Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook

Some observations from the 11th annual Rick Majerus Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout, held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the Buuck Fieldhouse on the campus of Concordia University in Mequon:

Five Individual Standouts

Jordan McCabe, 5-11, Soph., PG, Kaukauna
One of the state's premier class of 2018 prospects, McCabe went 10-for-28 from the field and 7-of-18 from three-point range en route to scoring 34 points while helping Kaukauna to an 85-77 victory over Milwaukee Washington in a battle of two of the top WIAA Division 2 teams in Wisconsin. McCabe's ability to keep defenders off balance with his incredible ball handling skills was on full display as he consistently generated good looks from the perimeter. McCabe also scored 21 points in the Ghosts' 70-52 triumph over Homestead, helping top-ranked Kaukauna remain unbeaten at 7-0. McCabe currently holds scholarship offers from DePaul, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Missouri and West Virginia and many more figure to head his way over the coming months as he continues to dazzle onlookers with his ball handling, passing and shooting skills.

Trevor Anderson, 6-2, Sr., G, Stevens Point
Efficient and deadly. Anderson was both while leading Stevens Point to a 77-64 triumph over Germantown in a rematch of last season's WIAA Division 1 state-title game. Anderson finished the game with 31 points and drained six three-point baskets, but he also did a nice job of setting up teammates Joey Hauser (6-7, 21 points) and Sam Hauser (6-6, 14 points). Top-ranked and unbeaten Stevens Point (9-0) is getting tremendous production from Anderson, a four-year starter who is shooting 68 percent from the field and over 60 percent from three-point range while putting together a 6-to-1 turnover-to-assist ratio. The UW-Green Bay recruit is one of the top candidates for the state's Mr. Basketball award and his rock-solid showing against Germantown most definitely helped his case.

Terrence Lewis, 6-6, Jr., WG, Milwaukee Riverside
Lewis continues to show marked improvement each time he steps onto the court. He has added some strength and weight to his long frame while also becoming an accurate shooter from outside the three-point line. Lewis also does an excellent job of finishing above the rim when the Tigers get their impressive transition game in high gear. Lewis finished with 22 points in Riverside's 67-49 victory over Homestead and then poured in 30 points and canned six triples in an 89-55 trouncing of De Pere. Lewis currently holds NCAA Division I scholarship offers from Auburn, Bradley, Chicago State, Illinois-Chicago, Milwaukee and Toledo.

Jalen Zubich, 5-10, Jr., PG, Onalaska
Zubich is a tough-as-nails and extremely dependable point guard who backs down from nobody and makes clutch shots. A three-year varsity performer for coach Craig Kowal, Zubich had 18 points and three three-point baskets in the Hilltoppers' dominating 62-43 victory over a Greendale squad that enetered the game with a 6-1 record. He then poured in 17 points and drained four triples in a 56-36 triumph over Wauwatosa East. Onalaska handled two of southeast Wisconsin's top WIAA Division 2 teams and in the process improved to 8-0 during its four trips to the WBY Shootout.  

Adam Smith, 6-2, WG, Jr., Kaukauna
McCabe justifiably grabs most of the headlines for Kaukauna, but Smith is most assuredly a key player for coach Mike Schalow and the Ghosts. His ability to score from beyond the arc or use his quick first step and physical strength to get around defenders and finish through contact keep defenses off balance. He averaged 18.5 points per game in the two Kaukauna victories and finished each contest with two triples and several trips to the foul line. A two-year varsity performer for Kaukauna, Smith is averaging 19.7 ppg.

Five Emerging Prospects

Kostas Antetokounmpo, 6-9, Sr., F, Dominican
The state's top unsigned senior, Antetokounmpo had his best game at Dominican when he scored 19 points in a 58-56 victory over Kettle Moraine Lutheran. The younger brother of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kostas Antetokounmpo made the game-winning shot as the final horn sounded when he took an inbounds pass on the baseline and let go with a fall-away jump shot that bounced around the rim before dropping. Brimming with the potential, Antetokounmpo boasts incredible length and can snare rebounds above the rim. But he lacks strength and consistency at this point so a year of additional seasoning at a prep school following his senior year at Dominican could be forthcoming.   

Jordan Johnson, 6-3, Jr., WG, Cedarburg
A two-year varsity performer, Johnson continued to raise his stock among state prospects in the class of 2017 with two strong showings at Concordia. He scored 21 points and sank four three-point baskets as the Bulldogs defeated previously unbeaten West Allis Hale, 75-63. He then netted 13 points and had three triples in a 56-51 loss to Wauwatosa East. Though thin, Johnson nonetheless possesses very good length and tremendous skill. His accuracy beyond the arc is outstanding and his ability to make mid-range shots is also highly impressive.  

