Wisconsin Lutheran Classic standouts

Wisconsin Lutheran College was the setting for the annual Wisconsin Lutheran High School Viking Classic on Saturday. Catholic Memorial turned back Lakeside Lutheran in the opening game while Wisconsin Lutheran beat De Pere in the nightcap in a contest featuring two previously undefeated teams. Here are some observations from the event: GAME ONE Catholic Memorial 57, Lakeside Lutheran 53 KEYS TO THE GAME Catholic Memorial got off to a strong start thanks to some sharp-eye shooting from deep, then got a huge lift off the bench from senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1874976' first='Jake' last='Berkholtz'], and finally held off Lakeside Lutheran thanks in part to a strong all-around floor game from sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2505474' first='Dusty' last='Roach']. The Crusaders improved to 4-5 and won their second game in two days after beating Oconomowoc in Classic Eight play Friday evening. CMH finished with 10 three-point baskets, got 13 points from Berkholtz, and received a seven-rebound, five-assist performance from Roach. It also had strong play from its stellar sophomore class with [player_tooltip player_id='2140928' first='Jackson' last='Albee'] scoring 15 points, [player_tooltip player_id='2394688' first='Matthew' last='Goedheer'] adding 13 and [player_tooltip player_id='2731450' first='Will' last='Kinateder'] adding eight. Lakeside Lutheran, which lost for the first time in five outings, was led by senior guard Benjamin Krauklis (6-0), who had 17 points. Highly regarded Lakeside Lutheran junior [player_tooltip player_id='2025184' first='Wes' last='Rahn'] (6-8) added 12 points and had three dunks, but he was somewhat neutralized by the strong frontline play of Berkholz and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2508627' first='Isaac' last='Miller'] (6-6) of CMH. STAR OF THE GAME    Albee's steady play and impressive shooting skill were vital for Catholic Memorial. He had three big three-point baskets, scored a bucket in the lane and then made four straight free throws in the final minutes to seal the triumph for the Crusaders. Albee finished with 15 points in a reserve role for coach Kyle Johnsen a night after scoring 22 in a win over Oconomowoc. A member of an extremely strong sophomore class at CMH, Albee's feel for the game, patience while hunting for shot openings and strong perimeter defense helped CMH improve to 4-5.    EMERGING PLAYERS    Goedheer's net-snapping skill from deep and foul shooting played big roles in Catholic Memorial's win over Lakeside Lutheran. The sophomore wing guard hit three shots from outside the arc and then drilled a couple of important foul shots late in the game. He finished with 13 points while also playing strong perimeter defense for the Crusaders.     A big, strong power forward who has zero fear of taking the ball strong to the basket, Berkholz had 13 points off the bench for the Crusaders. He got to the hoop with regularity, and was able to use his explosive jumping and considerable physical strength to bank in short shots in the lane. Berkholtz can also step away from the basket to set screens or take the ball on the wing and attack the hoop.     With Rahn being held in check by the Crusaders' physical frontline for much of the outing, Wolfram stepped up to bury four three-point shots to keep Lakeside Lutheran within striking distance until the final horn sounded. Wolfram possesses good size and strength, and moves well without the ball. He spotted up from outside the arc and his confidence and quick release resulted in four swishes from deep. Wolfram recently scored 20 points in the Warriors' victory over Lake Country Lutheran, and he appears to have gained confidence in his game over the past two contests.    THE BIG PICTURE Catholic Memorial returns to play next week with two games in the Rick Majerus Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout. For the second outing in a row, CMH will face an undefeated WIAA Division 3 squad in Freedom on Thursday before meeting Saint Thomas More on Saturday. Both games are at Concordia University in Mequon. Lakeside Lutheran, which finished second at the WIAA Division 3 State Tournament last March, losing to Saint Thomas More in the title game, also plays during the holiday break with a game at Madison Edgewood on December 30. BOXSCORE Lakeside Lutheran (25-28 = 53) Krauklis 17, E. Wolfram 4, Rahn 12, B. Wolfram 12, Dwyer 4, Magritz 0, Jimenez 4, J. Moore 0. Three-point goals: B. Wolfram 4, Krauklis 2. FT: 3-7. Fouled out: None. Record: 5-1. Catholic Memorial (29-28 = 57) Kaye 6, Miller 2, Kinateder 8, Goedheer 13, Roach 0, Berkholtz 13, Albee 15. Three-point field goals: Albee 3, Goedheer 3, Kinateder 2, Kaye 2. FT: 7-9. Fouled out: None. Record: 4-5. GAME TWO Wisconsin Lutheran 72, De Pere 59 KEYS TO THE GAME Wisconsin Lutheran used the hot shooting of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2140949' first='Kager' last='Knueppel'] and some simply stellar defense to build a 22-9 lead and the Vikings never looked back in beating De Pere in a non-league matchup of two of the better teams in the state. Knueppel, a 6-foot-8 wing player and the younger brother of former Wisconsin Lutheran standout and current Duke starter Kon Knueppel, hit threes, scored off the dribble and also found open teammates with his passing during the Vikings early onslaught. Knueppel finished with 23 points to go along with the second-half dominance of teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1552512' first='Zavier' last='Zens'], a 6-foot-7 junior who continually muscled his way to the basket en route to scoring a game-high 24 points. Wisconsin Lutheran, which won its 36th straight game dating back to last season, also got strong showings from its senior standouts with [player_tooltip player_id='1485498' first='Isaiah' last='Mellock'] (6-1) scoring 12 points and [player_tooltip player_id='1973108' first='Alex' last='Greene'] (6-4) adding 11. De Pere, which struggled to keep Wisconsin Lutheran out of the lane and away from the basket, got 22 points from Northern Michigan recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1908410' first='Pryce' last='Gregoire'] (6-6) and 20 from University of Wisconsin recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1351717' first='Zach' last='Kinziger'] (6-3). The Redbirds, who lost to Wisconsin Lutheran for the second year in a row, fell to 5-1 with the setback. STAR OF THE GAME    The versatility of the 6-foot-7 Zens was really tough to deal with for De Pere. Because he has skills on the perimeter to go along with impressive finishing ability around the hoop, Zens is a matchup problem for opponents. With an assistant coach from Toledo watching, Zens scored 24 points and flashed his diverse ability to impact a game by hitting two triples, finishing through contact in the lane, and moving inside/outside in the Vikings' high energy offense. Zens proved to be a go-to option for the Vikings when the game got tight, and he delivered each and every time.    EMERGING PLAYERS    Knueppel's development as a player over the past 12 months is nothing short of exceptional. He has grown to be a 6-foot-8 wing with a smooth shooting stroke, but he also can get places off the bounce and score with his length and size around the basket. Knueppel handles the ball on the perimeter, can pass and shoot over smaller defenders, and runs the floor very well. He had 23 points against De Pere and his three-point shooting accuracy gave Wisconsin Lutheran the lead for good just minutes into the game.     Greene is one of the more enjoyable players to watch in the state. He seems to be around the ball at all times, makes big plays in getting to loose balls and rebounds, and can use his superior size and strength to get to the basket. In short, Greene makes winning plays for the Vikings, and he does so on a very consistent basis. Greene finished with 11 points against De Pere, but it's his intangibles that make him such a valuable player for Wisconsin Lutheran.     Gregoire's shooting ability has always been an asset, and it was that and more against Wisconsin Lutheran. He buried five three-point baskets to help the Redbirds remain attached to Wisconsin Lutheran for much of the contest. Gregoire also scored a basket off the dribble and drew three fouls on drives to the hoop. The NCAA Division II recruit for Northern Michigan finished with 22 points, and that production on the offensive end of the floor took a bit of pressure off of teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1351717' first='Zach' last='Kinziger'].     Kinziger made three basket from outside the three-point line, but he also missed his share, thanks largely to the constant presence of different Wisconsin Lutheran defenders. The University of Wisconsin recruit, to be sure, is a marked man for every team De Pere plays in 2024-25. He still is crafty enough to get his shots off, and he did finish with 20 points against Wisconsin Lutheran despite getting banged in the nose and missing some time in the second half. Kinziger's movement with and without the ball, his wide variety of moves with the ball in his hands, and his deft shooting skill make him a player who can get 30 or more points on any given night.    THE BIG PICTURE Wisconsin Lutheran hopes to extend its winning streak with two games over the holiday break. The Vikings play Milwaukee Marquette on Thursday at the Rick Majerus WBY Shootout in a matchup of defending Division 1 and Division 2 state champions. The Vikings then play at West De Pere next Saturday. De Pere gets two huge challenges next week at the Rick Majerus WBY Shooting, playing unbeaten Milwaukee Academy of Science on Friday and then squaring off against talented Wauwatosa West on Saturday. BOXSCORE De Pere (30-29 = 59) Demovsky 3, Kinziger 20, Hutjens 7, Bonfigt 2, Gregoire 22, Krueger 3, Herlache 2, Bookter 0. Three-point field goals: Gregoire 5, Kinziger 3, Hutjens 1, Krueger 1. FT: 11-16. Fouled out: None. Record: 5-1. Wisconsin Lutheran (39-33 = 72) Greene 11, Kag. Knueppel 23, Mellock 12, Langebartels 0, Zens 24, Kin. Knueppel 2, Campbell 0, Rice 0, Walz 0. Three-point field goals: Kag. Knueppel 3, Mellock 2, Zens 2, Greene 1. FT: 4-9. Fouled out: None. Record: 6-0.

