Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook

Observations from the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Summer Tournament held in Plymouth July 15-16-17:

Pools A-B

Final Standings

Pool A – Notre Dame 4-0, Appleton North 2-2, Milwaukee South 2-2, Grafton 1-3, Plymouth Black 1-3.

Pool B – Marshfield 4-0, Valders 3-1, Milwaukee Lutheran 2-2, Ashwaubenon 1-3, KIel 0-4.

Pool A vs. Pool B Championship Game: Marshfield 41, Notre Dame 34

Most Valuable Player

Alec Hinson, 6-0, Sr., G, Marshfield
Hinson enters his senior season as a two-year varsity performer at Marshfield. He is a physically and mentally tough point guard who makes very good decisions, defends at a high level and can make shots, both off the dribble and from beyond the three-point arc. Hinson averaged 10.0 points per game as a junior for a Marshfield squad that went 14-9 under coach Scott Scheuer and teams with senior wing guard Ethan Posteluk (6-0) to give the Tigers one of the top backcourt duos in the Wisconsin Valley Conference.

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

Chris Aviles, 5-10, Sr., PG, Milwaukee South
Physical and aggressive lead guard who gets to the basket and finishes through contact. Aviles reached double figures in three of four games for the Cardinals, including 18 with a couple of three-point baskets in a 44-30 victory over Grafton. He averaged 10.3 ppg as a junior for coach Ty Moseler and is the on-the-court leader for the Cardinals.

Justin Dedering, 6-4, Sr., WF, Kiel
Dedering was solid in all four games for Kiel, which played Friday without key seniors Trenton Nickel (6-1) and Austin Goehring (6-4) due to the baseball playoffs. Dedering showed the ability to score off of putbacks in the lane, but also stepped outside and make three-point shots. He averaged 3.4 ppg as a junior and should increase that production dramatically for coach Jamie Arenz in 2016-17.

Luke Goedeke, 6-5, Sr., PF, Valders
A chisled power forward who scores in the post thanks to his persistence and tremendous physical strength, Goedeke was a handful for each team the Vikings played in Plymouth. In a victory over a young but talented Milwaukee Lutheran, Goedeke scored 25 points. He added 23 in a victory over Ashwaubenon. The younger brother of UW-Stevens Point's Zack Goedeke, Luke Goedeke averaged 7.5 ppg as a junior and appears primed for a huge senior season for coach Trevor Schwoerer.

Cody Kuhn, 6-1, Sr., G, Plymouth Black
Kuhn is a physically strong and aggressive backcourt performer who scored in double figures for the short-handed Panthers, who were missing key 2017 prospects Alex Shutter (6-0) and Derek Schweiger (6-3) due to the WIAA basetball playoffs. Kuhn averaged 12.6 ppg as a junior for coach Tim Schultz and teams with Shutter and junior Adam Smith (6-2) to form a strong backcourt trio for the Panthers.

Avery Lyons, 6-2, Jr., PG, Notre Dame
Lyons is an elusive lead guard who can get to the basket and finish. He has a good pull-up jump shot in the lane and is also a capable shooter from outside the arc. Lyons is shifty with the ball in his hands and loves to be aggressive with the ball in his hands. He made a twisting layup at the buzzer to give the Tritons a 42-41 victory over Grafton.

Damikius Merriweather, 6-1, Jr., G, Milwaukee Lutheran
Merriweather was very difficult to keep out of the lane, thanks to his physical strength and aggressiveness off the dribble. Though he did not shot much from the perimeter, he was still able to help his team finished 2-2 as he scored through contact in the lane and from the foul line.

Ethan Posteluk, 6-0, Sr., WG, Marshfield
Posteluk scored in double figures in four of five games in Plymouth, including 12 in the title-game victory over Notre Dame. A very good perimeter shooter who competes with a scorers mindset, Posteluk does a good job of hunting shots and making them. He is also a solid perimeter defender who figures to move into the starting rotation after averaging 6.3 ppg as a reserve last winter.

Matthew Rader, 6-6, Jr., F, Notre Dame
With another couple of inches of growth, Rader could very well end up being one of the most heavily recruited players in the state in the class of 2018. He scored in double figures for the Tritons in each of their four victories before missing the title game due to a prior commitment. Rader has great hands, excellent footwork, good physical strength, a high skill set and good athleticism. He is a smart player who shares the ball and competes with energy on both ends of the court.

