2020-21 Preseason Top 10: Division 3
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The 2020-21 season will get underway later this month with actual competition kicking off on Dec. 1. Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in Division 3 with our preseason top 10 teams… 1. Racine St. Catherine’s 2019-20 Record: 25-0…
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Continue ReadingThe 2020-21 season will get underway later this month with actual competition kicking off on Dec. 1. Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in Division 3 with our preseason top 10 teams…
1. Racine St. Catherine’s
2019-20 Record: 25-0 (16-0 Metro Classic)
Key Returners: Tyrese Hunter Tyrese Hunter 5'11" | PG Racine St. Catherine's | 2021 State #63 Nation WI (21.3 ppg), Jameer Barker Jameer Barker 6'2" | SG Racine St. Catherine's | 2021 State WI (14.3 ppg), Kamari Mcgee Kamari Mcgee 6'0" | PG Racine St. Catherine's | 2021 State WI (11.2 ppg)
Notable Losses: Elijah Lambert Elijah Lambert 6'4" | SF Racine St. Catherine's | 2020 State WI (10.1 ppg).
This team was surging towards the Division 3 state title prior to the COVID-19 pandemic last season. The Angels were not only undefeated, but only played in two games decided by single digits. Led by Tyrese Hunter Tyrese Hunter 5'11" | PG Racine St. Catherine's | 2021 State #63 Nation WI , an Iowa State commit, St. Catherine’s has arguably the best backcourt in the state. Kamari Mcgee Kamari Mcgee 6'0" | PG Racine St. Catherine's | 2021 State WI , a UW-Green Bay commit, and Jameer Barker Jameer Barker 6'2" | SG Racine St. Catherine's | 2021 State WI are both capable of leading the charge on any given night. Elijah Lambert Elijah Lambert 6'4" | SF Racine St. Catherine's | 2020 State WI was maybe the best on-ball defender in the state last season and the Angels will need to fill that void in one way or another.
2. Brown Deer
2019-20 Record: 15-10 (8-4 Woodland East)
Key Returners: Armani Jones Armani Jones 5'8" | PG Brown Deer | 2022 State WI (20.4 ppg), Jeremiah Dotson Jeremiah Dotson 6'6" | PF Brown Deer | 2021 State WI (14.9 ppg), Mark Wade Mark Wade 6'3" | PG Brown Deer | 2021 State WI (12.0 ppg)
Notable Losses: Justin Greenlee Justin Greenlee 6'0" | PG Brown Deer | 2020 State WI (12.1 ppg)
The Falcons could be one of the most improved teams in the state. Brown Deer has its trio of stars back, but also adds Wauwatosa East transfer John Lovelace John Lovelace 6'4" | SF Brown Deer | 2021 State WI , a Division 1 prospect that averaged in double figures last season on a very deep team. Dotson and Wade are steady seniors who have played a ton of basketball together. The electrifying Jones is one of the fastest players on the ball in the state.
3. St. John’s Northwestern Academies
2019-20 Record: 19-6 (14-1 Midwest Classic)
Key Returners: Brandin Podziemski Brandin Podziemski 6'6" | SG Saint John's Northwestern Academy | 2021 State #232 Nation WI (27.6 ppg), Brennan Timm Brennan Timm 6'5" | SF St. Johns Northwestern Military Academy | 2021 State WI (15.7 ppg)
Notable Losses: Gerald Gittens Gerald Gittens 6'0" | PG St. John's Military Academy | 2020 State WI (14.5 ppg)
Gerald Gittens Gerald Gittens 6'0" | PG St. John's Military Academy | 2020 State WI is going to be tough to replace, but Brandin Podziemski Brandin Podziemski 6'6" | SG Saint John's Northwestern Academy | 2021 State #232 Nation WI and Brennan Timm Brennan Timm 6'5" | SF St. Johns Northwestern Military Academy | 2021 State WI make an excellent 1-2 punch. The state’s top uncommitted prospect, Podziemski very well could improve upon a huge junior year. Timm is one of the most consistently productive players in the state and is a walking double-double.
4. Martin Luther
2019-20 Record: 17-6 (12-4 Metro Classic)
Key Returners: Tre Burris (12.3 ppg), Demerius Shakur Demerius Shakur 6'2" | CG Martin Luther | 2023 State WI (5.8 ppg)
Notable Losses: Joey Immekus Joey Immekus 6'3" | SG Martin Luther | 2020 State WI (18.2 ppg), Ryan Schofield (13.4 ppg)
The Spartans lose their top two scorers, but add Milwaukee Destiny transfer Jeffery Brazziel Jeffery Brazziel 6'4" | SF Martin Luther | 2022 #159 Nation AZ , the state’s top ranked player in 2022. Whether or not Brazziel gets eligibility this semester is still TBD, but either way, Martin Luther has a lot of talent. Sophomore point guard Demerius Shakur Demerius Shakur 6'2" | CG Martin Luther | 2023 State WI is coming off a big summer. Freshman guard Nas Beamon is a high major prospect that will hit the ground running. Guard Tre Burris can also provide senior leadership.
