Mr. Basketball Update: Top Five Candidates
With the sectionals set and the postseason just weeks away, the Mr. Basketball race has resurfaced into the spotlight once again. So, Prep Hoops Wisconsin has drained a pool of candidates down to five players (and an honorable mention) that…
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Continue ReadingWith the sectionals set and the postseason just weeks away, the Mr. Basketball race has resurfaced into the spotlight once again. So, Prep Hoops Wisconsin has drained a pool of candidates down to five players (and an honorable mention) that are the most likely to earn the prestigious accolade.
Carter Gilmore – Arrowhead: There’s not much more Gilmore could do this season to claim the award. In arguably a top-five conference in the state, he’s averaging 25.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.3 blocks every night, adjusting his skillset to control all facets of the game. He’s morphed into a small forward type, and his palpable improvement makes him not only a frontrunner but a favorite heading into March.
Johnny Davis – La Crosse Central: Davis has more than lived up to the hype thus far. He’s performed his best in the biggest games, and week after week he’s developed the label as one of the more underrated prospects on the national scene. However, playing a gauntlet schedule has put La Crosse Central’s record below some of the other candidates listed. Still, he’s the most talented prospect in our final five and has the stat line — 28.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game — to be the outright favorite going into March.
Dalton Banks – Eau Claire North: Bank’s skills as a pure point guard have overwhelmed the Big Rivers Conference and propelled him towards the top of this race. Averaging 24.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists a game, he’s an elite player statistically, and it has rubbed off on his team as well. Eau Claire North boasts a 15-5 record, vastly improved from last season, and Banks is a key reason that they can compete for a State berth this year.
Max Klesmit – Neenah: In addition to fine-tuning his offensive arsenal, Klesmit has once again bolstered Neenah’s status in the state heading into March, as they’re 19-2 behind Klesmit’s 24.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists a night. However, while his stats are slightly outmatched by others on this list, another head-turning postseason run led by the guard could make his campaign even more convincing.
Jacob Ognacevic – Sheboygan Lutheran: When dissecting his game, it’s impossible not to begin with his outlandish stat line. The senior forward is posting 38.3 points, 16.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks a night, absurd numbers that are simply unmatched in the state. And, with his team’s record at a stellar 20-1, he has the team success to support the individual dominance. Now, it’s up to the voters to decide whether playing in a weaker division can take away from a flawless resume.
Honorable Mention:
Jalen Johnson – Nicolet: If Johnson had played the entirety of this season, he’d be a shoe-in for the award. However, with less than half a season under his belt, the Duke-bound forward falls behind these candidates, even if he’s the consensus best player in the state.