Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook

The 24th annual Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Exposure Camp concluded Tuesday at Viterbo University in La Crosse.

Following are some end-of-the-camp news and notes.

A total of 140 players at the WBY Camp were divided into 14 different teams. Following are the Most Valuable Players for each of the teams at camp:

Thomas Robarge, 6-3, G, Sr., Chippewa Falls
One of the better backcourt players returning to the Big Rivers Conference in 2017-18 ... Averaged 8.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per outing as a junior for the Cardinals of Chippewa Falls ... Played very well at the WBY Camp and showed off his shooting range and ability to get to the basket ... Excellent size and a solid student ... Competes with the Minnesota Magic on the club circuit.

Avery Lyons, 6-2, PG, Sr., Notre Dame
Pass-first lead guard who does an excellent job of keeping his head up in transition and hitting teammates with accurate passes ... Can also penetrate into the heart of a defense and either score or find an open teammates ... Good size and quickness ... Averaged 12.1 points and 4.0 assists as a junior at Notre Dame ... One of the top point-guard prospects in the 10-team Fox River Classic Conference ... Competes with the Minnesota Phenom and Wisconsin Crusaders club programs.

Sam Hepp, 6-6, F, Jr., Monona Grove
Versatile player who can handle the ball, play on the perimeter and battle for rebounds and second-chance points in the paint ... Excellent combination of size and skill ... Very aggressive player with the ball in his hands ... Good physical skill and a willing passer ... Competes with plenty of energy on both ends of the court ... Averaged 6.0 points as a sophomore for the varsity squad at Monona Grove ... Competes with the Ray Allen Select program on the club circuit.

Anthony West, 5-10, G, Sr., Madison La Follette
Can play either guard position, but appears best suited at point guard for the next level ... Explosive player who can get to the basket or drill three-point jump shots ... Won the skills competition at the WBY Camp and played very well in the spring for the Triple Threat club program ... Earned honorable mention all-league honors in the Big Eight Conference as a junior after leading the team in scoring at 12.1 points per game.

Canyon Bacon, 6-2, PG, Sr., Lodi
One of the more pleasant surprises of the WBY Camp ... A point guard with excellent size and good strength ... An athletic player with good shooting range and the ability to get to the basket going left or right ... Outstanding student who averaged 7.3 points per game as a junior at Lodi ... Competes with the Wisconsin Hoops Select club program.

Chris Nash, 5-11, PG, Jr., Wausau East
Terrific point-guard prospect with very good ball handling, passing and shooting skills ... Good feel for the game and a player who delivers an accurate pass to open teammates at the exact right time ... Left-handed player with deep shooting range ... Good quickness and athleticism ... Solid student who averaged 5.0 points as a sophomore for a very good Wausau East team in 2016-17 ... Competes with the Wisconsin Streak club program.

Tyler Robarge, 6-8, PF, Jr., Chippewa Falls
Improving big man with a steady pace to his game ... Not overly athletic or vertical, but uses his size, strength and aggressiveness to score in the paint ... Does an excellent job of posting up in the lane and attacking the basket ... Averaged 6.0 points and 3.5 rebounds as a sophomore for the varsity squad at Chippewa Falls ... Younger brother of Chippewa Falls senior Thomas Robarge ... Competes with the Wisconsin City Hoops club program.

Bennett Loersch, 6-10, PF/C, Jr., Luther
Loersch has made dramatic improvements in his game over the last 12 months ... He has increased his strength and added weight, which allows him to score through contact in the paint ... He is very good at going to get rebounds on both ends of the court, but is particularly good at following up misses in the lane with offensive rebounds and put-back baskets ... Left-handed power forward/center with a very bright future as he continues to round out his game ... Honorable mention all-league pick in the Coulee Conference as a sophomore and a player who figures to be recruited at a high level in the 2019 class ... Played with the Wisconsin Playmakers -- Koebel 16U squad last spring.

Troy Reeves Jr., 5-10, G, Jr., Madison La Follette
A very good long-distance shooter with a picture-perfect jump shot ... Also skilled with the ball in his hands and can get to the basket and finish ... Split time between JV and varsity squads last winter at Madison La Follette, but figures to be a key player for a deep and talented Lancer squad in 2017-18 ... Competes with the Wisconsin Dynasty club program.

Justin Kuehl, 6-2, WG, Jr., Hustisford
Super aggressive wing prospect with outstanding athleticism and the ability to finish through contact ... Improved perimeter shooter who showed at the WBY Camp that he is more than capable of knocking down multiple three-point shots in any given game ... Player of the Year as a sophomore in the Trailways South Conference ... Averaged 22.4 points and 5.5 rebounds as a sophomore ... Competes with the Wisconsin Swing -- Bredesen 16U squad on club circuit.

Nick Caropreso, 6-4, WF, Jr., Madison Memorial
Younger brother of 2017 Madison Memorial graduate Matt Caropreso, a 6-foot-7 forward headed to UW-La Crosse ... Nick Caropreso is much more of a wing player than his older brother ... He has good length and a basketball build, and made shots from mid range and from outside the three-point arc at Viterbo ... Played big minutes off the bench as a sophomore for a Madison Memorial program that qualified for the WIAA Division 1 State Tournament ... Competes with the Wisconsin Academy -- Leverson 16U club program.

