Metro Classic Preview

In this article:
2023-24 Final Standings
1. Saint Thomas More 14-0 (29-1); 2. Dominican 12-2 (22-4); 3. Racine St. Catherine's 8-6 (14-12); 4. Kenosha St. Joseph 7-7 (20-10); 4. Martin Luther 7-7 (12-14); 6. Racine Lutheran 4-10 (13-12); 7. The Prairie School 3-11 (12-14); 8. Shoreland Lutheran 1-13 (12-14).
2024-25 Picks
1. Racine St. Catherine's -- The Angels don't have a lot of size, but the guard play coach Ryan Thompson can employ in 2024-25 is without equal in the Metro Classic. Juniors
LaMont Hamilton
LaMont
Hamilton
6'0" | PG
Racine St. Catherine's | 2026
State
WI
(6-0, 22.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and
Eddie Vinson
Eddie
Vinson
5'10" | PG
Racine St. Catherine's | 2026
State
WI
Jr. (5-11, 12.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg) form the best backcourt duo in the conference and one of the better in the state. Hamilton owns NCAA Division I scholarship offers for football and baseball while Vinson also is a standout performer in both sports. Other key returning players include juniors
Antoine Ozier
Antoine
Ozier
5'10" | SG
Racine St. Catherine's | 2026
State
WI
Jr. (6-1, 3.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg), A.C. Ward (6-2, 6.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and
Richard Watson
Richard
Watson
6'0" | SF
St Catherine’s | 2026
WI
(6-2, 5.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg). Senior Tim Davis (6-5, 2.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and sophomore Jayden Phillips (6-0, 5.0 ppg) also could play big roles. Look for freshman
Travis Martin
Travis
Martin
6'2" | CG
Kenosha Bradford | 2028
WI
(6-1) to also work his way into the playing rotation for the Angels.
2. Dominican -- Four starters who accounted for 52.4 points and 13.9 rebounds per outing have graduated from a 22-4 team, leaving coach Steve Showalter with plenty of holes in his regular playing rotation. The lone returning regular, though, is the best player in the league. Senior
Aaron Womack
Aaron
Womack
6'6" | SF
Dominican | 2025
State
#228
Nation
WI
(6-6, 21.9 ppg, 9.4 rpg, committed to Syracuse) is a four-year varsity performer who can drill shots outside the arc or use his length and size to score near the basket. He is a consistent rebounder on both ends of the court and is the best shot blocker in the Metro Classic. The rest of the Knights' lineup is a bit untested, although junior point guard Demitrius Taylor (5-9, 5.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and sophomore wing
Zaihir Jones
Zaihir
Jones
6'3" | CG
Dominican | 2027
State
WI
(6-4, 8.2 ppg) both appear primed for breakout seasons. Also back at Dominican are senior
Kyon Myles
Kyon
Myles
6'1" | SG
Dominican | 2025
State
WI
(6-2, 1.9 ppg) along with juniors
Amare Nixon
Amare
Nixon
6'4" | SF
Dominican | 2026
State
WI
(6-3, 1.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg),
Brandon Applewhite
Brandon
Applewhite
6'1" | CG/SF
Dominican Highschool | 2026
WI
(6-2) and Ethan Bailey (6-3).
3. Martin Luther -- Coach Paul Wollersheim surpassed 500 career victories last season and hopes to build on his 501-149 career mark in 2024-25 behind the return of a solid blend of seniors and underclassmen. Three senior starters are back from a 12-15 squad in forward AJ Thomas (6-7, 5.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg), guard
Perry Dorris
Perry
Dorris
6'0" | PG
Martin Luther | 2025
WI
(6-0, 18.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg) and wing
Jose Gonzales
Jose
Gonzales
6'3" | CG
Martin Luther | 2025
State
WI
(6-3, 12.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg). Dorris is a four-year varsity performer for the Spartans and starts his senior year with 1,012 career points. Another key returnee for Wollersheim is junior
Bryson Dorris
Bryson
Dorris
6'2" | CG
Martin Luther | 2026
State
WI
(6-4, 10.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg). Sophomore
Noah Tyler
Noah
Tyler
5'8" | PG
Martin Luther Highschool | 2027
WI
(6-1) and junior Phil Sherard (6-1) also could play important roles.
