Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook

Observations from the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Summer Tournament held in Plymouth July 17-18-19:

Pools E-F

Final Standings

Pool E: Amherst 4-0, Brillion 2-2, Oshkosh West 2-2, Marathon 1-3, Marshall 1-3.

Pool F: Winnebago Lutheran 4-0, Mineral Point 3-1, Howards Grove 2-2, Kiel 1-3, Poynette 0-4.

Pool E vs. Pool F Title Game: Amherst 48, Winnebago Lutheran 42.

Most Valuable Player

Tyler Biadasz, 6-4, PF, Sr., Amherst
Scoring in double figures in all five of Amherst's games in Plymouth, Biadasz led the Falcons to an unbeaten record against some quality competition. He used his strength, agility and toughness to score around the basket. He also filled the lanes in transition with energy, often beating his frontline counterparts down the floor. A two-time first-team all-league pick in the Central Wisconsin 8 Conference, Biadasz scored the winning basket in a 40-39 victory over Marshall with just a couple of seconds left by beating his opponent down the floor in the open court. Biadasz averaged 15.7 points per game as a junior for coach Scott Groholski and will be a tough player to deal with again in 2015-16 due to his combination of skill, size and desire to win.

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

Devin Gallenberger, 6-3, WG, Sr., Howards Grove
Howards Grove coach Eric Worth has some big holes to fill in his lineup due to severe graduation losses, but Gallenberger appears poised to take one of those spots thanks to his ability to score off the dribble and from beyond the arc.

Garret Groshek, 6-0, G/F, Sr., Amherst
Groshek is a strong, aggressive and physical wing player who can get into the lane and finish through contact. He teams with Biadasz to give the Falcons a physical one-two punch that could wear down opponents in the Central Wisconsin 8 Conference.

Blake Johnson, 5-11, G, Sr., Oshkosh West
A smooth, quick backcourt player who can rattle off made three-point shots in the blink of an eye, Johnson went for 22 points and buried six triples in a 63-56 loss to Amherst. He finished with 12 three-point baskets in four games while helping the Wildcats to a 2-2 record.

Xavier Lechleitner, 6-1, G, Sr., Marathon
When the Red Raiders needed a big play, it was often Lechleitner who delivered. In a one-point victory over Marshall, Lechleitner made all the plays down the stretch to help his club overcome a six-point deficit. He is not a huge scorer, but he can defend, rebound and distribute. And his toughness on the court is probably his No. 1 asset. 

Adam Link, 6-3, PG, Sr., Marshall
The left-handed lead guard battled a case of bronchitis in a hot and humid gym, but he still managed to impact the game on several levels. Link is very difficult to keep out of the lane due to his length and skill, and he can either score and distribute off the bounce. His long-range shooting was a bit streaky on Saturday, but he found his range on Sunday for the Cardinals. A solid all-around player who had Michigan Tech coach Kevin Luke watching on Saturday.

Noah Lorenz, 6-5, F, Soph., Winnebago Lutheran
An extremely promising young player who netted 17 points in a 48-42 loss to Amherst in the pools E-F title game. Lorenz has very good length, athleticism and the ability to avoid defenders in the lane due to his mobility. He averaged 2.8 ppg as a freshman and could emerge as one of the better young players in Fox Valley area in 2015-16.

Mitch McFarlane, 6-3, WG, Sr., Winnebago Lutheran
One of the more improved players in the Fox Valley area, McFarlane was extremely impressive in Plymouth while helping the Vikings to a 4-1 record. He scored in double figures in all five games for WLA and showed the ability to score from beyond the arc, off the dribble and from the foul line. He is a skilled, athletic wing player who finished above the rim in transition and appears primed for a huge senior season for coach Jeremiah Hoffmann.

Brandon Niemuth, 6-5, PF, Sr., Kiel
With teammates Carter Voelker (6-1), Trenton Nickel (6-0), Nick Walsh (6-1) and Austin Goehring (6-4) sitting out due to AAU and baseball conflicts, Niemuth stepped up with solid production from the low post for the Raiders. A big, thick and powerful player around the basket, Niemuth's presence in the paint will be huge for coach Jamie Arenz as the Raiders enter the new-look Eastern Wisconsin Conference.

Michael Rieder, 6-5, F, Sr., Brillion
Rieder has very good size and strength, and can score off the dribble going to the basket or pulling up for mid-range jump shots. He averaged 7.8 ppg for a team that advanced to the WIAA Division 4 sectional finals a year ago and is the top offensive weapon for second-year coach Chad Shimek.

Chance Wendhausen, 6-1, G, Soph., Mineral Point
A skilled wing player with very good length and the ability to attack the basket and score, Wendhausen had a strong weekend in Plymouth and appears to be the primary offensive option for a Mineral Point program that must replace all five starters from a club that went 27-1 and lost to Dominican in the WIAA Division 4 title game last March.

Team Champion
 
Amherst
The defending champions in the Central Wisconsin 8 Conference return four starters and enters the 2015-16 campaign as one of the top WIAA Division 4 teams in the state. In addition to Biadasz and Groshek, seniors Ryker Strand (6-2), Amaziah McCall (6-0) and Harry Piotrowski (5-9) along with sophomores Colton Groholski (6-0) and Mason Wideman (6-3) all performed well in Plymouth. Amherst finished 20-5 last season and welcomes some talented newcomers from a JV squad that went 19-1. 

Notes
Junior Eric Schmitz (6-1) played well for Winnebago Lutheran in a pair of victories Saturday, but missed Sunday due to a football camp. His ability to score gives the Vikings a third option on offense to go along with McFarlane and Lorenz ... Junior Jake Warrick (6-5) gives Mineral Point coach Dan Burreson some size and length in the post while senior Dylan MacGilvra (6-2) provides some stability after playing off the bench a year ago ... Howards Grove has a deep team that enters the new season with some questions to answer. But there is enough depth and athleticism on the roster to keep the Tigers among the top teams in the Big East Conference ... Brillion senior point guard Dontae Krizenesky (5-8) is coming off an injury, but nonetheless played well for the Lions. His ability to get around defenders with his quickness helps to set up his teammates for good scoring opportunities ... New Oshkosh West coach Mike Johnson was on the sidelines for the Wildcats in all four of the Wildcats games and got some solid production from seniors Spencer Henke (6-3) and Jack Gabrielson (5-11) in addition to Johnson. Oshkosh West might not have the returning experience to challenge for the title in the Fox Valley Association in 2015-16, but the Wildcats have enough shooters and depth to field a highly competitive squad ... Senior wing Ryan Gassner (6-1) teams with Lechleitner to give Marathon coach Adam Jacobson a pair of tough-minded, physically strong backcourt performers. Both are capable scorers who compete with an edge and help to make their teammates better with their hustle and unselfishness ... Seniors Brandon Neuberger (6-2) and Tristan Killerlain (6-0) were once again solid for Marshall, which continued to play without injured frontline players Adam Wehking (6-5) and Andy Lutz (6-5) ... Poynette had a terrific season a year ago, but coach John Weiss has to replace all five of his starters. Senior Jacob Krumberger (6-5) and freshman Garret Bruchs (6-6) performed well in Plymouth and figure to be key weapons for the Pumas. Krumberger can play in the backcourt and handle and shoot the ball from the perimeter while Bruchs is a scoring threat near the basket.

Pools G-H

Final Standings

Pool G: Roncalli 4-0, University School 3-1, Pittsville 2-2, Salam School 1-3, Mishicot 0-4.

Pool H: Plymouth II 3-1, Omro 3-1, St. Thomas More 2-2, Reedsville 2-2, Chilton 0-4.

Pool G vs. Pool H Title Game: Roncalli 50, Plymouth II 32.

Most Valuable Player

Zach Schneider, 6-2, G/F, Sr., Roncalli
A key reserve for a Roncalli squad that finished 21-5 last season, Schneider is an attacking wing guard/forward with good quickness, strength and the ability to finish. He averaged 15.8 points per game while helping Roncalli to a 5-0 record in Plymouth. As one of the few players in the Roncalli program with size, Schneider's ability to rebound and defend in the lane will be paramount to the Jets' chances for success in 2015-16.

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

Suhib Badwan, 6-0, G, Jr., Salam School
Badwan played two stellar games for Salam coach John Kloppenburg on Sunday, scoring 29 points and drilling five three-point baskets in a 70-61 loss to Pittsville and adding 34 points in a 68-39 victory over Mishicot. Badwan teams with senior Hamza Yousef to give the Stars a potent one-two scoring punch.

Matt Carlson, 6-7, F, Jr., Pittsville
A promising forward in the class of 2017 who can make mid-range shots as well, run the floor and rebound, Carlson scored in double figures in all four games for Pittsville. His go-to right-handed hook shot is accuruate and extremely difficult to defend.

Wyatt Hassemer, 6-1, G/F, Sr., Reedsville
A physically tough wing player who competed with energy on both ends of the court, Hassemer played well in a narrow 46-43 victory over St. Thomas More and teamed with classmate Ryan Schwahn (6-0) to give the Panthers a physical backcourt tandem.

