Season Preview: Division One’s Top Frontcourts
As basketball continues to evolve, frontcourt players are becoming more versatile and doing much more for their teams. As one of the more competitive divisions in Wisconsin over the past handful of years, D1 offers some sterling frontcourts. Prep Hoops…
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Continue ReadingAs basketball continues to evolve, frontcourt players are becoming more versatile and doing much more for their teams. As one of the more competitive divisions in Wisconsin over the past handful of years, D1 offers some sterling frontcourts.
Prep Hoops Wisconsin takes a look at five of the best frontcourts in Division One.
David Joplin, Malik Abdul-Wahid, Eric Radisevic (Brookfield Central)
This frontcourt is comprised of a proven star and two other prospects who are looking for breakout seasons. Brookfield Central’s proven star is David Joplin. In his first two full seasons at BC, Joplin has averaged 13.8 points in 52 games. The 6-foot-7 small forward has become one of the most skilled and productive prospects in the state. Malik Abdul-Wahid and Eric Radisevic will make up the rest of the Lancers’ frontcourt. Both players have recently seen their stock explode. Abdul-Wahid showed how much he improved over the spring and summer with RAS. Radisevic has displayed his talents in October with a tremendous showing in a fall league.
The combination of these three players could prove to be lethal in the Greater Metro Conference.
Patrick Baldwin Jr., Lucas Finnessy (Sussex Hamilton)
Simply put, Patrick Baldwin Jr. will be the most talented prospect that Wisconsin has to offer this season. With many of the state’s bigger names opting for flashy prep schools, Baldwin has decided to stay at Sussex Hamilton (at least for now). The 6-foot-8 forward boasts a refined game in all aspects. He has a jump shot that can cause basketball trainers around the globe to salivate. He can dribble and score from nearly every spot on the court. Oh, and he led the Chargers in rebounding last year with 8.2 boards per game. Now, do you understand why he will attract sell-out crowds on a nightly basis? Baldwin Jr. should not be pigeonholed to being a frontcourt prospect, but for the purpose of this article, I’ll label him as a small forward.
As great as Baldwin is, every superhero needs a sidekick. One of the best players in America has found his Robin in Lucas Finnessy. Finnessy, who has committed to Minnesota to play football, will bring toughness and athleticism to the Charger frontcourt. The 6-foot-4 forward has a scrappy, glue guy like mentality that derives directly from the football field, where he stars at outside linebacker.
Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Lucas Finnessy are two completely different players. Baldwin holds scholarship offers from many schools across the country and has the prowess to play in the NBA. Finnessy’s future is not even in basketball and this will likely be his final season playing the sport. Despite their differences in play style, Baldwin and Finnessy combined will create a very good frontcourt duo.
Carter Gilmore, Sam Hytinen (Arrowhead)
The fact that Arrowhead has Carter Gilmore on their roster automatically makes the Warhawks a candidate for top frontcourt in Wisconsin. Gilmore will be in the conversation for 2019’s Mr. Basketball award, as he is now a senior. The 6-foot-7 Wisconsin commit is a smooth athlete on both sides of the court. Gilmore has exceptional court vision on offense and he uses his length and athleticism to block shots on defense.
Gilmore won’t be the only capable prospect in the Warhawks’ frontcourt. Sam Hytinen is a relatively unknown name, but he will be critical to Arrowhead’s success in the 2019-20 season. Hytinen and Gilmore will be the only two starters from last year that will return to school in 2019-20 and they will form a formidable frontcourt duo.
Shilo Bowles, Najashi Tolefree (West Allis Central)
I was able to watch Shilo Bowles and Najashi Tolefree play recently — and I was impressed with both prospects. Bowles has versatility that is unrivaled and Tolefree will blossom into a top 2022 prospect. Bowles, while he can do it all, tends to do a lot of his heavy lifting in the paint. Tolfree hangs his hat on the defensive end. I really liked how the sophomore used his length and athletism to play great defense.
The two prospects should complement each other very well in the 2019-20 high school basketball season. Winning is nigh with this terrific frontcourt.
Amari Jedkins, Nick Fugiasco (Racine Case)
Racine Case’s backcourt features JaKobe Thompson, who is possibly the most prolific scorer in Wisconsin. There is no question of how good Thompson and the Case backcourt can be in the 2019-20 season. The backcourt will be great, but hands will start to be raised in question when looking at RC’s frontcourt. The Eagles’ 19-20 roster only includes two prospects who are taller than 6-foot-4.
Amari Jedkins and Nick Fugiasco will be the answers to Case’s frontcourt questions. The two prospects will look to erase all doubt from the minds of critical fans.
Jedkins is one of the more promising power forwards in the state and Fugiasco is an underrated gem in the 2020 class. This duo may be overlooked now, but by the end of the season, opposing coaches will know their names.