Bonduel vs. Oconto Game Preview

Tomorrow at 1:40pm, the Bonduel Bears (6-0, 3-0 CWC-8) take on the Oconto Blue Devils (3-4, 2-3 Packerland) in game 3 of the 2014 Sun Drop Shootout at the Kress Center on the campus of UWGB. Bonduel comes into this game with a perfect record. Their last victory was a 78-49 thumping at home against Manawa on Friday, December 19th. The Bears led by 8 at the break and cruised to the win. Bonduel's top three scorers are averaging in double figures, led by Colton Dobratz who leads the team with 13.3 points per game. Peyton Czarapata leads the team with 14 rebounds per game. Connor Rosin leads the team in assists for coach Duke Copp. Oconto last played on Thursday, December 18, where they were defeated in Algoma 55-48. The Blue Devils got off to a slow start by scoring only 5 points in the opening quarter and never recovered. They are led by big man Sawyer Koch, as he leads the team with 16 points per game for coach Jon Bostedt. Koch also is the team leader in rebounds with 7.7 per game. Brady Bostedt, son of Jon, is the leader in assists at a clip of 5 a game. This should be an interesting game as I think it will be a defensive battle, as both teams sometimes have issues scoring points. I think Bonduel has more talent and will take advantage of that on their way to the nonconference victory.

Newman Catholic vs. Green Bay N.E.W. Lutheran WIAA Division 5 Sectional Final Game Preview

Tomorrow afternoon at 2pm at Pulaski High School, the Newman Catholic Cardinals (20-6, 10-4 Marawood - South) take on the Green Bay N.E.W. Lutheran Blazers (25-1, 14-0 Packerland) in a WIAA Division 5 Sectional Final. The Cardinals earned the trip to Pulaski by coming from behind to beat Columbus Catholic on Thursday night 39-34. Newman came back from a 22-9 halftime deficit to capture the win. Senior Marcus Gabriel had a game-high 15 points (all in the second half) for the Cardinals, who outscored the Dons 13-0 in the third quarter. Gabriel, a St. Cloud State Football recruit, leads the team with 11.9 points per game this season. N.E.W. clinched a spot in the sectional championship by finding a way past Wausaukee 63-58. The Blazers held a four point halftime lead and outscored the Rangers by one in the second half on their way to the victory. Senior Dakota Zinser, a UW-Whitewater Basketball recruit, led the team with 13 points. Zinser also leads the team in points per game this season, averaging 19.2. I think this will be a battle of the guards in Gabriel and Zinser. I also think the Blazers' speed and size will give them the sectional championship and their fourth trip to the State Tournament in Madison in five years.

WBY Shootout All-Tourney Team

I watched some or all of 14 out a possible 18 games throughout two days at the WBY Shootout held at Concordia University in Mequon over December 26-27. I have compiled an all-tournament team made up of five first-team players with five honorable mention players. Here they are:

First-Team

1. (MVP) Henry Ellenson - 6-9, Rice Lake

Ellenson went up against the best junior in the country, Diamond Stone, and handled him easily as the Warriors beat Dominican by double digits.  Ellenson, who has offers from both Wisconsin and Marquette, impressed me so much by his ball-handling skills for a big man and his ability to rebound and shoot a terrific jumpshot, especially from beyond the three-point arc.

2. Chandler Diekvoss - 6-6, West De Pere

Diekvoss had two impressive games against D1 teams, as the Phantoms beat Racine Case on Day 1 and Milwaukee Washington on Day 2. Diekvoss had 18 points against Washington and can bring the ball up the court if needed with his impressive ball-handling skills. The Richmond recruit and wing impressed me by his smooth three-point shot as well as his underrated passes into tight spaces for assists.

3. Matt Heldt - 6-10, Neenah

Heldt transferred to the Rockets his sophomore year after playing at Appleton West as a freshman. This junior is such a sleeper in the state because of his ability to run the floor as a 6-10 big man in the post, and that ability leads to layups and dunks on the other end.  His rebounding and blocking ability are his strengths, but Heldt must get stronger and bigger if he wants to be an elite player in the future.  

4. Lamonte Bearden - 6-2, Germantown

The catalyst of the undefeated Warhawks is clearly Bearden.  I loved watching his defensive pressure as he was a defender who moved his feet, had his arms out wide, and followed his assignment in the Warhawks' press. Bearden's size as a point guard can't be overlooked, and the Buffalo recruit's ability to get to the basket impressed me as he had two dunks in the first quarter. His athleticism is his best asset.

5. Nathan Toenjes - 6-7, Green Bay N.E.W. Lutheran

Toenjes had an impressive one-handed follow-up dunk on Day 1. He runs the floor well for a big man and can easily grab offensive rebounds and put them back up for easy points. Also a great defender who can block shots and grab boards with no trouble.  The Concordia Nebraska recruit leads the Blazers, who have not lost a Packerland Conference game since January 27, 2012.

Honorable Mention

Diamond Stone - 6-9, Dominican

The enormous junior had eye-popping dunks in this shootout. Outplayed by Ellenson on Day 1, Stone has a sweet-looking mid-range jumpshot and can grab rebounds from anybody with ease.  

Nathan Neveau - 5-10, Oshkosh North

Not only is Neveau an outstanding quarterback on the football field, he is also a floor general on the basketball court. Though he is rather small, Neveau makes up for it with his determination and ability. The Hillsdale recruit could make just about every pass imaginable and is deadly from behind the arc. His exceptional man-to-man defense wreaked havoc on opponents and his quickness allowed him to get to the rim for an easy layup with ease.

C.J. Polk - 6-0, Wisconsin Lutheran

The Minnesota State-Moorhead recruit is a fast and electric guard who drives hard to the basket and finishes easy shots. A great defender on the Vikings' press as he comes up with steals because of his quickness. Also, he has a pretty-looking three-point shot that is highly accurate.  

Joe Sherburne - 6-6, Whitefish Bay

A long, athletic wing who could deflect passes on defense because of his length. Could also handle the ball for a tall athlete and could stroke the three-ball at will.  

Ethan Bublitz - 6-1, Kettle Moraine Lutheran

This underrated prospect positively surprised me by his passing abilities and his shooting. Had multiple assists to wide open teammates and also shot the mid-range jumper and three-pointer extremely well. Went off for 25 points in the Chargers' Day 1 victory over Brookfield Academy.