Friday’s Games to Watch

<p>Following the Thanksgiving break, there’s a slew of quality, high-profile matchups occurring across the state.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Madison East vs. Milwaukee King (Bulldog Shootout)</strong></p> <p>If you like fast-paced, up and down basketball, this is probably the game for you.</p> <p>The Purgolders did not play last season due to covid. They’ll unleash Cleavon Easton, who’s perhaps the top freshmen in the state. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="865853" first="Massimo" last="Malterer"] is a sleeper that was supposed to break out a year ago. Also keep an eye on freshman Chris Davis Jr., whose father was a star at East back in the day.</p> <p>The Generals will counter with a terrific frontcourt. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="865842" first="Jayquan" last="Hickles"] is one of the top glue guys in the state. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="1021576" first="William" last="Whorton"] has some of the best upside in the 2023 class and picked up some Division 1 offers over the summer due to the freaky things he can do above the rim. Like East, King will also be playing for the first time in two years.</p> <p><strong>Menasha at Oshkosh North (Oshkosh North Tournament)</strong></p> <p>Want to find out if these two teams or contenders or pretenders.<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Jalen-Womack.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1258750" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Jalen-Womack-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" /></a></p> <p>The Spartans will be fueled by youth this season. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="1089684" first="Stevie" last="Clark"] (11.9 ppg) is coming off a terrific first year in the program. North will also feature one of the top freshmen in the state, [player_tooltip player_id="1282617" first="Xzavion" last="Mitchell"], who appear to be a Division 1 talent. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1156225" first="Reed" last="Seckar"] (8.5 ppg) might be the straw that stirs the drink and has steadily been improving over the last year.</p> <p>Menasha has a terrific backcourt in [player_tooltip player_id="1017075" first="Jalen" last="Womack"] (18.1 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="1200561" first="Jaxson" last="Dillon"] (14.0 ppg). These two athletic seniors provide a lot of matchup problems. The Bluejays are coming off a 10-10 season, but won three of their last four and were one play away from reaching sectionals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Racine Case at Verona (Bulldog Shootout)</strong></p> <p>Intriguing non-conference matchup here.</p> <p>Case is coming off a 4-9 season, but was likely damaged by a  covid-shortened season and didn’t start until January. The Eagles have a very nice 1-2 punch in seniors [player_tooltip player_id="865835" first="Terryon" last="Brumby"] (16.5 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="865834" first="Amari" last="Jedkins"] (14.8 ppg). If sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1206235" first="Termarion" last="Brumby"] makes the jump he’s capable of, Case has the talent and depth to make a run at state. Also keep an eye on junior [player_tooltip player_id="1289236" first="Adrian" last="Bryant"], who  quietly averaged better than 12 points per game last season.</p> <p>Verona has a lot back from last season’s squad. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="981039" first="Gavin" last="Farrell"] (8.7 ppg) is expected to be their go-to player in 2021-22. The Wildcats should have a very strong backcourt. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1039385" first="Karson" last="Mitchell"] (4.8 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="1037091" first="Jonah" last="Anderson"] (7.9 ppg) have paid their dues are two under the radar two-way prospects. Like Case, Verona also dealt with a covid-shortened campaign a year ago.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Others:</strong> New Berlin West vs. Racine St. Catherine’s (Bulldog Shootout)</p>