FOCUS ON BOYS BASKETBALL
NOTABLE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jonathan Ciriacks, East
Troy. The 6-foot-5 senior guard/forward has stepped up his play in a major way this season, going from 8.7 points per game as a junior to 23.7 through six games this season. His most productive has been a 39-point effort that featured 4 threepointers in an 80-73 victory over Clinton that improved the defending Rock Valley North’s champion’s record to 3-1 in the league and 3-3 overall. The performance was his third straight 25-point game TEAM OF THE WEEK: Milwaukee Hamilton. For
the second straight year, the Wildcats handled themselves well on a trip to California by repeating as champion of the Mel Good Holiday Classic in Yuba City. The three victories improved the team to 6-2 in its final game of the calendar year. Junior guard Keontae White and senior forward Equan Ards earned all-tournament honors for the Wildcats. White, who averaged 18.3 points, five assists and 3.7 rebounds in the three games, was named the tournament’s most valuable player. The 6-5 Ards averaged 20.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and four steals. Sophomore guard Marquis Barry also had a productive trip, averaging 16.7 points and 2.7 steals.
MILESTONE REACHED: Young Coggs Prep coach Tim Richert scored his 100th victory in a 78-57 win Wednesday over Milwaukee Career Tech. Add the team’s victory over Milwaukee North on Friday and his record in six-plus seasons is 101-53 (.656). He went 20-4 in one season at St. John’s Northwestern, 4-19 in one season at Independence and is 77-30 (.720) in four-plus seasons at Young Coggs.
1,000-POINT CLUB: Beaver Dam senior guard Garrett Nelson scored his 1,000th point with a 19-point showing Thursday in a 68-30 victory over West Bend West. The performance leaves Nelson with 1,004 points, fifth on the school’s all-time scoring list, and on track to become the school’s all-time leader. He trails 2006 graduate Matt Hein, who had 1,269 points, Ryan Benish (1994 graduate) 1,120, Jake Heuer (2012) 1,078 and Tal Diekvoss (2010) 1,016.
CLOSE CALLS: Cedarburg has emerged as the favorite in the North Shore. After the Bulldogs, however, there is plenty of balance as evidenced by the number of close games through the first weeks of league play. Take away Cedarburg’s three blowout victories and seven of the nine other conference contests have been decided by single digits.
NEW ROLE: Of all the unsigned prospects in the area, Brookfield Academy senior Alex Setzer might be the most intriguing. The 6-foot-10 center, who played in the shadow of all-state — and now graduated — teammates Ryan Clarey and Joe Lemon, is averaging 17.8 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.3 blocks per game for the 3-1 Knights. “If he gets into the right college program, he really can be an impact,” Brookfield Academy coach Pat Clarey said. “He can be an impact in the WIAC for sure, but I think he’s a scholarship kid. It’s just a matter of finding that right fit.” Clarey said interest in Setzer has run from Division I schools to NAIA programs. They’re all taking a wait-and-see approach on the big man. What he has shown so far is the ability to take on an added offensive responsibility that has come with being a four-year varsity performer and one of the few seniors on the team. As he continues to protect the rim and clean the glass, the offense has gone through him whether he’s working in the post or at the top of the key. “That’s kind of the neat thing that makes us go,” Clarey said.
COMINGPius XI at UP New Berlin Eisenhower, 7:15 p.m. Tuesday: This is the start of a big week for Eisenhower, which plays at Woodland West leader Pewaukee on Thursday.
Whitnall at Brown Deer, 7:15 p.m. Tuesday:
Whitnall, which has won five straight games since a season-opening loss to Destiny, visits the fourtime defending champion of the Woodland East. Milwaukee Vincent at Wauwatosa West, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday: South Dakota State recruit Alou Dillon and Tosa West have the potential to test the area’s top-ranked team.
Racine Park at Racine Case, 7 p.m. Thursday:
You can always expect a good battle when these Southeast Conference rivals hit the floor.
Cedarburg vs. Wisconsin Lutheran at Wisconsin Lutheran College, 8 p.m. Friday: This matchup of area-ranked teams is the second of two contests at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Milwaukee Lutheran and Kettle Moraine Lutheran open the evening with a 6:30 game.