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In-depth previews for teams participating in the John Chekouras Classic

02/01/2016, 5:00pm CST
By Mark Miller

Mitch McFarlane

2016 JOHN CHEKOURAS CLASSIC
At Homestead High School
Saturday, February 6, 2016

11:00 a.m. Game

The Prairie School Hawks (Racine)
Coach: 
Jason Atanasoff, 5th year
Enrollment: 284

Top Players: J.C. Butler (6-4, Soph., 18.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Troy Mikaelian (6-0, Soph., 13.4 ppg, 2.5 apg), Derek Franklin (6-4, Sr., 7.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg), Logan Krekling (6-2, Soph., 6.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg), Matthew Coffman (6-0, Jr., 5.9 ppg).
2015-16 Record: 9-6 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: The Prairie School is located in Racine and competes in the Metro Classic Conference ... Sophomore J.C. Butler is one of the premier class of 2018 prospects in the state and the son of NBA wing Caron Butler ... The Hawks have non-league victories over Kenosha Bradford, Kenosha Tremper and Union Grove, among others.
Coach's Comments: "Experience, scoring punch, rebounding and passing are strengths along with quickness and athleticism. Size and commitment on the defensive end are concerns."

Winnebago Lutheran Vikings (Fond du Lac)
Coach: 
Jeremiah Hoffmann, 8th year
Enrollment: 304

Top Players: Mitch McFarlane (6-4, Sr., 18.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg), Noah Lorenz (6-6, Soph., 10.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Eric Schmitz (6-3, Jr., 8.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg), Mason Herkstroeter (6-2, Soph., 4.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg), Zach Wright (5-8, Jr., 4.4 ppg).
2015-16 Record: 10-7 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: Winnebago Lutheran Academy is located in Fond du Lac and competes in the Wisconsin Flyway Conference ... Senior Mitch McFarlane is a three-year starter who averaged 12.0 ppg and 4.5 rpg as a junior ... Sophomore Noah Lorenz and junior Eric Schmitz both saw extensive playing time a year ago when the Vikings went 14-10.
Coach's Comments: "Scoring, quickness, versatility and size are our strengths. Consistent rebounding and defensive consistency are among our concerns."


Romare Ramsey

******

12:45 p.m. Game

Messmer (Milwaukee)
Coach: 
Ken Klatkiewicz, 3rd year
Enrollment: 719

Top Players: Eddie Burt (6-1, Sr., 11.2 ppg, 10.0 rpg), Keyron Gouveia (6-0, Soph., 7.3 ppg), Kendrick McGahee (6-3, Jr., 7.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Romare Ramsey (6-1, Sr., 7.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg), Jalen Brown-Morrow (6-0, Frosh., 5.6 ppg).
2015-16 Record: 10-6 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: Messmer is located on the northside of Milwaukee and competes in the Midwest Classic Conference ... The Bishops have a deep team that relies heavily on defense and offensive rebounding ... Burt is a returning starter from a year ago when the Bishops finished 16-8.
Coach's Comments: "Speed and athleticism are strengths. Scoring and leadership on and off the court are concerns."

Xavier (Appleton)
Coach: 
Matt Klarner, 5th year
Enrollment: 571

Top Players: Sam Burkart (5-11, Sr., 16.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg), Hunter Plamann (6-0, Soph., 13.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg), Zach Simons (6-1, Sr., 11.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg), Sam Ferris (5-9, Soph., 8.6 ppg), Matt DeYoung (6-5, Sr., 9.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg), Bailey Headington (5-11, Sr., 5.5 ppg).
2015-16 Record: 14-2 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: Xavier is located in Appleton and competes in the Bay Conference ... The Hawks went 24-4 a year ago and finished second to Brown Deer at the WIAA Division 3 State Tournament ... Burtkart is one of the top seniors in Wisconsin while Plamann and Ferris rank among the premier class of 2018 prospects in the state ... Xavier is ranked No. 5 among WIAA Division 3 schools in the WisSports.net Coaches poll.
Coach's Comments: "We have experience and toughness in our program. We practice hard and that gives us a chance to compete every night. We are focusing on improving our interior defense."


