WI vs. IL Border Battle: Recaps, MVPs and stats

The seventh annual Wisconsin vs. Illinois Border Battle was held Saturday at The Prairie School in Racine, and Illinois won the last two games to come away with a 4-3 victory in the seven games played. Following are recaps of the seven games: GAME ONE Waubonsie Valley (IL) 67, Mukwonago (WI) 53 KEYS TO THE GAME Plucky Mukwonago played without its top scorer as senior [player_tooltip player_id='1539509' first='Caleb' last='Poling'] continues to recover from a knee injury. But even with Poling watching from the Indians' bench, coach Steve Pollnow's squad played toe-to-toe with highly regarded Waubonsie Valley for most of the first half. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2765141' first='Jake' last='Brunsch'] (6-3) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2508313' first='Evan' last='Ploeckelman'] (6-6) had strong showings in the first 18 minutes and kept the Indians within 31-28 of the Warriors with 1:49 left before intermission. From that point, Illinois State recruit [player_tooltip player_id='2326960' first='Tyreek' last='Coleman'] (6-2) took over. He buried two threes before intermission to help his squad lead 37-30 at the break, and then he kept the Indians at bay in the second half by scoring 10 of his game-best 25 points. He got plenty of help from athletic senior [player_tooltip player_id='2326966' first='Moses' last='Wilson'] (6-5), who had 12 points and several dunks, and from promising sophomore wing Kris Mporokoso (6-3) who added 11 points. Ploeckelman had 22 for Mukwonago while Brunsch added 18. Waubonsie Valley moved to 24-1 with the win while Mukwonago, coming off a win Friday over Waukesha West, slipped to 10-6. STARS OF THE GAME    A point guard with good size, a good pace to his game, and the ability to make big shots when called upon, Coleman scored 25 points and set the table for his teammates with some stellar passing. His feeds to teammate [player_tooltip player_id='2326966' first='Moses' last='Wilson'] often led to highlight-reel dunks, and his two deep threes just prior to intermission gave Waubonsie Valley the lead it needed to stay in front the rest of the way. The only drawback to Coleman's otherwise strong showing was the fact he missed three front ends of the bonus and made just six-of-12 attempts from the line on the afternoon.     Ploeckelman more than held his own against some impressive athletes from Waubonsie Valley as he used his length, dexterity and aggressiveness to get to the rim and finish. He was very good in the open court, but he also was able to gather the ball on the wing and get into the lane to score. His 22 points were instrumental in helping Mukwonago hang with Waubonsie Valleyu for the majority of the contest. Ploeckelman drew three fouls and earned six foul attempts, making four. One of the better prospects in Wisconsin's 2027 class, Ploeckelman's stock will only increase as he expands his game to the perimeter in the future.    BOXSCORE Waubonsie Valley (37-30 = 67) Valek 6, Wilson 12, Tinney 8, Coleman 25, Mporokoso 11, T. Payne 3, Neal 0. Three-point field goals: Coleman 3, Mporokoso 1, T. Payne 1. FT: 8-22. Fouled out: None. Record: 24-1. Mukwonago (30-23 = 53) Brunsch 18, Karrels 2, Ploeckelman 22, Pollnow 4, Hayden 3, Greuel 0, Roy 2, Tess 2, Cullinane 0. Three-point field goals: Brunsch 4, Hayden 1. FT: 8-10. Fouled out: None. Record: 10-6. GAME TWO New Berlin West (WI) 88, Buffalo Grove (IL) 62 KEYS TO THE GAME When you make a school-record 20 three-point field goals, chances are pretty strong you are going to win. Such was the case for New Berlin West, which made triple after triple in rolling to a big win over Buffalo Grove. Seven different players connected from outside the arc for the Vikings, who improved to 12-5 under coach Scott Cook. Cook's son, sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2371703' first='Jayce' last='Cook'], was on fire from deep in the second half. He made five of his six threes after intermission and all swished through the net without touching the rim. