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In-depth previews for teams participating in the 2018 Wisconsin vs. Illinois Border Battle

02/08/2018, 7:45pm CST
By Mark Miller

Jacob Horton

2018 WISCONSIN VS. ILLINOIS BORDER BATTLE
Saturday, February 17, 2018
At The Prairie School, Racine, Wis.


10:30 A.M. Game (Updated 2/17/2018)

Cambridge Bluejays
Coach:
 John Leadholm, 33rd year
Enrollment: 255
Top Players: Jacob Horton (6-0, Sr., 23.5 ppg), Ryan Jansen (5-10, Jr., 10.3 ppg), Jacob Hommen (6-5, Sr., 10.2 ppg), Will Kaashagen (5-11, Sr., 8.0 ppg), Kobe Kravik (6-0, Jr., 4.2 ppg).
2017-18 Record: 8-12 (Through Feb. 16)
Notes: The Bluejays boast one of the top scoring backcourt players in the Capitol Conference in senior Jacob Horton, who has signed to play at NJCAA Division I North Dakota School of Science ... Horton is a three-year varsity player and 1,000-point scorer for Cambridge.  
Coach's Comments: "Depth at the guard position is a strength along with a positive attitude and good overall athleticism. Consistency and developing some depth in the post positions are both concerns."

University of Chicago Lab High School Maroons
Coach: Andre Battle, 1st year
Enrollment: 531
Top Players: Christian Brookens (Sr.), Edward Rose (Jr.), Bryce Palmer (Sr.), Gavin Cunningham (Jr.), Tuluwanimi Johnson (Frosh.).
2017-18 Record: 15-10 (Through games of Feb. 16)
Notes: University of Chicago Lab High School is located on the southside of Chicago and competes in the Independent School League.

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Dawson Wodsedalek

12:00 P.M. Game 

Note: Chicago Leo dropped out of the event in mid January. After attempting to find another Illinois school and failing, North Fond du Lac was kind enough to take Leo's spot. 

Grafton Black Hawks
Coach:
 Damon James, 2nd year
Enrollment: 750
Top Players: Alex Huibregtse (6-1, Soph., 16.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg), Jaden Polack (6-2, Jr., 11.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Bryson Clague (6-0, Frosh., 9.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg), Brock Heffner (6-4, Frosh., 7.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Brady Ward (6-1, Jr., 6.3 ppg).
2017-18 Record: 6-14 (Through Feb. 16)
Notes: The Black Hawks compete in the North Shore Conference and have been extremely competitive while fielding an exceptionally young team under second-team coach Damon James.  
Coach's Comments: "Lack of varsity experience played a factor early in the season. Overall, our team skill is improved from a year ago."

North Fond du Lac Orioles
Coach: Royal Smit, 1st year
Enrollment: 427
Top Players: Dawson Wodsedalek (6-5, Sr., 22.9 ppg), Kyle McCullen (5-10, Jr., 11.6 ppg), Mathias Gilbertson (5-11, Jr., 9.7 ppg), Alex Zander (6-1, Jr., 6.2 ppg), Tony Reyes (5-10, Jr., 7.2 ppg).
2017-18 Record: 7-13 (Through games of Feb. 16)
Notes: The Orioles compete in the Wisconsin Flyway Conference and are led by Wosedalek, a three-year varsity performer and 1,000-point scorer ... Smith is the third head coach in as many years at the school.
Coach's Comments: "The majority of our team was able to get some varsity minutes last season. That is probably our biggest team strength."

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Quinn Stulo

1:30 P.M. Game 

Oak Creek Knights
Coach:
 Nick Roeglin, 1st year
Enrollment: 2,077
Top Players: Quinn Stulo (6-2, Jr., 13.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg), David Ortiz (5-9, Sr., 7.6 ppg), Zach Nytsch (6-6, Jr., 7.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg), Max Magyar (5-10, Sr., 8.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg).
2017-18 Record: 1-18 (Through Feb. 16)
Notes: The Knights are in a rebuilding phase after graduating five starters from a club that finished 21-3 last winter ... Nick Roeglin is in his first year as head coach and is hoping the experience his players gain this season will help Oak Creek achieve success in the near future.   

Chicago Providence-St. Mel Knights
Coach: Tim Ervin
Enrollment: 160
Top Players: Tayeon Neal (6-10, Jr.), Deion Jackson (6-4, Jr.), Tim Ervin Jr. (5-6, Jr.), Eric Jordan (6-1, Jr.), D'Andre Payne (6-1, Sr.), Jason Mason (6-4, Jr.).
2017-18 Record: 13-9 (Through games of Feb. 16)
Notes: The Knights compete in the Southern Division of the Chicago Catholic League ... Neal is ranked as one of the top collegiate prospects in Illinois in the class of 2019.

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Jaeden Zackery

3:00 P.M. Game 

Westosha Central Falcons
Coach:
 James Hyllberg, 3rd year
Enrollment: 1,140
Top Players: Jaeden Zackery (6-1, Jr., 16.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg), Dylan Anderson (6-3, Jr., 11.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg), Cooper Brinkman (6-4, Sr., 9.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg), Adam Simmons (6-1, Jr., 9.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Nic Frederick (5-11, Sr., 7.8 ppg).
2017-18 Record: 17-3 (Through Feb. 16)
Notes: The Falcons are battling both Union Grove and Elkhorn for the title in the Southern Lakes Conference ... Westosha Central has an intriguing blend of senior and junior talent.   

