Five Takeaways From Racine Case-Waukesha West
WAUKESHA — In a battle of two top teams in Division 1, Waukesha West (12-1) came away with a 74-65 home victory over Racine Case (8-4) on Tuesday… Waukesha West is a top three team in Divison 1 The Wolverines…
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Continue ReadingWAUKESHA — In a battle of two top teams in Division 1, Waukesha West (12-1) came away with a 74-65 home victory over Racine Case (8-4) on Tuesday…
Waukesha West is a top three team in Divison 1
The Wolverines don’t always look pretty, but their style is winning basketball games. We haven’t seen a team this season that’s as comfortable as West is with a 6-8 point lead even if the opposition is making a run.
Even with leading scorer David Skogman in foul trouble and out of the game early after being scratched in the eye in the second half, the Wolverines held never wavered and looked like a team capable of taking anyone’s best shot in March.
West got a game-high 21 points from sophomore guard Cameron Palesee. In the midst of one of the bigger breakout seasons in the state, Palesse has turned into an efficient three-level scorer as well as a standout defender.
Racine Case is will put you through 36 minutes of organized chaos
It may look like uptempo, sometimes sloppy play, but it’s all part of Case’s game plan.
The Eagles will pressure full court for 36 minutes and shoot quickly into each possession, challenging their opponent to either keep up with their pace or avoid mistakes in a more methodical style.
A young group that was out-sized, Case managed to hang around for most of the game, harassing West defensively and then pushing the ball up the floor and creating open 3-pointer after open 3-pointer.
This is a squad that’s probably a year away from really competing in the Southeast Conference and Division 1 once JaKobe Thompson and others mature, but the Eagles have now played toe-to-toe with West and Racine Park, while picking up a nice win over Franklin early in the season.
Skogman remains an intriguing prospect
Still on the market, the state’s top unsigned senior continues to draw high major interest. David Skogman had two Wisconsin assistant coaches on hand to watch him Tuesday night as well as LIU-Brooklyn.
Skogman was hit with his second foul early in the first half and then left the game in the final period after being scratched in the eye. Still, the 6-foot-10 center had his moments.
A bouncy forward with 3-point shooting ability, Skogman definitely has high major potential. He’s improving as a ball handler and isolation scorer on the block. Aside from Skogman’s health, the biggest question for those programs is likely going to be Skogman’s rebounding on the defensive end. More of a finesse big, Skogman could see his stock soar if his motor on the defensive glass improves.
Bready is a tough prospect to project
There’s a reason why Chris Bready doesn’t have any scholarship offers yet and it’s not due to talent. The Waukesha West senior guard could thrive at all three divisions and schools are struggling with what his best fit might be.
On one hand, Division 1 programs have to like that he’s a 6-foot-4 combo guard with good strength and above the rim ability. On the other hand, Bready is a tweener and it’s tough to figure out what his best position is. He’s a consistent, reliable shooter from 3-point and mid-range, but his stroke needs to speed up as well.
Bready plans to play out his senior season before making a decision and made it clear after the game he’s gunning for a Division 1 offer this winter.
Martinez took over in the second half
It was just a two-point game at the break. Then Rocky Martinez took over.
‘Big Shot Rock’ was in full effect on Tuesday as the senior guard scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half. A prospect that plays his best when the game is in the balance, Martinez is a unique guard that can take his game into the post and punish defenders down low. Also a smooth mid-range jump shooter, Martinez has a solid pull-up game and at 6-foot-3, can rise over the top of most defenders.
Another senior still looking for a home next season, Martinez has excellent value at the Division 3 level, but certainly could improve his stock with a junior college stint and become a scholarship player with his skill set and poise on the floor.