Individual Matchups To Watch This Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The regular season is coming to a close with this being one of the last full weeks of boy's basketball before the playoffs start! I'll be breaking down an individual matchup to watch each night from Tuesday-Saturday. Stats via wissports.net</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tuesday: [player_tooltip player_id='1447228' first='Jamarion' last='Batemon'] (MAS) vs [player_tooltip player_id='1397864' first='AJ' last='Uttech'] (Columbus)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a talented guard matchup taking place on Tuesday night as [player_tooltip player_id='1447228' first='Jamarion' last='Batemon'] will take on [player_tooltip player_id='1397864' first='AJ' last='Uttech']. Batemon has been having a big sophomore season averaging 18.8 ppg, as he's a long and lanky guard with deep shooting range. Has really improved as a shot creator both for himself and his teammates. He can heat up in a hurry and has helped lead MAS to a 7 game win streak. [player_tooltip player_id='1397864' first='AJ' last='Uttech'] is a strong and shifty guard committed to Stevens Point. Gets great elevation on his pull-up jumper and is such a crafty finisher at the rim. The type of guard who never takes a play off on defense as he's a major competitor. He's scoring 20.2 ppg this year and has his team sitting at 11-4 on the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wednesday: Lamont Hamilton (Racine St. Cats) vs Sam Pitrof (Racine Lutheran)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not many matchups this Wednesday, but fans in Racine will be able to watch two productive freshmen face off. Lamont is second on his team in scoring at 14.3 ppg, while also leading the Angels in assists with 3.4 a night. He's a tough competitor who's very scrappy on defense, and has no problem playing through contact on the offensive end. Loves to attack the basket and finish with the left hand while having plenty of success getting to the free throw line. Has to be accounted for beyond the arc at all times as he's shooting nearly 50% from deep. Sam Pitrof is having a productive freshman season in his own right, and is coming off a 25 point outburst against Union Grove. At 6'1 he has a solid frame and is already a very good rebounder as a guard. Tough finisher when he gets around the basket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thursday: Chris Davis Jr. (Sun Prairie West) vs [player_tooltip player_id='951132' first='Braylen' last='Blue'] (Madison Memorial)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simply put, Chris Davis Jr. is a bucket. The sophomore guard has had some big games for his new school and is leading them in scoring at 23.4 ppg. He's a tough shot maker who can create his own looks off the dribble but is also a catch-and-shoot threat from three who you can have running off screens to get looks for him. The type of fiery competitor who's going to get his team and the crowd fired up when he gets going. [player_tooltip player_id='951132' first='Braylen' last='Blue'] is a well-rounded guard with plenty of length for Memorial. Not sure what type of defense they'll go with on Thursday night, but his long frame could be used to try to disrupt Davis and his scoring ability. At 6'5 he's a talented passer who uses his height to see the floor and zip in passes from the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Friday: [player_tooltip player_id='980996' first='Robert' last='Peters'] (West Allis Hale) vs [player_tooltip player_id='1240335' first='Kai' last='Rogers'] (Wauwatosa West)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the most physically dominant bigs in the state square off on Friday night. [player_tooltip player_id='980996' first='Robert' last='Peters'] can go off for 20 and 10 on any given night, with his strong frame and touch around the basket. He can go to work on the block but is also so dangerous because of his ability to step out to the wing and take his man off the dribble. He's been a difficult matchup all year for opposing defenses, because most teams don't have a guy who can compete with his blend of size, agility, and skillset. [player_tooltip player_id='1240335' first='Kai' last='Rogers'] is someone that most teams have to double-team every time he touches the ball, because he's that efficient around the rim. At 6'10 he's a force in the paint who has touch around the basket but can also throw down a dunk in traffic. Impressive passer out of the block who's capable of finding open shooters when the double/triple teams come his way. He's been averaging 14.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 3.6 blocks per game this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saturday: [player_tooltip player_id='953944' first='Milan' last='Momcilovic'] (Pewaukee) vs [player_tooltip player_id='1193234' first='Will' last='Hornseth'] (De Pere)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In likely the most anticipated matchup of the season, #1 D2 Pewaukee takes on #1 D1 De Pere on Saturday night. There's talent all over the floor, but I'll be looking at the frontcourt matchup. There hasn't been a team in the Midwest who's been able to slow down Milan this season. The Iowa State commit is a threat to score from anywhere in the half-court, as he shoots 56% from the field, 42% from 3P, and 86% at the line. Never gets sped up and has a counter for anything a defender throws at him. His turnaround jumper may be the most un-guardable shot in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='1193234' first='Will' last='Hornseth'] has been the definition of efficient for De Pere. He's not going to waste a single shot attempt, and has been shooting an eye-catching 76.7% from the field this year. At 6'8 he has a blend of strength and athleticism that makes him tough to stop in the paint, and even tougher to stop when he gets out in the open floor in transition. Has a blend of "old school" and "new school" big man traits that makes him a versatile piece on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->