Catholic Memorial Invite standouts

Catholic Memorial High School hosted a 16-team invitational Saturday. I was able to watch the first seven games of the very-well run event. Following are some thoughts and writeups of individual stars from the first seven contests: GAME ONE Whitefish Bay 67, Milwaukee Lutheran 44 KEYS TO THE GAME Whitefish Bay guarded as a team from the get go and built a 36-25 lead at intermission on the way to recording its second win of the season without a defeat. Coach Ryan Fiet started two seniors ([player_tooltip player_id='2493678' first='George' last='Dern'] and Luke Sarnowski), one junior ([player_tooltip player_id='2500873' first='Marcus' last='Webb']) and two sophomores ([player_tooltip player_id='2325607' first='Jack' last='Brodersen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140905' first='Colin' last='Julien']) and all performed well throughout the contest. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2466054' first='Mace' last='Miskel'] was impressive as well as he had eight points off the bench for the Blue Dukes. Milwaukee Lutheran got a strong showing from junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2360929' first='Xavier' last='Allen'], who had 19 points. STAR OF THE GAME    Julien is very graceful on the court. But don't read that in the wrong way. He isn't afraid to mix things up for a rebound with bigger opponents or drive on the floor for a loose ball. Instead, his grace on the court refers to his movement with and without the ball. He glides to openings, rises up over opponents while taking his smooth jump shot and is constant motion looking for openings to the basket. He had five three-point baskets and a game-high 23 points for Whitefish Bay in its win over Milwaukee Lutheran, and is a young player with a very promising future as he continues to grow and add strength to his already impressive game.    EMERGING PLAYER    For whatever reason, Allen did not start for coach Marcus Jackson on Saturday. But he clearly was the Red Knights' best player, scoring a team-best 19 points while handling and passing the ball against the intense defensive pressure of Whitefish Bay. The younger brother of former Milwaukee Lutheran star, Isaiah Allen, [player_tooltip player_id='2360929' first='Xavier' last='Allen'] is a 5-foot-11 point guard with good vision, a solid feel for the game and the ability to get into the lane to make plays for himself and others. He can make long-distance shots, and is excellent at using a hesitation dribble to draw fouls and get to the foul line.    BOXSCORE Whitefish Bay (36-31 = 67) Brodersen 7, Webb 16, Robbins 0, Schoenfeldt 2, Sarnowski 4, Julien 23, Miskel 8, Wolter 0, Clements 0, Dern 7. Three-point field goals: Julien 5, Dern 1, Brodersen 1, Webb 1. FT: 13-17. Fouled out: None. Record: 2-0. Milwaukee Lutheran (25-21 = 44) Stanton 3, Allen 19, Simmons 0, Holmes 0, Elim 4, Ferguson 2, Jewell 11, O'Neil 0, Brown 0. Three-point field goals: Jewell 3, Allen 1. FT: 9-13. Fouled out: None. Record: 0-2. GAME TWO New Berlin West 76, West Allis Hale 50 KEYS TO THE GAME Once New Berlin West settled down a bit from the excitement of playing its first game of the season, the Vikings started moving the ball a bit better and making more shots. Up 30-23 at half, New Berlin West went on a 46-27 scoring spree in the second 18 minutes. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1874970' first='Evan' last='Kern'] had five triples and 21 points while sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2371703' first='Jayce' last='Cook'] added four threes and 18 points to lead the way for New Berlin West. West Allis Hale got 18 points from talented senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2382145' first='Wilson' last='Scherer']. STAR OF THE GAME    Kern is a sturdy wing prospect who can score, both from the perimeter and off the bounce. He is a confident shooter and is willing to take shots a few steps outside the three-point arc. He finished with 21 points and really got it going in the second half when New Berlin West created separation from West Allis Hale. Kern's combination of physical strength, skill and confidence on offense were big assets for the Vikings in their season-opening triumph.    