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Your complete guide to the 2017 Rick Majerus WBY Shootout

12/23/2017, 4:00pm CST
By Mark Miller

Your official guide to the 13th annual Rick Majerus Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout, scheduled for December 27-28-29 at Concordia University in Mequon:

Five Things To Watch …

1. Kaukauna vs. Waunakee – Two of the state's winningest programs over the past decade or so will go at each other as the Ghosts and Warriors each have their collective sights set on winning WIAA state titles come March. Kaukauna, which beat Waunakee 91-62 in the 2016 Division 2 state-title game, is led by West Virginia recruit Jordan McCabe, a 6-foot-0 magician with the basketball in his hands. McCabe's ball handling, passing and shooting skills may be unmatched in state prep basketball history and attract big crowds each time the Ghosts take the court. McCabe, who is averaging a whopping 27.0 points per game, leads a gifted Kaukauna squad that is among the favorites to win the Division 2 state title in a few months. Waunakee, meanwhile, moves from Division 2 to Division 1 with a roster led by a pair of four-year varsity performers -- Belmont recruit Mitch Listau (6-4) and Minnesota-Duluth recruit Mason Steffen (6-3). Listau and Steffen are proven winners who compete with an edge for veteran coach Dana MacKenzie. These are two of the top teams in Wisconsin, regardless of division, and figure to be pumped up to face each other at 6:00 p.m. on December 28th.

2. Tyler Herro of Whitnall – The ever-improving wing-guard prospect made huge news last fall when he re-opened his recruitment after committing to the University of Wisconsin on September 12, 2016. Herro, an athletic, skilled and fearless 6-foot-5 wing player, eventually wound up committing to Kentucky. He has been nothing short of sensational thus far in 2017-18, averaging 29.1 ppg while leading the Falcons to an 8-1 record. Herro has very deep shooting range, can score off the dribble and loves the challenge of overcoming obstacles to lead his team to victory. He'll get plenty of opportunities to display his all-around game at the WBY Shootout as Whitnall is slated to play a pair of extremely difficult opponents in Waunakee at 7:30 p.m. on December 27 followed by top-ranked Oshkosh North on December 28 at 7:30 p.m. 

3. 13 ranked teams in WisSports.net Coaches Poll – Three top ranked teams and 13 ranked programs overall are scheduled to participate in the 32-team WBY Shootout. At the Division 1 level, top-ranked Oshkosh North and fourth-ranked Waunakee will compete. Four of the top 10 teams in Division 2 will participate, including top-ranked Kaukauna, fourth-ranked Whitnall, seventh-ranked Monona Grove and tenth-ranked Onalaska. Other ranked teams taking part include the state's top-ranked Division 3 team -- Xavier -- and the state's second-ranked Division 4 squad -- The Prairie School of Racine. Other ranked teams include third-ranked Martin Luther and fourth-ranked Waupun in Division 3; seventh-ranked Mineral Point and ninth-ranked Manitowoc Lutheran in Division 4; and seventh-ranked Sheboygan Lutheran in Division 5.

4. Xavier's high-octane offense – Appleton Xavier has been the hottest team in Wisconsin for more than a year now, winning 35 straight games and playing in the WIAA Division 3 state-championship game in each of the past three seasons under coach Matt Klarner. After falling to Brown Deer in 2015 and Waupun in 2016, the Hawks soundly defeated Prescott for the state crown last March. Three starters return from that squad in senior guards Hunter Plamann (6-1) and Sam Ferris (6-0) along with senior forward Nate DeYoung (6-5). Juniors Henry Egan (6-0) and Nick Otto (6-4) have moved into the starting lineup for the Hawks this winter and have proven to be capable scorers. In fact, almost every Xavier player has shown the ability to put points on the board as the Hawks are averaging an incredible 99.7 ppg through the first seven games of the season. Xavier has scored 100 or more points four times and loves to shoot the three while playing at an extremely up-tempo pace.

5. Unsigned seniors worth watching – College coaches from programs at all levels have no shortage of unsigned seniors to watch at the WBY Shootout. The list is long and includes many very talented players. In alphabetical order, here is a list of seniors still searching for the right collegiate program ...