Josh Dahlke, 6-8, F, Sr., Tomah
Left-handed forward who has improved his shooting range and can now knock down three-point shots over smaller defenders ... Runs the floor well and rebounds well ... Second-team all-league selection in the Mississippi Valley Conference as a junior when he averaged 16.7 points and 8.7 rebounds ... Receiving recruiting interest from a number of NCAA Division II programs ... Good length and the ability to block and alter shots ... Competes with the Wisconsin Playmakers -- Knutson squad on club circuit.

Brandon Keller, 6-7, PF, Sr., Plymouth
Another extremely pleasant surprise at the WBY Camp, Keller is an active forward with good physical strength and the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket ... After averaging 6.2 points and 3.8 rebounds as a starter for Plymouth as a junior, Keller appears poised for a breakout senior season as he displayed a nice shooting touch from the perimeter in addition to his impressive production around the basket ... Maintains a 3.9 grade-point average and scored a 27 on the ACT exam. 

Zion Turner, 5-10, PG, Jr., D.C. Everest
Strong, quick point guard who can penetrate into the lane and score ... Averaged 10.0 points per game as a sophomore starter at D.C. Everest ... Scored a career-high 23 points in a non-conference loss last season to La Crosse Logan ...  Competes with the Wisconsin Streak Select program on the travel-team circuit. 

*****

Some additional players cited by team coaches who consistently played well included:

Jake Buchanan, 5-10, PG, Soph., Kimberly – Made long-distance shots at a very high rate all week ... Very skilled ball handler, passer and shooter ... Played some varsity minutes at Kimberly as a freshman and figures to be a key player in the Papermakers' backcourt the next three seasons.

Eli Hartjes, 6-5, WF, Sr., Appleton West – The son of former Appleton West coach Greg Hartjes, Eli Hartjes is a slim wing prospect with excellent length, the ability to score in a variety of ways and the lateral quickness to defend on the perimeter ... Averaged 6.2 ppg as a junior and figures to have big senior season for coach Brennan Hussey and the Terrors. 

Luke Umnus, 5-11, PG, Jr., Elkhorn – Talented point guard who relentlessly probes a defense with his ability to penetrate, score and find teammates ... Super aggressive player on both ends of the court ... Good perimeter shooter who can defend ... Averaged 6.7 ppg as a sophomore at Elkhorn.

Nolan Dahmen, 6-6, F, Soph., Kettle Moraine – High-energy forward who can post up and use his quickness, strength and size to score in the lane ... Can also face up to the basket and make mid-range jump shots ... Good physical strength, size and skill ... Plays with the Wisconsin Playground Warriors on club circuit.

Nate Jenkins, 6-1, PG, Jr., Kettle Moraine – The son of former University of Wisconsin player Bob Jenkins, Nate Jenkins has made steady strides in his game over the past two seasons ... Missed part of his sophomore campaign with an injury, but came back late in the season to average 9.0 ppg for coach Brad Bestor and the Lasers ... Improved perimeter shooter with good physical strength and strong leadership skills ... Plays with the Wisconsin Playground Warriors on club scene.

Noah Kollock, 6-1, G, Jr., Almond-Bancroft – An excellent teammate who communicates well on the court, Kollock can make shots from downtown, but he is also very strong and explosive, traits that help him get to the basket and finish through contact at a high rate ... A two-year varsity player entering junior season, Kollock earned first-team all-league honors in the Central Wisconsin 10 Conference as a sophomore.

Gunner Wilder, 6-3, PG, Sr., Cameron – Bouncy combination guard who can make long-distance shots and attack the basket ... Voted Player of the Year in the Lakeland Central Conference as a junior after averaging 18.5 ppg and leading Cameron to the WIAA Division 4 State Tournament for the second straight season ... Excellent with the ball in his hands and makes solid decisions on the floor ... Recently picked up an NAIA Division I scholarship offer from Clarke University ... Plays with the Wisconsin Playmakers -- Knutson squad on club circuit.

Jackson Kolinski, 6-5, WF, Sr., Lodi – Smart, skilled wing prospect who has a very good feel for the game and the ability to score away from the hoop and in the lane ... Averaged 14.2 ppg as a junior and earned second-team all-league honors in the Northern Division of the Capitol Conference ... Competes with the Wisconsin Flight on club circuit.

Quinn Stulo, 6-0, G, Jr., Oak Creek – Stulo had a strong week at the WBY Camp as he shot the ball well from the perimeter and also moved the ball well in the half court ... Deep shooting range and the ability to get past defenders off the bounce ... Saw some varsity playing time as a sophomore and figures to be a key player for Oak Creek the next two seasons ... Competes with the Butler Elite club program.

Cory Hoglund, 6-1, G, Jr., McDonell Central – Mentally and physically strong back court player who does not back down from a challenge and competes at 110 percent each time he steps onto the court ... Played big minutes off the bench as a sophomore for a McDonell Central squad that advanced to the WIAA Division 5 State Tournament ... Plays with the Wisconsin City Hoops club team.

