Tuesday’s Games to Watch
In this article:
Breaking down some of the top games happening around the state during Tuesday’s WIAA action…
Whitnall (1-0) at Menomonee Falls (0-0)
Whitnall dismantled Denmark by 30 in their season opener. Miami (FL) commit Danilo Jovanovich Danilo Jovanovich 6'6" | PF Whitnall | 2022 State WI got his senior season off to a big start with 28 points and eight rebounds. A top state title contender in Division 2, the Falcons feature a loaded starting lineup, including John Pitta John Pitta 6'0" | CG Whitnall | 2022 State WI (13.0 ppg) and Ethan Thomas Ethan Thomas 6'7" | PF Whitnall | 2023 State WI (8.0 ppg).
The top team in our Division 1 power rankings, Falls gets a huge test in their season opener. The Phoenix feature the top 1-2 punch in the state, North Carolina commit Seth Trimble Seth Trimble 6'3" | PG Menomonee Falls | 2022 State #50 Nation WI and senior wing Steven Clay Steven Clay 6'5" | SG Menomonee Falls | 2022 State #193 Nation WI . Expect players such as Grant Martin Grant Martin 6'0" | CG Menomonee Falls | 2022 State WI , Cole Sciortino Cole Sciortino 6'3" | SG Menomonee Falls | 2023 WI , and Devyn Orr Devyn Orr 6'3" | SF Menomonee Falls | 2022 WI to all make a jump forward this season.
Monroe (1-0) at Milton (2-0)
They’re no longer Badger South rivals, but instead, this will be a crossover matchup between the East and West conference per the new alignment.
Monroe got by Belleville in their opener. The Cheesemakers rely on senior guard Carson Leuzinger Carson Leuzinger 6'0" | PG Hutchinson | 2022 State WI and senior forward J.T. Seagreaves J.T. Seagreaves 6'6" | PF Monroe | 2022 State WI , a Wisconsin football commit.
Milton picked up an impressive 15-point victory over Martin Luther last week. One of the top unsigned seniors, Jack Campion Jack Campion 5'10" | PG Milton | 2022 State WI is averaging 16.0 points, 10.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game this season. Junior wing Brogran McIntyre is also contributing 11.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest.
Kaukauna (0-0) at Grafton (0-0)
Season opener for both squads in an intriguing non-conference matchup with two teams that have a lot of young talent.
Led by IPFW commit Chris Morgan, the Ghosts could be a surprise team in the Fox Valley Association. Sophomore Jonathan O’Neil and freshman Amari Allen Amari Allen 6'7" | SG IMG Academy | 2025 State #53 Nation FL are a couple of young, exciting prospects to know.
Grafton will be rebuilding a bit after their 14-9 season in 2020-21. The keys to the car will be turned over to sophomore Michael McNabb Michael McNabb 6'4" | CG Grafton | 2024 State WI , who averaged 12.6 ppg alongside some quality seniors a year ago.
Neenah (1-0) at Stevens Point (0-1)
Despite playing without Cal Klesmit Cal Klesmit 6'2" | CG Neenah | 2023 State #235 Nation WI , Neenah looked really sharp in their opener, dropping Notre Dame 80-49 last week. The Rockets had three players in double figures — Carter Thomas Carter Thomas 6'5" | PF Neenah | 2022 State WI (25), Chevalier Emery (19), Brady Corso Brady Corso 6'2" | SG Neenah | 2024 State WI (10), and Eli Schmidt Eli Schmidt 6'5" | SF Neenah | 2022 State WI (10.0).
In danger of falling in an 0-2 hole, SPASH looks to rebound after a 74-71 loss to a good Bay Port squad. Seniors guard James Jacobs James Jacobs 6'3" | SG Stevens Point | 2022 State WI and Nate Streveler Nate Streveler 6'4" | SG Stevens Point - SPASH | 2022 State WI lead a Panther squad that went 13-3 a season ago.
Bay Port (1-0) at Appleton North (1-0)
The Pirates picked up a big resume-building win over SPASH in their season opener. Junior guard A.J. Lieuwen A.J. Lieuwen 6'0" | CG Bay Port | 2023 State WI got his expected breakout season off to a good start with 24 points. Junior Vincent Vandervest Vincent Vandervest 6'4" | SF Bay Port | 2023 State WI (16) and senior forward Nate Forystek Nate Forystek 6'7" | PF Bay Port | 2022 State WI (11) were also in double figures.
North defeated Shawano 66-49 last week. Valparaiso commit Maximus Nelson Maximus Nelson 6'7" | PF Appleton North | 2022 State #236 Nation WI had a complete effort, going for 25 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Junior guard Garrett Staszak Garrett Staszak 5'9" | PG Appleton North | 2023 State WI also came up with 15 points in the victory.
Others: NEW Lutheran at Brillion, Valders at Freedom, Janesville Parker at Milwaukee Bradley Tech, Whitefish Bay at Sussex Hamilton, Kenosha Tremper at Nicolet, Fond Du Lac at Wisconsin Lutheran