Recap: WBY Shootout Day 1
MEQUON — The 2018 annual WBY Shootout kicked off on Thursday from Concordia University. A loaded event, many of the state’s top players were out on display during day one… Nolan Dahmen – 2020 – PF – Kettle Moraine…
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Continue ReadingMEQUON — The 2018 annual WBY Shootout kicked off on Thursday from Concordia University. A loaded event, many of the state’s top players were out on display during day one…
Nolan Dahmen – 2020 – PF – Kettle Moraine
A prospect that’s made vast improvements over the last year or two, Dahmen looked very sharp in a win over New Berlin West. The junior forward scored a game-high 27 points in a 30-point win for Kettle Moraine. A big body who has developed some versatility, Dahmen knocked down open perimeter jumpers and took his man off the bounce quite frequently. Dahmen has always been a blue collar post that does the dirty work under the rim. Now that his skill set is catching up with his effort level, Dahman could be a scholarship player at the next level.
Ace Evans – 2019 – G – Martin Luther
Feels like Evans should should wind up on a Division 1 roster down the road. Whether that’s after this season or following a prep/juco stint is still to be determined, but Evans is too good for any other level. The senior guard scored a team-high 26 points while going against one of the state’s best defensive ball clubs. The lefty has a James Harden-type game, able to isolate himself on the perimeter and either hit defenders with a deadly step-back jumper or shake and bake his way to the rim where he can either explode above the basket or hang and finish.
Bryson Felder – 2019 – G – Wisconsin Lutheran
Liked the way Felder shot the ball in a loss to Green Bay Southwest. The senior guard created off the dribble and showcased a strong pull-up game from all areas of the floor. Felder led Wisconsin Lutheran with 21 points in the loss. Felder is a little on the small side, but packs some punch and can explode off the floor, whether he’s rising up for his jump shot or attacking the rim. Felder did an adequate job of keeping defenders off balance with changing speeds, lulling defenders to sleep before making his move.
Brooklyn Jagers – 2019 – SG – Brown Deer
One of the most improved players in the state, Jagers continues to have a breakout senior season. Jagers scored a team-high 27 points in a loss to Oshkosh West. Sort of unconventional for a guard, Jagers is kind of positionless on the perimeter. He can handle and shoot the basketball, but plays much bigger than his 6-foot-2 frame. Jagers is an efficient 3-point shooter, especially from the corners. He also has a knack for finishing in traffic around the rim. Jagers hasn’t received any attention from schools thus far, but needs to, as he’s averaging above 20 points per game this season while competing against some great competition.
Armani Jones – 2022 – PG – Milwaukee Academy of Science
In the midst of a very strong freshman season, Jones scored a game-high 33 points in a win over Kettle Moraine Lutheran. A deadly 3-point shooter, Jones has a quick stroke with some deep range. Jones only goes about 5-foot-8, but doesn’t shy away from attacking the rim, particularly in transition. Jones killed Kettle Moraine Lutheran by leaking out and beating the defense down the floor. Jones plays very fast defensively. He’s not afraid to get up in people’s shorts and has quick hands to deflect and alter passes. By the time the season is finished, expect Jones to be among the state’s top scoring freshman.
Chombi Lambert – 2019 – G – Roncalli
I don’t care that he plays in Division 4. I don’t care that he’s only 5-foot-9. This kid can play. Every time Lambert steps on a big stage, he seems to
deliver. A state championship winner as a junior, Lambert came out and scored the first eight points against a gritty Catholic Memorial squad and finished with 32 points. Lambert is undersized, but plays extremely well off the ball. His catch and shoot game was deadly all morning as Lambert connected on six 3-pointers. A speedy guard with a quick trigger, Lambert can create a ton of space with a quick jab step, threatening to go by defenders. If he needs to play amongst the trees, Lambert has great body control and hang time to compensate for his size. A terrific Division 3 prospect, Lambert will make a lot of schools pay for overlooking him.
Jason Larson – 2019 – SG – Mount Horeb
Mount Horeb lost their first game of the season, but it was still a solid showing against a talented Milwaukee Luthern squad. Larson scored a game-high 26 points against a faster, more athletic ball club. One of the better hidden talents in the Madison area, Larson took it right at Lutheran all game long and didn’t back down in the nightcap. Despite the loss, loved his sense of urgency to try and not let the perfect season slip away. That will bode well for him and the Vikings come March.
Santana Lomibao – 2020 – SG – Manitowoc Lutheran
There’s a lot to like about this prospect. A bouncy guard with a soft 3-point stroke, Lomibao impacts the game in a variety of ways. The 6-foot-4 junior played well with leading scorer Trey Zastrow out of the lineup. Lomibao had 15 points and some terrific blocks on the defensive end. Not only can he protect the rim from the guard position, but Lomibao can sky for rebounds as well. If his dribble drive and slashing ability improve, Lomibao could be a nice pick up at the Division 3 level.
