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In-depth previews for teams participating in the 2020 Wisconsin vs. Illinois Border Battle

02/05/2020, 3:45pm CST
By Mark Miller

Alex Leach

2020 WISCONSIN VS. ILLINOIS BORDER BATTLE
Saturday, February 8, 2020
At The Prairie School, Racine, Wis.


11:00 A.M. Game (Updated 2/6/2020)

Brookfield Academy Blue Knights
Coach:
 Pat Clarey, 10th year
Enrollment: 314
Top Players: Aidan Clarey (6-2, Sr., 24.5 ppg), Max Kunnert (6-3, Jr., 19.3 ppg), Logan Landers (6-10, Jr., 18.4 ppg), Alex Leech (6-6, Sr., 9.6 ppg), Peytan Clarey (6-2, Soph., 4.3 ppg).
2019-20 Record: 12-5 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: The Blue Knights compete in the Midwest Classic Conference ... Aidan Clarey, the son of the head coach, has signed with NCAA Division II Rockhurst ... Leech, Landers and Kunnert also are very good collegiate prospects ... Brookfield Academy went 20-6 a year ago and is ranked No. 6 among WIAA Division 4 schools in the WisSports.net Coaches Poll.
Coach's Comments: "Our strengths include staying awake during film sessions, taking turns at the drinking fountain and being on time for team meals. Accepting roles is our biggest challenge."

New Trier Trevians
Coach: Scott Fricke
Enrollment: 3,962
Top Players: Ian Burns (6-5, Jr.), Trevor Boehm (6-0, Sr.), John Carragher (6-4, Sr.), Emmett Burnside (6-7, Sr.), Aidan Brayboy (6-7, Jr.).
2018-19 Record: 13-10 (Through games of Feb. 5)
Notes: New Trier registered a 57-55 victory over Racine Case in the Wisconsin vs. Illinois Border Battle last season behind 20 points from 6-foot-8 senior Spencer Boehm, who is now playing at NCAA Division III Washington University in St. Louis ... The Trevians also won a game in the 2018 Wisconsin vs. Illinois Border Battle, beating Racine Park 68-49 ... New Trier competes in the Central Suburban - South Conference.

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Carson Nell

12:30 P.M. Game (Updated 2/6/2020)

Winnebago Lutheran Academy Vikings
Coach:
 Marty Nell, 4th year
Enrollment: 279
Top Players: Donovan Schwartz (5-10, Sr., 16.3 ppg), Carson Nell (6-2, Sr., 16.5 ppg), Ethan Cole (6-1, Soph., 13.5 ppg), Zach Loehr (6-3, Sr., 9.7 ppg), Ryan Weigand (5-9, Sr., 8.3 ppg).
2019-20 Record: 12-3 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: The Vikings compete in the Flyway Conference and currently lead the league standings with a 7-0 conference record ... Carson Nell and Donovan Schwartz are both being recruited by a number of NCAA Division III programs and are returning starters from last year's club that finished 18-6 ... Loehr also is a returning regular for coach Marty Nell, who guided the Vikings to the conference championship in 2018-19.
Coach's Comments: "Offensive tempo, offensive spacing, shooting, attitude and confidence are among our strengths. Rebounding and free-throw shooting are concerns."

Chicago Steinmetz Silver Streaks
Coach: Brad Dowling
Enrollment: 1,309
Top Players: Ian Schmidt (5-8, Jr.), Mario Montanez (5-9, Sr.), Quame Gipson (5-9, Sr.), Thomas Cibor (6-1, Soph.).
2018-19 Record: 14-8 (Through games of Feb. 5)
Notes: Chicago Steinmetz is a member of the Chicago Public League and competes in the Blue-North Division of the conference.  

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2:00 P.M. Game (Updated 2/6/2020)

Madison East Purgolders
Coach:
 Matt Miota, 10th year
Enrollment: 1,652
Top Players: Keonte Jones (6-3, Sr., 15.5 ppg), Jevan Boyton (6-5, Jr., 9.9 ppg), Michael McIntosh (6-0, Jr., 8.3 ppg), Marcus Justice (6-4, Sr.,, 6.3 ppg), David McKinley (6-1, Sr., 5.9  ppg).
2019-20 Record: 10-3 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: The Purgolders compete in the Big Eight Conference ... Jones is one of the top unsigned senior players in the state and one of the better athletes as well ... Justice's older brother, Keshawn, is a player at NCAA Division I Santa Clara.
Coach's Comments: "Experience, athleticism, length and defense are assets. Chemistry and leadership are concerns."

Marian Catholic Spartans
Coach: Mike Taylor
Enrollment: 1,002
Top Players: Ahron Ulis (6-1, Sr.), Elijah Jones (6-4, Sr.), Joe Green (6-2, Sr.), Yemi Elutilo (6-4, Sr.).
2018-19 Record: 18-7 (Through games of Feb. 5)
Notes: Marian Catholic is located in Chicago Heights and competes in the East Suburban Catholic Conference ... Ulis has signed with NCAA Division I Iowa while Jones signed with DI Western Illinois.  

