The high school season is in full swing in Wisconsin and the conference races are heating up. In addition to conference matchups, some solid non-conference ones are still on deck as well including this upcoming weekend’s Saturday Night Showdown at Brown Deer High School featuring Wisconsin Lutheran, Brown Deer, Ripon, and Milwaukee Riverside. Here’s a look at that and more in this week’s news and notes from across the Badger state…
TEAM RANKINGS
(1) Stevens Point 14-0
Still rolling, the trio of Trevor Anderson, Sam Hauser, and Joey Hauser are dominating game after game and this past week they were at it again. They are the best team in the state and barring injury right now no one comes close.
(2) Middleton 14-0
They quietly are putting together an excellent season and they are getting stellar play from Storm Murphy and Tyree Eady week after week. They continue to look like a potential lock for Madison in March at their current pace.
(3) Kaukauna 12-1
Jordan McCabe is in the midst of a dominant sophomore campaign and Kaukauna is playing basketball at a high level right now. A dominant win over Neenah this past week sent a clear message to the conference teams and they’ve already done the same across the state with the quality non-conference wins.
(4) Milwaukee Riverside 10-3
The City Conference continues to look the part of a three team race at the end but right now Milwaukee Riverside appears to be the front runner. They’re playing some solid basketball right now and a strong non-conference matchup on Saturday against Bennett Vander Plas, Luke Loewe, and Ripon is a solid mid-season test for them before February.
(5) Racine Park 12-1
Park keeps winning and despite a close one this past week they continue to impress with their balance. At the end of the day it’s about the W and Park continues to pile on more with each passing week.
Dropping out: None
Others of Note: Mil Washington, Germantown, Sheboygan North, New Berlin Eisenhower, G-E-T, Madison Memorial
FIVE ON FIRE
TAURUS ADAMS – 2016 – F – BROWN DEER
The two time defending state champions are looking to be at their best come March and the play of the talented senior is one reason for optimism. Adams is averaging close to 21 points a contest and game in game out he has spearheaded the Brown Deer attack. He’s a near double each time he hits the floor and his play has been stellar at times this season.
GEORGE DIXON – 2017 – F – MILWAUKEE RIVERSIDE
Dixon has been a powerful double double machine game in and game out. The undersized forward is tough, physical, instinctive, and he continues to bring quality effort and solid consistent production to the hardwood week in and week out. Currently averaging close to 13 points a game and close to 13 rebounds a contest, Dixon is a critical factor in the Milwaukee Riverside attack and his play will be key to their success in March.
BRANDON HAU – 2017 – G/F – MUKWONAGO
The talented junior continues to show flashes of his upside and potential. Averaging close to 16 points a contest Hau has continued to emerge as a threat for Mukwonago all season and his play is critical to their success. Equipped with size, length, instinct, and developing skill, Hau can score in a variety of ways and that has been evident once again so far this season.
SAM HAUSER – 2016 – SG – STEVENS POINT
The Stevens Point attack can hit you in a variety of ways but the balance and consistency of Hauser is critical in that he’s filled the box score and contributed across the board freeing things up for others to do their thing. Averaging over 18 points a game, grabbing close to 10 rebounds a contest, and kicking out almost 4 assists per game, Hauser has been solid and dominant throughout the year.
KEVION TAYLOR – 2017 – SF – WHITNALL
An athletic and talented wing, Taylor has been a solid sleeper in the state and he continues to take steps forward each season. While sophomore Tyler Herro generates most of the headlines, Taylor is averaging close to 18 points a game and grabbing 6 rebounds a contest and he’s been solid and at times dominant for Whitnall while delivering a quality junior campaign so far.
GAME OF THE WEEK
RIPON AT MILWAUKEE RIVERSIDE-SATURDAY AT BROWN DEER HIGH SCHOOL
The Milwaukee City Conference leaders head into this Saturday’s NY2LA Sports Saturday Night Showdown against Ripon powered by a talented and deep team that boasts juniors Terrence Lewis and George Dixon as well as sophomore standout Carlos Curtis. Lewis and Dixon won’t be the only top in-state juniors on the court as fellow junior Bennett Vander Plas of Ripon is having a monster junior campaign and he powers their attack. Ripon started the season off at 6-0 after December and early January struggles they look like they should return to early season form with the return of junior guard Luke Loewe, another Division 1 caliber talent. Don’t sleep on Eddie Muench either as the talented junior is averaging close the 13 points a contest. This should be an excellent matchup of two teams with lots of talent and aspirations to make deep runs come March in their respective divisions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
NY2LA SPORTS SATURDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN – JANUARY 30, 2016
The inaugural high school platform will tip off at Brown Deer High School at 6:00 p.m. on January 30th with defending Division 3 state champion Brown Deer playing host defending Division 2 state champion Wisconsin Lutheran. Milwaukee Riverside will then take on Ripon in a battle of some of the top teams and juniors in the state in Terrence Lewis, George Dixon, and Bennett Vander Plas. For more information on this year’s Saturday Night Showdown CLICK HERE
HOLIDAY HOOPFEST – FEBRUARY 6-7, 2016
The annual middle school platform returns for boys 3rd-8th grade teams February 6-7th at Brown Deer High School in Brown Deer, Wisconsin. The tournament already has commitments from teams from Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin and it will feature a 3 game guarantee with 1st and 2nd place teams receiving individual trophies/medals and a customized t-shirt. For more information on the 2016 Holiday Hoopfest CLICK HERE