Five Teams Poised to Make a Big Jump in 2021-22
In this article:
Looking ahead to the 2021-22 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin examines five teams that will make a big jump and drastically improve their record from a year ago… APPLETON EAST 2020-21 Record: 9-14 WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to West De Pere…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingLooking ahead to the 2021-22 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin examines five teams that will make a big jump and drastically improve their record from a year ago…
APPLETON EAST
2020-21 Record: 9-14
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to West De Pere in the Regional Semifinals
This team finished tied for sixth in the Fox Valley Association, but the Patriots have their sights set on winning the league in 2021-22. East has a loaded returning cast, including senior guard Tyler Borowski Tyler Borowski 6'2" | PG Appleton East | 2022 State WI (14.0), who missed most of the season due to injury, senior guard Zach Steigenberger Zach Steigenberger 6'0" | CG Appleton East | 2022 State WI (13.8 ppg), and junior forward Caleb Glaser Caleb Glaser 6'6" | SF Appleton East | 2023 State WI (12.3 pgg), who’s one of the most improved players in the state. Sophomore guard Joey LaChapell Joey LaChapell 5'10" | PG Appleton East | 2024 State WI (5.2 ppg) got his feet wet last season and emerged as a top 50 player in the 2024 class over the summer.
CATHOLIC MEMORIAL
2020-21 Record: 8-17
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Wilmot in the Regional Semifinals
Fair to say the Crusaders didn’t meet expectations a year ago. While Memorial was young, they certainly had a lot of talent on paper. The Crusaders now reload with a lot of prospects who have played a ton of ball together. Their backcourt of Bennett McCormick Bennett McCormick 6'3" | SG Catholic Memorial | 2023 State WI (13.8 ppg), Braden Mcglothlin Braden Mcglothlin 6'0" | PG Catholic Memorial | 2023 State WI (13.5 ppg), and Antwan Burns-Jones Antwan Burns-Jones 6'2" | SG Catholic Memorial | 2023 State WI (10.0 ppg), all juniors, is one of the best in the state. Look for junior wing Jack Riley Jack Riley 6'0" | SF Catholic Memorial | 2023 State WI (5.2 ppg) to make a nice jump as well, while senior guard Cameron Pendleton is the unsung hero that makes a lot of unselfish plays.
HOMESTEAD
2020-21 Record: 12-13
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Menomonee Falls in the Regional Semifinals
Definitely have taken notice of the Highlanders during fall league action. This is a group that’s deep, plays both ends, and genuinely enjoys playing with each other. There’s not one guy that necessarily stands above the rest, but that also makes them dangerous — you have to guard everyone. The 12-13 record is a little misleading, because of how good the North Shore was last season. Homestead turned things around mid-season and won eight-straight games at one point, including a win over Nicolet. Look for sophomore Tim Franks Tim Franks 6'5" | SG Homestead | 2024 State WI (11.3 ppg) to be the go-to scorer, but the Highlands can turn to Chris Djurasovic Chris Djurasovic 6'8" | PF Homestead | 2023 State WI (7.6 ppg) and Solomon Garrison Solomon Garrison 5'10" | PG Homestead | 2023 State WI (10.3 ppg) as well.
MIDDLETON
2020-21 Record: 4-7
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Verona in the Regional Semifinals
Not sure you make too much out of last season’s records for teams that play in Dane County. Last season, they went through the dance of ’are we even going to have a season?’ due to the pandemic. Then when they did take the floor, it was in late January. The Cardinals get four of their top five scorers back from last season, including senior guard Logan Raffel Logan Raffel 5'11" | PG Middleton | 2022 State WI (13.4 ppg). A pair of juniors, Kaden Fosdick Kaden Fosdick 6'4" | PF Middleton | 2023 State WI (8.5 ppg) and Gavyn Hurley Gavyn Hurley 6'4" | CG Middleton | 2023 State WI (5.8 ppg) had really nice summers and are poised for breakout seasons.
WAUWATOSA WEST
2020-21 Record: 5-20
WIAA Playoff Finish: Lost to Marquette in the Regional Semifinals
It may not come together overnight, but the days of picking on the Trojans in the Greater Metro Conference are over. This group was 0-16 in league play last season and now seniors Colin Hardrick Colin Hardrick 6'3" | CG Wauwatosa West | 2022 State WI (22.4 ppg) and Terrance Mcclendon Terrance Mcclendon 6'3" Wauwatosa West | 2022 WI (12.4 ppg) have a lot more help. West has picked up a key transfer in Cole Hansen Cole Hansen 6'4" | SG Legacy Early College | 2024 State SC , who started at Sun Prairie as a freshman. A pair of freshman, Kai Rogers Kai Rogers 6'10" | C Wauwatosa West | 2025 State #41 Nation WI and Jake Hansen Jake Hansen 6'1" | SG Wauwatosa West | 2025 State #331 Nation WI , are also two of the best class of 2025 prospects in the state.