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Kody Krekling

3:30 P.M. Game (Updated 2/6/2020)

The Prairie School Hawks
Coach:
 Jason Atanasoff, 9th year
Enrollment: 270
Top Players: Antuan Nesbitt (6-4, Jr., 19.1 ppg), Asanjai Hunter (5-11, Soph., 11.0 ppg), Jacob Fallico (5-10, Jr., 10.3 ppg), Kody Krekling (6-3, Jr., 8.4 ppg), Ashe Oglesby (6-5, Frosh., 11.2 ppg).
2019-20 Record: 10-6 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: The Hawks compete in the Metro Classic Conference ... Nesbitt, Fallico and Krekling are returning starters from a club that finished 14-11 a year ago ... Nesbitt is ranked among the top juniors in Wisconsin in the WisSports.net Player Rankings while Ashe is one of the more promising freshmen in the state.
Coach's Comments: "Depth, team speed, unselfishness and pressure defense are strengths. Lack of size, rebounding and leadership are among our concerns."

Chicago Perspectives MSA Wolves
Coach: Waybon McConnell
Enrollment: 408
Top Players: Jarvin Graham (5-8, Sr., 13.5 ppg, 4.3 apg), Caleb Miller (5-11, Sr., 15.2 ppg), Kenny Daniel (6-0, Sr.), Jabari Scuefield (6-3, Jr.). 
2018-19 Record: 15-9 (Through games of Feb. 5)
Notes: Chicago Perspectives MSA is a member of the Chicago Public League and competes in the White-West Division of the conference ... NBA All-Star Anthony Davis is a graduate of Chicago Perspectives.   

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Ben Nau

5:00 P.M. Game (Updated 2/6/2020)

Brookfield Central Lancers
Coach:
 Dan Wandrey, 6th year
Enrollment: 1,242
Top Players: David Joplin (6-7, Jr., 20.8 ppg), Ben Nau (6-2, Jr., 11.8 ppg), Malik Abdul-Wahid (6-6, Sr., 11.6 ppg), Eric Radisevic (6-9, Sr., 12.8 ppg), Andrew Rohde (6-4, Soph., 8.2 ppg).
2019-20 Record: 15-1 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: The Lancers compete in the Greater Metro Conference ... Abdul-Wahid signed with NCAA Division II Winona State ... Joplin and Nau are ranked among the top players in the state's junior class and own several scholarship offers from NCAA Division I programs ... The Lancers are the defending WIAA Division 1 state champions and currently are ranked No. 2 in the state among D1 programs in the WisSports.net Coaches Poll.
Coach's Comments: "Tradition, a winning attitude, size, experience and offensive explosiveness are strengths. Leadership, defense and consistency are question marks."

Deerfield Warriors
Coach: Dan McKendrick
Enrollment: 1,628
Top Players: Brandon Leib (6-10, Sr.), Walt Mattingly (6-7, Jr.), Josh Garland (6-2, Sr.).
2018-19 Record: 15-8 (Through games of Feb. 5)
Notes: Deerfield is a member of the Central Suburban North Conference ... Lieb is one of the better unsigned class of 2020 prospects remaining in Illinois. 

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6:30 P.M. Game (Updated 2/6/2020)

Sun Prairie Cardinals
Coach:
 Jeff Boos, 25th year
Enrollment: 2,494
Top Players: Colin Schaefer (6-1, Sr., 18.0 ppg), Delaware Hale (6-6, Sr., 15.3 ppg), Ben Olson (6-3, Soph., 10.0 ppg), Denate Luster (6-3, Sr., 8.6 ppg), Dawson Hughes (5-11, Sr., 6.5 ppg).
2019-20 Record: 12-2 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: The Cardinals compete in the Big Eight Conference ... Schaefer and Hale rank among the top seniors in Wisconsin and both players remain uncommitted for next season ... The Cardinals lost to Brookfield Central in the WIAA Division 1 state-title game last March ... Schaefer and Hale are returning starters from last year.
Coach's Comments: "Depth, team play and competitiveness are strengths. Rebounding is our No. 1 concern."

Antioch Sequoits
Coach: Tim Bowen
Enrollment: 1,317
Top Players: Jackson DeVaughn (6-3, Sr.), Gavin Eldridge (6-4, Sr.), Jackson Fries (6-2, Sr.), Kobe Kriese (6-0, Jr.).
2018-19 Record: 11-11 (Through games of Feb. 5)
Notes: Antioch is a member of the Northern Lakes County Conference.

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Terrance Thompson

8:00 P.M. Game (Updated 2/6/2020)

La Crosse Central Red Raiders
Coach:
 Todd Fergot, 16th year
Enrollment: 1,120
Top Players: Johnny Davis (6-5, Sr., 29.5 ppg), Terrance Thompson (6-7, Sr., 13.7 ppg), Jordan Davis (6-4, Sr., 12.8 ppg), Charlie Masewicz (6-6, Sr., 8.1 ppg), Devon Fielding (6-0, Soph., 7.5 ppg).
2019-20 Record: 11-4 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: The Red Raiders compete in the Mississippi Valley Conference ... Johnny Davis and Jordan Davis signed letters of intent to play college basketball at the University of Wisconsin ... Thompson also has several offers from NCAA Division I programs, but has not signed with a program yet ... Fielding is one of a handful of talented sophomores in the La Crosse Central program ... The Red Raiders are ranked No. 2 among WIAA Division 2 schools in the WisSports.net Coaches Poll.
Coach's Comments: "Size, length, depth, talent and experience are all strengths. Perimeter shooting is our top concern."

DeKalb Barbs
Coach: Mike Reynolds
Enrollment: 1,815
Top Players: Isaiah Youngquist (6-1, Sr.), Joseph Owens (6-4, Sr.).
2018-19 Record: 20-5 (Through games of Feb. 5)
Notes: DeKalb is a member of the DuPage Valley Conference.

Tag(s): Wisconsin vs Illinois