Quincy Anderson, 6-3, Oshkosh North
Grant Biesterfeld, 6-0, Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Ki-Anthony Blake, 6-3, Martin Luther
Jacob Bolwerk, 6-1, Living Word Lutheran
J.C. Butler, 6-5, The Prairie School
Jack Cahalane, 5-11, Brookfield Academy
Sam Ferris, 6-0, Xavier
Cade Garcia, 6-1, Whitefish Bay
Jared Jurss, 6-3, Sheboygan Lutheran
Niko Kerschner, 6-6, Milwaukee Marquette
Logan Krekling, 6-3, The Prairie School
Dylan Kurey, 6-7, Kaukauna
Preston Maccoux, 6-6, Pius XI Catholic
Troy Mikaelian, 6-1, The Prairie School
Quincy Minor Jr., 6-0, Wisconsin Lutheran
Isaiah Owens, 6-6, Milwaukee Lutheran
Mitchel Schneider, 6-1, Roncalli
Jake Schroeckenthaler, 6-7, Monona Grove
Liam Schroeder, 6-7, Milwaukee Marquette
Finley Schumacher, 6-6, Waukesha West
Tanner Sebastian, 6-2, Greendale
Tyree Stuttley, 6-3, Onalaska
Bilal Shabazz, 6-7, Pius XI Catholic
Owen Theune, 6-4, Waupun
Chance Wendhausen, 6-3, Mineral Point
Andres Peralta-Werns, 6-3, Brookfield Central
Brunard Williams, 6-3, Wisconsin Lutheran
Solomon Zarling, 6-3, Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Vlado Zrnic, 6-6, Greendale
Zach Zuleger, 6-4, Kettle Moraine Lutheran

15 Players To Watch …

Quincy Anderson, 6-3, Sr., Oshkosh North -- The ever-improving wing prospect is having a breakout season for the Spartans. He is averaging a team-best 24.9 points per game while also contributing 5.8 rebounds per outing. A very good defender in North's 1-3-1 zone defense, Anderson is excellent in the open court while also possessing the ability to make long-distance shots. 

J.C. Butler, 6-5, Sr., The Prairie School -- The best player in the state in the class of 2018 who remains uncommitted to a collegiate program, Butler is averaging 25.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals for a very good team at The Prairie School in Racine. He is shooting 63 percent from the field, 79 percent from the foul line and 39 percent from three-point range. An athletic player who plays above the rim, Butler has scored 1,579 career points for the Hawks. He has NCAA Division I scholarship offers from both Green Bay and Milwaukee.

Marcus Domask, 6-6, Jr., Waupun -- One of the state's top class of 2019 collegiate prospects, Domask is a scoring wing guard with a good feel for the game. The son of Waupun coach Dan Domask is averaging 22.8 ppg and went for a career-high 35 in a victory over Waterford in November. Marcus Domask has scored 1,118 career points and owns a NCAA Division I scholarship offer from Green Bay.

Sam Ferris, 6-0, Sr., Xavier -- Ferris teams with Hunter Plamann and Henry Egan to give Xavier one of the top backcourt trios in the state. Ferris comes from a basketball family and is averaging 16.9 points and 8.9 assists while competing with a very high basketball IQ. Ferris' accuracy from the field is extremely impressive as he is shooting 63 percent from the field, 77 percent from the free-throw line and 59 percent (19 of 32) from three-point range. 

Tyrese Haliburton, 6-6, Sr., Oshkosh North -- There might not be a player in the state in the 2018 class who has improved more over the past four years than Haliburton, a 6-foot-6 point guard who signed with Iowa State last November. An unselfish player who impacts the game on multiple levels, Haliburton is averaging 21.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 5.1 steals for Oshkosh North, which is 8-0 and ranked No. 1 among Division 1 schools in Wisconsin.

Tyler Herro, 6-5, Sr., Whitnall -- The University of Kentucky recruit is extremely exciting to watch because of his limitless shooting range and his ability to attack the basket with his length, skill and aggressiveness. He can drop 40 or more points on any opponent on any given night and he may need to in order for Whitnall to challenge the unbeaten teams from Waunakee and Oshkosh North at the Rick Majerus WBY Shootout.

Xzavier Jones, 6-5, Jr., Martin Luther -- A very cerebral player who makes a strong impression on a game in a variety of ways, Jones is averaging 9.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists while helping Martin Luther to a 7-1 record. Jones can play multiple positions and currently has NCAA Division I scholarship offers from Bradley, Green Bay, IUPUI and Saint Louis.

Isaac Lindsey, 6-3, Soph., Mineral Point -- A shooter with size and a high basketball IQ, Lindsey already owns NCAA Division I scholarship offers from both Green Bay and South Dakota State. After averaging 18.2 ppg as a freshman, Lindsey is averaging 16.8 ppg as a sophomore for a more well-rounded lineup.

Mitch Listau, 6-4, Sr., Waunakee -- The Belmont University recruit is a four-year varsity performer for coach Dana MacKenzie and the Warriors. A left-handed wing player who can score off the dribble and from outside the three-point range, Listau is averaging 24.3 points through seven games and had 30 in a triumph over Wauwatosa East. Listau enter the WBY Shootout with 1,439 career points.

Preston Maccoux, 6-6, Sr., Pius XI Catholic -- A three-year varsity player for coach Joel Claassen at Pius XI Catholic, Maccoux is a versatile, skilled perimeter prospect who leads the Popes in scoring at 16.8 ppg. Maccoux can pass, shoot and defend and currently owns NCAA Division II scholarship offers from both Parkside and Winona State. 

Gage Malensek, 6-0, Jr., Brookfield Central -- A gym rat who possesses a tremendous feel for the game, Malensek earned Player of the Year honors in the Greater Metro Conference as a sophomore. He currently is averaging 19.2 points and 3.5 assists for coach Dan Wandrey and the Lancers. 

Jordan McCabe, 6-0, Sr., Kaukauna -- When McCabe is locked in an playing at a high level, he is as exciting a player to watch as any player in state history, thanks to his incredible court vision and ability to make "wow" plays, particularly in transition. A four-year starter for coach Mike Schalow at Kaukauna, McCabe is averaging 27.0 points and went for 42 in Florida on Friday in an 85-83 victory over Mars High School of Pennsylvania. 

Hunter Plamann, 6-1, Sr., Xavier -- An aggressive lead guard who pushes the ball in transition and locates open teammates, Plamann also is a very good scorer. He is averaging 21.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 3.4 steals while helping Xavier to victories in 35 consecutive games. The NCAA Division II recruit for Minnesota-Duluth is nearing the all-time scoring mark at Xavier. He currently has 1,333 career points, 323 behind Kip Whitlinger's school mark of 1,656 set from 1960-63. 

Jake Schroeckenthaler, 6-7, Sr., Monona Grove -- A bully in the paint, Schroeckenthaler is outstanding at using his body and physical strength to score in the lane. The three-year varsity performer for coach Dan Zweifel is averaging a team-high 18.3 ppg for the unbeaten Silver Eagles. He is a match-up nightmare for opponents because of his impressive combination of skill and size. 

Mason Steffen, 6-3, Sr., Waunakee -- Closing in on 1,000 career points, Steffen recently committed to NCAA Division II Minnesota-Duluth. He is averaging 14.0 points, but his presence on defense gives the Warriors a great deal of toughness and grit. A solid all-around player who has four years of varsity experience under his belt, Steffen is less than 100 points away from 1,000 for his prep career.

Sophomores (Class of 2020) To Watch …

Carson Arenz, 6-4, Onalaska
Matt Berger, 6-5, Oshkosh North
Caden Boser, 6-7, Eau Claire Memorial
Declan Ciurlik, 6-3, Homestead
Aidan Clarey, 6-1, Brookfield Academy
Cole Dakovich, 6-5, Catholic Memorial
Keaton Ferris, 5-11, Kaukauna
Harry Grams, 6-2, Whitefish Bay
Logan Jedwabny, 6-1, Kaukauna
Alec Leach, 6-6, Brookfield Academy
Evan Lilly, 6-3, Port Washington
Isaac Lindsey, 6-3, Mineral Point
Santana Lomibao, 6-4, Manitowoc Lutheran
Riley Murphy, 5-11, Seymour
Jacob Ognacevic, 6-5, Sheboygan Lutheran
Tyrell Stuttley, 6-4, Onalaska
JaVeon Tolliver, 5-10, Milwaukee Lutheran
Trey Zastrow, 6-0, Manitowoc Lutheran

