Prospect Standouts From Friday & Saturday

Seven of the top performers from the three games I watched on Friday and Saturday! 

Amari McCottry Amari McCottry 6'5" | SF St. Thomas More | 2024 State #207 Nation WI (6’5 2024 W, St. Thomas More)- After a close first half, Amari just took over the game to ensure his team came out with the W against Martin Luther. The 6’5 do-it-all player nearly dropped a triple-double, finishing the game with 25 points, 16 rebounds, and 9 assists. Teams just don’t have guys his size that can stick with him off the dribble, making him a major threat with the ball in his hands. Able to beat the initial defender off the dribble, and if a help defender slides over in time he’s able to locate the open man, but if not he’ll go all the way to the rim to score. His defensive effort has impressed this year, as he’s hungry to force turnovers and get going out in transition. McCottry is able to jump passing lanes or pick his man’s pocket to go the other way where he is a tough finisher at the rim.

Demerius Shakur Demerius Shakur 6'2" | CG Martin Luther | 2023 State WI (6’2 2023 PG, Martin Luther)- Demerius may not always score a lot, but he’s such a productive player in various aspects of the game. As a point guard he’s a very good rebounder, as he seems to know which way the ball will come off the rim, and he attacks it out of the air. That effort allowed him to pull in a team high 13 rebounds. Offensively he’s very under control with the ball, while having the speed to get into tight spaces and makes plays as a passer or finisher. Defensively he has the ability to lock down opposing guards, and create turnovers to get out in transition. Finished the game with 15 points and 3 assists to go along with his strong night on the glass.

Alex Thomas (6’6 2025 PF, Martin Luther)- Another member of a loaded freshman class across Wisconsin, Alex made some nice plays against St. Thomas More. Defensively he showed he’s not afraid to go up and contest some athletes at the rim, altering a handful of shots while blocking two. He’s also an additional rebounding presence for this team, using his size to pull in 5 boards. Offensively he has good hands to catch on the block or in the P&R, and has the coordination to catch on the move and go up and finish. Showed soft touch around the rim and on his jumper, allowing him to finish with 11 points.

Demarion Burch Demarion Burch 6'4" | SG Milwaukee Hamilton | 2023 State WI (6’3 2023 G, Milwaukee Hamilton)- Demarion has been one of the more prolific scorers across the state this season, and on Saturday he put up a game high 27 points in a win for Hamilton. He can take off in the open floor to beat everyone else to the rim where he can elevate for a dunk or finish with touch. As a pick & roll ball handler he does a great job of splitting the defenders when one hedges too high, allowing him to get a head of steam towards the rim or stop and pop for a mid-range jumper. Showed some three level scorer potential, but was also keeping his eyes up to locate any open teammates. Having a big year averaging 27.2 ppg.

Andrei Honrada (5’8 2024 PG, St. John’s NW Academies)- Coming over from Sydney, Australia, Andrei is one of the best passers in the 2024 class. He’s super quick with the ball in his hands, and has the ability to make difficult passes look routine. Whether it was in transition or in the half-court, Andrei was getting into the lane and looking defenders off to open up his teammates for his percentage looks around the rim. He also showcased drive-and-dish ability, as well as the vision to find guys from the top of the key. Scoring-wise, he has a nice floater to finish over taller players, and also showcased some promise from beyond the arc. Finished with 9 points and a handful of assists on the game.

Josh Terrian Josh Terrian 6'3" | SF Pewaukee | 2022 State WI (6’4 2022 W, Pewaukee)- You’ll rarely see Josh Terrian Josh Terrian 6'3" | SF Pewaukee | 2022 State WI make a bad play on the floor, and that’s why he’s such an important piece for Pewaukee. Against Lake Country Lutheran, Josh shot 7-12 from the floor for an extremely efficient 19 points. You’ll never see the ball stick in his hands for more than a second, as he’s quickly able to decide the right play to make, whether it’s taking one dribble to the basket, shooting a three, or keeping the ball moving. Terrian drained four 3’s on the game, really stretching the defense out and opening things up inside for some of his teammates. Add in 6 rebounds and 4 assists, and is was another strong performance from the Michigan Tech commit. 

Luke Haertle Luke Haertle 6'3" | SG Lake County Lutheran | 2022 State WI (6’4 2022 G, Lake Country Lutheran)- Despite the loss, you have to admire the heart and spirit that Luke played with. Even on the road, he was getting the crowd fired up with his big plays, and then playing off of that energy. Luke was pulling up for threes off the dribble, taking guys on to the block to use his strength, and kicking the ball out to open shooters to keep his team close with the reigning state champs. LCL got down big early, but Luke helped his team rally and they were actually leading the game midway through the second half. The Wisconsin PWO commit finished the game with 27 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals.