Hard Work Region Finals - Wisconsin's most versatile players

Versatility is the name of the game in basketball these days. Guys who can guard multiple positions and score from different parts of the floor are extremely valuable. Here is a look at some of Wisconsin's most versatile performers from last weekend's Prep Hoops Hard Work Region Finals in the Twin Cities. [player_tooltip player_id='1412881' first='A.J.' last='Bender'] State: Wisconsin School: Lake Mills Club: [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] UA Rise (17U) Bender competes with what college coaches like to call "a quick twitch." His athleticism and burst are impressive and definitely stand out when watching the 6-foot-3 wing prospect. Coming off an ankle injury sustained in May, Bender appears to be close to 100 percent and performed well for the talented [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] UA Rise squad. His ability to get off threes and make them, coupled with his impressive off-the-dribble game, make him a tough matchup. Bender also moves well laterally and can soar for rebounds on the defensive end of the court. He can play either guard spot or even the small-forward position and be productive at any of the spots. Bender picked up NCAA Division I scholarship offers from Cal Poly and SIU-Edwardsville last summer, and recently earned an offer from Division II Northern Michigan. He averaged 22.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists as a junior at Lake Mills and is a three-time first-team all-Capitol North Conference selection. [player_tooltip player_id='1561732' first='Bryce' last='Appel'] State: Wisconsin School: Edgerton Club: [program_tooltip program_id='2076023' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy'] -- Thompson (17U) An on-the-rise combination forward, Appel has the size (6-5) and physical strength to be exceptionally effective in the post while also stepping outside to set screens and make three-point jump shots. Appel has outstanding footwork and solid quickness while making moves in the paint. If a bigger player is preventing him from getting his shot off in the lane, he can simply step outside and make perimeter shots. Appel has battled injuries to a degree over the years, but was at 100 percent in the Twin Cities and performed very well. He went off for 40 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocked shots in a win over Junior Legacy, and in five games at the event, Appel averaged 20.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots while helping his team to a 3-2 record. As a junior at Edgerton, Appel averaged 12.6 points and 7.8 rebounds. He is receiving recruiting interest from NCAA Division III programs in the WIAC, MIAC, NACC and others. [player_tooltip player_id='2388795' first='Camden' last='Schurk'] State: Wisconsin School: Pacelli Club: [program_tooltip program_id='2485560' first='G-Elite' last=''] (17U) Schurk is a lanky, athletic wing who can soar to the hoop and finish above the rim or make quick moves with the ball in the lane and score with his elevation and confidence. Schurk (6-3) also displayed a nice step-back mid range jump shot that he made at a high level for [program_tooltip program_id='2485560' first='G-Elite' last='']. The son of Pacelli coach John Schurk, [player_tooltip player_id='2388795' first='Camden' last='Schurk'] is a versatile defender as he can guard on the perimeter and use his length and anticipation to get into passing lanes, or he can also defend in the post because of his quick bursts of verticality. Schurk is working to improve his three-point jump shot and foul shooting, and has added some weight to his frame over the last six months He is posied for a big senior season after averaging 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists as a junior. [player_tooltip player_id='1874985' first='Marquise' last='Walker'] State: Wisconsin School: Middleton Club: [program_tooltip program_id='2245199' first='Pride' last='Roc'] -- Bell (17U) The long, athletic and skilled wing prospect is coming into his own as he grows into his body and gains confidence. He possesses very good size for a combination guard at 6-foot-3, and is confident and productive taking the ball to the rim. He is working to improve his three-point shot and foul shooting, but can finish over taller defenders in the lane due to his athleticism and ability to get into the air. Walker performed well and was a tough cover in [program_tooltip program_id='2245199' first='Pride' last='Roc']'s competitive loss to the [program_tooltip program_id='2076033' first='Wisconsin' last='Playmakers'] UA Rise squad as he scored on mid range shots and by getting all the way to the basket. As a junior at Middleton, Walker averaged 7.6 points and 3.6 rebounds. He appears poised to have a breakout season for the Cardinals in 2024-25. [player_tooltip player_id='1289145' first='Ahmir' last='Woods'] State: Wisconsin School: Milwaukee Golda Meir Club: [program_tooltip program_id='2245199' first='Pride' last='Roc'] -- Bell (17U) Woods teamed with [player_tooltip player_id='1874985' first='Marquise' last='Walker'] in the backcourt for [program_tooltip program_id='2245199' first='Pride' last='Roc'] at the Hard Work Region Finals and the talented and ever-improving duo created issues on offense with their driving and mid range games while also excelling on defense by disrupting things with their length and athleticism on the perimeter. Woods' best basketball definitely is ahead of him as he continues to hone his skills and add strength and weight to his thin and extremely long frame. His strong play was instrumental in [program_tooltip program_id='2245199' first='Pride' last='Roc'] finishing 3-2 in the tournament. Woods is a 6-foot-3 combination guard who averaged 18.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a junior while helping Golda Meir to a 13-12 record. [player_tooltip player_id='2371701' first='Isaiah' last='Yuenger'] State: Wisconsin School: Beaver Dam Club: Wisconsin Breakaway 15U Yuenger flashed his multiple offensive weapons for Wisconsin Breakaway in a victory over the Minnesota Heat. The 6-foot-4, left-handed wing scored from the perimeter with a couple of threes while also scoring off strong cuts to the basket and via offensive rebound putbacks. He finished with 17 points in the contest and helped Wisconsin Breakaway to a 2-2 record at the Hard Work Region Finals. Yuenger has improved his strength and shot release since the end of the high school season and figures to make a big impact at Beaver Dam the next three seasons after transferring from Dodgeland last month. [player_tooltip player_id='1331056' first='Jay' last='Johnson'] State: Wisconsin School: Stoughton Club: [program_tooltip program_id='2076023' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy'] -- Thompson (17U) Johnson has the size (6-3) and physical strength to guard different positions. He can use his athleticism and mobility to guard on the perimeter, but he can also utilize his physical presence to defend closer to the basket. He is a good slasher on offense and is working to better his shooting skills from the perimeter. A three-year varsity performer for Stoughton, Johnson figures to take on a bigger scoring load this winter for the Vikings with Ty Fernholz and Sawyer Schipper graduating off last year's Badger Small Conference championship team.

