Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook

Observations from the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Summer Tournament held in Kaukauna June 17-18-19:

Pool G

Final Standings

Oshkosh North 4-0, Bay Port 3-1, Kaukauna -- White 3-1, Luxemburg-Casco 2-2, Sheboygan North 2-2, Fond du Lac 1-3, Green Bay Preble 1-3, Antigo 0-4.

Title Game: Oshkosh North 59, Bay Port 49

Most Valuable Player

Tyrese Haliburton, 6-5, Jr., G, Oshkosh North
Fresh off receiving his first NCAA Division I scholarship offer, Haliburton showed in Kaukauna why the coaches from IUPUI believe very strongly in his future. The lanky and incredibly long 6-foot-5 wing player caused huge problems on defense with his size and anticipation in the Spartans' mid-season form 1-3-1 zone while also scoring well on the other end, making long-distance shots and getting to the rim off the dribble. Haliburton is still thin and needs to add weight and strength, but his future is extremely bright thanks to his basketball instincts and size for a wing player. 

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

Quincy Anderson, 6-2, Jr., G, Oshkosh North
Length is so important in North's 1-3-1 zone defense and Anderson has it and uses it well. His anticipation on defense and ability to get deflections and steals is a big part of the Spartans' success. He also scored at a high level at Kaukauna, netting a team-high 20 points in the title-game victory over Bay Port.

Matt Arndt, 6-1, Sr., PG, Antigo
Arndt showed at the WBY Tournament that he has plenty of depth to his game. He possesses outstanding quickness and is aggressive using that attribute to his advantage. He is also a good perimeter shooter. Arndt averaged 18.5 ppg and earned first-team all-league honors in the Great Northern Conference as a junior at Antigo, and proved he is as quick with the ball in his hands as any other player in northern Wisconsin.

Ryan Buss, 6-6, Sr., F, Green Bay Preble
Buss turned in a stellar performance for Green Bay Preble in the Hornets' 70-53 loss to Sheboygan North. Making shots from various spots on the court, Buss finished the contest with 30 points while largely dominating in the post. He averaged 8.3 ppg as a junior starter for the Hornets. 

Eric Carl, 6-4, Jr., WG, Kaukauna
Carl's role figures to increase dramatically as the Ghosts deal with the graduation loss of Marcus Moreau and Dalton Erdman from a team that went 26-2 and won the WIAA Division 2 state title. Karl made 10 three-point shots in four games at the WBY Tournament and led the Ghosts in scoring over those four contests. His length, skill and accuracy from deep will be huge assets for the Ghosts over the next two seasons.

Ethan Cinealis, 6-0, Sr., G, Sheboygan North
Cinealis teams with Zach Hasenstein to give first-year coach Eric Worth an experienced and skilled backcourt tandem. A returning starter from last year's North squad that went 24-3 and advanced to the WIAA Division 1 State Tournament, Cinealis made three-point shots while also earning trips to the free-throw line in Kaukauna.

Brett Frieder, 6-3, Sr., WG, Bay Port
About to begin his fourth and final year of varsity basketball at Bay Port, Frieder has developed into a versatile offensive weapon for the Pirates. He can post-up smaller guards and use his quickness to score in the lane while also making shots facing the basket. On defense, Frieder has the size and lateral quickness to stick with either point guards or wing guards. He averaged 14.5 ppg as a junior and is one of the top class of 2017 prospects in the Fox River Classic Conference.

Caleb Goldstein, 6-0, Sr., G, Fond du Lac
With Ripon transfer Luke Loewe handling the point-guard duties for the Cardinals, Goldstein can play off the ball and spot-up for his extremely accurate three-point shot. Goldstein made six-of-seven triples in a victory over Antigo and finished the four games in Kaukauna with 17 three-point baskets. Goldstein also possesses plenty of quickness and can get around defenders with his ball fake. A two-year varsity player entering his senior season, Goldstein averaged 13.7 ppg as a junior.

Zach Hasenstein, 6-3, Sr., G, Sheboygan North
A relentless backcourt performer who loves to attack the basket while also taking the three-point shot, Hasenstein poured in 26 points in a loss to Bay Port and 23 more in a victory over Fond du Lac. The returning first-team all-Fox River Classic Conference player is very difficult to contain because of his ability to make perimeter shots while also possessing a very quick first step to the basket. 

Jack Plumb, 6-8, Jr., PF, Bay Port
A wide-shouldered, muscular frontline player who competes on each possession and isn't afraid to get on the floor for a loose ball, Plumb averaged 12.3 ppg as a sophomore at Bay Port and reached double figures in three of four games in Kaukauna. Plumb has good range on his jump and is a willing post-up player as well. 

Bryce TeKulve, 6-2, Sr., WG, Luxemburg-Casco
After averaging 13.5 ppg for a Luxemburg-Casco team that shared the North Eastern Conference crown with Wrightstown last season, TeKulve appears poised to take over as the leader of the Spartans. The left-handed wing player had 24 points and four three-point baskets in a competitive loss to Kaukauna and handled the ball well in the half court for coach John Hampton.

Team Champion
 
Oshkosh North
The Spartans were extremely impressive all weekend, notching convincing victories over Sheboygan North, Fond du Lac, Kaukauna and Bay Port. Though 6-foot-5 senior wing Philip Flory remains sidelined with an injury, North showed at the WBY Tournament it has more than enough depth, size, length and skill to contend for the Fox Valley Association title, with or without Flory in the lineup. Of course, coach Frank Schade is hoping Flory will be at 100 percent when the season gets underway in November, but in the meantime he has to be pleased with the development of Haliburton and Anderson, not to mention the consistent play of sharpshooting senior point guard Shane Wissink (5-10) and the rugged interior scoring and defense of sophomore forward Matt Hickey (6-2). Junior Josh Schuttenhelm (6-2) also played well in Kaukauna for the Spartans.

Notes
Bay Port is the early favorite to dethrone Sheboygan North as champions of the Fox River Classic Conference. Coach Nate Rykal boasts an experienced team with depth, size and talent. Frieder and Plumb lead the way, but junior Cordell Tinch (6-0) is a very promising and athletic wing player who consistently beats defenders off the dribble. Senior Jake Stelzer (5-9) and junior Alec Nagel (6-1) also played very well for the Pirates in Kaukauna ... Loewe played in three games for Fond du Lac before leaving on Sunday afternoon to travel out east for some visits to colleges. He will take over at point guard after spending the past three seasons as the starting lead guard at Ripon. With Loewe and Goldstein in the backcourt, coach Mark Ziebell's team boasts plenty of firepower and experience. Senior forward Sam Fredrickson (6-8) netted 13.4 ppg as a junior and is a player who can score facing the basket and in the post. Senior forward Payton Head (6-4) is versatile and extremely athletic while junior guard Jack Cole (6-0) provides quality depth in the backcourt ... Antigo was a bit short-handed with just six players in its lineup on Sunday. But the Red Robins were nonetheless highly competitive behind the strong guard play of Arndt and senior wing guard Drew Schwarz (6-1), who made long-distance jump shots and defended at a high level ... Tom Desotell has retired after 39 years as the head coach at Sheboygan North. One of his former players, Eric Worth, takes over the head-coaching duties after spending the past several years as the head coach at Howards Grove. Cinealis and Hasenstein form a strong core for the Golden Raiders, who also got some strong play in Kaukauna from Ben Lorge and Jackson Damkot ... Kaukauna played without all-state junior point guard Jordan McCabe (5-11), who was attending the prestigious NBA camp. Nevertheless, the Ghosts went 3-1 and received solid play from Carl, senior wing guard Adam Smith (6-2), junior forward Dylan Kurey (6-7), senior guard Brad Vosters (6-0) and senior forward Bailey McDaniel (6-1). Kurey had 18 points in a victory over Luxemburg-Casco and hit several shots from outside the arc, showing he can score both in the post and from the perimeter ... Luxemburg-Casco beat Antigo and Green Bay Preble before suffering losses to Bay Port and Kaukauna. The Spartans are the pre-season favorites to repeat as champions in the North Eastern Conference behind the return of TeKulve and rugged sophomore forward Nathan Coisman (6-4), who has good ball skills and the ability to finish through contact. L-C can put shooters all over the court and possesses very good athleticism and strength ... Junior point guard Camden Wall (5-8) had a strong weekend for Green Bay Preble, scoring in double figures in three contests. The son of Preble coach Jim Wall, Camden Wall is a good perimeter shooter who probes the defense with his quickness and ball-handling skill.

