Fall Premier League: Week 2 Standouts
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STOUGHTON — A look at some of the top individual performances from Wednesday’s action at the Fall Premier League held at SEA Facilities… Josiah Butler Josiah Butler 6'3" | CG Fox Valley Lutheran | 2022 State WI – 2022 –…
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Continue ReadingSTOUGHTON — A look at some of the top individual performances from Wednesday’s action at the Fall Premier League held at SEA Facilities…
Josiah Butler Josiah Butler 6'3" | CG Fox Valley Lutheran | 2022 State WI – 2022 – SG – Fox Valley Lutheran
One of the top uncommitted seniors in the state, Butler holds offers from Winona State and St. Cloud State. Butler’s mid-range game was on-point Wednesday as he got into high percentage areas and knocked down shots from 12-18 feet with ease. The top scorer in the league after two weeks, Butler was able to come down the floor and get just about any shot he wanted. A three-level scorer with isolation skills, Butler is also a terrific finisher with his off-hand. Also a two-way player, Butler’s always been engaged and active on the other end of the floor.
Week 2 highlights from @FallPremier of 2022 shooting guard Josiah Butler Josiah Butler 6'3" | CG Fox Valley Lutheran | 2022 State WI .@JosiahButler20 @WICrusaders pic.twitter.com/dvwR6m4o77
— Prep Hoops Wisconsin (@PrepHoops_WI) September 24, 2021
Darius Chestnut Darius Chestnut 6'2" | SG Sun Prairie West | 2023 State WI – 2023 – G – Sun Prairie
Chestnut has the potential to be a breakout player in the Big Eight Conference this winter. We’ll see if he puts it all together when games become more organized and the lights start to get a little brighter, but have liked what I’ve seen since the end of July. Chesnut got noticed a bit during the Prep Hoops season and has started to run with it. His confidence appears to be sky-high going into his junior season. The physical tools are already there. Chestnut is a long, strong guard with a high motor and burst on the ball. When the 6-foot-3 guard gets going in the open floor, he’s very difficult to get off his path or change direction, let alone slow him down. Chestnut can grab a rebound and get coast-to-coast in a hurry. His shot has been looking better as well. Chestnut knocked down some difficult, contested looks off the dribble on Wednesday.
Is 2023 guard Darius Chestnut Darius Chestnut 6'2" | SG Sun Prairie West | 2023 State WI about to wake up the Big Eight Conference?@DariusChestnut @FallPremier pic.twitter.com/SBoSXdeLAN
— Prep Hoops Wisconsin (@PrepHoops_WI) September 24, 2021
Dino Cook Dino Cook 6'4" | SF Kingdom Prep | 2023 State WI – 2023 – SF – Kingdom Prep
A prospect that continues to work and add to his game, Cook did a lot of nice things on Wednesday. Cook scored the ball in a lot of unique ways, including going 1-on-1 on the block or slashing and putting home a sweeping hook shot. He’s still pretty raw, but filled with upside and potential. The 6-foot-5 wing is long, can shoot the rock from beyond the arc consistently, and has a body type that will allow him to defend multiple positions. His skill level has gone up considerably since last year and Cook continues to trend positively.
2023 SF Dino Cook Dino Cook 6'4" | SF Kingdom Prep | 2023 State WI highlights from week 2 at @FallPremier.@DinoCookJr1 @KPLHS_HOOPS pic.twitter.com/pohiEwqYAz
— Prep Hoops Wisconsin (@PrepHoops_WI) September 24, 2021
Andrew Kelley Andrew Kelley 6'1" | PG McFarland | 2024 State WI – 2024 – PG – McFarland
Kelley has had a big off-season and he’s capable of putting together some strong numbers during his sophomore season. The 5-foot-10 lead guard is a very good stop and pop shooter. Kelley also did a lot of damage as a shooter off offensive rebounds. At the top of the key, he’s generally got to be the first one back on defense, but if a teammate grabs an offensive board, Kelley does a great job of making himself available for a reload. Kelley’s shooting ability allows him to play off the ball as well. He’s not a kid that gives the ball up and becomes stagnant. Kelley flows with his teammates, finds the soft spots in the defense, and lets it fly from deep in rhythm.
