Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook

Observations from the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Summer Tournament held June 13-14 in Prairie du Chien:

Pools A-B

Most Valuable Player

Cuba City figures to enter the 2009-10 high school season as one of the state’s top-ranked WIAA Division 3 teams and a big reason for the anticipated success is the return of Evan Richard, an athletic 6-foot-3 scoring machine. Richard played well throughout the tournament for the Cubans, making three-point shots while also getting to the rim and finishing with both one- or two-handed dunks. He also got to the foul line and was highly effectively making mid-range jump shots. Richard has a scholarship offer from NCAA Division II power Winona State, and he plans to attend a camp at Drake University later this month.

* Though Richard is the marquee player in the Cuba City program, he’ll have plenty of help from his talented teammates as the Cubans set their sights on another Southwest Wisconsin Activities League crown and a berth in the Division 3 State Tournament. Senior point guard Derek Tranel (6-1) was outstanding at taking the ball to the basket while rugged senior forward Brandon Stecklien (6-2) played outstanding post defense while also knocking down mid-range jump shots. Stecklien scored 18 points to lead Cuba City in its 57-55 victory over Prairie du Chien in the Pools A-B title game.

* Prairie du Chien went 4-1 in the tournament behind strong play from a number of players. The Blackhawks return a veteran lineup from a squad that went 13-8 and finished one game behind River Valley in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference standings. Senior guard Kyle McCoy (6-0) was a bit rusty after missing the past few months with an injury, but he nonetheless showed his explosiveness in getting to the basket and his ability to make mid-range jump shots. Senior forward Cole Lewis (6-5) gives coach Andy Banasik an experienced and skilled inside presence. Juniors Tanner Roach (6-1) and Brian Gasser (6-4) along with senior point guard Chandler White (6-0) also played well for Prairie du Chien.

* Beaver Dam lost a semifinal game to Cuba City, 57-56, though it was later determined the official scoresheet actually had the Beavers winning the game, 56-55. Despite the controversy, Beaver Dam proved it is ready to take a step up in the Wisconsin Little Ten Conference as coach Tim Ladron brings back a talented core group from last year’s club that went 8-14. Senior Tal Diekvoss, a dynamic 6-0 wing guard, scored 31 points against Cuba City. Diekvoss, a second-team all-league player as a junior, made six three-point baskets in the contest while also utilizing his quickness to get to the rim and either finish or get to the foul line. Senior Dan Doctor (6-4) added 15 points and a boatload of rebounds while sophomore forward Jake Heuer (6-2) did an excellent job of shadowing Richard all over the court.

* Another player who figures to play a prominent role for Beaver Dam is 5-10 point guard R.J. Shelton, an incoming freshman who played outstanding defense while also distributing the ball to his teammates on the other end of the court. Shelton played with poise beyond his years and is definitely a player to watch in the class of 2013.

* Onalaska went 2-2 in the event, losing to Prairie du Chien and Cuba City while defeating Madison Edgewood and Luck. The Hilltoppers got some solid play from promising 6-8 sophomore Nick Arenz along with senior Tyler Adams (6-2), junior Nick Klos (6-0) and sophomore Ben Sucha (5-10). Arenz is an outstanding passer for a big man and can score with his back-to-the-basket or facing the hoop. Look for Onalaska to take a jump upward in the Mississippi Valley Conference next season as the Hilltoppers have a talented and hungry group of players ready to put in the required work needed for improvement.

* Other players from Pools A-B who played well include Spencer Brink, Connor Lagman and Brock Pavlik of Madison Edgewood; Joe Carl, Alex Evans and Tyler Hugill of Fennimore; Cole Morel, Alec Mortel and Carson Giller of Luck; and Tyler Ware and Bobby Steinhoff of Platteville.

Pool A Standings
Prairie du Chien 3-0, Cuba City 2-1, Onalaska 1-2, Madison Edgewood 0-3.
Pool B Standings
Beaver Dam 2-1, Luck 2-1, Platteville 2-1, Fennimore 0-3.
Pool A vs. Pool B Playoff Games
4th Place – Madison Edgewood 41, Fennimore 38
3rd Place – Onalaska 36, Luck 28
Semifinal – Prairie du Chien 46, Platteville 26
Semifinal – Cuba City 57, Beaver Dam 56
Title – Cuba City 57, Prairie du Chien 55

Pools C-D

Most Valuable Player

It is difficult to single out just one player for Potosi, the only team to go unbeaten in the event. However, in the title game against Marshfield Columbus Catholic, senior forward Davis Post (6-1) was the difference as he erupted for 18 points and hit back-to-back three-pointers in the second half that gave Potosi the lead for good.

* Potosi went 20-4 a year ago and coach Mike Uppena lost several key players from that squad, including all-league performers Derek Flesch, Brandon Bolton and Cody Vacha. Still, it appears the Chieftains again will battle Benton for supremacy in the Western Division of the Six Rivers Conference. In addition to the strong play of Post, Potosi got solid contributions from the backcourt duo of Josiah Downs and Taylor Udelhofen along with big play in the post from 6-6 junior Cord Hanson.

* Like Potosi, Columbus Catholic lost a solid group of seniors to graduation. However, the Dons’ program has progressed to the point where they can remain competitive despite heavy graduation losses. Coach Joe Konieczny has a promising group of young players led by junior Jared Boyle (5-10) and sophomore Mike Iwanski (6-2). Boyle, the lone returning regular from a club that went 15-8, is a physically strong lead guard who does an outstanding job of running his team and rarely turns the ball over. Iwanski has a basketball build and is a highly skilled passer and shooter. Iwanski can play inside or outside and more than holds his own against bigger opponents. Senior Tyler Mancl (5-10) shot the ball well all weekend for the Dons, who figure to again be among the top teams in the Eastern Division of the Cloverbelt Conference.

* North Crawford won just one of four games in the tournament, but the Trojans return a pair of talented performers from their Ridge & Valley Conference championship team in senior guard Curtis Allbaugh and senior forward Adam Winsor. Allbaugh has outstanding skills and can score in a variety of ways while Winsor uses his strength to score around the lane or from mid-range.

* River Ridge junior Weston Nemitz (6-2) has been a standout performer for the Timberwolves the past two seasons, and he has improved his game immensely over the past 12 months. Nemitz is an excellent three-point shooter who can also get to the basket off the dribble.

* Other players from Pools C-D who played well include Andrew Kirschbaum and Dustin Bierman of Cassville; Johnny Wiederholt of Riverdale; Dylan Bauman and Brandon Bauman of Juda; and Dylan Lessard, Trenton Payne and Ethan Grimsled of Seneca.

Pool C Standings
Marshfield Columbus Catholic 3-0, Cassville 2-1, North Crawford 1-2, Riverdale 0-3.
Pool D Standings
Potosi 3-0, Seneca 2-1, River Ridge 1-2, Juda 0-3.
Pool C vs. Pool D Playoff Games
4th Place – Juda 45, Riverdale 34
3rd Place – River Ridge 35, North Crawford 31
Semifinal – Columbus Catholic 30, Seneca 25
Semifinal – Potosi 33, Cassville 24
Title – Potosi 47, Columbus Catholic 44