Recap: Carroll Preseason Shootout
WAUKESHA — 12 players who caught our eye during Sunday’s Carroll College Preseason Shootout…
Patrick Baldwin Jr. – 2021 – G/F – Sussex Hamilton
This is what we predicted and frankly was very easy to see — there’s not a darn thing a defender in the state can do to slow down Baldwin. The extremely skilled 6-foot-8 sophomore has expanded his shooting ability and arsenal off the dribble to the point where he can rise and fire even over the tightest of defenses. The top ranked player in the class of 2021 nationally, Baldwin unloaded with some eye-popping 3-point shots, many of which were well defended. Getting stronger and more athletic, Baldwin is spending more time under the rim and now dunking in traffic. The scary thing is that Baldwin still has room to get better on both ends of the floor. Duke and UCLA have already offered. Baldwin will surely be highly coveted by most, if not all the bluebloods.
Rich Byhre – 2019 – F – Catholic Memorial
A prospect that’s going to rise plenty in the next rankings update, Byhre is adding new pieces to his game. Byhre was used primarily on the block during the travel season, but all of a sudden emerged as a versatile point forward. Byhre was bringing the ball up the floor, taking defenders off the dribble, and even roaming the perimeter and hunt down 3-point shots. Byhre added his first Division 2 offer from Minnesota-Crookston in the fall. He’s got about 5-6 others taking a hard look this season.
Tremar Curry – 2019 – G – Janesville Parker
A kid that wasn’t on our radar prior to Sunday, Curry opened our eyes. Janesville Parker won just two games last season, but Curry has emerged as a leader for the Vikings and looking to right the ship. A very vocal player that brings a ton of energy on the floor, Curry’s teammates really fed off him during a win. An athletic, two-way guard, Curry is always looking to push the tempo in transition and also gets after people defensively, forcing havoc on that end of the floor.
Cade Hall – 2020 – W/F – Mauston
Hall was Sunday’s surprise performer. The 6-foot-3 junior dropped 25 points in a blowout win over Hustisford. A lanky, versatile prospect, Hall has terrific range and a consistent 3-point shot. Hall caught fire and never cooled off. He also caught defenders by surprise with his ability to slash to the basket. Hall is more athletic than he looks and used his length to score around the basket in traffic. Also a strong defender, Hall did a nice job on Hustisford star guard Justin Keuhl and kept the athletic slasher away from the rim.
Marco Humphrey – 2019 – G – Brookfield Academy
Brookfield Academy had a lot of weapons last season, but Humphrey looks poised to take on a bigger role. A super athletic guard with above the rim ability, Humphrey had some eye-opening finishes on Sunday. At 6-feet tall, Humphrey can just about put his head in the net. Humphrey plays with excellent speed and always plays fast without being out of control. His teammates love to find him in transition, knowing Humphrey is likely to create something easy at the rim.
Jacob Hefle – 2020 – G – Germantown
The Warhawks won just six games last season, but look like a revitalized group, putting together a gutsy effort against Waukesha West without leading scorer Luke Taylor. Hefle led the charge in Sunday’s loss. A crafty playmaker, Hefle made things happen in transition and knocked down his open perimeter shots. Germantown has a chance to make some noise in the Greater Metro this season and if Hefle can be a strong compliment to Taylor, that will only increase their push towards the top half of the conference.
Justin Kuehl – 2019 – SG – Hustisford
Kuehl got off to a little bit of a slow start, but finished strong in his next two games. Kuehl is a strong, athletic guard that can score by going through or over defenders. The consistency of his outside shot needs some work, but by no means is Kuehl a poor shooter — just streaky. What you appreciate about the 6-foot-3 senior is that he doesn’t settle offensively. He only takes rhythm jumpers and can also invert himself and play on the block. A strong Division 3 prospect, Kuehl has plenty of offensive tools that should make him a standout at the next level.
Cameron Palesse – 2021 – W/G – Waukesha West
Continue to be impressed by this sophomore. A week ago, he defended five-star G/F Jalen Johnson. On Sunday, Palesse went after Baldwin. Both times, he didn’t back down from the challenge and played both fairly evenly despite giving up 3-4 inches. Very few prospects play harder than Palesse and he takes pride in being a defensive stopper. Palesse can also get it done on the offensive end. An aggressive, high motor wing, Palesse takes contact well and can finish through people. His post up game is also very advanced for a perimeter prospect and he can score going away from the basket. Palesse’s outside shot is improving as well, developing into a three-level scorer. Not to knock any of the other 2021 prospects in the state who have offers, because they’re deserving, but the fact that Palesse is offer-less is somewhat laughable.
Jake Poetzl – 2019 – PF – Marinette
We know Poetzl is more of a football prospect, but this kid gets it done on the court as well. A physical and bruising presence with a soft outside shot, Poetzl is quite the weapon. His toughness under the rim forces opponents to submit. Poetzl believes every loose ball is his and just clears people out. Poetzl can also handle and shoot the basketball really well for his size. He’s a load coming down hill, but then mixes it up with smooth pull-up jumpers.
Tanner Resch – 2021 – G – Sussex Hamilton
If defenders give Resch an inch of space, they’re playing him wrong. Poised for a breakout sophomore season, Resch shot the ball at a high level from 3-point range. Resch is undersized and isn’t really a true point guard, but makes up for it with a very quick release and extended range beyond the arc. Resch also has tremendous touch around the rim, particularly in transition where he can float or spin the ball into the basket at top end speed to help avoid getting his shot blocked. Division 1 Miami (OH) is showing interest this fall. There’s also a handful of Division 2 programs from across the country giving Resch a look early on.
David Skogman – 2019 – F/C – Waukesha West
The senior forward continues to get better and better and could be a big late addition to any recruiting class. Skogman’s guard skills were always impressive, but he’s much more fluid as an off-the-dribble shooter and his ability to score fading away from the basket. It’s gotten the point where in crunch time, Skogman is comfortable isolating himself on the perimeter and creating a shot — a scary sight from a 6-foot-10 forward. Skogman’s back-to-the-basket game is also improving, able to hit defenders with counters. His strength, motor, and rebounding ability still need to improve if Skogman is going to play at the power-five level, but the want-to and effort level is there.
Carson Smith – 2020 – G – Sussex Hamilton
Smith was steady throughout the day, but seemed to be at his best in a high level matchup with Waukesha West. In a very tight and intense game, Smith was the difference maker, hitting a couple of big mid-range jumpers late, including the game-winner with just over a minute left. A sharpshooting combo guard that stretches the floor well, Smith is an excellent compliment to Baldwin and Resch, particularly due to his catch-and-shoot game and his in-between ability from 12-18 feet.