2007 WBBY SHOOTOUT NEWS & NOTES
By Antonio Curro - NY2LA Sports
December 31, 2007
The 2007 WBBY Shootout was another solid event for the state of Wisconsin as a whole and more importantly, a number of players really put down solid performances during the 2 days at the Al Maguire Center in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Congratulations to Mark Miller and the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook for putting together another quality event. Trust me when I tell you that these type of events require countless hours of work, an enormous amount of financial risk on the business side, and also lots of phone calls, e-mails, etc. I think the event was another solid event for everyone involved and some of the players who caught my eye during the two days were as follows:
5'10" Fr. G Ben Stelzer of Manitowoc Roncalli is definitely one to watch over the next few years. He handles the ball well, understands the game, and really has a solid all around floor game for a young guard. Expect some nice things from him in the coming years;
6'5" So. F Marquis Mason of Madison East continued to show the explosive athleticism that garnered him an offer from Tom Crean and Marquette University. The raw explosive power of Mason is unmatched in the 2010 class and he has lots of room to grow and improve on the skill side in the coming years meaning he could be very fun to watch over the next couple years;
6'2" Jr. G Jordaire Jett of St. Bernard's (St. Paul, Minn.)
really impressed me
in Day 2 as he attacks the rim very well, has explosive leaping ability, and
handles the ball well. Jett is one of the top 09' prospects in Minnesota
and he is definitely one to watch the rest of the year and into the
spring/summer travel season as he could end up being one of the top sleepers in
Minnesota for the 2009 class when it's all said and done;
6'0" So. G Kameron Cerroni of Sussex Hamilton was solid with his outside shooting during the 2 days and put on an exceptional performance in a victory against Wausau East. The biggest things Cerroni will have to improve on is his ability to catch and shoot the ball coming off screens and also his lateral quickness and perimeter defense in the coming years. He's very comfortable pulling up off the dribble and shooting the ball if left wide open, however his improvement in terms of a quicker release and improving the ability to stroke the jumper with the same level of consistency on a catch and shoot basis will will take him to the next level as an offensive threat;
6'1" So. SG Brett Meinecke of Sussex Hamilton really continues to impress as he
can really stroke the rock from beyond the 3 point line when he gets it going.
While Cerroni garners most of the press from this backcourt, it's Meinecke who
really has taken his game to another level and is opening some eyes. He's
easily one of the best secrets in the 2010 class as he
can catch and shoot the ball off screens, attacks the rim better and better each
time he plays, and really has become a solid scoring threat from the perimeter
for Sussex Hamilton this year. Keep your eyes on Meinecke who continues to
improve week in and week out as a player after a disappointing spring/summer
Grassroots campaign last year;
6'0" Sr. PG Rick Bowers of Germantown is the straw that really stirs the drink for Head Coach Steve Showalter. Bowers attacks the rim in big time fashion and really has solid defensive instincts. He always seems to be wherever the ball is and really sees the floor as well. While Averkamp mans the inside, it will be the level of play from Bowers in terms of running the team and creating on the offensive end that will determine how far Germantown goes this season, as they continue to improve as a team each time out of the box;
Speaking of 6'7" Jr. F Ben Averkamp of Germantown, he continues to show that he is a highly skilled young big. He sees the floor well, passes well, can stroke the mid range jumper and also has the ability to step out and hit the trey ball as well. How far and how good Averkamp becomes will be determined by how much development he can make with his lower half in terms of leaping ability, lateral quickness, and explosion over the next year or so. The young Averkamp has solid instincts and court awareness and he's another strong 09' prospect to watch in the state of Wisconsin;
