Stock Boosters from Prep Hoops Wisconsin State Tournament

The annual Prep Hoops Wisconsin State Tournament for club programs was held last weekend in Appleton with teams from across the state taking part. Here's a quick look at some of the players who improved their stock with strong showings at the event.    Dealing with the Kohnen brothers -- 2027 F Jack (6-6) and 2028 G/F Joey (6-4) -- is rightfully the No. 1 priority when for opposing coaches when playing against Slinger. While the Kohnens certainly will play huge roles in the Owls' success next winter, it's guys like Fogle who could take them to the next level. A returning starting backcourt performer for Slinger, Fogle was outstanding for the [program_tooltip program_id='2876066' first='Low' last='Taper Fade Elite'] squad at the Prep Hoops Wisconsin State Tournament. His versatility in playing either guard spot is a positive but so, too, is his accurate shooting from deep and his aggressive nature on both ends of the court. Fogle helped his squad to a 3-2 record in Appleton, and proved to be one of the better guards in the entire event.     The [program_tooltip program_id='2075258' first='ABC' last='Young Lions'] -- Dillon squad was the class of the 17U field at the Wisconsin State Tournament, and Allen's strong play was a big reason why his club went 4-0. Teaming with talented 2025 guard Harold Frye III in the ABC Lions' backcourt, Allen turned outstanding passes from Frye into baskets at a high level. He displayed a silky smooth perimeter jump shot that yielded three-point basket after three-point basket while also using ball fakes to get to the hoop. Allen's mid-range game off of penetration was tough defend due to his speed and quick elevation. One of the top players in the Woodland Conference, Allen figures to be the team leader for coach Marcus Jackson's squad at Milwaukee Lutheran in 2025-26.       There are a lot of different things that go into making a good basketball player. But one aspect of the game that translates to every level is the ability to make shots. And when you can score from well beyond the three-point arc, you become all that much more difficult to cover. Nystrom was, without question, the best long-distance shooter among the 18 teams that took part in the 17U Wisconsin State Tournament. He had 10 threes in a win over [program_tooltip program_id='2614144' first='Mammoth' last='Basketball'] and finished with 28 made triples while helping [program_tooltip program_id='2494175' first='JAG' last='Select'] to a 4-1 record and a runner-up finish in the 17U bracket. Nystrom has improved his activity away from the basketball and has also become more of a threat to get into the lane off the bounce, advancements that will help him and Assumption during the 2025-26 season.     Cowley is a scoring combination guard who can fill it up from deep, but also get to the basket with his size and strength while finishing through contact. He's a bit of a streaky shooter, but once he sees the ball go through the basket, he can heat up in a hurry. Cowley scored 29 points to help [program_tooltip program_id='2828974' first='Manitowoc' last='United'] rally for a win over [program_tooltip program_id='2876066' first='Low' last='Taper Fade Elite'] on Sunday and was generally one of the top players in the entire 17U bracket due to his versatility in scoring and his consistent production. One area of Cowley's game that stood out more than in the past was his help-side defense. Several times throughout the weekend, Cowley would leave his man and come over to block a shot from an opponent getting to the basket. His elevation off two feet was impressive for [program_tooltip program_id='2828974' first='Manitowoc' last='United'].     Brady's game is starting to catch up to his body. And that's good news for the [program_tooltip program_id='2225511' first='All-Wisconsin' last=''] club program and Tigerton High School squad. There isn't an aspect of the game Brady has not improved over the past 12 months. He has shed weight to make it easier to run the court. He has learned to keep the ball up high while rebounding. And he is beginning to master the footwork required to score at a high level in the post. Additionally, Brady is a solid passer out of double teams and is a roadblock for opposing players trying to get to the rim. Brady's soft jumper in the lane is tough to deal with and his ability to use the backboard when finishing moves toward the basket is nearly unstoppable for smaller defenders.     New Lake Country Lutheran coach Zach Jahns is going to be excited to work with Dustin, who has taken impressive improvement steps this spring with the MTXE Premier program. Outstanding at running the floor and putting himself into positions to positively affect the game at both ends of the court, Dustin can block/alter shots, rebound and score with his size and footwork near the basket. He also is capable of taking opposing frontline players out to the perimeter with his outside shooting touch.     Although listed as a small forward, Reinke can in actuality play several positions because of his high skill level. At times, Reinke could play either guard position or either forward spot as he is capable of handling the ball against pressure while also holding his own in the paint against taller players. A very skilled player who can score off the bounce and from the perimeter, Reinke was a difficult player to stop for the [program_tooltip program_id='2502936' first='UTC' last='Fire'] squad that won the 16U championship. He was too quick and skilled for opposing forwards and too big and strong for opposing guards. His completeness and positive impact on the game were impressive all weekend for [program_tooltip program_id='2502936' first='UTC' last='Fire'].     The [program_tooltip program_id='2502936' first='UTC' last='Fire'] 16U squad is 18-2 this spring in large part due to the strong play of Riley, an emerging class of 2027 backcourt performer who shot the ball well all weekend for the 16U champions. A player with good size and physical strength, Riley seemed to gain confidence throughout the weekend while helping [program_tooltip program_id='2502936' first='UTC' last='Fire'] to a 5-0 record. Riley helped [program_tooltip program_id='2502936' first='UTC' last='Fire'] pull away from All-Wisconsin Williamson for a 64-51 win by sinking five three-point baskets and scoring 20 points. His shot-making skill is complimented by his ability to get to the basket and either score or earn trips to the foul line.     One of the top players on the [program_tooltip program_id='2502936' first='UTC' last='Fire'] 17U squad, Barkus is a difficult matchup because of his ability to impact the game from different spots on the floor. Offensively, Barkus can score off the dribble, from the outside and even in the low post with his strength and balance. Defensively, Barkus can guard opposing guards while also helping against taller forwards and centers. He finished with 15 points and several rebounds in a 73-67 loss to [program_tooltip program_id='2494175' first='JAG' last='Select'] in a contest that went down the final minute of the game. Barkus earned honorable mention all-Great Northern Conference recognition as a junior for Rhinelander.     The very definition of a power forward, Brechtl combines impressive physical strength with a good skill set. He scores mostly around the basket, but he can step outside and make some three-point shots as well. Brechtl is very good in transition as he runs the floor well and fills the lane. He can finish through contact and has the size and strength to defend well in the paint. A second-team all-Southern Lakes Conference selection as a junior when he averaged 10.5 ppg and 10.6 rpg for a Waterford squad that won the league title, Brechtl had 17 points and two triples in a 58-51 win over [program_tooltip program_id='2828974' first='Manitowoc' last='United'].     The thing that stood out most about Servais in the [program_tooltip program_id='2110787' first='Wisconsin' last='26ers']' come-from-behind win over MTXE Premier was his unwavering confidence. Shaking off a slow start that included several missed shots and a couple of turnovers, Servais put his game into an extra gear in the second half as he scored, distributed, rebounded and defended at a very high level. Servais, a two-year varsity performer at La Crosse Central, finished the game with 18 points as the 26ers rallied from a five-point halftime deficit.

The annual Prep Hoops Wisconsin State Tournament for club programs was held last weekend in Appleton with teams from across the state taking part. Here's a quick look at some of the players who improved their stock with strong showings at the event.