Director’s Cut: Wisconsin Edition
As the first half of the grassroots season comes to a close we wanted to touch base with programs directors and coaches to see how things went during April and May. These articles aim to provide updates on the teams as well as under the radar players or the kids who are on track to have a big July.
Team Name: Gallo Sports Center – 16U
Mid-Season Update:
Gallo Sports Center 16U is a team that others don’t take lightly. This is a team that placed 2nd overall in the NY2LA spring sessions and won the Prep Hoops Battle of the Lakes regional championship during the first half of the year. This group of kids are great at running the floor and finding the open man in transition. A guard heavy squad makes the most of it by making opponents try to keep up with them as they look to push pace.
Under the Radar Players:
• Ricky Canady – 6’2 G – can play 1-4 with his size and strength
• Elijah Sabala – 6’0 G – very strong with the ball, loves physical play
• Haden Sollman – 6’2 G – knockdown shooter off screens averages double
figures
• Chuck Lynch – 5’11 G – primary ball handler, high IQ and tends to find the open
man, great in transition
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-15: Next Level Invitational – Mequon, WI
July 18-22: Summer Jam – Mequon, WI
July 27-29: Kentucky Jam Fest – Louisville, KY
Team Name: Ray Allen Select – Donaldson
Mid-Season Update:
Ray Allen Select teams always seem to be competitive and play at a high level, this squad is no different. This is a team that operates in a pro style offense with constant ball screens and action away from the ball. They don’t have much size so screens, extra passes and speed is how this team finds its success. Coach Bryan Donaldson said his guys were gelling in the early part of the year as they won the NY2LA event in Minneapolis and followed that up by taking home more hardware the following weekend at the NY2LA event in Mequon. Most programs are fortunate to have one really good 17U teams, RAS has two.. and this is technically the second.
Under the Radar Players:
• Breadon Brown – 6’3 G – knockdown shooter that is long enough to be able
to defend 1-3, great vision and showing improvements in his ability to create
his own shot
• Jeramie King – 6’6 W – great footwork for his size, ability to be effective in pick
and pops, has the size and strength to iso guys from the elbow and go to work,
coming off 2 bad knee injuries he’s been playing at a very high level
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-15: Next Level Invitational – Mequon, WI
July 18-22: Summer Jam – Mequon, WI
July 25-29: Las Vegas Classic – Las Vegas, NV
Team Name: Ray Allen Select – Domask
Mid-Season Update:
Here is the top Ray Allen Select team at 17U. A group of kids that are the definition of skilled, tough, smart, fundamental basketball players. This group was 7-1 in the first half of the NY2LA events in the top 17U division and made a run into the elite eight of the Chicago Classic before running into the eventual champs and top five ranked team in the country, D1 Minnesota. This crew has a great balance of guards that can break you down and bigs that can back you down. Take one option away for these guys and they will just go to the next.
Under the Radar Players:
• Marcus Domask – 6’5 F – one of the most solid kids you’ll see in 17U,
can post, hit a midrange and step outside, rebounds the ball well and defends
at a high level, holds mid major offers, numerous schools keeping tabs
• Will Mahoney – 6’1 G – super steady kid that has been crucial in the success
this season, off the ball guard that can handle when needed, great pace to his
game
• Rich Bhyre – 6’7 F – has missed a few events but when present he is a do it
all type guy, a kid who can both defend and score the ball, high level baseball
player as well, kid thats stock could rise in July
• Preston Macho – 6’6 F- unsigned senior that looking for the right fit, small
forward that can stretch the floor, pretty stroke
• Joey Platz – 6’3 F – kid that is starting to draw some D2 interest, a pure shooter
that come in and is an instant spark
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-15: Next Level Invitational – Mequon, WI
July 18-22: Summer Jam – Mequon, WI
July 26-29: Fab 48 – Las Vegas, NV
Team Name: Wisconsin Blizzard
Mid-Season Update:
This Blizzard team found a lot of success early in the year, racking up wins and playing some great basketball. However towards the end of the spring they still competed at a high level but started to be noticeably worn down and didn’t as much pop in their step as the guys had just put so many miles on their tires in the early going. June couldn’t come soon enough to get rest and reenergize for a strong push in July. This group full of knockdown shooters should be ready to go in the second half of the year.
