2023-24 Preview: X-Factor Seniors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Continuing to preview the 2023-24 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin looks at the x-factors in the senior class who could help make or break their team's respective runs to the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1203206' first='T.J.' last='Adams'] - Marquette</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid is lethal and gaining confidence every time he steps out on the floor. Marquette is led by St. Thomas commit [player_tooltip player_id='1203205' first='Nolan' last='Minessale'], but Adams is a guy they turn to a lot when they need a bucket in crunch time. A 6-foot-2 combo guard that's perfectly comfortable making plays for others, but also going and getting his offensively, Adams posted 12.6 points and 4.1 assists per game last season. One of the state's premier 3-point shooters, Adams shot 41.4 percent from downtown as a junior, connecting on a whopping 75 triples.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1203206"],"_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-6549064999157"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1117365' first='Isaac' last='Skemp'] - Onalaska</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Have talked about it at length in the off-season, but think Skemp is going to be a different player as a senior. He's no longer just a guy you have to crowd on the perimeter and not allow catch-and-shoot opportunities. The 6-foot-6 wing has added different parts to his game and growing more comfortable as someone who can make things happen inside the arc. Averaged 8.8 points per game as a junior, Skemp will get a lot more opportunities with T.J. Stuttley transferring to Link Academy in Missouri. Skemp will form a strong 1-2 punch with South Dakota commit [player_tooltip player_id='1157562' first='Evan' last='Anderson']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1117365"],"_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-65490649991dd"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1412223' first='Sawyer' last='Schipper'] - Stoughton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A player that I'm not sure has gotten his due in this state, Schipper is an excellent No. 2 next to Michigan Tech commit [player_tooltip player_id='1144570' first='Ty' last='Fernholz']. Stoughton is coming off a 19-8 season and is expected to make a strong push against Pewaukee to reach the state tournament. Schipper averaged 14.2 ppg as a junior and showed during the AAU season he has no problem being a No. 1 if needed. A strong, athletic, two-way guard who keeps his mouth shut and just plays, Schipper hit the 20-point mark six times last season and played some of his best ball in March with three-straight 20-point performances against some really good teams -- De Forest, Mount Horeb, and McFarland. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1412223"],"_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-6549064999251"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1193219' first='Theo' last='Schofield'] - Sun Prairie West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is potentially a big transfer for Sun Prairie West, who's got the inside track to reach the state tournament in their sectional. Schofield led their crosstown rival at 12.3 ppg as a junior. A strong, athletic, and explosive combo forward with some skill, Schofield beefs up the Wolves' front line in a big way and gives them a big second option alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1481180' first='Chris' last='Davis Jr.'] A situation where Schofield doesn't have to be "the guy" and can feed off the attention that Davis is going to get, should be highly beneficial for Schofield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1193219"],"_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-65490649992c0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1144119' first='Cooper' last='Grams'] - Sussex Hamilton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've touted Grams as one of the most improved players in the state. While he may not fit the x-factor role so to speak anymore -- as Grams will be a leader for Sussex Hamilton -- he is playing alongside a very good guard in [player_tooltip player_id='1142132' first='Aidan' last='Konop'], who's a four-year varsity performer. Grams averaged 8.0 points and 2.2 assists per game as a junior. Coming into his own during the travel season, Grams dictated the flow of the game, made decisions, and took over when necessary all at a high level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1144119"],"_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-654906499932e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1725680' first='Markel' last='Webb'] - Dominican</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights are loaded with talent, featuring three college prospects, who are all seniors. Webb gets overlooked, but he can lead Dominican in scoring on any given night. With the Knights going small, they ask Webb to play bigger than his size and be a primary rebounder, Webb responded with nearly seven boards per game at 6-foot-3. A terrific dribble-drive guard who can knife through a defense and live at the rim, Webb quietly got 17.6 ppg as a junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1725680"],"_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-654906499939c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1289032' first='Julian' last='Alvarez'] - Pius XI</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Alvarez gets going from 3-point range, it makes a world of difference for star point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1142142' first='Jaquan' last='Johnson'], who generally draws multiple defenders towards him and has one of the toughest jobs in the country -- trying to keep Pius afloat in a loaded Woodland West Conference with teams who can flat out score. Johnson is going to take the majority of the shots and make the decisions on the floor, but Alvarez's 3-point shooting ability lifts a lot of weight off his shoulders. Pius XI went 18-9 last season. Alvarez chipped in with 12 ppg, while shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc. He made four or more triples in 11 games, including a whopping nine 3-pointers against New Berlin Eisenhower.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1289032"],"_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-6549064999408"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1418526' first='Jayden' last='Schoen'] - Ashwaubenon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fox River Classic loses a lot of talent from last season. De Pere will still be the top dawg, but Ashwaubenon has a great chance to make a lot of noise. Schoen averaged 13.4 points and 2.3 assists per game as a junior, moving into a new role during a rebuild season. Pairing with senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1260946' first='Drew' last='Tomashek'], Schoen helped lead the Jaguars to a 15-10 mark while playing in a very deep and talented league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1418526"],"_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-6549064999476"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1887322' first='Matthew' last='McKay'] - Nicolet </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We know Nicolet has the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1390443' first='Davion' last='Hannah'], [player_tooltip player_id='1598239' first='David' last='Bolden'], and Rashad Davis. They get really good when McKay plays well. The Knights got big shots from McKay in that state semifinal loss to Pewaukee. A 6-foot-5 stretch wing/forward with defensive versatility, McKey averaged 7.4 ppg as a junior. When he scored in double figures, Nicolet was 6-1, including a victory over reigning North Shore Champion Homestead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1887322"],"_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-65490649994e2"} /-->