The high school season continues to get into full swing with each passing day so now seems like a perfect time to update our player rankings for the state of Wisconsin.  We begin with the 2012 class where North Carolina bound senior wing Jean-Pierre Tokoto of Menomonee Falls stays at the top despite a furious charge from Wisconsin bound senior wing Sam Dekker…

CLICK HERE FOR THE NEW 414HOOPS.COM TOP 25 – 2012 PLAYER RANKINGS

(1)    JEAN-PIERRE TOKOTO – 6-6 – SF – MENOMONEE FALLS H.S. (VIEW PROFILE)
Explosively athletic with the ability to score in transition, attack the glass, and knock down an improved mid-range jumper.  Upside is the key here as he has a tremendous amount of potential with continued hard work and development.  It's much easier to chase the top than it is to sit at the top from start to finish and Tokoto has lived with enormous expectations for years and continued to develop in the process.  Committed to North Carolina.

(2)    SAM DEKKER – 6-7 – G/F – SHEBOYGAN AREA LUTHERAN H.S. (VIEW PROFILE)
What once was a no-brainer at the top has become an extremely close race due largely impart to the vast strides Dekker has made in terms of his development and consistent production.  Excellent length, solid athleticism, range well beyond the arc, and improved toughness and grit on the hardwood are part of his package.  A front runner for player of the year honors in the state and he has an outside shot at the McDonald’s All-American game given the political machine that will push him and the fact that he’s going to put up ridiculous numbers this season.  Committed to Wisconsin.

(3)    WALLY ELLENSON – 6-5 – G/F – RICE LAKE H.S. (VIEW PROFILE)
Really saw his stuck go up and down during his high school career.  However, it’s not how you start but rather how you finish and Ellenson turned in an explosive month of July that saw his stock soar and high majors come calling.  Tough, skilled, athletic, etc. Ellenson should help push Rice Lake towards a state title this year where only Onalaska will stand in their way for their Division.  Committed to Minnesota.

(4)    JORDAN FOUSE – 6-6 – F – RACINE ST. CATHERINES H.S. (VIEW PROFILE)
An injury sidelined him for the month of July or Fouse could very well have seen his stock explode in the same fashion as Ellenson’s did.  Has an improved stroke with range beyond the arc, solid athleticism, nice instincts, etc.  Coach Wardle landed an impact talent in Fouse who should have a stellar senior campaign for St. Cats.  Committed to UW-Green Bay.

(5)    PHILLIP NOLAN – 6-9 – PF – MILWAUKEE RIVERSIDE (VIEW PROFILE)
Excellent length, the ability to face the basket and knock down jumpers, solid interior post skills when he wants to put in the work, and upside are all a part of his package.  Not expected to play for Milwaukee Riverside this season but is being courted by the likes of Clemson, Oregon, etc. for the next level.  

OTHERS OF NOTE

(6)    ZAK SHOWALTER – 6-2 – G – GERMANTOWN
Really worked hard last year and it showed during high school season as well as the spring/summer where he collected a host of low and mid-major offers before choosing the route of a preferred walk-on at Wisconsin.  Plays hard on both ends, attacks the rim, has solid athleticism, can drain the tray ball, and brings instincts and intangibles to the hardwood every time he takes the court.

(10)    CARRINGTON LOVE – 6-0 – PG – MILWAUKEE PIUS XI
With the exception of Nolan, Love is without question the top available senior in the state and could play and the low to mid major Division 1 level in my opinion.  Turned in an exceptional fall campaign at the annual Breakfast of Champions Fall League in the same fashion that current Indiana State guard Steve McWhorter did a couple of years ago.  Love is quick, has handles, can break down defenders, sees the floor, has range beyond the arc, etc.  Kid can play and he is already off to a huge start with Milwaukee Pius XI this season.  

(16)    CHRIS GOLDEN – 6-0 – G – WISCONSIN LUTHERAN
Instant offense when he hits the court as Golden is constantly on the attack and has the ability to score off the bounce, in transition, and beyond the arc.  Can take over the game at times with a lethal mid-range stroke that fills the basket time and time again.  Pound for pound can score with anyone in the state and looks primed for a huge campaign this season.

(22)    JOSH MONGAN – 5-10 – PG – GERMANTOWN
Perhaps the most underrated talent in the state of Wisconsin as Mongan is really the straw that stirs the Germantown drink so to speak.  Smart, savvy, skilled, tough, etc. Mongan has excellent leadership ability, handles the ball well, makes smart decisions, and can drain mid-range jumpers and trey balls equally when the moment calls for it.  No single player is more valuable to their team this season than Mongan is to Germantown due to his overall impact on both ends and his tremendous leadership and toughness.

(25)    AUSTIN STUECK – 6-4 – G/F – SOUTH MILWAUKEE
This young man can really play and he is going to have a huge season for South Milwaukee.  Has nice size to go along with excellent instincts, solid playmaking ability, big time vision, excellent range, and the ability to score off the bounce in transition and half court sets.  Really like his overall floor game and ability to make things happen.  

CLICK HERE FOR THE NEW 414HOOPS.COM TOP 25 – 2012 PLAYER RANKINGS

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