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WBY Tourney at Kaukauna: West Allis Hale, Amherst secure Pool titles

06/25/2015, 11:45am CDT
By Mark Miller

Connor Lemmons

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

Pools I-J

Final Standings

Pool I – Whitnall 4-0, Cedarburg 2-2, Green Bay East 2-2, Oshkosh West 2-2, Denmark 0-4.

Pool J – West Allis Hale 3-1, Seymour 3-1, Oshkosh North 3-1, Little Chute 1-3, Green Bay Preble 0-4.

Pool I vs. Pool J Championship Game: West Allis Hale 65, Whitnall 47.

Most Valuable Player

Davontae Patterson, 6-1, Sr., G/F, West Allis Hale
The best player on a balanced team that features plenty of scoring options and depth, Patterson can score from the perimeter and in the paint. He made three-point shots and scored off the dribble, but he also has quick leaping ability, which allows him to grab offensive rebounds and score on putbacks. Patterson averaged 8.5 points per game as a junior for a Hale squad that went 15-8 and he appears primed for an all-conference caliber season in 2015-16. 

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

Deonte Carlton, 6-2, Sr., G, Green Bay East

A talented combination guard who is very good with the ball in his hands, Carlton can attack the hoop off the dribble or pull up for mid-range jumpers. He averaged 9.8 ppg as a junior for coach Rick Rosinski and his solid play on both ends of the floor figures to help East make some noise as it moves to the Bay Conference.

John Diener, 6-4, Soph., G, Cedarburg
Diener averaged 21.7 ppg as a freshman and scored in double figures in all four games for the Bulldogs in Kaukauna. He has very good size and strength, and can play either guard position. He'll likely end up on the wing at the next level and he showed the ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc as he finished with nine triples in the four games. He is an outstanding foul shooter and gets to the line a lot thanks to his strength and aggressiveness off the dribble.

Tyrese Haliburton, 6-3, Soph., G, Oshkosh North
Haliburton has grown at least two inches since the start of the 2014-15 high school season and his length and skill combination make him one of the better class of 2018 prospects in the state. He averaged 10.0 ppg in North's four games at Kaukauna and finished with eight three-point baskets. As he adds weight and strength to his long frame, he'll most certainly draw attention from scholarship programs at the next level.

Tyler Herro, 6-3, Soph., G, Whitnall
A combination guard with size and length, Herro is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in Wisconsin in the class of 2018 in the current WisSports.net Player Rankings. He has the ability to score from downtown, from mid range and at the rim while also looking for his teammates. He's on the thin side yet, but as he continues to mature physically, additional NCAA Division I offers figure to come his way. He currently owns offers from De Paul, Green Bay and Milwaukee.

Noah Knudsen, 6-1, Jr., WG, Little Chute
The son of former Appleton West coach Shane Knudsen, Noah Knudsen buried six three-point baskets in a loss to Seymour and finished with 20 points. He also had 19 points and five three-pointers in a victory over Green Bay Preble. Knudsen came off the bench as a sophomore for the varsity squad and figures to be a key player for coach Mickey Martin the next two seasons. 

Connor Lemmens, 6-3, Sr., WG, Green Bay Preble
After classmate Connor Curtis went down with an injury on the first day of the WBY Tournament, Lemmens had to step up his game in order for the Hornets to remain competitive. He did just that, scoring in double figures and knocking down three-point shots. Lemmens has a quick release and very deep shooting range to go along with excellent size.

Kevion Taylor, 6-4, Jr., F, Whitnall
A versatile wing player who can score around the basket and on mid-range jump shots, Taylor was outstanding for Whitnall in its victories over Cedarburg, Denmark, Green Bay East and Oshkosh West. He scored at a high level, rebounded on both ends of the court, was a willing passer and a solid defender. 

Austin Trochinski, 6-2, Sr., WG, Oshkosh North
Trochinski is a physically strong wing player who can get into the heart of a defense off the dribble or make shots from beyond the arc. He has waited his turn in terms of significant playing time for the traditionally strong Spartans program and that time has definitely come as he played very well for coach Frank Schade at Kaukauna.

