Games to Watch: 12.3-12.7

A look at the top games happening around the state this week...

TUESDAY

Nicolet (1-0) at Whitefish Bay (0-1)

The North Shore Conference opener pits two title contenders against one another.

Whitefish Bay let a potential big early season win slip away last week against Martin Luther. However, junior guard Jayden Jackson began his coming out party on a high note, scoring 24 points.

Nicolet should be riding high after taking care of Milwaukee Academy of Science in a showdown at the Fresh Coast Classic. The 1-2 punch of James Graham (26.0 ppg) and Kobe Johnson (19.0 ppg) was stellar in that one.

Menomonee Falls (1-1) at Wisconsin Lutheran (0-0)

This is the first chance for fans to see stud freshman Prentice Young and a number of 2023 prospects for Wisconsin Lutheran. Young will pair with senior guard Tyrese England, one of the best isolation scorers in the state.

Speaking of young talent, perhaps nobody has more than Menomonee Falls. After letting a potential big win get away against Pewaukee, the Indians rebounded with a blowout victory of Milwaukee Vincent at the Tim Reuter Showcase. Both sophomores Steven Clay (25.0 ppg) and Seth Trimble (17.5 ppg) have gotten off to strong starts this season.

WEDNESDAY

SJNMA (0-0) at Brookfield Academy (0-1)

This one is going to have huge title implications in the Midwest Classic Conference.

Brookfield Academy needs to rebound quickly after falling to Milwaukee King in their season opener at the Fresh Coast Classic.  Junior forward Logan Landers went for 32 points in that loss. The Knights have a stellar starting lineup, also featuring Rockhurst commit Aidan Clarey (22.0 ppg),  and junior guard Max Kunnert (19.0 ppg).

After a monster 2018-19 campaign, junior guard Brandin Podziemski is out looking for more. He'll pair with senior guard Gerald Gittens, a duo that's capable of winning a state championship in Division 3 this season.

THURSDAY

Waupun (1-0) at Plymouth (1-0)

The reigning Division 3 runners-up looked pretty good in their season opener, blasting Columbus 76-53 on the road. The Warriors, who are trying to rebuild after losing their top four players from last season, got 23 points from  senior guard Gabe Keach.

A contender in Division 2, Plymouth bested Sheboygan Falls 76-54 in their opener last week. Senior guard Cole Booth went for 30 in that victory.

FRIDAY

Racine St. Catherine's (0-0) at Elkhorn (1-0)

The No. 1 ranked team in Division 3 gets a big test in their opener. Elkhorn features rising 2021 guard Jordan Johnson (28.0 ppg) as well as UW-Parkside commit Nick Brown (19.0 ppg).  The Angels have some pieces to replace, but their junior backcourt of Tyrese Hunter and Kamari McGee will be tough to stop in 2019-20.

SJNMA (0-0) at Milwaukee Lutheran (0-1)

Another big test for SJNMA this week. Milwaukee Lutheran did fall in their opener to Milwaukee Washington, but figure to be a team that can make a deep run in March behind their guard duo of  JaVeon Tolliver and Jourdan Weddle.

Cuba City (0-0) at Mineral Point (0-0)

The schedule didn't waste any time bringing Brayden Dailey back to his former school. The transfer from Mineral Point will  likely be welcomed by some boos as he faces his former team for the first time. Fortunately for Dailey, he'll have a heckuva supporting cast behind him, including a pair of seniors  in Brady Olson and Jackson Noll as well as junior Jack Miskey.

For the Pointers, UNLV commit Isaac Lindsey begins his senior campaign.  Mineral Point has a couple of sleepers that will help them compete in the  SWAL, including Wesley Berget, Liam Stumpf, and  Joah Filardo.

SATURDAY

Milwaukee Bay View (0-1) vs. Sussex Hamilton (0-0) 

The headline matchup at the Terry Porter Classic pits two ranked teams against one another.

Sussex Hamilton will get a warmup on Friday before this showdown. The Chargers, who are ranked No. 1 in Division 1, are loaded this season behind Patrick Baldwin Jr., Northern Michigan commit Carson Smith, Tanner Resch, and others.

Bay View looks to rebound after being upset by Kenosha Indian Trail in their  opener. Still ranked No. 7 in Division, the Redcats are headlined by Kaleel McCray (27.0 ppg) and Shelton Williams-Dryden (21.0 ppg).

West Allis Central (1-0) vs. Milwaukee King (1-0)

Another big matchup at the Terry Porter Classic. 

Milwaukee King could be one of the surprise teams across the state this season. The Generals rolled Brookfield Academy last week at the Fresh Coast Classic.

Looking for back-to-back state tournament berths, West Allis Central  has another strong squad in 2019-20.  The Bulldogs are headlined by  senior forward Shilo Bowles (19.0 ppg).