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1874970' first='Evan' last='Kern'] also was on target from deep as he had six triples of his own. Ben Thompson added three field goals from beyond the arc while [player_tooltip player_id='2382134' first='Zach' last='Hewitt'] contributed two triples, New Berlin West also got deep field goals from [player_tooltip player_id='2271424' first='Josh' last='Krier'] and Connor Krier. New Berlin West led 48-32 at intermission and continued its onslaught in the second half. Buffalo Grove slipped to 8-18 with the setback. STARS OF THE GAME    Even when it appeared one of Kern's three-point baseline shots was off the mark late in the first half, it somehow managed to rattle in. Kern just shook his head in amazement as he retreated down court to play defense. It was that kind of day for New Berlin West. Kern had six three-point baskets and scored a game-high 22 points. In addition to his torrid shooting, Kern also scored a couple of baskets off drives to the hoop. He competes with good balance as he plays well off of two feet, and he has the physical strength to finish off drives to the basket.     When Buffalo Grove managed to get the ball inside to Sirbu, the results were good. He finished at a very high level in the paint, using his superior size and balance to score 16 points. Sirbu got to the free-throw line three different times, rebounded at a high level and ran the floor well for Buffalo Grove. As he continues to get stronger, Sirbu figures to become an even bigger force in the paint for the Bison over the next two seasons.    BOXSCORE Buffalo Grove (32-30 = 62) Karnauchovas 3, Ronczkowski 0, Baker 2, Sirbu 16, Watson 9, Bolos 13, Goetz 2, Rowan 0, Kosnoff 3, Oldenburg 4, Wright 6, Hryniewicki 2, Maradkel 2, Pattis 0, Hilgeman 0. Three-point field goals: Watson 3, Bolos 3, Kosnoff 1, Oldenburg 1, Karnauchovas 1. FT: 7-10. Fouled out: None. Record: 8-18. New Berlin West (48-40 = 88) Moe 4, Cook 20, Hewitt 11, J. Krier 7, Kern 22, Berwanger 2, Gammage 5, Krueger 0, C. Krier 3, Devine 0, Buelow 0, Krajcir 3, Susek 0, Mercado 0, Thompson 11. Three-point field goals: Kern 6, Cook 6, Thompson 3, Hewitt 2, C. Krier 1, J. Krier 1, Krajcir 1. FT: 4-6. Fouled out: None. Record: 12-5. GAME THREE Northridge (IL) 68, Kenosha St. Joseph (WI) 67 KEYS TO THE GAME In a game of two very different halves, Northridge Prep out of Niles overcame a late four-point deficit and got the one-point win after guard [player_tooltip player_id='2759629' first='Jacob' last='Klatt'] drove the length of the floor and buried a floater in the lane with just under four seconds left. Klatt's game-winner helped the Knights notch their 19th win in 24 outings and made the trip home more enjoyable after Kenosha St. Joseph dominated the second half. Northridge led 40-25 at intermission and was rolling from deep, in the lane and on defense as coach Will Rey's club went into the locker room. But St. Joseph made some big adjustments and came out slowly but surely cutting into its deficit. The strong play of the Lancers' talented backcourt trip of freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2354009' first='Reymundo' last='Garibay'], sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2508296' first='Christopher' last='Kenesie'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2440055' first='Tomas' last='Baez'] led the wild comeback for the Lancers. After Kenesie used his strength and creativity to score over several defenders to give the Lancers a 67-66 lead, he came up with a big steal with under 14 seconds left. But St. Joseph missed two foul shots, opening the door for Klatt's game winner. STARS OF THE GAME    Need somebody to handle the ball against pressure? Kenesie is your guy. Need somebody to use his craftiness, strength and winning attitude to score in the lane over bigger defenders? Kenesie can do that. Need a lockdown perimeter defender or a guy who can guard bigger players? Kenesie can accomplish that as well. His toughness and versatility were on full display in the Lancers' one-point loss to Northridge Prep. Kenesie, who earlier this season had a 44-point game, finished with 25 points and numerous winning players while helping his team rally from a 15-point halftime deficit.     Klatt played a strong overall game for Northridge Prep, and his game winner was the result of his aggressiveness, confidence and time running out. Klatt finished with 15 points, made two three-point baskets, defended on the perimeter and made the biggest shot of the game with all eyes in The Prairie School gym on him. Klatt is one of seven seniors on the squad and one of five senior starters for the leaders of the Independent School League in Chicago area.    