Matt Wall, 6-3, Sr., WG, West Allis Hale
Wall has very good size and length, traits that allow him to shoot over smaller defenders on the perimeter. He averaged 3.0 ppg as a junior, but figures to be one of the top scoring options for the Huskies next winter as can roam the perimeter and spot up for shots off of kickout passes from his teammates.

Brayden Wilinski, 6-4, Sr., F, Seymour
A physically strong player under the basket, Wilinski showed the ability to step away from the hoop and make shots from beyond the three-point arc. He had six three-point baskets and 22 points in the first half in a victory over Oshkosh North before cooling off some in the second half. Wilinski is a four-year varsity performer for the Thunder who figures to lead the team in scoring and rebounding next winter.

Team Champion
 
West Allis Hale

Despite losing three all-league players to graduation, West Allis Hale appears to have the size, depth and toughness to challenge for another upper-division finish in the Greater Metro Conference. Coach John Palesse has done a tremendous job of making the Huskies competitive again in league play and has a roster loaded with versatility. Patterson and Wall are solid scorers who can hurt opponents from the perimeter and in the paint. Seniors Richard Haertel (6-2) and Nick Hickman (6-2) also played well in Kaukauna for the Huskies, who finished third in the league standings a year ago. 

Notes
Whitnall is primed for a big season in the Eastern Division of the Woodland Conference. Coach Steve Kujawa returns a very talented and experienced lineup, led by Herro and Taylor. Look for senior Andrew Mixon (6-4), junior Austin Brault (5-11) and sophomore Danny Alexopoulos (6-3) to also play key roles for the Falcons as they battle two-time defending WIAA Division 3 state champion Brown Deer for the league title ... Cedarburg won five games two years ago and 12 last season. Coach Tom Diener enters his third year of rebuilding the Bulldogs program with a team more than capable of once again improving on its previous season victory total. In addition to his son, John, Diener has some very talented players led by junior sharpshooter Jordan Johnson (6-0), junior guard Jared Short (6-0) and promising sophomore forward Matt Barber (6-6) ... Senior Everette Laye (6-3) had some strong performances for Green Bay East as he was relentless in his ability to get to the basket and finish ... Oshkosh North played without junior Philip Flory (6-4), who is out with a foot injury, but the Spartans were nonetheless impressive. Haliburton and Trochinski were solid throughout as were seniors Hayden Gabrilska (6-2) and Cole Ellestad (5-11), junior Shane Wissink (5-8) and freshman Matthew Hickey (6-0). North figures to challenge Kaukauna, Kimberly, Hortonville and Appleton West for the league title in the Fox Valley Association ... Seymour has lost just two games in Bay Conference play the past two seasons and the Thunder appear poised to win a third straight league title behind the return of a talented lineup led by Wilinski. Seniors Alex Schuh (6-1), Jack Murphy (5-10), Michael Wesolowski (5-10) and Reed Blake (6-4) also had strong weekends for Seymour ... Little Chute played without two-year starter Parker Gloudemans (6-2), who was attending a football camp, but the Mustangs got some solid play out of Knudsen and junior guard Devin Plate (5-10). Both Knudsen and Plate are returning varsity performers for Little Chute ... Oshkosh West has a new coach in former JV mentor Michael Johnson and the Wildcats hope to show improvement in the FVA this winter behind the play of seniors Blake Johnson (5-11), Spencer Henke (6-3) and Jack Gabrielson (5-11). Sophomores Ben Kohl and Derek Kroll also played well for the Wildcats in Kaukauna and could make an impact on the varsity club in 2015-16 ... Green Bay Preble went 0-4, but played most of the event without senior Connor Curtis (6-6), an athletic forward who went down with an injury on Friday. With Curtis and Lemmens in the lineup, coach Jim Wall boasts two of the top players in the Fox River Classic Conference. Finding solid players to go along with those two is the big challenge facing Wall as the Hornets enter the new season ... Junior point guard Jon DePrey (5-11) and senior forward Nathan Rabas (6-3) had some strong showings for Denmark, which finished 0-4 but played with an incomplete lineup.