 

Pool H

Final Standings

Barneveld 4-0, Marshall 3-1, Almond-Bancroft 2-2, Gibraltar 2-2, Lincoln 2-2, Wild Rose 2-2, Wrightstown 1-3, Montello 0-4.

Title Game: Barneveld 55, Almond-Bancroft 50

Most Valuable Player

Matthew Myers, 6-0, Sr., PG, Barneveld
Myers, as usual, played intelligently while leading Barneveld to a 4-0 record. The son of Barneveld coach Jim Myers, Matthew Myers scored in double figures in each game and finished with 13 three-point baskets while running the show with precision for the Eagles. A three-year varsity performer entering his senior season, Myers has grown a bit over the last 12 months and continues to handle the ball well while making shots and playing sound defense.

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

Dylan Bunders, 6-7, Sr., G/F, Almond-Bancroft
Bunders remains on the thin side and at times struggled against stronger players with more weight. However, Bunders also did plenty of damage with his ability to make perimeter shots, drive to the basket and crash the offensive glass for putbacks. He scored in double figures in each game for the Eagles and also had at least two three-point baskets in each contest. A returning first-team all-league player in the Central Wisconsin 10 Conference, Bunders averaged 17.9 ppg as a junior.

Evan Erickson, 6-1, Sr., G, Wild Rose
After averaging 11.8 ppg as a junior for a Wild Rose squad that finished 14-10, Erickson scored in double figures in each game in Kaukauna while helping his team to a 2-2 record. He scored the ability to make three-point shots, while also getting to the foul line and completing aggressive moves off the dribble.

Kauy Fargo, 5-11, Jr., G, Barneveld
One of four returning starters from a Barneveld team that won 23 games and advanced to the WIAA Division 5 State Tournament, Fargo was productive for the Eagles in Kaukauna, scoring in double figures in two games. He was third on the club in made three-point field goals last winter and his presence in the lineup opens the court for Myers to drive to the basket.

Luke Haese, 6-3, Jr., G/F, Wrightstown
The younger brother of former Wrighstown standout, Zac Haese, and the son of Wrightstown coach Corey Haese, Luke Haese played primarily on the junior varsity team as a sophomore, but he showed in Kaukauna he is ready to make a huge contribution in the fall. He scored 34 points and made seven three-point shots in a victory over Wild Rose and had 10 in the loss to Barneveld. 

Noah Kollock, 6-1, Soph., G/F, Almond-Bancroft
Like Bunders, Kollock is a versatile player with a diverse skillset for coach Curt Lamb at Almond-Bancroft. Blessed with good strength and the ability to both shoot from three-point range and attack the basket, Kollock scored well in each game in Kaukauna. He also rebounded well and proved to be a solid defender for the Eagles.

Reece Leistikow, 5-10, Jr., G, Marshall
Leistikow figures to move into the Cardinals' regular playing rotation after receiving some playing time with the varsity squad as a sophomore. At Kaukauna, he showed the ability to drill three-point shots and score in bunches. He made 13 shots from outside the three-point arc over four games, and he scored in double figures in each game for the Cardinals.

