Catholic Memorial Invite standouts
In this article:
Catholic Memorial High School hosted a 16-team invitational Saturday. I was able to watch the first seven games of the very-well run event. Following are some thoughts and writeups of individual stars from the first seven contests:
GAME ONE
Whitefish Bay 67, Milwaukee Lutheran 44
KEYS TO THE GAME
Whitefish Bay guarded as a team from the get go and built a 36-25 lead at intermission on the way to recording its second win of the season without a defeat. Coach Ryan Fiet started two seniors (
George Dern
George
Dern
6'5" | SF/PF
Whitefish Bay | 2025
State
WI
and Luke Sarnowski), one junior (
Marcus Webb
Marcus
Webb
6'1" | SG
Whitefish Bay | 2026
State
WI
) and two sophomores (
Jack Brodersen
Jack
Brodersen
6'2" | SG/SF
Whitefish Bay | 2027
State
WI
and
Colin Julien
Colin
Julien
6'4" | SG
Whitefish Bay | 2027
State
WI
) and all performed well throughout the contest. Freshman
Mace Miskel
Mace
Miskel
5'11" | PG
Whitefish Bay | 2028
State
WI
was impressive as well as he had eight points off the bench for the Blue Dukes. Milwaukee Lutheran got a strong showing from junior point guard
Xavier Allen
Xavier
Allen
5'11" | PG
Milwaukee Lutheran | 2026
State
WI
, who had 19 points.
STAR OF THE GAME
Julien is very graceful on the court. But don't read that in the wrong way. He isn't afraid to mix things up for a rebound with bigger opponents or drive on the floor for a loose ball. Instead, his grace on the court refers to his movement with and without the ball. He glides to openings, rises up over opponents while taking his smooth jump shot and is constant motion looking for openings to the basket. He had five three-point baskets and a game-high 23 points for Whitefish Bay in its win over Milwaukee Lutheran, and is a young player with a very promising future as he continues to grow and add strength to his already impressive game.
Highlights
EMERGING PLAYER
This evaluation is available to subscribers.
Is this you, Xavier? Unlock your evaluation to everyone by subscribing
Highlights
BOXSCORE
Whitefish Bay (36-31 = 67)
Brodersen 7, Webb 16, Robbins 0, Schoenfeldt 2, Sarnowski 4, Julien 23, Miskel 8, Wolter 0, Clements 0, Dern 7. Three-point field goals: Julien 5, Dern 1, Brodersen 1, Webb 1. FT: 13-17. Fouled out: None. Record: 2-0.
Milwaukee Lutheran (25-21 = 44)
Stanton 3, Allen 19, Simmons 0, Holmes 0, Elim 4, Ferguson 2, Jewell 11, O'Neil 0, Brown 0. Three-point field goals: Jewell 3, Allen 1. FT: 9-13. Fouled out: None. Record: 0-2.
GAME TWO
New Berlin West 76, West Allis Hale 50
KEYS TO THE GAME
Once New Berlin West settled down a bit from the excitement of playing its first game of the season, the Vikings started moving the ball a bit better and making more shots. Up 30-23 at half, New Berlin West went on a 46-27 scoring spree in the second 18 minutes. Junior
Evan Kern
Evan
Kern
6'3" | SG
New Berlin West | 2026
State
WI
had five triples and 21 points while sophomore
Jayce Cook
Jayce
Cook
6'2" | SG
New Berlin West | 2027
State
WI
added four threes and 18 points to lead the way for New Berlin West. West Allis Hale got 18 points from talented senior guard
Wilson Scherer
Wilson
Scherer
5'9" | PG
West Allis Hale | 2025
State
WI
.
STAR OF THE GAME
This evaluation is available to subscribers.
Is this you, Evan? Unlock your evaluation to everyone by subscribing
Highlights
EMERGING PLAYER
The son of New Berlin West coach Scott Cook,
Jayce Cook
Jayce
Cook
6'2" | SG
New Berlin West | 2027
State
WI
is a 6-foot-1 wing guard with almost unlimited shooting range. Although he shot is a bit unorthodox, the end result is usually a swish. Cook uncorks his low-release jumper in the blink of an eye, often catching defenders off balance. He had four triples against West Allis Hale, and also scored on mid-range jumpers en route to scoring 18 points. Cook's ability to fill it up from deep is a definite asset for the Vikings, who are looking to make some waves this winter in the ultra-tough Woodland West Conference.