Deerfield Warriors
Coach: Dan McKendrick
Enrollment: 1,635
Top Players: Myles Baer (5-11, Sr.), Danny Siegel (6-4, Sr.), Alex Casieri (6-0, Sr.), Zach Rothenberg (6-2, Sr.).
2017-18 Record: 12-15 (Through games of Feb. 16)
Notes: The Warriors compete in the Northern Division of the Central Suburban Conference.

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Quinn Cafferty

4:30 P.M. Game 

Racine St. Catherine's Angels
Coach:
 Nick Bennett, 2nd year
Enrollment: 367
Top Players: Quinn Cafferty (6-6, Jr., 13.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg), Tyrese Hunter (5-11, Frosh., 12.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Azarien Stephens (6-1, Jr., 11.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg), Isaiah Dodd (5-8, Soph., 9.1 ppg, 3.7 apg), Elijah Lambert (6-5, Soph., 8.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg), Kamari McGee (5-10, Frosh., 5.6 ppg).
2017-18 Record: 16-4 (Through Feb. 16)
Notes: The Angels compete in the Metro Classic Conference and are battling The Prairie School, Martin Luther and Dominican for the league title ... Cafferty is a three-year varsity performer and one of the top ranked class of 2019 prospects in the state.
Coach's Comments: "Quickness, toughness and playing at the basket are strengths. Shooting, size and defensive effort are questions." 

Niles North Vikings
Coach: Glenn Olson
Enrollment: 1,635
Top Players: Demarion Bariffe-Smith (6-3, Sr.), Jamal Stephenson (6-3, Sr.), Dravon Clayborn (6-1, Sr.), Damaria Franklin (6-3, Sr.), Dailen Sudduth (6-0, Jr.).
2017-18 Record: 21-4 (Through games of Feb. 16)
Notes: The Vikings compete in the Southern Division of the Central Suburban Conference and have been ranked among the top Class 4A schools in the state for much of the season.

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Nobal Days

6:00 P.M. Game 

Racine Park Panthers
Coach:
 Jim Betker, 13th year
Enrollment: 1,582
Top Players: Larry Canady (6-2, Jr., 16.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg), Jalawn Farrell (6-2, Soph., 9.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg), Nobal Days (6-9, Jr., 7.4 ppg, 13.6 rpg), Rance Kendrick (6-1, Sr., 10.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Zyiere Carey (6-0, Jr., 7.5 ppg), Richie Warren (6-4, Jr., 6.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg).
2017-18 Record: 17-3 (Through Feb. 16)
Notes: One of the state's top WIAA Division 1 teams, Racine Park is led by Days, the state's top-ranked class of 2019 prospect by WisSports.net ... Days and Canady are both considered NCAA Division I prospects with Days owning offers from a handful of programs, including both Marquette and Wisconsin.   
Coach's Comments: "Depth and experience are strengths. Consistent outside shooting is our biggest question mark."

New Trier Trevians
Coach: Scott Fricke
Enrollment: 3,999
Top Players: Ciaran Brayboy (6-9, Jr.), Spencer Boehm (6-8, Jr.), Andrew Kirkpatrick (6-2, Sr.), Brian Conaghan (6-1, Sr.), Matt Mosher (6-1, Sr.).
2017-18 Record: 21-3 (Through games of Feb. 16)
Notes: The Trevians compete in the Southern Division of the Central Suburban Conference and have been ranked among the top Class 4A schools in the state for much of the season ... Boehm and Brayboy are both receiving recruiting interest from NCAA Division I programs.

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JC Butler

7:30 P.M. Game 

The Prairie School Hawks
Coach:
 Jason Atanasoff, 7th year
Enrollment: 270
Top Players: JC Butler (6-5, Sr., 26.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg), Troy Mikaelian (6-1, Sr., 16.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Logan Krekling (6-2, Sr., 7.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg), Buddy Ladwig (6-0, Sr., 10.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg), Teddy May (6-3, Sr., 3.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg).
2017-18 Record: 16-4 (Through Feb. 16)
Notes: One of the state's top WIAA Division 4 teams, the host school Racine Prairie is led by University of California-Irvine recruit JC Butler, who ranks among the top scorers in the state at 25.9 ppg ... Seniors Logan Krekling (St. Norbert College) and Troy Mikaelian (Lawrence University) also have made decisions to play college basketball at NCAA Division III schools ... The Hawks compete in the Metro Classic Conference.   
Coach's Comments: "Team speed and athleticism are strengths. Butler, Mikaelian and Krekling are four-year starters. Defensive pressure and depth are also strengths."

Chicago DeLaSalle Meteors
Coach: Tom White
Enrollment: 910
Top Players: David Pinskus (6-6, Sr.), Barlow Alleruzzo (6-8, Sr.), Clyde Benton (6-4, Jr.), Jamari Norwood (6-0, Sr.), Koby Johnson (5-8, Sr.).
2017-18 Record: 7-13 (Through games of Feb. 16)
Notes: The Meteors compete in the Blue Division of the Chicago Catholic League and boast one of the top traditions in the greater Chicagoland area. 

Tag(s): Wisconsin vs Illinois