Wisconsin Lutheran College was the setting for the annual Wisconsin Lutheran High School Viking Classic on Saturday.

Catholic Memorial turned back Lakeside Lutheran in the opening game while Wisconsin Lutheran beat De Pere in the nightcap in a contest featuring two previously undefeated teams.

Here are some observations from the event:

GAME ONE

Catholic Memorial 57, Lakeside Lutheran 53

KEYS TO THE GAME

Catholic Memorial got off to a strong start thanks to some sharp-eye shooting from deep, then got a huge lift off the bench from senior forward Jake Berkholtz Jake Berkholtz 6'5" | PF Catholic Memorial | 2025 State WI , and finally held off Lakeside Lutheran thanks in part to a strong all-around floor game from sophomore Dusty Roach Dusty Roach 6'3" | CG Catholic Memorial | 2027 State WI . The Crusaders improved to 4-5 and won their second game in two days after beating Oconomowoc in Classic Eight play Friday evening. CMH finished with 10 three-point baskets, got 13 points from Berkholtz, and received a seven-rebound, five-assist performance from Roach. It also had strong play from its stellar sophomore class with Jackson Albee Jackson Albee 6'0" | PG Catholic Memorial | 2027 State WI scoring 15 points, Matthew Goedheer Matthew Goedheer 6'2" | SG Catholic Memorial | 2027 State WI adding 13 and Will Kinateder Will Kinateder 6'0" | SG Catholic Memorial | 2027 State WI adding eight. Lakeside Lutheran, which lost for the first time in five outings, was led by senior guard Benjamin Krauklis (6-0), who had 17 points. Highly regarded Lakeside Lutheran junior Wes Rahn Wes Rahn 6'8" | PF Lakeside Lutheran | 2026 State WI (6-8) added 12 points and had three dunks, but he was somewhat neutralized by the strong frontline play of Berkholz and sophomore Isaac Miller Isaac Miller 6'6" | PF Catholic Memorial | 2027 WI (6-6) of CMH.

STAR OF THE GAME