BOXSCORE Northridge (40-28 = 68) Kataoka 8, Bo Arnold 14, Goodrich 7, Klatt 15, Coleman 0, Scherer 9, Chapello 2, Seuffert 0, BIlly Arnold 13. Three-point field goals: Klatt 2, Scherer 2, Billy Arnold 1, Goodrich 1. FT: 10-19. Fouled out: Coleman. Record: 19-5. Kenosha St. Joseph (25-42 = 67) Garibay 13, Baez 20, Kenesie 25, Boyle 2, C. Kuiper 2, Williams 4, B. Kuiper 1, Guttormsen 0. Three-point field goals: Baez 4, Garibay 3. FT: 16-23. Fouled out: Boyle. Record: 9-7. GAME FOUR Slinger (WI) 59, Prospect (IL) 50 KEYS TO THE GAME Slinger won its 17th consecutive contest and improved to 17-1 on the campaign behind a balanced scoring attack, a patient and effective offense, and a defense that is holding opponents to an average of 54 points per game. Coach Alex Lavine's squad ranks among the elite in Wisconsin behind the star power of brothers [player_tooltip player_id='2398448' first='Joey' last='Kohnen'] (14 points) and [player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'] (16 points), but they also have extremely reliable and talented teammates in juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2765150' first='Colton' last='Mantz'] (12 points), [player_tooltip player_id='1874955' first='Brett' last='Palm'] (11 points) and [player_tooltip player_id='2874937' first='Bryson' last='Fogle'] (two points). Off the bench, the Owls are getting solid minutes from sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2508415' first='Jude' last='Siikarla'] (6-6) and junior Sam Bolden (6-0). Prospect stayed within 31-27 at half and did a very good job of doubling [player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'] when he got the ball in the post, but the Knights missed some foul shots and couldn't connect enough from the perimeter in falling for the 14th time in 25 outings. STARS OF THE GAME    Palm can play either guard position, and his ball handling, passing and ball movement are big assets for Slinger. Palm ranks among team leaders in assists and contributes 8.1 ppg. He can connect from deep, get into the lane off the bounce and is a very good perimeter defender for the Owls. Joey and [player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'] get most of the publicity for Slinger, but Palm is an outstanding glue-guy whose contributions to the Owls' success should never be diminished.     Prospect competes in a difficult conference -- the Eastern Division of the Mid-Suburban Conference -- and the results this season have been a bit mixed for coach Brad Rathe's squad. But the Knights played hard and kept within striking distance of talented Slinger until late in the game, thanks in large part to the leadership, toughness and all-out play of Schneider. He finisehd with 10 points, but it was his overall floor game that was most impressive as he defended with energy, rebounded a bit, passed the ball well and got big baskets for the Knights.    BOXSCORE Prospect (27-23 = 50) Schneider 10, Lifton 7, Meilinger 6, Skoog 4, Nellis 0, Stratigos 14, Neach 2, DeCook 2, Friar 0, Simon 2, Mansour 3. Three-point field goals: Lifton 2, Meilinger 2, Mansour 1, Stratigos 1. FT: 4-8. Fouled out: None. Record: 11-14. Slinger (31-28 = 59) [player_tooltip player_id='2398448' first='Joey' last='Kohnen'] 14, Mantz 12, [player_tooltip player_id='2351190' first='Jack' last='Kohnen'] 16, Palm 11, Fogle 2, Berger 0, O'Callaghan 0, Siikarla 4, Bolden 0, Novotny 0. Three-point field goals: [player_tooltip player_id='2398448' first='Joey' last='Kohnen'] 2, Mantz 2, Palm 1. FT: 12-16. Fouled out: None. Record: 17-1. GAME FIVE Milwaukee Academy of Science (WI) 91, Warren Township (IL) 85, OT KEYS TO THE GAME Owen Squires had come off the bench and made a couple of triples to give Warren Township a 10-point lead late in the game against Milwaukee Academy of Science. Enter [player_tooltip player_id='1447228' first='Jamarion' last='Batemon']. The Iowa State recruit buried three-point baskets on three possessions down the stretch to get his team back in the game, and then he made foul shots in overtime to help the Novas improve to 15-1 with a hard-earned win over a very good Warren Township squad. Batemon went 10-of-10 from the line, made seven three-point shots and scored 37 points. One of six finalists for the Mr. Basketball award in Wisconsin, Batemon also guarded the Blue Devils' top player -- sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] -- for much of the game. Coastal Carolina recruit [player_tooltip player_id='1390441' first='Devin' last='Brown'] (6-7) added 27 points and slashing senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1481181' first='Amare' last='Jackson'] (6-4) pitched in 16. Warren Township got 25 from Davis, 16 from forward [player_tooltip player_id='2688322' first='Zach' last='Ausburn'] (6-8) abnd 17 from senior [player_tooltip player_id='2291830' first='Javerion' last='Banks'] (6-1). STARS OF THE GAME    Each time out, Batemon is one of the hardest working kids on the floor. He simply competes on every possession. And even though he scored 37 points and made big play after big play, he never calls attention to himself and instead locks in on the next possession. He is a pleasure to watch play the game because of his approach, and the Iowa State recruit is, without question, one of the strongest candidates for the Mr. Basketball award in Wisconsin.     