JOURNAL SENTINEL ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM
In the past few months Southeast Wisconsin has done nothing but enhance its reputation as the state's hotbed of boys high school basketball.
Back in November, 11 seniors signed national letters of intent with Division I programs.
Earlier this month three teams – Wauwatosa East (Division 1), Pewaukee (Division 2) and Racine St. Catherine's (Division 3) won state championships. Another, The Prairie School, lost the Division 4 final on a last-second shot.
On the Associated Press all-state team, 11 of the state's top 20 players are area products and 18 Milwaukee-area players earned first-team all-state status from the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association all-state teams..
It means that the Journal Sentinel's all-area team is stacked.
Here is the list.
We'll announce the nominees for area player of the year next month. The winner will be revealed at the Milwaukee High School Sports Awards, a virtual event that will be broadcast July 8.
First team
Hayden Doyle, 6-2, sr., G, Brookfield East: The Spartans were young and inexperienced but remained a top team in the Greater Metro thanks to Doyle, who led the team in scoring (26.5 ppg), rebounding (7.4 rpg) and assists (4.1 apg). . “He was that all-around team guy,” Marquette coach Casey Kowalewski said. “What stood out is how he talked to his teammates. He was a coach on the court for that team.” David Joplin, 6-7, sr. F, Brookfield Central: The Greater Metro Conference player averaged 25.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists. His combination of size and skill – he shot 37% from three-point range – made him a complete package at the high school level. “University of Texas recruit that really improved his ability to score the ball this season,” Brookfield East coach Joe Rux wrote. “Was a difficult match-up due to his ability to shoot the three, play off the bounce, and drop in the post.” Tyrese Hunter, 6-1, sr., G, Racine St. Catherine's: The Metro Classic player of the year wasn't the same after returning from an ankle injury late in the season, but he still led the Angels to the Division 3 championship. When he was 100% he was dynamic on both ends of the floor. The Iowa State recruit averaged 18.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists. “He made guys better,” Catholic Memorial coach Jeremy McGlothlin said. “So poised, so under control. He never forced the issue.” Cam Palesse, 6-5, sr., G, Waukesha West: The Valparaiso recruit led the Wolverines to a Classic 8 championship and earned conference player of the year distinction. He averaged 30.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists. "With his improved three-point shooting, he was a threat to score beyond the arc, in the mid-range and at the basket. His determination to win was incredible,” Arrowhead coach Craig Haase said. “He just always found a way.” Brandin Podziemski, 6-6, sr., G, St. John's Northwestern Academies: The Lancers standout averaged 35.1 points on 21.6 shots, shooting 60.4% overall and 43.4% from three-point range and was named the state player of the year by the Associated Press. "All these stats and all these accolades, they say come when you focus on the team,” Lancers coach DJ Mlachnik said. “His mindset was to get his teammates to regard him better and winning.”
Coach of the year
Tim Arndorfer, Wauwatosa East: The Red Raiders (23-3) didn't really have any star players, but they won the Greater Metro Conference by three games and captured their first state championship since 2008. It was Arndorfer, who molded the team into a unselfish group of players who regularly fed the ball to the hot hand or right matchup.
Second team
Jayden Jackson, 6-3, sr., G, Whitefish Bay: The Northern Arizona recruit averaged 19 points, five rebounds and three assists for the Blue Dukes. “What he had around him and what he brought to the table as far as his selflessness is what stood out,” Port Washington coach Brian Hebein said. “He could have averaged 30, but (coach) John (Riccardi) challenged him to distribute the ball more .” Kobe Johnson, 6-5, sr., G, Nicolet: Johnson carried a heavy load for the Knights (14-10). The USC recruit averaged 26.7 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists, accounting for 43% of the team's points and setting a single-season school record with 640 points. “Another dominant year for him with less talent surrounding him than years past,” Homestead coach Sean Crider wrote. “Could take over when he wanted to.” Kamari McGee, 6-0, sr., G, Racine St. Catherine's: The UW-Green Bay recruit's last game may have been his best. With the Angels ahead by just five points at the half, McGee scored 22 of his 26 points in the second half to lead the team to 68-49 win over Lake Country Lutheran in the Division 3 championship game. He averaged 16.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.6 steals. “Best two-way guard I've seen,” St. Catherine's coach Nick Bennett wrote. “Defends at a high level. Tough as they come.” Donald McHenry, 6-1, sr., G, Milwaukee Academy of Science: The Novas standout averaged a state-best 38.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 4.3 steals. He shot 60.3% overall and 44.9% from three-point range. “The kid was smooth. That was the one word to describe him,” McGlothlin said. “Great range. He can go (left or right).” Seth Trimble, 6-2, jr., G, Menomonee Falls: No area player's stock rose more than Trimble's this season. He averaged 23.3 points, six rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, shooting 55% overall and 35% (33 of 94) from three-point range. He has racked up numerous high-major scholarship offers, including one from Wisconsin. “I don't remember a point guard coming out (of the area) that was as athletically dynamic as Seth Trimble,” Wisconsin Lutheran coach Ryan Walz said. “He was an attack-the-rim kid and now he's figured out pace of play and spreading the defense by hitting three-point shots and that has changed his game.”