4. Racine Lutheran -- Five starters, four reserves and newcomers from JV1 and JV2 teams that finished a combined 40-4 form a rock-solid nucleus for a Racine Lutheran squad that hopes to contend for the Metro Classic championship. Coach Justin Hullum starts his fourth season with more returning experience than any other team in the league. Seniors
Justin Jones
Justin
Jones
5'9" | PG
Pius XI Catholic | 2027
State
WI
(6-3, 13.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and
Mario Orta
Mario
Orta
6'0" | SG
Racine Lutheran | 2025
WI
(6-0, 6.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg), juniors
Sam Pitrof
Sam
Pitrof
6'4" | CG
Racine Lutheran | 2026
State
WI
(6-3, 14.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and
Kellan Zamecnik
Kellan
Zamecnik
6'2" | SF
Racine Lutheran | 2026
WI
(6-3, 5.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg), and sophomore
Bryce Austin
Bryce
Austin
6'2" | SG
Racine Lutheran | 2027
State
WI
(6-2, 8.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg) are returning starters for the upstart Crusaders. Pitrof is an outstanding wing prospect who competes with zest and impressive athleticism. Also returning are senior
Anthony Gaston
Anthony
Gaston
WI
(5-10), juniors
Isaiah Cosey
Isaiah
Cosey
5'11" | PG
Racine Lutheran | 2026
WI
(6-0, 10.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and
Malachi Imani
Malachi
Imani
WI
(6-3, 3.9 ppg), and sophomore
Deeon Brumby
Deeon
Brumby
6'1" | CG/SF
Racine Lutheran | 2027
State
WI
(6-1, 3.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg).
5. Saint Thomas More -- Four double-figure scorers and four players now competing at the collegiate level graduated from a team that went 29-1 and won the WIAA Division 3 State championship. Amari McCottry (6-6, 22.1 ppg, 8.8 rpg, now playing at St. Louis), Sekou Konneh (6-9, 22.6 ppg, 10.7 rpg, now playing at De Paul), Evan Oleson (6-0, 10.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, now playing at Carroll) and Kyle Alivo (6-2, 9.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, now playing baseball at Iowa) have moved on leaving just senior
Kenari Parr
Kenari
Parr
6'2" | SG/SF
St. Thomas More | 2025
State
WI
(6-2, 8.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg) as a returning starter. Coach Tony Mane also welcomes back junior
Omar Fofana
Omar
Fofana
6'1" | CG
Saint Thomas More | 2026
State
WI
(6-0, 4.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg), who came on strong near the end of last season. Senior
Jack Hennessy
Jack
Hennessy
6'2" | SG
Saint Thomas More | 2025
WI
(6-2) and juniors
Brayden Alivo
Brayden
Alivo
6'0" | CG
Saint Thomas More | 2026
State
WI
(6-0), Brandon Andzejewski (6-2), Quinn Buscher (6-6) and Sabastian Cruz (5-10) also should contend for playing time.
6. Kenosha St. Joseph -- Coming off consecutive runner-up finishes in the WIAA Division 4 State Tournament, the Lancers have to replace all-state guard Eric Kenesie (6-1, 24.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg), who now is playing at Buffalo. Also gone from last year's 20-10 squad at Tommy Santarelli (6-0, 8.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and Lowell Werlinger (6-1, 5.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg). Coach Jose Garcia could still put together a highly competitive squad despite the big losses to graduation. Senior Seth Boyle (6-0) and Campbell Kuiper (6-1) along with juniors
Dominic Santarelli
Dominic
Santarelli
6'1" | PF
Kenosha St. Joseph | 2026
WI
(6-0, 6.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, committed to Louisville for baseball),
Tomas Baez
Tomas
Baez
5'11" | PG
Kenosha St. Joseph | 2026
State
WI
(5-11, 4.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and Berkley Kuiper (6-2) for a strong core for the Lancers, who also welcome back one of the Metro Classic's top freshmen players of a year ago in sophomore guard
Christopher Kenesie
Christopher
Kenesie
6'0" | PG
Kenosha St. Joseph | 2027
State
WI
(5-11, 7.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg). Look for freshmen
Reymundo Garibay
Reymundo
Garibay
5'11" | CG/PG
Kenosha St. Joseph | 2028
State
WI
(5-10) and Eric McCrary (5-10) also to potentially play key roles.
7. The Prairie School -- The loss of
LaTrevion Fenderson
LaTrevion
Fenderson
6'4" | SF
St John's DME | 2025
WI
(6-5, 21.7 ppg, 11.1 rpg) to DME Prep School in Delafield was a major blow for the Hawks. Fenderson, who committed to Wisconsin and plans to play two years of prep school hoops before enrolling at Madison, would have been one of the elite players in the Metro Classic. With his departure, coach Jason Atanasoff will turn to some talented young players and a senior point guard with three years of varsity experience. Sophomores
Chandler Perry
Chandler
Perry
6'3" | CG
The Prairie School | 2027
State
WI
(6-3, 6.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg),
Dalton Ahlensdorf
Dalton
Ahlensdorf
6'5" | SF
The Prairie School | 2027
State
WI
(6-5, 3.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and
Ryan Vanoss
Ryan
Vanoss
6'2" | CG
The Prairie School | 2027
State
WI
(5-10, 4.8 ppg) all showed plenty of promise a year ago. That trio joins senior point guard Carson Eeg (5-11, 7.9 ppg, 3.4 apg) and freshman
Emmett Wassil
Emmett
Wassil
6'3" | SF/CG
The Prairie School | 2028
State
WI
(6-2) to form a solid nucleus for The Prairie School.