Versatility is the name of the game in basketball these days. Guys who can guard multiple positions and score from different parts of the floor are extremely valuable. Here is a look at some of Wisconsin's most versatile performers from last weekend's Prep Hoops Hard Work Region Finals in the Twin Cities.

AJ Bender AJ Bender 6'3" | CG Lake Mills | 2025 State WI
State: Wisconsin
School: Lake Mills
Club: Wisconsin Playmakers UA Rise (17U)

Bender competes with what college coaches like to call "a quick twitch." His athleticism and burst are impressive and definitely stand out when watching the 6-foot-3 wing prospect. Coming off an ankle injury sustained in May, Bender appears to be close to 100 percent and performed well for the talented Wisconsin Playmakers UA Rise squad. His ability to get off threes and make them, coupled with his impressive off-the-dribble game, make him a tough matchup. Bender also moves well laterally and can soar for rebounds on the defensive end of the court. He can play either guard spot or even the small-forward position and be productive at any of the spots. Bender picked up NCAA Division I scholarship offers from Cal Poly and SIU-Edwardsville last summer, and recently earned an offer from Division II Northern Michigan. He averaged 22.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists as a junior at Lake Mills and is a three-time first-team all-Capitol North Conference selection.

Bryce Appel Bryce Appel 6'6" | PF Edgerton | 2025 State WI
State: Wisconsin
School: Edgerton
Club: Wisconsin Academy -- Thompson (17U)

An on-the-rise combination forward, Appel has the size (6-5) and physical strength to be exceptionally effective in the post while also stepping outside to set screens and make three-point jump shots. Appel has outstanding footwork and solid quickness while making moves in the paint. If a bigger player is preventing him from getting his shot off in the lane, he can simply step outside and make perimeter shots. Appel has battled injuries to a degree over the years, but was at 100 percent in the Twin Cities and performed very well. He went off for 40 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocked shots in a win over Junior Legacy, and in five games at the event, Appel averaged 20.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots while helping his team to a 3-2 record. As a junior at Edgerton, Appel averaged 12.6 points and 7.8 rebounds. He is receiving recruiting interest from NCAA Division III programs in the WIAC, MIAC, NACC and others.