Jason Klatt, 5-10, PG, Jr., St. Thomas More
Klatt is enjoying a very productive summer for the Cavaliers. He has improved his decision making and is exceptionally quick off the dribble. He averaged 11.3 ppg while helping St. Thomas More to a 2-2 record and figures to be the vocal leader for coach John Hoch and the Cavaliers in 2015-16.

Chombi Lambert, 5-9, PG, Frosh., Roncalli
Poised, quick and confident point guard who was very impressive for Roncalli and new coach Joe Garceau. Lambert got into the lane with his speed and quickness, made shots from beyond the arc and ran the Jets' offense with the confidence of a senior. One of the top incoming freshmen in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference, Lambert could emerge as a four-year starting point guard for the Jets.

Travis Pomplun, 6-3, G/F, Sr., Omro
One of the more pleasant surprises of the WBY Tournament in Plymouth, Pomplus has excellent length, size and the ability to score from the perimeter and off the dribble. He has a basketball build so as he adds weight and strength to his frame, he figures to blossom into a very good collegiate prospect. 

Daynen Pethan, 6-2, F, Sr., Chilton
The top returning player for a young Chilton squad, Pethan has good size and strength. A solid athlete and team leader, Pethan scored off the dribble and from mid-range for coach Corey Behnke.

Marco Ramos, 6-3, F, Sr., St. Thomas More
Ramos is an athletic, aggressive forward who loves to attack the basket from the wide post. He did an excellent job of finishing around the basket and his aggressive nature gives the Cavaliers a true scoring presence in the paint.

Alex Shutter, 5-11, G, Jr., Plymouth II
Shutter showed the ability to knock down perimeter shots while helping Plymouth II to a 3-1 record in pool play. After coming off the bench for coach Butch Cain as a sophomore, Shutter appears primed to take over one of the starting guard spots for the Panthers as a junior.

Walter Taylor, 6-5, F, Jr., University School
An active, unselfish and skilled baseline player who can soar to the basket and finish, Taylor finished in double figures in three of four games for the Wildcats. A returning starter who averaged 11.7 ppg and 6.7 rpg as a sophomore, Taylor is one of the elite players in the Midwest Classic Conference and a centerpiece for coach Sylvester Cutler the next two seasons.

Team Champion
 
Roncalli
After several years of competing in the Olympian Conference, Roncalli moves back to the Eastern Wisconsin Conference with a new coach as Joe Garceau has replaced Joe Rux. Garceau takes over a program deep in tradition as the Jets won 266 games in Rux's 15 years as head coach. Though Roncalli played without returning starter Brett Bahrs (6-2) and key reserve Tomerot Lambert (5-9), the Jets got solid production from Schneider, Lambert, junior Cory Bahrs (5-10) and sophomore Mitchel Schneider (5-10) in finishing 5-0. Roncalli played strong man-to-man defense, shared the ball on offense and competed with tremendous energy and enthusiasm throughout the weekend. The revamped EWC will be tough terrain for Roncalli, but the Jets have the speed and athleticism to remain very competitive in 2015-16. 

Notes
Pittsville could be one of the more improved teams in the always deep and competitive Southern Division of the Marawood Conference. First-year coach Mark Denniston has an emerging big man in Carlson, and some quick guards with the return of senior Aron Masanz (5-10) and younger brother Aidan Masanz (6-0). Senior Jacob Allind (6-2) gives the Panthers a physical presence while senior Paul Downs (6-2) is a three-year starter ... Junior point guard Tim Schwieters (5-10), junior wing Will Koch (6-4) and incoming freshman Michael Wilson (6-1) all played well for University School, which figures to battle Brookfield Academy, Lake Country Lutheran and Messmer for the title in the Midwest Classic Conference ... There are no easy victories in the Metro Classic Conference so St. Thomas More will have to be at its best in each and every game to have a shot at posting some wins. In addition to Klatt and Ramos, junior Ryan McNeive (6-0), sophomore Adam Boren (5-8) and freshman Noah Glembin (6-3) played well for the Cavaliers ... Chilton will have its work cut out for it in the revamped Eastern Wisconsin Conference. Pethan is a solid player for the Tigers, who need to get some major production from senior Hunter Sporer (5-11) and junior Kevin Broeckel (5-11) to remain competitive in the deep and talented league ... Mishicot is starting over with a new coach in former Shawano mentor Thadd Cornell. The Indians got some strong play from senior guard Tanner Kunseth (5-10) in Plymouth ... Omro senior Spencer Portratz (6-0) teamed with Pomplun to help the Foxes to a 3-1 record. His ability to score with his strength and aggressiveness off of drives to the basket were big for Omro.