Nicolet-Whitefish Bay Standouts
WHITEFISH BAY — In Tuesday’s North Shore Conference opener, Whitefish Bay (1-1) upset defending Division 2 state champion Nicolet (1-1) 53-50 at home thanks to a surprise standout performance from Cullen Starker… Kobe Johnson – 2021 – G – Nicolet…
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Continue ReadingWHITEFISH BAY — In Tuesday’s North Shore Conference opener, Whitefish Bay (1-1) upset defending Division 2 state champion Nicolet (1-1) 53-50 at home thanks to a surprise standout performance from Cullen Starker…
Kobe Johnson – 2021 – G – Nicolet
Credit Johnson, who was struggling with his shot, but hit two 3-pointers late in the second half to help Nicolet briefly take a lead. Johnson finished with 17 points. Facing the Whitefish Bay zone all night, Johnson was kept away from the rim and the lane for the most part, likely taking more 3-pointers than he would have liked. Johnson did do a terrific job of beating the zone down the floor on a number of occasions, getting the Knights into their offense before the zone could set up shop. Johnson also had a strong defensive effort on Jayden Jackson and gave him nothing easy.
Jayden Jackson – 2021 – SG – Whitefish Bay
Thought Jackson was terrific down the stretch. When the momentum was shifting in Nicolet’s direction, Jackson hit some big shots and recorded key assists to keep Whitefish Bay within striking distance. Jackson had a tough matchup on him all night and finished with 16 points. The 6-foot-2 junior is a very intriguing prospect, given his offensive tools and three-level scoring ability. He’s also a heckuva football player and is currently being recruited at the power-five level. On the basketball front, South Alabama does have an offer on the table top this top 15 prospect in the 2021 class.
Donovan Sparks – 2022 – G/W – Nicolet
Without Sparks, Nicolet might lose by double digits on Tuesday. The sophomore made a ton of hustle plays that shifted the momentum and didn’t allow Whitefish Bay to run away with the game. Sparks took charges, crashed the offensive glass, got on the floor for loose balls, and created turnovers. Letting his defense and energy spark his offense, Sparks finished with 14 points. A big body who’s more athletic than he looks, Sparks can play and defend a variety of positions. He’s going to be a key x-factor for the Knights this season.
Cullen Starker – 2021 – F – Whitefish Bay
Starker wasn’t a name we had heard of prior to Tuesday. The junior forward doesn’t play AAU, but he gave Nicolet the business on Tuesday. The Knights had no answer for the 6-foot-3 forward who killed the opposition with his versatility. Starker pulled people away from the rim and took them off the dribble, he hit shots in the pick n’ pop game, and if Nicolet tried to play him with a guard, Starker took them on the block and punished them. He’s also a strong ball handler and passer. Trailing late, Starker had two key buckets in the post to push the Blue Dukes to the upset. He finished with a game-high 21 points.