Prep Hoops/Zaleski Sports Teams of the Week (Dec. 9-14)

Mark Miller December 15, 2024 @ 08:33 PM

DIVISION 1 … KENOSHA BRADFORD
After sustaining a 72-54 beating in its opening game of the season by The Prairie School, Kenosha Bradford has responded well, winning three games in a row. Last week, the Red Devils turned back city rival Kenosha Indian Trail 66-64 before going into overtime for a hard-earned 67-60 win over Manitowoc Lincoln in the Halli Lannan Memorial Showcase at Grafton. Coach Greg Leech's squad got 36 points and eight three-point baskets from sophomore guard Mikey White Mikey White 5'10" | SG Kenosha Bradford | 2027 State WI in the win over Manitowoc Lincoln. No other Bradford player reached double figures in that contest. Against Kenosha Indian Trail, White had 20 points and five three-point baskets, giving him 11 over the two games. Senior Andy Sauer Andy Sauer 6'4" | SF Kenosha Bradford | 2025 State WI added 12 points and six rebounds against Indian Trail. Bradford travels to Milwaukee Tuesday to take on a very good Milwaukee South Division squad before hosting Racine Horlick in a Southeast Conference contest Thursday.

DIVISION 2 ... NICOLET
It was an extremely busy week for Nicolet as the Knights played four games and won all of them. Coach Terence Smith's squad opened the week with an 82-70 victory over North Shore Conference opponent Port Washington. On Thursday, Nicolet got another league win with a 75-56 verdict over Grafton. And then over the weekend, Nicolet won the 608 Tournament at Madison College with wins over Oshkosh North and Romeoville, Ill. Sophomore Ja’Meir Hayfort Ja’Meir Hayfort 6'7" | SF Nicolet | 2027 WI was outstanding in all of the wins. He had 11 points and eight rebounds against Port Washington, then went for 16 points and 13 rebounds against Grafton. The transfer from Texas then went off at the 608 Tournament, scoring 16 points and snaring seven rebounds in the 78-63 win over Oshkosh North before erupting for 28 points and 14 rebounds in the 85-67 win over Romeoville. Of course, Nicolet also got exceptional play from its impressive guard trio of Rashaad Davis Rashaad Davis 5'11" | PG Nicolet | 2026 State WI , David Bolden David Bolden 6'0" | PG Nicolet | 2025 State WI and Edward Bullock. Bolden averaged 21.0 ppg, Davis contributed 19.3 ppg and Bullock contributed 9.3 ppg over the four contests.

DIVISION 3 ... OCONTO FALLS
Wins over Wrightstown have been tough to come by for the Oconto Falls boys' basketball program. In fact, since joining the North Eastern Conference, Oconto Falls has never beaten Wrightstown. That changed last week when the Panthers snapped a 19-game losing streak to Wrightstown with a 47-43 victory. It was the first triumph over Wrightstown for Oconto Falls since Dec. 27, 2005. And it was part of a very impressive week as Oconto Falls also notched wins over Luxemburg-Casco and Peshtigo. In the win over Wrightstown, Oconto Falls got 12 points from junior forward Jameson Beamon along with 10 points and 13 rebounds from sophomore guard JJ Ptyleski. Beamon had productive contests against Luxemburg-Casco and Peshtigo as well scoring 30 and 24 points, respectively. Junior guard Brady Bursa also had a strong week, scoring 13 points against Luxemburg-Casco and going for 17 points and 10 rebounds against Peshtigo.

DIVISION 4 ... GRANTSBURG
The Pirates got a pair of wins last week to improve to 3-0 on the young season. Coach Michael Myers will rely heavily on St. Scholastica recruit Jayden Brown Jayden Brown 6'6" | SG/CG Grantsburg | 2025 State WI this winter and thus far, Brown has come through with flying colors. The athletic and versatile wing player scored 42 points and had 10 rebounds in a 75-63 victory over Siren. He then had 22 points to help Grantsburg turn back host Frederic 54-48. Sophomore Dexter Schultz has key in the Pirates' win over Siren, scoring 13 points and snaring 13 rebounds. Grantsburg has a busy week with three games coming up -- Unity at home Tuesday, at Somerset on Thursday and Northwood home on Friday.

DIVISION 5 ... ALMOND-BANCROFT
Coming off a WIAA Division 5 State Tournament appearance last season, Almond-Bancroft needed to replace its head coach as Curt Lamb stepped down after 25 seasons. Almond-Bancroft also had to replace Lamb's son, TJ, who graduated last spring after averaging 18.0 ppg and 3.9 rpg. Keith Dernbach stepped into serve as head coach, and the Eagles turned to physical senior forward Ayden Phillips Ayden Phillips 6'7" | PF Almond-Bancroft | 2025 State WI to carry the scoring load during the 2024-25 season. Phillips came through last week as Almond-Bancroft improved to 3-2 with wins over Northland Lutheran and Pittsville. Phillips had 34 points and 18 rebounds in a 70-55 win over Northland Lutheran. Teammate Clarence Pratt added 12 points in the win. A few days later, Phillips set a school record with 46 points as Almond-Bancroft posted a 68-61 overtime victory over Central Wisconsin South Conference rival Pittsville. Phillips also had 15 rebounds in the game. Pratt contributed 11 points for the Eagles, who have a pair of league games this week, hosting Port Edwards on Tuesday before playing at Pacelli Friday.