Individual Matchups To Watch This Week
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It’s a fresh week of high school basketball in Wisconsin, and there are some big time matchups to keep an eye on throughout the week! I’ll be breaking down five individual player matchups to keep an eye on throughout the week, with some big names prospects as well as a few sleepers.
Leon Bond Leon Bond 6'5" | SF Wauwatosa East | 2022 State #62 Nation WI (Wauwatosa East) vs Seth Trimble Seth Trimble 6'3" | PG Menomonee Falls | 2022 State #50 Nation WI (Menomonee Falls) Friday 1/14
This Friday two of the state’s top overall prospects will face off. Could also include Steven Clay Steven Clay 6'5" | SG Menomonee Falls | 2022 State #193 Nation WI instead of Seth, but I’m mentioning Trimble in this as he typically guards the opposing team’s best player regardless of position in the games I’ve seen. The Virginia committed Bond is an explosive athlete with above the rim finishing ability, and offers some impressive defensive versatility. Over the years he’s continued to develop his perimeter game, and is now a major threat in the mid-range. Seth Trimble Seth Trimble 6'3" | PG Menomonee Falls | 2022 State #50 Nation WI is heading to North Carolina next season, as the point guard plays with great change of pace, and is an impressive athlete. He can pull up in the blink of an eye to knock down a jumper, or get all the way to the rim to finish. Defensively he’s one of the best in the state as well. Seth is currently averaging 23.9 ppg while Bond scores just under 20 a night.
Gus Foster Gus Foster 6'2" | SF Big Foot | 2022 State WI (Big Foot) vs Ty McGreevy (Badger) Monday 1/10
Tonight is a battle of 6’3 seniors, as Gus Foster Gus Foster 6'2" | SF Big Foot | 2022 State WI takes on Ty McGreevy. Gus is a walking double-double, as he’s such a physical rebounder down low. That rebounding translates to the offensive end as well, as he can dominate the offensive glass leading to high percentage looks. Gus has the ability to stretch the floor from three, while also dominating in the paint. He’s currently averaging 22.9 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. Ty is a super versatile player for Badger, as at 6’3 he can run the point or play on the wing. Has a smooth shooting touch from beyond the arc, but is also capable of taking his man off the dribble and getting to the paint where he can finish or facilitate. Putting up 14.9 ppg and 6 rpg as a senior.
Cody Schmitz Cody Schmitz 6'4" | SG Gale Ettrick-Trempeleau | 2024 State WI (G-E-T) vs Evan Anderson Evan Anderson 6'3" | SG Black River Falls | 2024 State WI (Black River Falls) Tuesday 1/11
Two of the state’s leading scorers will face off as Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau takes on Black River Falls. 6’4 sophomore Cody Schmitz Cody Schmitz 6'4" | SG Gale Ettrick-Trempeleau | 2024 State WI is scoring a ridiculous 32.3 ppg this season, and is shooting the three ball at 39%. At 6’4 he’s a mismatch nightmare because of his ability to pull up off the dribble from just about anywhere, and elevate to knock down shots over size. He’s also shown that he can finish above the rim in transition. Fellow 2024 prospect Evan Anderson Evan Anderson 6'3" | SG Black River Falls | 2024 State WI is having a big time season as well, scoring 26.4 a game for Black River Falls. Also at 6’4, he has some defensive versatility and is a big time finisher inside. With both prospects coming in at 6’4, it will be interesting to see if they’re matched up with each other, of it coaches opt to put another player on them to try to slow them down.
Tashun Pender (Madison West) vs Sam Mickelson Sam Mickelson 6'7" | PF Madison Memorial | 2024 State WI (Madison Memorial) Thursday 1/13
Two under-the-radar forwards face off on Thursday night in Madison. Pender is having a breakout year at West, as the 6’4-6’5 senior is putting up 21.4 ppg on the season. Pretty raw with the ball, Pender excels out in transition as he can beat other forwards up the floor resulting in some high flying dunks, or he can cut back door for lobs or bounce passes leading to finishes inside. Mickelson, who formerly attended Madison West, is leading Memorial in scoring as a 6’7 sophomore at 17.5 ppg. He has a strong frame but can also get up and down the floor. His mobility at that size allows him to face up around the elbow and take his man off the dribble, or run the floor for transition buckets. Smooth looking jump shot as well.
Jaquan Johnson Jaquan Johnson 5'10" | PG Pius XI | 2024 State WI (Pius XI) vs Willie Williams Willie Williams 6'0" Racine Park | 2024 WI Jr (Racine Park) Saturday 1/15
On Saturday morning at the Luke Homan Memorial Showcase, two talented 2024 guards will square off. Jaquan is an electrifying scorer at 5’10, and despite his size is an excellent finisher at the rim. His strength allows him to hold off contact and maintain his balance in the air, leading to an impressive 21.4 ppg average this season. Although he’ll get to the rim whenever he can, the sophomore can also hurt you from three if you give him too much space. Willie may not have the impressive scoring numbers for Park, but he’s dangerous creating off the dribble when given the opportunity. He has a shifty handle to work his way into the paint, and he can alternate between his crafty finishing or flashy passing ability based on how the defense plays him.