Highway 29 and Above: Updates on Cameron, Bloomer, Antigo

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Periodically during the 2024-25 high school basketball season, we will take a look at teams from Highway 29 and above in Wisconsin. Giving teams from “up north” some coverage on Prep Hoops Wisconsin is the goal of this new feature. Due to the considerable travel involved with many of the schools we plan to profile, information for these articles is gained after watching streams of the teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, here is a quick update on three teams from Highway 29 and Above:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CAMERON</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overall Record:</strong> 12-3<br><strong>Heart O'North Conference Record:</strong>&nbsp;9-1<br><strong>Offensive Average:&nbsp;</strong>61.1 ppg<br><strong>Defensive Average:&nbsp;</strong>46.9 ppg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leaders of the Heart O'North Conference, the Comets won 12 of their first 15 outings behind strong play from senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2515007' first='Carter' last='Cherney'] (6-4) and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2757762' first='Treye' last='Zimmerman'] (6-4). Cherney gives coach Troy LaVallie a consistent inside scorer and rebounder as he leads the club in both categories at 20.4 ppg and 12.5 rpg. In a recent 75-69 loss to Regis, Cherney was instrumental in helping his team grab a 38-31 halftime before some hot perimeter shooting by the host Ramblers led to defeat for the Comets. Cherney finished that contest with 16 points, 11 rebounds and three assists before fouling out. He played well with his back to the basket, but he was also able to attack the hoop from the high post and use his length and size to score in the lane. Zimmerman can play several different positions due to his skill level and size. He is able to bring the ball up the floor and initiate the Comets' offense, but he can also come off screens to make perimeter shots or attack the basket. He especially works with with Cherney as he has the height and passing skills required for good post feeds. Zimmerman is averaging 14.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 5.1 apg. Physical senior Bryce Odash (6-1) turned in a very good showing off the bench for Cameron in the Regis game. He scored 15 points and dropped a three-point basket to take some of the offensive pressure off of Cherney and Zimmerman. He also contributed six rebounds and three assists, and his physical strength and coordination around the basket allowed him to score through contact. Senior guard Bennett Maurtiz (5-11) also performed well for Cameron in the Regis contest as he scored 11 points and dished out four assists. Cameron has some big league outings coming up with the likes of Cumberland, Ladysmith and Northwestern, but the Comets have proven they can compete with the best despite the graduation loss of the school's all-time leading scorer in Tyson Lucas.<br><br><strong>BLOOMER</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overall Record:</strong> 9-4<br><strong>Cloverbest West Conference Record:</strong>&nbsp;5-2<br><strong>Offensive Average:&nbsp;</strong>66.3 ppg<br><strong>Defensive Average:&nbsp;</strong>51.9 ppg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The race for first place in the Cloverbelt West Conference is bottled up at the top with five of the league's seven teams within one game of each other. Bloomer and Fall Creek are tied for first place with 5-2 conference marks while Stanley-Boyd is 4-2 and McDonell Catholic Central and Regis sit at 4-3. Bloomer is 9-4 in all games under first-year coach Keenan Dahl and is looking to repeat as league champions behind the strong play of returning starters [player_tooltip player_id='2389763' first='Jayden' last='Hartman'] (5-11), [player_tooltip player_id='2623254' first='Zeke' last='Strand'] (6-4) and [player_tooltip player_id='2623255' first='Collin' last='Crane'] (6-3). Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2390375' first='Hunter' last='Marik'] (5-11) and juniors Orin Buresh (6-2) and [player_tooltip player_id='2864510' first='John' last='Bischel'] (5-10) also play key roles for the Blackhawks. Strand leads the club in scoring at 15.2 ppg and rebounding at 8.9 rpg. His athleticism, strength and ability to finish over his shoulder in the paint are big assets for Bloomer. Crane teams with Stand on the Blackhawks' baseline and provides plenty of size and strength in the lane. He is contributing 9.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg. Buresh might be the most athletic of the top six for Bloomer as his energy and activity on the glass and in the lane are impressive. He recently scored 17 points in a league loss at Regis and is averaging 11.6 ppg and 7.8 rpg. Hartman runs the point for the Blackhawks and his speed and length are big strengths. He can also drill three-point shots as he had three in the outing versus Regis and scored 16 points. Bloomer has another big league outing Tuesday at McDonell Catholic Central before hosting Baldwin-Woodville in a non-league game on February 8.<br><br><strong>ANTIGO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overall Record:</strong> 9-8<br><strong>Great Northern Conference Record:</strong> 5-2<br><strong>Offensive Average: </strong>54.9 ppg<br><strong>Defensive Average: </strong>57.2 ppg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been four seasons since Antigo last won at least nine games and six since the Red Robins finished above .500. Shaun Smith has his program poised to get above the break even point this winter in just his third year as the head coach at the Great Northern Conference school. Antigo takes a 9-8 overall mark and 3-4 league record into tonight's game at Lakeland. And after winning a combined 16 games while losing 72 over the previous four seasons, things are looking up for the Red Robins. The strong play of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2224511' first='Gus' last='Schuessler'] (6-1) and Colton Thomae (5-9) has been vital to the Red Robins' success. Schuessler tops the team in scoring (14.2 ppg), three-point field goals made (31) and assists (2.6 apg). He went for a career-best 26 points in an earlier victory over Lakeland. Thomae joins Schuessler in the backcourt and is netting 11.3 ppg and 1.9 apg. Senior Mitch Meyer (6-4) is playing well near the basket for Antigo as he tops the club in rebounding at 6.9 rpg while also pitching in 6.6 ppg. The Red Robins rely on a stingy defense to get things done as they are averaging just 54.9 ppg. Meyer leads the team in steals with 30 while Schuessler has 26. Antigo has some nice wins on its resume, toppling Rhinelander, Lakeland and Tomahawk in conference action while also earning non-league triumphs over Waupaca, Crandon, Three Lakes and Athens, among others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->