608 Tournament standouts

Madison College was the setting for the fourth annual 608 Tournament over the weekend. Four varsity boys' basketball contests were played on Saturday with eight quality teams taking part. Here are some observations after watching all four games: GAME ONE Verona 64, Appleton North 60 KEYS TO THE GAME Verona got off to a very slow start and trailed 19-7 with 8:23 left in the opening half as freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2447768' first='Matt' last='Rosplochowski'] had a strong beginning for Appleton North. The Wildcats managed to cut the margin to 31-25 by intermission and then slowly chipped away at Appleton North's lead in the second half. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1874957' first='Cameron' last='Williams'] completed a three-point play with 4:13 left to give Verona a 54-52 lead. The Wildcats managed to hang onto the lead down the stretch, even though Appleton North remained within striking distance until the final horn sounded. Williams had a game-high 22 points while teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1156904' first='Drew' last='Murphy'] also performed well for Verona, finishing with 20 points. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1544745' first='Bennett' last='Buss'] made a couple of big three-point baskets for Verona and finished with 11 points. Appleton North got 18 points off the bench from senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1494698' first='Abraham' last='Tomori'] while junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1561908' first='Grant' last='Hardy'] pitched in 14. STAR OF THE GAME    Williams really got it going in the second half for Verona when the Wildcats made their comeback against Appleton North. The bouncy guard drilled four three-point shots in the game and each and every one of them was huge in a tight game. Williams finished with 22 points and got his baskets from deep, off the dribble and from the foul line. Defensively, Williams' length, size and lateral quickness are all assets for coach Curtrel Robinson's squad. Williams and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1156904' first='Drew' last='Murphy'] make for an outstanding one-two scoring tandem for Verona, which looks to contend for the title in the Big Eight Conference. Williams is an uncommitted prospect with a bright future as he continues to hone his skills and round out his game.    EMERGING PLAYER    Tomori always seems to play well when we've watched him. The physically strong and versatile guard/forward can guard bigger players near the basket or go out on the perimeter and check guards and wings. Offensively, Tomori was outstanding against Verona. He came off the bench to score 18 points and knocked down two three-point baskets. Appleton North attempted just three foul shots in the game, all by junior [player_tooltip player_id='1561908' first='Grant' last='Hardy']. Tomori should get to the foul stripe more since he loves to attack the basket, but his hasn't been able to draw fouls much in the early season. Tomori, also a good football prospect, can finish well above the rim, although he missed a dunk late in the game that hindered the Lightning in its narrow loss to Verona.    BOXSCORE Verona (25-39 = 64) Bridges-Miller 3, Phillips 8, Buss 11, Williams 22, Murphy 20, Connor 0, Boado 0. Three-point field goals: Williams 4, Murphy 3, Buss 2, Phillips 2, Bridges-Miller 1. FT: 12-19. Fouled out: None. Record: 5-1. Appleton North (31-29 = 60) Sweeney 9, Rosplochowski 10, Ramus 2, Hardy 14, Zdzieblowski 5, Tomori 18, Kuehl 2, Guilbeault 0. Three-point field goals: Rosplochowski 2, Tomori 2, Zdzieblowski 1, Hardy 1, Sweeney 1. FT: 3-3. Fouled out: None. Record: 2-2. GAME TWO Oshkosh North 74, Middleton 64 KEYS TO THE GAME Oshkosh North used its vaunted 1-3-1 halfcourt zone defense to force 15 turnovers in the first half as the Spartans raced to a 42-26 advantage by intermission. Middleton, to its credit, rallied to cut its deficit to six points twice in the second half. The Cardinals used some aggressive defense of their own to make things difficult for Oshkosh North. Still, Mr. Basketball candidate [player_tooltip player_id='1282617' first='Xzavion' last='Mitchell'] scored a 608-tournament record 38 points to keep Oshkosh North in front the entire second half. Improved senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2397160' first='Stefan' last='Stojilovic'] added 16 points and a couple of triples for Oshkosh North, which improved to 3-2. Middleton, still without University of Wisconsin recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1447229' first='Will' last='Garlock'], who is out with an injury, got 18 points and four triples from junior [player_tooltip player_id='2626535' first='Jackson' last='Guerrero'] and 12 points from pesky junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1874980' first='John' last='Grimes']. STAR OF THE GAME    Mitchell scored 38 points and in the process went over 2,000 points for his four-year varsity career. The Iowa State recruit is the all-time leading scorer in the storied tradition of Oshkosh North basketball, which includes so many great players, including Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers and former Vanderbilt star Frank Seckar, among many others. Mitchell is exceptionally graceful on the court with his movements, particularly when he grabs the ball along the baseline and glides to the basket around defenders for a basket. He can definitely play with physicality as well. And he is such a tough cover for opponents due to his consistent production and ability to handle the ball, pass it, score it and rebound it. He is a top candidate for the Mr. Basketball award and is the No. 1-ranked class of 2025 prospect in the state by Prep Hoops Wisconsin.    EMERGING PLAYER    Stojilovic had a career-best 16 points in the win over Middleton. The 6-foot-7 small forward knocked down a couple of three-point shots and also got to the foul line for the Spartans. With talented junior [player_tooltip player_id='1973116' first='Bryce' last='Ott'] currently out with an injury, it is imperative for coach Brad Weber's squad to get some production from players other than [player_tooltip player_id='1282617' first='Xzavion' last='Mitchell']. So far this season, Stojilovic has stepped up to fill the void created by Ott's absence. Through five games, Stojilovic is averaging 11.1 points and 5.3 rebounds while helping Oshkosh North to a 3-2 record. Stojilovic is uncommitted to a college at this point, but he is a player most NCAA Division III schools in the state should check out as his combination of size and skill are impressive.    