Highlights
BOXSCORE
New Berlin West (30-46 = 76)
Moe 2, Thompson 3, Mercado 4, Cook 18, Hewitt 9, J. Krier 13, Kern 21, Krueger 0, Gammage 6. Three-point field goals: Kern 5, Cook 4, Thompson 1. FT: 8-13. Fouled out: Moe, Kern. Record: 1-0.
West Allis Hale (23-27 = 50)
Devine 1, Scherer 18, Jackson 6, J. Humphrey 4, Carter 7, D. Humphrey 2, Varnel 8, Coleman 4, Taylor Jr. 0. Three-point field goals: Scherer 4, Jackson 2, Varnel 2, Carter 1. FT: 15-22. Fouled out: None. Record: 0-2.
GAME THREE
Greendale 82, Waukesha North 57
KEYS TO THE GAME
Greendale utilized its size and experience advantage to post a convincing 82-57 victory over scrappy Waukesha North. Senior
Devin Isaj
Devin
Isaj
6'6" | SF/SG
Greendale | 2025
State
WI
, a 6-foot-6 wing and four year varsity performer for coach Ryan Johnsen, got to the basket repeatedly and finished well, scoring a game-high 24 points. Three other Panthers added double figure scoring totals -- junior Brandon Harper has 12 while junior
Zavier Castillo
Zavier
Castillo
6'6" | SG
Greendale | 2026
State
WI
and senior Caden Meyer added 10 apiece. Senior guard Cooper Haas led the Northstars with 20 points while promising 6-foot-5 freshman Derek Williams contributed 11.
STAR OF THE GAME
A wired-to-score wing with size, versatility and confidence, Isaj can hurt opponents off the bounce, with put backs off of offensive rebounds and from outside the three-point arc. The four-year varsity performer has scored 1,443 career points after pouring in 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds against Waukesha North. A returning second-team all-Woodland West Conference performer, Isaj is receiving recruiting interest from school as both the NCAA Division 2 and 3 levels, and is the team leader for a sneaky good Greendale squad that could push heavyweights West Allis Central, Pewaukee and Wisconsin Lutheran in league play this winter.
Highlights
EMERGING PLAYER
This evaluation is available to subscribers.
Is this you, Zavier? Unlock your evaluation to everyone by subscribing
Highlights
BOXSCORE
Greendale (39-43 = 82)
Isaj 24, Roche 0, Granberg 1, Mattes 9, Castillo 10, Meyer 10, Harper 12, Lopez 8, Turner 5, Moraza 1, Smith 0, Sokolsky 2. Three-point field goals: Castillo 2, Meyer 2, Harper 1, Turner 1, Isaj 1. FT: 17-21. Fouled out: Moe, Kern. Record: 1-0.
Waukesha North (25-32 = 57)
Ramirez 3, Derhammer 4, Williams 11, Curtis 4, Haas 20, Merten 0, Loren-Garcia 4, Ellingson 2, Piacsek 1, Brauer 0, Thompson 4, Strick 1. Three-point field goals: Haas 3, Ramirez 1. FT: 16-22. Fouled out: None. Record: 0-1.
GAME FOUR
Brookfield Central 64, New Berlin Eisenhower 61
KEYS TO THE GAME
It appeared Brookfield Central was going to win with ease after getting 18 points from senior point guard
Anthony Rise
Anthony
Rise
6'0" | CG
Brookfield Central | 2025
State
WI
and taking a 41-26 lead at intermission. But credit New Berlin Eisenhower, which made some halftime adjustments and battled until the end before dropping a 64-61 decision. Rise finished with a career-best 32 points and got some crucial help from junior
Evan Prusko
Evan
Prusko
6'2" | PG
Brookfield Central | 2026
State
WI
, who scored several clutch baskets down the stretch on the way to finishing with 12 points. Junior
Charlie Wait
Charlie
Wait
6'3" | SF
New Berlin Eisenhower | 2026
WI
had a stellar game for New Berlin Eisenhower, slowing Rise in the second half with his defense while also contributing 18 points.
STAR OF THE GAME
This evaluation is available to subscribers.
Is this you, Anthony? Unlock your evaluation to everyone by subscribing
Highlights
EMERGING PLAYER
This evaluation is available to subscribers.
