WIAA State Tournament: Day One Standouts

<p><strong>MADISON, Wis. -- </strong> Day one of the WIAA State Tournament featured semifinal action in Division 3 and Division 4.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1089679" first="Nas" last="Beamon"] - 2024 - G - Milwaukee Academy of Science</p> [caption id="attachment_1409530" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/D73Q8518.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1409530" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/D73Q8518-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a> Photo: Megan Corcoran[/caption] <p>Beamon had 17 points and three assists while playing just 19 minutes during a blowout win over Cameron. The sophomore guard played with great intensity on the defensive end, harassing ball handlers and creating havoc that often turned into transition offense for the Novas. Finishing with four steals, Beamon played pressure defense for all 94 feet. Beamon attacked the basket aggressively, going 7-of-12 from the field. A strong, athletic guard, when Beamon can mix in that mid-range jumper, he becomes very difficult to contain.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1390443" first="Davion" last="Hannah"] - 2025 - F - Milwaukee Academy of Science</p> <p>Hannah can do a little bit of everything on the floor and padded the stat sheet during Thursday’s semifinal win over Cameron. The touted freshman came up with 14 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks, and four assists in just 17 minutes. Hannah relentlessly attacks the offensive glass and is a terrific shot blocker. The 6-foot-5 forward had five offensive rebounds and just broke Cameron’s spirit at times. Playing poised beyond his years, Hannah has a calm demeanor on the floor and wasn’t fazed by the fans or bright lights. He’s a terrific teammate that will do any job asked of him.  Expect Hannah to be a top five prospect in the 2025 class with No. 1 potential given his size, athleticism, and all-around impact.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="761407" first="Luke" last="Haertle"] - 2022 - SG - Lake Country Lutheran</p> <p>You think Haertle hears the clock ticking on his career? The senior guard came right out of the gate and put it on St. Thomas More, scoring 11 of the team’s first 14 points. Haertle finished with 35 points on 12-of-21 shooting, scoring against size, length, and double teams. The Wisconsin walk-on commit also posted game-highs in rebounds (11) and assists (4). The 6-foot-4 guard isn’t going to blow anybody away athletically, but he can beat defenders with patience, footwork, and  IQ, just waiting for his man to make a mistake before he strikes. Having played at the state tournament a year ago, Haertle looked very comfortable in the bright lights. Facing a Division 1 prospect on the defensive end, Haertle got the better of that matchup as well and also had three steals.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1409365" first="Carson" last="Koepnick"] - 2023 - SG - West Salem</p> <p>Koepnick went off in the second half as West Salem would cruise to a double-digit win. The junior guard scored 18 of his 28 points in the second half, finishing with 26 points on 11-of-20 shooting. A really good shooter on the move, Koepnick’s willingness to work without the ball and not remain stagnant, gave Brillion a ton of problems.  Koepnick also surprised with his ability to attack shot blockers.  Once he got switches, Koepnick put the defender on his hip and went up quickly, before the opposing forward could react in time to make a play on the ball.  Kopenick also grabbed eight rebounds, had two steals, and took a charge during Thursday’s win.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1409364" first="Peter" last="Lattos"] - 2023 - SF - West Salem</p> <p>A new name that jumped out on Thursday, Lattos has top 50 potential. A 6-foot-7 small forward who’s smooth and versatile, Lattos  is a big mismatch problem. Really like his ability to change directions in the halfcourt for his size. Lattos can rip and go and if the help-side defender gets home on time, Lattos can counter by cutting on a dime. Lattos is a sweet outside shooter and can either run off screens or score off the bounce.  West Salem will also let him post up a little bit where Lattos can use his size to score over the top. He’s also an excellent passer on the block as well.  Thought Lattos sucked the life out of the opposition at times as well. hitting the offensive glass and getting his team second chance opportunities. Lattos battled foul trouble, but still had 10 points (4-7), 12 rebounds (six offensive), and two assists in 27 minutes.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1017916" first="Jeremy" last="Lorenz"] - 2023 - PF  - Brillion<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Lorenz.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1409526" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Lorenz-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a></p> <p>Lorenz did about all he could in Thursday’s loss to  West Salem. The junior forward nearly posted a triple-double, going for 22 points (8-18). 14 rebounds, nine blocks, and three assists in 35 minutes. Despite seeing constant double teams, Lorenz was able to establish himself offensively. The 6-foot-8 forward neutralized the extra attention by being able to handle the ball on the perimeter or get into the high post, turn, and face. Lorenz has a really good mid-range game for a forward and only needs a dribble or two to get in rhythm. Lorenz is capable of scoring off balance as well. While Lorenz holds a Division 1 offer from UW-Green Bay, think he’s still a late bloomer-type prospect. A long, lanky athlete with some bounce, if Lorenz can tighten his handle, put on some muscle, and shoot it consistently from 3-point range, he could be a steal at the mid-major level.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1134926" first="Luke" last="Pautz"] - 2022 - SF - Roncalli</p> <p>Was extremely impressed with Pautz’s will to win. The senior guard/wing didn’t have his best performance by any means. He struggled to shoot the ball, going 7-of-21 from the field and 0-of-6 from 3-point range, but you never saw his head drop. Pautz just stayed with it and when Roncalli needed plays late, Pautz delivered. Finishing with  20 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists, Pautz had a key stretch in which he grabbed a steal and a bucket, followed by an assist out of the post that put the Jets in front for good after they trailed by as many as 11. Pautz also led a defensive charge that shutout Marshall for the final 4:13 as Roncalli ended the game on a 19-2 run, including 14 unanswered points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>RESULTS</strong></p> <p><strong>Division 3 Semifinals</strong></p> <p>West Salem 71 Brillion 61</p> <p>Lake Country Lutheran 70 St. Thomas More 43</p> <p><strong>Division 4 Semifinals</strong></p> <p>Milwaukee Academy of Science 86 Cameron 59</p> <p>Roncalli 50 Marshall 43</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>