AREA RANKINGS
The Knights reached the sectional final last year. With an experienced squad and Jalen Johnson on board, they’re the favorite to win it all this year.
1. NICOLET (16-10 last season):
2. MILWAUKEE WASHINGTON (24-4):
With the return of Deontay Long and Michael Foster, the defending City champ also has what it takes to bring home a state championship.
3. BROOKFIELD CENTRAL (19-5):
The Greater Metro title belongs to the Lancers until someone takes it from them. Easier said than done with seniors Cole Nau and Gage Malensek still running the show.
4. SUSSEX HAMILTON (17-10):
Patrick Baldwin Jr. is the star, but the Chargers return players who combined to average more than 50 points per game last season.
5. RACINE PARK (21-5):
Led by Tulane recruit Nobal Days, the Panthers have the pieces to win the Southeast Conference title for the second time in four seasons and qualify for state for the first time since 1998.
6. BROOKFIELD EAST (19-5):
After leaning on the post presence of departed senior Patrick Cartier last season, the Spartans have three all-conference players back and will be guard-orientated.
7. WAUKESHA WEST (16-8):
With four of their top five scorers back, including Division I prospect David Skogman, the Wolverines appear ready to challenge for the Classic 8 title after taking fourth last season.
8. MILWAUKEE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE (15-9):
The Novas will play in Division 4 come tournament time, but when it comes to talent they can match up with anyone. Junior guard Kaleim Taylor is one of a handful of scholarship prospects on the roster.
9. MARTIN LUTHER (21-4):
The Spartans still managed a 20-win season despite not having floor general Trequan Carrington available for 10 games due to an injury. With Carrington as well as fellow seniors Ace Evans and Xzavier Jones back, Martin Luther looks ready to regain the Metro Classic title and make a deep run in the tournament.
The Falcons represented the Southern Lakes well last year by reaching the state tournament and playing well against eventual champion Kaukauna in the Division 2 semifinals. Expect more of the same from the unit, which has back three of its top five scorers.
10. WESTOSHA CENTRAL (22-5):
The emerging talents of junior Alex Antetokounmpo will be on display for Dominican this season.
West are among the serious contenders.
No, we don’t see Milwaukee Washington falling off its throne in the City Conference. What will be interesting is how the league shakes out after the Purgolders. King appears back on track after what were a couple of down seasons, by its standards. Madison looks ready to contend after a long drought in that regard. If you’re ready to see some new teams in the mix, this could be the season.
That is where Brown Deer’s streak of Woodland East titles stands. The Falcons' biggest competition this season figures to be Milwaukee Lutheran and Whitnall. Those teams, however, will have to deal with the Falcons' tempo and defensive pressure as well as the duo of seniors Jaylon Gentry and Brooklyn Jagers. The two combined for about 30 points per game last season and could do more damage as the the team tries to fill the void left by Jay Gentry (29.3 ppg).
This already has been a big year for Racine Lutheran coach Jeff Christensen. In September, he was inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association hall of fame. At some point this season, he’ll record his 500th victory. The veteran of 31 seasons enters the year with a 493-229 record.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
The youngest brother of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo began to hit his stride last season when he averaged 14.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He’ll have the opportunity to take another step when he presumably assumes the role of the Knights’ go-to player.
The last time we saw him on the prep scene, he scored 22 points and almost led the Chargers to victory over Oshkosh North in the Division 1 state semifinals. The nation’s topranked sophomore, he finished the season with averages of 16.3 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 48.3% overall and 36.2% from three-point range. QUINN CAFFERTY,, 6-6, sr., F, Racine St. Catherine’s: The four-year varsity performer takes care of the dirty work around the basket and is extremely efficient when it comes to his scoring opportunities. He averaged 14 points per game while shooting 59% and averaged 7.6 rebounds.
The three-year starter shot 42.3% from three-point range last season and led the Knights to the Midwest Classic title. He averaged 19.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game and could crack 1,500 points for his career this season. The Tulane recruit probably doesn’t get his due because he isn’t a scorer, but few have as well-rounded a game and few big men do a better job of finding teammates. He averaged 6.8 points plus 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 3.3 blocks last season.
The big man came a long way last season when he raised his average from six points as a sophomore to 16.6 and grabbed seven rebounds per game. His return is part of the reason the Bulldogs are considered the team to beat in the Woodland West.
