10 Best: NY2LA Sports Classic
BROOKFIELD — Breaking down the 10 best individual performances at the 2018 NY2LA Sports Classic… Patrick Baldwin Jr. – 2021 – G/F – Sussex Hamilton We said last season that eventually Baldwin Jr. would develop into the type of…
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Continue ReadingBROOKFIELD — Breaking down the 10 best individual performances at the 2018 NY2LA Sports Classic…
Patrick Baldwin Jr. – 2021 – G/F – Sussex Hamilton
We said last season that eventually Baldwin Jr. would develop into the type of player that could get any shot he wanted on the floor and there wouldn’t be a darn thing defenders could do about it.
We’re now at that point.
Scoring 21 points in a loss to Nicolet, Baldwin Jr. hit some big time shots against a couple of top 50 prospects and just wowed the crowd with his ability to create space off the bounce, rise, and fire with ease. Pairing deadly shooting ability with a gazelle-like movement in transition, Baldwin Jr. is maybe the best pro prospect this state has seen in the recruiting rankings era. The No. 1 ranked player overall in 2021, it’s going to be really hard to knock Baldwin out of that spot.
Declan Ciurlik – 2020 – F – Homestead
Brown Deer star guard Jaylon Gentry scored 15 first half points to keep the Falcons within striking distance of Homestead. Once Ciurlik switched over to Gentry in the second half, the senior guard never scored again. Playing outstanding perimeter defense, Ciurlik completely shut down Brown Deer’s go-to player and helped Homestead pull away. Gentry could only get off a few shots against the 6-foot-3 forward and
most of them were forced, low percentage opportunities. In addition to his standout defense, Ciurlik added 16 points (5-8), 7 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Brooklyn Jagers – 2019 – W/G – Brown Deer
Kid that continues to fly under the radar, Jagers had a team-high 20 points to go along with 10 rebounds and three steals in a loss to a very good Homestead squad. A slashing wing who can also stretch the floor from 3-point range, Jagers is smooth and has some good length for being 6-feet tall. Always in attack mode, Jagers has a knack for getting to the bucket and finishing over bigger defenders, using a soft touch around the rim and the ability to hang in traffic. Not receiving much attention from schools across all levels, Jagers would be a fine pickup for a Division 3, NAIA, or junior college program.
Jalen Johnson – 2020 – G/F – Nicolet
You can’t put a price tag on this kid in terms of how valuable he is. As we’ve said last year, Johnson is the best prospect to come out of Wisconsin in the recruiting rankings era and all he did was prove that once again in a high-level matchup against Sussex Hamilton. Johnson dropped a triple-double — tallying 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists while going head-to-head with Baldwin. No other Nicolet player scored more than 12 points, yet the Knights came out with an eight-point victory thanks to Johnson’s heroics. Terrific down the stretch, the five-star prospect took over with unique vision and passing ability. People are finally starting to talk about Johnson as the best player in the country and for good reason when you consider his overall value, a feel for the game that can’t be taught, and his tendency to rise up in the biggest moments.
Gage Malensek – 2019 – PG – Brookfield Central
The Truman State commit scored a team-high 16 points to go along with 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals in a blowout win over La Crosse Central. Every time La Crosse Central looked like they were going to make a run, Malensek halted the momentum with a key bucket or a beautiful assist. Responding after a tough loss to Sussex Hamilton earlier in the week, Malensek and Brookfield Central showed they’re still very much a threat to win a gold ball in 2018-19.
Ben Nau – 2021 – G – Brookfield Central
Had Nau not played as well as he did, Saturday’s game could have gone much differently. Nau made his first six attempts from 3-point range, getting Central off to a fantastic start. Nau finished with a game-high 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 7-of-9 from downtown. A deadly catch-and-shoot presence, Nau gets excellent lift on his shot and has a quick release that doesn’t allow defenders to get a good contest. Like his older brother, Nau is a terrific on-ball defender who’s very gritty and already might be the best charge-taker in the state. Holding offers from UW-Milwaukee and DePaul, Nau is also getting attention from Marquette, Minnesota, and more.