EMERGING PLAYER    The son of New Berlin West coach Scott Cook, [player_tooltip player_id='2371703' first='Jayce' last='Cook'] is a 6-foot-1 wing guard with almost unlimited shooting range. Although he shot is a bit unorthodox, the end result is usually a swish. Cook uncorks his low-release jumper in the blink of an eye, often catching defenders off balance. He had four triples against West Allis Hale, and also scored on mid-range jumpers en route to scoring 18 points. Cook's ability to fill it up from deep is a definite asset for the Vikings, who are looking to make some waves this winter in the ultra-tough Woodland West Conference.    BOXSCORE New Berlin West (30-46 = 76) Moe 2, Thompson 3, Mercado 4, Cook 18, Hewitt 9, J. Krier 13, Kern 21, Krueger 0, Gammage 6. Three-point field goals: Kern 5, Cook 4, Thompson 1. FT: 8-13. Fouled out: Moe, Kern. Record: 1-0. West Allis Hale (23-27 = 50) Devine 1, Scherer 18, Jackson 6, J. Humphrey 4, Carter 7, D. Humphrey 2, Varnel 8, Coleman 4, Taylor Jr. 0. Three-point field goals: Scherer 4, Jackson 2, Varnel 2, Carter 1. FT: 15-22. Fouled out: None. Record: 0-2. GAME THREE Greendale 82, Waukesha North 57 KEYS TO THE GAME Greendale utilized its size and experience advantage to post a convincing 82-57 victory over scrappy Waukesha North. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1454225' first='Devin' last='Isaj'], a 6-foot-6 wing and four year varsity performer for coach Ryan Johnsen, got to the basket repeatedly and finished well, scoring a game-high 24 points. Three other Panthers added double figure scoring totals -- junior Brandon Harper has 12 while junior [player_tooltip player_id='2677080' first='Zavier' last='Castillo'] and senior Caden Meyer added 10 apiece. Senior guard Cooper Haas led the Northstars with 20 points while promising 6-foot-5 freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2675022' first='Derek' last='Williams'] contributed 11. STAR OF THE GAME    A wired-to-score wing with size, versatility and confidence, Isaj can hurt opponents off the bounce, with put backs off of offensive rebounds and from outside the three-point arc. The four-year varsity performer has scored 1,443 career points after pouring in 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds against Waukesha North. A returning second-team all-Woodland West Conference performer, Isaj is receiving recruiting interest from school as both the NCAA Division 2 and 3 levels, and is the team leader for a sneaky good Greendale squad that could push heavyweights West Allis Central, Pewaukee and Wisconsin Lutheran in league play this winter.    EMERGING PLAYER    Definitely a player on the rise in the 2026 class, Castillo is an athletic wing who can do a ton of damage off the dribble on his way to the rim. His explosiveness in the paint and off the dribble will be key assets for Greendale in 2024-25, and he is an improving shooter from outside the three-point arc. Castillo had 10 points and seven rebounds while also putting down a nice one-handed dunk for the Panthers in their triumph over Waukesha North. Castillo and Isaj give the Panthers one of the better wing combinations in the Woodland West, which says something considering the brutal competition in that seven-team division.    BOXSCORE Greendale (39-43 = 82) Isaj 24, Roche 0, Granberg 1, Mattes 9, Castillo 10, Meyer 10, Harper 12, Lopez 8, Turner 5, Moraza 1, Smith 0, Sokolsky 2. Three-point field goals: Castillo 2, Meyer 2, Harper 1, Turner 1, Isaj 1. FT: 17-21. Fouled out: Moe, Kern. Record: 1-0. Waukesha North (25-32 = 57) Ramirez 3, Derhammer 4, Williams 11, Curtis 4, Haas 20, Merten 0, Loren-Garcia 4, Ellingson 2, Piacsek 1, Brauer 0, Thompson 4, Strick 1. Three-point field goals: Haas 3, Ramirez 1. FT: 16-22. Fouled out: None. Record: 0-1. GAME FOUR Brookfield Central 64, New Berlin Eisenhower 61 KEYS TO THE GAME It appeared Brookfield Central was going to win with ease after getting 18 points from senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1272671' first='Anthony' last='Rise'] and taking a 41-26 lead at intermission. But credit New Berlin Eisenhower, which made some halftime adjustments and battled until the end before dropping a 64-61 decision. Rise finished with a career-best 32 points and got some crucial help from junior [player_tooltip player_id='1258390' first='Evan' last='Prusko'], who scored several clutch baskets down the stretch on the way to finishing with 12 points. