Preview: Luke Homan Showcase
One of the top mid-season events in the state of Wisconsin, the 2018 annual Luke Homan Showcase is set to tip off from Brookfield Central High School on Saturday.
Games to Watch
Sun Prairie vs. Brookfield Central
This one between Division 1 powers should be outstanding.
Five-star 2020 G/F Jalen Johnson leads Sun Prairie into Saturday with an 11-1 record. A top 10 prospect nationally, Johnson is putting up 21.5 points per game. His running mate, unsigned senior Marlon Ruffin is generating late Division 1 attention.
Brookfield Central (8-3) counters with a strong trio of Cole Nau, Gage Malensek, and David Joplin. One of the top guard tandems in the state, Nau and Malensek combine for over 30 points and seven assists per game. The third-ranked player in Wisconsin’s 2021 class, Joplin, chips in with 9.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per outing.
Milwaukee Destiny vs. Racine Park
The reigning Division 4 state champions are off to a 10-1 start. Despite some major losses, Diovonte Caldwell has helped keep things afloat, averaging 20.0 ppg.
Looking like a strong contender in Division 1, Racine Park enters Saturday at 9-1. Do-it-all forward Nobal Days is having one of the most impressive campaigns in the state. Also a Division 1 prospect, Larry Canady leads the Panthers in scoring at 15.0 ppg.
Franklin vs. Sussex Hamilton
A 12-1, Franklin will get put to the test on Saturday. Led by Max Alba (21.5 ppg), Franklin sits tied atop the Southeast Conference standings. Eight of their 12 wins this season have come by double digits.
Still finding themselves this season, Sussex Hamilton enters the contest at 8-4. Despite losing three of four, the Chargers have good wins over Germantown, Milwaukee Hamilton, and Middleton. Stud 2021 G/F Patrick Baldwin Jr. leads the way with 15.2 ppg.
Full Schedule
11:00 a.m. – Milwaukee South vs. Grafton
11:15 a.m. – Racine Case vs. Germantown
12:30 p.m. West Bend East vs. Messmer
12: 45 p.m. Greendale vs. St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy
2:00 p.m. Middleton vs. Marquette University
2:15 p.m. Sun Prairie vs. Brookfield Central
3:45 p.m. Milwaukee Destiny vs. Racine Park
4:00 p.m. Kettle Moraine Lutheran vs. Greenfield
5:15 p.m. Mukwonago vs. Wauwatosa East
5:30 p.m. Oshkosh West vs. Brookfield East
6:45 p.m. New Berlin Eisenhower vs. Racine Horlick
7:00 p.m. Franklin vs. Sussex Hamilton
8:15 p.m. Milwaukee Vincent vs. Muskego
8:30 p.m. Wauwatosa West vs. West Allis Central
Top Players to Watch
David Joplin – Brookfield Central
The third ranked prospect in Wisconsin’s 2021 class, Joplin is a sure-fire high major prospect. The 6-foot-5, 190-pound freshman is an intriguing blend of strength and athleticism. Joplin’s versatility to play a number of positions, shoot the basketball from 3-point range, put the ball on the deck and attack the basket, and play with his back to the hoop give him a strong upside.
Jalen Johnson – Sun Prairie
The No. 1 ranked player in Wisconsin’s 2020 class, Johnson is a legit top 10 player nationally. A transcendent talent, Johnson can play just about any position on the floor and really thrives at the point guard spot. A 6-foot-7 sophomore, Johnson already has offers from Iowa, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Purdue, Marquette, and UNLV. It won’t be long before the bluebloods get involved.
Jakobe Thompson – Racine Case
We’re ready to see what Thompson can do on a big stage. A fast-rising prospect in the 2021 class, Thompson is averaging 19.3 ppg this season. Emerging on the radar of Division 1 schools, Thompson has the makings of a possible big time scoring prospect from the two-guard position.
Nobal Days – Racine Park
Days has offers from Kansas State, UNLV, Marquette, Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin, DePaul, Nebraska, and Boston College. The well rounded, 6-foot-9 forward has put together triple-doubles and even a quadruple-double this season. A top 100 prospect nationally, Days continues to expand his offensive package. While most would like to see him put up bigger scoring numbers, he elevates teams in countless other ways.
Patrick Baldwin Jr. – Sussex Hamilton
Size, skills, versatility make up what will be a near impossible prospect to stop in the coming years. Averaging better than 15 points per game as a freshman, Baldwin Jr. is a terrific scoring wing. At 6-foot-8, he can handle, pass, and shoot the basketball at a high level. The son of UW-Milwaukee head coach Patrick Baldwin, Baldwin Jr. looks to be a blue chip prospect in 2021, already holding an offer from UNLV.
Others:
A.J. Makinen – Muskego
Alex Huibregtse – Grafton
Allen Johnson – Tosa West
Brogan Brunker – Middleton
Bryce Konitzer – Mukwonago
Bryce Miller – New Berlin Eisenhower
Cole Nau – Brookfield Central
Derek Kroll – Oshkosh West
Diovonte Caldwell – Milwaukee Destiny
Gage Malensek – Brookfield Central
Gerald Gittens – SJNMA
Jacob Fierst – West Allis Central
Jalen Holley – Tosa East
James Kelley – SJNMA
JoJo Keith – Milwaukee South
J.P. Benzschawel – Grafton
Larry Canday – Racine Park
Luke Taylor – Germantown
Marcus Caldwell – Racine Horlick
Marlon Ruffin – Sun Prairie
Marquise Milton – Racine Horlick
Max Alba – Franklin
Mo Jamaleddin – Greenfield
Niko Kerschner – Marquette
Patrick Cartier – Brookfield East
Robert Anderson – Milwaukee Vincent
Solomon Zarling – Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Vlado Zrnic – Greendale