Zach Sheffer, 5-10, Sr., G, Lincoln
A quick and aggressive backcourt player who led Lincoln in scoring at the WBY Tournament by averaging just over 10 ppg. As a junior at Lincoln, Sheffer averaged 12.4 ppg and earned second-team all-league recognition in the Large Schools Division of the Dairyland Conference.

Nathan Surges, 6-0, Sr., G, Gibraltar
Surges is one of several experienced players hoping to help Gibraltar move up a notch or two in the Packerland Conference standings. He scored in double figures in two games in Kaukauna and had nine and eight in the other two games. Surges, who can score from deep and off the dribble, averaged 10.2 ppg as a junior for the Vikings.

Adam Wehking, 6-5, Sr., F, Marshall
Physical, skilled and hard working combination forward who scored in a variety of different ways for the Cardinals in Kaukauna. He made some three-point shots, he scored off of strong post-up moves in the lane and he connected on mid-range jump shots off the dribble. Wehking also was able to use his lateral quickness and physical strength to stay in front of wing players on the perimeter. Very productive and impressive weekend showing for Wehking, who had 28 points in 70-69 victory over Wrightstown.

Derek Zwick, 6-4, Sr., G/F, Wrightstown
Wow. Zwick was stellar for the Tigers in all four games. He had 25 points in the 54-52 loss to Almond-Bancroft, connecting on four three-point baskets in the game. He also had 21 in a loss to Barneveld, 19 in a victory over Wild Rose and 12 in a loss to Marshall. Zwick had 14 made three-point baskets in the tournament and appears poised for a big senior season after averaging 9.1 ppg as a junior for a Wrightstown program that shared the North Eastern Conference crown with Luxemburg-Casco and advanced to the Division 3 sectional finals before bowing to Xavier.

Team Champion
 
Barneveld
The Eagles boast one of the top Division 5 teams in Wisconsin and proved they can compete well with schools from any division with their strong showing in Kaukauna. Barneveld posted impressive victories over Wrightstown, Gibraltar, Marshall and Almond-Bancroft behind the strong play of Fargo and Myers. Senior forward Mike Zouski (6-2) had 11 points in the win over Marshall and 13 in the triumph over Wrightstown. Senior forward Luke Evans (6-4) and promising sophomore Malcolm Reed (6-3) also performed well for Barneveld.

Notes
Almond-Bancroft lost close games to Division 3 Marshall and then to Division 5-rival Barneveld in the Pool H title game. The Eagles boast two outstanding players in Bunders and Kollock. They also got solid play from coach Curt Lamb's son, 6-foot-1 wing guard Cade Lamb, who had five made triples in one game and four in another ... Marshall sustained heavy graduation losses from a team that went 18-5 under coach Jason McConnell, but the Cardinals' boast two stellar returning players in Wehking and Leistikow. Junior Adam Wildman (6-0) and junior Nathan Hatzinger (6-2) also performed well in the WBY Tournament ... Wrightstown lost some stellar players to graduation, including the school's all-time leading scorer in Zac Haese, who will play in the fall at NCAA Division II Lindenwood University. However, the Tigers showed in Kaukauna they will remain in the thick of things in the North Eastern Conference as Luke Haese and Zwick give Wrightstown a pair of sharpshooting wing players. Junior James Hansen (6-2) also had a productive weekend for the Tigers ... Wild Rose figures to contend again in the Central Wisconsin 10 Conference along with Almond-Bancroft, Gresham and Port Edwards. The Wildcats got solid play from Erickson, senior guard Jacob Lund (5-7) and junior wing Tommy Friday (6-0) ... Lincoln is coming off a 13-11 season and has some holes to fill in its lineup. However, Sheffer and senior classmates Brandon Simmon (6-0) and Laccen Comstick (6-2) performed well at times in Kaukauna ... Gibraltar swept a pair of games with Montello and beat Wild Rose in the consolation title game after falling to Barneveld in the quarterfinals. Surges and senior forward Tyler Kropuenske (6-5) each played well for the Vikings ... Montello was a bit shorthanded in Kaukauna as the Hilltoppers played without top returning players Dustin Tegge (5-10), Alec Hostert (6-5) and Alex Poestler (5-9). Junior guard Trevor Benzine (5-10), however, did play for Montello and performed at a high level for coach Harlan Leusink. Benzine scored in double figures in each game and finished the event with 10 made three-point baskets.

