The annual NY2LA Sports Classic hit the hardwood in Wisconsin this past weekend as another strong group of high school teams took to the courts at another showcase type setting. Here’s a quick look at the top 10 performances of the day…
Note – Listed in alphabetical order
Travis Bentley – 2020 – G – Pewaukee
Stat Line 23 points 8-13 FGA 4 rebounds 4 assists 3 steals
An active guard with the ability to fill the box score and make things happen with and without the basketball. Bentley set the tone in Pewaukee’s opening game win with a high quality game MVP performance that was bolstered by some solid efforts from his teammates.
Leon Bond III – 2022 – F – Wauwatosa East
Stat Line 25 points 9-11 FGA 6 rebounds
Junior standout John Lovelace Jr. went down early with an injury and sophomore Leon Bond did everything he could to keep Tosa East in the contest before falling short. Bond showed an improved skill set, nice athleticism, and he brought some nice activity and energy to the court.
Steven Clay – 2022 – G/F – Menomonee Falls
Stat Line 19 points 8-17 FGA 10 rebounds 6 blocks
A dominant performance on both ends by the talented sophomore. Clay was efficient with his decisions, he scored at multiple levels, he was active on the glass, and he was disruptive on the defensive end. The trio of Trimble, Davis, and Clay was outstanding on Saturday and Clay led the charge with a high quality performance to capture game MVP honors.
Declan Ciurlik – 2020 – G/F – Homestead
Stat Line 27 points 10-21 FGA 7 rebounds 3 steals 2 assists
The talented senior just keeps on producing and Saturday was much of the same as Declan did a lit bit of everything on his way to capturing game MVP honors and helping lead his team to a quality win.
Nate Forystek – 2022 – F/C – Bay Port
Stat Line 21 points 6-7 FGA 8 rebounds
He shared Game MVP honors with his teammate Logan Geissler (see below) but Forystek could’ve easily had it himself. He was active on both ends, he scored with efficiency and dominance, and he made his presence felt from start to finish. His interior play was the difference in the game.
Logan Geissler – 2020 – G – Bay Port
Stat Line 16 points 7-9 FGA 7 rebounds 4 steals 4 assists
A very talented senior who can do everything on both ends, Geissler was outstanding at times during the game. He scored from each level and did so with efficiency all the while locking up defensively and being active while filling the box score. He’s a very talented player that really made his presence felt with a Co-MVP performance in a victory.
Carter Gilmore – 2020 – F – Arrowhead
Stat Line 29 points 12-29 FGA 3-8 3pt 10 rebounds 2 assists
Gilmore jumped out with a strong first half performance before tiring but that didn’t keep him from delivering a quality double double effort despite being double and at times triple teamed when he drove to the basket. Central threw multiple guys at Gilmore throughout the day and when he drove they were there with double teams from either side of the court. A solid day’s work in a losing effort.
David Joplin – 2021 – F – Brookfield East
Stat Line 26 points 9-16 FGA 8 rebounds 4 blocks 3 assists
Joplin was very good offensively but he was outstanding at times defensively, especially in the second half. Offensively he finished from each level, was active on the glass, he contested shots, and he simply filled the box score. He delivered a game MVP performance in the victory.
Brandin Podziemski – 2021 – SG – St. Johns NW Military Academy
Stat Line 31 points 9-23 FGA 6-12 3pt 12 rebounds 3 assists
The talented junior showed excellent range and nice activity in attacking the glass while scoring at a high clip in a losing effort. He rip the next for six trey balls and showed an ability to score at each level. A solid overall performance despite the loss.
Michael Poker – 2020 – G – Brookfield East
Stat Line 30 points 10-15 FGA 7-11 3pt 4 rebounds
The talented senior was excellent in the nightcap capturing game MVP honors and setting the tone from start to finish. He scored from each level but he blistered the nets from beyond the arc and did so in highly efficient fashion. An excellent performance by Poker on Saturday.