5. Lake Mills
2019-20 Record: 21-4 (9-1 Capitol North)
Key Returners: Charlie Bender Charlie Bender 6'3" | SG Lake Mills | 2021 State WI (15.3 ppg), Drew Stoddard (11.7 ppg), Adam Moen (10.7 ppg)
Notable Losses: Mike Herrington (11.9 ppg), Matt Johnson (10.3 ppg)
Among teams that won 20 games, no team probably flew under the radar more than Lake Mills. The L-Cats played a tough schedule and also won a tough regional game over Martin Luther. We’ll see if Charlie Bender Charlie Bender 6'3" | SG Lake Mills | 2021 State WI and company can take this program to the next level.
6. Dominican
2019-20 Record: 20-4 (14-2 Metro Classic)
Key Returners: Delone Austin Delone Austin 6'1" | CG Dominican | 2021 State WI (13.8 ppg), Ronald Kirk Ronald Kirk 6'4" | SF Dominican | 2021 State WI (11.0 ppg)
Notable Losses: Alex Antetokounmpo Alex Antetokounmpo 6'7" | SF Dominican | 2020 State WI (20.0 ppg), Ben Jelacic Ben Jelacic 6'4" | PF Dominican | 2020 State WI (13.5 ppg)
Alex Antetokounmpo Alex Antetokounmpo 6'7" | SF Dominican | 2020 State WI is gone, but this senior class led by Delone Austin Delone Austin 6'1" | CG Dominican | 2021 State WI and Ronald Kirk Ronald Kirk 6'4" | SF Dominican | 2021 State WI will step up. Both were double-figure scorers as juniors and have been through thick and thin with this Dominican program.
7. Wrightstown
2019-20 Record: 24-1 (17-1 North Eastern)
Key Returners: Sam Haese Sam Haese 6'3" | SF Wrightstown | 2021 State WI (14.7 ppg)
Notable Losses: Tyler Kroes (14.2 ppg)
The reigning North Eastern Conference champs have won the league each of the last three seasons. The Tigers aren’t an overly big or athletic team, but share the ball and shoot it well from 3-point range, led by Sam Haese Sam Haese 6'3" | SF Wrightstown | 2021 State WI , who hit 73 triples as a junior.
8. Xavier
2019-20 Record: 19-6 (11-3 Bay)
Key Returners: Charlie Pfefferle Charlie Pfefferle 5'9" | PG Xavier | 2022 State WI (14.5 ppg), Ray Zuleger (11.6 ppg), Trent Twombly (10.6 ppg), Alex Sherwood Alex Sherwood 6'4" | SF Xavier | 2023 State WI (4.7 ppg)
Notable Losses: John Bunks (19.4 ppg), Theo Douglas (12.6 ppg)
Xavier gets three double-figure scorers back, including Charlie Pfefferle Charlie Pfefferle 5'9" | PG Xavier | 2022 State WI , who is an excellent leader at the point guard spot. Sophomore Alex Sherwood Alex Sherwood 6'4" | SF Xavier | 2023 State WI ended his summer with a bang and could one of the bigger breakout players in the Bay Conference this season.
9. East Troy
2019-20 Record: 21-3 (17-1 Rock Valley)
Key Returners: Ryan Nixon (13.0 ppg), Chase Cummings Chase Cummings 6'3" | PG East Troy | 2022 State WI (11.0 ppg), Colin Terpstra Colin Terpstra 6'4" | SF East Troy | 2022 State WI (6.0 ppg)
Notable Losses: A.J. Vukovic A.J. Vukovic 6'5" | PF East Troy | 2020 State WI h (27.8 ppg), Quinten Lottig (12.9 ppg)
The Trojans have two replace their top two scorers from last season, but there’s plenty of players on this roster who know how to win. East Troy will feature a very strong backcourt. Look for Terpstra, a sniper at the wing position, to help replace the offensive firepower that Vukovich left behind.
10. Lake Country Lutheran
2019-20 Record: 20-4 (13-2 Midwest Classic)
Key Returners: Luke Haertle Luke Haertle 6'2" | SG Lake Country Lutheran | 2022 State WI (20.1 ppg), Noah Howard (8.0 ppg)
Notable Losses: Joey Bratz (17.8 ppg), Zechariah Hans (13.2 ppg)
Coming off a 20-win season, Lake Country Lutheran also finished second in a strong Midwest Classic Conference. Leading scorer Luke Haertle Luke Haertle 6'2" | SG Lake Country Lutheran | 2022 State WI is back for his junior season and has been an integral player for the past two seasons. The Lightning have a couple of tough losses to overcome, but a deep junior class should alleviate some concerns.
Honorable Mention: Catholic Memorial, Carmen Northwest, Edgerton, Wisconsin Dells, Freedom, Kettle Moraine Lutheran, Black River Falls, Brillion, Denmark, Altoona