2022-23 Preview: Greater Metro

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking ahead to the 2022-23 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Greater Metro Conference...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PROJECTED STANDINGS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Wauwatosa West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. Brookfield East</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. Sussex Hamilton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Brookfield Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. West Allis Hale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Marquette</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. Menomonee Falls</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. Germantown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. Wauwatosa East</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE FAVORITE: Wauwatosa West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a lot of talent that was lost across the conference. Even West is no exception, having lost its best player from last season. However, the Trojans return the most and have a deep lineup that includes [player_tooltip player_id='1240335' first='Kai' last='Rogers'], [player_tooltip player_id='1240337' first='Jake' last='Hansen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1089681' first='Cole' last='Hansen'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1142144' first='Moses' last='Long'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TOP CONTENDER: Brookfield East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No matter who they lose, you know the Spartans aren't going anywhere. A blue collar program that doesn't beat itself, East has a lot of experience and talent returning behind Matt Schmainda, [player_tooltip player_id='1138442' first='Joe' last='Stewart'], [player_tooltip player_id='1203046' first='Andrew' last='Graf'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1261074' first='Nollenn' last='Tabaska']. This group fell short of expectations last season and likely has a bad taste in their mouths after finishing five games out of first place.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DARK HORSE: Brookfield Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best coached programs in the state, you just never count out the Lancers. There's no more Andrew Rohde for the reigning D1 runner-up, but [player_tooltip player_id='1142131' first='Jack' last='Daugherty'] might be the most difficult matchup in the GMC. The depth won't blow you away on paper, but it didn't in 2021-22 either and Central still found their way to Madison for the title game. If sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1272671' first='Anthony' last='Rise'] can grow up quickly and give Daugherty a reliable running mate, think the Lancers can potentially overcome some of their losses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='953956' first='Luther' last='Smith'] (Sussex Hamilton) - Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='1089681' first='Cole' last='Hansen'] (Wauwatosa West) - Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='1039325' first='Matthew' last='Schmainda'] (Brookfield East) - Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>W [player_tooltip player_id='1203205' first='Nolan' last='Minessale'] (Marquette) - Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id='1142131' first='Jack' last='Daugherty'] (Brookfield Central) - Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id='980996' first='Robert' last='Peters'] (West Allis Hale) - Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id='1240335' first='Kai' last='Rogers'] (Wauwatosa West) - So.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SECOND TEAM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='1203046' first='Andrew' last='Graf'] (Brookfield East) - Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='1240337' first='Jake' last='Hansen'] (Wauwatosa West) - So.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='1142132' first='Aidan' last='Konop'] (Sussex Hamilton) - Jr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='981005' first='Danny' last='Staskunas'] (West Allis Hale) - Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id='1012673' first='Cole' last='Sciortino'] (Menomonee Falls) - Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F Will Van Fossen (Germantown) - Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id='1261074' first='Nollenn' last='Tabaska'] (Brookfield East) - Sr.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PLAYER OF THE YEAR: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='953956' first='Luther' last='Smith']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is the leading returning scorer in the league at 22.2 ppg and the top ranked senior in the Greater Metro Conference. A dangerous shooter, Smith has developed into a three-level scorer. Even at 5-foot-11, he's got the strength and toughness to score off the bounce and attack the rim. A guy you've got to pick up from halfcourt, Smith can let it fly from well past the 3-point arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BREAKOUT PLAYER:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1240335' first='Kai' last='Rogers']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The GMC is going to see a different [player_tooltip player_id='1240335' first='Kai' last='Rogers'] this season. Now down about 50 pounds, Rogers has completely reshaped his body. He's still an imposing post presence, but now the 6-foot-10 sophomore is scary athletic for his size. He'll dominate games on both ends of the floor and is slowly starting to work in an outside jumper as well as improve his ball handling ability for the perimeter. Rogers averaged 10 points and six boards per game as a freshman. He's a legit five-star talent that's just getting started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SURPRISE PLAYER:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1203046' first='Andrew' last='Graf']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the Spartans losing their leading scorer, Graf may see his numbers jump quite a bit. An undersize guard, Graf makes up for it with speed on the ball and a tireless work ethic off it. He's constantly running through screens and making defenders chase. You gotta be right on his hip as a defender, because Graf has a quick stroke and a great feel to attack when a mistake is made. Last season, Graf gave East 12.0 ppg while shooting 47 percent from the floor and knocking down 57 triples.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->