2020-21 Preview: Classic Eight Conference

<p>Looking ahead to the 2020-21 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Classic Eight Conference...</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>PROJECTED STANDINGS</strong></p> <p>1.  Arrowhead</p> <p>2. Waukesha West</p> <p>3. Muskego</p> <p>4.  Catholic Memorial</p> <p>5.  Waukesha South</p> <p>6. Kettle Moraine</p> <p>7. Mukwonago</p> <p>8.   Oconomowoc</p> <p>9. Waukesha North</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>THE FAVORITE</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="544505" first="Carter" last="Gilmore"] is now at Wisconsin, but Arrowhead should still have a very strong squad. The 1-2 punch of [player_tooltip player_id="804923" first="Sam" last="Hytinen"] and [player_tooltip player_id="953945" first="Mac" last="Wrecke"] gives the Warhawks a very strong combo on the wing.  There are also a number of players who have been waiting in the wings ready to  make their mark on this talented program. </p> <p><strong>BIGGEST CHALLENGER</strong></p> <p>Waukesha West was supposed to drop off big last season....they didn’t.  The Wolverines were 9-7 in a very deep and tough conference and reached sectionals.  Valparaiso commit [player_tooltip player_id="830582" first="Cameron" last="Palesse"] is back for his senior season and is most of his supporting  cast, which started to grow up and improve as the season wore on. </p> <p><strong>DARK HORSE</strong></p> <p>Catholic Memorial is going to be young, but  very talented. Four sophomores, [player_tooltip player_id="1021594" first="Antwan" last="Burns-Jones"],  [player_tooltip player_id="981149" first="Braden" last="McGlothlin"], Bennett McCormick, and [player_tooltip player_id="1021593" first="Jackson" last="Green"] all had strong summers and play together in AAU.  The Crusaders also have to be feeling really good going into the 2020-21 season after winning four of their last five games and reaching sectionals despite starting last season with a 4-10 record.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>PRESEASON FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE</strong></p> <p><strong>G Hunter Wohler - Sr. - Muskego</strong></p> <p><strong>G Jackson Vinopal - Sr. - Kettle Moraine</strong></p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="994376" first="Luke" last="Bara"] - Sr. - Muskego</p> <p><strong>G [player_tooltip player_id="830582" first="Cameron" last="Palesse"] - Sr. - Waukesha West</strong></p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="761401" first="Marshawn" last="Robinson"] - Jr.  - Waukesha South</p> <p><strong>W Bennett McCormick - So. - Catholic Memorial</strong></p> <p><strong>W [player_tooltip player_id="804923" first="Sam" last="Hytinen"] - Sr. - Arrowhead</strong></p> <p>W [player_tooltip player_id="953945" first="Mac" last="Wrecke"] - So. - Arrowhead</p> <p>W/F [player_tooltip player_id="865847" first="Greg" last="Galloway"] - Jr. - Oconomowoc</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>SECOND TEAM</strong></p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="1036045" first="Sam" last="Ziebell"] - Jr. - Waukesha West</p> <p><strong>G Jackson Raasch - Jr. -  Arrowhead</strong></p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="981149" first="Braden" last="McGlothlin"] - So. - Catholic Memorial</p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="1026710" first="Daniel" last="Robinson"] - So. - Waukesha South</p> <p>G Antwan Burns Jones  - So. - Catholic Memorial</p> <p><strong>G Nate Handley - Sr.  - Waukesha North</strong></p> <p><strong>G Tyran Cook - So. - Waukesha South</strong></p> <p><strong>W Collin Molisee -  Jr. - Waukesha South</strong></p> <p><strong>F Greyton Gannon - Jr. - Mukwonago</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>PLAYER OF THE YEAR - CAMERON PALESSE</strong></p> <p>Palesse had a huge junior season. He ranked second  in the league in scoring (24.5 ppg), third in rebounding (6.7), and also dished out 2.6 assists per game.  A 6-foot-5 wing who can play anywhere on the perimeter,  but handles most of the point duties, Palesse has a deadly mid-range game, lockdown defensive ability, and   elevates those around him.</p> <p><strong>BREAKOUT PLAYER - BENNETT MCCORMICK</strong></p> <p>Not many sophomores, if any, had a better all-around summer than McCormick.  As a freshman, McCormick averaged 4.0 points per game for the Crusaders, but looks like a potential first-team all-conference talent in 2020-21.   A 6-foot-3 wing who can slash, defend, facilitate, and plays with a motor that just never shuts off, McCormick should step to the forefront for Catholic Memorial, which will rely on a lot of youth.</p> <p><strong>SLEEPER TO WATCH - GREG GALLOWAY</strong></p> <p>Oconomowoc will have to replace a pair of UW-Whitewater commits. Galloway was third on the team in scoring last season at 8.7 points per game. A consistent performer who can play and defend multiple positions, Galloway had a very underrated summer on the AAU circuit. Look for the junior wing, who actually runs the show at the point guard position for the Raccoons, to drastically improve his numbers in 2020-21. </p>