Cole Nau – 2019 – PG – Brookfield Central
Nau hasn’t been scoring a ton this season, but that changed against Martin Luther. The Hillsdale commit led Brookfield Central to a huge win over Martin Luther by scoring a game-high 27 points. Nau was terrific in the catch-and-shoot game, coming off screens and rising over defenders for tough baskets. Defensively, Nau was solid as always. He made the Martin Luther star backcourt work hard for just about everything they got and often frustrated them by stripping the basketball away around the hoop.
Jacob Ognacevic – 2020 – F – Sheboygan Lutheran
A big man with a lot of potential, Ognacevic continued his huge junior season in the opening contest. Entering the event, Ognacevic was averaging 30 points and 15 rebounds per game. He dropped 35 points and 16 rebounds to help keep Sheboygan Lutheran undefeated.
Ognacevic scored 32 of his 35 points right around the rim or from the free throw line, but has the ability to stretch the floor from 3-point range. The 6-foot-8 forward can also handle the ball and create off the dribble. Ognacevic also moves extremely well without the ball and hit St. Mary’s Springs with some terrific back cuts. Holding a Division 2 offer from Michigan Tech, Ognacevic is also fielding interest from the mid-major level and appears to be trending upwards going into the spring.
Will Pytleski – 2019 – SF – Green Bay Southwest
Pytleski doesn’t make the game harder than it has to be. An efficient scorer who takes what the defense gives him and plays inside-out, Pytleski got tons of high percentage looks en route to a game-high 36 points. Pytleski didn’t rest on his laurels either. The senior forward worked hard on the glass, generating second chance opportunities. Away from the ball, Pytleski cut hard and did his work early, making it easy on his teammates to find him around the basket. Still looking for a home next season, Pytleski should be a nice find at the small school level.
Karter Thomas – 2020 – PG – Oshkosh West
The stock just keeps going up for this kid. Thomas exploded for 35 points to lift Oshkosh West to a win over Brown Deer. Thomas was unstoppable for most of the day. A deadly 3-point shooter, Thomas doesn’t need a ton of space to work with. Against a smaller Falcon squad, Thomas could shoot right over the top with ease. He also inverted himself in the offense and used his strong frame to bang inside on the block. With Luke Haasl out of the lineup, Thomas controlled the game from start to finish and made sure the Wildcats didn’t miss much of a beat. Generating Division 1 interest this season, Thomas is pushing for a top 12 spot in the class of 2020 rankings.
JaVeon Tolliver – 2020 – G – Milwaukee Lutheran
A kid we’ve been talking about a lot since last spring, Tolliver showed why he’s one of the more undervalued players in the 2020 class. A playmaker and scorer, Tolliver had 16 points and a handful of assists to help Milwaukee Lutheran knock off previously unbeaten Mount Horeb. Tolliver has excellent length and feel for the game. He has a great understanding for his teammates and always seems to get them the ball on time and on target. Still plenty of upside left, Tolliver will grow into that long frame and can improve the consistency of his jumper. As of now, he’s plenty effective at getting into the paint and making things happen for himself and his teammates.
RESULTS
Milwaukee Lutheran 70 Mount Horeb 64
Sheboygan Lutheran 78 St. Mary’s Springs 67
Eau Claire Regis 58 Manitowoc Lutheran 52
Milwaukee Academy of Science 78 Kettle Moraine Lutheran 74
Oshkosh West 87 Brown Deer 70
Green Bay Southwest 75 Wisconsin Lutheran 64
Kettle Moraine 75 New Berlin West 45
Brookfield Central 78 Martin Luther 68
NOTES
– Sheboygan Lutheran has a good looking freshman guard in Casey Verhagen. A crafty scorer and facilitator, Verhagen scored six points and dished out a handful of assists. The Crusaders also got 19 points points from senior guard Graden Grabowski.
– Sophomore wing Aidan Ottery had 16 points to lead St. Mary’s Springs in their loss to Sheboygan Lutheran.
– Sophomore guard J.P. Wolterstorff had a game-high 16 points to lead Eau Claire Regis past Manitowoc Lutheran.
– Junior guards Jacob Stoltz and Austin Schaff each had 18 points to pace Kettle Moraine Lutheran in their loss to Milwaukee Academy of Science.
– Sophomore guard Donald McHenry chipped in with 18 points for MAS in their win over Kettle Moraine Lutheran.
– Brown Deer sophomore guard Mark Wade appears poised for a breakout season in 2019-20. Once the Falcons lose Jagers and Jalon Gentry, look for Wade to start taking control. A skilled and smooth guard, Wade had 13 points and connected on some tough pull-up jumpers.
– Junior forward Caleb Fuller scored 15 points to help Oshkosh West knock off Brown Deer.
– Brookfield Central got 17 points from senior guard an Wayne State commit Gage Malensek. Sophomore guard Ben Nau had 12 points and drew three charges.
– Senior guard Trequan Carrington had 21 points for Martin Luther in their loss to Brookfield Central.
– Gunnar Nortman is a really nice second option for Mount Horeb. The senior guard is a terrific ball handler and plays with good strength around the basket. He scored 21 points in Thursday’s loss.