Tuesday’s Games to Watch

The 2020-21 season kicks off on Tuesday. Here’s a look at the top games to watch on opening night of the WIAA season…

Wisconsin Lutheran at Whitnall

An intriguing Woodland Conference crossover kicks off the 2020-21 season. 

Wisconsin Lutheran won a share of the  West title last season and reloads behind sophomore guard Prentice Young Prentice Young 6'4" | PG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2023 State #118 Nation WI (11.0 ppg).  The Vikings have a deep team this season, including Jordan Glenn Jordan Glenn 5'10" | PG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2022 State WI (10.5 ppg),  Isaiah Hopf (10.1 ppg), Landon Key Landon Key 6'3" | SF Wisconsin Lutheran | 2023 State WI (6.6 ppg), and potential breakout player Jonah Rindfleisch (9.3 ppg). 

Whitnall features top 10 junior Danilo Jovanovich Danilo Jovanovich 6'6" | PF Whitnall | 2022 State WI , who’s coming off a super sophomore season of 20.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Junior guard John Pitta John Pitta 6'0" | CG Whitnall | 2022 State WI is a sleeper to know for the Falcons as well.

Wauwatosa East at Sussex Hamilton

There’s a lot riding on this early season showdown between Greater Metro Conference foes. The first meeting between these two schools last season was competitive, while Hamilton handled Tosa East in the rematch.

How much of a step have the Red Raiders taken since last season and are they ready to compete in a loaded league?  Northern Michigan commit Brian Parzych Brian Parzych 6'1" | PG Wauwatosa East | 2021 State WI (12.0 ppg) and sophomore forward Leon Bond Leon Bond 6'5" | PF Wauwatosa East | 2022 State WI (11.8 ppg), the No. 2 ranked player in the 2022 class, are both back. East has the depth as well with Alex Singleton Alex Singleton 6'4" | PF Wauwatosa East | 2021 State WI (9.3 ppg), Jay Hinson Jay Hinson 6'3" | CG Wauwatosa East | 2021 State WI (6.4 ppg), Marcus Mbow Marcus Mbow 6'5" | PF Wauwatosa East | 2021 State WI (4.7 ppg), and Parker Thompson Parker Thompson 6'5" | SF Wauwatosa East | 2022 State WI (5.4 ppg) rounding out a solid core.

The Chargers lost a little bit from last season’s 22-3 squad, but figure to be a legit state title contender once again behind five-star wing Patrick Baldwin Jr. Patrick Baldwin Jr. 6'8" | SF Sussex Hamilton | 2021 State #2 Nation WI (24.3 ppg).  Senior guard Tanner Resch Tanner Resch 5'11" | PG Sussex Hamilton | 2021 State WI (14.1 ppg) is one of the state’s top shooters and good enough to be the No. 1 option on  most teams. If senior forward Nolan Reider (4.7 ppg), and sophomore guard  Luther Smith Luther Smith 5'10" | SG Sussex Hamilton | 2023 State WI (3.0 ppg) can step up, Hamilton can pick up where they left off last season.

Whitefish Bay at Nicolet

The North Shore Conference race perhaps changes drastically now that James Graham James Graham 6'9" | SF Nicolet | 2021 #59 Nation WI has skipped his senior season and enrolled at Maryland. This will be Nicolet’s first game without the four-star wing. The Knights still have plenty in the tank behind USC commit Kobe Johnson Kobe Johnson 6'5" | PG Nicolet | 2021 State #240 Nation WI and junior Donovan Sparks Donovan Sparks 6'3" | SF Nicolet | 2022 State WI (12.0 ppg). Look for sophomore Miles Nation Miles Nation 6'5" | SF Nicolet | 2023 State WI to potentially break out in Graham’s place this season as well.

One of three top contenders in the North Shore, Whitefish Bay opened a lot of eyes with last season’s 18-7 record. Northern Arizona commit Jayden Jackson Jayden Jackson 6'2" | SG Whitefish Bay | 2021 State WI (18.7 ppg) is back for his senior season. His running mate, senior forward Cullen Starks (8.2 ppg) will give the Blue Dukes a nice 1-2 punch.

Others: Martin Luther at Janesville Craig, Grafton at Cedarburg,  Brillion at Wrightstown