Preview: WBY Shootout – Day 1
MEQUON — Always a must-see event, the 2018 WBY Shootout returns on Thursday-Saturday with another loaded lineup. Here’s a look ahead to the action taking place on day one…
TOP GAMES TO WATCH
Saint Mary’s Springs (5-2) vs. Sheboygan Lutheran (8-0)
The WBY Shootout kicks off with a quality small school matchup. Springs has three players averaging in double figures this season — Cade Christiansen (21.1 ppg), Mitch Waechter (14.4 ppg), and Aidan Ottery (10.3 ppg). The current favorite in Division 5, Sheboygan Lutheran enters Thursday with an unblemished record, led by junior Jacob Ognacevic, who’s putting up monster numbers at 30.9 points and 14.9 rebounds per game.
Brookfield Central (4-1) vs. Martin Luther (8-0)
These are two teams who could very well win state championships in March. Few teams, if any, have challenged themselves early in the season the way Central and Martin Luther have. The Lancers have wins over Brookfield East, La Crosse Central, and Milwaukee King already and are getting balanced, consistent efforts from Gage Malensek (21.0 ppg), David Joplin (16.0 ppg), Ben Nau (13.4 ppg), and Cole Nau (10.4 ppg). Meanwhile, Trequan Carrington (19.0 ppg), Xzavier Jones (14.4 ppg), and Ace Evans (17.0 ppg) have already slayed giants in Waupun, Racine St. Catherine’s, and Milwaukee Washington.
Mount Horeb (7-1) vs. Milwaukee Lutheran (7-1)
Milwaukee Lutheran hasn’t been getting much respect in Division 2 yet. Thursday is a chance to rectify that. The Red Knights have some quality wins over Menomonee Falls and Brown Deer, but haven’t seen anything like Mount Horeb or Waukesha West — their two opponents in the WBY Shootout. Mount Horeb comes in nearly untouched with their lone blemish coming via Onalaska in a tough 60-58 loss.
TOP INDIVIDUAL MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Jaylon Gentry (Brown Deer) vs. Karter Thomas (Oshkosh West)
Two high-scoring point guards square off in the 3 p.m. game. Gentry comes in averaging just over 20 ppg and is currently getting a handful of junior college looks, where he’ll have a chance to elevate his stock to a Division 1 or 2 player. After a big summer, Thomas is attracting Division 1 interest. The junior guard leads Oshkosh West at 29.0 ppg.
Trequan Carrington (Martin Luther) vs. Cole Nau (Brookfield Central)
One of the state’s most explosive scorers goes head-to-head with the best defender in Wisconsin. Carrington’s numbers can be marginalized by the talent around him, but the 5-foot-9 senior is capable of scoring 30 without breaking much of a sweat on any given night. Accustomed to shutting down and frustrating his opponents, Nau looks to pass another big test.
FULL SCHEDULE
9 a.m. – St. Mary’s Springs vs. Sheboygan Lutheran
10:30 a.m. – Eau Claire Regis vs. Manitowoc Lutheran
12 p.m. – Manitowoc Roncalli vs. Catholic Memorial
1:30 p.m. – Kettle Moraine Lutheran vs. Milwaukee Academy of Science
3:00 p.m. – Brown Deer vs. Oshkosh West
4:30 p.m. – Green Bay Southwest vs. Wisconsin Lutheran
6:00 p.m. – Kettle Moraine vs. New Berlin West
7:30 p.m. – Brookfield Central vs. Martin Luther
9:00 p.m. – Mount Horeb vs. Milwaukee Lutheran