Basketball tips off this week in the Badger state and the 2009 NY2LA Sports Classic is the place to be for anyone looking for great action this upcoming weekend. The 3rd annual event will feature games November 27-28, 2009 involving some of the top boys and girls teams in the state of Wisconsin this year. The action will take place at Nicolet High School, Milwaukee Pius XI High School, and Whitefish Bay Dominican on both days with some excellent prospects set to take the court at this year's event. The boys action will feature games at the varsity, JV, and frosh levels while the girls portion of the event will offer up a loaded field of girls varsity action.
The following is a preview of the Boys teams involved in the VARSITY event with the Girls preview coming later this week...
(Note: Listed in alphabetical order)
Brookfield Academy
Game: Milwaukee Northwest (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 10:00 a.m. - Nicolet High School)
The Blue Knights look to take the floor this year with a number of talented prospects led by the likes of 6-4 Sr. SG Troy Huff. Huff is a talented perimeter specialist with range that extends beyond the arc and the ability to score the ball in bunches when he gets it going. Add to the mix 6-4 Sr. SF Marquis Jordan and 6-2 Sr. F Fred Willis and you have a team with some solid weapons at their disposal when they take the court. They take to the court this weekend in a matchup with Milwaukee Northwest in what could be a very entertaining contest with a number of talented prospects on both sides of the floor.
Brown Deer
Game: Milwaukee Pulaski (Friday November 27, 2009 - 11:45 a.m. - Nicolet High School)
A newcomer to this year's event, Brown Deer is one team that should not be taken lightly this season. They are young but have some solid pieces on the table when they take the floor and two to keep an eye on this weekend are 6-0 Jr. PG Joziah Mallett and 6-5 So. F Jamon Jackson-Wilson. Mallett is one of the bright young guards on the rise in the 2011 class while Wilson is an explosive athletic forward who's just scratching the surface right now of his potential. The Falcons tip off the event on Friday with an early matchup against Milwaukee Pulaski in what should be an excellent contest filled with athletes and prospects on both sides of the court.
Catholic Memorial
Game 1: Whitefish Bay Dominican (Friday November 27, 2009 - 6:45 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Game 2: Muskego (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 1:30 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
The Crusaders return an experienced backcourt that's led by the likes of 6-4 Sr. PG T.J. Bray and 6-0 Sr. SG Derek Schell. The Princeton bound Bray is a skilled instinctive floor general who can score the basketball, create, and is always in control. Schell on the other hand is a smart instinctive perimeter talent with a lethal stroke that extends beyond the arc with consistency. 6-4 Sr. F Mike Neary is also in the mix and he can score, rebound, and is active on both ends of the floor. Their Friday matchup against Dominican's young backcourt is an excellent matchup and they'll bounce back Saturday against a hungry Muskego squad looking to earn their respect this season.
Dominican
Game 1: Catholic Memorial (Friday November 27, 2009 - 6:45 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Game 2: Franklin (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 6:45 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
One of the youngest teams in this year's event, Dominican offers up a loaded young backcourt led by the likes of 6-0 So. G Jamall Taylor and 6-0 Fr. PG Duane Wilson Jr. Taylor is a lethal perimeter shooting talent who's one of the bright young stars on the rise in Wisconsin while Wilson hits the high school scene as one of the premiere frosh talents in the country and one of the most instinctive and skilled in the same breath. Combined both Taylor and Wilson have the potential to really become something special in the coming years. 6-4 Sr. SF Mikael Luter is a long wing who can score and make some things happen on the offensive end and 6-4 Jr. F Iman Johnson is a talented interior prospect who should provide some quality inside play for the Knights this season. A Friday matchup with Catholic Memorial should be an excellent challenge for the young backcourt of Dominican while Saturday's contest with Franklin offers up a different element as they'll have to contend with 6-7 Jr. F Nick Romanowski for the Sabers.
Franklin
Game 1: Waukesha South (Friday November 27, 2009 - 5:00 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Game 2: Dominican (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 6:45 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Franklin returns a solid squad looking to make a mark this year and it all starts with 6-7 Jr. F Nick Romanowski, one of the top up and coming young interior talents in the state. Romanowski can score the basketball, has some nice size, and should be a force around the basket all season long. He combines with 6-5 Sr. F/C Evan Kingstad to bring to the table some solid interior play for the Sabers. They're going to need that strong play right off the bat as they take to the court Friday against Waukesha South who boasts 6-10 Jr. C Derek Hussinger. They'll follow that up on Saturday with a matchup against the skilled backcourt of Dominican in what should be another solid affair.
