60Eight Tournament: Friday’s Semifinal Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MADISON -- </strong>Breaking down the top individual performances from Friday's action at the 60Eight Tournament semifinals...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1269166' first='Matt' last='Drake'] - 2024 - PG - Lakeville North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers started out the game red hot. They can thank Drake, who had nine assists alone in the first half. Drake was pushing the tempo, finding his shooters in rhythm, and facilitating at a very high level. A terrific ball handler who sees the entire floor, Drake knows how to manipulate the defense and put his teammates in positions to be successful. If opposing defenders didn't pick him up, Drake was just fine getting all the way to the cup. During a blowout win over Verona, Deake played just 27 minutes. He would finish with 13 points (5-10), 11 assists, six rebounds, and two steals in a complete effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1269166"],"_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-657d1c89d6919"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1288835' first='James' last='Fager II'] - 2025 - SG - Lakeville North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fager took seven shots and finished with 18 points. The junior guard never missed inside the arc or at the free throw line. Part of Lakeville North's 3-point shooting barrage, Fager was 3-of-5 from downtown. A good looking athlete that makes quick decisions on the fly, Fager was active on both ends of the floor. He displayed a quick trigger from 3-point range, came off ball screens looking to make plays, and used his length and sneaky athletic ability to disrupt things on the defensive end. In Friday's win, Fager also had nine assists, six rebounds, and two steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1288835"],"_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-657d2d62992d9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1142123' first='Kon' last='II Knueppel'] - 2024 - SG - Wisconsin Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Continue to be blown away by Knueppel's ability to produce despite the defenses he's facing...and he does it without forcing a lot of shots or over-exerting himself offensively. Knueppel dropped 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting. He was 3-of-5 from 3-point range and 4-of-4 from the foul line. Playing on the ball a lot more this season, Knueppel had seven assists to just two turnovers. He also had the energy for 13 rebounds and three steals defensively as well. Onalaska tried to pick him up full court, sag help defenders in the paint, and double him in the post. It all was helpless with very few exceptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1142123"],"_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-657d2d6299331"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Logan Rindfleish - 2024 - SF - Wisconsin Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rindfleisch continues to give the Vikings exactly what they need. With as much attention as Kneuppel is getting, Rindfleisch takes advantage and picks his spots really well. The 6-foot-4 wing finished with 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting. When the ball is swung around the horn, Rindfleisch does a great job of just ripping and getting to the rim, especially when he goes baseline. As noted earlier in the season, Rindfleisch has added a nice mid-range game. He can shoot it off the bounce and knock it down with a hand in his face. If Rindfleisch has to pick up his dribble, he's got the pivot game and body control to score off balance and/or while fading away from the rim. Continuing his breakout season, Rindfleisch also notched four rebounds and three assists in Friday's win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1159275"],"_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-657d2d629939c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1284147' first='Jack' last='Robison'] - 2024 - SF - Lakeville North (MN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robison had an easy 25 point effort in a blowout win over Verona. The Wisconsin commit was 9-of-12 shooting, including 7-of-7 inside the arc. Just a kid that gets the game of basketball and knows where to be on the floor, Robison made high-IQ cuts, stuck his face in the fan on the offensive glass, and swung the ball when a teammate had a better shot. Only playing 23 minutes, Robison had 19 of his points in the first half. He also grabbed four rebounds and dished out two assists. The 6-foot-6 lefty looked really good in transition, sniping off two triples and running the floor for some easy buckets. Robison also had a terrific game defensively, forcing Verona's best player into some tough shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1284147"],"_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-657d1c89d697d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1117365' first='Isaac' last='Skemp'] - 2024 - SF - Onalaska</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thought coming into the season Skemp would be a different, more versatile player than he'd been the last three seasons. In a high-level matchup, Skemp dropped a team-high 24 points. Known for his catch-and-shoot ability from 3-point range, Skemp hit three triples, but I was more impressed by his fallaway game in the post. The 6-foot-5 wing has a unique, high-arcing shot that tickles the twine. With Onalaska struggling to keep pace, Skemp had to let it fly and was quite efficient despite taking some tough shots. The senior was 8-of-16 from the field. Skemp also grabbed five rebounds and dished out three assists on Friday.</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-657d2d629940b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1874957' first='Cameron' last='Williams'] - 2025 - SG - Verona</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams had a team-high 24 points in a loss to Lakeville North. The junior guard, who's having a breakout season, was 8-of-12 from the floor and had a terrific second half. Getting downhill and putting pressure on the defense, Williams drew a whopping eight fouls and earned 10 trips to the free throw line. When defenders sagged off, Williams was able to counter with a mid-range jumper from 10-12 feet. A strong, athletic prospect, Williams has turned some heads in the Big Eight this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RESULTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeville North 105 Verona 74</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wisconsin Lutheran 77 Onalaska 61</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->