Early Season All Metro Classic Conference

<p>With the first month of the high school season coming to a close, we take a look back at some of the top performers from the Metro Classic Conference! This list will consist of a 1st team, 2nd team, 3rd team, and a few honorable mention players, based on individual performances and team success in the month of December.</p> <p><strong>1st Team</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="804895" first="Tyrese" last="Hunter"] (6’1 2021 PG, Racine St. Catherine’s)- </strong>A no-brainer decision for the 1st team, Tyrese has put up impressive individual numbers, and has also helped his team get off to a 10-0 start. The Iowa State commit currently averages 22.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.8 steals per game. Tyrese has been nearly impossible to stop in transition, has excelled at jumping passing lanes, and has showcased his ability to drive and dish to set up his teammates for easy looks.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="879983" first="Antuan" last="Nesbitt"] (6’4 2021 W, The Prairie School)- </strong>Fresh off a commitment to Northern Michigan, Antuan has Prairie sitting at 6-1, all while posting some extremely efficient all-around numbers. The versatile wing averages team highs in points (19.6), rebounds (7.1), and assists (4.4), all while shooting 66% from the field. Antuan is such a high IQ player who makes smart decisions with the ball, and finds ways to get high percentage looks. His passing vision combined with his finishing ability and presence on the glass have made him a tough player to stop this winter.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="727972" first="Andrew" last="Alia"] (6’3 2022 SG, Kenosha St. Joseph)- </strong>After competing with a very young team the past two seasons, [player_tooltip player_id="727972" first="Andrew" last="Alia"] and St. Joseph now have an experienced squad capable of competing in the MCC. Currently 3-2 with their only losses to two extremely talented teams, St. Joseph has a more versatile Alia leading the way. Though his shooting percentages are down from last season, Alia is still averaging 17.8 ppg and has tripled his assist numbers to 3.6 apg. Andrew looks more explosive attacking the basket, and has done a great job of drawing a help defender and kicking it out to an open shooter.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="879981" first="Kamari" last="McGee"] (6’ 2021 PG, Racine St. Catherine’s)- </strong>Kamari has been a standout on both ends of the floor, averaging a career best 16.1 ppg while also averaging 5.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.9 steals a contest. Defensively he’s been a lockdown player for St. Cats, able to guard, and shutdown opposing teams’ top guards. His quickness combined with strength to defend bigger guards in the post makes him one of the top defenders in the state. Offensively he’s been extremely efficient getting his shoulder in front of his defender and getting the angle to finish at the rim through traffic. He’s also shooting 10-20 from 3P to start the year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="880035" first="Ronald" last="Kirk"] Jr. (6’4 2021 W, Dominican)- </strong>Though Dominican hasn’t had the team success that they’re used to, [player_tooltip player_id="880035" first="Ronald" last="Kirk"] has been putting up big numbers as the conference’s leading scorer through six games. With his frame and athleticism, the potential has always been evident, and it’s now turning into production as Kirk is averaging 23.2 ppg. His versatility allows him to post up smaller guards, beat defenders off the dribble from the wing, or spot up and knock down the open three. </p> <p><strong>2nd Team</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="994508" first="Jameer" last="Barker"] (6’2 2021 SG, Racine St. Catherine’s)- </strong>The third leading scorer for the undefeated Angels, Jameer continues to pose a threat offensively. He’s just too strong for opposing guards to handle around the rim, and is also capable of shooting from mid-range or three. With a strong second half of the season, Jameer could potentially be a 1st team player when it’s all said and done. Averaging 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.7 steals per game.</p> <p><strong>Sawyer Smith (6’4 2021 W, Shoreland Lutheran)- </strong>Though committed to play college baseball, Sawyer has proven that he could’ve been on the radar of college basketball programs had he chosen that route. Averaging 21.1 ppg, Sawyer is a versatile player who can finish above the rim, attack the basket off the dribble, defend multiple spots, and knock down the three consistently.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1095818" first="Tre" last="Burris"] (6’1 2021 CG, Martin Luther)- </strong>One of the most exciting players to watch in the conference, Tre is an extremely shifty ball handler with a knack for making flashy passes look routine. Averaging a league best 5 assists per game, Tre has done a great job of getting everyone involved on his team, while also proving he can finish at a high rate around the rim on his own. Currently averaging 12.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2.4 steals per game.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="764101" first="Quentin" last="Bolton"] (6’6 2021 SF, Shoreland Lutheran)- </strong>Shoreland Lutheran is currently 4-3, and Quentin is nearly averaging a double-double to start the year. Quentin has all of the physical attributes to dominate around the rim, but has also proven he can create his own jumper off the dribble. Averaging 15.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.</p> <p><strong>Nacir Beamon (6’2 2024 G, Martin Luther)- </strong>The leading scorer for Martin Luther on the year, Nas is as tough as nails when attacking the basket. Capable of finishing through contact or elevating to score above the rim, Beamon is as good as they come at getting into the lane to score as a freshman. Averaging 16.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.</p> <p><strong>3rd Team</strong></p> <p><strong>Amari McCottry (6’5 2024 W, Saint Thomas More)- </strong>One of the most impressive freshmen I’ve seen this year, Amari has consistently gotten better throughout the season. In just his second start, he scored a career high 31 points in a win. Amari is long, mobile, handles extremely well for his size, and can score at all three levels. Averaging 15.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game.</p> <p><strong>Gavin Zawicki (6’1 2022 W, Racine Lutheran)- </strong>Racine Lutheran is currently 4th in the conference, and a large part of that success has been due to the improvements of Gavin Zawicki. The athletic wing is an efficient scorer at the basket who uses smart shot selection and strength/explosiveness to finish at a high rate inside. Averaging 17 ppg for the Crusaders. </p> <p><strong>Brady Wilks (5’10 2021 PG, Racine Lutheran)- </strong>Scrappy senior leader who has his team at 3-2 in the conference, including a win over Dominican. Confidence to shoot it from well beyond the arc, and also leading the conference in assists per game. Currently averaging 13.6 ppg and 5 apg.</p> <p><strong>Derrick Johnson (6’2 2024 G, Dominican)- </strong>Another impressive freshman in the MCC, Derrick has been a go-to player for Dominican from the jump. He’s been one of the top shooters in the conference this year, but is also a capable facilitator. Averaging 14.3 points and 3 assists per game while shooting 44% on 52 attempts from three.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="981021" first="Ashe" last="Oglesby"] (6’6 2023 F, The Prairie School)- </strong>Has Prairie at 6-1 overall as their second leading scorer. Versatile forward who can play on the wing or in the paint, and recently exploded for 27 points in a win over Martin Luther. Currently putting up 10.9 points and 6 rebounds per contest.</p> <p><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="981038" first="Demerius" last="Shakur"], Jackson Woodward, Drew Reindl, [player_tooltip player_id="938202" first="Kody" last="Krekling"], Neal McCourt, Jacob Fallico, Sylvere Campbell, Caiden Lecce, Caden Tolefree</strong></p>