Under the Radar Players:
• Donovan Ivory – 6’5 W – guard skill set but plays bigger because of his length
and atheltic ability, went from 5’8 to 6’5 quickly, was a starter on the Kakuna state
championship team, NSIC interest all over team and NAIA interest
• Braeden Ivory – 6’2 G – power guard, wants to play physical and get after you
defensively, 34′ vertical, getting the ability to step outside consistently, could turn
D2 heads in July
• Spencer Mellberg – 6’2 G – lethal scorer that can get going fast, can both shoot
the rock and get above the rim and finish with both hands well
• Lucas Kotarek – 6’0 G – confident point guard that has been injured but creates
havoc in the backcourt for opposing teams
Where can you find them in July?:
July 6-8: State Invite – Milwaukee, WI
July 11-15: Next Level Invitational – Mequon, WI
July 19-22: D1 Summer Classic – Minneapolis, MN
July 25-29: Prep Hoops Summer Challenge – Chicago, IL
Team Name: Wisconsin Crusaders
Mid-Season Update:
This silver gauntlet Crusaders squad has had a productive spring so far. Competing in the Adidas silver events this group has seen a bunch of really good teams and highly talented players, and this group is no different than the competition. This crew has a win over Wisconsin Playground Warriors and took Team Rose to the limit. Led by a top 25 player in Wisconsin according to Prep Hoops rankings, 6’10 Luke Haasl, the Crusaders have true size inside and guard power in their back court led by a committee of talented ball handlers.
Under the Radar Players:
• Luke Haasl – 6’10 C – stock has risen greatly over the early months of the
year, can back you down as well as shoot the ball, raw prospect that will
make a college program very happy
• Nick Otto – 6’4 W – knockdown shooter that can handle the ball at his size,
will do exactly what you tell him to do, someone that could be a scholarship
D2/NAIA kid
• Sam Meerstein – 6’4 W – can play 1-4, nice stroke with a high IQ has lead
• Logan Morrow – 6’5 F – stretch four that can knock down jumpers and also
guard his postion
• Jack Monis – 6’5 W – high motor athlete that will do the little things to win
games
Where can you find them in July?:
July 12-15: Adidas Silver Gauntlet Finale – Westchester, NY
July 18-22: Summer Jam – Mequon, WI
Wisconsin Crusaders are still working to finalize their final weekend.
Team Name: Wisconsin Academy – Esters
Mid-Season Update:
A team filled with tough multi sport athletes. During the year they have been down guys at various points due to other activities but Coach Levi Esters says that the next guy just steps up and they try not to miss a beat. This group loves to play with pace but depending on the game are able to dictate things and take control of the game when needed. This Academy team hopes to have all their guys in hopes to make a strong run in July.
Under the Radar Players:
• Reed Larson – 6’2 G – straight shooter that gets his shot off with almost no
space, long frame give him the ability to defend at a high level
• Connor Mayer – 6’5 F – great midrange kid that can step back and hit the deep
ball, loves his back to the basket, has the ability to made defenders look silly
in on the block
• Striker Fitzsimons – 6’4 F – multi purpose type kid, can bring the ball up and
can play in the post, IQ is second to none, all around player that coaches love
Where can you find them in July?:
July 13-15: Summer Slam – Sioux Falls, SD
July 18-22: Three Stripes Alliance – St. Louis, MO
July 25-29: Prep Hoops Summer Challenge – Chicago, IL
Team Name: Wisconsin Academy – Ellingson
Mid-Season Update:
The first half of the year was a great learning experience for this group. The kids played great competition and came away from tournament weekends better than they were walking into them. These guys like to play fast, and on offense they utilize dribble drives looking for attacks to the rim or kick outs as the team is constructed of knock down shooters. Their speed is no different on defense as they love to constantly put pressure on the ball handlers to try and force their opponents to hurry up and make mistakes.
Under the Radar Players:
• Jaden Kreglow – 5’10 G – very electric scorer for an undersized guard, can
create his own shots at a high level
• Brandon Rowe – 6’3 G – most athletic kid on the roster, can knock down
open jumpers then take you to the rim, can gain D2 looks with his size
and athleticism
• Cade Ellingson – 6’2 G – runs the show on the floor, brings energy on the
defense, a D3 prospect right now but could break that D2/NAIA barrier
Where can you find them in July?:
July 13-15: Summer Slam – Sioux Falls, SD
July 18-22: Three Stripes Alliance – St. Louis, MO
July 25-29: Prep Hoops Summer Challenge – Chicago, IL
Team Name: Wisconsin Playground Warriors
Mid-Season Update:
Coach Justin Mallett serves double duties as the head coach of both the 16’s and 17’s group of the Wisconsin Playground Warriors. The 16’s group has had a really nice start to the season, they sit at 28-4 with those four losses coming at the hands of ranked teams. The 2020 group is made up of athletic kids with high basketball IQ’s. Their balance of size and guard play makes them a tough matchup for most teams. As for the 17U crew they have had their ups and downs throughout the year but had a nice end to May. This group won 17 of their last 20 games to end the first half of the year, Coach Mallett hopes to keep that momentum going into July with that 17U group.
