressive offensively while Williams possesses good physical strength and versatility ... Manitowoc Lincoln coach Brian Gallagher will count heavily on Schneider in 2015-16, but he can also turn to senior guards David LaTour (6-0) and Andy Cavanaugh (5-10) ... Northern Illinois football recruit Zeke Gueths (6-6) continues to put in consistently strong efforts on the hardwood for Shawano. His size, skill and experience figure to be huge for the Hawks next winter ... Once again, Appleton East proved it will be no pushover in the FVA. Coach John Mielke has a balanced squad that features some depth. The Patriots figure to be led by seniors Trent Brunker (5-10), a hard-nosed point guard, and Parker Ourada (6-3), a long wing with skill. Look for junior Nathan Brice (6-0) and promising sophomore Dakota Bartlett (6-3) to also play key roles for the Patriots ... Ashwaubenon went 0-4, but the Jaguars nonetheless will put together a competitive squad in the FRCC under coach John Miron. Seniors Turner Wittig (5-10) and Zak Imig (6-2) are the top returning players for Ashwaubenon, which must replace the prolific scoring of Michigan Tech recruit Kyle Monroe.