Individual Matchups To Watch (Week 11)

Previewing some of the most intriguing individual player matchups to keep an eye on across Wisconsin this week! Tuesday: [player_tooltip player_id="1267649" first="Alijah" last="Matthews"] (Racine St. Catherine’s) vs [player_tooltip player_id="1170559" first="Caiden" last="Lecce"] (Kenosha St. Joseph) Two of the top point guards in the MCC face off in a matchup that could help decide who wins the conference. St. Cats is currently up top at 9-1, while Kenosha St. Joseph is in 3rd at 7-2. Alijah is having a breakout season after sitting behind a pair of Division 1 point guards last year, and is currently averaging 16.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. He’s an explosive athlete with a dangerous pull-up jumper and a nice feel for the game. Defensively he’s so quick laterally and can disrupt opposing guards with his long arms and quick feet. Lecce recently committed to UW-Eau Claire, and is scoring 12.1 a contest while also dishing out 2.7 assists compared to 0.8 turnovers per game. He’s so quick and stays low to the ground to keep a secure handle, allowing him to get into tight spaces without turning the ball over. Caiden is so good at getting into the lane where he has a high arching floater to score over size, or the vision to hit an open shooter. Always has his head on a swivel to find the open man, and is as scrappy as they come on the defensive end. Tuesday: [player_tooltip player_id="801136" first="Maximus" last="Nelson"] (Appleton North) vs [player_tooltip player_id="1138440" first="Caleb" last="Glaser"] (Appleton East) This crosstown rivalry will feature two of the top post players in their classes, as senior Max Nelson takes on junior [player_tooltip player_id="1138440" first="Caleb" last="Glaser"]. Nelson, a Valparaiso commit, is putting up an impressive 25 points and 11 rebounds per game to lead his team. His size is an issue for most teams down low, while he can also step outside and hit threes consistently. Plays with some physicality and is a mismatch nightmare due to his versatility at 6’8. Glaser is one of the few players in the area with the size to compete with Nelson down low, and he’s having a big year himself scoring 16.3 a game. He’s one of the hardest working post players you’ll find, and he rarely forces up bad shots. His defensive ability will be key for Appleton East in this matchup. Wednesday: [player_tooltip player_id="981022" first="Jacob" last="Dunham"] (South Milwaukee) vs Devin Isaj (Greendale) It’s one of the best 2023 guards in the state taking on a high scoring freshman this Wednesday. [player_tooltip player_id="981022" first="Jacob" last="Dunham"] has been impressive for South Milwaukee, leading them to a 6-1 conference record while scoring 24.3 ppg with 10.4 rpg. At 6’4, his length and high release point make it difficult for opposing guards to contest him, allowing him to pull-up from mid-range or curl off screens for threes. He’s a 50+% shooter from beyond the arc this year, meaning if he gets even a few inches of space he can put points on the board in a hurry. This will be a big test for 2025 Devin Isaj and Greendale. One of the most productive freshmen in the state, Devin is scoring a team high 19.6 ppg, and at 6’4 he has the length to try to slow down Dunham. If he gets going, Greendale will look to give South Milwaukee a run for their money in this Woodland East vs West matchup. Friday: [player_tooltip player_id="1240335" first="Kai" last="Rogers"] (Wauwatosa West) vs [player_tooltip player_id="1142131" first="Jack" last="Daugherty"] (Brookfield Central) This matchup features two of the top underclassmen frontcourt prospects in the state. 6’7 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id="1142131" first="Jack" last="Daugherty"] is putting up 13.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 43.6% from beyond the arc. His ability to stretch the floor causes problems for opposing defenses, but he’s not afraid to bump down low and score in the post. Has excellent touch on his shot and continues to improve around the basket. [player_tooltip player_id="1240335" first="Kai" last="Rogers"] is a 6’10 freshman with impressive strength. If you don’t throw a double team at him early, he’s able to back his man down and score with either hand around the basket at a high percentage. He’s been putting up 11.6 ppg while shooting just over 70% from the field, proving to be one of the most efficient post scorers in the state. For his size Kai gets off the floor quickly to throw down powerful dunks or send shots right back to where they came from defensively. Tons of potential from this 2025 prospect. Saturday: JR Lukenbill (Burlington) vs [player_tooltip player_id="1240336" first="Amari" last="Allen"] (Kaukauna) On Saturday afternoon, these talented wing prospects will face off. JR is a do-it-all junior for his team, as he leads Burlington in points, rebounds, and assists this season. At 6’4 he has the size to defend on the wing, but is skilled enough to run the point for his team. Isn’t afraid to get down hill and attack the basket, while also having the vision to kick it out to shooters. Adds in a nice stroke from beyond the arc, and some explosiveness in transition. He rebounds extremely well at his size, and can guard just about anywhere at the high school level. [player_tooltip player_id="1240336" first="Amari" last="Allen"] has been having a ridiculous freshman season. The 6’6 wing is scoring 21.6 ppg, showing why he already holds an offer from Georgetown. Allen possesses excellent body control for his size at this age, with fluid athleticism allowing him to get to the basket off the dribble, or stop on a dime and knock down a pull-up jumper. He’s such a versatile player already, and with his skill-set at 6’6, most teams just don’t have an answer for him. Amari has scored 20+ points in 13 games this season, and he’ll look to add another big performance to his resume on Saturday.