WI State Tournament: Unsung heroes

Players scoring at a high rate usually get most of the coverage during club events at the high school level. However, all successful teams need unsung heroes, the players who maybe aren't huge in the scoring department but make significant contributions in other facets of the game. Here's a look at some of the top unsung heroes from this past weekend's Prep Hoops Wisconsin State Tournament held at the OAW Indoor Sports Complex in New Berlin.    Hauser almost always makes very good decisions with the ball in his hands. The 6-foot-1 point guard from Holmen made stellar decisions for the [program_tooltip program_id='2110787' first='Sixers' last='Elite'] 17U team that finished as runners-up in the championship bracket. Hauser looked first for his talented teammates when he had the ball, but the lanky backcourt performer also took advantage of scoring chances when defenders backed off him. Defensively, Hauser possesses good length, mobility and size, making it tough for opposing guards to score.     The muscular wing brings physicality, grit and toughness to the court, assets any team would welcome. Horvath has the lower body strength to back down smaller defenders to score near the basket. He also can use his strength and physical nature to guard bigger players in the lane. Horvath's future might be more on the football field than basketball court, but his presence for [program_tooltip program_id='2076306' first='River' last='City United'] most definitely helped his team as they advanced to the semifinal round of the 16U championship bracket.     A hustling big man is always a positive for any team and Helfvogt does that in abundance for [program_tooltip program_id='2076031' first='Wisconsin' last='Hoops Select']. He runs the floor with determination and effort, scraps for rebounds on both ends of the floor, and seems to always put in baskets at crucial times during a game. Helfvogt and teammate [player_tooltip player_id='2834283' first='Joe' last='Soper'], another hustling 6-foot-4 forward, give [program_tooltip program_id='2076031' first='Wisconsin' last='Hoops Select'] two of the harder-working big men on the club scene.     Springfield gives you a bit of everything as he's versatile enough to play in the backcourt and physical enough to guard bigger opponents. He can score off the dribble and from outside the arc while also rebounding at a good level while going up against taller players. He stays within his game very well, often passing up good looks at the basket for even better chances to score. Springfield earned some substantial playing time as a junior at Pius XI Catholic and has played well for [program_tooltip program_id='2137315' first='CBA' last='South'] this spring.     Sacrificing his body to dive for a loose ball or take a charge from an oncoming opponent are things Langenfeld does on a regular basis for the [program_tooltip program_id='2076025' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze'] Inferno squad. Additionally, Langenfeld knows his way around the basket once the ball gets to him. He uses proper footwork, a determined mindset and quick moves to score with regularity in the post.     Gellings isn't shy about getting to the basket and he isn't afraid of making contact with defenders in order to score in the lane. He did that for [program_tooltip program_id='2076027' first='Wisconsin' last='Blizzard'] despite being at 5-foot-8 guard. Gellings' fearless nature and physical mentality make up for his lack of size and allow him to put in baskets against longer and taller opponents.     Garbisch possesses a soft shooting touch and uses the glass well when he gets the ball near the hoop. The sturdy power forward is able to utilize his strength and width to keep defenders away from the ball, and he scores with regularity, both in the lane and from the foul line. Garbisch also does a good job of ripping down rebounds or chasing for loose balls near the basket. Just a solid player who performed well for the [program_tooltip program_id='2076025' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze'] Inferno 16U squad that finished second in the championship bracket.     A developing big man, Elliason was instrumental in the success of the [program_tooltip program_id='2075258' first='ABC' last='Young Lions'], who went 5-0 in the Wisconsin State Tournament to win the 16U title. Elliason's length, mobility and constant activity in contesting shots played a big role in the accomplishments of his team. He was able to score near the hoop and from the foul line, but his biggest contribution was his activity in getting steals, deflections and some blocked shots.

Players scoring at a high rate usually get most of the coverage during club events at the high school level. However, all successful teams need unsung heroes, the players who maybe aren't huge in the scoring department but make significant contributions in other facets of the game. Here's a look at some of the top unsung heroes from this past weekend's Prep Hoops Wisconsin State Tournament held at the OAW Indoor Sports Complex in New Berlin.