Kyle Tuma, 6-4, Jr., G, Valders
A skilled backcourt performer with very good size and the ability to score off the dribble and from the perimeter, Tuma figures to emerge as an all-league caliber performer for Valders over the next two seasons. He was solid in all facets of the game in Plymouth and scored in double figures for the Vikings.

Luke Van Handel, 6-2, Soph., F, Appleton North
Van Handel, who was promoted to the varsity team at Appleton North for the WIAA playoffs as a freshman, scored around the basket, from the foul line and from three-point range for coach Jon Leisner and the Lightning. He finished with a team-high 12 points in a loss to Notre Dame and added 13 in a 35-32 triumph over Milwaukee South.

Team Champion
 
Marshfield
Scott Scheuer begins his second year as head coach at Marshfield with an intriguing lineup that features backcourt experience, frontline size and strength, and a couple of wing players who could blossom into all-league caliber performers. Hinson and Posteluk are proven performers in the Wisconsin Valley Conference and both played constently well in Plymouth. Senior forward Nick Stewart (6-6) is not a big scorer, but he does provide an inside presence on the defensive end of the court and is becoming a dependable rebounder. Senior wing Grant Michaelis (6-3) started alongside Hinson last season and is a smart, skilled and improved played with size and length. Sophomore Reed Miller (6-3) could emerge as one of the top class of 2019 prospects in the state over the next couple of years due to his versatility, skill and size. Like everybody else in the Wisconsin Valley Conference, the Tigers are chasing Stevens Point for the league title. But there is enough talent within the Marshfield program to make things mighty interesting in the race for the league crown in 2016-17.

Notes
Notre Dame played very well in Plymouth despite missing three of its stalwart seniors due to a football commitment in Jonathan Santaga (6-1), Ryan O'Connell (6-0) and Nate Ihlenfeldt (5-11). The Tritons finished 12-12 under first-year coach John Taylor last winter and figure to improve upon that finish in the ultra-tough Fox River Classic Conference. Rader is an emerging all-league performer while Lyons, seniors Max Liegel (6-2), Quinn Snyder (5-10) and Lachlan Johnson (6-1) played well along with juniors Jackson Strohmeyer (6-3), Chandler Zak (6-3), Reese Johnson (6-2) and Connor Hennigan (6-2) ... Valders won the Eastern Wisconsin Conference and finished 21-4 overall last winter and should enjoy another banner season in 2016-17 behind the return of Goedeke and Tuma. Junior point guard Treyner Sundsmo (5-11) and junior forward Jake Beimborn (6-7) also performed well in Plymouth for the Vikings ... Milwaukee South went 2-2 and received solid play from Aviles along with seniors Dontae Ellis (6-3) and junior Ocean Belen (5-11). The Cardinals defended at a high level, allowing just 34.5 points per game ... Appleton North continues its rebuilding project under second-year coach Jon Leisner. The Lightning went 2-21 a year ago and boast a couple of promising young players in Van Handel and junior forward Sam Crowley (6-5), who brings size and length to the North lineup ... Grafton went 1-3 playing without senior forward Logan Hilgart (6-5), who was playing club basketball. Nonetheless, the Blackhawks boast a pair of experienced and talented guards in seniors Tanner Autey (6-0) and Justin Peters (5-10). Autey is a shifty point guard while Peters hunts long-distance shots and makes them on a regular basis. Senior forward Jacob Wilkin (6-1) also played well for Grafton ... Milwaukee Lutheran got some solid play from junior Isaiah Owens (6-5) on Friday before he missed two games on Saturday due to a football commitment. The younger brother of former University of Wisconsin guard Freddie Owens, Isaiah Owens scored with his left hand around the basket and is quick off his feet. Junior Chris Means (6-2) also showed plenty of promise for the Red Knights ... Ashwaubenon got 27 points from senior Ben Wittig (6-2) in a 52-48 loss to Milwaukee Lutheran. Wittig, a skilled backcourt player with an improved perimeter shot, added 15 points in a victory over Kiel. He missed both games on Saturday due to club basketball. Senior forward David Clark (6-3) and junior Bryant Phillips (6-2) also played well for the Jaguars.   

