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.

Top 5 Division 5

My top 5 teams in Wisconsin from Division 5

1. Green Bay N.E.W. Lutheran Blazers (14-0) The Blazers are loaded as they have the conference player of the year in Travis Voigt, who is the point guard running the show for N.E.W. Forward Nathan Toenjes leads the balanced attack with an average of 12.6 points per game. Dakota Zinser is second with an average of 12.4 points a game for coach Mark Meerstein, who is looking to get to the Kohl Center for the third time in four years. They are expected to get there and I definitely expect they will.

2. Randolph (11-1) The Rockets have crushed everybody so far, with the exception of a 65-40 loss at the hands of Danville (IA) yesterday. Point guard Duke Vande Galien is the catalyst for the offense, but Aaron Retzlaff leads the team with an average of 13.8 points per game for coach Bob Haffele. Jay Peters is second on the team with 12.2 points per game. Randolph should get to Madison after a one year hiatus and will be in the hunt for the gold ball once again.

3. Cassville (11-0) The Comets are 11-0 thanks to the stellar play of Ty Kartman, who leads the team with an average of 24.9 points per game. They are leading the Six Rivers-Western Conference by a half a game over Potosi and have already beaten Potosi this season. This upstart team expects to make a strong push for a trip to Madison with a strong finish to the season and a flawless postseason.

4. Clayton (11-0) The Bears are undefeated so far in the fairly weak Lakeland-Central Conference but have the biggest game of the year against conferenc unbeaten Turtle Lake at Clayton on Thursday night. Nick Schradle once again has a strong group led by Zach Schradle, who leads the team by averaging 23.5 points per game. The Bears have a strong chance to make it to Madison and contend for a state championship.

5. Monticello (12-1) The Ponies field a strong squad this season, led by Bryce Klitzke, who is averaging a team high 19.7 points per game for coach Mark Olson. The Ponies trail the Six Rivers-Eastern leader Black Hawk by a half a game, but look to make that up with a win on January 31 and a win on February 5 against conference co leader with Black Hawk Barneveld, who already has beaten Monticello. They have a strong team and look to be in the hunt for a trip to the Kohl Center this March.

Top 5 Division 4

My top 5 teams from Wisconsin in Division 4

1. Dominican (9-3) Although the Knights record may not look appealing at 9-3, they are still the frontrunner to win their second consecutive state championship. They are led by Marquette recruit Duane Wilson, who is averaging 25.2 points per game. Super sophmore Diamond Stone is second on the team with 17.6 points per game and first with 11.4 rebounds a game for first year coach Derek Berger. They have lost to unbelievable competition and look for them to be around come March.

2. Elk Mound (12-0) The Mounders play in the Dunn-St.Croix and are perfect so far. Their leader, Nick Heit, is averaging a team best 11.6 points per game for coach Chris Hahn. It will be a track meet for them to stay undefeated, but look for them to be a threat when the playoffs roll around thanks to their depth and size.

3. Laconia (12-0) The Spartans are coming off of a very impressive win, a 62-41 win at home against Flyway Conference rival St. Mary's Springs. Tyler Semenas is the unquestionable leader of the team, and everything in their offense revolves around him. He is leading the team with an average of 17.2 points per game. This team is playing with loads of confidence and don't be surprised if they end up in Madison come March.

4. Southwestern (13-1) The team most people expected to challenge Cuba City for Southwest Wisconsin Activities supremacy this season is definitely playing well, as their only loss on the season was to Cuba City. Josh Smith is leading the team with 16.5 points per game and is playing at a very high level. The Wildcats move up to Division 4 this season with hopes of making it to the Kohl Center.

5. Cuba City (13-0) The defending state runner-ups have hopes of getting back to Madison, as they are led by Jason Derby, who is averaging 14.4 points per game for the winningest coach in Wisconsin state history Jerry Petigogue. The Cubans have already knocked off Southwestern, and look for them to have plenty more wins come tournament time as they look for the gold ball.

