Backcourt Duos To Watch This Winter
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With schools getting started up across the state, it’s only a matter of time before high school basketball is back under way. I’ll be taking a look at seven guard duos to keep an eye on once the season rolls…
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Continue ReadingWith schools getting started up across the state, it’s only a matter of time before high school basketball is back under way. I’ll be taking a look at seven guard duos to keep an eye on once the season rolls around!
John Kinziger John Kinziger 6'0" | CG De Pere | 2023 State #257 Nation WI and Zach Kinziger Zach Kinziger 6'3" | SG De Pere | 2025 State #127 Nation WI (De Pere): De Pere will enter the season in the conversation for best overall team in Wisconsin, with the play of the Kinziger brothers being a big reason why. John has been dominating for years, having committed to Illinois State and already having 1,570 career points to his name. He’s one of the best shooters in the state and has the ability to take over games both as a scorer and facilitator. Zach got his feet wet at the varsity level last year as a freshman, proving he can more than hold his own against older competition. As one of the state’s top sophomores he has the ability to play either guard spot, and is a high IQ player who will rarely force a bad shot or make a mistake on the ball. He brings an additional 40% 3P shooting threat and a scrappy defensive presence to the floor.
Demerius Shakur Demerius Shakur 6'2" | CG Martin Luther | 2023 State WI and Jalen Haynes Jalen Haynes 6'3" | SG Martin Luther | 2023 State WI (Martin Luther): After a disappointing 10-17 season last year, Martin Luther will look to bounce back and contend for the Metro Classic Conference title this winter. The experienced guard duo of Shakur and Haynes will help lead the way. Demerius is the do-it-all floor general who can run an offense at a high level. He’s so good at getting all of his teammates involved, and is a quick decision maker in transition. Gets after it defensively using his long arms and quick feet to make plays on the ball. Haynes led the team in scoring last year with 13.3 ppg, including highs of 28 and 27. He’s someone who can put up points in a hurry as he’s a shifty ball handler who gets good elevation on his pull-up jumper making it hard to contest. Really dangerous in 1v1 situations as he has a variety of moves he can turn to to get a bucket.
Ty Fernholz Ty Fernholz 6'2" | SG Stoughton | 2024 State WI and Sawyer Schipper Sawyer Schipper 6'1" | SG Stoughton | 2024 State WI (Stoughton): As sophomores this duo combined for roughly 32 ppg at Stoughton, and could see that number increase once again as juniors. Ty is a 6’2 guard who can put up points in a hurry. Once he sees a few shots go in, it could be a long night for opposing defenders as he put up games of 37, 35, and 30 points last year. Has a strong frame to get to the basket but can also stop on a dime and bury a pull-up jumper. Sawyer is an extremely versatile player who rebounds the ball very well as a guard, and has a nice pull-up jumper from 10-15 feet. You can tell he takes pride in his defense and is someone you can expect to take at least one charge just about every game he plays in.
Bennett Basich Bennett Basich 6'3" | SG Arrowhead | 2024 State WI and Austin Villareal Austin Villareal 6'1" | SG Arrowhead | 2023 State WI (Arrowhead): After a year that saw Bennett make 1st-team all conference and Austin make the 2nd team, both guards return hoping to lead Arrowhead to a deep run in the playoffs. Bennett is a competitive guard with some wiggle off the dribble and a dangerous pull-up jumper. He’s a player who can go and get a bucket, lock up on defense, and is also a very good rebounder for a guard. Villarreal offers another really good ball handling option as well as his 40% 3P shooting touch. Quick release from deep while also possessing the ability to get two feet in the paint to create good looks for himself and his teammates.
Arhman Lewis Arhman Lewis 5'9" | PG Madiosn Laffollette | 2023 State WI and Quinton Lomack Quinton Lomack 6'1" | CG Madison La Follette | 2024 WI (Madison La Follette): After a 19-5 season last winter, La Follette could be just as good if not better this winter. Arhman Lewis Arhman Lewis 5'9" | PG Madiosn Laffollette | 2023 State WI is one of the best point guards in the state, and is committed to play at Augustana. He’s so shifty with the ball in his hands and excels at drawing in an extra defender to open up space for his teammates. Even while handling some scoring duties for his team, he still creates so many open looks for his teammates. Lomack is a powerful guard with a combination of strength, pace, and handle that makes him so tough to stop when he looks to drive. He has good body control to finish through contact, but has extended his game to beyond the arc forcing defenders to guard him tight on the perimeter as well. Also has the rare ability as a guard to take guys into the post and just dominate them with his strength and footwork.
Tyran Cook Tyran Cook 6'1" | SG Waukesha South | 2023 State WI and Daniel Robinson Daniel Robinson 6'2" | CG Waukesha South | 2023 State WI (Waukesha South): Waukesha South made history last year winning conference, and this duo will look to make it back to back titles this winter. Tyran Cook Tyran Cook 6'1" | SG Waukesha South | 2023 State WI is one of the most explosive athletes and scorers in the class. He’s an above-the-rim threat in transition, can get to the rack, and has a dangerous pull-up jumper. If you get caught on an island defending him, good luck. Daniel Robinson Daniel Robinson 6'2" | CG Waukesha South | 2023 State WI has also proven to be a big time scorer when called upon. He’s an acrobatic finisher around the rim who’s so good at hanging in the air and contorting his body to finish off difficult looks. Robinson is going to get after it on the defensive end, and loves to turn defense into offense. Averaged an impressive 2.7 steals per game last winter.
Isaiah Allen Isaiah Allen 6'4" | CG Milwaukee Lutheran | 2024 State WI and Devin Davenport Devin Davenport 6'2" | SG Milwaukee Lutheran | 2023 State WI (Milwaukee Lutheran): At times this duo was electrifying last year, as they combined for 35 ppg as Lutheran’s top two scorers. Both of them return this winter and could combine for even bigger numbers. Davenport is a shifty and explosive guard who has a nose for the rim. Defensively he’s not afraid to pick up full court and pressure the length of the floor looking to turn defense into offense. Isaiah Allen Isaiah Allen 6'4" | CG Milwaukee Lutheran | 2024 State WI is a bigger, versatile guard who can spend some time handling or play off the ball as an outside shooting threat. At 6’4 he’s also a mismatch issue because of how good he is in the post. This summer I saw him take smaller guards down to the block and use his size and footwork to create high percentage looks around the basket.