Is this you, Charlie? Unlock your evaluation to everyone by subscribing
Highlights
BOXSCORE
New Berlin Eisenhower (26-35 = 61)
Kreitzer 7, Kowske 8, Veley 4, Nimmer 8, Wait 18, Hermann 0, Batchelor 6, Nimani 10. Three-point field goals: Batchelor 2, Kreitzer 1, Nimani 1. FT: 7-12. Fouled out: None. Record: 0-2.
Brookfield Central (41-23 = 64)
Rise 32, Avery 6, Treis 0, Gruetzmacher 8, Prusko 12, James 2, Larkin 0, Craddock 2, Coraggio 2. Three-point field goals: Rise 3, Avery 2, Prusko 1. FT: 12-13. Fouled out: None. Record: 1-0.
GAME FIVE
Catholic Memorial 57, Beloit Turner 51
KEYS TO THE GAME
Catholic Memorial played from ahead for the vast majority of the contest, but Beloit Turner never went away and kept the margin close until the final horn sounded. The Crusaders got 18 points each from rugged senior forward
Jake Berkholtz
Jake
Berkholtz
6'5" | PF
Catholic Memorial | 2025
State
WI
and skilled junior guard
Jake Pfister
Jake
Pfister
6'2" | SG
Catholic Memorial | 2026
State
WI
. CMH was without standout guard
Dustin Roach
Dustin
Roach
6'4" | CG
Catholic Memorial | 2027
State
WI
, who is recovering from an injury sustained during the Crusaders' football season. Beloit Turner, which lost several key players to graduation from a squad that finished 20-7, got 16 points and four triples from senior Ethan Halon and 12 points from junior guard
AJ Dotson
AJ
Dotson
5'11" | PG
Turner | 2026
State
WI
.
STAR OF THE GAME
This evaluation is available to subscribers.
Is this you, Jake? Unlock your evaluation to everyone by subscribing
Highlights
EMERGING PLAYER
This evaluation is available to subscribers.
Is this you, Jake? Unlock your evaluation to everyone by subscribing
Highlights
BOXSCORE
Catholic Memorial (30-27 = 57)
Berkholtz 18, Waterman 0, Kaye 4, Pfister 18, Albee 4, Baumgartner 0, Miller 2, Kinateder 0, Goedheer 11. Three-point field goals: Goedheer 3, Pfister 2. FT: 14-20. Fouled out: None. Record: 1-0.
Beloit Turner (19-32 = 51)
Erickson 2, Johnson 9, Dotson 12, Halon 16, Atkinson 0, Njoo 6. Three-point field goals: Halon 4, Dotson 2, Njoo 2. FT: 7-11. Fouled out: Erickson. Record: 0-1.
GAME SIX
Wauwatosa West 102, Mukwonago 75
KEYS TO THE GAME
Wauwatosa West looked in mid-season form as the Trojans simply overwhelmed a very good Mukwonago squad. Getting big production from its top three players, Wauwatosa West raced to a 48-36 lead at intermission and never looked back. It was a coming out party of sorts for junior wing
Matthew Kloskey
Matthew
Kloskey
6'5" | SF/SG
Sequoia Prep | 2027
AZ
, who wowed the crowd with dunk after dunk on the way to scoring a career-best 38 points. Senior sharpshooter
Jake Hansen
Jake
Hansen
6'1" | SG
Wauwatosa West | 2025
State
#331
Nation
WI
added 15 and talented junior guard
Jalen Brown
Jalen
Brown
6'5" | CG
Sequoia Prep | 2027
#89
Nation
AZ
contributed 18. Coach Chris Newbauer's program lost 6-foot-11 senior
Kai Rogers
Kai
Rogers
6'10" | C
Overtime Elite | 2025
#41
Nation
WI
, an Oklahoma commit, to Overtime Elite over the summer, but the Trojans nonetheless appear primed for a huge season as their quickness, ball movement and depth are all impressive. Mukwonago had a hard time handling the speed of Wauwatosa West, but the Indians still had some strong moments as senior
Peyton Pollnow
Peyton
Pollnow
6'1" | CG
Mukwonago | 2025
State
WI
played well and had 17 points while promising sophomore
Evan Ploeckelman
Evan
Ploeckelman
6'7" | SF
Mukwonago | 2027
WI
contributed 18.
STAR OF THE GAME
This evaluation is available to subscribers.
