Wisconsin Expo: Team 8 Evaluations

Quick-on-quick lead guard who has the ball on a string and the aggressiveness to consistently shed defenders and get to the basket, Tyler was a handful to guard at The Expo. He used his crafty moves and quickness to keep opponents on their heels. And he finished at the rim, from mid range and from the foul line. His range extends beyond the three-point line as well. Tyler came off the bench to average 8.5 points and 4.3 rebounds as a sophomore and figures to team with [player_tooltip player_id='2836418' first='Damariye' last='Redmond'] in a very quick and potent backcourt for first-year Martin Luther coach Demonte Bynum.     A strong wing prospect who can swish three-point jump shots and use his moves to get to the basket, Wiggins is yet another strong backcourt performer at Martin Luther. He drilled some three-point shots for Team 8 in its outing against Team 1 while also contributing on the glass and using his physical strength to keep opposing wings away from the basket. Wiggins helped the JV1 team at Martin Luther to a 16-4 record last winter and will battle for playing time for a deep and talented Spartans' squad in 2025-26.     Extremely hard working and active combination guard who can score, defend, rebound and push the ball in transition, Hauser's versatility was a big bonus for Team 8. He showed that he can bang three-point attempts, but he also used his length and quick first step to get around defenders and finish at the rim. He was a willing passer, got on the glass on both ends of the court and also drew fouls on defenders with his stop-and-go dribbling ability. Hauser is part of a deep, balanced and talented squad at Holmen and should contend for major minutes for a team hoping to repeat as champions in the Mississippi Valley Conference.     Hendricks seems to have grown a bit and is now close to 6-foot-3. And at that height and with his wingspan and ability to play on the perimeter, he can inflict some major damage on opponents on both ends of the floor. An improved shooter who does not take plays off on defense, Hendricks can slash to the basket, rip down rebounds and guard near the baseline or out on the top of the key. He and his twin brother, Austin, are major returning pieces for a Notre Dame program that finished second in the Fox River Valley Conference and advanced to the WIAA Division 2 sectional level a year ago.     The first thing you have to realize when watching York battle senior [player_tooltip player_id='1561965' first='Joseph' last='Daly'] of New London at The Expo is that he is in ninth grade. And with that impressive credential in mind, you come away very impressed with York's poise, length, competitiveness and confidence. Certainly, he had a hard time always keeping Daly off the glass and away from the basket, but he also had the length and mobility to battle New London's standout forward. York might earn a spot with the varsity squad at Wisconsin Lutheran as a freshman, although he might be ticketed for the JV1 program with all the returning talent in the program for the two-time defending state champions. Regardless, his future is very bright as he continues to mature, add strength and refine his ball skills.     Hron subscribers to the old adage of "always being ready to shoot." When he catches the ball on the wing, his quick release and correct foot work allow him to get off a shot in a hurry. And he can find the bottom of the net from deep as well. In addition, Hron uses his quickness and constant activity to make things difficult for opposing guards. He can also lead the fast break and either use his speed and shiftiness to finish or pass toan open teammate. A combination guard who plays with a lot of energy and poise, Hron hopes to get into the playing rotation for an Appleton East program looking to make a move upward in the Fox Valley Association after finishing 7-19 a year ago.     A steady wing prospect who blends well and makes the right play when the ball finds him, Mitchell showed the ability to score from deep and off the dribble at The Expo. His size and lateral mobility in space allow him to guard either guard position and he also can find his way to the boards and grab some rebounds. Mitchell earned some valuable playing time with the varsity squad at Wauwatosa East as a sophomore, in large part because of his versatility and penchant for doing the correct things on the court. He will be counted up to play an even bigger role for coach Tim Arndorfer's squad in 2025-26.     A prolific scorer during the high school season, Backaus was impressive in his approach to The Expo as he was always willing to give up the ball to a slashing teammate while also feeding the post from the wing. When called upon, the gifted wing prospect also flashed his scoring potential. He is very difficult to contain in transition and can use his size and go-to moves to get around defenders and score at the rim. He is one of the better players in central Wisconsin at drawing fouls and makes his foul shots as well. Backaus is a solid all-around player who looks to have another huge season for Black River Falls.