Camden Schurk Camden Schurk 6'3" | SF Pacelli | 2025 State WI
State: Wisconsin
School: Pacelli
Club: G-Elite (17U)

Schurk is a lanky, athletic wing who can soar to the hoop and finish above the rim or make quick moves with the ball in the lane and score with his elevation and confidence. Schurk (6-3) also displayed a nice step-back mid range jump shot that he made at a high level for G-Elite . The son of Pacelli coach John Schurk, Camden Schurk Camden Schurk 6'3" | SF Pacelli | 2025 State WI is a versatile defender as he can guard on the perimeter and use his length and anticipation to get into passing lanes, or he can also defend in the post because of his quick bursts of verticality. Schurk is working to improve his three-point jump shot and foul shooting, and has added some weight to his frame over the last six months He is posied for a big senior season after averaging 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists as a junior.

Marquise Walker Marquise Walker 6'3" | SG/PG Middleton | 2025 State WI
State: Wisconsin
School: Middleton
Club: Pride Roc -- Bell (17U)

The long, athletic and skilled wing prospect is coming into his own as he grows into his body and gains confidence. He possesses very good size for a combination guard at 6-foot-3, and is confident and productive taking the ball to the rim. He is working to improve his three-point shot and foul shooting, but can finish over taller defenders in the lane due to his athleticism and ability to get into the air. Walker performed well and was a tough cover in Pride Roc 's competitive loss to the Wisconsin Playmakers UA Rise squad as he scored on mid range shots and by getting all the way to the basket. As a junior at Middleton, Walker averaged 7.6 points and 3.6 rebounds. He appears poised to have a breakout season for the Cardinals in 2024-25.

Ahmir Woods Ahmir Woods 6'3" | CG Golda Meir | 2025 State WI
State: Wisconsin
School: Milwaukee Golda Meir
Club: Pride Roc -- Bell (17U)

Woods teamed with Marquise Walker Marquise Walker 6'3" | SG/PG Middleton | 2025 State WI in the backcourt for Pride Roc at the Hard Work Region Finals and the talented and ever-improving duo created issues on offense with their driving and mid range games while also excelling on defense by disrupting things with their length and athleticism on the perimeter. Woods' best basketball definitely is ahead of him as he continues to hone his skills and add strength and weight to his thin and extremely long frame. His strong play was instrumental in Pride Roc finishing 3-2 in the tournament. Woods is a 6-foot-3 combination guard who averaged 18.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a junior while helping Golda Meir to a 13-12 record.

Isaiah Yuenger Isaiah Yuenger 6'4" | SG Beaver Dam | 2027 State WI
State: Wisconsin
School: Beaver Dam
Club: Wisconsin Breakaway 15U

Yuenger flashed his multiple offensive weapons for Wisconsin Breakaway in a victory over the Minnesota Heat. The 6-foot-4, left-handed wing scored from the perimeter with a couple of threes while also scoring off strong cuts to the basket and via offensive rebound putbacks. He finished with 17 points in the contest and helped Wisconsin Breakaway to a 2-2 record at the Hard Work Region Finals. Yuenger has improved his strength and shot release since the end of the high school season and figures to make a big impact at Beaver Dam the next three seasons after transferring from Dodgeland last month.

Jay Johnson Jay Johnson 6'4" | SF Stoughton | 2025 State WI
State: Wisconsin
School: Stoughton
Club: Wisconsin Academy -- Thompson (17U)

Johnson has the size (6-3) and physical strength to guard different positions. He can use his athleticism and mobility to guard on the perimeter, but he can also utilize his physical presence to defend closer to the basket. He is a good slasher on offense and is working to better his shooting skills from the perimeter. A three-year varsity performer for Stoughton, Johnson figures to take on a bigger scoring load this winter for the Vikings with Ty Fernholz and Sawyer Schipper graduating off last year's Badger Small Conference championship team.