BOXSCORE Oshkosh North (42-32 = 74) Mitchell 38, Clark 2, Anderson 4, Coleman 2, Stojilovic 16, Weber 4, Lister 8. Three-point field goals: Lister 2, Stojilovic 2, Weber 1. FT: 22-32. Fouled out: None. Record: 3-2. Middleton (26-38 = 64) Grimes 12, Mauer 9, Walker 2, Cooney 10, Guerrero 18, Qastin 6, Ostreng 3, Tsipis 4. Three-point field goals: Guerrero 4, Mauer 3, Grimes 2, Osteng 1. FT: 6-9. Fouled out: None. Record: 0-5. GAME THREE Nicolet 85, Romeoville, Ill. 67 KEYS TO THE GAME Nicolet's speed, toughness and endless energy were just too much for Romeoville to handle. All five starters for the Knights scored in double figures, led by the impressive play of emerging sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2385685' first='Ja'Meir' last='Hayfort'], who scored a team-high 26 points. NJIT recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1598239' first='David' last='Bolden'] added 15 as did junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1781157' first='Rashaad' last='Davis'] and sharpshooting sophomore wing Edward Bullock. Junior forward Carter Zuithoff contributed 10 points for the Knights. Romeoville got a strong game from physical and attacking senior guard DJ Porter Jr., who finished with 28 points. STAR OF THE GAME    You might be able to find guards as quick as Davis -- [player_tooltip player_id='1959723' first='Lamont' last='Hamilton'] of Racine St. Catherine's and [player_tooltip player_id='1412880' first='Javante' last='Edwards'] of Carmen Northwest immediately come to mind -- but good luck locating a guard quicker than Davis. Handling the ball with supreme confidence, Davis uses his superb speed and quickness to shed defenders and either score or set up a teammate for a basket. Though he's on the smaller side, it really doesn't matter because of his skill and speed. Davis finished with 15 points in the win over Romeoville. He also had nine assists. Davis is ranked as one of the state's top class of 2026 performers for good reason as the three-year varsity performer is a dynamite player in almost every regard of the game.    EMERGING PLAYER    Alert time as far as top class of 2027 prospects in Wisconsin -- [player_tooltip player_id='2385685' first='Ja'Meir' last='Hayfort'] belongs near the top. The long, athletic and productive forward moved to Wisconsin from Texas and has made an immediate impact for a very good team at Nicolet. He was active on the glass, scored at a high level with 26 points, and also blocked/altered some shots. He plays very well along the baseline on both ends of the court and, at 6-foot-7, has the size to finish above the rim while also snaring rebounds off the backboard. In addition to his 26 points, Hayfort also had 14 rebounds in the victory over Romeoville.    BOXSCORE Nicolet (47-38 = 85) Bolden 15, Davis 15, Hayfort 26, Bullock 15, Zuithoff 10, Rasco 2, Parks 2, Wetzel 0, Grilli 0. Three-point field goals: Bullock 3, Bolden 1. FT: 21-28. Fouled out: None. Record: 6-1. Romeoville, Ill. (33-34 = 67) Thompson 7, Miloch 3, Da. Porter 9, Hampton 4, DJ Porter 28, Fears 3, Ivy 7, Hayes 4, Harris 3. Three-point field goals: DJ Porter 2, Ivy 1, Da. Porter 1. FT: 11-17. Fouled out: None. Record: 3-4. GAME FOUR Mount Horeb 79, Lake Mills 76 KEYS TO THE GAME Lake Mills had just tied the game up with 12 seconds left on a basket by [player_tooltip player_id='2609336' first='Ashton' last='Winger'] when junior [player_tooltip player_id='1561888' first='Josh' last='Manchester'] took the inbounds pass and dribbled down the court for Mount Horeb. He spotted up behind the three-point line, gave a ball fake to get a defender in the air, and then drew a foul with just a second left. Manchester went to the foul line and sank all three free throws as Mount Horeb posted a memorable 79-76 victory over Lake Mills in an exceptionally well played and tremendously competitive game between two outstanding teams. Manchester finished with 36 points and six three-point baskets for undefeated Mount Horeb, which also got a very strong showing from senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2388788' first='Zach' last='Maguire'], who muscled his way to 17 points. Lake Mills, playing without Minnesota State - Mankato recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1412881' first='AJ' last='Bender'], who was out with an ankle injury, got a superb showing from junior [player_tooltip player_id='1745860' first='Brady' last='Benish'], who made six triples of his own en route to scoring 22 points. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2621035' first='Ty' last='Schaefer'] added 17 points for Lake Mills, all in the first half. STAR OF THE GAME    Manchester was the Star of the Game against Lake Mills and, in fact, has been the Star of the Game in every game he has played this season. He has improved his physical strength and his range goes well beyond the three-point arc. Despite being faced guarded, the 6-foot-4 sharpshooter was able to get off his shot and made six of nine attempts from outside the arc. He was particularly effective in finding openings in the defense when he teammates grabbed offensive rebounds. Manchester's quick release, size and killer instinct are all fun to watch. So is he silky smooth perimeter jump shot. It's amazing he doesn't have any NCAA Division I offers to date, although schools like Marquette, Minnesota and Wisconsin, among others, remain interested. Manchester has stepped up his game in other areas as well, including his passing (three assists), defense (three steals) and rebounding (seven boards).    EMERGING PLAYER    Every time Lake Mills fell behind by double digits, it seemed Benish stepped up with a big shot or timely pass. The junior shooting guard has very good physical strength, and a mindset of wanting to tackle any challenge. He chased Manchester all over the court on Saturday, and did a good job of trying to deny one of the state's elite shooters open looks at the basket. On the other end, Benish hit big shot after big shot down the stretch to help Lake Mills stay close. Benish, always known as an outstanding shooter, scored 22 points and made six of 10 tries from outside the arc. But his overall game is also impressive and he knows how to cut, how to move the ball and how to defend.    BOXSCORE Lake Mills (35-41 = 76) Wollin 12, Schaefer 17, Wendorf 5, Benish 22, Christian 7, Horkan 7, Winger 6, Kolkovich 0. Three-point field goals: Benish 6, Schaefer 4, Wollin 2, Christian 1, Horkan 1. FT: 2-3. Fouled out: Christian. Record: 4-1. Mount Horeb (44-35 = 79) Manchester 36, Kiel 0, Maguire 17, Hannah 5, Chapman 12, Nesheim 0, Anderson 4, Aeschlimann 3, Odgers 2. Three-point field goals: Manchester 6, Chapman 2, Aeschlimann 1, Maguire 1. FT: 11-12. Fouled out: None. Record: 5-0.

