2021-22 Season Preview: Metro Classic

<p>Looking ahead to the 2021-22 season, Prep Hoops Wisconsin breaks down the race in the Metro Classic Conference...</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>PROJECTED STANDINGS</strong></p> <p>1.  Martin Luther</p> <p>2. St. Thomas More</p> <p>3. Dominican</p> <p>4. The Prairie School</p> <p>5. Kenosha St. Joseph</p> <p>6. Racine St. Catherine’s</p> <p>7. Racine Lutheran</p> <p>8. Shoreland Lutheran</p> <p>9. Catholic Central</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>THE FAVORITE -- MARTIN LUTHER</strong></p> <p>Even without [player_tooltip player_id="1089679" first="Nas" last="Beamon"], who transferred to Milwaukee Academy of Science, the Spartans should be very strong. After sitting out last season due to eligibility issues, senior wing Jeff Brazziel will likely unleash his frustrations on the conference. He’ll have a strong supporting cast in junior guards [player_tooltip player_id="981038" first="Demerius" last="Shakur"] and  Jaylen Haynes. Martin Luther also has a couple of young bucks that  could crack the rotation.</p> <p><strong>TOP CONTENDER --  ST. THOMAS MORE<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/20210731_094658.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1255456" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/20210731_094658-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a></strong></p> <p>STM will be led by youth, but it’s very talented youth. This team was 3-12 last season, but behind sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="1142118" first="Amari" last="McCottry"], should make a huge jump. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="801144" first="Micah" last="Causey"] played in just three games last season, which hurt as well. High-upside and exciting sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="1203602" first="Sekou" last="Konneh"] has also transferred in, which will make a big splash. The Cavaliers also return senior guard Drew Reindl, who earned all-conference recognition last season.</p> <p><strong>DARK HORSE -- DOMINICAN </strong></p> <p>Even though [player_tooltip player_id="880035" first="Ronald" last="Kirk"], the league’s leading scorer from last season is gone, there’s reason for optimism for the  Knights. Dominican turns the program over to a great coach in <strong>Steve Showalter</strong>, who has state championship experience. Two of the top three scorers are back as well in [player_tooltip player_id="1142141" first="Derrick" last="Johnson"] and Barry Appleton, a pair of two-way players. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1299947" first="Alex" last="Lagerman"] could be one of the best transfers you haven’t heard of yet. Lagerman played at Dominican as a sophomore, but went back home overseas in 2020-21 due to the pandemic. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE</strong></p> <p><em>First Team</em></p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="1041724" first="Asanjai" last="Hunter"] - Sr. (The Prairie School)</p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="727972" first="Andrew" last="Alia"] - Sr. (Kenosha St. Joseph)</p> <p>W [player_tooltip player_id="1142141" first="Derrick" last="Johnson"] - So. (Dominican)</p> <p>W [player_tooltip player_id="727955" first="Jeffery" last="Brazziel"] - Sr. (Martin Luther)</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="1142118" first="Amari" last="McCottry"] - So. (St. Thomas More)</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="981021" first="Ashe" last="Oglesby"] - Jr. (The Prairie School)</p> <p><em>Second Team</em></p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="801144" first="Micah" last="Causey"] - Sr. (St. Thomas More)</p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="981038" first="Demerius" last="Shakur"] - Jr. (Martin Luther)</p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="1170559" first="Caiden" last="Lecce"] - Sr. (Kenosha St. Joseph)</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="1039370" first="Domonic" last="Pitts"] - Jr. (Racine St. Catherine’s)</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="1203602" first="Sekou" last="Konneh"] - So. (St. Thomas More)</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="1299947" first="Alex" last="Lagerman"] - Sr. (Dominican)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>PLAYER OF THE YEAR --  [player_tooltip player_id="727955" first="Jeffery" last="Brazziel"]</strong></p> <p>Brazziel hasn’t played varsity in two years, but it’s no secret that he’s one of the best players in the state.  The silky-smooth wing is a high volume scorer  that’s very difficult to keep away from the rim with his blend of length, skill, and athleticism. Brazziel can score from all three levels, is a bouncy athlete, and once he gets to his left hand, it’s already over for a defender.</p> <p><strong>BREAKOUT PLAYER --  [player_tooltip player_id="1203602" first="Sekou" last="Konneh"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/20210731_094706.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1259412" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/20210731_094706-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a></strong></p> <p>High-ceiling prospect here that’s only scratching the surface. Konneh is a very length, explosive athlete. He’s got the tools to be a very special player if his skills catch up to his athletic ability and physical measurables. The 6-foot-7 forward is a nightmare to contain when he gets a run to the rim. Konneh shows a lot of flashes as well as being a face-up scorer in the mid-range.</p> <p><strong>SURPRISE PLAYER --  [player_tooltip player_id="1299947" first="Alex" last="Lagerman"]</strong></p> <p>Really liked what we saw in fall league action from Lagerman. Not only does the senior have a chance to be one of the top scorers for the Knights, he’s going to provide a ton of energy as a rebounder, rim protector, and as a big man who can run the floor. Lagerman  has some skill  and can be a matchup problem, able to step away from the rim and shoot it a bit or take bigs off the dribble on occasion.  A  kid that plays extremely hard, Lagerman will giving opposing teams fits this season.</p>