Madness in the Midwest: Mark's 17U Sunday stars

Some standouts from Wisconsin who caught my attention Sunday the 17U division at the annual Prep Hoops Madness in the Midwest club event held at the Community First Champion Center in Appleton.    Sickler helped the [program_tooltip program_id='2480703' first='24:' last='UP'] NY2LA squad to a come-from-behind win over the Minnesota Fury with strong play late in the game, particularly his ability to beat opponents down the floor and score in transition. The lanky 2027 prospect is equally comfortable playing on the perimeter or near the basket and scored from both areas on Sunday. His length, mobility and athleticism are all assets as he scored 14 points in the game. Sickler helped East Troy to the Valley Division title in the Rock Valley Conference, averaging 8.5 points and 6.0 rebounds as the Trojans went 21-6. He figures to be one of the better players in the league again next season as he continues to add muscle and strength to his frame.     With his team down double digits and struggling to find any sort of rhythm on offense, Czarapata came off the bench and drilled two huge baseline three-point baskets in the first half to help ignite the offense for [program_tooltip program_id='2480703' first='24:' last='UP'] in its win over Minnesota Fury. Czarapata has very good size and skill, assets that earned him some valuable playing time at Mukwonago last winter. Czarapata finished the contest with 10 points, but it was his two triples early to seemed to awaken a sleepy team and set them on their way to an impressive victory.     Being the starting point guard for a demanding, but fair, coach isn't always easy. It's really not all that easy when that coach also happens to be your father. Such is the case for Walz, who has learned the game from his father -- highly successful Wisconsin Lutheran coach Ryan Walz. You can tell almost immediately that Riley has been schooled properly in the right way to play the game. Whether he's guarding with purpose and determination on the perimeter or getting into the lane off the bounce to create opportunities for his teammates, Walz plays with stellar basketball instincts. He had it going offensively for [program_tooltip program_id='2496167' first='Pro' last='Lane'] in its matchup with [program_tooltip program_id='2480703' first='24:' last='UP'] P32 on Sunday as well as he scored a team-best 18 points, drilling four three-point shots while also finding the bottom of the net off of drives to the basket. His strong play helped [program_tooltip program_id='2496167' first='Pro' last='Lane'] stay within striking distance of an outstanding team before eventually fading late and losing, 64-51.,     It seemed like every time [program_tooltip program_id='2480703' first='24:' last='UP'] needed a basket in its competitive outing with [program_tooltip program_id='2496167' first='Pro' last='Lane'], Eythorsson stepped up to either score off the glass in the paint or knock down a back-breaking three-point shot. A senior who competes with DME's prep school program in Delafield, Eythorsson scored 18 points and had a pair of triples in [program_tooltip program_id='2480703' first='24:' last='UP']'s win. He flashed good athleticism, a very good skill set and a strong feel for the game. Birkir had several lower-level NCAA Division I programs interested last fall, but his recruiting attention has fallen off a bit lately due to the activity in the transfer portal. Still, he figures to end up at a Division I program before the start of next school year and his play Sunday at Madness in the Midwest in Appleton certainly cemented his status as a player of that level.     A prolific scoring wing with bounce and skill, Fait came off the bench for [program_tooltip program_id='2480703' first='24:' last='UP'] and provided 12 big points as his squad broke away from a 40-40 deadlock to a 64-51 victory over [program_tooltip program_id='2496167' first='Pro' last='Lane'] Walz. Fait's baseline triple late in the game helped [program_tooltip program_id='2480703' first='24:' last='UP'] seal its win as it put his team in front by double digits with just under three minutes left. Fait also had a steal and reverse dunk down the stretch. Fait's development over the past 12 months with [program_tooltip program_id='2480703' first='24:' last='UP'] under coach Scott Cook and with Catholic Central under coach Dan Meddaugh has been impressive as he has set up himself well to be noticed by college coaches over the next several months.     Like Fait, Jungwirth's strong contributions when the game was on the line helped [program_tooltip program_id='2480703' first='24:' last='UP'] P32 used a late scoring flurry to turn back [program_tooltip program_id='2496167' first='Pro' last='Lane'] Walz. Jungwirth was particularly effective playing with his back to the basket as he was able to back down opponents to either score in the paint or earn trips to the foul stripe. Jungwirth finished with eight points and drilled four consecutive foul shots in the final minute of the game to help decided the contest. Although Jungwirth did his work in the paint against [program_tooltip program_id='2496167' first='Pro' last='Lane'], he has the ability to also step outside and shoot from the perimeter. A hard-working forward with size and a deep love for the game, look for Jungwirth to have a big senior season for a Neenah program that has a very strong 2027 class.     