Week One’s Best Of The Best
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The first week of the boy’s high school basketball season in Wisconsin has concluded, and I was able to catch a wide range of games both in person and on film. These are eight of the top performers I saw…
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Continue ReadingThe first week of the boy’s high school basketball season in Wisconsin has concluded, and I was able to catch a wide range of games both in person and on film. These are eight of the top performers I saw in Week 1.
Brandin Podziemski Brandin Podziemski 6'6" | SG Saint John's Northwestern Academy | 2021 State #232 Nation WI (6’6 2021 SG, St. John’s NW Academies)- I was able to watch both of Podziemski’s first two games, and he finished with 36 points in the two wins. A versatile scorer who came back this season with some improved athleticism, he was hurting opposing defenses in a variety of ways. Pulling up from three off the dribble or running off screens, gliding through the lane with a crafty euro-step, or leaking out for transition buckets, Brandin kept finding ways to score. Defensively he was often found at the top of a zone defense, using his length and anticipation to pick off passes and get easy buckets on the fast break.
Antuan Nesbitt Antuan Nesbitt 6'4" | SF Racine | 2021 State WI (6’4 2021 G/W, The Prairie School)- After a strong summer and fall, Antuan started off his senior campaign by scoring a career high 32 points in a win over Union Grove. After getting off to a bit of a slow start in the first, Antuan took over in the second half, getting to the rim at will. He played with a nice change of speed to attack off the dribble, but was also running off screens and using backdoor cuts to get open off the ball. Nesbitt also scored with ease and transition, and was dominating on the glass.
Seth Trimble Seth Trimble 6'3" | PG Menomonee Falls | 2022 State #50 Nation WI (6’2 2022 PG, Menomonee Falls)- Through two games, Seth is averaging 33 ppg while also having put in one of the best defensive performances I’ve seen over the past year. Giving up roughly 7 inches of height, Seth was making things difficult for arguably the best scorer in the country. He was sitting low in a stance and moving his feet on the perimeter, while using his strength and understanding of positioning to defend in the post. Offensively he proved that his range extends well beyond the arc, where he was hitting at a high percentage in both games. With the ball in his hands Seth played with a nice change of pace, able to create space of blow by his man with a quick burst and use his explosiveness to hang in the air to finish. In transition, Seth was a walking highlight, throwing down powerful dunks all week long.
Sam Hytinen Sam Hytinen 6'3" | SF Arrowhead | 2021 State WI (6’4 2021 G, Arrowhead)- Faced off against the #1 team in the state last night in Brookfield Central, Sam put in a gritty performance that kept his team in it until the very end. At 6’4 Sam can play on the wing, but also ran the point for his team, using his poise and leadership to set up the offense. He was dangerous creating his own shot from the perimeter where he was hitting with a hand in his face, but also took opposing defenders into the post using his strong frame to bully them into getting high percentage looks. I really like his ability to go up balanced in difficult situations, and make tough shots look routine. Finished with 24 points on the night.
Tyrese Hunter Tyrese Hunter 5'11" | PG Racine St. Catherine's | 2021 State #63 Nation WI (6’1 2021 PG, Racine St. Catherine’s)- Tyrese was making things look effortless in a season opening win over East Troy, finishing with 33 points. He seems to glide around the floor, and his change of speed is some of the best I’ve seen over the past few years. Tyrese used a lightning quick crossover to create space and get to the rim where he finished at an extremely high rate. When moving off the ball he was able to find space on the perimeter and knock down threes consistently. Hunter also hangs in the air when attacking the rim allowing him to go up in traffic and come away with two points.
Ben Nau Ben Nau 6'1" | PG Brookfield Central | 2021 State WI (6’2 2021 PG, Brookfield Central)- The St. Thomas commit was making big plays on both ends of the floor for the #1 team in the state, and iced a close game out at the free throw line. Ben is as tough as they come, and was able to beat opposing players to the spot defensively to draw three charges against Arrowhead. He’s as good as they come at drawing that contact and getting the call. Offensively he works so hard to move without the ball and get open from three, where he’s lethal when given too much space. He also impressed with his ability to get his shoulder ahead of his defender, and wiggle to the rim for some tough finishes. Scored 27 points in a tough win for Central.
Danilo Jovanovich Danilo Jovanovich 6'6" | PF Whitnall | 2022 State WI (6’7 2022 F, Whitnall)- In the conversation for best scorer in the 2022 class, Danilo is so skilled and versatile with the ball in his hands. Against Wisconsin Lutheran he did a little bit from the wing, and a little bit from the block on his way to 28 points. At 6’7 he’s a mismatch nightmare as he can finish with either hand around the rim, and has a soft touch on his turnaround jumper out of the block. On the perimeter I really like his ability to create space with a jab step or with limited dribbles, and use his high release to comfortably shoot with a hand in his face.
Cameron Palesse Cameron Palesse 6'3" | CG Waukesha West | 2021 State #249 Nation WI (6’4 2021 CG, Waukesha West)- Cam is simply as good as they come from mid-range. His ability to stop on a dime, elevate, and connect at a high rate has been terrorizing opposing defenders since his freshman year on varsity. Against St. John’s NW Academies he was knocking down contested shots consistently on his way to 29 points. He also looked poised attacking the basket, and keeping his chin at the rim to keep his balance after contact to finish with either hand. Valparaiso is getting a good one.