Five Takeaways: Kimberly Versus Neenah
The Neenah Rockets traveled to Kimberly high school Friday night hoping to open up a close-and-shut conference race. But, Kimberly only widened the gap between them and the rest of the conference field, winning the game 80 to 77. Here…
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Continue ReadingThe Neenah Rockets traveled to Kimberly high school Friday night hoping to open up a close-and-shut conference race. But, Kimberly only widened the gap between them and the rest of the conference field, winning the game 80 to 77.
Here are Prep Hoops Wisconsin’s five takeaways from the conference matchup.
Kimberly is on pace to win the Fox Valley Conference:
Kimberly is just one game above Kaukauna and Appleton West in the Fox Valley conference, but everything points to them running away with the crown. Their next couple matchups may spell trap-game, but of their final five regular season games, no team has over five wins. So, barring injury or arbitrary madness, Kimberly will finish atop the conference ladder.
Opponents defend much differently against Kimberly:
In Kimberly’s past two high-profile matchups against Kaukauna and Neenah, defensive schemes have been completely different. Both teams have doubled Levi-Borchart while face-guarding Reed Miller and Jake Buchanan. With all the attention spent on guarding their “big-three” they’ve left Charlie Jacobson and Braden Theis open on the wing.
Neenah showed great chemistry:
All season Neenah has shown great chemistry in their starting five. Everyone has a role and plays within it. Max Klesmit is their primary scorer, Logan Morrow is the secondary offensive option as well as a great rebounder, Jake Hablewitz is a spot-up shooter, and Ethan Parker provides an elite rebounding and defensive presence. On paper, Neenah shouldn’t be nearly this competitive with Kimberly. But, great coaching and team chemistry has taken this team to the top of the conference.
With Klesmit playing well, Neenah is a top-tier team:
Neenah finished the first-half with just 18 points, but exploded for 57 in the second-half. The variable was Max Klesmit. Klesmit scored only four points in the first half, missing all of his shots from the field. He responded with 30 points in the second, pulling Neenah out from and 18 point hole and back within single digits. Yes, Neenah’s chemistry is what’s fueled their season thus far, but they need Klesmit to be the catalyst for their offense.
Reed Miller is a stock riser:
Miller went 6/6 from the field in the first-half, converting on five of five three-point attempts. This confirms what we already know, Miller is a great shooter. But, looking at the entire body of work, he may be a better prospect than you see at first glance. Miller stands at 6’5 and shoots the ball slightly behind his head, which makes his shot difficult to contest at the high school level. Expect him to climb through prospect rankings and see more looks from college scouts.
Box Score –
Neenah:
Max Klesmit: 34 points
Ethan Parker: 15 points (5/6 from three)
Kimberly:
Levi Borchart: 29 points
Reed Miller: 27 points
Jake Buchanan: 10 points