Damrow is a player who figures to drastically move up in the 2027 Prep Hoops Wisconsin Player Rankings when they are updated again in the summer as he is proving he can handle the ball, make good decisions on the perimeter and make shots from downtown or off the dribble. Damrow's transition to the guard positions, both with the [program_tooltip program_id='2512324' first='Wisconsin' last='Legends'] and with the HG Ballers club programs, has been impressive. With his size, length, bounce and mobility, Damrow can positively affect the game on both ends of the floor as his did Sunday for the HG Ballers. He is an outstanding rebounder who can rip down boards and then get out and lead the fast break with his speed, ball handling and court vision leading to positive results.     There are no secrets when Backaus steps onto the basketball floor. He's going to come at you from the first possession to the last with his aggressiveness, skill and penchant to score. He loves to get downhill, and once he does, it usually results in a field goal or a foul. He attempted 11 foul shots and made six for [program_tooltip program_id='2494175' first='JAG' last='Select'] in its 66-62 loss to Minnesota rise. Backaus, one of the state's elite scorers who averaged 30.3 ppg as a junior at Black River Falls, finished the contest with 15 points. Backaus has the lateral movement and strength to evolve into a very good defender with work and attention to that side of the ball. He also has the bounce and timing required to become a very good rebounder.     There is something so enjoyable about watching a pure shooter apply his craft to a basketball game. That's exactly what Laufenberg is capable of doing each time he steps onto the court. The 6-foot-3 wing from Sparta had four three-point baskets, including three in a row at one point, and scored 15 points for [program_tooltip program_id='2494175' first='JAG' last='Select'] in its loss to Minnesota Fury. His ability to swish shots from very deep on the floor is an asset that translates well to the next level.     A player on the rise in the 2027 class, Cram had 12 points for [program_tooltip program_id='2494175' first='JAG' last='Select'] in a loss to Minnesota Fury. Along the way, the strong 6-foot-5 forward flashed the ability to snare defensive rebounds, lead the fast break and either score or dish off a nice assist to a teammate. He also was able to use his strength and verticality to score in the half court. Cram has an uncanny ability to draw fouls as well as he went to the foul line for six attempts in the contest. Cram is a true combination forward as he has the skill to often play on the perimeter and the physical strength to battle in the paint against taller defenders.     Cook scored just four points for [program_tooltip program_id='2480703' first='24:' last='UP'] in its win over [program_tooltip program_id='2496167' first='Pro' last='Lane'] Walz. But he was still one of the most important pieces on the court for his squad in the highly competitive contest. Cook can shoot and release so quickly that he must be guarded at an exceptionally high level on every possession. That defensive attention can often lead to openings to the basket for his teammates as opponents fear leaving Cook to help out. Cook also stepped up big time on defense on Sunday as his on-ball pressure and ability to stay in front of backcourt players were instrumental in helping his squad earn a big win. On Saturday, Cook had 15 points and three rebounds as [program_tooltip program_id='2480703' first='24:' last='UP'] posted the most impressive victory of the entire Madness in the Midwest event -- a 65-63 triumph over D1 Minnesota, an adidas shoe team with plenty of high-major NCAA DI prospects.     A combination guard who can really get it going offensively at times, Hans made three straight shots from downtown Sunday for [program_tooltip program_id='2496167' first='Pro' last='Lane'] Walz in its loss to [program_tooltip program_id='2480703' first='24:' last='UP'] P32. Hans also showed aggressiveness in getting to the basket. He did get fouled twice on his drives, but managed to make just one of his four foul shots. Still, Hans was the second-leading scorer for his team with 10 points and showed he can heat up in a hurry while also handling the ball against pressure and defending well on the perimeter.

Some standouts from Wisconsin who caught my attention Sunday the 17U division at the annual Prep Hoops Madness in the Midwest club event held at the Community First Champion Center in Appleton.