Defending Division 1 state champion Madison Memorial and Marquette bound McDonald's All-American candidate Sr. G Vander Blue sent an early message to the rest of the teams in the state on Saturday with a 92-55 victory over Madison West as they tipped off their state title defense in dominant fashion. With a McDonald's All-American and back to back state title on his mind the explosive Blue turned in a 23 point 8 rebound 6 assists 6 steal and 3 block performance in a little over one half of play.
"I want to hold the gold ball over my head at the end of the season with a 2-peat and show that I can play with anyone in the country in the process," Blue said by phone on Sunday night, "We played well as a team and I thought individually and turned in a solid all around performance on both ends which is what I have been working on during the off-season." Blue is on a mission this season and if the first game of the season is any indication you can expect the talented perimeter standout to turn in one of the most explosive and dominant senior campaigns in recent memory before its all said and done.
In other action...
Milwaukee Hamilton came out of the box in strong fashion with a 20-4 first quarter and coasted after that to a season opening 75-48 victory over Waukesha South. Coach Diener's squad were led by Jr. PG Charles Lee who hit for 17 points while Jr. G/F Elgin Cook and Jr. F Darnell Harris each added 16. Up next for Hamilton is a great early season test on Tuesday night against St. John's Military Academy, who could very well be one of the best stories of this season if everything comes together for them.
Dominican ran their record to 3-0 with a 38-35 victory over Milwaukee King on Saturday. Freshman PG Duane Wilson Jr. continues to look the part of one of the premiere freshman in the country as the talented lead guard bounced back from a slow start to score 8 points in the 2nd half and knock down a number of key free throws down the stretch to help lead the Knights to the victory. Dominican was without So. G Jamall Taylor who's out with an injury right now but Sr. SF Mikael Luter came up big with 14 points to pace Dominican in the victory.
Milwaukee Washington used a 22-10 second quarter to take control of their matchup with Marquette and the Purgolders never looked back as they took home a 73-56 victory. Jr. SF Quevyn Winters led the way with 27 points including 4 trey balls to pace the Purgolders. The Hilltoppers were led by Jr. F John Kopriva who threw a 21 piece at Washington in a losing effort.
Wisconsin bound Sr. PG Josh Gasser exploded for 30 points out of the box to lead Port Washington to an 83-68 victory over Lake Geneva Badger on Friday. Port jumped out to a 25-14 first quarter lead and never really looked back as they maintained control led by Gasser who was sensational.
Sr. F Flavien Davis of Wisconsin Lutheran looks to be on a mission as well. The Loyola-Chicago bound talent turned in his second dominant performance of the season in as many games with a 25 piece in helping lead the defending Division 2 state champion Vikings to a 2-0 record on the year with a 69-43 victory over West Bend East in conference play.
UWM bound Sr. F Kyle Kelm of Randolph exploded for 31 points to lead Randolph to a 59-53 victory over Milwaukee Bay View on Saturday. Kelm who struggled through foot injuries this past summer hit a number of key baskets and looks to be fully recovered and ready for an excellent senior campaign with a big time performance this past weekend.
Indiana State bound Sr. PG Steve McWhorter continues to be that dude as the talented lead guard hit for 23 points to pace St. Cats to a 59-54 victory over Bradley Tech on Saturday. McWhorter is averaging over 21 PPG so far this season and has his sights set on another state title for St. Cats. So. SF Otis Pirtle led the way for Bradley Tech with 20 points in a losing effort.
Northern Iowa bound Sr. F Chip Rank of Cedarburg dropped a 32 piece on Friday to lead Cedarburg to a 60-48 victory over Madison West. Rank is averaging close to 25 PPG already this season and has Cedarburg off to a 3-0 start this season.
So. G Isaiah Gray hit for 14 points while Jr. G D.J. Mlachnik added and 11 piece to lead St. John's Military Academy to a 51-27 victory over Wayland Academy to kick off the season. Up next is a major test on Tuesday night as they play host to a loaded Milwaukee Hamilton squad in what could be an excellent early season matchup to check out.