Pete Brey, 6-3, G/F, Sr., Tomah -- Physically strong and aggressive wing player who can make shots, play defense and grab rebounds ... Honorable mention all-league performer in the Mississippi Valley Conference as a junior.

Quinn Steckbauer, 5-11, PG, Jr., Merrill -- Physically strong point guard who plays with tremendous energy ... Can make perimeter shots and locate open teammates with his passing skill ... Averaged 11.2 ppg as a sophomore at Merrill.

*****

Some additional class of 2020 players from camp who played at a very high level included:

Quinten Lottig, 5-8, PG, Soph., Badger – Though on the smaller side, Lottig is very skilled and plays with a high basketball IQ ... Averaged 8.6 ppg as a freshman for the varsity team at Badger. 

Cole Booth, 6-0, PG, Soph., Plymouth – Another very skilled class of 2020 point guard, Booth averaged 6.4 ppg for the vasity team at Plymouth as a freshman and played very well each day at the WBY Camp.

Keaton Ferris, 5-10, G, Soph., Kaukauna – Smart, skilled combination guard with very deep shooting range and high accuracy ... Averaged 7.8 ppg as a freshman on varsity squad at Kaukauna. 

Jackson Noll, 5-10, PG, Soph., Cuba City – Confident lead guard with some get-up-and-go to his game ... Loves to push the ball in transition ... Skilled lead guard who averaged 8.0 ppg for the varsity team at Cuba City as a freshman.

Josh Govek, 5-11, PG, Soph., Sheboygan South – One of the truly elite ball handlers there is in the state ... Has the ball on a string and sets up defenders with his stop-and-go moves and ball handling misdirection ... Good perimeter shooter who averaged 14.5 ppg and 4.2 apg as a freshman at Sheboygan South.

Luke Spink, 5-10, PG, Soph., Mosinee – Good shooter, good passer and solid defender ... Played with energy and a strong desire to win ... A 4.0 student who played some varsity basketball as a freshman. 

Noah Feala, 5-10, PG, Soph., Hillsboro -- A good playmaker who can pass and score ... Averaged 6.7 ppg as a freshman for varsity squad at Hillsboro.

Braedon Brown, 6-1, PG, Soph., Milwaukee Marquette -- Yet another talented class of 2020 point guard ... Has a bit more size than some of the other PGs in his class ... Good shooter and playmaker ... Competes with the Ray Allen Select program.

Kyle Bilodeau, 6-6, F, Soph., Chetek-Weyerhaeuser -- Hard-working young player who gives 110 percent on both ends of the court ... Attacks the hoop off the dribble and works hard on the defensive end ... Averaged 4.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg as a freshman.

Alexander Baackes, 6-3, F, Soph., New Holstein -- One of the hardest working players at the WBY Camp ... Takes no plays off and the end result is usually a big rebound or a huge put-back.

James Monogue, 6-4, F, Soph., Jefferson -- A very skilled wing prospect with excellent size and the ability to knock down three-point shots ... Deep shooting range and a quick release.

Carter Gilmore, 6-5, G/F, Soph., Arrowhead -- Big-time future ahead for this prospect due to his ability to play multiple positions ... Excellent size, good strength and very good skills ...  Good feel for the game and the ability to get to the basket off the dribble ... Long, lanky prospect who figures to be a key player at Arrowhead the next three seasons.

*****

The three-on-three tournament was held at camp on Tuesday and the team of Chaz Von Fossem of Germantown, Braedon Brown of Milwaukee Marquette, Adam Baierl of Port Washington, Isaiah Lenz of Lakeside Lutheran and Carter Gilmore of Arrowhead won the championship.

*****

The three-point shooting contest was won by Kimberly sophomore Jack Buchanan (5-10).

 *****

Madison La Follette senior point guard Anthony West (5-10) won the skills competition.

 *****

The Jazz squad coached by Western Technical College coach Erik Wuensch won the team championship at the WBY Camp. Team members included Jake Roberts of Randolph, Cole Booth of Plymouth, Henry Noone of Lourdes Academy, C.J. Brooks of Horicon, Jackson Kolinski of Lodi, Justin Kuehl of Hustisford, Bradeon Brown of Milwaukee Marquette, Thomas Kiesau of LaCrescent, Minnesota, and Kenneth Brooks III of Ashwaubenon.

*****

Colleges represented at the camp included:

Iowa
Clarke College
Waldorf College

Minnesota
St. Mary's University

Wisconsin
Beloit College
Carroll University
Concordia University
Edgewood College
Lakeland University
Marian University
Milwaukee School of Engineering
UW-Baraboo/Sauk County
UW-La Crosse
UW-River Falls
UW-Stevens Point
UW-Stout
Viterbo University
Western Wisconsin Technical College
Wisconsin Lutheran College

*****

Special thank you to Viterbo University coach Wayne Wagner, V-Hawk assistant Matt Schneider and Jefferson coach Jay Benish, along with all the coaches and counselors, who worked the WBY Camp. And a special thank you to the players and their families for participating in the camp.