Friday’s Games to Watch
Friday’s games to watch in WIAA boy’s basketball action…
Seymour (13-4) at Xavier (13-4)
This game could very well decide the Bay Conference champion. Both 9-1 in league play, Seymour won the first meeting with a 76-73 victory at home. The Thunder are led by a pair of high scorers in Trent Blake (19.3 ppg) and Riley Murphy (18.3 ppg). Nick Otto (19.4 ppg) will look to keep Xavier’s streak of consecutive conference titles intact.
Milwaukee Riverside at Milwaukee Madison
With 5-1 conference records, both Madison and Riverside are tied for second place in the city standings. Despite going through a major roster turnover last season, the Tigers have managed to keep fighting thanks to a breakout season from James Burks (17.3 ppg). One of the top teams in all of Division 2, Madison looks for a big resume win behind senior forward Kyrain Gains (25.6 ppg).
Waukesha West (16-2) at Westosha Central (14-1)
Intriguing non-conference battle between two teams who could very well be playing in the state tournament. Featuring one of the best starting lineups in the state, the Wolverines have a balanced, high-octane attack with David Skogman (17.9 ppg), Cameron Palesse (16.3 ppg), Chris Bready (16.1 ppg), and Rocky Martinez (12.9 ppg). This will be a big test for one of the state’s biggest sleepers, senior guard Jaeden Zackery (21.9 ppg).
Bloomer at Northwestern (14-2)
Not only is a spot in the next Division 3 top 10 rankings on the line, but the winner of this game could decide the race in the Heart O’North Conference. At 10-0 in league play, Northwestern is led by Sam Risley (17.6 ppg). The Tigers won the first meeting 54-45 back on Jan. 3. At 9-1 in conference play, Bloomer will look to pull into a first-place tie.
Nicolet (16-1) at Homestead (14-3)
Will Nicolet get through the regular season unscathed by an in-state foe? Friday is perhaps the best chance that the Knights have at falling. The first game between these two teams was rather competitive through 20 minutes until Nicolet turned it on and raced to a 79-62 victory on Dec. 18. Since then, Jalen Johnson (20.4 ppg), Jamari Sibley (20.2 ppg), Kobe Johnson (10.6 ppg) and company have looked almost untouchable. At 12-1 in the North Shore, Ryan Waddell (19.3 ppg), Declan Ciurlik (16.4 ppg), and the Highlanders will look to create a first-place tie atop the conference standings.
Others: Bay Port at Green Bay Preble, Phelps at Crandon, Racine Case at Racine Park, East Troy at Jefferson, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau at West Salem, Milwaukee Lutheran at Greenfield, Monroe at Stoughton, West Allis Central and New Berlin Eisenhower