Five Key Questions: Friday’s Action

<p><span style="font-size: 1rem;">The Wisconsin high school basketball schedule is packed to the brim with great games on Friday night. There will be no shortage of intriguing matchups, star prospects, and exciting outcomes. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Here are five key questions to get you ready for the great day of hoops: </span></p> <p><strong>Can Nicolet bounce back? </strong></p> <p>After not losing a single game to an in-state opponent last season, the Knights are now an enigma. They have nixed all comparison to last year's team, as they appear to have taken a significant step back. Nicolet pulled off an impressive victory over Milwaukee Academy of Science to begin the 2019-20 season, but then quickly followed that up with a puzzling loss at the hands of Whitefish Bay. Was it just an early-season misfire, or is this Nicolet team really in trouble? </p> <p><strong>James Graham</strong>, <strong>Kobe Johnson</strong>, <strong>Donovan Sparks</strong>, and the Knights will have the opportunity to answer all of these questions on Friday night when they host Hartford. </p> <p><strong>Kenosha Indian Trail @ Kenosha Bradford: Who will get a huge early-season conference victory?</strong></p> <p>Last year, Racine Park finished in the center of the Southeast Conference podium. Park snatched the title thanks to a 12-2 record against opponents from within the Conference. Neither Kenosha Indian Trail nor Kenosha Bradford competed for the top spot last season. But, things are going to be different in 2019-20 for both of these squads. </p> <p>For Kenosha Indian Trail, the conversation starts with <strong>Ezra Stargell</strong>. The shifty point guard is able to see things that other guards normally miss. He uses his vision very effectively; passing the ball to open teammates is one of Stargell's many strengths. </p> <p><strong>Jerimiah Suber</strong>, Stargell's backcourt teammate, is in the midst of what could be a breakout senior season. Suber has averaged 21 points through his first two games. He has also become a hot prospect for Division Three college programs. </p> <p><strong>Maxwell Glass</strong>,<strong> Da'Quantae Sawyer</strong>, <strong>Jashon Lee</strong>, and <strong>Tre Gordon</strong> make up a four-headed monster at Kenosha Bradford. Combined, the four prospects are scoring 60.5 points per game on the young season.  </p> <p><span style="font-size: 1rem;">The two rivals will square off in a pivotal conference game on Friday night at 7:00 PM.</span></p> <p><strong>In SJNMA @ Milwaukee Lutheran matchup, which point guard has the upper hand?</strong></p> <p>This non-conference tilt will pit two of Wisconsin's best guards against each other. <strong>Gerald Gittens Jr</strong>. (SJNMA) and <strong>JaVeon Tolliver</strong> (Milwaukee Lutheran). The play of Gittens and Tolliver will go a long way in determining which team comes out on top.</p> <p>Both guards had huge summers on the AAU Circuit, and both guards still have a lot to prove in their senior seasons.</p> <p>Although of similar size and stature, Gittens and Tolliver play the game in two completely different ways. Gittens prefers to use his strength to muscle his way into the lane, while Tolliver relies on his excellent court vision and nifty dribbling skills to thrive. </p> <p>One style is not inherently better than the other. Both guards have found tremendous success doing what they do.</p> <p>Which PG's patented play style will prevail?  </p> <p><strong>Can Racine St. Catherines start their season with a win?</strong></p> <p>Racine St. Catherines, hands down the most talented team in Division Three, will begin their season on Friday with a tough road game. The Angles will travel to Elkhorn to play against the Elks. Elkhorn, which is on the heels of a state-run last year, is already 2-0. </p> <p>Elkhorn survived their first two games of the season, but Racine St. Catherines will be a very stiff test. <strong>Jordan Johnson</strong>, the Elks leader scorer, will need to be more than just a participant in order for Elkhorn to get the upset win. Johnson will be tasked with handling one of the best backcourts that the state has ever seen. <strong>Tyrese Hunter</strong> and <strong>Kamari McGee</strong> of St. Catherines are just about as good as it gets. The two guards play great complementary basketball that typically leads to the demise of their opponent. Elkhorn will not be the only team that struggles to slow down this dynamite duo. </p> <p><strong>How will Karter Thomas look in return from injury? </strong></p> <p>It was late last year in a game against Neenah when Karter Thomas suffered a torn ACL and Meniscus in his knee. The consequences of this injury turned out to be major. Not only was Thomas forced to sit out for the rest of the high school season, but he also missed the entirety of the AAU season. And, instead of playing, Thomas went through an arduous rehab process. </p> <p>But now, all of the struggles associated with Thomas' unfortunate injury are in the past. The guard has been cleared to play and he will be on the court when O-West plays Hortonville on Friday night. </p> <p>Before going down with the injury, Thomas was a star. He scored 24.2 points per game and was one of the best scorers in the FVA. We all know how good Thomas was prior to the injury, but how long will it take him to regain that greatness? </p>