Preview: Prep Hoops Proving Grounds
The spring evaluation period continues this weekend in Bloomington, Minn, as some of the Midwest’s top travel programs will take part in the 2018 Prep Hoops Proving Grounds. Here’s a closer look at the Wisconsin based AAU clubs that will be taking the floor this weekend…
17U PREVIEW
Team 1848
Schedule
Friday 6:30 PM vs. Minnesota Fury Wilde
Players to Watch
Will Pytleski – 2019 – W/F – Green Bay Southwest
Pytleski is a 6’3″ wing/forward. Will is one of our most heralded players on the team. Coming from Playground Warriors, Will has the toughness and experience along with the basketball IQ. Will is our glue guy and a huge competitor. He gives us a little bit of everything — he rebounds well, he can shoot it from the outside, and knock down big shots in big moments/finish down low in a crowd. Where we need to see some growth from Will is in one-on-one situations, scoring off the dribble, and improving his speed and quickness. Will definitely has D2 potential. – Head Coach Harry Boyce
Rafe Whalen – 2019 – G – Green Bay East
If you’ve ever watched Rafe play, you would know he’s one of the best shooters in the state and probably the best shooter in our area. Coming out of the Bay Conference he averaged 19+ points a game. Please don’t let his height and small frame fool you. His confidence is unparalleled. He is scrappy and fearless. Once Rafe hits his first shot in the game, he believes he can hit them all (and usually does). The next step to Rafe’s game will be improving his strength and knowing when to turn off being a shooting guard and turn on being a point guard and a leader.” – Boyce
Patrick Suemnick – 2019 – SF – Denmark
“Patrick, in my opinion, has the highest ceiling on this team. You can’t teach athleticism and he is just that, with a long, solid frame to go with. Right now, Patrick is very finesse; has a good jump shot and can be used as a floor-spacer and rebounder. Getting Patrick to the next level means tuning his all-around footwork and creating more post moves, as well as working on his playing base. Defensively, Patrick has a mean streak. He his one of the better shot blockers I have seen at the high school level for being a small forward. What we continue to work on him with, is his low post defense; figuring out when to wall up and when to block shots, and finishing the defensive play with a strong chinned rebound. Patrick’s ceiling is similar to Kenneth Lowe, who played at UWGB.” – Boyce
Young Lions
Schedule
Saturday 11:10 a.m. vs. Minnesota Heat-Ismail
Players to Watch
Mike Wilson – 2019 – G – University School
“Mike’s a very skilled player with a high basketball IQ and is capable of playing either guard position. He can shoot the 3, score off the dribble, get to the basket and finish in traffic. Mike is also a very good on-ball defender. Mike was a unanimous First-Team all conference selection. Minnesota Crookston and UC-Irvine have been in contact with Mike. Minnesota-Crookston will be watching Mike play this weekend.”
K.J. Daniels – 2019 – G – Milwaukee Lutheran
“K.J. is a very talented high IQ basketball player with unlimited range and has the ability to score from anywhere on the court. K.J. can run a team from either guard position and is a tremendous leader for us. He is also very tough and plays with a refuse to lose mentality. He will have an opportunity to play basketball in college.”
Trevon Liggins – 2019 – SF – Wauwatosa West
“Trevon is a high-flying, athletic wing that can play above the rim. Trevon can shoot the 3 and also attacks the basket with aggression. His unique skill set and toughness allow him to compete at a very high level for us. Trevon also rebounds well for us and is a very good defender. He will have an opportunity to play basketball in college.”
Wisconsin Blizzard-Ivory
Schedule
Friday 9:45 p.m. vs. Minnesota Heat-MacDonald
Players to Watch
Lucas Kotarek – 2019 – PG – Appleton East
“The true definition of a floor general, he does the things that do not show up on the stat sheet. Whether it’s diving for a loose ball, making the right read, or playing hellacious defensem Lucas is a player who does whatever it takes to help the team win. A player you want on the floor during crunch time.”