An impressive point-guard prospect who never seems rushed or out of control, Davis sets the table well for his teammates, but he's also a very capable scorer in his own right. He had 25 points and drilled a deep three just before intermission to give the Knights a 44-38 lead at intermission against what many feel in the most talented teams in Wisconsin. The son of Warren Township assistant coach, Brian Davis, [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] is ranked as one of the elite collegiate prospects in Illinois' class of 2027.    BOXSCORE Warren Township (44-33-8 = 85) Davis 25, Wolf 6, Walker 8, Ausburn 16, Banks 17, King 0, Watson 4, Squires 9. Three-point field goals: Squires 3, Davis 3. FT: 13-26. Fouled out: King, Wolf. Technical foul: Ausburn. Record: 16-8. Academy of Science (38-39-14 = 91) Keys 8, [player_tooltip player_id='2045302' first='Jamir' last='Batemon'] 3, Jackson 16, Harris 0, [player_tooltip player_id='1447228' first='Jamarion' last='Batemon'] 37, [player_tooltip player_id='1390441' first='Devin' last='Brown'] 27, D'anthony Brown 0, Ashley 0, Valeri 0. Three-point field goals: [player_tooltip player_id='1447228' first='Jamarion' last='Batemon'] 7, Keys 2, [player_tooltip player_id='2045302' first='Jamir' last='Batemon'] 1, [player_tooltip player_id='1390441' first='Devin' last='Brown'] 1. FT: 20-25. Fouled out: Jackson. Technical foul: [player_tooltip player_id='1390441' first='Devin' last='Brown']. Record: 15-1. GAME SIX DeKalb (IL) 59, Waunakee (WI) 52 KEYS TO THE GAME DeKalb's defense put the breaks on the Waunakee offense in the second half, limiting the Warriors to just 20 points, and rebounded from a 32-24 halftime deficit to post an impressive win. The Barbs made some big threes and kept Waunakee off the foul line in improving to 18-6 under coach Michael Reynolds. Waunakee attempted just five foul shots and gave up seven triples, most coming in the second half. [player_tooltip player_id='2042435' first='Kaden' last='MacKenzie'] played well for Waunakee as he scored 16 points. His teammate, sharpshooting senior [player_tooltip player_id='1749696' first='Eli' last='Selk'], hit some deep bombs in the first half, but he was largely shut down in the second half. Still, Selk did score 14 points and made four triples. [player_tooltip player_id='1545123' first='Sean' last='Reynolds'] had 19 points and made all six of his foul attempts for DeKalb while teammate Devon Grant, an Illinois football recruit, contributed 14 and made a monster two-handed dunk he turned into a three-point play late in the contest. STARS OF THE GAME    MacKenzie has played well all winter for coach Tyler Selk's squad at Waunakee. His defense, ball movement, cuts to the basket, vision and scoring ability off the dribble, and feel for the game are all strong. He led Waunakee with 16 points in the loss to DeKalb, and his offense has been consistent throughout the campaign. MacKenzie is still undecided about whether he will play football, basketball or maybe even both at the next level. Whatever he decides, the school than lands MacKenzie will get a player who makes winning plays with his skill, unselfishness and intelligence.     The NCAA Division II recruit for D'Yourville University in Buffalo is a gamer in the sense that is he absolutely never afraid to take the big shot. He had 19 points, made all six of his foul shots and dropped three triples for DeKalb in its come-from-behind win over Waunakee. The son of DeKalb coach Michael Reynolds, [player_tooltip player_id='1545123' first='Sean' last='Reynolds'] has a great handle on the ball, finds teammates and is a hard-nosed, physical defender for the Barbs.    