15U Hard Work Finals: Elite 8 Game of the Day

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Two major Wisconsin based programs faced off on July 15th at the Hard Work Region Finals and did not let the fans down. Below is a short highlight of the two teams and the match up before evaluating key prospects.&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[program_tooltip program_id='2076501' first='Chapman' last='Basketball Academy'] South is a team who at one point this summer had a 19 game winning streak on the Prep Hoops Circuit. The team is made up of a tightly knit and highly competitive group of studs. Coach Bauer and company may be the best kept secret on the 15U level, he leads a fiery and electric group of players who have a chance to win each and every time they step on the floor.&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>All Wisconsin, coached by Nick Ivory, is a “tough as nails” team who is seldom seen as the underdog regardless of the matchup. Opponents should expect to get All Wisconsin's best game each time they step on the floor. This 15U squad is led by the dynamic duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1561939' first='Ethan' last='Joling'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'], two selfless game changers who allow those around them to shine just as bright.&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>The scene was set in the Elite 8 and both teams were primed for battle and met up on Court 3 at Bloomington Jefferson High School. CBA South was fresh off a nail biter against the [program_tooltip program_id='2076027' first='Wisconsin' last='Blizzard'] and All Wisconsin was firing on all cylinders against ECI Selects.</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>While All Wisconsin walked away with the W, the talent on both squads was turning heads. The prospects below were difference-makers and are players to know after Saturday's performance.&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1561939' first='Ethan' last='Joling'] |&nbsp; All Wisconsin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6 '5 point forward provided whatever his team needed in the Elite 8 victory over CBA South. Answering the call when his opponent went on heavy hitting runs during spurts in the game, Joling would calmly find his way to the basket or the free throw line. Scoring on all three levels of the floor - he was indeed the tortoise in a race with the hare. He picked his spots at a high level with his teammates in mind as well. He finished with 22 points against CBA South.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1561925' first='Andrew' last='Jensen'] | All Wisconsin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6' 9 forward starred in his role. He was anchoring the paint on both ends of the floor to help advance All Wisconsin to the Final Four. Altering and sending shots off the mark, Jensen's presence was intimidating to say the least. Drawing a double team more than not, Jensen was a playmaker when catching in the post area. He followed up his teammates' misses with force and was a marked man by opponents looking to box him out. In the second half he slammed a putback that shook the gym and shifted the momentum. He finished with 8 points, although his presence alone was invaluable.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1561936' first='Brandon' last='Harper Jr'] | CBA South</strong>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harper Jr was the catalyst to an early run in the Elite 8 game against All Wisconsin. Digging down to help post defenders, snatching boards with the bigs, and hitting early threes, Harper Jr was determined to carry his team to the Final Four. Harper's pace in transition allowed CBA South to play advantage basketball while facing the giants of All Wisconsin. Harper Jr finished with 16 points in limited minutes, he was an impact player in what was the game of the day in my opinion.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ben Scherwin | CBA South</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scherwin played the role of the dark horse in the Elite 8 game. He began the game with a fiery approach. He is a stocky wing who leads with energy and by example. Scherwin played a major role in the close first half against high level opponent All Wisconsin. He finished with 17 points and was locked in from range tallying 5 three point baskets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->