Zach Schneider

******

2:30 p.m. Game

Roncalli (Manitowoc)
Coach: 
Joe Garceau, 1st year
Enrollment: 301

Top Players: Zach Schneider (6-2, Sr., 17.9 ppg), Cory Bahrs (5-10, Jr., 15.2 ppg), Mitchel Schneider (6-0, Soph., 7.6 ppg), Tomerot Lambert (5-10, Sr., 7.2 ppg), Brett Bahrs (6-2, Sr., 6.8 ppg), Chombi Lambert (5-9, Frosh., 6.9 ppg).
2015-16 Record: 10-7 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: Roncalli lost its first five games of the season before rattling off victories in eight of its next nine games ... The Jets feature three sets of brothers in Zach and Mitchel Schneider, Tomerot and Chombi Lambert and Cory and Brett Bahrs ... Garceau is a former JV coach at Roncalli.

Catholic Memorial (Waukesha)
Coach: 
Dean Bellanti, 8th year
Enrollment: 689

Top Players: Parker Carlsen (6-2, Sr., 18.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg), Alex Bray (6-3, Sr., 12.9 ppg), Max Cooper (6-0, Jr., 8.3 ppg), Ben Dragani (6-5, Jr., 7.2 ppg), Austin Young (6-7, Jr., 7.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg), Rich Byhre (6-5, Frosh., 4.2 ppg).
2015-16 Record: 6-10 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: Catholic Memorial is located in Waukesha and competes in the Classic Eight Conference ... The Crusaders are led by the talented backcourt duo of seniors Parker Carlsen and Alex Bray ... Bray is the younger brother of former Mr. Basketball-award winner T.J. Bray, who led Catholic Memorial to the WIAA Division 2 state title in 2010.
Coach's Comments: "Guard play, improved perimeter shooting, overall team length and defensive mindset are strengths. We need to make better offensive decisions, stay mentally tough in difficult situations and make our free throws."

******

4:15 p.m. Game

Waterford
Coach: 
Paul Charapata, 1st year
Enrollment: 1,108

Top Players: Chris Saltzmann (6-4, Sr., 17.4 ppg), Dyln Ross (5-10, Sr., 12.5 ppg), Matthew Korman (6-0, Jr., 9.7 ppg), Mike Schmidt (5-9, Sr., 6.4 ppg), William Busch (6-4, Soph., 6.8 ppg).
2015-16 Record: 7-10 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: Charapata is a former assistant coach at Waterford who is in his first year as head coach of the Wolverines ... Saltzmann is the lone returning starter from last year's club that finished 13-10 under former coach Mikel Mala ... Waterford competes in the Southern Lakes Conference. 
Coach's Comments: "Rebounding and team defense will be our strong suits. We do not have many returning minutes from last year as Saltzmann is the lone player who played significant varsity minutes last season."

Port Washington
Coach: 
Paul Hebein, 4th year
Enrollment: 846

Top Players: Brad Burbach (6-3, Sr., 12.2 ppg), Max Franzkowiak (6-0, Sr., 8.3 ppg), Alex Burbach (6-2, Sr., 4.4 ppg), Benji Jarman (6-1, Sr., 4.6 ppg), Jordan Gardipee (6-0, Soph., 4.7 ppg).
2015-16 Record: 0-15 (Through Feb. 3)
Notes: Port Washington competes in the North Shore Conference ... The Pirates finished 10-4 in league play and 18-6 overall a year ago, but coach Brian Hebein lost four starters to graduation ... Senior Brad Burbach is the lone returning regular for Port Washington.
Coach's Comments: "Our strengths include our ability to share the basketball and defend with physical toughness. Our overall lack of size may hurt us on the glass."


