Classic Eight Conference Preview
Looking ahead to the 2018-19 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Classic Eight Conference.
PROJECTED STANDINGS
1. Waukesha West
2. Arrowhead
3. Kettle Moraine
4. Catholic Memorial
5. Muskego
6. Waukesha North
7. Oconomowoc
8. Mukwonago
9. Waukesha South
FAVORITE
Not only does Waukesha West have the most coming back, but their players collectively have had great individual off-seasons. The Wolverines have four players they can turn to offensively in Cameron Palesse, Chris Bready, David Skogman, and Rocky Martinez. No team in the conference has this kind of star power and depth in their starting lineup.
DARK HORSE
Both Arrowhead and Kettle Moraine are in precarious situations, but have the good fortune of returning their top player. The two teams, who split the regular season title last season, each lose key role players that may be tough to replace.
Kettle Moraine features senior guard Nate Jenkins, who averaged 15.3 ppg in 2017-18. However, the Lasers lost Nick Sloan (12.0 ppg) and Michael Payant (11.3 ppg) — two double figure scorers.
For Arrowhead, junior forward Carter Gilmore looks to build on a promising 2017-18 campaign in which he averaged 15.4 ppg. He’ll have to carry things without Aleck Sharma (10.7 ppg) and Jared Matheny (9.9 ppg).
SURPRISE TEAM
It’s a little hard to understand why Catholic Memorial only won five games last year. They had one of the conference’s best players in Rich Byre, who averaged 17 points and eight rebounds per game. Youth may have been part of it, but the Crusaders enter 2018-19 with a loaded front court. Byre along with junior Cole Dakovich and sophomore J.C. Latham will force opponents to play from the outside. Catholic Memorial should absolutely dominate the interior this season.
PROJECTED FIRST-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
G A.J. Makinen – Muskego
G Nate Jenkins – Kettle Moraine
G Chimere Dike – Waukesha North
G Chris Bready – Waukesha West
G Cameron Palesse – Waukesha West
F Carter Gilmore – Arrowhead
F Rich Byhre – Catholic Memorial
F David Skogman – Waukesha West
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
David Skogman was a first-team all-conference selection last season after averaging 11.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game as a junior. He’s gotten even better going into his senior year. Skogman has picked up high major offers, able to score on the block and from 3-point range. A bouncy, 6-foot-10 forward that’s very intriguing as a prospect, Skogman is starting to tap into his high ceiling.
BREAKOUT PLAYER
We’re going to stick with Waukesha West and go with Chris Bready. The senior guard was an honorable mention pick last year. Bready has made big gains over the summer and is now one of the best kept secrets in the state of Wisconsin. A combo guard with good size and explosive athletic ability, Bready can flourish as a mid-range shooter and an above the rim presence.
SURPRISE PLAYER
Waukesha South didn’t win a game in the Classic Eight Conference last season. Don’t worry, help is on the way. Freshman Marshawan Robinson enters the fold and will likely be their feature player in 2018-19. An athletic guard who can shoot the rock, Robinson has a lot of promise and is ready for varsity ball.