Third team
Luke Haertle, 6-4, jr., G, Lake Country Lutheran: Is there anything Haertle, who doubles as an all-state QB in the fall, can't do? He averaged 25.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists and led the Lightning to the Division 3 final.“His shot making ability and his poise with the ball in his hands (stood out),” Martin Luther coach Paul Wollersheim said. “He reminds me of Luka (Doncic), super skilled offensively.” Milan Momcilovic, 6-8, soph., G/F, Pewaukee: The Woodland West player of the year averaged 16.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists to lead the Pirates to the Division 2 state championship. Attacking in the paint and on the perimeter, he shot 58.5% overall, 50% from threepoint range. “His efficiency is what stands out,” Walz said. “His ability to step out at 6-8 and impact the game was impressive.” Ben Parzych, 6-2, sr., G, Wauwatosa East: The Northern Michigan recruit led Tosa East in scoring (14.1 ppg) and assists (4.9 apg) while ranking first in assists (5.0). He was often the sparkplug, providing the team whatever it needed in the moment. “He was a Brookfield Central killer for years,” Central coach Dan Wandrey said. “Brian always played against us. He just made winning plays at every turn.” Tanner Resch, 6-2, sr., G, Sussex Hamilton: The Chargers remained competitive after losing McDonald's All-American Patrick Baldwin (ankle) in the second game thanks to Resch. He averaged 27.3 points, five rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 44%. “I give him credit,” Haase said. “You lose the best player in the country and for them to get the wins they got was a credit to his toughness.” Mac Wrecke, 6-4, soph., G, Arrowhead: The ball was put in Wrecke's hands and he turned the opportunity into averages of 24.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Strong in build and with the ball, he drew so many fouls that he averaged nine free throws per game, hitting 76%. "He was amazing all season long including taking over during the tournament run for Arrowhead," Oconomowoc coach Jay Benish wrote.
Fourth team
Drew Biber, 6-5, sr., G, Cedarburg: The Purdue football recruit averaged team-highs In scoring (20.4 ppg) and rebounding (8.0 rpg) for the North Shore champion. “I think one day his name will be called in the NFL Draft," Crider wrote. "He is that good of an athlete and plays with that type of edge.” Logan Landers, 6-10, sr., F, Cedarburg: The Kansas state recruit ranked second on the team in scoring (19.3 ppg) and rebounding (7.2 rpg) and first in assists (4.2 apg). Passing was a strength. “A lot of bigs when they get double teamed at the high school level are maybe not the best passers. He had no problem finding the open man," Hebein said. Ben Nau, sr., G, Brookfield Central: The St. Thomas (Minn.) recruit averaged 16.3 points, 5.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds. “Brian was the heartbeat of our team,” Wandrey said. “He was always doing the things needed to be successful.” Antuan Nesbitt, 6-4, sr., G, The Prairie School: The Northern Michigan recruit led the Division 4 state runner-up in scoring (19.3 ppg), rebounding (7.1) and assists (4.8). “He's kind of like the kid at Lake Country Lutheran and at Bay in that the rest of the team looked to him,” Wollersheim said. “His confidence rubbed off on them.” Jasin Sinani, 6-4, sr., G, Oak Creek: The UW-Milwaukee recruit averaged 20.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and four assists. “One of the hardest players to scout for, can score at all three levels of the floor with his size, quickness and shooting ability,” Mlachnik wrote.
Honorable mention
Andrew Alia, jr., Kenosha St. Joseph; Luke Bara, sr., Muskego; Jameer Barker, sr., Racine St. Catherine's; Nacir Beamon, fr., Martin Luther; Joey Berezowitz, sr., Burlington; Quentin Bolton, sr., Shoreland Lutheran; Leon Bond, jr., Wauwatosa East; Jeremiah Burke, sr., St. Francis; Carter Capstran, sr., Franklin; Steven Clay, jr., Menomonee Falls; Tyran Cook, soph., Waukesha South; Josh Crubaugh, sr., New Berlin Eisenhower; Jacob Dunham, soph., South Milwaukee; Jake Fisher, jr., Oconomowoc; Colin Hardrick, jr., Wauwatosa West; Brock Heffner, sr., Grafton; Jay Hinson Jr., sr., Wauwatosa East; Noah Howard, jr., Lake Country Lutheran; Sam Hytinen, sr., Arrowhead; Ashton Janowski, jr., Pewaukee; Amari Jenkins, jr., Racine Case; Trey Jenkins, sr., Kenosha Bradford; Jordan Johnson, sr., Elkhorn; ArmaniJones, jr., Brown Deer; Danilo Jovanovich, jr., Whitnall; Ronald Kirk, sr., Dominican; Logan Kowalski, sr., Kettle Moraine; Marcus Mbow, sr., Wauwatosa East; Noah Miller, sr., Ozaukee; Ryan Nixon, sr., East Troy; Jonah Rindfleisch, sr., Wisconsin Lutheran; Jack Rose, jr., Westosha Central; Kevin Sandman, sr., Wilmot; Charles Alexander Singleton, sr., Wauwatosa East; Aaron Tennies, sr., West Bend West; Josh Terrian, jr., Pewaukee; TommyTilley, sr., Whitnall; Brennan Timm, sr., St. John's Northwestern; Najashi Tolefree, jr., West Allis Central; Tre Valeriano, sr., Pius XI; Jackson Vinopal, sr., Kettle Moraine; Mark Wade, sr., Brown Deer; Austin Wagner, jr., Kettle Moraine Lutheran; PrenticeYoung, soph., Wisconsin Lutheran.