Max’s Mid-Week Standouts (Week 8)

<p>Seven of the top performers I’ve watched through three games this week! So far I’ve watched Waukesha West defeat Milwaukee Riverside, St. Thomas More take down Racine St. Cats, and Lake Country Lutheran beat Hope Christian.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1142118" first="Amari" last="McCottry"] (6’5 2024 SF, St. Thomas More)- </strong>Amari is having a monster sophomore season, and even after missing time with foul trouble on Tuesday, he put up 28 points with 11 rebounds and 4 steals in a win over Racine St. Cats. With his length and ability to handle the ball, Amari was a threat to take a defensive rebound and go coast-to-coast for two points throughout the whole game. He mixed in a transition dunk that was won off a steal defending a point guard 35 feet away from the basket, as well as a couple of tough jumpers. I’ve really liked his motor on defense this year as he’s hungry to force turnovers and get things going the other way. Offensively his potential is through the roof, and it’s already transforming into consistent production at the high school level.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1267654" first="Noah" last="Howard"] (6’ 2022 G, Lake Country Lutheran)- </strong>Noah is a big part of why Lake Country Lutheran is the #1 ranked team in Division 3, and he led them to another win last night against Hope Christian. He scored an extremely efficient 23 points on 9-11 shooting from the field, while also picking up 5 steals. Those steals were won with his on-ball defense where he can quickly move his feet on opposing ball handlers, and also by jumping passing lanes that led to some easy lay ups. In the half-court he’s a great cutter without the ball which helps when he has a good passer like [player_tooltip player_id="761407" first="Luke" last="Haertle"] alongside him. Noah is also a threat from beyond the arc where he knocked down 3 of 5 attempts in the win.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1139790" first="Dominic" last="Hill"] (6’2 2023 G, Waukesha West)- </strong>Dominic had a huge game in Waukesha West’s win over Milwaukee Riverside on Monday. The skilled guard showed a lot of poise on the ball, taking whatever the defense gave him. Hill was so good at getting to the rim and showed that he can finish with either hand and in a variety of ways at the rim. Has the ability to lull his defender to sleep and then quickly take off and attack the basket. Also showed a smooth jumper on his way to 31 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in a win.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1267649" first="Alijah" last="Matthews"] (5’11 2022 PG, Racine St. Catherine’s)- </strong>One of the bigger sleepers in the 2022 class, Alijah is having a breakout season for the reigning state champs. He’s so shifty and plays with great change of pace that allows him to create separation off the dribble. That separation led to a flurry of jump shots in the first half against St. Thomas More. Alijah just couldn’t seem to miss in the first half, as he knocked down a handful of threes as well as a couple of mid-range jumpers. Despite being one of the smaller players on the floor, he explodes off the ground to get his shot up over length. Alijah also knocked down two free throws late in the game that tied things up and forced overtime. He finished with 26 points.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="761407" first="Luke" last="Haertle"] (6’4 2022 W, Lake Country Lutheran)- </strong>Luke was at it again on Wednesday night, doing a little bit, or a lot, of everything. He packed the box score to finish with 21 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in a win. The Wisconsin PWO commit is so crafty with the ball, and was dangerous catching in the high post because of his ability to pass to cutters or face up and make plays attacking the basket. His physical frame makes him tough to stop once he gets into the paint, because he can get guys into the air with a shot-fake before he powers through to score. Luke added in a handful of jumpers from both mid-range and three before taking an early seat in a blowout win.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1029763" first="Cal" last="Krohn"] (6’7 2022 PF)- </strong>Cal had a really well rounded showing for Waukesha West, finishing the game with 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Was dangerous out of the high post because of his ability to face up and see over the top of the defense to find his cutting teammates. Showed he can score with his back to the basket or pull in an offensive board and use his quick second bounce to go right back up. Cal gets up and down the floor really well, and has a nice mix of length, strength, and athleticism to make him a presence down low on both ends of the floor.</p> <p><strong>Drew Reindl (6’ 2022 G, St. Thomas More)- </strong>Drew is one of the better shooters in this year’s senior class, and he once again put that ability on display in a win. The lefty put up 22 points while knocking down 6 threes on Tuesday night. Drew can run the point for his team, but was excelling on Tuesday night with his off-ball movement, sprinting along the baseline and curling off screens to get openings beyond the arc. HIs quick release allows him to get off a shot before the defender can close out on him.</p>