Pools K-L

Final Standings

Pool K – Southern Door 4-0, New Holstein 3-1, Wisconsin Dells 2-2, Bonduel 1-3, Crivitz 0-4.

Pool L – Amherst 4-0, Oconto 2-2, Peshtigo 2-2, Two Rivers 2-2, St. Mary's Springs 0-4.

Pool K vs. Pool L Championship Game: Amherst 55, Southern Door 50.

Most Valuable Player

Tyler Biadasz, 6-4, Sr., PF, Amherst
The University of Wisconsin football recruit excels on the basketball court as well as he led Amherst to a 5-0 record in Kaukauna. He used his superior physical strength and quick feet to get around defenders off of short drives to the basket and finished with a team-high 19 points in the 55-50 victory over Southern Door in the Pools K-L title game. Biadasz averaged 16.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game a year ago while helping Amherst to a 20-5 record. It's nice to see a big-time football recruit like Biadasz continue to play basketball.

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

Blaine Bauer, 6-4, Sr., WF, Crivitz

The Wolverines had a tough weekend, failing to win a game in four chances. But Bauer's production was consistent as he scored in double figures in three of four games with nine in the other contest. He has a good inside-outside game and figures to be one of the top players in the Marinette & Oconto Conference in 2015-16.

Nolan Beirne, 6-3, Jr., F, New Holstein
An athletic player who scored off of putbacks and drives to the basket, Beirne averaged 9.8 ppg as a sophomore for coach Jason Hoerth at New Holstein. His presence in the lane frees things up on the perimeter as well for his teammates. In two games at Kaukauna, Bierne averaged 16.0 ppg as the Huskies defeated Crivitz and Wisconsin Dells. 

Cam Gaulke, 6-7, Sr., F, Amherst
Gaulke used his size and the presence of the often double-teamed Biadasz to score off of excellent feeds from his more heralded teammate. The sixth man on last year's Amherst squad that finished 20-5, Gaulke averaged 2.7 ppg and 2.4 rpg last winter but appears ready for much bigger production in 2015-16.

Mitchell Gerend, 6-4, Sr., WF, Southern Door
Smooth, athletic wing player who can make three-point shots and get to the basket with his size and skill. Can play multiple positions and scored a game-high 21 points in the Eagles' 55-50 loss to Amherst in the Pools K-L championship contest. Gerend finished in double figures in all five of Southern Door's games and averaged 11.6 ppg as a junior.

Nicholas LeCaptain, 5-8, Jr., G, Southern Door
Extremely skilled and quick backcourt performer who had five three-point baskets and 17 points in a victory over New Holstein, five triples and 19 points in a win over Crivitz, five triples and 23 points in a win over Wisconsin Dells and five triples and 15 points in a victory over Bonduel. He added two more triples in the loss to Amherst, giving him 22 made three-point baskets during the WBY Tournament.

Tyler Marquardt, 6-3, Sr., WG, Peshtigo
Marquardt scored in double figures in three games for the Bulldogs, using his size to score around the basket and his skill and length to shoot over smaller defenders on the perimeter. Marquardt moves well, has a basketball build and appears to be growing into his long frame, meaning he'll have added weight and strength for the upcoming season.

Dominic Morse, 5-11, Sr., G, Wisconsin Dells
Morse averaged just under 10 points per game for the Chiefs as they finished 2-2 in Kaukauna. He exhibited some explosion to the basket and got to the foul line on a consistent basis for coach Brad Rohling. Morse averaged 5.5 ppg as a junior and teams with junior Peyton Rohling to give Wisconsin Dells one of the top backcourts in the South Central Conference.

Trevor Pedersen, 5-11, Sr., G, Bonduel
Pedersen ran the show for the Bears, who finished 1-3 with a 58-43 victory over Crivitz. In that contest, Pedersen scored a game-high 29 points, hitting three shots from beyond the arc in the second half. Pedersen averaged 6.8 ppg as a junior and figures to be the vocal leader for coach Duke Copp in 2015-16.