2024 PG Andrew Kelley Andrew Kelley 6'1" | PG McFarland | 2024 State WI is poised for a big sophomore season.@andrew_kelley4 @FallPremier @McfAthletics pic.twitter.com/oH8avlOqlt
— Prep Hoops Wisconsin (@PrepHoops_WI) September 24, 2021
Cole Hansen Cole Hansen 6'4" | SG Legacy Early College | 2024 State SC – 2024 – SG – Wauwatosa West
Hansen did what he did best — create and knock down shots. The sophomore guard has a very good feel in isolation settings. Doesn’t rely on athleticism or speed on the ball to generate space, but instead uses skill and has different shot types to avoid even tough and physical defense. Defenders need to pick up Hansen well past the 3-point arc. The 6-foot-4 guard has in-the-gym range as a shooter and just a hand in his face won’t faze him. Thought Hansen really finished well against contact on Wednesday as well. He’s not playing above the rim yet, but he can hang, fight through a bump/scrape, and adjust his shot in mid-air.
Devin Kerska Devin Kerska 6'2" | PG Sauk Prairie | 2023 State WI – 2023 – SG- Sauk Prairie
A slashing guard with a very quick first step, Kerska has a knack for getting to the bucket. He’s a bigger guard that can probably play any of the perimeter/wing spots. He plays point guard in high school. Kerska had 16 points in his opening game, really hitting gaps hard and making defenders who were out of position pay. Kerska’s first step was quick enough to often beat help-side defenders to the rim and allow him uncontested looks at the bucket.
Drew Murphy Drew Murphy 6'4" | SF Verona | 2025 State WI – 2025 – SF – Verona
A big-bodied small forward with skill and ability to space the floor, Murphy should be one of the top incoming freshmen in the state. The 6-foot-5 wing can score from all over the floor. He’s a very smooth 3-point shooter that can catch-and-shoot or pull-up off one dribble. Murphy has an advanced back-to-the-basket game for his age, able to score against contact or fading away from the hoop. Murphy also has good rebounding instincts on the offensive glass. He has light feet, gets off the ground quickly, and a motor to finish even if he’s missed a couple of attempts on putbacks in the same sequence.
Ben Olson Ben Olson 6'4" | SF Dmc | 2022 State WI – 2022 -SF – Sun Prairie
Olson made it look easy on Wednesday. The 6-foot-4 wing got to the bucket whenever he wanted. One of the state’s top slashers and available seniors, Olson has a strong blend of athleticism, toughness, and finesse on the ball. Olson can score going right through the chest of people, but also has the skill and footwork to go around them when needed. Think he’s a much better shooter from 3-point and mid-range than he gets credit for. Olson simply just doesn’t settle for shots, but instead lives at the bucket.
Ben Olson Ben Olson 6'4" | SF Dmc | 2022 State WI is one of the top uncommitted seniors in Wisconsin. Highlights of the 2022 SF from @FallPremier.@benholson32 @SPHSBasketball pic.twitter.com/hHHglMjNK3
— Prep Hoops Wisconsin (@PrepHoops_WI) September 24, 2021
Jack Rulseth – 2023 – SF – Oregon
Rulseth gave opponents a lot of problems on Wednesday. The 6-foot-3 junior was a tough matchup for a variety of different defenders. Rulseth has some sneaky bounce, some fluid skills, and a soft touch around the rim. He’s able to step away from the basket and shoot, but really liked how Rulseth got defenders off their feet, worked his way into the paint, and made something happen as a scorer or facilitator.
Joe Stried – 2023 – G – Janesville Craig
Kid plays really hard and stole a lot of buckets and extra possessions for his team on Wednesday. Not a guy that’s blessed with a ton of size or natural ability, but knows how to play the game and understands the way he can be successful. If the ball was up for grabs, Stried was around it. He hit the offensive and defensive glass extremely hard. Stried pushed the pace in transition. He got a lot of easy points because he worked for them via hard back cuts, flying in and grabbing long rebounds, etc. Stried had his teammates hyped up with some of the hustle plays he was making and they definitely fed off it.