 

Pool I

Final Standings

Seymour 4-0, Eau Claire Regis 3-1, Appleton East 3-1, Green Bay Southwest 2-2, Neenah 2-2, Ashwaubenon 1-3, Sheboygan South 1-3, Black River Falls 0-4.

Title Game: Seymour 55, Regis 48

Most Valuable Player

Riley Murphy, 5-10, Frosh., G, Seymour
The son of longtime Seymour coach Jon Murphy, Riley Murphy was the difference in Seymour's 55-48 victory over Regis in the Pool I title game. The sharpshooting ninth grader to be finished with 21 points and drilled six three-point baskets for the Thunder in the triumph over Regis. He also reached double figures in two other games for Seymour, which lost five starters to graduation from a team that went 16-8 last season.

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

Ethan Anderson, 6-4, Jr., WG, Black River Falls
A confident and consistent wing player with deep shooting range, Anderson competes with a high basketball IQ and the ability to drop three-point shots. He has very good length and a basketball build. Becoming a dependable offensive threat off the dribble is the next step in his impressive development as a player.

Logan Hamilton, 6-4, Sr., F, Sheboygan South
A versatile forward with very good size and strength, Hamilton showed the ability to score from beyond the three-point arc while also getting to the basket off the dribble. He possesses very good physical strength and averaged 13.0 ppg as a junior for coach Mike Rank at Sheboygan South.

Joe Jung, 5-11, Sr., WG, Neenah
A physical wing guard who embraces contact and scores off the bounce with his strength and skill, Jung averaged 15.6 ppg as a junior and begins his senior season as a two-year varsity veteran for the Rockets. Jung is also a capable perimeter shooter so defenders must guard him away from the basket and for the drive to the hoop.

Keelin Norman-Klatt, 5-10, Jr., G, Regis
Another highly improved player, Norman-Klatt performed very well in all four games for Regis, reaching double figures and knocking down three-point shots while also scoring off drives with runners in the lane. After playing on the JV team at Regis as a freshman and coming off the bench as a sophomore, Norman-Klatt figures to be a fixture in the Ramblers' lineup over the next two seasons.

Brock Martin, 6-2, Sr., G, Regis
One of the biggest stock risers in the entire 72-team WBY Tournament, Martin was fantastic for the Ramblers. He scored with twisting drives to the basket, played to contact and made perimeter jump shots. He also rebounded at a high level and got out on the break with his speed and athleticism. Martin averaged 11.2 ppg as a junior and scored 78 points in four games in Kaukauna.

Josh Mericle, 6-1, Sr., PG, Neenah
An improved point guard with excellent basketball instincts, very good length and the ability to knock down perimeter shots, Mericle was outstanding for the Rockets in Kaukauna. He is, without a doubt, one of the most improved players in the FVA after averaging 5.9 ppg as a junior for coach Lee Rabas.

Blair Murphy-Pociask, 6-2, Sr., G/F, Appleton East
The Patriots lack size so Murphy-Pociask often finds himself playing a forward position, but his game includes many traits of a wing guard. He can attack the basket off the bounce from the free-throw line extended and he also is very capable of knocking down three-point shots. A good athlete who competes hard on both ends of the court, Murphy-Pociask averaged 8.1 ppg as a junior at Appleton East.