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2677100' first='Charlie' last='Wait'] had a stellar game for New Berlin Eisenhower, slowing Rise in the second half with his defense while also contributing 18 points. STAR OF THE GAME    The NCAA Division 2 recruit for Hawaii-Hilo was never better than his first half performance. He was zooming and zagging around defenders, making mid-range floats, drilling three-point baskets and scoring in transition while also keeping his head up and looking for open teammates. He was slowed a bit in the second half, but still managed to add 14 points after intermission to finish with his career-best of 32 points. Rise's activity on the court also led to seven rebounds, a couple of assists and a steal. Brookfield Central will count on Rise's leadership, experience and overall toughness as it hopes to contend for the Greater Metro Conference crown.    EMERGING PLAYER    Wait turned in the best game of high school career, scoring 18 points and playing strong man defense with his mobility, length and size. He got to the basket off the bounce and also earned trips to the foul line for the Lions, who dropped their second game in a row against a quality opponent after opening the campaign with a setback to Waterford. Wait's versatility on defense will be a big plus for first-year coach Austin Stueck, and his ability to attack the basket and draw fouls will compliment the perimeter shooting ability of his teammates.    BOXSCORE New Berlin Eisenhower (26-35 = 61) Kreitzer 7, Kowske 8, Veley 4, Nimmer 8, Wait 18, Hermann 0, Batchelor 6, Nimani 10. Three-point field goals: Batchelor 2, Kreitzer 1, Nimani 1. FT: 7-12. Fouled out: None. Record: 0-2. Brookfield Central (41-23 = 64) Rise 32, Avery 6, Treis 0, Gruetzmacher 8, Prusko 12, James 2, Larkin 0, Craddock 2, Coraggio 2. Three-point field goals: Rise 3, Avery 2, Prusko 1. FT: 12-13. Fouled out: None. Record: 1-0. GAME FIVE Catholic Memorial 57, Beloit Turner 51 KEYS TO THE GAME Catholic Memorial played from ahead for the vast majority of the contest, but Beloit Turner never went away and kept the margin close until the final horn sounded. The Crusaders got 18 points each from rugged senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1874976' first='Jake' last='Berkholtz'] and skilled junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2496343' first='Jake' last='Pfister']. CMH was without standout guard [player_tooltip player_id='2505474' first='Dusty' last='Roach'], who is recovering from an injury sustained during the Crusaders' football season. Beloit Turner, which lost several key players to graduation from a squad that finished 20-7, got 16 points and four triples from senior Ethan Halon and 12 points from junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2635197' first='AJ' last='Dotson']. STAR OF THE GAME    A stellar tight end on the football field, Berkholtz flashed his ability on the basketball court in the Crusaders' win over Beloit Turner. The muscular power forward had 18 points and 11 rebounds and was dominant at times in the paint. His physicality was a bit much for Turner to handle as he was, by far, the biggest player on the floor for much of the game. The only a bigger player was on the floor was when sophomore teammate [player_tooltip player_id='2508627' first='Isaac' last='Miller'] checked into the contest. Berkholtz is more than just a brute around the basket, though, as he can also handle the ball and led the CMH transition game on more than one occasion.    EMERGING PLAYER    Pfister got off to a hot start and then helped close out the Catholic Memorial victory with a couple of key hoops and a foul shot in the last few minutes of the contest. Pfister can play either guard spot, has a good mid-range jumper and can also drilled attempts from outside the three-point arc. Pfister averaged 7.7 points as a sophomore and is one of the team leaders for a very young CHM squad that has six sophomores on its roster, including two who started against Beloit Turner in [player_tooltip player_id='2394688' first='Matthew' last='Goedheer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140928' first='Jackson' last='Albee'].    