Pools C-D

Final Standings

Pool C – Howards Grove 4-0, Peshtigo 3-1, Stanley-Boyd 2-2, Sheboygan Falls 1-3, Milwaukee Juneau/Reagan 0-4.

Pool D – Loyal 4-0, Rio 2-2, Sheboygan Christian 2-2, Living Word Lutheran 1-3, Ozaukee 1-3.

Pool C vs. Pool D Championship Game: Howards Grove 53, Loyal 45

Most Valuable Player

Bryce Pedrin, 6-1, Sr., G, Howards Grove
A skilled, left-handed combination guard who can really get on a roll from beyond the three-point arc, Pedrin scored in double figures in four of five games, including 18 in the Pools C-D title game victory over Loyal. He did a good job of making shots, but he also found open teammates off his penetration and was able to finish going to his left. Pedrin averaged 12.1 ppg as a junior and is one of the top returning players in the Big East Conference.

All-Tournament Team (In alphabetical order)

Cam Brussow, 6-4, Sr., F, Loyal
A powerful and aggressive forward who utilized spin moves to shed defenders and finish at the rim, Brussow scored at a very high level in Plymouth. He finished with 30 points in a 52-51 victory over Rio, 21 in a 55-54 triumph over Sheboygan Christian, and 17 in a 47-41 win over Ozaukee. He got to the foul line and converted, rebounded at a high level and often led the break with his ability to put the ball on the ground. Brussow averaged 22.1 ppg as a junior for coach Rob Love and the Greyhounds.

Patrick Cassidy, 5-10, Jr., WG, Living Word Lutheran
A returning starter for a still young Living Word Lutheran squad, Cassidy is becoming a lights-out shooter for coach Joshua Steffen. The left-handed wing guard and son of Concordia University coach Shawn Cassidy, Patrick Cassidy drilled seven triples and scored 23 points in 66-63 loss to Ozaukee. He also had 18 points in a loss to Loyal. Cassidy needs to get stronger and also become a threat to get to the basket, but his overall development over the past 12 months has been steady.

Duncan Fleiner, 6-5, Jr., F, Rio
A very promising forward with good size, length and skill, Fleiner scored in double figures three times for the Vikings, including 23 points in a 74-66 victory over Ozaukee. Fleiner competes with very good poise and consistently earns trips to the foul line. He averaged 13.1 ppg as a sophomore for coach Tim Struck.

Riley Geiger, 5-11, Sr., G, Loyal
A scoring wing guard who can put the ball in the hoop, Geiger averaged 16.4 ppg as a junior at Loyal. Geiger made three-point shots with regularity for the Greyhounds, knocking down four triples in the title game loss to Howards Grove en route to scoring a team-high 18 points. Geiger's ability to make outside shots stretches the defense and helps to keep the middle open for Brussow.

Trey Hake, 6-2, Sr., G, Sheboygan Falls
A physically strong combination guard who can score off the bounce and from the perimeter, Hake took on a big scoring load for the Falcons, who played without baseball standouts J.T. Petrie (6-3) and Ross Krist (6-2). Hake has the strength to finish through contact, plays hard-nosed defense and can get to the foul line. He averaged 7.8 ppg as a junior for Sheboygan Falls coach Brad Rohling. 

Seth Hause, 5-11, Sr., G, Stanley-Boyd
The son of Stanley-Boyd coach Tom Hause, Seth Hause is a very skilled, smart and strong backcourt performer who scored very well in Plymouth while helping the Orioles to a 2-2 record. He averaged three made triples per game while also playing a solid all-around floor game for the Orioles.

Garrett Hoffmann, 6-2, Sr., G, Ozaukee
Hoffmann is a prolific-scoring backcourt performer who located open teammates with his strong passing skills while also knocking down deep jump shots, sometimes with defenders in his face. Hoffmann scored 27 points in a win over Living Word Lutheran and 27 more in a loss to Rio. His ability to shoot from deep and his solid court vision make him a strong prospect for the next level. 

Caleb Holzman, 6-4, Sr., WF, Howards Grove
An ever-improving wing prospect with tremendous length, Holzman can guard multiple positions, rebound and score. His best days as a basketball player appear ahead of him as he continues to add weight and strength to his lanky frame. As a junior, Holzman averaged 6.1 ppg for a Howards Grove squad that went 21-5.

