Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook

With a day of rest to recharge the batteries, its time to reveal our unofficial award winners from the sixth annual Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout, held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the Buuck Field House on the campus of Concordia University in Mequon:
 
The Rick Barry Free-Throw Shooting Accuracy Award Winner 
Connor Miller of Eau Claire Regis. Miller (6-3) is probably best known for his ability to make long-distance shots. But he proved in victories over Whitefish Bay Dominican and Catholic Memorial that he can also get to the basket and to the foul line. In a stirring 57-54 come-from-behind victory over Dominican, Miller got to the foul line 10 times, making eight. In a highly competitive 62-58 victory over Catholic Memorial, Miller went 10-for-10 from the line. The Samford University recruit finished with 19 points in each game for the Ramblers, who improved to 8-1 under coach Bill Uelmen.  
 
The Karl Malone Ironman Award Winner
Duane Wilson of Dominican. Though just a sophomore, Wilson (6-1) is a player coach Paul Wollersheim simply cannot take out of the game. Wilson runs the show for the Knights as the starting point guard. He also defends exceptionally well and isn’t afraid to sacrifice his body while diving for a loose ball. In Dominican’s 59-56 victory over Milwaukee Pius XI, Wilson played all but a few seconds in the double overtime contest, scoring 19 points, including eight in overtime. Wilson’s combination of size, skill, athleticism, competitiveness and toughness make him one of the state’s top collegiate prospects. 

The World B. Free Hunt-A-Shot Award Winner 
Giovanni Bray of Milwaukee Hamilton. A quick and explosive 6-0 combination guard, Bray’s quick trigger can be deadly for opponents. In the Wildcats’ convincing 83-60 victory over Bowman Academy of Gary, Indiana, Bray finished with a game-high 27 points. He made three shots from beyond the arc and managed to get to the foul line eight times, making seven. Bray has become a ‘go-to’ player for coach Tom Diener and the talented senior has delivered thus far for Hamilton, which figures to be a title contender once again in the Milwaukee City Conference. 

The Jack Nicholson Famous Face In The Crowd Award Winner 
Unlike a year ago, North Carolina coach Roy Williams did not make it to the WBY Shootout, but coaches from Green Bay, Marquette, Milwaukee and Wisconsin were all in attendance. Many other NCAA Division I, II and III schools also had coaches in attendance throughout the event. 

The Ray Allen Three-Point Shooting Award Winner 
Relatively unknown Justin Otto of Kenosha Bradford stepped up big time for his team in the Red Devils’ 70-52 victory over West Allis Central. The 6-0 senior drilled six three-point shots in the first half alone and then added another triple in the second half en route to a career-high 28 points. The backcourt combination of Otto and senior point guard Quardell Young is one of the best in Wisconsin, and makes Bradford the team to beat in the highly competitive Southeast Conference. 

The Moses Malone Rebound Award Winner 
DeJuan Marrero of Bowman Academy. The athletic and powerful 6-5 junior was a rebounding machine in games against Chicago DeLaSalle, Menomonee Falls and Milwaukee Hamilton. He finished with a WBY Shootout-record 24 rebounds in a 65-60 loss to DeLaSalle and then had double-digit rebounding totals against both Menomonee Falls and Milwaukee Hamilton. Marrero was especially effective on the offensive glass for coach Marvin Rea as his tenacious rebounding often led to trips to the foul line. In three games, Marrero attempted 36 foul shots, making just 17. Marrero can also score as he had 24 against DeLaSalle, 19 against Menomonee Falls and 20 against Milwaukee Hamilton. Marrero is ranked No. 99 nationally in the class of 2012 by Rivals.com and has scholarship offers from Cincinnati, DePaul, Illinois, Indiana, Memphis, Ohio State and Purdue, among others.  

The John Stockton Assist Award Winner 
Jordan Fouse of Racine St. Catherine’s. Not sure another player in the WBY Shootout improved their stock more with collegiate coaches than Fouse, who turned in two sparking performances for coach Bob Letsch and the Angels. In a 59-44 victory over West Allis Central, The 6-5 Fouse finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals and 4 blocked shots while committing just one turnover. In a 61-45 victory over Catholic Memorial, Fouse had 15 points, 6 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocked shots. Fouse has great length, tremendous balance, exceptional passing skills and a tremendous feel for the game. Look for scholarship offers to start pouring in soon for the versatile, complete, athletic and unselfish Fouse. 