BOXSCORE DeKalb (24-33 = 57) Kees 8, Reynolds 19, Bolden 7, O'Neal 4, Grant 14, Bry. Miller 2, Newman 3, Straughter 0. Three-point field goals: Reynolds 3, Kees 2, Bolden 1, Newman 1. FT: 10-13. Fouled out: None. Record: 18-6. Waunakee (32-20 = 52) MacKenzie 16, Murray 4, Ellickson 9, Selk 14, V. Johnson 4, M. Johnson 0, Wagner 0, DuCharme 2, Hanzel 3. Three-point field goals: Selk 4, MacKenzie 1, Ellickson 1. FT: 3-5. Fouled out: None. Record: 15-3. GAME SEVEN Chicago St. Francis de Sales (IL) 81, The Prairie School (WI) 78 KEYS TO THE GAME The game was close throughout as the two evenly matched squads went back and forth with lots of lead changes. Both teams rely on promising young players so the future for both programs is bright. St. Francis de Sales, a member of the White Division of the Chicago Catholic League and located on the far southside of Chicago, got 23 points from junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2520023' first='Kalvin' last='Leonard'] (6-1) and junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2105369' first='Jacob' last='Thompson'] (6-6). Physical junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1900158' first='Stephen' last='George'] (6-6) contributed 18 as he carved his way to the basket all evening. The Prairie School was led by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2508306' first='Ryan' last='Vanoss'] (6-1), who made six triples and scored 21 points. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1289089' first='Carsen' last='Eeg'] (5-11) added 20 points and athletic sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2508284' first='Dalton' last='Ahlensdorf'] (6-5) pitched in 18. The host Hawks took a 78-77 lead on a pair of baskets, one from Ahlensdorf and the other from Eeg, with just 41 seconds left. But St. Francis de Sales got a mid-range jumper from Maurice Jackson and two foul shots from Jokubus Cepronas to pull out the win. STARS OF THE GAME    Leonard got into the paint and scored. He drifted out beyond the three-point arc and scored. And he earned trips to the foul line and scored. The versatile and strong junior wing scored 23 points for coach Marcus Halliburton's squad. He also played some good perimeter defense for the Pioneers. Leonard has the size, strength and versatility to become a potential all-league performer for Chicago St. Francis de Sales in the fugure.     The Prairie School Hawks got some big performances from a number of players, but Ahlensdorf's no-back-down attitude against some very big frontcourt players from Chicago St. Francis de Sales stood out the most. The bouncy sophomore forward defended well against [player_tooltip player_id='1900158' first='Stephen' last='George'], and was able to use his stellar body control and athleticism to score in the lane with reverse layups and dunks. He finished with 18 points before fouling out and figures to be one of Wisconsin's more intriguing class of 2027 prospects over the next two seasons.    BOXSCORE Chicago St. Francis de Sales (43-38 = 81) Thompson 23, Halliburton 0, Jackson 6, Leonard 23, George 18, Cepronas 8, Matthews 3. Three-point field goals: Thompson 5, Leonard 2, Cepronas 2, Matthews 1. FT: 10-16. Fouled out: Thompson. Record: 6-16. The Prairie School (43-35 = 78) N. Greb 8, Eeg 20, Vanoss 21, Wassil 8, Ahlensdorf 18, Carter 1, Jedlicka 0, H. Greb 2. Three-point field goals: Vanoss 6, Eeg 1. FT: 11-20. Fouled out: Ahlensdorf. Record: 5-11.

The seventh annual Wisconsin vs. Illinois Border Battle was held Saturday at The Prairie School in Racine, and Illinois won the last two games to come away with a 4-3 victory in the seven games played.

Following are recaps of the seven games:

GAME ONE

Waubonsie Valley (IL) 67, Mukwonago (WI) 53

KEYS TO THE GAME

Plucky Mukwonago played without its top scorer as senior Caleb Poling Caleb Poling 6'5" | SF Mukwonago | 2025 State WI continues to recover from a knee injury. But even with Poling watching from the Indians' bench, coach Steve Pollnow's squad played toe-to-toe with highly regarded Waubonsie Valley for most of the first half. Senior Jake Brunsch Jake Brunsch 6'3" | SG Mukwonago | 2025 WI (6-3) and sophomore Evan Ploeckelman Evan Ploeckelman 6'6" | SF Mukwonago | 2027 State WI (6-6) had strong showings in the first 18 minutes and kept the Indians within 31-28 of the Warriors with 1:49 left before intermission. From that point, Illinois State recruit Tyreek Coleman Tyreek Coleman 6'2" | PG Waubonsie Valley | 2025 State IL (6-2) took over. He buried two threes before intermission to help his squad lead 37-30 at the break, and then he kept the Indians at bay in the second half by scoring 10 of his game-best 25 points. He got plenty of help from athletic senior Moses Wilson Moses Wilson 6'5" | PF Waubonsie Valley | 2025 State IL (6-5), who had 12 points and several dunks, and from promising sophomore wing Kris Mporokoso (6-3) who added 11 points. Ploeckelman had 22 for Mukwonago while Brunsch added 18. Waubonsie Valley moved to 24-1 with the win while Mukwonago, coming off a win Friday over Waukesha West, slipped to 10-6.

STARS OF THE GAME