Matt Larsen, 6-3, Sr., F, Peshtigo
A versatile player with very good strength and size, Larsen showed the ability to make three-point shots while also scoring off the dribble. He finished with 20 points and four three-point baskets in a 61-50 victory over Stanley-Boyd and averaged 12.8 ppg over the four games in Plymouth.

Brayden Van Ess, 6-2, Sr., PG, Sheboygan Christian
Van Ess was on fire from three-point range early in the Eagles' 55-54 loss to Loyal, hitting four triples to help his team race to a 10-point lead. He converted from the foul line late to keep the Eagles in front before Loyal took the lead for good off of a turnover. Van Ess is scoring point guard who has good size and physical strength. He averaged 15.4 ppg as a junior.

Team Champion
 
Howards Grove
New coach Wade Georgeff, a former player at Oostburg High School and Marian University, takes over one of the top programs in the 14-team Big East Conference and inherits a very talented team led by players with great length and size. Pedrin and Holzman are both potential players at the next level while junior forward Eric Reinemann (6-3) also performed well for the Tigers in Plymouth. Look for sophomore guard Jack Baldwin (5-11) to also make an impact for Howards Grove, which won the Big East regular season and post-season tournament titles last winter. 

Notes
Loyal won two one-point games in pool play at Plymouth before falling to Howards Grove in the Pools C-D title game. Coach Rob Love has an experienced and gritty lineup that includes a prolific scorer in Brussow and lights-out shooter in Geiger and an all-around solid performer in junior Luke Bogdonovich (5-10). After finishing 18-6 a year ago, the Greyhounds appear poised to challenge defending champion Columbus Catholic along with Owen-Withee for the title in the Eastern Division of the Cloverbelt Conference ... Sheboygan Christian advanced to the WIAA Division 5 sectional semifinals before losing to Catholic Central of Burlington last season. Four key players return for coach Brett Flipse in Van Ess, senior guard Jacob Stecker (6-1), senior forward Luke Heinen (6-4) and junior guard Levi Modahl (6-1). Handling pressure defense and finding another scoring option to go along with Van Ess and Stecker would definitely help the Eagles remain near the top in the Big East Conference ... Rio was extremely competitive in Plymouth and figures to make some noise this winter in the Trailways South behind the return of Fleiner and senior guard Montie Walker (5-11), a quick player who scored 13 points and made three shots behind the three-point arc in a 52-51 loss to Loyal. Junior Grant Moll (6-5) also played well for the Vikings and showed the ability to make shots from the perimeter in addition to using his length and height to score around the basket ... Ozaukee has a new coach in Bob Domach and some big shoes to fill with the graduation loss of forward Michael Richter. Hoffmann is a scoring whiz is appears primed for a big senior season. Seniors Mike Street (6-4), Joe Lippe (6-0) and Jared Henderson (6-4) also played well at times in Plymouth for the Warriors ... Jacob Bolwerk (6-2) of Living Word Lutheran sat out Friday's games due to an injury, but played on Saturday and netted 26 against Ozaukee. He has very deep shooting range and can also score off the bounce. Bolwerk, Cassidy and junior Gideon Cain (6-5) are the top returning players for Living Word Lutheran. Sophomore Ezra Dufour (6-6) also showed some brief flashes of developing into a solid contributor for the Timberwolves ... Sheboygan Falls returns three stellar perimeter players in Hake, Petrie and Krist, though Petrie and Hake can also play along the baseline. The Falcons figure to be in the hunt for the Eastern Wisconsin Conference title along with Valders, Roncalli and New Holstein ... Peshtigo, once again, is the favorite in the Marinette & Oconto Conference. The Bulldogs, who move to the Packerland Conference in 2017, boast an active lineup with multiple scoring threats. In addition to Larsen, coach Nate Motkowski got solid performances from seniors Ryley Demmith (6-2) and Joey Bradley (6-1) at the WBY Tournament ... Stanley-Boyd received strong showings from Hause and senior forward Brady Booth (6-3), a physical and skilled forward who can step outside to score while also using his muscle to score around the basket ... Coach Aaron Spiering continues to build the new program at Milwaukee Juneau/Reagan. Though his squad played without key returning players Dwayne Walker (6-2) and Jarvis Roberts (5-6), the Pioneers did get some solid minutes from senior Marcel Dinsmore (5-6) and junior Dominique Snow-Pierce (5-11).