Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook

Observations from the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Summer Tournament held in Kaukauna June 19-20-21:

Pools M-N

Final Standings

Pool M – Racine Lutheran 4-0, Carney-Nadeau, Mich. 3-1, Montello 1-3, St. Mary Central 1-3, Wild Rose 1-3.

Pool N – Algoma 3-1, Berlin 3-1, Markesan 3-1, Reedsville 1-3, Kaukauna -- Orange 0-4.

Pool M vs. Pool N Championship Game: Algoma 53, Racine Lutheran 43.

Most Valuable Player

Alex Dellis, 6-3, Sr., F, Algoma
The returning second-team all-league selection in the Packerland Conference was simply outstanding at the WBY Tournament in Kaukauna. He averaged 21.2 points per game while leading the Wolves to a 4-1 record and the Pools M-N title. In the title game against a solid Racine Lutheran squad, Dellis scored 23 points and hit a pair of three-point shots. His ability to score from deep, in the lane and from the foul line, not to mention his solid rebounding on both ends of the court, were keys to Algoma's success all weekend. 

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

Brayden Bernhagen, 6-3, Sr., F, Markesan
A versatile wing player with size and length, Bernhagen finished with 22 points in an exciting 52-51 victory over Algoma as the Hornets handed the Wolves their lone loss in the WBY Tournament. Bernhagen averaged 20.0 ppg during the four games Markesan played in Kaukauna and scored from deep, off of drives to the basket and from the foul line. He averaged 14.0 ppg as a junior for coach John Koopman and appears ready to increase that output in 2015-16.

Austin Blaesing, 6-3, Sr., F, Racine Lutheran
An athletic wing player with very good size and strength, Blaesing is difficult to contain off of cuts to the basket. He can finish with either hand and can score from the perimeter and in the lane. He averaged 13.6 ppg as a junior for coach Jeff Christensen and appears ready to help the Crusaders to an upper-division finish in the Metro Classic Conference. 

Austin Brandies, 6-0, Sr., PG, Racine Lutheran
A thick point guard with excellent ball-handling ability and the ability to get around defenders off the dribble, Brandies scored in double figures in four of the five games Racine Lutheran played in Kaukauna. He got to the foul line and converted and also made some three-point shots for the Crusaders. 

Caleb Davidson, 6-1, Sr., G, St. Mary Central
Davidson was a part-time starter for the Zephyrs a year ago when they finished 13-11 under first-year coach Dave Michalkiewicz. He scored 15 points and drilled a couple of three-point baskets in the second half of a 54-50 loss to Carney-Nadeau, Mich., and played with solid poise and a high basketball IQ throughout the weekend. 

Manuel Duran, 5-8, Sr., PG, Carney-Nadeau, Mich.
Though small in stature, Duran was big in production for Carney-Nadeau as he finished with 13 three-point baskets in four games while averaging 18.8 ppg. His quick release and accuracy made him a difficult cover and he made defenses pay whenever he had an opening. He finished with 28 points in a 54-50 victory over St. Mary Central.

Evan Erickson, 6-1, Jr., G, Wild Rose
With senior guard Tanner Hudziak (5-11) still less than 100 percent after sustaining an offseason injury, Erickson took up the scoring load for the Wildcats. He finished with 17 points in a loss to Montello and had 12 points in a loss to Carney-Nadeau. 

Justin Ernest, 6-1, Sr., F, Carney-Nadeau, Mich.
The one player with size on an extremely small but highly skilled Carney-Nadeau squad, Ernest showed the ability to shore facing the basket and on put-back attempts. He had 17 made triples in the four games he played and was in double figures each time out for coach Jacob Poulfus.

Jacob Lifto, 6-3, Sr., F, Algoma
Lifto came off the bench a year ago when the Wolves finished 19-5 and in second place in the Packerland Conference. He figures to move into the starting rotation for coach Bob Graf next winter as he showed the ability to score in double figures while making some perimeter shots. He helped Algoma rally past Racine Lutheran in the Pools M-N title game with a pair of second-half triples.

Brady Polk, 5-10, Jr., G, Berlin
A very skilled combination guard who popped in three-point shots all weekend for Berlin, Polk is a versatile player who scored in double figures in all four games for the Indians. He finished the event with 10 made three-point shots while helping Berlin to a 3-1 record.

Team Champion
 
Algoma
Algoma notched victories over Kaukauna -- Orange and Reedsville on Saturday before falling to Markesan 52-51 on Sunday. The Wolves then won a hard-fought game with Berlin 51-48 and won the tiebreaker over Berlin and Markesan thanks to allowing the fewest points in pool play. Dellis and Lifto got plenty of help from their teammates in Kaukauna as juniors Casey Stangel (5-10) and Max Grovogel (6-0) had huge plays in the second half against Racine Lutheran. The Packerland Conference figures to be very deep in 2015-16, but the Wolves have enough talent and firepower to contend for the league crown along with Southern Door, Oconto, Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay NEW Lutheran.

Notes
Racine Lutheran won 14 games last season and returns the core of its team with Blaseing, Brandies and senior Brendan Naegeli (6-0) leading the way. Those three players were solid in Kaukauna and got some excellent support from senior guards Andrew Wilson (6-1) and Quincy Bevers (5-10). Racine Lutheran plays solid defense, shares the ball on offense and has decent overall size, though the Crusaders lack a true 'go-to' player in the post. With both Dominican and Racine St. Catherine's taking huge hits to graduation, Racine Lutheran could emerge as one of the true title contenders in the Metro Classic Conference in 2015-16 ... St. Mary Central enters the new Big East Conference needing to replace its top four scorers of a year ago, but the Zephyrs have enough talent and depth to field a solid squad in the 15-team league next winter. Davidson and senior Sam Hoheisel (6-1) play in the backcourt along with senior point guard Mike Van De Hey (5-8). Senior Tony Jakubek (6-1) and promising junior Mitchell Fisher (6-6) play along the baseline with junior Peyton Jack (6-2) and sophomore Christian Jack (6-2) also contributing ... Berlin begins play in the East Central Conference this fall with a basketball team more than capable of contending for an upper-division finish in the eight-team league. Though on the small side, Berlin nonetheless features some very skilled players, led by Polk and seniors Lucas Gravunder (6-1) and Noah Pomplun (6-4) ... Markesan may very well be the team to end Lourdes Academy's two-year run as champions in the Northern Division of the Trailways Conference. The Hornets have some size and plenty of skill with Bernhagen, junior guard Jordan Jahnke (5-11) and sophomore wing Carson Clark (6-0) leading the way ... Reedsville found itself in a complete rebuilding mode last season, but the Panthers appear to have some pieces in place to win some games in 2015-16 in the Big East Conference. Senior Wyatt Hassemer (6-1) and junior Hunter Schamburck (6-0) each averaged 8.8 ppg during the four games the Panthers played in Kaukauna ... Hudziak played at less than 100 percent for Wild Rose, but the senior guard nonetheless had some strong moments. His athleticism and experience will be very important to coach Jim Komp as the Wildcats battle Almond-Bancroft, Greshman and Port Edwards for the Central Wisconsin 10 Conference title. Erickson, sophomore Alec VandeCastle (6-1) and senior Nick Erickson (6-2) also figure to play key roles for Wild Rose.