60Eight Tournament Prospect Standouts

MADISON -- The inaugural 60Eight Tournament took place at Madison College over the weekend. Which prospects stood out among the four-team field?   [player_tooltip player_id="990740" first="Devon" last="Fielding"] - 2022 - PG - La Crosse Central With the exception of one late turnover in the semifinals, Fielding pretty much played how you want your seniors to play. Taking home MVP honors, Fielding had 17 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in the title game against DeForest. In the semifinals versus La Follette, Fielding posted 22 points and four rebounds. Fielding is a kid that can score a lot more, but really buys into Central’s system and had some efficient performances, going a combined 14-of-26 from the field. A strong floor general that knows how to use his body to maneuver around defenders, Fielding can finish with either hand and has some surprising leaping ability. Fielding also rebounds very well from the guard spot. He can high-point the basketball and take it away from forwards. If you’re a D3 program, think you should be all over Fielding at this point. If you’re a D2 with a scholarship open, think Fielding is someone to highly be considered given his positional size, floor leadership, basketball IQ, shooting ability, and athletic traits. A four-year contributor for Central, Fielding has just gotten better each season. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> [player_tooltip player_id="990740" first="Devon" last="Fielding"] won MVP honors at <a href="https://twitter.com/60Eightbball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@60Eightbball</a>, leading La Crosse Central to the title. The senior guard averaged 19.5 points 5.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in two games.<a href="https://twitter.com/DevonAFielding?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DevonAFielding</a> <a href="https://t.co/NK3335CxY5">pic.twitter.com/NK3335CxY5</a> — Prep Hoops Wisconsin (@PrepHoops_WI) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops_WI/status/1472666159694680065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> [player_tooltip player_id="1022499" first="Bennett" last="Fried"] - 2023 - SF - La Crosse Central Fried is really starting to show off his mismatch nightmare capability. The 6-foot-6 wing was a handful on both ends of the floor throughout the weekend. Teams got smart and started defending Fried with a guard as he was too much for their forwards to handle on the perimeter, which slowed Fried down. If he can develop a post game, Fried is going to be a real problem. Fried had 19 points, six rebounds, two steals, and a block against La Follette in the semifinals. Versus DeForest in the title game, Fried had just four points, but did have five rebounds and three blocks. He’s more perimeter-oriented right now, but Fried can really handle it on the arc. He’s also a terrific transition threat who can run the floor and play above the rim. Also a plus outside shooter, Fried shows flashes of creating his own shot off the bounce, which is very exciting for his size and length. Tim Fredrickson - 2022 - SG - DeForest Fredrickson continues to have a breakout year for the Norskies. The senior guard poured in 21 points, including 16 in the first half to help DeForest turn back Yorkville Christian in the semifinals. He didn’t shoot it well in the title game against La Crosse Central, but Fredrickson helped out in other ways, grabbing five rebounds at 5-foot-11 and dishing out three assists. A shot-maker who’s been a breath of fresh air for a DeForest squad beaten up by injuries right now, Fredrickson has stepped up big this season. The lefty is a reliable 3-point shooter who can also surprise defenders with his sneaky ability to get into the paint and finish soft at the rim. Fredrickson isn’t a one-trick pony. He’s got a great shot-fake that gets defenders off the ground. He’s also a gritty, blue collar defender that puts his body on the line and will take a charge when available. [player_tooltip player_id="1089724" first="K’shawn" last="Gibbs"] - 2022 - SG - Madison La Follette Gibbs was a little streaky, but he’s an x-factor for his La Follette squad. He had 17 points against Yorkville Christian and 16 versus La Crosse Central. In those two games, Gibbs nailed four 3-pointers. The senior guard is the floor spacer for the Lancers. Defenders can forget about him with Lewis and Lomack often dominating the ball. If he’s not making shots, you don’t see Gibbs go missing. The 6-foot-1 guard gets to the free throw line, defends, rebounds, and makes the extra pass. Even though he was struggling from the field against Yorkville Christian, Gibbs was one of the guys that kept La Follette afloat and allowed the comeback to happen by generating stops, grabbing two offensive rebounds, and going a perfect 4-of-4 from the foul line. Josh Jansen - 2022 - F - DeForest Love the passing ability of this kid. The 6-foot-5 forward has a really unique feel. You look at Jansen, his body type, and think rugged, unathletic forward that’s going to try and beat you with power. However, Jansen has a terrific amount of skill and finesse in his game that’s hard for defenders to account for. Jansen has a point guard feel and when he catches on the block or the high post, there’s a high chance he’s going to end up with an assist. The lefty is a flashy facilitator who sees things before they happen. In the semifinals against Yorkville Christian, Jansen had 15 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. Going 7-of-9 from the field, Jansen is also a sneaky offensive weapon. He’ll almost look uninterested or won’t touch the ball, but then make late, timely cuts to the basket when he sees his defenders lose track of him. Another gritty player for DeForest, Jansen also took three charges in two games. [player_tooltip player_id="1028255" first="Arhman" last="Lewis"] - 2023 - PG - Madison La Follette Lewis hit two big shots in the semifinals -- a triple to send the game into overtime and another 3-pointer to tie things up in double overtime. Unfortunately for La Follette, they couldn’t see it through to a victory. What I loved most after the first big shot, while his teammates were mobbing him, Lewis settled them down and let them know the job’s not finished. Lewis came back the next day and scored 22 points against Yorkville Christian, including the game-winning bucket with 5.8 seconds remaining as the Lancers rallied from an 18-point deficit. Through two games, Lewis averaged 19.5 points and 5.5 assists. An explosive guard with deadly handles, Lewis is very tough to stay in front of. With his speed and skill, defenders have to pick their poison as Lewis has in-the-gym range as a shooter and blow-by ability on the ball. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Highlights of 2023 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1028255" first="Arhman" last="Lewis"] from <a href="https://twitter.com/60Eightbball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@60Eightbball</a>. The junior averaged 19.5 points and 5.5 assists per game in two outings.<a href="https://twitter.com/thearhmanlewis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thearhmanlewis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LancerBoysHoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LancerBoysHoops</a>. <a href="https://t.co/Xh86LXv80y">pic.twitter.com/Xh86LXv80y</a> — Prep Hoops Wisconsin (@PrepHoops_WI) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops_WI/status/1473026580289138695?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> [player_tooltip player_id="1089686" first="Quinton" last="Lomack"] - 2024 - PG - Madison La Follette Lomack is a bull on the floor. The sophomore has an advanced frame and uses it well. He’s a very exceptionally rebounder, especially on free throws. Lomack just bullied people out of the way and came up with 19 rebounds in two games, including seven offensive boards. Lomack also scored in double figures in both games, including 14 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists against Yorkville Christian in the third place game. A downhill scorer, Lomack can shoot it a bit in the mid-range as well. When he settles down, plays within himself and the system, Lomack’s a prospect that can be quite dangerous on the offensive end. Thought he brought a different tenacity to the defensive end of the floor over the weekend as well, often getting matched up with the other team’s best guard. [player_tooltip player_id="863582" first="Jaden" last="Schutt"] - 2022 - SG - Yorkville Christian Just a very business-like approach from Schutt. The crowd gives him a hard time, but Schutt just tunes it out and plays ball. Even between the lines, Schutt plays the game, not the moment. While he suffered a wrist injury in the third-place game and did not return, Schutt still scored 23 points and dished out five assists in just 22 minutes of action. The Duke commit was sensational in the semifinals against DeForest. Despite a loss, Schutt went for 34 points on an impressive 13-of-20 shooting. A sweet-shooting wing that’s dangerous from all areas of the floor, Schutt can score even against the tightest of defense. He’s a nightmare for defenders. At 6-foot-5, there’s just not a lot most guards at this level can do to contest his shot. Add in the fact that he’s never stagnant, defenders have to be willing to chase Schutt around the floor for 36 minutes. He’s improved drastically on the ball as well, showing a deadly retreat dribble, followed by an attack to the bucket. A sneaky athlete, Schutt plays above the rim with ease. [player_tooltip player_id="801146" first="Max" last="Weisbrod"] - 2022 - G - DeForest Weisbrod scored 35 points (9-18) and dished out nine assists in DeForest’s win over Yorkville Christian (IL) in the semifinals. Closing the game out, Weisbrod lived at the free throw line in the second half went a perfect 15-of-15 from the charity stripe. Weisbrod also had a key and-one that put the game away in the final minutes. While the Norskies didn’t come out victorious against La Crosse Central, Weisbrod did have a game-high 25 points and four assists. Northern Michigan is getting a good one here. Weisbrod is vocal and lead-by-example player. When he steps on the floor, his teammates just fall in line. As said time and time again, Weisbrod can dictate a game without scoring and flirt with triple-doubles whenever he steps on the floor. However, when Weisbrod smells blood in the water, he’ll go off as a scorer and has drastically improved his shot-creating ability, especially his step-back jumper, since his freshman season. [player_tooltip player_id="1349129" first="Nic" last="Williams"] - 2023 - PG - La Crosse Central Williams likely played his way into the rankings this weekend. The junior guard was steady throughout Central’s win over La Follette, but when Fielding was hit with his fifth foul in overtime, Williams rose to the occasion. As soon as Fielding hit the bench, Williams scored four-straight points and had a block. He also had the game-winning 3-pointer in double overtime to send the River Hawks to the finals. Against the Lancers, Williams tallied 17 points and three assists. In the title game victory over DeForest, Williams came back with 11 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. A plus-length guard who can score, facilitate, defend, and just brings a certain poise to the floor, Williams makes this Central team a lot better and more dangerous. [player_tooltip player_id="1210394" first="KJ" last="Vasser"] - 2022 - SG - Yorkville Christian Vasser had 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting in the semifinals against DeForest. The senior guard was 3-of-6 and grabbed four rebounds. Vasser did an exceptional job of sprinting the floor in transition, often finding the soft spots in the corners. The 6-foot-3 guard has a clean, smooth stroke from distance and feeds off dribble penetration. Vasser is a standout defender as well. He can pick up 94 feet, move laterally, and bother opponents on the perimeter without fouling. In the third-place game versus La Follette, Vasser had 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting. He also showed more as a point guard, doing a great job of hitting gaps and kicking out to open shooters. A strong guard who can take a bump, Vasser has a frame that’s not fazed by physical defense and get to where he needs to with the ball in his hands. Cameron Yahnke - 2022 - W/F - Madison La Follette Yahnke had a huge performance against Yorkville Christian in the third place game. The senior posted 21 points (9-12) and six rebounds. It wasn’t anything special, Yahnke was just in the right place at the right time and gave his teammates an easy target for high percentage buckets. Yahnke isn’t going to flash a lot of skill or athleticism, but he’s going to beat his man with hard work and by not taking a play off. Yahnke, who was named to the all-tournament team, had 11 points and six rebounds in the semifinal loss to La Crosse Central. Yahnke was often hitting the offensive glass hard and keeping plays alive. Even if he didn’t come down with the board, the 6-foot-4 forward battled and often created a second chance for his team.