Preview: 2023 60Eight Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top December events in the state of Wisconsin returns for its third year and arguably its biggest event yet. Featuring eight of the top teams from Minnesota and Wisconsin, the 2023 60Eight Tournament gets underway Friday at Madison College...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FRIDAY'S SEMIFINALS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Onalaska vs. Wisconsin Lutheran - 6:30 p.m.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the top teams in Division 2 square off in the opener. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sitting at a perfect 6-0, the Vikings already have resume-building wins over Pius XI, Homestead, Brookfield Central, and Arrowhead. Headlined by Duke commit Kon Knueppel (23.3 ppg), Wisconsin Lutheran has been able to find a groove early, despite losing four starters from last season's squad. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1159275' first='Logan' last='Rindfleisch'] (14.5 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1144571' first='Grayson' last='Young'] (10.0 ppg) have both matured and stepped up in their new roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Onalaska is also unbeaten at 4-0. South Dakota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1157562' first='Evan' last='Anderson'] (18.7 ppg) is the straw that stirs the drink, but the Hilltoppers have perhaps been more balanced than expected. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2117026' first='Ian' last='Kowal'] (12.5 ppg) has emerged early this winter. Onalaska is also getting double figure efforts nightly from seniors Adam Skifton (12.2 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1117365' first='Isaac' last='Skemp'] (11.0 ppg). </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-657c92c4e66f5"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Lakeville North vs. Verona - 8:00 p.m.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second semifinal features a Minnesota-Wisconsin matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Verona enters with a 4-2 overall record. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1156904' first='Drew' last='Murphy'], a top 15-20 prospect in the 2025 class, is having a monster season, averaging nearly 26 points per game right now. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1874957' first='Cameron' last='Williams'] (16.6 ppg) has also come out of nowhere after not playing varsity for the Wildcats last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top programs consistently in the Gopher State, Lakeville North is 1-1 thus far. It'll be a chance for Badger fans to see their future wing Jack Robison, who's currently averaging nearly 30 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1156904"],"_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-657c92c4e674e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SATURDAY SHOWCASE GAMES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Oshkosh North vs. Stoughton - 1:30 p.m.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two teams that are threats to get to the Kohl Center in March, Stoughton and Oshkosh North will head to Madison a few months early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stoughton just took defending three-time state champions Pewaukee down to the wire Thursday night. The Vikings are 6-1 overall with a key win over Mount Horeb on their resume. Michigan Tech commit [player_tooltip player_id='1144570' first='Ty' last='Fernholz'] (16.0 ppg) leads a very balanced, but high powered attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans feature maybe the best 1-2 punch in the state behind Colgate commit [player_tooltip player_id='1089684' first='Stevie' last='Clark'] (14.7 ppg) and top three junior [player_tooltip player_id='1282617' first='Xzavion' last='Mitchell'] (26.0 ppg). North is currently 3-0 on the season, having already defeated Fox Valley Association preseason favorite, Kaukauna, in their season opener.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1089684"],"_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-657c92c4e678e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Lake Mills vs. Waunakee - 6:00 p.m.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The favorites in the Capitol North Conference, Lake Mills has backed it up thus far with a perfect 4-0 record. The L-Cats have won all four contests by at least 20 points. One of the most well-rounded and athletic guards in the state, junior [player_tooltip player_id='1412881' first='A.J.' last='Bender'] (21.0 ppg) is sure to put on a good show. His running mate, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1745860' first='Brady' last='Benish'] (14.0 ppg) is also one of the top players in his class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you think of consistency, you think of Waunakee. The Warriors look to be a formidable squad once again, sitting at 4-1 overall. One of the toughest teams to prepare for, Waunakee is so balanced that it's hard to take 1-2 things away from them. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1190373' first='Keaton' last='Frisch'] (13.0 ppg) is their best prospect, but [player_tooltip player_id='1986955' first='Jake' last='Bova'] (7.2 ppg), Kaden McKenzie (12.0 ppg), and [player_tooltip player_id='1749696' first='Eli' last='Selk'] (10.4 ppg) can all hurt you. The Warriors will put teams through a grinder as well and have no problem defending for long periods of time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1412881"],"_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-657c92c4e67ca"} /-->