Brayden Ivory – 2019 – G – Kaukauna
“There’s no other word to describe Brayden besides tough. Brayden is a great defender, good shooter, and is strong enough to finish at the basket with contact. Can play and guard multiple positions on the floor and might be one of the best rebounding guards on the court at all times. A winner and competitor who shines during the big moments.”
Donovan Ivory – 2019 – G/F – Kaukauna
“The most versatile player on the court, he can play and guard the 1-5 positions. Can shoot the ball from 3-point and mid-range as well as get to the basket and finish. Pure playmaker whether it’s for himself or for his teammates. A guy that can fill the stat sheet and does not shy away from the big stage or the big moments, you want the ball in his hands when the game is on the line…without question.”
Wisconsin Playmakers North
Schedule
Friday 8:40 p.m. vs. West Central United
Players to Watch
Others: Wisconsin RAP, Wisconsin Academy-Ellingson, Wisconsin Academy-Esters, Team 1848 WSM, Wisconsin Swing
16U PREVIEW
Team 1848
Schedule
Friday 7:35 PM vs. Minnesota Fury-Zurn
Players to Watch
Nic Tuscan – 2020 – G – Green Bay Preble
“Nic is overall our best defender, who you never have to coach effort. He really dogs guys as far as on-ball defense and typically generates scoring opportunities for us because of his overall defense. Offensively, he can go on 10-0 runs by himself but needs to be more consistent as a scorer for us to be successful. He is our hardest worker and definitely has a couple niche skills that translate well to a WIAC type level.” – Head Coach Harry Boyce
Daniel Forystek – 2020 – F – Bay Port
“Daniel is an already physically developed interior player, who can also step out and consistently hit 3-point shots and free throws with his soft touch. Continually has improved in the 3three tournaments played thus far. Has the most potential on our team to attain a D2 scholarship due to his physical size, soft touch, and the simple fact that he is just starting to learn how to properly operate in the post, which has led to a massive gain in confidence and scoring output for our team.” – Boyce
Connor Pendleton – 2020 – G – Kimberly
“Connor is easily our best 3-point shooter and was very well coached at the high school level being our most fundamentally sound player offensively. Our focus from day one with Connor has been working on using his lethal 3-point shot to attack hard close-outs and finish around the rim, which he really showed last weekend. He is a no-nonsense kid very mature for his age and has a high basketball IQ. When he gets hot he can rattle off 3-4 triples in a row, which he has done in a majority of our games. The more our guys look for him when he has a sliver of daylight (which is now a priority), the more opportunities he will have to fill up scoring-wise. Almost as impressive as his jumper is that he does not waste dribbles and his movements with or without the ball are always efficient.” – Boyce
Wisconsin Blaze
Schedule
Friday 8:40 PM vs. Minnesota Heat Halvorsen
Players to Watch
Josh Butler – 2020 – G/F – Fox Valley Lutheran
“High energy, plays hard and aggressive. Has the ability to rebound and defend bigger than his height shows. Can defend 1-4 position. Attacks the basket well. Very athletic.” – Head coach Charles Butler
Micah Thiesfeldt – 2019 – G – Fox Valley Lutheran
“Newcomer this year. Shown a lot of promise. Can handle and shoot. Competitor. Very good at controlling the pace of the game. Great passer.” – Butler
Spencer Jens – 2020 – SG – Fox Valley Lutheran
“Most consistent. Solid offensively and defensively. Leader. Has improved a lot since last summer. Long and athletic guard. Hard worker.” – Butler
Young Lions
Schedule
Saturday 11:10 a.m. vs. Minnesota Select-Okafor
Players to Watch
Kai Buliox – 2020 – G – Milwaukee King
“Kai is a six-foot guard that is very aggressive. Coming off a very promising sophomore campaign, he was a very intricate piece to a very young team. Kai’s ability to catch and shoot as well as attack off the dribble forces defenses to key in on Kai. In addition to Kai’s offensive ability, he is a very disruptive defender causing many deflections and disrupting he opposing offenses flow. A true competitor, Kai loves the game of basketball.” – Head Coach Devon Jones
Jaylyn Kelley – 2020 – G – Wauwatosa West
Jaylyn has the keen ability to stretch defenses with his outside shooting. He is coming off a season where he posted numerous games of 15+ points. Jaylyn’s ability to shoot really opens up the game for his teammates. A true student of the game, Jaylyn works tirelessly to improve his game in an effort to achieve more W’s.” – Jones
Wisconsin Playmakers-Strege
Schedule
Friday 7:35 p.m. vs. Minnesota Fury-Kline
Players to Watch
Ethan Reis – 2020 – SG – Thorp
“A big two-guard, Reis was honorable mention in the Cloverbelt Conference. Can shoot the 3 ball well when his feet are set. Led our team in scoring at the NY2LA tournament this spring averaging 18 points per game.” Head Coach Ron Strege
Caleb Timm – 2020 – F – Merrill
“Tenacious defender and rebounder. Usually plays undersized against bigger posts and out works them on both ends of the floor. Excellent passer. Great leadership qualities.” – Strege
Anthony Posteluk – 2020 – G – Marshfield
Wisconsin Playmakers North
Schedule
Friday 8:40 p.m. Crossfire-Pederson
Players to Watch
John Sutherland – 2020 – W/F – Grand Rapids
“This 6’6″ Wing from Grand Rapids, Minn. is dynamic. Can attack the rim and hit 3’s from all over the court. John has true D1 potential and has had games of over 30 already this AAU season. He can hit 4 or 5 3-pointers in a row.” – Director Phil Roe
Trevor Morrison – 2020 – F – North Woods
Wisconsin RAP
Schedule
Friday 8:40 p.m. vs. Minnesota Heat Presbi
Players to Watch
Gerald Gittens – 2020 – G – SJNMA
“Top 20 guard who can easily move up in the ranks. Gerald is very strong with the ball and loves physical play. Very good floor general and does a great job of facilitating the offense, pushing in transition, and attacking the rim. Shot has improved over the last 12 months and he is working improving his mid range game. With Geralds strength and 6’5″ wing span, he is one of the better on ball defenders, making it very difficult for any opponent. Gerald is most definitely sliding under the radar and should have more interest at the next level.” – Director Scott Cook
Shilo Bowles – 2020 – F – West Allis Central
15U PREVIEW
Wisconsin Blaze
Schedule
Friday 8:10 PM vs. Grassroots – Jett
Players to Watch
Ethan Ferry – 2021 – PG – Appleton North
Wisconsin Playmakers – Donahue
Schedule
Friday 9:15 p.m. vs. Minnesota Fury-Syverson
Players to Watch
Mason Anderson – 2021 – G – Ellsworth
“Mason played and started a few games on a varsity team that only lost three times during the regular season. He is a very intelligent player that rarely makes mistakes. Offensively he has tremendous shooting ability and can also put it on the floor and score from all three levels. Very crafty from 15 feet and in. Definitely are team leader.” – Head coach Austin Donahue
Marco Ebeling – 2021 – G – Eau Claire Memorial
“Marco is our all-around best player. He can shoot it, create his own shot, distribute the ball, and can really handle it too. He’s best in transition and is very hard to stop once he gets downhill. In my opinion he’s one of the most underrated players in Midwestern Wisconsin. On defense, he’s very long and very good at contesting/blocking shots.” – Donahue
Devauntye Parker – 2021 – F – Menomonie
Schedule
Saturday 10:05 a.m. vs. ND Attack Green
Players to Watch
“A fast, smart point guard who excels in transition can knock down the 3 and uses his speed and quickness for the steals on the defensive end.” – Ojielo
Others: Wisconsin Playmakers – Siler, La Crosse Elevate, Wisconsin Academy