Is this you, Matthew? Unlock your evaluation to everyone by subscribing
Highlights
EMERGING PLAYER
An impressive young player with a very bright future, Ploeckelman's length, mobility, athleticism and skill are all advanced for his age group. He can play multiple positions on offense and guard both wings and post players on defense. He handles the ball well, shoots it well and attacks the basket with authority. He had a one-handed punch off a drive to the hoop early in the game against Wauwatosa West and wound up leading Mukwonago in scoring with 18 points. Ploeckelman saw action in a few varsity games a year ago, but this was his first start for the Indians and he came through with flying colors. He definitely is a player to keep an eye on in the state's talented 2027 class.
Highlights
BOXSCORE
Mukwonago (36-39 = 75)
Ploeckelman 18, Pollnow 17, Hayden 5, Cullinane 2, Poling 13, Greuel 7, Tess 8, Roy 1, Maus 4. Three-point field goals: Pollnow 3, Hayden 1, Poling 1, Greuel 1, Ploeckelman 1, Maus 1. FT: 8-16. Fouled out: None. Record: 0-1.
Wauwatosa West (48-55 = 103)
Hennings 8, Hansen 15, Wright 4, Kloskey 38, Brown 18, Gogin 6, Long 3, Hughes 3, Chambers 4, Parker 2, Magnum 2. Three-point field goals: Gogin 2, Brown 2, Hennings 1, Long 1, Hughes 1, Kloskey 1, Hansen 1. FT: 13-21. Fouled out: None. Record: 2-0.
GAME SEVEN
Germantown 89, Sun Prairie West 82, 3OT
KEYS TO THE GAME
There were so many twists and turns in this game it's hard to pinpoint one key. Certainly the play of Germantown junior
Cahlil Jones
Cahlil
Jones
6'3" | SG
Germantown | 2026
State
WI
was huge as the athletic wing guard scored 37 points and was coach Jake Fueger's go-to player down the stretch and into the overtime periods. But
Keenan Mulberry
Keenan
Mulberry
6'6" | PG/SF
Germantown | 2025
State
WI
also turned in a stellar game for Germantown. The Menomonee Falls senior transfer scored most of his 18 points late to help the Warhawks open the campaign with the victory. Sun Prairie West, playing its first game under new coach Jay Swanson, had to deal with lots and lots of foul trouble, but the Wolves still managed to stay in the game and push Germantown to the limit. Four players were disqualified by fouls for Sun Prairie West, and the loss of standout seniors
Tavian Crawford
Tavian
Crawford
6'2" | CG
Sun Prairie West | 2025
State
WI
(21 points) and
Tyler Haney
Tyler
Haney
6'1" | CG
Sun Prairie West | 2025
State
WI
(22 points) eventually caught up to the Wolves. It also didn't help Sun Prairie West that it was outscored 30-11 at the foul line. Germantown attempted 52 free throws in the contest.
STAR OF THE GAME
Other than missing 10 of 18 foul shots, Jones was nothing short of sensational for Germantown. The bouncy 6-foot-2 wing got to the basket early and often on the way to scoring a career-best 37 points. He also contributed 10 rebounds and three steals while playing 47 minutes of the marathon contest. There is no questioning Jones burst off the dribble and his ability to score around and over defenders at the rim. His perimeter shot and foul shooting will need to improve, but he's a player who figures to draw plenty of recruiting attention the rest of this season and into the spring/summer on the club circuit.
Highlights
EMERGING PLAYER
This evaluation is available to subscribers.
Is this you, Tyler? Unlock your evaluation to everyone by subscribing
Highlights
BOXSCORE
Sun Prairie West (33-30-8-5-6 = 82)
Wambach 5, Crawford 21, Aswin 3, Haney 22, Anderson 5, Hamilton 8, Pooch 1, Dervishi 6, Crawford-Allen 2, Jones 6, Gorman 3. Three-point field goals: Haney 4, Hamilton 2, Aswin 1, Dervishi 1, Gorman 1. FT: 11-18. Fouled out: Haney, Crawford, Dervishi, Wambach. Record: 0-1.
Germantown (33-30-8-5-13 = 89)
Peete 10, Jones 37, Grass 10, Walters 4, Melcher 3, Catalano 7, Mulberry 18, Laabs 0, Macijewski 0, Olzewski 0. Three-point field goals: Mulberry 2, Jones 1, Grass 1, Melcher 1. FT: 30-52. Fouled out: Catalano. Record: 1-0.
Kettle Moraine defeated Whitnall in the final game of the day, 67-51. I was unable to stay for that game, but hope to catch both teams in action soon.
Thank you to the fine folks at Catholic Memorial for your hospitality and for a great day of basketball.
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and every scouting report.