Under the Radar Players:
16U
• Tre Zastrow – 5’11 G – great stroke from the outside, known as a shooter but a
kid who can defend guys, will drawn in interest in the July
17U
• Reed Miller – 6’7 F – stretch wing that can get going from outside, skilled kid of
the bounce, just scratching the surface of potential
• Larry Canady – 6’3 G – loves to use his athleticism to get to the rack, done
the things to make himself better, D2 interest could break through into low
major
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-14: UA Challenge – Atlanta, GA
July 19-22: Brawl for the Ball – Grand Rapids, MI
July 26-29: Fab 48 – Las Vegas, NV
Team Name: Young Legends 16U
Mid-Season Update:
The Young Legends 16U squad had a nice first half as they competed in the NY2LA association. This group made the final four at the Invitational in Milwaukee. The kids love to play fast and get out in transition to get some easy buckets. If things slow down into the half court they are more than capable of executing and knocking down shots, Coach Darryl Longley said he has guys that can fill it up from the outside.
Under the Radar Players:
• Kaleel Clark – 6’3 G – hard nose guard that can get to the rack with ease,
good vision and frame
• Leontae Scott – 6’4 F – score at all 3 levels and get get above the rim and
and finish
• Markale Jones – 6’6 F – usually the lone big that finishes everything around the
rim
• Jermaine Tomlin – 6’5 F – athletic kid that relies on his jumper, high ceiling kid
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-15: Next Level Invitational – Mequon, WI
July 18-22: Summer Jam – Mequon, WI
July 26-29: Fab 48 – Las Vegas, NV
Team Name: Wisconsin Playmakers – Strege
Mid-Season Update:
Here is a team full of kids that have never played together prior to this season, yet seem to all be on the same page. A group of kids with no egos and just love to play basketball makes them a pretty cohesive unit on the court. This Playmakers squad is backcourt heavy, loaded with kids that can push the ball in transition. Coach Alex Strege commented that he has a bunch of high IQ kids that have the ability to both push the in the open floor or slow things down and execute in the half court. A team that could be a dangerous matchup for opposing teams come July.
Under the Radar Players:
• Malachi Athnos – 6’1 G- super crafty point guard that can shoot the ball from
deep, great control of the game when the ball is in his hands, ultimate competitor
• Mason Ackley – 6’5 F – kid from way up north at Superior High School that can
jump out of the gym, becoming more comfortable with using is athleticism to
finish highlight plays, defends other teams best players
• Jimmy Polenz – 6’6 F – all around player that makes a coaches job easy with
the IQ and intangebles he has, heavy D2 looks right now
• Nathan Hau – 6’5 F – strong physical center that works his tail off on both ends,
great footwork and can finish with either hand
Where can you find them in June/July?:
June 28-30: Great Plains Alliance – St. Cloud, MN
July 11-15: Next Level Invitational – Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin Playmakers are still working to finalize their July schedule.
Team Name: Wisconsin Swing – Gibbs
Mid-Season Update:
A Swing squad that has had highs and lows throughout the year but are getting better with each game they are together. The defensive side of the ball comes easy to this group as they have the ability to cause problems for opponents, while the offensive side of the ball has been a bit more of a challenge in the early going. The team does have guys who can put the ball in the hoop and hope to pick up some of that offensive production down the stretch in July.
Under the Radar Players:
• Malcolm Reed – 6’5 W – athletically drawing scholarship interest, great
slasher getting to the rim, finds easy opportunities around the bucket
• Cam Paske – 6’6 F – great touch 15-18 ft, can do work in around the
basket, college level frame
Where can you find them in July?:
July 11-15: Next Level Invitational – Mequon, WI
July 18-22: Summer Jam – Mequon, WI
Wisconsin Swing are still working to finalize their July schedule.
Team Name: Wisconsin RAP – 16U
Mid-Season Update:
This Wisconsin RAP group from the class of 2020 has great balance amongst the roster. A team full of kids with speed, strength and size makes them a handful for opponents to deal with. This group is full of kids that if they continue to progress at the rate they have been there will be a lot of next level guys that will make college programs very happy.
Under the Radar Players:
• Gerald Gittens – 6’0 G – 6’5 wingspan and gets his hands on everything, one
of the most physical kids you’ll see in the 2020 class, working on consistency
shooting
• Shilo Bowles – 6’6 F – rebounds and runs the floor at a high level, work horse
that has expanded his game over the last year
• Aiden Flynn – 6’6 F – long kid that can put the ball on the deck, goes hard 100%
of the time, takes advantages of mismatches with ease
• Justin Steinike – 6’0 G – pure shooter that is working to expand his game
beyond just a scorer
Where can you find them in July?:
July 6-8: Jump Start July Jamboree – Waukesha, WI
July 11-15: Next Level Invitational – Mequon, WI
July 18-22: Summer Jam – Mequon, WI
July 27-29: Kentucky Jam Fest – Louisville, KY