Division 1, Sectional 4: First Look

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue a late summer trek through the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association sectionals, today looking at Division 1, Sectional 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Teams:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kenosha Bradford<br>Marquette<br>Milwaukee King<br>Oak Creek<br>Racine Case<br>West Allis Central<br>Westosha Central<br>Wisconsin Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overview:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The pieces could definitely fall into place at West Allis Central this winter as the Bulldogs' cupboard full talent continues to mature, gain experience and become dominant forces on the basketball court. Coach Dave Mlachnik boasts a lineup with plenty of scoring options, length, size and flat-out athleticism with the return of [player_tooltip player_id='2045256' first='Yusef' last='Gray Jr.'], [player_tooltip player_id='2194435' first='Max' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='2411140' first='Kevin' last='Pittman'], Ewell Clinton and [player_tooltip player_id='1561870' first='Kayden' last='Travis'], among others. However, West Allis Central certainly isn't an overwhelming favorite in a sectional that also boasts defending WIAA Division 2 state champion and fellow Woodland West Conference member Wisconsin Lutheran. Although Kon Knueppel is off playing at Duke, coach Ryan Walz has a roster with experienced, tough-minded players led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1485498' first='Isaiah' last='Mellock'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1973108' first='Alex' last='Greene'], along with emerging young players like junior [player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2140949' first='Kager' last='Knueppel']. Defending Division 1 state champion Marquette lost all five starters, but the Hilltoppers have some very talented young players and a defensive stopper in junior [player_tooltip player_id='2500045' first='Tommy' last='Novotny']. Kenosha Bradford, Oak Creek and Racine Case figure to slug it out for the title in the Southeast Conference along with Division 2 Racine Park. And Westosha Central features two stellar seniors with experience in guard [player_tooltip player_id='1289064' first='Elijah' last='Griffin'] and forward [player_tooltip player_id='1853679' first='Liam' last='Lubkeman'].<br><br><strong>Pre-Season All-Sectional Team:</strong><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2045256"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66be43a8c4768"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the state's elite class of 2026 collegiate prospects, Gray is a scoring wing who can knock down shots, get to the basket and score with his speed and skill in transition. A guard with length and the ability to get into passing lanes, Gray owns NCAA Division I offers from Creighton and Iowa State, among others. He had a strong spring/summer for [program_tooltip program_id='2391400' first='Team' last='Herro'] after missing the majority of the high school season after sustaining and injury. In the games Gray played for West Allis Central last season, he was outstanding, averaging 19.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. In addition to his obvious skills and ability to impact the game in a lot of ways, Gray is a good team leader and the son of former Milwaukee Vincent standout Yusef Gray Sr. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1289064"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66be43a8c47c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two-time first-team all-league selection in the Southern Lakes Conference, Griffin owns NCAA Division I scholarship offers from both Bryant and Southern Utah. A lead guard with good vision and court awareness on defense, Griffin is coming off a strong junior season in which he averaged 20.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.7 steals. His unselfishness with the ball in his hands has led to an enormous amount of success for the Westosha Central program. The Falcons have won 65 games in Griffin's three years as a varsity performer at the school. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1485498"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66be43a8c480c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wisconsin Lutheran won the Division 2 state crown last season and was the only team in the state to finish with an undefeated record at 30-0. Mellock was a big part of that success and joins [player_tooltip player_id='1973108' first='Alex' last='Greene'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'] as returning starters for coach Ryan Walz, who enters his 17th year as the head coach at the school with a 314-96 record. Mellock averaged 8.6 points and 4.6 rebounds, and provided physical and mental toughness to the Vikings' lineup in each and every game. Mellock can score with his physical strength on drives and cuts to the hoop, and also is an improving his perimeter shooting. On defense, Mellock is a demon because of his versatility, toughness and willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team get a victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2492554"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66be43a8c484c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sauer is one of two first-team all-league performers returning in the Southeast Conference along with [player_tooltip player_id='1815635' first='Isaiah' last='Robinson'] of Racine Park. A versatile wing with good size and bounce to his game, Sauer is a senior leader for the upstart program at Kenosha Bradford. As one of five returning starters for a program that went 13-13 last season, Sauer is a leader for long-time coach Greg Leech. His leadership skills will be of paramount importance this upcoming season as the Red Devils hope to contend for a league championship. Sauer averaged 16.7 points and 8.3 rebounds as a junior to lead Bradford in both categories. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2380052"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66be43a8c488a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pittman has made very impressive strides in his game over the last 12 months. He has improved his body in terms of becoming stronger and leaner, and has developed a few go-to moves once he gets the ball in the post. Pittman receives outstanding coaching at West Allis Central, not only from head coach Dave Mlachnik, but also from respected assistants Akente Ward, Darvell Brown, Tom Diener and Yusef Gray Sr. Pittman averaged 9.4 points and 8.8 rebounds as a sophomore, and is ready to have a breakout junior season while controlling things near the basket for the upstart Bulldogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2411140"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66be4902b201f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pittman is making impressive strides in his game, particularly on the defensive end of the court. The 6-foot-10 post player can block/alter shots with the best of them while also cleaning up the glass on both ends. He averaged 9.4 points and 8.8 rebounds as a sophomore, and continues to take strides in his offensive game thanks in large part to the excellent instruction he receives each day from West Allis Central head coach Dave Mlachnik along with respected assistants Akente Ward, Darvell Brown, Tom Diener and Yusef Gray Sr. Pittman and the Bulldogs might be poised for breakout seasons for a team that is maturing before our very eyes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pre-Season Pick to Click:</strong><br><br>With the size and quickness in the West Allis Central lineup, the Bulldogs are tough out for every team in the sectional. Though still on the young side, West Allis Central has all five starters back from a club that won 16 games a year ago. Leading the way is junior [player_tooltip player_id='2045256' first='Yusef' last='Gray Jr.'], a 6-foot-5 wing who owns NCAA Division I scholarship offers from Arkansas State, Creighton, Iowa State and Grambling State. Gray missed a good chunk of last season after sustaining an injury when he was undercut on a dunk. But he came back strong in the spring/summer and appears poised to improve on his 19.6 ppg and 6.3 rpg averages of a year ago. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2411140' first='Kevin' last='Pittman'] is a 6-foot-10 force in the paint while sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2194435' first='Max' last='Jones'] had a very productive freshman season, averaging 15.5 ppg and 5.7 rpg. Senior defensive specialist Ewell Clinton and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1561870' first='Kayden' last='Travis'] also return to the starting rotation. Quality depth comes from sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2141478' first='Isaiah' last='Fox'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140893' first='Caiden' last='Davis'], along with junior Marcues Lovy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->