Ranked No. 3 in the nation for the Class of 2021 behind Baldwin, Foster’s quickly evolving game helped the Purgolders reach the Division 2 state final. He averaged 19 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks and put up a double-double (23 points, 12 rebounds) in the state final.
The Knights are expected to contend in the City and much of the high expectations involve the return of Gaines, who went from a relative unknown to an all-City pick who averaged 24.3 points.
The Falcons need to replace the 29 points per game Gentry’s brother Jay provided last season, and Jaylon might just be the guy to help fill the gap. He averaged 16.2 points last season and has the potential for much more in the Falcons’ high-tempo offense.
Division I programs are already trying to land Gilmore. UW-Milwaukee, DePaul, Illinois-Chicago and Southern Illinois are among the schools that have extended scholarship offers. He led Arrowhead with 15.6 points per game and was one of the team’s leaders on the boards and in assists.
JALEN JOHNSON, 6-8, jr., F, Nicolet: The transfer from Sun Prairie is on the wish list of a number of top-level Division I programs. Ranked fourth in the 2020 class by ESPN, he averaged 18.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4 assists to help Sun Prairie advance to the Division 1 state semifinals last year.
XZAVIER JONES, 6-5, sr., G/F, Martin Luther: What makes him a Division I prospect is his elite athleticism and the versatility he can provide on defense. He averaged 9.7 points, 5 rebounds, 3.2 assist and 1.3 steals last season. DEONTAY LONG, 6-5, sr., G/F, Milwaukee Washington: The reigning City player of the year and all-state performer averaged 29 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. His scoring increased to 27.7 points per game in the playoffs and he finished with 24 points on 8for-16 shooting in the Division 2 final loss to Kaukauna.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD:
SIX AND COUNTING:
MR. 500:
PATRICK BALDWIN, 6-8, soph., F, Sussex Hamilton:
AIDAN CLAREY, 6-1, jr., G, Brookfield Academy:
NOBAL DAYS, 6-9, sr., F, Racine Park:
JACOB FIERST, 6-6, sr., F, West Allis Central:
MICHAEL FOSTER, 6-9, soph., F, Milwaukee Washington:
KYRAN GAINES, 6-6, sr., F, Milwaukee Madison:
JAYLON GENTRY, 5-8, sr., G, Brown Deer:
CARTER GILMORE, 6-7, jr., F, Arrowhead:
GAGE MALENSEK, 6-0, sr., G, Brookfield Central:
The Truman State (Division II) recruit became the school’s all-time assist leader last season and is on track to become its all-time leading scorer. He averaged 20.1 points and 4.3 assists last season and is as good in the clutch as anyone.
MARQUISE MILTON, 5-11, sr., G, Racine Horlick:
The Rebels standout is one of the most prolific scorers around. He averaged 23 points the past two seasons and is on track to reach 1,500 for his career.
COLE NAU, 6-2, sr., G, Brookfield Central:
The Hillsdale (Division II) recruit is a jack-of-all-trades, especially on defense, where he is able to guard just about anyone. He averaged 14 points, 5.2 rebounds and a team-high 4.3 assists for the Greater Metro champ.
JAMARI SIBLEY, 6-9, jr., F, Nicolet:
Sibley’s recruitment heated up during the off-season with a number of highmajor programs extending offers. At the high school level, he carried the load for Nicolet last season, leading the team in scoring (16.8) and rebounding (10.1) and ranking third in assists (1.5).
DAVID SKOGMAN, 6-10, sr., F, Waukesha West:
A big man with touch, he led the Wolverines with 35 three-pointers made last season. He is poised for a big senior year after averaging 12.8 points and about 7 rebounds to help the Wolverines take fourth in the Classic 8.
KALEIM TAYLOR, 6-2, jr, G, Milwaukee Academy of Science:
This could be the year of the Novas in Division 4, in part because of Taylor’s play at the point. He averaged 16.6 points and about 7 assists and 4 rebounds last season, helping MAS’ young team go 15-9.
JAEDEN ZACKERY, 6-1, sr., G, Westosha Central:
The all-Southern Lakes performer made a name for himself during the Falcons' state tournament run. He averaged 16.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists last season and will have a chance to test his mettle with nonconference games against Kettle Moraine, Waukesha West and Racine St. Catherine’s.
Mark Stewart