6'0" So. PG T.J. Bray of Catholic Memorial continues to make his way back from the knee injury suffered last season. While Bray has a solid understanding of the game, I'd like to see him really start to step up and stroke that outside shot in the coming years to take his game to the next level. He's another one of the young 2010 guards in the state to continue to pay attention to as time goes on;
Same goes for 6'0" So. G Derek Schell of Catholic Memorial who really strokes the ball well at times from the 3 point line. Schell continues to improve each time out and we'd like to see him become a bit more assertive on the court as he really has a nice stroke and good range from the perimeter. Expect some nice things from him in the coming years as he continues to develop and his physical tools improve as well;
We said it to start the year and we'll continue to say it...Wauwatosa East is loaded! 6'1" Jr. PG Keondre Gholston continues to impress as he handles the ball well and is developing a solid all around floor game with the absence of Sr. PG Tony Walls who's recovering from a knee injury right now. Gholston has quickly developing into another 2009 prospect to keep your eyes on over the next year in a half. Same goes for 6'3" G/F Isiah Ward who has an excellent frame with lots of room to improve and grow. The long lanky Ward was sensational last spring/summer with the upstart Tosa Bandits Grassroots program and expect him to become a major piece of the 2008-2009 Tosa East team next year as a senior;
I can't say enough about the progress of Mr. Jake Barnett. The
6'5" Sr. SF
at Wauwatosa East has been sensational this year for the undefeated Red Raiders
and his outside shooting has been equally big time. The long lanky Barnett
is a solid low to mid Division 1 prospect and is further along in terms of
aggressiveness, athleticism, and scoring ability than Class of 2007 prospect
Connor Smith who's at Richmond. Built in the same mold, Barnett appears to
have a little more of a swagger right now than Smith did and Barnett really lets
it fly when he's on the court. Anyone looking for a SF that can stroke the
perimeter jumpshot need to take a look at Barnett because you'll be hard pressed
to find another that can shoot it like him right now;
Staying on the topic of Wauwatosa East, keep your eyes on 6'3" Jr. SG Eric Williams who really continues to improve every time out. The highly athletic and versatile Williams continues to display an ability to attack the rim and finish, but equally solid is the continued improvement of his outside shot as he's starting to hit the mid range jumper consistently and is even stepping out to stroke the trey ball as well. Williams is one of the top sleepers in the 09' class in Wisconsin and his play this season will be a major factor in the success of Tosa East this year;
Last but not least with Wauwatosa East is the play of 6'5" Sr. F Brice Powell. The highly athletic and tough Powell is one of the most dominant players in the state this year and a double double waiting to happen each time out. More impressive is his ability to see the floor and create on the offensive end and he has great instincts and really passes the ball well. Powell is a major piece in the Tosa East attack this year and is just another of the versatile impact players rocking Red Raider uniforms this year;
6'5" So. SF Flavien Davis of Wisconsin Lutheran really gave a glimpse of what is to come when he popped 30 points on the top ranked Tosa East Red Raiders. Davis completely dominated the 4th quarter in trying to mount a late comeback. Despite coming up short, Davis showed that he has the ability to completely take over games and it's safe to say that he firmly cemented his status as the top Class of 2010 prospect in Wisconsin again. His showdown this upcoming Saturday against 6'6" So. SF Rodney Williams in the NY2LA Sports Extravaganza will be an excellent measuring stick for Davis as both he and Williams are regarded as the top 2009 prospects in their respective states and top 30 national prospects across the country. That game is at 7:30 p.m. January 5, 2008 at Wisconsin Lutheran College;
Is there another guard who can stroke it like
6'1" Jr. Nathan Zastrow of
Manitowoc Lincoln. Yes...the height is right as Nathan has grown a couple
inches this offseason and he really puts on a clinic from behind the 3 point
line. However, the development of Zastrow as an all around guard really
caught my eye as he's distributing the basketball more effectively, creating
opportunities for his teammates, and also attacking the rim very well now.
