Division 3, Sectional 4: First Look

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue a late summer trek through the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association sectionals, today looking at Division 3, Sectional 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Teams:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Catholic Memorial<br>Dominican<br>Kettle Moraine Lutheran<br>Milwaukee Academy of Science<br>Oostburg<br>Racine Lutheran<br>Racine St. Catherine's<br><br><strong>Overview:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Milwaukee Academy of Science is in the definitive favorite in Sectional 4 as coach Agape Keys welcomes back yet another extremely talented team. Led by Iowa State recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1447228' first='Jamarion' last='Batemon'] and senior teammates [player_tooltip player_id='1390442' first='Agape' last='Keys Jr.'], [player_tooltip player_id='1481181' first='Amare' last='Jackson'] and Michael Harris, MAS hopes to overcome the loss of forward Devin Brown, who has opted to spend his senior year at Phoenix Prep. Batemon, Keys and Jackson form a dynamic backcourt trio while Harris and Brown's younger brother, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2487652' first='D'Anthony' last='Brown'] (6-7), will play along the baseline. [player_tooltip player_id='2505436' first='Mesiyah' last='Ashley'] (6-7) is another senior who could contribute for MAS. Hortonville transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2140923' first='Gavin' last='Valeri'] also figures to make an impact. Dominican, Racine Lutheran and Racine St. Catherine's all compete in the Metro Classic Conference and have stellar players in their own right with [player_tooltip player_id='1351718' first='Aaron' last='Womack'] leading Dominican, [player_tooltip player_id='2224532' first='Sam' last='Pitrof'] leading Lutheran and [player_tooltip player_id='1959723' first='Lamont' last='Hamilton'] the top player at St. Catherine's. Dominican sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2127267' first='Zaihir' last='Jones'] is looking to have a breakout season while there is plenty of depth and experience at both Racine Lutheran and St. Catherine's. Oostburg boasts a pair of very good juniors in guard [player_tooltip player_id='1970502' first='Cade' last='Dirkse'] and forward [player_tooltip player_id='2117025' first='Jamison' last='Zavatchin']. The Flying Dutchmen figure to challenge for the Big East South title along with Kohler and Sheboygan Lutheran. Kettle Moraine Lutheran is a traditionally strong program and coach Josh Linder welcomes back some experienced performers in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2540117' first='Jordan' last='Wagner'], Ryan Thistle and Cooper Przybyla along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2624965' first='Henry' last='Bednar'] and Nathan Kabelowsky. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2724390' first='Jake' last='Bartelt'] could also work his way in the playing rotation for the Chargers. Catholic Memorial has a young team with some promising talent. The Crusaders play in the Classic Eight Conference and that rugged competition in a largely Division 1 league could prepare the squad for success in the playoffs.<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":["1447228"],"_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-66ce195c6fba8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Batemon brings a hard hat and lunch pail approach to the basketball court. There is very little, if any, pretense to his game. He just competes. And he does that exceptionally well. Whether he's ball-hawking an opponent on defense or moving without the ball in an effort to break open for a three-point jump shot, Batemon seems always in motion. The Iowa State recruit made 43 percent of his long-range attempts last season, connecting on 79-of-186. He also gets to the basket and the foul line at a high rate. He is coming off a junior season where he averaged 21.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals. An unselfish player, Batemon and his backcourt sidekicks -- [player_tooltip player_id='1390442' first='Agape' last='Keys Jr.'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1481181' first='Amare' last='Jackson'], are the team leaders for an absolutely loaded Milwaukee Academy of Science program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1351718"],"_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-66ce195c6fc25"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A three-year starter entering his senior season, Womack is one of the state's more highly sought after class of 2025 prospects. His size, length, skill and upside are all extremely impressive. At 6-foot-6 and able to score from outside the arc, off the dribble and in the post, Womack is a strong offensive weapon. He averaged 21.9 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists as a junior, helping Dominican to a 22-4 record. Defensively, Womack can guard different spots on the court and is one of the top shot blockers in the state, swatting 74 shots last season. Womack, who has added strength to his long frame, is a three-time first-team