BOXSCORE Catholic Memorial (30-27 = 57) Berkholtz 18, Waterman 0, Kaye 4, Pfister 18, Albee 4, Baumgartner 0, Miller 2, Kinateder 0, Goedheer 11. Three-point field goals: Goedheer 3, Pfister 2. FT: 14-20. Fouled out: None. Record: 1-0. Beloit Turner (19-32 = 51) Erickson 2, Johnson 9, Dotson 12, Halon 16, Atkinson 0, Njoo 6. Three-point field goals: Halon 4, Dotson 2, Njoo 2. FT: 7-11. Fouled out: Erickson. Record: 0-1. GAME SIX Wauwatosa West 102, Mukwonago 75 KEYS TO THE GAME Wauwatosa West looked in mid-season form as the Trojans simply overwhelmed a very good Mukwonago squad. Getting big production from its top three players, Wauwatosa West raced to a 48-36 lead at intermission and never looked back. It was a coming out party of sorts for junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1561869' first='Matthew' last='Kloskey'], who wowed the crowd with dunk after dunk on the way to scoring a career-best 38 points. Senior sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1240337' first='Jake' last='Hansen'] added 15 and talented junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2288469' first='Jalen' last='Brown'] contributed 18. Coach Chris Newbauer's program lost 6-foot-11 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1240335' first='Kai' last='Rogers'], an Oklahoma commit, to Overtime Elite over the summer, but the Trojans nonetheless appear primed for a huge season as their quickness, ball movement and depth are all impressive. Mukwonago had a hard time handling the speed of Wauwatosa West, but the Indians still had some strong moments as senior [player_tooltip player_id='2493687' first='Peyton' last='Pollnow'] played well and had 17 points while promising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2508313' first='Evan' last='Ploeckelman'] contributed 18. STAR OF THE GAME    Kloskey was a dunking machine for Wauwatosa West as he continually soared to the basket, both in transition and off the dribble. His athleticism and verticality were nothing short of amazing, and he scored his 38 points while letting the game come to him and not forcing the issue. In fact, Kloskey finished 15 of 18 from the field and made his lone three-point attempt. Others at Wauwatosa West have received more publicity and recruiting attention over the past year or so, but Kloskey definitely is a player on the rise and his improvement is one of the major reasons why Wauwatosa West is the best WIAA Division 2 team in the state at this point in the season.    EMERGING PLAYER    An impressive young player with a very bright future, Ploeckelman's length, mobility, athleticism and skill are all advanced for his age group. He can play multiple positions on offense and guard both wings and post players on defense. He handles the ball well, shoots it well and attacks the basket with authority. He had a one-handed punch off a drive to the hoop early in the game against Wauwatosa West and wound up leading Mukwonago in scoring with 18 points. Ploeckelman saw action in a few varsity games a year ago, but this was his first start for the Indians and he came through with flying colors. He definitely is a player to keep an eye on in the state's talented 2027 class.    BOXSCORE Mukwonago (36-39 = 75) Ploeckelman 18, Pollnow 17, Hayden 5, Cullinane 2, Poling 13, Greuel 7, Tess 8, Roy 1, Maus 4. Three-point field goals: Pollnow 3, Hayden 1, Poling 1, Greuel 1, Ploeckelman 1, Maus 1. FT: 8-16. Fouled out: None. Record: 0-1. Wauwatosa West (48-55 = 103) Hennings 8, Hansen 15, Wright 4, Kloskey 38, Brown 18, Gogin 6, Long 3, Hughes 3, Chambers 4, Parker 2, Magnum 2. Three-point field goals: Gogin 2, Brown 2, Hennings 1, Long 1, Hughes 1, Kloskey 1, Hansen 1. FT: 13-21. Fouled out: None. Record: 2-0. GAME SEVEN Germantown 89, Sun Prairie West 82, 3OT KEYS TO THE GAME There were so many twists and turns in this game it's hard to pinpoint one key. Certainly the play of Germantown junior [player_tooltip player_id='2116495' first='Cahlil' last='Jones'] was huge as the athletic wing guard scored 37 points and was coach Jake Fueger's go-to player