Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook

Observations from the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Summer Tournament held in Kaukauna June 21-22-23:

Pools G-H
                                                    
Final Standings
 
Pool G – Green Bay NEW Lutheran 4-0, St. Mary’s Springs 3-1, Wild Rose 2-2, Peshtigo 1-3, Markesan 0-4.
 
Pool H – Rhinelander 3-1, Xavier 2-2, Green Bay Southwest 2-2, West Bend West 2-2, Wausau West 1-3.

 
Pool G vs. Pool H Championship Game – NEW Lutheran 47, Rhinelander 33.
 
Most Valuable Player 

Kristian Zimmerman, 6-3, Sr., PG/WG, NEW Lutheran 
After coming off the bench and averaging 6.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as a junior for a NEW Lutheran squad that went 28-1 and lost to Randolph in the WIAA Division 5 state-title game, Zimmerman is emerging as a true standout player for coach Mark Meerstein and the Blazers. His ability to play either guard spot and affect the game in multiple ways had college coaches in attendance in Kaukauna excited about his potential at the next level. Zimmerman is able to score off the dribble, find open teammates and connect from distance. Defensively, he has the size and length to create havoc on the perimeter. He was solid throughout the event for a very impressive NEW Lutheran team.

 

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

 

Andrew Duening, 6-6, Sr., WF, West Bend West

One of the more intriguing prospects in the state’s class of 2014, Duening continues to take impressive strides in his game. He is an athletic, left-handed wing forward who can get to the basket and finish above the rim or make mid-range jump shots. Defensively, his length and anticipation are big assets for the Spartans.

 

Josh Erickson, 6-1, Sr., PG, Wild Rose

Erickson was solid throughout the tournament for Wild Rose as he showed off his impressive ability to weave in and out of a defense while setting up himself and his teammates for scoring opportunities. After averaging 15.4 ppg as a junior, Erickson appears ready for an even bigger senior season for longtime Wild Rose coach Jim Komp.

 

Matt Ferris, 6-5, Sr., WG, Xavier

One of the more pleasant surprises of the weekend, Ferris put on a long-distance shooting clinic on Friday, when he had a combined 11 three-point baskets in games against Wausau West and Green Bay Southwest. He has good size, excellent skill and a big upside as he adds weight and strength to his long frame. Ferris is a definite collegiate prospect who figures to get plenty of looks on the circuit in July.  

 

John Laszewski, 6-5, Sr., F, Green Bay Southwest

Laszewski reached double scoring figures in three of four games for a balanced Southwest squad searching for an identity after losing key starters Aaron Moesch, Jason Baranowski and Justin Schweiner to graduation. Laszewski gives the Trojans, who also have a new coach in John Polkowski, an offensive threat in the post.

 

Zack Neumann, 6-2, Sr., WG, Peshtigo

The Bulldogs’ long-distance sniper was a bit off his shooting game in Kaukauna, though he still managed to connect on eight triples over four games. Neumann plays a solid floor game in terms of moving the ball, playing strong defense and contributing on the boards. But he is best known for his three-point shooting skill and that figures to help the Bulldogs to another highly successful campaign next winter.

 

Jack Orzepowski, 6-2, Sr., F, Xavier

Orzepowski battled injuries a year ago and wasn’t able to get a ton of playing time for coach Matt Klarner. But he is back healthy now and he competed with great energy for the Hawks in Kaukauna. Orzepowski was active on the glass, made some perimeter jump shots and basically kept the Hawks in several of their games by making hustle plays.  

 

Brennan Ottery, 6-2, Jr., WF, St. Mary’s Springs

Ottery could emerge as the ‘go-to’ offensive option for coach Kyle Krueger, who must replace five key seniors from a squad that went 20-5. Ottery led the Ledgers to a 3-1 record by scoring consistently off the dribble and by making some mid-range jump shots. The lanky junior also showed off his long-distance shooting prowess as he connected on seven triples in four games.

 

Taylor Penn, 6-3, Jr., WG, Wausau West

Though Penn is just a junior, he’ll have to play like an experienced senior in order for the largely young and untested Warriors to remain competitive in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. Penn had a good weekend for West, scoring from the perimeter and using his hustle and physical strength to score in the lane.

 

Mitch Reinthaler, 6-4, Sr., WF, Rhinelander

Reinthaler continued his strong play this summer with several solid performances for the Hodags. He was particularly effective drawing fouls from opponents off aggressive moves to the basket. In a 42-37 victory over Xavier, Reinthaler went 14 of 14 from the line en route to scoring a game-high 26 points.

 

Dakota Zinser, 6-3, Sr., WG/WF, NEW Lutheran

Zinser boasts plenty of hops and he showed them off with several acrobatic dunks in the WBY Tournament. He also has game as he continually beat defenders off the dribble on drives to the basket while also making long-distance jumpers. With added weight and strength, the dynamic Zinser could blossom into a terrific player at the next level. 

 

Team Champion
 
NEW Lutheran
In the city of Green Bay, the Blazers rule. The program has evolved into the marquee program in the city under the leadership of Meerstein and talented players such as Zimmerman, Zinser and senior Nathan Toenjes (6-8). NEW Lutheran won 28 of 29 games a year ago and in the process captured its third Packerland Conference crown and third Division 5 sectional title over the past four years. Look for the beat to roll on in 2013-14 as NEW Lutheran is loaded.         
 
Notes
Senior forward Colton Volkmann (6-4) and sophomore point guard Devon Oleinik (5-9) turned in strong performances for Rhinelander. Volkmann buried some three-point jumpers while Oleinik pushed the ball in transition and ran the show for the Hodags from his point-guard spot … Few players compete with more passion and energy than Green Bay Southwest senior Joel Cline (6-4). Cline hit a fade-away jumper in overtime as the horn sounded to lift the Trojans past Xavier in pool play … Xavier boasts a couple of promising underclassmen in junior Kyle Van Hammond (5-11) and sophomore point guard Sam Burkhart (5-10) … Senior Sam Schrauth (6-4) of St. Mary’s Springs did not play basketball as a sophomore or junior, but the massive (305 pounds) football lineman is back on the hardwood for his senior season. He was effective setting screens and carving out space in the lane for the Ledgers in Kaukauna … St. Mary’s Springs played without junior Cory Nies (5-10), one of the top players in its program who was out of town at an AAU event … Wild Rose sophomore Tanner Hudziak (5-11) utilized his strength and impressive jumping ability to make things happen for the Wildcats … Rugged senior Jordan Berth (6-4) missed Saturday’s games due to a football camp, but was in attendance on Sunday and used his size and physical strength to score in the paint in a 39-33 victory over Markesan … West Bend West went 2-2 in the event and played some impressive basketball at times behind Andrew Duening (6-6), his twin brother, Jacob (6-5), senior point guard Mike Frei (5-10) and promising sophomore big man Matthew Koerner (6-7) … Markesan senior Andrew Gibbons (6-0) was a bright spot for the Hornets as he hunted perimeter jump shots and made more than his share of triples.