2019-20 Season: Underrated Starts
After a grueling offseason, high school basketball returned bigger, faster and stronger. On track with past seasons, we find ourselves gathering new names, each of them supplying win streaks and adding bloated stat lines. Only the most ludicrous cracked this…
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Continue ReadingAfter a grueling offseason, high school basketball returned bigger, faster and stronger. On track with past seasons, we find ourselves gathering new names, each of them supplying win streaks and adding bloated stat lines.
Only the most ludicrous cracked this list of hottest starts.
Gerald Gittens – Saint John’s Northwest Military Academy: The senior can’t shake the “underrated” label, and it’s getting old.
As a top-three uncommitted guard in Wisconsin’s senior class, Gittens packs a college skillset into a 6’0” frame. He’s a smooth slasher with cunning finishing ability at the rim, but statistically, he stands out with his eight assists a night. With a spotlight on SJNMA, more eyes will (hopefully) follow him this season.
Brennan Timm – Saint John’s Northwest Military Academy: Timm’s 28 points, eight rebounds and 10 steals against St. Francis confirmed that he’s transitioning into a fully functional breakout season.
The heavy doses of offense he’s received through five games reflects his playstyle, as the opportunist is maxing out what he can do as an off-ball, defensive scrapper. Without demanding touches he’s scoring in the upper teens and dominating the glass nightly.
Jeremiah Suber – Kenosha Indian Trail: Suber is starting the season strong across the board, hitting the three at an accurate clip while pulling all the strings for an Indian Trail team able to usurp typical conference powerhouses.
He’s already a commodity in division three recruiting. After this year, he could potentially work his way into the division two range.
Max Klesmit – Neenah: Neenah is threatening for a repeat State berth, and Klesmit has a Mr. Basketball campaign brewing.
Blowout wins cap his minutes, but his efficiency is striking. He’s averaging 24.8 points a game on 55 percent shooting with only six turnovers in five games. Fourteen steals over that span is also a clear indicator of his overarching influence.
Mason Johnson – Golda Meir: From the time I placed him on this list (week two) till today (week four), he’s started fielding more press. His accomplishments this season are no-less article-worthy, though.
The forward is leading Golda Meir through a brutal schedule, scoring 23 points and hauling in 15.8 rebounds a game against some of the biggest names in prep basketball. The 6’5” senior is catching a late wind in recruiting, but early-season looks have scouts salivating at the late pick-up potential.
Caden Boser – Eau Claire Memorial: Boser is stepping to the plate this season, taking his squad to the next level behind 26.8 points and 16 rebounds a game.
He’s started the year double-double prone, but 6.5 assists and 1.2 steals on top of the gaudy numbers demonstrate improvement as an all-around, dominant forward.
Kaleel McCray – Milwaukee Bay View: Roster reshuffling gave McCray an easy path from uber-talented role piece to properly accented skill player. He’s averaging 22.3 points a night, leading Bay View as they aim to tackle a dreadful schedule.
So far, he’s been a shimmering light caught under an 0-3 record. Wins should come soon, though, as they have the roster to finish well north of .500.
Charlie Pfefferle – Xavier: Pfefferle is one of Wisconsin’s most skillful glue-guys. The sophomore has the mettle to dive for loose balls, the instinct to ping passes across the court and scoring sense to inflict damage offensively when need be.
Colleges seeking to patch wounds should consider the most versatile band-aid in the Wisconsin basketball landscape.
AJ Vukovich – East Troy: If Vukovich wasn’t a division one baseball player, division two basketball would be right up his alley. Troy is knocking off major names across divisional lines behind his 25.7 points and 15.5 rebounds a game.
There’s been no answer for him, except, of course, opponents simply weathering the storm until he leaves for the baseball diamond.
Alex Daoust – Southern Door: As even keel as his playstyle is, his stats are rather boisterous. Daoust is thriving as a teammate and captain on offense, able to micromanage with purposeful passing and unwavering control of pacing and flow.
Stats-wise, he doesn’t miss a beat with fellow breakout juniors, boasting 16.8 points, 5.2 assists, six rebounds and three steals a game.