Wisconsin Top 250 Expo: Awards

This past Sunday was a great day to be in Appleton, WI. We all gathered at the great facility of the Community First Champion Center, which happens to be one of the best facilities in the Midwest, to scout prep basketball. Prep Hoops had their annual event, the Top 250 Expo, which means a high level of great competitive play was had.   This will be the first article of several recapping the event, where we will try to mention a lot of athletes, and how each contributed to the amazing day. The event guaranteed that each prospect was to play four games, which allowed the scouts in attendance, to notice the prospect over the course of multiple games. Definitely one thing was learned, the kids came to play.   If I were to hand out awards on the day, the few prospects that are listed below, are just some of the ones that showed up and showed out during the event.   Defense Awards:   Josh Kazmierczak | 6'1" | G | 2024 | Greendale   I have been watching this prospect since the 8th grade. I understand what I am going to get when he is there to play, a no fear competitor. This day was no different. In the few minutes I was able to watch the prospect he was up tight and almost under neath the opponent. Allowing for no air to breath and just constant pressure defense. I'll take this effort and style each and every time.   [player_tooltip player_id='1607417' first='Payton' last='Moore'] | 6'5" | W | 2024 | Elkorn | 24:UP   I was able to watch considerable minutes of this player and felt he did an outstanding job on the defensive end of the court. The help defense was spot on, he closed out well on the shooter, boxed out even on wing, and jumped a couple of lanes on defending the pick & roll. Physical play in the trenches was the name of the game with this one too. Very solid showing for the senior ball player.   Bigman Award:   Even though he is more than just a big I am going to give this award to [player_tooltip player_id='1607417' first='Payton' last='Moore'] (listed above). With his physical play he was able to play against the taller players in attendance. Then he was able to step out away from paint to get good looks at shots from distance. He worked hard on the day, and this is what is the most important. Liked the way he approached the event.   Effort: Those That Worked Awards:   Brennen Hackbarth | 6'4" | W | 2026 | Sheboygan Lutheran | Chapman Gold North   This one was everywhere and what made a huge difference was as the day went on, he was still going. When others got tired, when he was getting tired, he was still working. On the boards with the put backs or stopping second chance shots he was there. With his physical play and post up, he was there just putting a punishment on folks. Then just when the opponent thought he was going to get a break, because Brennen was out on the parameter, was when he nailed the three ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1260947' first='Sam' last='Mickelson'] | 6'7" | W | 2024 | Madison Memorial | DeNard Bros   Hadn't seen Sam play since earlier in the year and it looked as though he had added some lbs. It helped because he was putting bruising on everyone within reach. He boarded, he posted up strong, he was a force on the court over the four games he played. I felt that he had a mean streak that others could sense and therefore when he wasn't pounding on them, he was making other type of plays that helped either himself produce or his teammates make plays.   Will Sweeny | 5'10" | G | 2026 | Appleton North | WI Playground Club   If you don't watch out this one is going to beat you. Chances are you know about this hard nose style is coming and he's just going to beat you anyway. He plays faster & quicker than you are. The loose ball, the steal, the extra pass, the hustle play, chances are he is the one that is making the play. If the opposing coach is welling, screaming, and throwing clipboards this player is the one causing the stress.   Decin Isaj | 6'6" | W | 2025 | Greendale | Team Herro   Inside, outside, low physical post ups, pull-ups, 3-pt attempt, handling the rock - he was everywhere and doing everything. Even the other prospects when asked who the best player that they played against on the day; they pointed at this one. He came to play and probably dropped a 30 piece on at least one of the teams. Just an impressive showing.   Getting On The Map Awards:   Sam Pitrof | 6'2" | G | 2026 | Racine Lutheran | Playground Club   He made a very positive showing for himself. I really liked the way he got into his shot where he was able to elevate high on the release. Thought that he had a very strong pull-up shot that defenders couldn't really stop. He left me wanting to see more so much so that it made me pull out the high school schedule to mark it on my calendar.   Jesse Napegezek | 6'3" | W | 2025 | Wausau East | G-Elite   He had multiple big games at the event and really came out firing on cylinders. Another player that left me wanting more and looking for the schedule to make the journey up to Wausau. With his length and his shot making ability he should be on the radars of coaches.   All-Tournament Team Awards:   [player_tooltip player_id='1481179' first='LaTrevion' last='Fenderson'] | 6'4" | G | 2025 | The Prairie School | Playground Club   [player_tooltip player_id='1555020' first='Avery' last='Houden'] | 6'5" | W | 2024 | Middleton | [program_tooltip program_id='2076023' first='Wisconsin' last='Academy']   [player_tooltip player_id='1260947' first='Sam' last='Mickelson'] | 6'7" | W | 2024 | Madison Memorial | DeNard Bros   [player_tooltip player_id='1289125' first='Hayden' last='Quimby'] | 6'1" | G | 2024 | Xavier | [program_tooltip program_id='2076025' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze']   [player_tooltip player_id='2116652' first='Tavian' last='Crawford'] | 6'2" | G | 2025 | Sun Prairie West | Untied Hoops     Most Valuable Player Award:   [player_tooltip player_id='1454225' first='Devin' last='Isaj'] | 6'6" | W | 2025 | Greendale | Team Herro   This is the best that I have seen him play. Even with having seen him play recently, I feel that this was the most confidence & impactful play, during an entire game and across multiple games that I have witnessed. If he continues to play this style of play, he will move up the rankings and get on radars of more coaches. He just simply out worked folks.

This past Sunday was a great day to be in Appleton, WI. We all gathered at the great facility of the Community First Champion Center, which happens to be one of the best facilities in the Midwest, to scout prep basketball. Prep Hoops had their annual event, the Top 250 Expo, which means a high level of great competitive play was had.