Freshmen (Class of 2021) To Watch …

Will Brust, 6-3, Greendale
Brayden Dailey, 6-5, Mineral Point
Mason Dorn, 5-8, Seymour
David Joplin, 6-6, Brookfield Central
Jonah Jurss, 5-11, Sheboygan Lutheran
Ronja Kelly, 6-0, Milwaukee Lutheran
Sam Kick, 6-1, Onalaska
Max Kunnert, 6-2, Brookfield Academy
Logan Landers, 6-7, Brookfield Academy
JC Latham, 6-6, Catholic Memorial
Gavin McGrath, 6-8, Onalaska
Jack McKellips, 6-0, Lourdes Academy
Ben Nau, 6-0, Brookfield Central
Cam Palesse, 6-3, Waukesha West
Preston Ruedinger, 6-0, Lourdes Academy
Sam Sommerfeld, 6-0, Greendale
Liam Stumpf, 6-0, Mineral Point
Tre Valeriano, 5-10, St. Thomas More
Peyton VanDeHei, 6-3, Seymour
Charlie Wolfgram, 6-0, Lourdes Academy

Rick Majerus WBY Shootout Notes …

There will be no pre-sale tickets. All tickets for the WBY Shootout will be sold at the door. The Buuck Fieldhouse can accommodate around 2,000 fans so plan to arrive early to make sure you can purchase a ticket.

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Parking for the Rick Majerus WBY Shootout is free.

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Ticket prices are $5 for students and senior citizens and $10 for adults. The tickets are good for the entire day.

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Copies of the 336-page 2017-18 Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook will be available for purchase for $30.

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Game programs, which includes rosters and other information for all 32 teams, will be sold for $3.

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The Concordia University basketball team will sell concessions throughout the event.

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Time Warner Cable SportsChannel will broadcast three games live -- Xavier vs. The Prairie School at 4:30 p.m. followed by Kaukauna vs. Waunakee at 6:00 p.m. and Oshkosh North vs. Whitnall at 7:30 p.m. All of those games are scheduled for December 28th. 

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Following is the schedule of games for the Rick Majerus WBY Shootout …

Wednesday’s Games (December 27)
At Concordia University (Mequon)

9:00 a.m. – Lourdes Academy (6-4) vs. Manitowoc Lutheran (8-0)
10:30 a.m. – Kettle Moraine Lutheran (4-1) vs. Sheboygan Lutheran (7-1)
Noon – Roncalli (5-1) vs. Brookfield Academy (5-1)
1:30 p.m. – Martin Luther (7-1) vs. Mineral Point (5-1)
3:00 p.m. – The Prairie School (6-1) vs. Monona Grove (7-0)
4:30 p.m. – Pius XI Catholic (2-6) vs. Waupun (7-0)
6:00 p.m. – Xavier (7-0) vs. Catholic Memorial (2-6)
7:30 p.m. – Whitnall (8-1) vs. Waunakee (7-0)
9:00 p.m. – Port Washington (3-5) vs. Greendale (5-4)

Thursday’s Games (December 28)
At Concordia University (Mequon)

9:00 a.m. – Living Word Lutheran (3-2) vs. Manitowoc Lutheran (8-0)
10:30 a.m. – Mineral Point (5-1) vs. Roncalli (5-1)
Noon – St. Thomas More (2-6) vs. Lourdes Academy (6-4)
1:30 p.m. – Eau Claire Memorial (2-4) vs. Milwaukee Lutheran (5-3)
3:00 p.m. – Catholic Memorial (2-6) vs. Onalaska (5-1)
4:30 p.m. – Xavier (7-0) vs. The Prairie School (6-1)
6:00 p.m. – Kaukauna (6-2) vs. Waunakee (7-0)
7:30 p.m. – Oshkosh North (8-0) vs. Whitnall (8-1)
9:00 p.m. – Wisconsin Lutheran (3-5) vs. Milwaukee Marquette (2-3)

Friday’s Games (December 29)
At Concordia University (Mequon)

9:00 a.m. – Brookfield Academy (5-1) vs. Sheboygan Lutheran (7-1)
10:30 a.m. – St. Thomas More (2-6) vs. Living Word Lutheran (3-2)
Noon – Kettle Moraine Lutheran (4-1) vs. Martin Luther (7-1)
1:30 p.m. – Onalaska (5-1) vs. Whitefish Bay (3-5)
3:00 p.m. – Eau Claire Memorial (2-4) vs. Seymour (6-2)
4:30 p.m. – Waupun (7-0) vs. Homestead (5-2)
6:00 p. m. -- Brookfield Central (4-2) vs. Oshkosh North (8-0)
7:30 p.m. -- Wisconsin Lutheran (3-5) vs. Waukesha West (6-2)
9:00 p.m. -- Milwaukee Marquette (2-3) vs. Milwaukee Lutheran (5-3)

Tag(s): WBY Shootout