Cole Nau – 2019 – G – Brookfield Central
Gotta love prospects that aren’t enamored or define their success by how many points they score. Nau is a player that’s easily capable of putting up 18 points a night, but right now, sits at about 10 per game. The Hillsdale commit will score if he has to, but first things first, make sure Central gets what they need out of him in every other area. A 6-foot-3 guard, Nau had a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Us usual, his defense was suffocating, completely putting the clamps on Davis in the second half and forcing a few turnovers as the Lancers ran away with the win.
Sonny Phinisee – 2019 – PG – Nicolet
You knew when Johnson, Jamari Sibley, Kobe Johnson, and James Graham all entered the fold that players like Phinesee would get marginalized. However, it’s been clear that the Knights still need him to play well. A skilled lead guard with excellent handles and a reliable 3-point shot, Phinesee had some big baskets in the second half to help Nicolet rally. It says a lot about this kid that he’s pretty much handed over the ball handling responsibilities to Johnson and let him do his thing. Maybe it wasn’t by choice, but you don’t Phinesee complaining or showing poor attitude because he’s not touching the basketball as much as he used to. Johnson gets after him sometimes when Phinesee tries to do a little too much, but Phinesee is still a sizable part of this team and it says a lot about his character that he’s able to deliver despite such a drastic change in roles. Phinesee finished with 11 points in Saturday’s win.
Tanner Resch – 2020 – G – Sussex Hamilton
Still waiting for Resch to have off night. Resch shoots the ball at such a high level and is one of the most reliable 3-point shooters in the state.
You just don’t see him miss more than a couple shots in a row and if he’s left wide open from 3-point range, it’s like giving Resch a lay up. The sophomore guard scored 18 points in Saturday’s loss to Nicolet, including four 3-pointers. While his 3-point shooting is his bread and butter, Resch has gotten considerably quicker with the basketball and can do some things in transition. He’s not a guy that’s going to play above the rim, but he can beat the help-side defense to the bucket and has some unique finishing ability to float shots up and over defenders even at full speed. The way he shoots the basketball, Resch will probably stay on the radar of Division 1 programs throughout his recruitment. He may get overlooked because of his size (5-11) and isn’t a true point guard, but it’s tough to see him falling past the Division 2 level.
Ryan Waddell – 2019 – G – Homestead
Division 2 programs need to take a serious look at Waddell, who if he falls to the Division 3 level, will be an absolute steal. Continuing his huge senior season, Waddell poured in a game-high 28 points in a win over Brown Deer. Waddell was 11-of-20 from the field an added seven rebounds and two assists. Waddell can score from all three levels, but is becoming more effective in transition. Able to get coast-to-coast with the basketball, Waddell can score at the rim at top end speed and adjust in mid-air if needed. A crafty guard that keeps defenders guessing with an array of moves and hesitation dribbles, Waddell has taken his game to a whole new level this season and Homestead, who is now 7-0, is thriving because of it.
NOTES
– Johnny Davis cooled off late, but did score a team-high 19 points in a difficult loss to Brookfield Central. Getting off to a great start, Davis shot the ball from the perimeter and mid-range, showing off some new confidence in his jumper. He’s always been terrific as a slasher, but when Davis can pair it with a consistent outside shot, he’s very difficult to cover. Also a standout football prospect, Davis has the length, athleticism, and strength to be a very good defender at the next level. In this case, schools are too consumed with what Davis isn’t instead of what he is — focusing too much on him being an unconventional two-guard rather than a hard-nosed, willing to do anything for his team type player. Davis has a scholarship offer from Wisconsin, but still lacks the power-six attention he deserves.
– In a high level individual matchup with Terrance Thompson, 2021 power forward David Joplin scored 16 points. He also had 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 assists.
– 2019 guard Noah Parcher, who’s receiving Division 2 and 3 interest, had 11 points for La Crosse Central.
– Homestead got 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists from senior guard Michael Kleiman.
– 2021 W/G Jeremiah Dotson had 14 points and 6 rebounds for Brown Deer.
– 2020 forward Jamari Sibley added 12 points for Nicolet.
Results
Mequon Homestead 79 Brown Deer 61
Nicolet 78 Sussex Hamilton 70
Brookfield Central 72 La Crosse Central 49