Brayden Peterson, 6-0, Sr., PG, Two Rivers
Peterson was on fire from beyond the arc at Kaukauna as he made 17 three-point baskets while helping the Purple Raiders to a 2-2 record. He scored 25 points and had six triples in the overtime victory over St. Mary's Springs. A returning starter for Two Rivers, Peterson has played very well all spring and summer on the camp and club circuits.

Peyton Rohling, 5-11, Jr., PG, Wisconsin Dells
The left-handed lead guard does not have a lot of wasted motion to his game. He has a tight handle on the ball, can make shots off the dribble and from beyond the arc and is a very willing passer. The son of Wisconsin Dells coach Brad Rohling, Peyton Rohling plays like the son of a coach and has a natural feel for the game.

Team Champion
 
Amherst

Coach Scott Groholski begins his third season at Amherst with a roster loaded with experience, size and talent. Though the Falcons played without senior guard Garret Groshek (6-1) in Kaukauna, they nonetheless won all five of their games, thanks in large part to the consistent production of Biadasz and Gaulke. Seniors Harry Piotrowski (5-9) and Nick Blum (5-9) also played very well for the Falcons, who figure to challenge Shiocton and Iola-Scandinavia for the title in the Central Wisconsin 8 Conference. Amherst won the league title by one game over Iola-Scandinavia last winter. 

Notes
Southern Door appears poised to successfully defend its title in the Packerland Conference as coach Josh Rankin's club is loaded with versatility, experience and pure talent. Gerend and LeCaptain are the leaders along with senior forward Trevor Hawkey (6-4) and freshman Derrick LeCaptain (5-11). Scoring balance, strong defense and solid overall athleticism are strong points for the Eagles, who finished 19-4 a year ago ... New Holstein went 3-1 on the weekend and played without its top two scorers of a year ago in Devin Schisel (6-0) and Josh Burg (6-3). Still, the Huskies have strong backcourt play with seniors Bryce Karrels (5-8) and Isaiah Moore (5-9) leading the way. New Holstein is one of several teams capable of winning the title in the deep and balanced Eastern Wisconsin Conference ... Wisconsin Dells could be one of the most improved teams in the South Central Conference, thanks in large part to very good guard play led by Morse, Rohling and senior Adem Ajvazi (5-11). Junior forward Colin Hirst (6-1) is also expected to make a significant impact for the Chiefs next winter ... Senior Peyton Czarapata (6-4) had some positive production for Bonduel, using his physical strength and size to score in the lane for the Bears ... Crivitz returns a veteran lineup led by Bauer and senior forward Jeremy Kralovetz (6-4). Finding some consistent guard play will be key for coach Jeff Baumann, who must replace all-league performer Colton Lange ... St. Mary's Springs went 0-4, but lost to Two Rivers in overtime and to Oconto by seven. Coach Kyle Krueger has some big holes to fill in his lineup next winter, but senior forward Kurt Mueller (6-8) gives the Ledgers some size and an inside presence while seniors Jake Baker (5-11) and Ricky Stoegbauer (5-11) are quick on the perimeter. Look for sophomore Clay Schueffner (6-1) to also make an impact for the Ledgers ... Two Rivers has a new coach in Nick Spencer and the Purple Raiders appear to have a squad capable of making things difficult for opponents in the balanced Eastern Wisconsin Conference. In addition to the considerable talents of Peterson, Spencer can call on a pair of talented wing players in juniors Dawson Kiphart (6-2) and Reed Karbowski (6-3) ... Peshtigo could challenge Crivitz and Wausaukee in the Marinette & Oconto Conference as coach Nate Motkowski relies heavily on Marquardt, his brother Austin Marquardt (6-3) and juniors Justin Thill (6-1) and Ryley Demmith (6-2). Look for seniors Logan Noffke (6-2) and Jake Romenesko (6-4) to also play key roles for the Bulldogs ... Oconto beat Two Rivers and St. Mary's Springs on Saturday, but then dropped games to Peshtigo and Amherst on Sunday. The Blue Devils boast a solid post player in senior Sawyer Koch (6-6) and a promising backcourt performer in sophomore Carson Moe (6-0). Seniors Jakob Jurvey (6-2) and Brady Bostedt (5-10) also played well at times in Kaukauna for Oconto.

Tag(s): Summer Tournaments