The Rock Spring Classic: 17U standouts

A look at some of the 17U standouts from Wisconsin who competed Saturday at The Rock Spring Classic in Stoughton.    Picking up where he left off a year ago on the club circuit, Hibner was nothing short of outstanding in [program_tooltip program_id='2076023' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy']'s hard-earned win over [program_tooltip program_id='2078394' first='Team' last='1848']. He finished with 27 points and scored in a lot of ways, hitting four triples, scoring with aggressive moves to the basket and also sinking all of his foul shots. When Hibner is making shots from the perimeter, it keeps defenders off balance as most try to keep him out of the lane as the first line of defense. Hibner had it going in all aspects as he was also strong on the defensive end as a few NCAA Division II coaches in attendance were looking on.     Rahn had 16 points and scored all eight of his baskets in the paint for [program_tooltip program_id='2076023' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy'] in the triumph over [program_tooltip program_id='2078394' first='Team' last='1848']. But he also can score facing the basket and has very good ball-handling skills in transition. Rahn is physically strong and is tough to keep off the glass because of his mobility, size and aggressiveness. Rahn is a hard-working player from opening tip until final buzzer and when he plays off two feet in the post, he is particularly effective. At times, he rushed a bit with his shots in the lane and that threw off his ability to score. Still, he was largely effective and is a big who loves to compete and get on the floor for loose balls.     Fenner had his smooth jump shot working for [program_tooltip program_id='2078394' first='Team' last='1848'] in its 60-50 loss to [program_tooltip program_id='2076023' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy']. He buried four three-point shots and scored a team-best 14 points to help [program_tooltip program_id='2078394' first='Team' last='1848'] remain within striking distance for the majority of the contest. Fenner did a good job of moving on the offensive end without the basketball, searching for openings to launch his accurate deep shots. He also competed with energy and purpose on the defensive end for his squad. A second-team all-Fox River Classic Conference performer as a junior, Fenner averaged 14.5 ppg for Ashwaubenon.     While Fenner was making shots from deep for [program_tooltip program_id='2078394' first='Team' last='1848'], Pleau was doing most of his damage off the bounce. The strong and aggressive guard got into the lane against [program_tooltip program_id='2076023' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy'] and scored five baskets while also swishing two-of-four foul shots to finish with 12 points. Pleau, Fenner and [player_tooltip player_id='1561879' first='Will' last='Sweeney'] form a terrific backcourt trio for [program_tooltip program_id='2078394' first='Team' last='1848'] as all three can pass, shoot and dribble their way into success on the offensive end of the court. Pleau averaged 4.9 ppg as a junior at Kimberly.     A true point guard who plays with the ball on a string, Sweeney is in charge of setting up his teammates and taking his own scoring opportunities. And he excelled in both during [program_tooltip program_id='2078394' first='Team' last='1848']'s loss to [program_tooltip program_id='2076023' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy']. The steady Appleton North standout finished with 12 points and swished three shots from outside the arc when defenders had their hands down. He struggled a bit from the line as he made just three-of-six foul shots, but he did not struggle with his effort, leadership and hard-nosed on-ball defense. Solid player in virtually all aspects of the game.     The ball was finding the bottom of the net out of Kern's hands during the first 10 minutes of [program_tooltip program_id='2480703' first='24:' last='UP'] UA Rise's win over [program_tooltip program_id='2347629' first='Wisconsin' last='PHD']. He made five three-point shots during the first half of the contest as his team took charge early. Kern plays at a consistent pace and is quick to let go when the defense gives him a look at the basket. He also possesses good physical strength and can get to the basket off the dribble. Kern is a multi-year varsity performer at New Berlin West and one of the better players in the always competitive Woodland West Conference.     Schultz is proving he is, without question, a scholarship-level player with his stellar play in two club events this spring. Owner of a few NCAA Division II offers, Schultz has increased his strength and shooting range, continues to defend with his size and athleticism, and has become a vocal leader on a really, really good [program_tooltip program_id='2076501' first='Chapman' last='Basketball Academy'] North Elite squad. In a comeback win over Fundamental U UA Rise out of Chicago, Schultz hit a three with under two minutes left that basically decided the game. He also finished with 11 points, a couple of blocked shots and a several assists in the 52-44 triumph. Schultz can play either guard position and is a tough cover for opponents because of his offensive versatility and improved physical strength.     Mr. In Charge. Dirkse was the orchestra leader for the CBA North Elite squad. He ran his team by making quick and accurate passes to teammates, by making huge shots in the second half of the game against Fundamental U, and by being a vocal leader when on the floor and on the bench. Dirkse competes with great basketball awareness, very good physical strength and a consistent defensive presence. In fact, it was Dirkse's defensive that helped to propel CBA's comeback victory as he came up with two huge steals and subsequent layups on the other end. Dirkse definitely is a player NCAA DII schools will want to evaluate this spring/summer because of his winning attributes.     Coming off a strong showing in Sheboygan Lutheran's narrow WIAA Division 5 state-championship game loss to Cochrane-Fountain City, Hackbarth performed well for CBA North Elite in its win over Fundamental U UA Rise. He made three huge three-point baskets when his club was searching for some offense, and he also did a good job of moving the ball and being patient for his shot opportunities. Hackbarth finished with 10 points in the game and his strong play was a major reason for CBA's impressive win.     It's great to see Zavatchin back to nearly 100 percent after he missed most of last spring/summer while recovering from an injury. He used his aggressiveness off the dribble to score in the paint on the way to scoring 11 points in a win for CBA North Elite over Fundamental U. Zavatchin has good moves in the paint and can explode off the floor to finish over taller defenders. Like all of his teammates, Zavatchin competes with unselfishness and puts winning above any personal accolades.     Lister was at the heart of most of [program_tooltip program_id='2347629' first='Wisconsin' last='PHD']'s scoring in its loss to [program_tooltip program_id='2480703' first='24:' last='UP'] UA Rise. Whether he was scoring himself or setting up his teammates, Lister had the ball in his hands on almost every possession. Lister, the player who missed the last-second shot for Oshkosh North in the WIAA Division 1 state-semifinal game against Wisconsin Lutheran, scored it from deep and off the bounce for his team. His aggressiveness with the ball was difficult to stop as he played with confidence and toughness for his club.

A look at some of the 17U standouts from Wisconsin who competed Saturday at The Rock Spring Classic in Stoughton.