Top 5 Division 3

My top 5 teams from Wisconsin in Division 3

1. Wisconsin Dells (13-0) The Chiefs have a very talented roster led by guard M.J. Delmore. The senior is averaging a team best 23.2 points a game for coach Brad Rohling. The Dells play in the South Central Conference, and have one of the most anticipated games of the season on Tuesday when they host Mauston. Look for the Chiefs to be in the thick of things in late February in the quest for a state championship.

2. Lodi (12-0) The Blue Devils made it to the state semifinals last season and are primed for a repeat behind the talents of Jordan Shea, who is leading the team with 15.7 points per game. They have played a mild conference schedule, but are as consistent as they get. Look for Lodi to be in contention for the gold ball in March.

3. Little Chute (12-1) The Mustangs are led by two big-time Green Bay recruits in Turner Botz and Kenneth Lowe. Botz is averaging a team best 16.3 points per game for coach Mickey Martin, while the high flying Lowe is averaging 13.8 a game. The Mustangs made it to state two years ago, and are primed to reach Madison again thanks to the leadership of their two best players and a down Eastern Valley Conference this season.

4. East Troy (10-2) The Trojans are undefeated in Rock Valley-North play, but have nonconference stumbles against Germantown and Little Chute. Second year coach Darryl Reyfield has the luxery of having three Division 1 recruits in Army commit Nate Dodge, who is leading the team with an average of 17.4 points per game and twin towers Alex and Brett Prahl. Brett Prahl is second on the team in points with 16.8 points per game. The Trojans are loaded and look for them to make a run at Madison this winter.

5. Durand (12-0) The Panthers are one of the biggest sleepers in Wisconsin, as they are undefeated this season and have gone perfect in the Middle Border so far this basketball season. Coach Justin Redetzke is led by Jake Weber, who is scoring at an average of 13.6 points per game. Durand has tough games against Somerset remaining this season, but look for them to run the table as they enter the playoffs.

Top 5 Teams Division 2

My top 5 teams from Wisconsin in Division 2

1. Seymour (11-1) The Thunder are 11-1 thanks to the outstanding play of junior Sandy Cohen. He is averaging 15.7 points per game. The teams leading scorer, Dakota Oskey, is averaging 17.5 points per game. This team has already beaten Bay Port and with terrific depth Jon Murphy's team is in the hunt for yet another state championship.

2. Onalaska (9-2) The defending state champions are led by the terrific shooting ability of Iowa State recruit Matt Thomas. The senior wing is averaging a team best 29.8 points per game, which is also second best in the state only to Christopher Gough of Mountaintop Christian. The Hiltoppers only two losses of the season were to Division 1 Milwaukee Hamilton and Mississippi Valley Conference rival La Crosse Aquinas. Look for Craig Kowal's squad to make another run to a state title.

3. Slinger (11-2) The upstart Owls are off to a near perfect start thanks to the stellar play of Derek Merkes. He is leading the team with an average of 12.3 points per game. The tough conference schedule helps the Owls, as they have lost to Wisconsin Lutheran and Pewaukee. Coach Al Schieve has played a tough nonconference schedule, and look for Slinger to make a run at Madison.

4. Pulaski (10-2) The Red Raiders are coming off of their best game of the season, a 59-51 over a ranked Division 1 team in De Pere, Cody Wichmann, a Milwaukee recruit, is leadingt the team with a clip of 13.9 points per game. The Raiders play terrific defense and have a deep bench, which will help them in the tough FRCC and into tournament time.

5. Whitefish Bay (11-4) The Blue Dukes play in the North Shore Conference agaisnt Germantown and Homestead, but have a very good player in Joe Sherburne. He is leading the team with an average of 15.1 points per game. The Dukes won the state championship two years ago, and look for them to be in the hunt again thanks to the depth and talent that coach Kevin Lazovik possesses.