Jacob Urban

******


6:00 p.m. Game

Homestead
Coach: 
Kevin McKenna, 4th year
Enrollment: 1,299

Top Players: Taejuan Johnson (6-4, Jr., 10.1 ppg), Jack Popp (6-3, Sr., 9. 6ppg), Greg Foster Jr. (6-5, Soph., 8.5 ppg), Jacob Urban (6-5, Sr., 9.9 ppg), Noah Check (5-10, Sr., 4.5 ppg), Jack Quinlevan (6-7, Jr., 5.5 ppg).
2015-16 Record: 5-10 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: The Highlanders play an extremely difficult schedule and got off to a slow start as they awaited the return of three-year varsity performer Jack Popp from a football injury ... Popp has returned to the Homestead lineup and is averaging 9.8 ppg ... Sophomore Greg Foster Jr. is one of the top class of 2018 prospects in the state and is the son of Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Greg Foster.  
Coach's Comments: "Size, depth and defense will be our strengths. Scoring punch is our No. 1 concern."

Dominican (Whitefish Bay)
Coach: 
Derek Berger, 4th year
Enrollment: 331

Top Players: Michael Ferrici (6-4, Sr., 11.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Gacoby Jones (6-0, Soph., 11.7 ppg), Kostas Antekounmpo (6-9, Sr., 11.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Will Jelacic (6-8, Jr., 7.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg), Ralen Brown (6-2, Jr., 6.8 ppg), Jake Bennett (6-2, Jr., 7.1 ppg), K.J. Daniel (5-11, Frosh., 4.6 ppg).
2015-16 Record: 14-1 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: Dominican has won the last four WIAA Division 4 state championships ... The Knights have produced some outstanding talent over the years with the most recent stars being Maryland freshman Diamond Stone (6-10) and Marquette sophomore Duane Wilson (6-2) ... Coach Berger is a former standout at Dominican who has led the Knights to a 86-11 record during his tenure ... Dominican is ranked No. 1 among WIAA Division 4 schools in the WisSports.net Coaches poll.
Coach's Comments: "We have the ability to play tough team defense. Dribble penetration and rebounding are also strengths. Team concerns include the ability to consistently known down jump shots and make the correct pass at the right time."


Harrison Cleary

******

7:45 p.m. Game

Waukesha North
Coach: 
Sam Katula, 1st year
Enrollment: 1,191

Top Players: Marquis Carter (5-11, Sr., 15.8 ppg), Adam Wieczorek (6-1, Sr., 16.9 ppg), Kendall Gould (6-3, Jr., 12.8 ppg), Nick Dorshorst (6-2, Sr., 9.2 ppg), Will McDonald (6-5, Soph., 9.4 ppg), Chase Goodings (5-10, Sr., 6.4 ppg), Michael Johnston (6-3, Sr., 4.4 ppg).
2015-16 Record: 10-6 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: Former assistant Sam Katula replaced Greg Polkowski as the head coach of the Northstars last summer when Polkowski left Waukesha for an assistant coaching position at UW-Eau Claire ... The Northstars boast solid scoring balance with three players averaging in double figures ... North competes in the highly competitive Classic Eight Conference.  
Coach's Comments: "Running the floor and outside shooting are our strengths. Rebounding is always a concern."

Oak Creek
Coach: 
Mike Jossie, 6th year
Enrollment: 2,086

Top Players: Harrison Cleary (6-2, Sr., 18.3 ppg), Joey Zietlow (6-3, Jr., 10.4 ppg), Drew Yetka (6-5, Jr., 9.1 ppg), Mitch Magyar (6-0, Sr., 7.4 ppg), Matt Kasar (5-10, Jr., 4.9 ppg), Jakup Sinani (6-3, Jr., 4.3 ppg).
2015-16 Record: 10-8 (Through Feb. 5)
Notes: Oak Creek competes in the Southeast Conference ... Senior Harrison Cleary is a four-year varsity letter winner for the Knights who will play at NCAA Division II Minnesota-Crookston in the fall ... Cleary leads Oak Creek in scoring at 19.1 ppg and had 27 points in a recent victory over Racine Case.
Coach's Comments: "Depth and familiarity are strengths. If we can find balanced scoring, along with taking care of the basketball, we will continue to have a shot to contend."

Tag(s): Summer Tournaments