The Maurice Lucas Enforcer Award Winner 
Chris Kading of DePere. Lucas, the former Marquette great who passed away earlier this year, was known as a physical enforcer during his long and successful career in the NBA. Kading plays a similar role for the Redbirds by using his length, body control, physical strength and athleticism to make things difficult for opponents in the lane. Kading plays within himself exceptionally well on the offensive end of the floor and cleans the glass on the defensive end. The North Dakota State recruit was highly impressive in De Pere’s victories over Germantown and Marquette, finishing with 18 points against previously unbeaten Germantown and 13 against Marquette.  

The Michael Jordan Most Valuable Player Award Winner 
Nick Arenz of Onalaska. Arenz does not wow opponents with high-wire acts like Tokoto, but his decision making, ability to score in a variety of ways and solid all-around court savvy is one of the main reasons Onalaska improved to 8-0 after victories over Oshkosh North and Beaver Dam. In fact, outside of perhaps Chicago DeLaSalle and De Pere, no team looked more impressive in the WBY Shootout than Onalaska, currently ranked No. 1 among Division 2 teams in Wisconsin in the WisSports.net Coaches Poll. Arenz (6-8) finished with 19 points against Oshkosh North and 15 against Beaver Dam. He also rebounded well and passed well out of the high post and for coach Craig Kowal. Arenz currently owns scholarship offers from both Green Bay and Milwaukee, among others.
 
The Derek Fisher Do-A-Bit-Of-Everything Award Winner
Terry Nash of Wisconsin Lutheran. Nash and teammate Joshua Gordon were simply outstanding in the Vikings’ 51-44 come-from-behind victory over Milwaukee Washington, scoring 13 points apiece while also making a slew of hustle plays for coach Ryan Walz. Nash, a quick 6-1 point guard who has committed to NCAA Division II Northern Michigan, also turned in a solid showing in Lutheran’s 57-41 victory over Waukesha West, using his quickness and toughness to get into the lane and either score or create for his teammates.

The Climbing The Charts Of The WisSports.Net Player Rankings Award Winner 
Matt Thomas of Onalaska. Though the skilled 6-1 guard is currently ranked No. 7 in the class of 2013 by WisSports.net, he is clearly trending upward and has the look of a player who could eventually land among the top couple of players in his class. Thomas is smooth off the dribble, a lights-out shooter from downtown and an excellent decision maker with the ball. He has good size and length and has dramatically improved his physical strength over the past 12 months. Thomas earned a scholarship offer from Northern Iowa last fall and more are definitely headed his way, especially if he can grown to the height of his older brother, 6-6 senior Tony Thomas.  

WBY Shootout All-Tournament Team
Nick Arenz, 6-8, Jr., Onalaska
Giovanni Bray, 6-0, Sr., Milwaukee Hamilton
Jordan Fouse, 6-5, Jr., Racine St. Catherine’s
Chris Kading, 6-8, Sr., De Pere
DeJuan Marrero, 6-5, Jr., Gary, Ind., Bowman Academy
Connor Miller, 6-3, Sr., Eau Claire Regis
Terry Nash, 6-1, Sr., Wisconsin Lutheran
Justin Otto, 6-0, Sr., Kenosha Bradford
Jalen Riley, 5-11, Sr., Racine Case
Mike Shaw, 6-8, Sr., Chicago DeLaSalle
Duane Wilson, 6-1, Soph., Whitefish Bay Dominican
 
25 Additional Players Who Consistently Performed Well
Alex Anderson, 6-0, Sr., Oshkosh North
Izaiah Anderson, 6-5, Jr., Oshkosh North
Malcolm Bowers, 6-2, Sr., Germantown
Quinten Calloway, 5-11, Sr., Milwaukee Marquette
Anthony Carroll, 6-1, Soph., Wauwatosa East
Ty Demuth, 6-3, Jr., Racine Lutheran
Charlie Fischer, 6-3, Sr., Arrowhead
Nick Fuller, 6-5, Soph., Sun Prairie
Jarvin Garrett, 5-10, Soph., West Allis Central
Jake Giffhorn, 6-2, Soph., Catholic Memorial
Eric Hartnett, 6-6, Jr., Ozaukee
Chris Hawkins, 6-5, Sr., Sun Prairie
Dre Henley, 6-7, Sr., Chicago DeLaSalle
Jake Heuer, 6-3, Jr., Beaver Dam
Steven Hofacker, 6-7, Sr., Eau Claire Regis
Carrington Love, 5-11, Sr., Milwaukee Pius XI
Jamaar McKay, 6-3, Soph., Milwaukee Washington
Najeal McMillian, 6-5, Jr., West Allis Central
Elijah Ray, 6-6, Jr., Gary, Ind., Bowman
Charles Rushman, 6-3, Sr., Arrowhead
Zak Showalter, 6-2, Jr., Germantown