Graham, Sparks Believe Nicolet Can Compete in 2019-20

<p>Nicolet's 2018-19 team was one of the best to ever take the floor in Wisconsin high school basketball history. <strong>Jalen Johnson</strong>, <strong>Jamari Sibley</strong>, <strong>Kobe Johnson</strong>, and<strong> James Graham</strong> all assembled to win a Division Two state championship while dominating their competition along the way. In the ensuing season, the Knights were expected to return as a near shoo-in D2. It turns out that Jalen Johnson and Jamari Sibley -- who were Nicolet's top players from last year -- had other plans. Sibley announced that he would be transferring on July 24th and Johnson made his decision public on August 5th. </p> <p>"Always heard about it, but I never knew if they were serious about until they made it official," said James Graham on whether or not he knew about Johnson's and Sibley's plans to transfer before the news broke. Donovan Sparks, one of Nicolet's top sophomores, was completely blindsided by the news, saying, "I found out the same way everybody did." </p> <p>Because Johnson and Sibley have now moved on, a lot of the excitement that surrounded Nicolet will be gone. The packed stands and cameras will follow the two stars to IMG and Oak Hill Academy.  The chances of the Knights being a nationally ranked team are no longer high, but this squad can still win games. Led by Kobe Johnson, Jalen's younger brother, and James Graham, Nicolet can work their way to the top of the D2 championship conversation. </p> <p>The departure of Johnson and Sibley has periled the immediate success of the Knights next year.  The amount of production that the two stars brought was unrivaled by any other duo in the state. Graham and Sparks will look to replicate some of their greatness from a year ago. "I have to continue to work on my game every day and become more vocal," says Sparks. "I feel like it’s a role I’ll embrace," stated Graham. </p> <p>As a team, Both Graham and Sparks believe that their teammates will step up. Graham says that the Knights will need to improve on defense. [We need to] Rebound a ton more because Jalen and Mari [Jamari Sibley] took a majority of that category." Sparks thinks Nicolet just needs to follow directions on the court. "Coach Al [Hanson] will put us in the best position possible on the court we just have to execute." </p> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1bymd8e r-1udh08x r-1nwbi2h"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1loqt21 r-1gvt8yx">James Graham concluded by emphatically telling Prep Hoops Wisconsin, "Don't sleep on Nicolet." Johnson and Sibley combined for 39 points per contest last year for Al Hanson's team. Losing the two stars will be tough to overcome, but it is possible. With Graham, (Kobe) Johnson, and Donovan Sparks all prepared for a breakout season, the Knights can get back to Madison in March.  </div> </div> </div> </div>