Zackery Leads Westosha Central Past Waukesha West
SALEM, Wis. — There’s something special brewing at Westosha Central. Tucked into the southeast corner of Wisconsin, there’s some big time ball being played by the Falcons, who continue to fly under the radar despite making the Division 2 state tournament…
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Continue ReadingSALEM, Wis. — There’s something special brewing at Westosha Central. Tucked into the southeast corner of Wisconsin, there’s some big time ball being played by the Falcons, who continue to fly under the radar despite making the Division 2 state tournament last season.
Their star, senior guard Jaeden Zackery is also one of the best kept secrets in the state.
Leading the Falcons to a 15-1 record this season, Zackery and Central took down the sixth-ranked team in Division 1, Waukesha West, 75-65, behind 34 points from the state’s No. 10 ranked senior.
“It makes a lot of people wake up and notice what we’re capable of,” Zackery told Prep Hoops Wisconsin. “It opens up people’s eyes.”
Building off a breakout junior campaign, Zackery is averaging 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in 2018-19.
Last season, Westosha Central surprised many by not only reaching the state semifinals, but giving eventual champion Kaukauna and Mr. Basketball Jordan McCabe, now at West Virginia, a run for their money.
“It was an honor, especially playing against Jordan McCabe,” Zackery said. “We showed what we were made of, but we were nervous. It was our first time on that big stage.
“We know if we get there again, we’ll have some good talent to play against again, so we’ll have to prove ourselves. We’ve all been playing together since we were young.
“I think we can make a run again.”
Like his high school team, Zackery has been overlooked in his recruitment as well. One of the best all-around guards in the state and a consensus top 10 prospect, Zackery hasn’t been flooded with scholarship offers like many would in his position.
“It’s a little frustrating,” he said. “I’ve learned to just play my game and go through it. I’ve seen a lot of players get D2 and D1 offers and I feel like I’ve proven myself.
“I hope they’ll come soon.”
One Division 2 program who does believe in Zackery, Concordia-St. Paul, extended a scholarship offer in November of 2018. According to Zackery, that offer was recently bumped to a full-ride a few weeks ago.
“It was an honor to get a full offer and be noticed,” he said. “I like it up there. They’re a family and they really love my game. They have really good coaches too.”
Zackery listed UW-Oshkosh, Ottawa (IL), UW-Whitewater, and UW-Stevens Point as other schools in contact this season. He said Stevens Point and Oshkosh are currently recruiting him the hardest.
Stevens Point: “They have a really good team. They’re like brothers there.”
Oshkosh: “I really like their coaches. They really like to hang out with me and my family. They’re good to me and seem like a family.”
Zackery said having a scholarship on the table won’t be a factor in his decision and could opt to play at the Division 3 level. The 6-foot-2 combo guard plans to play out his senior season before making a commitment.
“I just want to play at the next level,” he said. “I want a school that feels like a home and treats me like family.”