Kenosha Bradford
Game 1: Milwaukee Madison (Friday November 27, 2009 - 1:30 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Game 2: Pius XI (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 3:15 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Another new program to the NY2LA Sports Classic, Bradford takes the court this year hungry and looking for respect. 6-6 So. F Sheldon Cooks and 5-11 Jr. PG Quardell Young are two talented young prospects to pay attention to hear. Cooks is one of the bright young talents on the rise in the state and he brings length, versatility, and athleticism to the table this weekend. Young on the other end is an ultra quick perimeter talent with excellent breakdown skills, the ability to score attacking the rim, and nice athleticism. Bradford has a chance to really surprise some people this season if everything comes together. They have a matchup against Milwaukee Madison of the City Conference on Friday in what should be an entertaining and athletic affair and on Saturday they hit the court against Pius XI and a young hungry team looking to bounce back from a tough season last year.
Kenosha Tremper
Game 1: Nicolet (Friday November 27, 2009 - 8:30 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Game 2: Milwaukee Vincent (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 5:00 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Tremper takes to the court this weekend in two very entertaining contests and they're led by the likes of 6-1 Sr. G Sam Savaglio, a skilled and instinctive perimeter talent who's one of the truly under appreciated prospects in the state. 6-5 Jr. F/C Alex Hade also joins the mix and he is a tough athletic forward who can score around the basket and has some excellent rebounding instincts as well. Tremper has some solid potential this year but the key for them will be the development of 6-8 Jr. C Brian Quinn. A big interior talent, Quinn has some nice potential and if he can bring some solid minutes to the table for Tremper they could be a force to deal with this season. A Friday night matchup with a solid Nicolet squad is a nice early test and then on Saturday they take to the court against City Conference power Milwaukee Vincent which boasts two of the premiere young talents in the state of Wisconsin in So. F Phillip Nolan and Fr. SF Deonte Burton.
Marquette
Game: Nicolet (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 8:30 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Fresh off a state championship in football, the Hilltoppers take to the floor this season looking as one of the darkhorses to challenge for a state championship in basketball as well. While they have still to finalize things related to their roster due to football, 2 talented prospects that are sure to take the court this year include the likes of 6-7 Jr. F John Kopriva and 6-7 Jr. F Phil O'Connor. Potential wise, Kopriva is an excellent athletic young forward who can score and rebound the basketball while O'Connor has taken some major strides the past couple of months and looks the part of another talented big on the rise. Another name to keep tabs on is 5-10 PG Quinten Calloway, a skilled quick young lead guard who could really come into his own this season. The Hilltoppers tip off on Saturday against Nicolet in what should be an excellent matchup to start the season and a good early test for what could be one of the best teams in the state by the end of the season if all the pieces come together.
Milwaukee Madison
Game 1: Kenosha Bradford (Friday November 27, 2009 - 1:30 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Game 2: Racine Case (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 11:45 a.m. - Nicolet High School)
The upstart Knights from the City Conference have a new coach and a young squad hungry to make their mark this year. 6-5 Jr. SF Michael Miller is an explosive athletic wing who's one to watch while 6-1 Jr. G Relik Jones-Clipps is a skilled talented young perimeter prospect who could make some noise as well. Another young prospect to keep tabs on is 6-2 Jr. F Lamar Morris who's long been regarded as a sleeper in the 2011 class. Madison is hungry and their matchup on Friday against Kenosha Bradford and Saturday against Racine Case should be good early season tests to find out where they're at this season.
Milwaukee Northwest
Game: Brookfield Academy (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 10:00 a.m. - Nicolet High School)
Coach Hubbard and the Eagles hit the court this weekend looking to surprise some people this year and one to watch may be 6-7 Sr. F/C Keenan Churchville who'll look to man the paint this season. Another name to keep tabs on will be 6-4 Jr. SF Jamarlowe Cotton who's been one of the true sleepers in the 2011 class for the past couple of years but now looks to have a chance to breakout with a strong showing this season. Northwest tips off on Saturday against a talented and skilled Brookfield Academy squad that should give Coach Hubbard and the Eagles a good test to start the year.
Milwaukee Pius XI
Game 1: Muskego (Friday November 27, 2009 - 3:15 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Game 2: Kenosha Bradford (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 3:15 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Last year the Popes struggled to start the season but as the season moved along they continued to improve and looked the part of a solid young team on the horizon by the end of the season. This year the Popes takes the court still very young but with last year behind them looking to earn their respect and make their mark this season. 6-4 So. G/F Larry Fitzgerald is one of the bright young talents on the rise this season as he can stroke the jumper and has the instincts and potential to become a solid talent before its all said and done. Another name to keep tabs on is So. G Carrington Love who's drawn raves from Coach Claassen already. They'll tip off on Friday against Muskego in a solid contest to start the year and then Saturday they'll match up with the hungry and athletic Kenosha Bradford squad in what should be another entertaining affair.
