The boys high school season in Wisconsin tipped off last week with a number of holiday weekend matchups and a few schools and prospects set the tone right out of the box that they’re ready to roll this season. Here’s a quick look around the state at some of the highlights from this past weekend in today’s news and notes from the Badger state…
TEAMS TO WATCH
Arrowhead
The Warhawks tipped off their season with a convincing win and Wisconsin bound senior forward Carter Gilmore was a big reason why as he delivered a dominant and impressive performance in the victory. Gilmore’s versatility and ability to fill the box score will be a big part of the Arrowhead attack this season. They passed a solid opening game test with positive results this past weekend.
Brown Deer
New coach Jose Winston takes the helm for the Falcons this season and he’s already setting the tone and culture inside the program from top to bottom. Equipped with some solid returnees in Mark Wade and Jeremiah Dotson, the Falcons also added sophomore guard Armani Jones to the mix along with a strong cast of role players for Brown Deer. Jones and Wade set the tone offensively in the opening game as Brown Deer won in impressive fashion. They will be a team to watch closely at the Division 3 level if they really come together moving forward.
Nicolet
The Knights absent last year’s catalysts in Jalen Johnson (IMG) and Jamari Sibley (Oak Hill) opened up the season at the Fresh Coast Classic with a matchup against Milwaukee Academy of Science who boasts a lineup that includes Darrius Hannah (Bradley) and Kaleim Taylor (UW-Milwaukee) amongst others. Paced by juniors Kobe Johnson and James Graham III the Knights took control in the second half and captured the win. Both Graham and Johnson were impressive in spurts and it was an impressive win to start the season for the defending Division 2 state champions from Nicolet.
East Troy
A team no one is really talking about to start the season but should be, East Troy is always in the mix in one way or another and two sport standout AJ Vukovich who’s headed to Louisville for baseball jumped out with a strong performance for East Troy in a convincing win to start the season. They’ll be in the mix at the Division 2 level this season and Vukovich will be a big reason why.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH
Shilo Bowles – 2020 – 6-7 – F – West Allis Central
A late blooming talent that’s still on the board, Bowles paced Central to victory this past weekend with a solid 17 point effort. He has size, length, solid athleticism, and toughness, and he’s arguably the top 2020 prospect still on the board in the state of Wisconsin. Expect him to have a big season.
Gerald Gittens – 2020 – 6-0 – PG – St. Johns NW Military Academy
Equipped with a chip on his shoulder and fresh off a stellar summer collection of efforts, Gittens is one of the better kept secrets in the state and he’s primed for a big senior campaign. As guards go Gittens can go with any of them in the state pound for pound and his ability to score, create, and defend makes him an impact player night in and night out. Expect a big year from Gittens.
Danilo Jovanovich – 2022 – 6-6 – G/F – Whitnall
One of the fast rising sophomores in the state, Jovanovich captured MVP honors at the annual NY2LA Sports Futures Camp this past October and he just continues to grow as a player. He’s taller, longer, stronger, and he’s already setting the tone this season with a solid 21 point effort in an opening game win. Jovanovich can score at each level and his instincts combined with his size and feel make him a legitimate Division 1 prospect that’s starting to take flight in the state.
Logan Landers – 2021 – 6-9 – PF – Brookfield Academy
A two sport standout (i.e. baseball), Landers hasn’t been in the front of conversations in the 2021 class too often the past couple of years mainly because he was on the diamond. Expect that to change and change substantially moving forward as he’s one of the top bigs in the state in the 2021 class and he’s a legitimate mid to high major Division 1 prospect on the hardwood as well at this stage and he’s trending upward fast. Equipped with size, athleticism, instincts, toughness, and skill, Landers is a matchup problem for opposing teams when utilized properly. This past weekend he posted a 32 point 15 rebound performance against Milwaukee King where he checked multiple boxes in impressive fashion.
JT Seagreaves – 2022 – 6-5 – F – Monroe
A talented and athletic sophomore forward with strength, skill, feel, and an ability to fill the box score, JT is one to watch closely in the Class of 2022. He will be a role player for Monroe this season but expect him to deliver some quality efforts in the process. He has the ability to score at multiple levels and clean the class and that was evident this past weekend as he did much of the same in helping them to victory over the weekend. A 2022 to watch moving forward.
RECRUITING UPDATES
2022 PG Seth Trimble of Menomonee Falls picked up an offer from Head Coach Pat Baldwin and UW-Milwaukee this past weekend. Trimble is one of the top 2022 prospects in the state.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The NY2LA Sports Classic will tip December 14, 2019 at Brookfield Central High School in Brookfield, Wisconsin. One of the premiere events in the state annually, this year’s platform is loaded again with high caliber programs and prospects with the following schools set to compete: Brookfield Central, Brookfield East, Arrowhead, Franklin, St. Johns NW Military Academy, Bay Port, Wauwatosa East, Homestead, Brown Deer, Menomonee Falls, Appleton North, Pewaukee. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION