2020-21 Preview: Midwest Classic
Looking ahead to the 2020-21 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Midwest Classic Conference… PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH 1. Saint John’s NW Military Academy 2. Lake Country Lutheran 3. Brookfield Academy 4. Hope Christian 5.…
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Continue ReadingLooking ahead to the 2020-21 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Midwest Classic Conference…
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Saint John’s NW Military Academy
2. Lake Country Lutheran
3. Brookfield Academy
4. Hope Christian
5. University School
6. Living Word Lutheran
7. Saint Francis
8. Messmer
9. Heritage Christian
10. Kenosha Christian Life
THE FAVORITE – SJNMA
Even without Gerald Gittens Gerald Gittens 6'0" | PG St. John's Military Academy | 2020 State WI , the Lancers have plenty of talent and the best 1-2 punch in the league in Brandin Podziemski Brandin Podziemski 6'6" | SG Saint John's Northwestern Academy | 2021 State #232 Nation WI and Brennan Timm Brennan Timm 6'5" | SF St. Johns Northwestern Military Academy | 2021 State WI .
TOP CONTENDER – LAKE COUNTRY LUTHERAN
Tough call here, but the Lightning are probably hungry after finishing just a game out of first place last season. Junior guard Luke Haertle Luke Haertle 6'2" | SG Lake Country Lutheran | 2022 State WI has his hands full with a depleted scoring cast, which will make it tough to catch SJNMA this season.
DARK HORSE – HOPE CHRISTIAN
Hope Christian went 12-12 last season, but might be the deepest team in the conference. The Hawks have their top four scorers back from a year ago, all of which averaged at least nine points per game. This is a high-scoring team that put up 80 points in 10 games last season, including four 100-point efforts.
PRESEASON FIRST-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
G Chris Buchanan – Sr. – Hope Christian
G Brandin Podziemski Brandin Podziemski 6'6" | SG Saint John's Northwestern Academy | 2021 State #232 Nation WI – Sr. – SJNMA
G Max Kunnert Max Kunnert 6'3" | SG Hillcrest Prep | 2021 State AZ – Sr. – Brookfield Academy
G Luke Haertle Luke Haertle 6'2" | SG Lake Country Lutheran | 2022 State WI – Jr. – Lake Country Lutheran
G Mason Martinez – Jr. – Living Word Lutheran
W Aaron Hawthorne Aaron Hawthorne 6'5" | SG Messmer | 2021 State WI – Sr. – Messmer
F Brennan Timm Brennan Timm 6'5" | SF St. Johns Northwestern Military Academy | 2021 State WI – Sr. – SJNMA
F Jeremiah Burke Jeremiah Burke 6'5" | PF Saint Francis | 2021 State WI – Sr. – Saint Francis
SECOND TEAM
G Tyler McKnight-Hoaglund – Jr. – Living Word Lutheran
G Jamaree Jackson-McLemore – Sr. – Hope Christian
G Deshawn Webb Deshawn Webb 6'3" | CG Milwaukee Academy of Science | 2023 State WI – So. – Living Word Lutheran
G Cordarius Gandy – Sr. – Hope Christian
G Isaac Kallas – Sr. – Heritage Christian
G Elijah Flowers – Jr. – Living Word Lutheran
F Chris Powell – Sr. – University School
F Kai Bartl – Sr. – University School
PLAYER OF THE YEAR – BRANDIN PODZIEMSKI
Should be a runaway favorite for the award. Podziemski led the conference in scoring last season at 27.6 ppg and split the award with Aidan Clarey Aidan Clarey 6'1" | CG Brookfield Academy | 2020 State WI . The 6-foot-5 senior is one of the state’s top shooters and combined with his improving athleticism and ability to attack the rim, has landed himself scholarship offers from Marquette, Kansas State, Arizona State, Boise State, Rice, and others.
BREAKOUT PLAYER – DESHAWN WEBB
Living Word Lutheran was 5-10 in the league last season with a young roster. One of their many players expected to make a big jump is Webb. The 6-foot-4 guard did average 15.6 points per game as a freshman, but still has a ton of room for growth, including adding a consistent jumper to his game and developing his feel as a point guard.
SURPRISE PLAYER – JEREMIAH BURKE
With Isaiah Duncan graduated, Burke will have to carry Saint Francis this season. The 6-foot-6 combo forward looked vastly improved over the summer. A long and strong senior with a sweet shooting stroke, Burke can knock down shots from all over the floor. He’s developed a nice face-up game from mid-range and should improve on his 16.6 ppg from a year ago.