Playoff Preview: Prospects to Watch in Division One

<p>The Division One WIAA playoffs will tip-off on March 3rd with six play-in games. From March 3rd on, only the strong will survive. The field of teams will dwindle quickly. Championship imposters will face failure, while Gold-Ball worthy squads will advance deep into the playoffs. </p> <p>Now that the brackets have been released, Prep Hoops Wisconsin previews the much-anticipated Division One playoffs by listing some prospects to watch: </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/karter-thomas/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/karter-thomas/">Karter Thomas</a></a> -- Oshkosh West -- PG</strong></p> <p>Due to injury, Thomas was forced to ride the bench during the playoffs last year. This year, you can bet on Thomas playing his best basketball with the season on the line. The O-West point guard is one of the better shooters in the state. When he catches fire, the Wildcats become a very dangerous squad. </p> <p>Oshkosh North is the first test that Thomas and his teammates will need to pass in the playoffs. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dalton-banks/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dalton-banks/">Dalton Banks</a></a> -- Eau Claire North -- PG</strong></p> <p>Banks emerged as a top Mr. Basketball candidate when he dropped 46 points in a 93-80 loss to Rochester Mayo. If Eau Claire North is to make a surprise run to the Kohl Center, Banks will need to perform just like he did at the Wisconsin-Minnesota Border Battle in early February. It may seem unreasonable to ask so much of the point guard, but Banks is more than capable of lifting all the heavy weight that has been placed on his shoulders. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/peyton-rogers-schmidt/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/peyton-rogers-schmidt/">Peyton Rogers-Schmidt</a></a> -- Chippewa Falls -- W</strong></p> <p>Neenah and Kimberly are on a crash course to meet for the third time this season.</p> <p>Chippewa Falls and Rogers-Schmidt are going to do their best to throw a wrench in what would be an all-chalk sectional final. Assuming both Falls and Neenah win, the two squads would match up in the sectional semi-final. </p> <p>Rogers-Schmidt, who is putting up 16.8 points per game, will look to continue his great play into the playoffs. The senior wing could pose a threat to opposing squads in March because of his versatility. Rogers-Schmidt is an athletic 6-foot-5 wing who can make difficult shots from all over the court. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quinton-murrell/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quinton-murrell/">Quinton Murrell</a></a> -- Milwaukee King -- PG </strong></p> <p>Murrell and Milwaukee King can't afford to play a bad game in the playoffs. Luckily for King, they haven't played a bad game all year. The Generals are 19-0. Despite its unblemished record, King still drew the short end of the stick, as it was given the four seed in a sectional that features Brookfield Central, Sussex Hamilton, Arrowhead, and Brookfield East. </p> <p>Murrell and his teammates can't afford to indulge in any self-pity, though. If they rest on their laurels, the Generals will lose early. But, if this season told us anything, it was that MK won't fear their opponent. And the leader of King, Murrell, plays even better when the competition stiffens up.</p> <p>Don't pencil in any other teams before Milwaukee King and Murrell have their shot. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/david-joplin/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/david-joplin/">David Joplin</a></a> -- Brookfield Central -- SF</strong></p> <p>Brookfield Central's role players are very important, but their play won't matter at all if Joplin struggles in the playoffs (which is very unlikely, by the way). </p> <p>Joplin's junior season went just about as good as it possibly could have gone. The star small forward averaged 22.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. When Joplin is playing at a high level, so is Brookfield Central. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/hayden-doyle/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/hayden-doyle/">Hayden Doyle</a></a> -- Brookfield East -- SG</strong></p> <p>Doyle is a prospect that just gets the job done. He doesn't have the flashy skills of his counterparts, but the guard still produces just as much.</p> <p>Doyle turned heads this summer with Wisconsin Playground Club, but nobody could have expected him to play this good as a junior. The combo guard is scoring 19.8 points per game, which ranks fifth-best in the Greater Metro Conference. Even though Brook East got placed in the toughest sectional, don't be surprised if Doyle is still able to lead the Spartans to some upset wins. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-probst/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-probst/">Ben Probst</a></a> -- Madison La Follette -- SG</strong></p> <p>Probst is one of the most reliable players in the state. The 6-foot-1 guard has failed to score over ten points just once this season. La Follette knows that it can count on Probst to play well every time he steps on the floor. </p> <p>The SG will be a huge piece of La Follette's March run. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/anthony-washington/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/anthony-washington/">Anthony Washington</a></a> -- Madison East -- SG</strong></p> <p>Washington and Madison East are determined not to let the specter of past playoffs haunt them. In the last two seasons, East saw its state title hopes destroyed by Racine Horlick and Sun Prairie. This year, Washinton will look to finally nix his team's playoff struggles and lead the Purgolders out of their sectional. </p> <p>Washington is a long, strong guard who excels when attacking the basket. He can use his 6-foot-3 frame to finish through, or around contact at the hoop. Coming off a big game in East's upset of previously unbeaten Madison La Follette, it looks like Washington is playing his best at the right time. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aiden-flynn/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aiden-flynn/">Aiden Flynn</a></a> -- Marquette -- F</strong></p> <p>Division Three and Divison Two college basketball programs, listen up. Flynn is one of the best-uncommitted seniors in Wisconsin's 2020 class. The Marquette forward is a great slasher and scorer. He is averaging 21.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. </p> <p>Marquette earned a six seed in sectional #4, which is one of the less challenging sectionals. With Flynn playing good basketball, Marquette is a team to keep an eye on in March. </p> <p><strong>JaKobe Thompson -- Racine Case -- PG</strong></p> <p>Thompson is one of Wisconsin's best all-around scorers. The Racine Case point guard pairs a quick trigger jumper with great finishing ability around the rim. It doesn't matter who is guarding him, or what the situation is, Thompson is looking to score. The 6-foot-1 PG is putting up 19.4 points per game on 49 percent shooting. </p> <p>If Thompson can get hot at the right time, he could lead Case to the promise land. </p> <p></p>