8. Shoreland Lutheran -- The Pacers went 11-1 in games outside the Metro Classic last winter, but just 1-13 against league opponents. That stat should give you an idea of how difficult it is to navigate the state's best mid-sized schools conference. Coach Paul Strutz starts his 18th season with the brothers Hahm back from a 12-14 squad. Senior Connor Hahm (6-3, 3.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and junior
Owen Hahm
Owen
Hahm
6'1" | PG/CG
Shoreland Lutheran | 2026
State
WI
(6-2, .14.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.7 apg) will be on the floor for big minutes in 2024-25 as will senior Riley Strassburg (5-10, 3.0 ppg) and juniors D'Amirion Mehalic Mayweather (5-11, 6.0 ppg), Zeke Barajas (6-2, 4.0 ppg) and Marco Valadez (5-10, 2.0 ppg). Sophomore Jake Roehl (6-2) also could play a role for Shoreland Lutheran.
Top Returning Scorers
LaMont Hamilton
LaMont
Hamilton
6'0" | PG
Racine St. Catherine's | 2026
State
WI
, St. Catherine's (22.3 ppg)
Aaron Womack
Aaron
Womack
6'6" | SF
Dominican | 2025
State
#228
Nation
WI
, Dominican (21.9 ppg)
Perry Dorris
Perry
Dorris
6'0" | PG
Martin Luther | 2025
WI
, Martin Luther (18.6 ppg)
Sam Pitrof
Sam
Pitrof
6'4" | CG
Racine Lutheran | 2026
State
WI
, Racine Lutheran (14.6 ppg)
Owen Hahm
Owen
Hahm
6'1" | PG/CG
Shoreland Lutheran | 2026
State
WI
, Shoreland Lutheran (14.3 ppg)
Justin Jones
Justin
Jones
5'9" | PG
Pius XI Catholic | 2027
State
WI
, Racine Lutheran (13.5 ppg)
Eddie Vinson
Eddie
Vinson
5'10" | PG
Racine St. Catherine's | 2026
State
WI
Jr., St. Catherine's (12.4 ppg)
Jose Gonzales
Jose
Gonzales
6'3" | CG
Martin Luther | 2025
State
WI
, Martin Luther (12.1 ppg)
Projected All-Conference Teams
First Team
Aaron Womack
Aaron
Womack
6'6" | SF
Dominican | 2025
State
#228
Nation
WI
, 6-6, Sr., Dominican
Perry Dorris
Perry
Dorris
6'0" | PG
Martin Luther | 2025
WI
, 6-0, Sr., Martin Luther
Sam Pitrof
Sam
Pitrof
6'4" | CG
Racine Lutheran | 2026
State
WI
, 6-3, Jr., Racine Lutheran
LaMont Hamilton
LaMont
Hamilton
6'0" | PG
Racine St. Catherine's | 2026
State
WI
, 6-0, Jr., St. Catherine's
Owen Hahm
Owen
Hahm
6'1" | PG/CG
Shoreland Lutheran | 2026
State
WI
, 6-2, Jr., Shoreland Lutheran
Second Team
Zaihir Jones
Zaihir
Jones
6'3" | CG
Dominican | 2027
State
WI
, 6-4, Soph., Dominican
Christopher Kenesie
Christopher
Kenesie
6'0" | PG
Kenosha St. Joseph | 2027
State
WI
, 5-11, Soph., Kenosha St. Joseph
Jose Gonzales
Jose
Gonzales
6'3" | CG
Martin Luther | 2025
State
WI
, 6-3, Sr., Martin Luther
Justin Jones
Justin
Jones
5'9" | PG
Pius XI Catholic | 2027
State
WI
, 6-3, Sr., Racine Lutheran
Eddie Vinson
Eddie
Vinson
5'10" | PG
Racine St. Catherine's | 2026
State
WI
Jr., 5-11, Jr., St. Catherine's
The Big Five
Best Shooter:
Perry Dorris
Perry
Dorris
6'0" | PG
Martin Luther | 2025
WI
, Martin Luther
Best Defender:
LaMont Hamilton
LaMont
Hamilton
6'0" | PG
Racine St. Catherine's | 2026
State
WI
, St. Catherine's
Best Rebounder:
Aaron Womack
Aaron
Womack
6'6" | SF
Dominican | 2025
State
#228
Nation
WI
, Dominican
Best Collegiate Prospect:
Aaron Womack
Aaron
Womack
6'6" | SF
Dominican | 2025
State
#228
Nation
WI
, Dominican
Most Improved Player:
Zaihir Jones
Zaihir
Jones
6'3" | CG
Dominican | 2027
State
WI
, Dominican
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading