Preview and Predictions: North Shore

<p>Looking ahead to the 2019-20 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the North Shore Conference...</p> <p><strong>2018-19 STANDINGS</strong></p> <p>1. Nicolet (18-0)</p> <p>2. Homestead (16-2)</p> <p>3.  West Bend East (12-6)</p> <p>4.  Grafton (11-7)</p> <p>5.  Port Washington (9-9)</p> <p>6.  Hartford (8-10)</p> <p>7.  Whitefish Bay (7-11)</p> <p>8. Slinger (3-15)</p> <p>T-9.  West Bend West (3-15)</p> <p>T-9. Cedarburg (3-15)</p> <p><strong>PREDICTED 2019-20 STANDINGS</strong></p> <p>1.  Nicolet</p> <p>2. Grafton</p> <p>3. Hartford</p> <p>4. Homestead</p> <p>5.  Whitefish Bay</p> <p>6. Cedarburg</p> <p>7. West Bend West</p> <p>8.  Port Washington</p> <p>9. Slinger</p> <p>10. West Bend East</p> <p><strong>PRESEASON FIRST-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE</strong></p> <p>G Kobe Johnson - Jr. (Nicolet)</p> <p>G Alex Huibregtse - Sr. (Grafton)</p> <p>G Jayden Jackson -  Jr. (Whitefish Bay)</p> <p>F Declan Ciurlik - Sr. (Homestead)</p> <p>F James Graham - Jr. (Nicolet)</p> <p><strong>SECOND TEAM</strong></p> <p>G Brad Brewer - Sr. (Slinger)</p> <p>G Bryson Clague - Jr. (Grafton)</p> <p>G Drew Biber -  Jr. (Cedarburg)</p> <p>G Jadon Melvin - Jr. (Hartford)</p> <p>F James Randolph - Sr. (Hartford)</p> <p><strong>THIRD TEAM</strong></p> <p>G Darrius Bolden  - Jr. (Nicolet)</p> <p>G Aaron Tennies - Jr. (West Bend West)</p> <p>G Donovan Sparks - Jr. (Nicolet)</p> <p>F Evan Lilly - Sr. (Port Washington)</p> <p>F J.P. Benzschawel - Jr. (Grafton)</p> <p><strong>PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Alex Huibregtse</strong></p> <p>You have to figure Graham and Johnson will steal votes from each other. Huibregtse is coming off a season in which he helped Grafton completely turn things around, averaging 21.0 points per game, leading the Blackhawks to a 14-9 record, a big improvement from an 8-15 campaign the previous season.  The Wright State commit is the most dangerous shooter in the league and often elevated his play against the best last season, scoring 31 points against Milwaukee Madison,  30 versus Nicolet, and a total of 45 points in two games against Homestead.</p> <p><strong>BREAKOUT PLAYER - James Graham</strong></p> <p>Despite coming off an injury, Graham has looked better than ever this fall.  It's a good thing for the North Shore that <strong>Jalen Johnson</strong> and <strong>Jamari Sibley</strong> are no longer with Nicolet, because nobody would come close to the Knights with how well Graham is now playing.  Graham was a role player last season, averaging 7.4 ppg for the defending Division 2 state champs.  Graham has clearly worked hard on his body and has a savage mentality offensively. We'll see how the season goes, but Graham has shown flashes of being a top 3-4 prospect in the 2021 class this fall. </p> <p><strong>SURPRISE PLAYER -  James Randolph</strong></p> <p>A prospect that's getting better and better, yet still has a ton of upside left, Randolph figures to be one of the most improved players in the state this season.  Randolph averaged about 5.5 points per game as a junior, but ended the summer on a high note against some very good competition. The 6-foot-5 senior can play and defend multiple positions. He's a game changer on the glass and as a rim protector. Now that his offensive skillset is beginning to catch up, Randolph  saw his stock go up in a big way heading into the 2019-20 season. </p>