George Dixon, 6-5, Jr., F, Milwaukee Riverside
A physical warrior on the glass, Dixon is a jack-of-all-trades type of player who can rebound, score and defend. Dixon can play multiple positions and showed the athleticism and skill to rip down a rebound on one end and then dribble the entire length of the court and finish on the other end. Though not a big scorer, Dixon did finish with 17 points in the Tigers' 89-55 victory over De Pere.

Clay Kujawa, 6-8, Jr., F, Greendale
An active frontline prospect with good athleticism and improved skills, Kujawa turned in a very strong showing for the Panthers in their 75-68 victory over Whitefish Bay. He finished with career-best 23 points and scored from mid-range, from the foul line and in the post. He also had a three-point basket in the game and played on the top of Greendale's zone defense. Kujawa possesses excellent size and length while also moving well. 

Jason Klatt, 5-10, Jr., PG, St. Thomas More
Klatt helped the Cavaliers to victories over Living Word Lutheran and University School, scoring 17 in the 69-45 victory over the Timberwolves and then adding a career-high 26 points in a 63-62 triumph over the Wildcats. Most of Klatt's offensive production came off the dribble as he used his quickness and aggressive nature to get into the paint and create scoring opportunities, both for himself and for his teammates. A three-year varsity performer for coach John Hoch, Klatt sometimes tries to do too much, but he was on top of his game in the narrow victory over University School.

Five Class of 2018 and 2019 Prospects To Remember 

Joey Hauser, 6-7, Soph., F, Stevens Point
The state's top-ranked class of 2018 prospect showed why he already owns scholarship offers from the likes of Marquette and Wisconsin as he scored 21 points in the Panthers' win over Germantown. Hauser has very good size, excellent strength, tremendous versatility and the ability to score, pass and dribble. He scored from the wing, from outside the arc, off the dribble and with his back to the basket. Look for high-major collegiate programs from across America to get involved with the recruitment of Hauser over the next seven months.    

Gacoby Jones, 6-0, Soph., PG, Dominican
Jones was simply outstanding for Dominican in the Knights' victories over Kettle Moraine Lutheran and Wisconsin Lutheran. He made perimeter shots, but was at his best probing the defense and using his hestitation dribble, length and quick burst to get open looks at the basket. He finished with 14 points in the win over KML and then added 20 in the triumph over Wisconsin Lutheran. Jones did an excellent job down the stretch for the Vikings as he scored 16 points in the second half and made 7 of 8 foul shots in the closing minutes of the contest. 

Tyrese Haliburton, 6-5, Soph., G, Oshkosh North
Haliburton boasts a basketball build in that he is tall, athletic and long. He also owns a very accurate shot from beyond the three-point arc. Though Haliburton is thin, he figures to attract plenty of attention from collegiate recruiters over the next two years as he fills out and adds to his game. He drilled four triples and had 17 points in a 68-62 victory over Arrowhead and then had an 11-point outing with three triples in a 77-70 win over Milwaukee Vincent.

John Diener, 6-4, Soph., G, Cedarburg
The son of Cedarburg coach Tom Diener, John Diener scored at a high level for the Bulldogs and showed the ability to get around defenders with his strength and solid post-up moves while also facing the basket and making shots from the perimeter. Diener scored 18 points in the win over West Allis Hale and added 23 in the loss to Wauwatosa East. Diener's ability to put points on the board and get to the foul line are impressive as he showed why he's regarded as one of the state's top class of 2018 prospects. 

Greg Foster Jr., 6-5, Soph., PG, Homestead
The son of Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach and former NBA forward Greg Foster, Greg Foster Jr., did an excellent job of handling the ball against pressure against Kaukauna. He has very good length and an emerging skill package. And, of course, he owns outstanding size. He already has a NCAA Division I offer from UTEP and more figure to come his way as he continues to add weight and strength while also maintaining his solid ball handling and passing skills.

Five Lasting Impressions of the 11th annual Rick Majerus WBY Shootout

1) Adam Link's game-winning runner. One of the most entertaining and competitive games of the entire Rick Majerus WBY Shootout took place Wednesday afternoon when WIAA Division 3 powerhouses Marshall and Brookfield Academy squared off at the Buuck Fieldhouse. In a back-and-forth affair, Brookfield Academy took a 38-36 halftime lead behind 18 first-half points from UW-Whitewater recruit Ryan Clarey. Clarey and seniors Joe Lemon (6-4) and Aaron Goecks (6-0) helped the Blue Knights build a double-digit lead early in the second half before Marshall slowly mounted a comeback. The Cardinals used balanced scoring, a patient offense and solid defense to take a late lead before Clarey buried a baseline three-point basket to tie the game at 67 with just six seconds left. Marshall senior point guard Adam Link (6-4) then took the inbounds pass, weaved his way down court and made a 10-foot runner as the final horn sounded, giving Marshall a 69-67 victory. Link finished with 14 points while classmate Brandon Neuberger (6-3) added 19. Clarey finished with 27 for Brookfield Academy while Goecks added 17. 

