The annual NY2LA Sports Classic hit the hardwood at Brookfield Central High School in Wisconsin this past Saturday and many of the premiere teams in the state of Wisconsin for their various divisions were on hand. A standing room only crowd took in some excellent action and excellent performances. Here’s a quick look at the top 10 performances from Saturday…
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SEE ALSO
2018 NY2LA SPORTS CLASSIC RECAP
TOP PERFORMERS
Note – Listed in alphabetical order
PATRICK BALDWIN JR. – 2021 – G/F – SUSSEX HAMILTON
The top sophomore in the country did not disappoint. After taking a shot to the eye on Friday in a win over Wauwatosa West, Baldwin was able to take the court Saturday and despite some remaining difficulty he turned in a strong 21 point 16 rebound 4 assists effort with Nicolet having Johnson and Sibley take turns guarding him. His defense at times was also impressive in the first half with his ability to get into position to contest shots and take charges. He’s special, he checks all the boxes, and he’s just getting started. That was all very evident on Saturday as he brought electricity to the gym with a quality performance.
DECLAN CIURLIK – 2020 – HOMESTEAD
A nuts and bolts blue collar talent who’s skilled, efficient, and dominant most nights. Ciurlik was much the same on Saturday as he finished with 16 points 7 rebounds and 3 assists on 5-8 shooting and did most of his work in a critical part of the game that helped Homestead secure the win. He quietly goes about his business but whether its loose balls, rebounding, finishing around the basket, or facing up and scoring from beyond the arc, Ciurlik does it easily and fills the box score in the process. He and his teammates were excellent on Saturday.
JONATHAN DAVIS – 2020 – SG – LA CROSSE CENTRAL
A talented athlete who has versatility to go along with his skill set, Davis finished with a strong 19 points and 10 rebounds while also blocking 2 shots. He showed a smooth stroke with range that extended beyond the arc and his slashing ability combined with his bounce, instincts, and finishing ability was on display as well in impressive fashion at times. A talented prospect with Division 1 offers already in hand, Davis showed why on Saturday with some solid flashes of his ability and potential.
JALEN JOHNSON – 2020 – G/F – NICOLET
The top 2020 prospect in the state of Wisconsin and arguably the best 2020 prospect in the country was electricity personified on Saturday. Equipped with an improved perimeter stroke the multi-dimensional standout delivered a triple double to the tune of 30 points 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Early it was scoring from the perimeter and as the game wore on the rebounding and playmaking took over on his way to impressing the capacity crowd that was in attendance. A 5-8 effort from beyond the arc gave notice that he can do whatever he wants from wherever he wants on the court…whenever he wants. He was special on the biggest stage of this early season.
DAVID JOPLIN – 2021 – F – BROOKFIELD CENTRAL
The talented sophomore stepped up Saturday with a strong 16 point 5 rebound 3 assists 3 block effort to help the Lancers roll past La Crosse Central. He ran the floor well, finished around the basket in transition, and found ways to creatively score as well. His activity and energy were big pluses throughout the night and his overall effort created another problem for the opposing team that had to be accounted for and it brought much needed balance and versatility to the Lancers attack. Brookfield Central played their best game of the season to date Saturday and Joplin’s effort was a big reason why.
GAGE MALENSEK – 2019 – G – BROOKFIELD CENTRAL
When Malensek plays like he did Saturday he’s a different level of talent and Brookfield Central is a different team. He was exceptional from start to finish to the tune of 16 points 9 assists 7 rebounds and 2 steals. What was key for him was the assists as it allowed balance to exist for Central (i.e. four players in double figures). The end result is that he was able to be more efficient as well going 6-12 from the field and only having 2 turnovers. His performance along with Nau’s first half exploits and the energy of others like Joplin and senior guard Cole Nau really was impressive to watch. Gage was excellent on Saturday in front of the capacity crowd.
BEN NAU – 2021 – PG – BROOKFIELD CENTRAL
The energy picked up big time in the opening half of the Brookfield Central and La Crosse Central matchup and a big reason why was the stellar outside shooting of Nau. He ripped the nets on his first six three point attempts on his way to a 23 points 2 assist effort. His overall energy on the floor and with the crowd really lit the match for Brookfield Central and they took off as a team in the second half. An excellent performance for the young sophomore on Saturday.
TANNER RESCH – 2021 – G – SUSSEX HAMILTON
A key part of Sussex Hamilton’s strong first half was this talented sophomore’s efforts. Resch checked in as the Chargers were struggling to find a compliment to Baldwin early and Resch proceeded to rip the nets from everywhere on the court. A spot up shooting marksman, Resch finished with 18 points and 3 rebounds while going 7-13 from the field including 4 of 7 from long range. Easily his best performance of the young season.
JAMARI SIBLEY – 2020 – F – NICOLET
The versatility and multi-dimensional impact Sibley has on a game was on full display Saturday night. The biggest compliment you can give to a player at times is that they can be dominant without scoring. Sibley has that type of impact on occasions and his defensive effort and energy in the second half was big part of the Nicolet comeback and eventual win. His activity, movement, positioning, length, and athleticism made everything difficult for Hamilton in the second half and it was a critical piece in the Knights win. Offensively Sibley delivered a solid 12 point 4 rebound 5 assists performance where he showed his mid-range jumper and his ability to finish athletically and creatively around the basket. A high major prospect who’s added offers from Virginia Tech and Syracuse this month, Sibley was the perfect complement to Johnson on Saturday and that 1-2 punch proved to be too much to overcome for Hamilton. A strong all around floor effort from Sibley who continues to trend towards consensus top 50-75 national status with each passing month.
RYAN WADDELL – 2019 – G – HOMESTEAD
One of the hardest working better kept secrets in the state, Waddell delivered yet another big performance on a big stage and he helped the Highlanders remain undefeated on Saturday. He finished with 28 points 7 rebounds and 2 assists while making 11 of 20 shots from the field and ripping the nets with big buckets whenever Brown Deer made a run. An instinctive talent with skill and feel, Waddell is a legit high Division 2 impact talent that can play. Any school at that level looking for a marksmen that can bring it night in and night out and work his tail off day in and day needs to be sitting courtside at Homestead games for the rest of the season…Big Facts.
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