Border Battle Individual Matchups To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wisconsin vs Minnesota Border Battle takes place this Saturday at Prescott (WI) High School with teams from all over both states competing. These are some of the individual player matchups to keep an eye on throughout the day!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='962256' first='Buay' last='Koak'] (Lyle-Pacelli) vs [player_tooltip player_id='1261152' first='Kendon' last='Krogman'] (Regis)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Buak Koak recently scored his 2,000th career point, and he's a dominant force in Minnesota Class A basketball. At around 6'4 he has a long frame with explosive athleticism making him an above the rim threat off the drive or in transition. Super versatile defender as well who can defend just about anywhere at the high school level. He has Lyle-Pacelli at 11-2 to start the year. Kendon is a versatile player for Regis, and at 6'4 he's one of the only players with enough size to matchup with Buak. He leads the team in rebounds and assist showcasing his ability to makes plays on the interior or the perimeter. Kendon is an all-around athlete who led his football team to a state title as quarterback, so he's a proven winner who won't go down without a fight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225623' first='Ryan' last='Heise'] (Lake City) vs Walter Berns (Aquinas)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryan may be noticeably taller, but these are two skilled, versatile wings with size that have led their respective teams to strong starts. Heise is heading to Upper Iowa, and at 6'8-6'9 he can really stretch the floor with his shooting but also plays a bit stronger inside than his frame may suggest. With his length he offers a rim protecting presence inside, but he's mobile enough where you can't take advantage of him by drawing him out to the perimeter. Walter Berns is having a breakout year for Aquinas having increased his scoring average by roughly 18 ppg compared to his sophomore year. He's an impressive athlete who at 6'4 has the size, strength, and speed to find ways to get to the rim and finish at a high level. Starting to showcase his range beyond the arc as well. Has the defensive versatility to guard a variety of spots, and with his athleticism he many be used to try to slow down Heise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='962239' first='Aj' last='Greene'] (Concordia Academy) vs [player_tooltip player_id='1138436' first='Jordan' last='Malmlov'] (Prescott)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third matchup features a pair of high scoring guards as [player_tooltip player_id='962239' first='Aj' last='Greene'] leads 6-5 Concordia Academy against [player_tooltip player_id='1138436' first='Jordan' last='Malmlov'] and 10-3 Prescott. AJ has over 1,600 career points and is on the hunt for 2,000 by the season's end as he's a smooth lefty who can get to his spots off the dribble and score from just about anywhere. Greene plays with great pace and a dangerous pull-up jumper from mid-range. Type of player who can score within the flow of the offense, but when needed he has the green light to go and get a bucket for his team in isolation. In Wisconsin you'll have a hard time finding someone who can hit threes like [player_tooltip player_id='1138436' first='Jordan' last='Malmlov']. He's taking a very high volume of threes per game, yet still shoots an impressive 40% from deep while being a focal point for opposing defenses. He's shifty on the ball and his quickness translates to the defensive end where he can get after it on the ball. More explosive than he gets credit for as he can explode off the floor to finish at the rim. Played with Minnesota Select during the spring/summer so may be a familiar face for those that follow the hoops scene in Minnesota.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1221176' first='Owen' last='Carlson'] (Mahtomedi) vs [player_tooltip player_id='1022499' first='Bennett' last='Fried'] (La Crosse Central)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're looking for explosive wings who can finish above the rim, look no further than the 3:15 matchup. Owen has recently committed to Concordia St. Paul, and is a high flyer around the rim who can put on a show in transition. He excels at jumping passes or sneaking up on guys with a quick double team to force turnovers and get easy buckets. In the half-court he's a three point threat off the catch or dribble. [player_tooltip player_id='1022499' first='Bennett' last='Fried'] has a rare set of skills at 6'6 as he has a buttery smooth jumper and handles the ball like a guard. When he looks to pull-up and shoot it's very difficult to defend as he gets good elevation and has a high release point with his long and lanky frame. The high potential has always been there with Bennett, and as a senior he's turned it into high level production for a 9-3 team coming off a state tournament appearance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zashon Rich (Minneapolis North) vs [player_tooltip player_id='1390114' first='T.J.' last='Stuttley'] (Onalaska)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zashon Rich is a talented two-way player for North, with the ability to take a game over on either end. He'll be coming in confident in his scoring ability after putting up 26 points against Southwest. Rich does a great job of finishing through contact off two feet, and does a nice job of getting his defender on his hip before exploding to the rim. Defensively his motor never stops and he'll pick up full-court on his own for the length of the game when needed. Rarely will you see someone get to a loose ball before him. TJ ranks among the top 2025 wings not only in Wisconsin, but in the Midwest. He has an advanced frame as he's a strong 6'5 with explosive athleticism. Plays with the composure of an upperclassmen as a dominant inside finisher who's likely going to score or get to the free throw line every time he gets near the basket. Has a soft shooting touch to stretch the floor as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1284143' first='Isaiah' last='Johnson'] (Totino-Grace) vs [player_tooltip player_id='953944' first='Milan' last='Momcilovic'] (Pewaukee)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pewaukee hasn't lost a game with a healthy roster this year, and no one's had an answer for Milan. Totino-Grace may turn to [player_tooltip player_id='1284143' first='Isaiah' last='Johnson'] to try to slow him down. At 6'7 he moves very well at his size and possesses a 7' wingspan to help contest shots. Against Park Center he was tasked with guarding one of the most explosive point guards in the Midwest showcasing just how trusted of a defender he is. Offensively he's a smooth attacker off the dribble with above the rim finishing ability. Milan is one of the most skilled forwards in the entire country, and makes the high school game look way too easy. He has the best turnaround jumper I've seen at the high school level, and is also a 40% 3P shooter. Someone who never stops moving off the ball which makes him incredibly difficult to defend. Scoring 25 ppg this season but when needed he's capable of putting up well over that average.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1572689' first='Jalen' last='Wilson'] (Benilde-St Margaret's) vs [player_tooltip player_id='1447229' first='Will' last='Garlock'] (Middleton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's private school vs public school in the final game of the day as a young and talented BSM team takes on an experience Middleton team that has one of the largest enrollments in Wisconsin. The post matchup features two very intriguing sophomores in [player_tooltip player_id='1572689' first='Jalen' last='Wilson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1447229' first='Will' last='Garlock']. Jalen is incredibly skilled at 6'7 with the ability to score with his back to the basket or create off the dribble. You won't find many guys his size with that type of skill as an underclassman, and it's allowed him to score 17.7 ppg this season. Will may not have eye catching numbers, but he's a high potential talent who will be fun to watch develop. He stands an impressive 6'10 with good mobility for his size. Garlock gets off the floor quickly for dunks, and on the defensive end he does a nice job of standing his ground and walling up to protect the rim. He's a threat on the block because of his ability to pass to cutting teammates or turn over his left shoulder for a quick finish when the double-team doesn't come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->