2) Kostas Antetokounmpo's buzzer beater. Being the younger brother of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is not easy. Expectations run rampant, and people these days are often quick to criticize. But Kostas Antetokounmpo delivered the best showing of his high school career in Dominican's 58-56 victory over a well-coached and balanced club from Kettle Moraine Lutheran. In addition to scoring a career-best 19 points and hauling down six rebounds, Antetokounmpo hit the game-winner as the final buzzer sounded, taking an inbounds pass along the right baseline and making a fall-away 15 footer as Dominican improved to 5-1.

3) Marco Ramos' game-winning shot. Though St. Thomas More stayed within striking distance of University School, the Cavaliers trailed the Wildcats for much of the game. But when senior forward Marco Ramos (6-3) took a couple of hard dribbles and went up for a baseline jump shot with the final seconds ticking off the clock, the Cavaliers finally had their chance at the lead. Ramos, an athletic player who soars for rebounds and finishes through contact, made the shot at it bounced a couple of times before going through the net, giving St. Thomas More a memorable 63-62 victory. Ramos, who battled foul trouble for much of the contest, still managed to score 18 points while junior point guard Jason Klatt (5-10) had 26 for St. Thomas More, which evened its record at 4-4. Junior forward Walter Taylor (6-4) had 20 for University School.

4) The positive vibes created by the Majerus Family Scholarships. Thanks to a generous gift from the Rick Majerus Family Foundation, nine seniors among the 30 schools taking part in this year's Rick Majerus WBY Shootout earned $5,000 scholarships to further their education beyond high school. More than 30 applicants competed for the scholarships and wrote essays on the one person in this world they would want to meet, and the three questions they would ask of that person. Following are the scholarship award winners: Marcus Moreau and Dalton Erdman of Kaukauna; Brendon Clemens of Kettle Moraine Lutheran; Nathan Hanna of Marshall; Zack Rabas of De Pere; Christian Moroder of Dominican; Brian Wilman of Arrowhead; Joshua Reikowski of St. Thomas More; and Nate Engel of University School.

5) The Majerus MVP game plaques. The Rick Majerus Family Foundation purchased Most Valuable Player game plaques for each of the contests played at the Majerus WBY Shootout. The following were selected as game MVPs:

Marco Ramos, 6-3, Sr., St. Thomas More
Jalen Zubich, 5-10, Jr. Onalaska
Kostas Antetokounmpo, 6-9, Sr. Dominican
Ryan Clarey, 6-1, Sr. Brookfield Academy
Jordan Johnson, 6-3, Soph. Cedarburg
Jamel White, 6-5, Jr. Milwaukee Vincent
Jordan McCabe, 5-11, Soph. Kaukauna
Terrence Lewis, 6-6, Jr. Milwaukee Riverside
Ben Retzlaff, 6-1, Sr. McDonell Central
Kurt Mueller, 6-8, Sr. St. Mary's Springs
Colin Biesterfeld, 5-11, Sr. Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Jalen Sample, 6-4, Jr. Onalaska
Adam Wehking, 6-5, Jr. Marshall
George Dixon, 6-5, Jr. Milwaukee Riverside
Gacoby Jones, 6-0, Soph. Dominican
Tyrese Haliburton, 6-5, Soph. Oshkosh North
Adam Smith, 6-2, Jr. Kaukauna
Jason Klatt, 5-10, Jr. St. Thomas More
Grayson Knowlton, 6-6, Jr. McDonell Central
Clay Kujawa, 6-8, Jr. Greendale
Adam Link, 6-4, Sr. Marshall
Zack Rabas, 6-5, Sr. De Pere
Shane Wissink, 5-7, Jr. Oshkosh North
Jai'vionne Green, 6-4, Sr. Wauwatosa East
Trev Anderson, 6-2, Sr. Stevens Point
Devonte Patterson, 6-0, Sr. West Allis Hale.

State Championship Outlook

Over the past four seasons, 14 of the 20 eventual WIAA state champions competed in December at the WBY Shootout.

Last season, Stevens Point (Division 1), Mount Horeb (Division 2) and Dominican (Division 4) competed at the WBY Shootout and then later won state titles.

This time around, the best bets for potentially winning a state championship at the Kohl Center in March include Stevens Point in Division 1; Kaukauna in Division 2; Marshall in Division 3; Dominican in Division 4; and McDonell Central in Division 5.

A few others who played well

A quick shout-out to the following players, who also played well for their respective teams at the WBY Shootout...

Nathan Banasik, 6-6, Jr., Prairie du Chien
Jordan Barthels, 6-2, Sr., De Pere
Hayden Baughman, 6-5, Soph., McDonell Central
Joey Behm, 6-0, Jr., Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Jacob Bolwerk, 6-2, Soph., Living Word Lutheran
Justin Brookens, 5-9, Jr., Milwaukee Vincent
Jacob Burden, 6-5, Sr., Shoreland Lutheran
Eric Carl, 6-4, Soph., Kaukauna
Trevell Cunningham, 5-11, Jr., Arrowhead
Carlos Curtis, 6-0, Soph., Milwaukee Riverside
Marcellus Duckworth, 6-0, Jr., Wisconsin Lutheran
Conner Edmonds, 6-5, Sr., Germantown
Casey Farner, 6-0, Sr., West Allis Hale
Austin Feyen, 6-5, Sr., St. Mary's Springs
Noah Fredrickson, 5-10, Jr., Onalaska
Zach Genrich, 5-10, Jr., Mukwonago
Aaron Goecks, 6-0, Sr., Brookfield Academy
Ryan Haertel, 5-11, Jr., West Allis Hale
Sam Hauser, 6-6, Sr., Stevens Point
Will Jelacic, 6-8, Jr., Dominican
Taejuan Johnson, 6-4, Jr., Homestead
Max Keefe, 6-6, Jr., Germantown
Mack Knueppel, 6-1, Sr., Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Will Koch, 6-4, Jr., University School
Jake Lange, 6-1, Sr., Mukwonago
Joe Lemon, 6-4, Sr., Brookfield Academy
Andrew Lewis, 6-3, Jr., Milwaukee Vincent
Deontay Long, 6-4, Frosh., Milwaukee Washington
Nakell Martin, 6-3, Sr., Milwaukee Washington
Juwan McCloud, 6-0, Sr., Germantown
Ryan McNeive, 6-0, Jr., St. Thomas More
Elijah Moore, 6-0, Sr., Whitefish Bay
Marcus Moreau, 6-3, Sr., Kaukauna
Eddie Muench, 6-3, Jr., Ripon
Brandon Neuberger, 6-3, Sr., Marshall
Alex Ohde, 6-7, Jr., McDonell Central
Keishon Parker, 6-3, Sr., Wisconsin Lutheran
David Pulizos, 6-6, Sr., Greendale
Chas Sagedahl, 6-1, Jr., Prairie du Chien
Jared Short, 6-0, Jr., Cedarburg
Walter Taylor, 6-4, Jr., University School
David Thompson, 6-0, Jr., Whitefish Bay
Nate Thomson, 6-0, Sr., Greendale
Austin Trochinski, 6-2, Sr., Oshkosh North
Bennett Vander Plas, 6-7, Jr., Ripon
Aaron Vopal, 6-7, Jr., De Pere
Brian Wilman, 6-6, Sr., Arrowhead
Vlado Zrnic, 6-3, Soph., Greendale

A few final thoughts ...

* Thanks to the Rick Majerus Family Foundation for providing Majerus WBY Shootout T-shirts to all participating players.

* Thanks to the Rick Majerus Family Foundation for the Majerus WBY Shootout Scholarship program that awarded nine $5,000 scholarships to student-athletes at participating schools.

* Thanks to the Rick Majerus Family Foundation for the Rick Majerus MVP plaques for each of the contests.

* Thanks to the athletic administration and men’s basketball program at Concordia University in Mequon for again providing outstanding facilities and hospitality for the Majerus WBY Shootout. Special thanks to Concordia head coach Shawn Cassidy and assistant coach Dan Mueller for all their help.

* Thanks to the athletic department, administration, parents and basketball coaches at Dominican High School for again serving as the host school for the WBY Shootout. 

* Thanks to all the workers and volunteers who annually help to make the WBY Shootout one of the premier events in the state. 

* Thanks to the fans who attended the WBY Shootout and again supported the greatest game in the country – high school basketball. 

* Thanks to the players, coaches, fans and parents of all 30 participating teams. 

* Thanks to all my family members who continue to give up their time to help run the event.

* Thanks to Aurora Sports Medicine Institute for providing training services throughout the 26 games. 

* Thanks to the outstanding officials who worked the games at the WBY Shootout. The three-man crews once again did an outstanding job. 

* Thanks to our announcers -- Kent Korth and Jim Ganzer -- along with the clock operators -- Deb Dublinski, Joe Kershasky and Dan Grusczynski -- and official scorers -- Vince Sciano and Bob Wanke.

* Thanks to Brian Roebke, the official photographer of WisSports.net and the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook.

* Thanks to Sarah Hill for again designing the game program and the T-shirts for the Majerus WBY Shootout.

* Thanks to WSSP (1250-AM) and sports insider Mike McGivern for providing media support throughout the Majerus WBY Shootout.

* Next year's dates -- December 27-28-29, 2016 at Concordia.