Madison College was the setting for the fourth annual 608 Tournament over the weekend. Four varsity boys' basketball contests were played on Saturday with eight quality teams taking part. Here are some observations after watching all four games:

GAME ONE

Verona 64, Appleton North 60

KEYS TO THE GAME

Verona got off to a very slow start and trailed 19-7 with 8:23 left in the opening half as freshman Matt Rosplochowski Matt Rosplochowski 6'0" | PG/SG Appleton North | 2028 State WI had a strong beginning for Appleton North. The Wildcats managed to cut the margin to 31-25 by intermission and then slowly chipped away at Appleton North's lead in the second half. Senior guard Cameron Williams Cameron Williams 6'3" | CG Verona Area | 2025 State WI completed a three-point play with 4:13 left to give Verona a 54-52 lead. The Wildcats managed to hang onto the lead down the stretch, even though Appleton North remained within striking distance until the final horn sounded. Williams had a game-high 22 points while teammate Drew Murphy Drew Murphy 6'5" | SF Verona | 2025 State WI also performed well for Verona, finishing with 20 points. Senior guard Bennett Buss Bennett Buss 5'9" | PG Verona | 2025 State WI made a couple of big three-point baskets for Verona and finished with 11 points. Appleton North got 18 points off the bench from senior wing Abraham Tomori Abraham Tomori 6'3" | SF Appleton North | 2025 State WI while junior wing Grant Hardy Grant Hardy 6'4" | SF/SG Appleton North | 2026 State WI pitched in 14.

STAR OF THE GAME