Middleton-Milwaukee Hamilton Prospect Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SUN PRAIRIE -- </strong>6-seed Milwaukee Hamilton pulled off the upset, knocking off 2-seed Middleton in Thursday's Division 1 sectional semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1138463' first='Demarion' last='Burch'] - 2023 - SG - MIlwauke Hamilton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middleton had no answer for Burch the entire game. The Bradley commit scored a game-high 28 points and was just not going to be denied. Each time it felt like the game was in the balance, Burch got something positive going to the rim. He's so explosive after his first step that Burch was even able to get to the rim against a zone defense and when multiple defenders were already in the gap. Challenging the opposing forwards, Burch has a unique ability to get under, around, and/or over shot blockers. The lefty hit a good amount of step-back shots early, but loved that he didn't settle in the second half and just relentlessly took the ball into the teeth of the defense. Burch finished 10-of-20 from the field and also dished out eight assists in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1138463"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640b7208368c5"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1039373' first='Owen' last='Cooney'] - 2023 - F - Middleton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just felt like Cooney kept showing up. Whenever a big play was made, Cooney was often involved. The senior forward, who came in averaging around nine points per game, delivered 18 points on 9-of-14 shooting on Thursday. As expected when watching the game live, Cooney stuffed the stat box with nine rebounds, six assists, and two steals. The 6-foot-4 passes the ball very well from the top of the key and the high post, able to find cutters and set up easy baskets. A mobile, versatile forward that can play inside-out and be effective from various parts of the floor, Cooney had a big hand in the 11-point come-from-behind effort for Middleton. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1841399' first='Ky'Moni' last='Hunt'] - 2024 - PG - Milwaukee Hamilton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thought Hunt really put the Wildcats over the top with his 3-point shooting. With so much attention going to Burch, Hunt can really feed off dribble penetration and got a lot of quality looks. The junior guard chipped in with 19 points, including a couple of key triples when it looked like Middleton was finally going to make its move. A small, speedy guard that can push the tempo, Hunt will look to initiate early offense. In the halfcourt, if defenders close too hard, Hunt can put it on the deck and use a floater from even 8-10 feet out. Hunt finished 7-of-14 from the field, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range. He also grabbed five rebounds and two steals in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1141638' first='Gavyn' last='Hurley'] - 2023 - G - Middleton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whenever you have Hurley, you know you're going to be in the game. Middleton didn't have its best stuff on Thursday, but the Cardinals were right there at the end. The Winona State commit scored a team-high 20 points. Once again, Hurley just impacted the game across the board, adding six rebounds, five steals, and three assists. When Hurley gets into a zone, he completely controls a game. Hurley has a rare knack for being able to get into the paint without necessarily blowing you away with athletic ability. Able to see things before they happen, Hurley rarely makes a mistake with the basketball when he's looking to make a play. When Hurley gets two feet in the paint, it usually results in something positive for Middleton. When the Cardinals trailed by 11, Hurley, turned on a different gear and helped his team initially take a lead and have a chance down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1141638"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640b72083692b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='981001' first='Simeon' last='Murchison'] - 2023 - C - Milwaukee Hamilton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murchison was just a beast on the interior in Thursday's win. The 6-foot-9 center blocked everything around the rim and probably wiped away at least 14 points for Middleton. When all was said and done, Murchison tallied a whopping seven blocks. When get got the ball around the rim, it was almost automatic for Murchison, who finished with 10 points. A long, strong, athletic forward with a high motor, Murchison is still on the board. Wherever he ends up, Murchison likely has a role at the Division 1 level as an enforcer/junkyard dog type in the paint and someone who can run the floor and make momentum-changing plays in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["981001"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640b720836979"} /-->