all-Metro Classic Conference performer, a strong student and a solid leader for coach Steve Showalter's squad. He has multiple NCAA DI offers and has scheduled an official visit to Murray State. Buffalo, Green Bay, Illinois-Chicago, Illinois State, Milwaukee, Southern Utah and William &amp; Mary also have extended offers to Womack, who begins his senior season with 1,520 career points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1959723"],"_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-66ce195c6fc71"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An electric performer on the football field and basketball court, Hamilton owns NCAA Division I scholarship offers in both sports and has two seasons left yet to continue to hone his skills in high school. A starter since Day one at St. Catherine's, the left-handed lead guard is a quick-on-quick offensive performer who gets to the basket and finishes above and around defenders. He also owns a sneaky good perimeter jump shot, sinking 66 triples as a sophomore. Hamilton's best asset, however, is his ultra-competitive nature. He gets after it from open tip until final buzzer on both ends of the court, and embraces challenges. With basketball offers from both Detroit Mercy and Western Illinois already under his belt, look for Hamilton try to improve upon his gaudy sophomore statistics of 22.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.0 apg and 2.1 spg. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1390442"],"_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-66ce195c6fcb7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The son of Milwaukee Academy of Science coach Agape Keys Sr., [player_tooltip player_id='1390442' first='Agape' last='Keys Jr.'] is a heady, skilled and productive wing guard with deep shooting range and the ability to defend and rebound. Keys has a strong spring/summer for the [program_tooltip program_id='2139004' first='Team' last='Haliburton'] 17U squad and also performed well for MAS last winter, averaging 11.6 points and drilling 58 three-point baskets. He also contributed 4.0 assists each outing while helping MAS to an 18-8 record. Keys had a career-best 26 points and made eight three-point baskets for MAS in an 86-78 victory last season of highly regarded Westosha Central. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1432805"],"_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-66ce195c6fcfe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The East Central Conference once again is loaded with very good players. Behn definitely ranks right with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='1544740' first='Aiden' last='Hawkinson'] of Waupun, [player_tooltip player_id='2045263' first='Kayden' last='Schultz'] of Plymouth, [player_tooltip player_id='2492774' first='Aaron' last='Bartol'] of Berlin and [player_tooltip player_id='2540117' first='Jordan' last='Wagner'] of Kettle Moraine Lutheran. Behn's ability, at 6-foot-7, to make long-distance shots translates very well to the next level and the lanky wing prospect recently received a NCAA Division II scholarship offer from Parkside. The returning first-team all-league performer averaged 22.4 points and 10.0 rebounds as a junior as Kewaskum finished 12-13. He will play for a new coach in 2024-25 as Tyler Enright replaces Don Gruber on the sidelines at Kewaskum. Behn hopes to help the Indians contend for the league crown and in the process become the school's all-time leading scorer. Behn enters his final year of high school basketball with 1,142 career points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pre-Season Pick to Click:</strong><br><br>Milwaukee Academy of Science figures to enter the season as the state's top-ranked Division 3 team with Iowa State recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1447228' first='Jamarion' last='Batemon'] headlining an extremely talented lineup. Batemon, ranked No. 3 among seniors in the state by Prep Hoops Wisconsin, is definitely a difference maker as he can turn a game around with his speed, anticipation and relentless pressure on defense while also snapping off multiple three-point baskets in any given segment of the contest. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2045302' first='Jamir' last='Batemon'], Jamarion's younger brother, figures to play big minutes in the Nova backcourt along with talented senior [player_tooltip player_id='1390442' first='Agape' last='Keys Jr.'], and slashing wing [player_tooltip player_id='1481181' first='Amare' last='Jackson']. In addition to those four players, MAS welcomes back forwards Michael Harris and [player_tooltip player_id='2505436' first='Mesiyah' last='Ashley']. Yes, MAS did suffer a significant loss when forward Devin Brown (20.3 ppg, 10.2 rpg) decided over the summer to go to Phoenix Prep and perhaps earn a spot with the school's Overtime Elite program, but the cupboard remains full for a team that figures to play with high energy, at a rapid pace and with plenty of scoring options. Look for Brown's younger brother, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2487652' first='D'Anthony' last='Brown'] (6-7), to make a big contribution in 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->