Milwaukee Pulaski
Game: Brown Deer (Friday November 27, 2009 - 11:45 a.m. - Nicolet High School)
One of the darkhorses in the City Conference this year, Pulaski is has some major talent and could really make a lot of noise this year if things come together. 6-6 SF Roy Marshall is one of the top prospects in the state and brings athleticism and versatility to the table when he takes the floor. Add to the mix ultra quick Jr. PG Samar Powell who has handles, vision, and the ability to make plays as well as 6-7 Jr. F Jameel McKay and you have the recipe for a very good team this season if all the pieces fall into place. They tip off on Friday against a solid Brown Deer squad in what should be an entertaining and athletic affair to start the day.
Milwaukee Vincent
Game: Kenosha Tremper (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 5:00 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Head Coach John Allen and the Vikings hit the court this year with two of the prized young talents in the state in 6-8 So. F Phillip Nolan and 6-4 Fr. F Deonte Burton. Nolan is a skilled long interior talent who drips with upside and potential and has the ability to become a dominant force in the state for years to come. Burton on the other hand is one of the prized incoming freshman in the country and brings to the table strength, instincts, and dominant potential both rebounding and scoring the basketball. Vincent is a young squad with lots of potential and their matchup on Saturday against Kenosha Tremper should be a good early season test for the perennial City Conference power.
Muskego
Game 1: Pius XI (Friday November 27, 2009 - 3:15 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Game 2: Catholic Memorial (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 1:30 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
The Warriors hit the court this year looking to answer a lot of questions. A first year coach and looking to fill the void left by the loss of one of their key young players, 6-2 2010 F Nick Hirsch is one of the returning players from last season who made some things happen when he took the court. Muskego is hungry for respect and a Friday matchup with Pius XI and Saturday's contest with an experienced Catholic Memorial squad are two chances for them to make a mark right off the bat.
Nicolet
Game 1: Kenosha Tremper (Friday November 27, 2009 - 8:30 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Game 2: Marquette (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 8:30 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
A team that seemed to grow and was at its best at the end of the year last season, Nicolet takes to the court this year with high expectations and the potential to become a force as the season moves ahead. 6-8 Jr. F Christian Williams is a force in the paint and brings lots of potential and the ability to score and rebound to the table. 6-3 Sr. G Myles Henry is a versatile perimeter talent with the ability to score in bunches. Add to the mix the ultra quick 5-10 So. G Cory Smith and you have a nice nucleus for the Knights this season and Coach Hepp. They'll tip off on Friday against a solid and deeper Tremper team and Saturday they'll bounce right back with another test against Marquette, projected as one of the top teams in the state this season.
Racine Case
Game: Milwaukee Madison (Saturday November 28, 2009 - 11:45 a.m. - Nicolet High School)
Case is an interesting team this year as they have a young squad with a number of solid athletes that could do a lot of damage this season. 6-0 Jr. G Mitchell Farr is a sharpshooting perimeter talent who's one of the most underrated in the state while 6-0 Jr. PG Najee Farr is a skilled and instinctive athlete who combines with Farr to form a potent backcourt for Case. A key player for Coach Jaskulske this season could be the emergence of 6-5 Jr. SF Alex Marzette, an athletic skilled, instinctive versatile forward who has the potential to become one of the breakout performers in the 2011 class. They'll matchup against Milwaukee Madison of Saturday in a solid contest that should be both competitive and entertaining with a number of hungry prospects set to take the floor.
Waukesha South
Game: Franklin (Friday November 27, 2009 - 5:00 p.m. - Nicolet High School)
Coach Swartz always has the Blackshirts playing hard when they take the court and this year they are young but filled with potential. 6-10 Jr. C Derek Hussinger will look to man the middle and has the potential to become a force on both ends if he reaches his potential. 6-4 Jr. F Tim Woodford is one of the returning impact players and he brings an ability to score the basketball to the table. One young talent to keep tabs on is 5-10 So. G Kevin Koenigs who's one of the best pure shooters in the 2012 class and could be a solid talent on the rise in the state. Coach Swartz and his team will matchup against Franklin on Friday night in what has the makings to be an excellent contest with both teams looking to make their mark this season.