Appleton East-Neenah Prospect Standouts

<p><strong>NEENAH -- </strong> In a huge, early season Fox Valley Association matchup, Appleton East (2-0)  went on the road and topped Neenah (2-1) on Friday...</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Chevalier Emery - 2022 -  G - Neenah<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/Emery.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1340520" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/Emery-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a></p> <p>Emery scored a game-high 22 points and nearly led the Rockets back from the dead in the second half. The Merrimack commit showed off a new side with a really impressive post game. The 5-foot-11 guard knew he had a size advantage on the block and was able to work that matchup quite a bit. Neenah trailed by 12 towards the back end of the second half and Emery lead  a strong comeback for the  Rockets. The senior guard broke out of a bit of a slump and scored six momentum-changing points that gave Neenah a chance late.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1138440" first="Caleb" last="Glaser"] - 2023 - F - Appleton East</p> <p>This continues to be one of the state’s most improved players. Think you could make a case Glaser was the best player on the floor on Friday, given his overall impact. Defenders think they have him stopped dead to right and Glaser has the outstanding footwork, counters, and touch to navigate around solid post defense. Even after he picks up his dribble, Glaser has the tools to work around defenders, and if all else fails, can score fading away from the rim. In addition to his 15 points, Glaser was a force on the defensive end as well. The 6-foot-7 forward walled up and blocked a handful of shots on Friday. Glaser has a great understanding of how to play vertical and impact shots without fouling.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1203186" first="Tyson" last="Keil"] - 2023 - F - Appleton East</p> <p>A prospect that kind of came out of nowhere, Keil gave the Patriots a huge boost on both ends of the floor. Keil scored eight points, most of which offered a nice momentum boost. Keil knocked down a corner triple and hand a great up and under in the post. Not a guy that East run stuff for, but Keil was definitely confident with the basketball when it was his turn to work. Defensively, the junior forward was everywhere. Keil sent shots back with authority, owned the glass, and was able to defend multiple positions on the floor inside and out. An athletic forward with some good upside, Keil is a sleeper to watch this spring/summer.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1258392" first="Joey" last="Lachapell"] - 2024 - PG - Appleton East<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/20211203_204724.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1340521" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/20211203_204724-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a></p> <p>LaChapell was at the line in the final seconds, needing to make two free throws to secure the win for East and hold off a ferocious comeback from Neenah. You could hear the trash talk coming in from the upperclassmen, trying to faze him. LaChapell just smiled, calmly buried two free throws to make it a four-point game, and look over at an opposing senior guard, shaking his head to essentially say, ’that doesn’t faze me.’  The sophomore floor general had a team-high 16 points, including seven key points in crunch time. LaChapell had the game’s biggest play, a bucket, plus the foul with just over a minute left.  He then hit four-straight free throws in the final 30 seconds to ensure the win as the Rockets had no chance of sending the game to overtime. Was extremely impressed with LaChapell all night. East had him defending Emery, which says a lot considering they have two senior guards with better size in the lineup. He made his open shots, created for others, and just had a calm demeanor, playing mistake-free basketball despite the stakes being so high.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="988704" first="Zach" last="Steigenberger"] - 2022 - G - Appleton East</p> <p>Thought Steigenberger really kept the Patriots afloat when Neenah threw their early punches and took a six-point lead in the first half. Steigenberger did what a senior is supposed to do,  answered runs with timely shots. Steigenberger had 14 points, including 11 in the opening period. A shot-making guard that can play on and off the ball,  Steigenberger works as a three-point marksman, but can also serve as an extra ball handler and decision-maker on the floor. A smooth, decisive prospect, Steigenberger is also a bit of a sneaky athlete who can play in transition or hit tight gaps in the half court.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="950099" first="Carter" last="Thomas"] - 2022  -  F - Neenah</p> <p>Thomas chipped in with 14 points for the Rockets in the loss.  East did a great job of making him play from the outside more than he'd probably like, but the athletic, slashing forward still knocked down two tough 3's.  Able to get into tight areas, Thomas has a knack for knifing up defenses. You don't see many 6-foot-6 forwards able to hit gaps like Thomas and get to the rim with one dribble. Defensively, Thomas is one of the most versatile players in the state. Neenah had him defending guards for a large chunk of the game, and at one point or another, Thomas saw time against pretty much everybody for the Patriots. </p>