Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook

Observations from the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Summer Tournament held in Burlington July 6-7:

Pools C-D
                                                    
Final Pool Standings

 

Pool C – West Bend East 3-0, Wilmot 2-1, Shorewood 1-2, Badger 0-3.
 
Pool D – Union Grove 2-1, Whitnall 2-1, Kenosha Bradford 2-1, Jefferson 0-3.

 

Pool C vs. Pool D Crossover Results

West Bend East 63, Kenosha Bradford 46

Union Grove 64, Shorewood 53

Whitnall 60, Wilmot 57

Badger 40, Jefferson 37

 

Most Valuable Player 

Alex Manhardt, 6-6, Sr., PF, West Bend East
Manhardt was extremely impressive throughout the weekend while leading the Suns to a 4-0 record. He ran the court exceptionally well, played with passion in the post and was able to score, rebound and defend at a high level. He averaged 10.3 points per game and made 15 of 16 free throw attempts in East’s four victories. A physically strong player with good footwork in the post, Manhardt played with his back-to-the-basket and was also able to square up and take defenders off the dribble with his quick first step. Manhardt certainly earned a spot on the recruiting radar of the several NCAA Division III coaches in attendance with his strong performances.          

 

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

 

Mitch Brault, 6-0, Sr., G, Whitnall

The top returning player for a Whitnall program that went 15-8 under first-year coach Steve Kujawa last season, Brault missed both games on Saturday due to a conflict with baseball, but he was outstanding on Sunday, scoring in a variety of ways and playing strong defense on the other end of the court. Brault teams with Nate Schaefer (6-0) to give Whitnall an outstanding backcourt tandem.  

 

Alex Hale, 6-3, Sr., WF, Union Grove

A slasher who also competes with a high skill level, Hale’s athletic ability and aggressive nature fit in well for a Union Grove program poised to make some noise in 2013-14 under coach Dave Pettit. Hale averaged 8.4 ppg and 4.7 rpg as a junior and was able to surpass those totals in Burlington while helping the Broncos to a 3-1 record.

 

Nate Hensel, 6-2, Sr., WG, Wilmot

Hensel is a good athlete who loves to attack the basket. He is also a solid long-distance shooter. He scored at a high clip for Wilmot in its four games in Burlington, finishing in double figures three times. A three-year starter for Wilmot, Hensel earned second-team honors in the Southern Lakes Conference as a junior.

 

Andrew Kazikowski, 5-11, Sr., PG/WG, Union Grove

Kazikowski played both guard positions for the Broncos and was effective in both spots. He is a physically and mentally strong player who isn’t afraid of a challenge. He is a very good long-distance shooter, but he can also use his quickness and aggressiveness to beat defenders off the bounce. The returning first-team all-league pick is a major reason many consider Union Grove the team to beat in the Southern Lakes Conference next winter.

 

Tejon Lucas, 5-8, Soph., PG, Shorewood

A skilled point guard who runs a team, plays with a high basketball I.Q. and makes shots from all over the court, Lucas was very impressive for the Greyhounds. He finished the event with 12 three-point baskets in four games while leading Shorewood in scoring. Though he is small, he makes difficult plays look easy and is definitely one of the better college prospects in Wisconsin’s class of 2016. 

 

Nate Schaefer, 6-0, Sr., PG, Whitnall

Schaefer finished as runner-up for MVP voting in Pools C-D and with good reason. He was stellar for the Falcons in all four games, leading his team in scoring and tossing in 29 points in a very competitive 60-57 victory over Wilmot. Schaefer is fast with the ball in his hands and is intent on getting to the basket and either scoring or dishing to a teammate. He averaged 20.3 ppg in Burlington and helped Whitnall to a 3-1 record.

 

Brandon Schattner, 6-1, Sr., PG, Wilmot

An aggressive lead guard with good size and quickness, Schattner made things happen for Wilmot. He was able to get into the lane off the dribble and either score or earn trips to the foul line. In a 48-47 victory over Southern Lakes Conference rival Badger, Schattner went to the line 11 times and was able to convert on eight of those attempts.

 

DeTario Scott, 5-11, Soph., PG, Kenosha Bradford

Scott has grown a couple of inches from a year ago, when he played major varsity minutes for Bradford. His ball-handling skills are outstanding as is his ability to get past defenders off the dribble. He has a solid mid-range game and figures to blossom as a solid collegiate prospect as he continues to grow and add strength and weight to his frame.  

 

Hayden Steinhardt, 5-8, Sr., PG, West Bend East

Steinhardt handled the ball against pressure for the Suns while also getting into the lane to set up his teammates. He also took advantage of his own scoring opportunities, reaching double figures in three of four games. Steinhardt has a good perimeter jump shot, is quick with the ball in his hands and can exert pressure on opponents with his strong on-the-ball defense. 

 

Logan Wiesman, 6-4, Jr., F, Badger

Wiesman plays with poise and intelligence and was able to score in a variety of ways for coach Darin Lottig. He finished with 41 points in four games for the Badgers and repeatedly got to the foul line. Weismann earned honorable mention all-league recognition in the Southern Lakes Conference as a sophomore and figures to be the ‘go-to’ player for Badger in 2013-14.

 

Notes
West Bend East has a pair of solid frontcourt players to go along with Manhardt in seniors Collin Liebherr (6-5) and Ben VandeZande (6-5). Leibherr and VandeZande can mix things up inside with their size and strength, but both are also very capable perimeter shooters. The combination of Manhardt, Liebherr and VandeZande along the frontline gives East coach Ryan Tomczyk a solid foundation to build around for 2013-14 … East lost one of its returning starters when junior wing Zach Daun (6-3) transferred to Brown Deer last month. Daun moved from West Bend to Brown Deer with his family and should thus gain immediate eligibility from the WIAA. He averaged 6.9 ppg and 7.0 rpg as a sophomore for the Suns … Shorewood got some impressive minutes out of Shayne Carrington (6-2), an active inside player who used his aggressiveness and quickness to score around the basket … Union Grove seniors Grant Beck (6-2) and Cody Walters (6-1) gave the Broncos some solid minutes on both ends of the court while junior Alex Van Dyke (6-6) gives his team excellent size and length in the post … Badger senior Jake Kozlowski (6-4) used his strength and aggressiveness to score on drives to the basket for the Badgers … Left-handed sophomore wing guard Darrion Watson (5-10) had some strong showings for Kenosha Bradford, including a 20-point outing in a victory over Jefferson … Jefferson played short-handed all weekend, especially after returning junior forward Vinny Cincotta (6-3) went down on Saturday with an injury. Once the Eagles get all their pieces in place, coach Jay Benish figures to have enough quality to put together a highly competitive squad in the Rock Valley Conference.