down the stretch and into the overtime periods. But [player_tooltip player_id='2617313' first='Keenan' last='Mulberry'] also turned in a stellar game for Germantown. The Menomonee Falls senior transfer scored most of his 18 points late to help the Warhawks open the campaign with the victory. Sun Prairie West, playing its first game under new coach Jay Swanson, had to deal with lots and lots of foul trouble, but the Wolves still managed to stay in the game and push Germantown to the limit. Four players were disqualified by fouls for Sun Prairie West, and the loss of standout seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2116652' first='Tavian' last='Crawford'] (21 points) and [player_tooltip player_id='1481177' first='Tyler' last='Haney'] (22 points) eventually caught up to the Wolves. It also didn't help Sun Prairie West that it was outscored 30-11 at the foul line. Germantown attempted 52 free throws in the contest. STAR OF THE GAME    Other than missing 10 of 18 foul shots, Jones was nothing short of sensational for Germantown. The bouncy 6-foot-2 wing got to the basket early and often on the way to scoring a career-best 37 points. He also contributed 10 rebounds and three steals while playing 47 minutes of the marathon contest. There is no questioning Jones burst off the dribble and his ability to score around and over defenders at the rim. His perimeter shot and foul shooting will need to improve, but he's a player who figures to draw plenty of recruiting attention the rest of this season and into the spring/summer on the club circuit.    EMERGING PLAYER    Haney presence on the court kept things running smoothly for Sun Prairie West as the combination guard did a great job of directing traffic, making shots and playing strong defense. A physically and mentally tough backcourt prospect with multiple years of varsity experience, Haney made four three-point shots and scored 22 points before fouling out late in the second half. Haney and classmate [player_tooltip player_id='2116652' first='Tavian' last='Crawford'], who finished with 21 points before fouling out, give Sun Prairie West a dynamic backcourt tandem, one that will help the Wolves contend in the Big Eight Conference.    BOXSCORE Sun Prairie West (33-30-8-5-6 = 82) Wambach 5, Crawford 21, Aswin 3, Haney 22, Anderson 5, Hamilton 8, Pooch 1, Dervishi 6, Crawford-Allen 2, Jones 6, Gorman 3. Three-point field goals: Haney 4, Hamilton 2, Aswin 1, Dervishi 1, Gorman 1. FT: 11-18. Fouled out: Haney, Crawford, Dervishi, Wambach. Record: 0-1. Germantown (33-30-8-5-13 = 89) Peete 10, Jones 37, Grass 10, Walters 4, Melcher 3, Catalano 7, Mulberry 18, Laabs 0, Macijewski 0, Olzewski 0. Three-point field goals: Mulberry 2, Jones 1, Grass 1, Melcher 1. FT: 30-52. Fouled out: Catalano. Record: 1-0. Kettle Moraine defeated Whitnall in the final game of the day, 67-51. I was unable to stay for that game, but hope to catch both teams in action soon. Thank you to the fine folks at Catholic Memorial for your hospitality and for a great day of basketball.

Catholic Memorial High School hosted a 16-team invitational Saturday. I was able to watch the first seven games of the very-well run event. Following are some thoughts and writeups of individual stars from the first seven contests:

GAME ONE

Whitefish Bay 67, Milwaukee Lutheran 44

KEYS TO THE GAME

Whitefish Bay guarded as a team from the get go and built a 36-25 lead at intermission on the way to recording its second win of the season without a defeat. Coach Ryan Fiet started two seniors ( George Dern George Dern 6'5" | SF/PF Whitefish Bay | 2025 State WI and Luke Sarnowski), one junior ( Marcus Webb Marcus Webb 6'1" | SG Whitefish Bay | 2026 State WI ) and two sophomores ( Jack Brodersen Jack Brodersen 6'1" | SG/SF Whitefish Bay | 2027 State WI and Colin Julien Colin Julien 6'3" | CG Whitefish Bay | 2027 State WI ) and all performed well throughout the contest. Freshman Mace Miskel Mace Miskel 5'10" | PG Whitefish Bay | 2028 State WI was impressive as well as he had eight points off the bench for the Blue Dukes. Milwaukee Lutheran got a strong showing from junior point guard Xavier Allen Xavier Allen 5'11" | PG Milwaukee Lutheran | 2026 State WI , who had 19 points.

STAR OF THE GAME