Saturday’s Games to Watch
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A closer look at the top games to watch around the state of Wisconsin on Saturday…
Appleton North (0-1) at Neenah (1-0)
Interested to see how the Lightning respond after a somewhat surprising lopsided loss at Kaukauna. Meanwhile, Neenah skated away with a narrow victory over Appleton East in their opener.
Junior forward Max Nelson is averaging 21.0 ppg entering Saturday. He’ll have more help this season, mainly from sophomore guard Trent Mullen Trent Mullen 5'11" | PG Appleton North | 2023 State WI , who scored 16 in the season opener.
The Rockets were very balanced in their first victory on the year and got a game-winning shot from junior guard Chevalier Emery Jr Chevalier Emery Jr 6'1" | PG Neenah | 2022 State WI , who had 15 points and led five players in double figures.
Waukesha West (0-0) at Saint John’s Northwestern Academies (1-0)
Two top 10 ranked senior guards square off in this one. Valparaiso commit Cameron Palesse Cameron Palesse 6'3" | CG Waukesha West | 2021 State #249 Nation WI will go head-to-head with Brandin Podziemski Brandin Podziemski 6'6" | SG Saint John's Northwestern Academy | 2021 State #232 Nation WI , who holds offers from the likes of Kentucky, Kansas, Marquette, and Arizona State.
A favorite in Division 3, SJNA got 35 points from Podziemski in their season-opening win over Brookfield Academy. Senior utility man Brennen Timm also registered 27 points and 11 rebounds.
The Wolverines are opening their season on Saturday. After an impressive 13-12 campaign in 2019-20 in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, West reloads behind Palesse and is expected to be a top 10 team in Division 2.
Martin Luther (1-0) at Wisconsin Lutheran (2-0)
Some of the best young talent in the state will be on the floor in this intriguing non-conference matchup.
Wisconsin Lutheran has won each of its first two games by an average of 29.5 ppg. The Vikings are getting a very balanced scoring attack, led by sophomore guard Prentice Young Prentice Young 6'4" | CG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2023 State #273 Nation WI (16.0 ppg.)
Martin Luther had an impressive opening win at Janesville Craig. Although Jeffery Brazziel Jeffery Brazziel 6'4" | SF Martin Luther | 2022 #159 Nation AZ won’t be eligible going forward, the Spartans have plenty of talent behind sophomore guard Demerius Shakur Demerius Shakur 6'2" | CG Martin Luther | 2023 State WI (22.0 ppg), senior Tre Burris (15.0 ppg), and freshman Nacir Beamon Nacir Beamon 6'2" | SG Nicolet | 2024 State WI (12.0 ppg).
Others: Stevens Point at De Pere, Menasha at Lakeside Lutheran, Pius XI at New Berlin Eisenhower, Hudson at Tomah, Oconto at Crivitz, Brookfield Central at Arrowhead