Zastrow is already pound for pound of of the top shooters in the country and you
can expect him to really collect more and more Division 1 interest as he
develops and improves his all around floor game in the coming months;
6'3" Fr. PG Larry Bradley of Milwaukee Vincent is obviously a solid prospect. His ability to see the floor and distribute the ball is excellent for a young guard and he's right on target to become one of the top 2011 prospects in the state when it's all said and done;
6'4" Sr. F Marvin Fitzgerald of Milwaukee Vincent hit a big time trey ball to send the game against Mobile, Alabama Leflore to overtime. Fitzgerald is a solid nuts and bolts type of player who will do anything you ask of him when he takes the floor;
6'8" So. F David Anderson of Oshkosh West is another strong young big to watch develop over the next couple years. Oshkosh West has a history of developing their bigs and I expect much of the same with Anderson before it's all said and done. Their success this year however rides on the play of 6'8" Sr. F/C John Benkoske who's headed to Loyola (Chi.). Benkoske is very tough and physical inside and he'll need to play like he did in Madison last year for Oshkosh West to have a chance at three-peating this year;
No one touches Sr. PG Korie Lucious in the 2008 class...period. Lucious has that special ability to do whatever he wants to on the court and he displays that time and time again with his passes, penetration, and ability to make tough shots. There is no question in my mind that Lucious deserves a spot in the McDonald's All-American game next spring in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The kid is special...quit the hating and jealousy and get over the fact that he transferred, that's old news; the kid can play and is head and shoulders above anyone else in the 2008 class...end of discussion;
6'11" Jr. Center Demarcus Cousins of Mobile, Alabama Leflore is very tough inside. However, what sets this young big apart is his ability to stroke jump shots. Cousins not only strokes a trey ball and some mid range shots this past week but he showed a very soft and smooth stroke from the free throw line as well, which is very important to me. There's nothing more discouraging than watching a talented big who can't shoot free throws. Cousins really has a nice stroke and he showed why he's one of the best in the country in the 2009 class already;
6'5" Sr. SG Nick Williams of Mobile, Alabama Leflore will be a big time player
for Tom Crean and Marquette. He can flat out stroke that jump shot from
anywhere on the court and he's got that switch that he can turn on and take over
the game on the offensive end. It should be fun to watch him develop at
Marquette the next four years;
6'5" So. SF Mikael Luter of Whitefish Bay Dominican continues to improve and develop each time out. Expect him to really take off as a prospect over the next couple of years;
6'0" Sr. PG Kwamain Mitchell struggled the first half in Dominican's victory over Pius XI but he really stepped it up with 7 big points in the 4th quarter to seal the deal. Mitchell is headed to St. Louis next fall;
6'4" Sr. G Trey McKinney-Jones of South Milwaukee is an excellent athlete with a very nice frame. He can attack the rim and finish and has a decent stroke. He is one to keep an eye on over the next few months as a prospect and player;
6'7" Jr. SF Jamil Wilson of Racine Horlick was solid in a victory over Dominican
at the event but it was the play of 6'5" Jr. G/F Antwon Oliver that opened some
eyes as well. The long lanky and athletic Oliver is one of the top
sleepers in 2009 class and he and Wilson could make for a lethal combination
next year on the high school scene with their athleticism and versatility;
6'1" Sr. SG Lawrence Wilson of Milwaukee Madison can flat out stroke the rock! His performance in the 4th quarter of the comeback win against South Milwaukee was big time big time big time and he just shoots the trey ball from anywhere on the floor. He's easily one of the top Class of 2008 outside shooting prospects in the Milwaukee Metro area and one to watch the next couple months in the City Conference;
5'10" Jr. PG Josh Brown of Milwaukee Madison continues to develop as an all around floor general and 6'1" G Johntell Franklin of Milwaukee Madison is one of the most enjoyable players to watch take the floor. Franklin is an excellent football prospect and he really brings that type of mentality to the basketball floor as he plays hard on both ends and really gets after it. Franklin is an excellent leader and one of the reasons basketball is fun to watch because he just plays and does what he does as an athlete;
Last but not least...I'd like to thank all the parents, players, coaches, writers and supporters of NY2LA Sports and more importantly the development of basketball in our country at the Grassroots levels. I'd like to extend the same to The Finish Line, Ice Mountain, Dime, Bounce, Gatorade, Wilson, Saz's, Trophies Plus, Four Points Milwaukee North, Four Points Sheraton Milwaukee Airports, and all the people who helped out with our events this past year. Let me be one of the first to extend a Happy New Year to each of you and please be safe this New Year's Eve.
God Bless and see you in 2008 on the courts!
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