Will Pytleski, 6-1, Soph., WG, Green Bay Southwest
A very good perimeter shooter with the ability to put the ball on the ground and get to the basket, Pytleski scored in double figures in each of the Trojans' games in Kaukauna. He drained three-point shots, but also scored off the bounce, off of offensive rebounds and from the foul line. Pytleski averaged 12.1 ppg as a freshman for Southwest.

Ben Wittig, 6-3, Sr., WG, Ashwaubenon
A smart, athletic wing player who has dramatically improved his perimeter jump shot, Wittig averaged 14.0 ppg as a junior and is one of the top defenders in the Fox River Classic Conference. Becoming a bit more vocal and taking on a leadership role with the Jaguars is the next step in Wittig's rapid development as a very good player.

Casey Yaeger, 6-6, Jr., F, Seymour
Yaeger played on the Seymour JV squad that finished 17-4 last winter, but he appears to be working himself into becoming a key player for the Thunder heading into 2016-17. He had 11 points and three triples in the victory over Regis while also showing the ability to use his size, strength and aggressiveness to post-up in the paint.

Team Champion
 
Seymour
The Thunder finished one game behind league-champion Xavier in the Bay Conference last season and lost all five of their starters to graduation. But with Riley Murphy joining other talented newcomers such as Casey Yaeger, junior Josh Krause (6-6) and sophomore Tyler Vandehei (5-10), Seymour figures again to rank among the elite teams in the Bay. Returning senior forward Nik Yaeger (6-4) also performed well for Seymour, which registered victories over Sheboygan South, Black River Falls, Ashwaubenon and Regis.

Notes
Regis lost high-scoring guard Logan Rohrscheib (31.7 ppg) to graduation as the 6-foot-2 guard will play next season at NCAA Division II Minnesota-Duluth. But four other starters return for coach Bill Uelmen, who guided Regis to a 23-3 record and WIAA Division 4 sectional final appearance last season. Martin, Norman-Klatt, senior point guard Cody Osborn (6-1), senior forwards Ben Sokup (6-5), Matt McCann (6-5) and Eric Wackwitz (6-3) form a solid nucleus for a Regis team expected to challenge McDonell Central once again for the title in the Western Division of the Cloverbelt Conference ... Ashwaubenon hopes to remain in the upper-division of the highly competitive Fox River Classic Conference behind the return of Wittig and senior classmates Payton Ellis (5-10) and David Clark (6-3). Ellis is a quick point guard who can get into the lane and create openings for his teammates to score while Clark is an athletic forward who averaged 6.0 ppg as a junior for coach John Miron ... Appleton East plays with very good basketball smarts and does an excellent job of sharing the ball. But the Patriots lack size and compete in the state's deepest conference -- the Fox Valley Association. East figures to improve on its total of six wins from a year ago behind the return of Murphy-Pociask and senior classmates Nathan Brice (6-0) and Drew Flores (6-0), but how far up the league standings the Patriots can advance is a question due to the incredible talent and depth in the FVA ... Neenah was a surprise performer in the FVA last season, winning 13 games. With Jung and Mericle back along with senior Jordan Mascal (6-3) and junior Rayce Prosser (5-11), the Rockets have a solid nucleus and figure to again finish among the better teams in the 10-team league ... Green Bay Southwest coach John Polkowski has a very solid core to build around with the return of Pytleski, active junior forward Cole Bouche (6-2) and junior guard Kaleb Keener (6-0). Sophomore point guard Justin Simmons (5-9) transferred in from West De Pere and performed well for the Trojans in Kaukauna ... In addition to Hamilton, Sheboygan South welcomes back seniors Jared Grovek (6-3), Jared Splittgerber (6-0) and Mike Rank Jr. (6-2) and each had their moments in Kaukauna. Look for freshman point guard Josh Grovek (5-10) to also play a key role for the Redwings ... Black River Falls finished 0-4 against quality competition, but new coach Dave Cowley found out a bit about his personnel in Kaukauna. Anderson and junior guard Isaac Cowles (6-2) played well for the Tigers.