Stock Boosters from WI vs. IL Border Battle

We previously wrote about the Most Valuable Players from last Saturday's Wisconsin vs. Illinois Border Battle at The Prairie School in Racine. Today, we take a look at some of the stock boosters from the event, which Illinois won by winning four of the seven contests.    Brunsch turned in arguably his best game as a Mukwonago Indian during a 67-53 loss to Waubonsie Valley, one of the top prep teams in Illinois. Brunsch tied his career high by scoring 18 points, and his marksmanship from outside the three-point arc helped to keep coach Steve Pollnow's squad within striking distance for much of the contest. At 6-foot-3, Brunsch has very good size for a shooting guard, but he also plays with excellent court vision and unselfishness. He is currently averaging 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and a team-high 2.9 assists for a Mukwonago squad that sits at 11-6. Brunsch is shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc and has 18 made triples in 15 games this winter.     A stellar athlete who also excels in football and track and field, Hewitt is a key performer for a very good New Berlin West team. He finished with 11 points and was one of four players in double figures in the Vikings' 88-62 win over Buffalo Grove. Moreover, he provided some height and length around the basket for a team that relies heavily on perimeter play. Hewitt finished the game with 11 points and was able to score near the basket while also stepping outside to drill two three-point baskets, playing a role in the Vikings setting a school record with their 20 made triples on the day.     Baez has stepped up his game considerably from a year ago and has become one of the top players for the highly regarded Kenosha St. Joseph program. He can play either guard position, but appears best suited as a point guard as evidenced by his 2.4 assists-per-game average. Against Northridge Prep, Baez made four three-point shots, including two late in the game that helped the Lancers overcome a 15-point halftime deficit, and finished with 20 points in a 68-67 loss. Baez also stepped to the line and drilled four huge free throws late in the game. Baez plays with his head up, is unselfish and does a good job of relocating for perimeter jump shots once he gives the ball up in the half court.     Slinger has surprised virtually everybody by leading the North Shore Conference by two games and compiling an 18-1 record that includes an 18-game winning streak after opening the campaign with a loss at Freedom. Mantz is a big reason why the Owls have taken the league by storm. He contributed 12 points in the Owls' 59-50 win over Prospect at the WI vs. IL Border Battle, sinking a pair of triples, getting to the lane and scoring in the lane. He is averaging 8.9 points, 1.8 rebounds. 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per outing for coach Alex Lavine's squad, and his activity on defense and ball movement on offense helps to create openings for his teammates.     Without question one of the state's top uncommitted seniors, Jackson always competes with fire in his eyes. He did so again Milwaukee Academy of Science's exciting 91-85 overtime victory over Warren Township. Using his speed in the open court and aggressiveness in the half court, Jackson repeatedly got to the basket, and he used his stellar pivoting and jumping ability to shed defenders and score. He finished the contest with 16 points before fouling out. Jackson has the size, quickness and mindset to become a lockdown defender at the next level, and his offense is coming along at a steady pace as well for coach Agape Keys' squad, which improved to 15-1 with the triumph.     Ellickson's strong play in 2024-25 has helped Waunakee to a 16-3 record and a first-place standing in the Badger Large Conference. In the Warriors' 57-52 setback to DeKalb, Ellickson scored nine points. He was able to finish off cuts to the basket and also made a three-point shot for coach Tyler Selk's squad. Ellickson moves well, has good size for a wing, and is versatile enough to guard on the perimeter or in the paint. He is averaging 9.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 1.8 apg on the season.     Vanoss is a big part of a very talented sophomore class at The Prairie School. Along with forward [player_tooltip player_id='2508284' first='Dalton' last='Ahlensdorf'] and guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140901' first='Chandler' last='Perry'], Vanoss is one of three sophomores earning big minutes for coach Jason Atanasoff. Against Chicago St. Francis de Sales, Vanoss swished six three-point baskets and scored 21 points in an 81-78 loss. His ability to catch and shoot was a big part of the Hawks' offense, and he rarely touched the rim after he let loose with his smooth jumper. Vanoss figures to become an even tougher player to guard in the future as he adds strength and the ability to get to the basket off the dribble to his game.

We previously wrote about the Most Valuable Players from last Saturday's Wisconsin vs. Illinois Border Battle at The Prairie School in Racine.

Today, we take a look at some of the stock boosters from the event, which Illinois won by winning four of the seven contests.