Midwest Showdown: Top Sleepers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>APPLETON -- </strong>A closer look at some of the top sleeper prospects that grabbed our attention at the 2023 Prep Hoop Midwest Showdown...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1973149' first='Chris' last='Pohl'] - 2026 - PF - Wisconsin Playmakers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Playmakers have a lot of talent. That said, some of their guys will naturally fly under the radar. On Sunday, Pohl was not that guy. After the Playmakers were without their starting big man for most of the game, Pohl stepped up and bailed his team out of a very slow start against 24:UP. Last game on a Sunday...anything can happen. The Playmakers were staring at a disappointing upset loss to end the spring. Suddenly, the 6-foot-6 forward dove on the ground for a loose ball and got it to a teammate which led to a bucket. From there, the Playmakers were back to firing on all cylinders and turned a double-digit deficit into a blowout win. The Playmakers just fed off Pohl's energy the rest of the way. Pohl was active the entire second half, winning 50-50 balls, competing for second-chance opportunities, and finishing with force around the rim. A promising forward prospect in 2025, Pohl is a little lanky and has some skill to potentially develop into more of a matchup problem. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1973149"],"_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-6474a66baa19b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tanek Wankowski - 2025 - SG - 24:UP</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caught 24:UP against the Wisconsin Playmakers Sunday morning. Wankowski didn't score a lot, if at all, but I definitely noticed his defensive presence. 24:UP got off to a great start and just stifled the Playmakers for 20 some minutes. A big part of that was Wankowski, who was flying around on the defensive end and making life hell on the opposition. The Playmakers move the ball arguably better than anyone in 16U in Wisconsin. Wankowski was always where he was supposed to be, was one step ahead, and jumped into the passing lanes a few times to disrupt the momentum and cause a turnover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1973116' first='Bryce' last='Ott'] - 2026 - F - Wisconsin Blizzard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A young prospect that grabbed my attention, Ott has a chance to be a good one. The forward spot is pretty deep at Oshkosh North, but the Spartans definitely need some depth. Eager to see if Ott potentially adds to their roster as a sophomore. The 6-foot-6 combo forward can do a little bit of everything. Love his size and frame. Ott is active on both ends of the floor, can bring the ball up and play a little point forward, has post skills, finishes well on the interior, and gets after the offensive glass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1544745' first='Bennett' last='Buss'] - 2025 - PG - Wisconsin Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that Verona's roster has cleared out a bit, hoping to see Buss break through this winter. He's performed very well at Prep Hoop Events in the past and this past weekend was no exception. One of the more talented guards in the state that people aren't talking about yet, Buss put on a show all weekend. He's a speedy, skilled, crafty playmaker that just keeps you guessing when he's on the ball. Just saw him constantly freeze defenders, utilizing change of pace and change of direction. When he gets to the rim, the 5-foot-11 guard has a deep finishing package and knows how to take a bump. He's also a consistent 3-point shooter on and off the ball, which forces his man to give him something at all times. Think he's done enough to earn a spot in the next rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1544745"],"_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-6474a66baa1f4"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1973108' first='Alex' last='Greene'] - 2025 - SF - The Pro Lane</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greene had a really nice all-around performance against Wisconsin Academy on Saturday. He's a tough matchup with his big body at 6-foot-4 and ability to handle the basketball. Greene spent quite a bit of time at the point, using that strong build to work his way into the paint as defenders just bounce off him. Thought he distributed the basketball really well and picked his spots offensively. There's some subtle three-level scoring ability here too. Saw Greene shoot it from 3-point range and showcase a nice little face-up game when he caught in the high post.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1973103' first='Jaylen' last='Woodland'] - 2024 - G - ABC Young Lions</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wasn't familiar with Woodland entering the weekend. While he was a senior at Audubon last winter, he's now listed as a 2024 player. The Player of the Year in the Milwaukee City White Conference, Woodland can really go on the ball. He was dynamic in transition, racing up the floor and beating the defense or pushing it ahead with the pass. Once Woodland got into the paint, you could almost chalk up two points. He surveyed the floor very well on Saturday, drew defenders to him, and made the right play with the basketball. While he's only listed at 5-foot-9, Woodland has some added length, athleticism, and speed on the ball to compensate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1463408' first='Charlie' last='Geske'] - 2024 - SF - Milwaukee Trailblazers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Have talked about Geske a ton over the last year and he continues to fly under the radar. After a strong season at Brookfield Central as a junior, Geske was on the floor with some of the top players in the state this weekend and really looked the part. The strong, but sweet-shooting wing is a terrific outside shooter, but is rather unique with his bully-ball style on the interior as well. At 6-foot-4, Geske plays a lot bigger than his size, can move people with his body around the rim, and has some sneaky athleticism. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1463408"],"_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-6474a27660ef5"} /-->