Underdog Duos: Division Two Bracket
Talented duos can be tripwires for top-seeded teams during the postseason. So, as Prep Hoops Wisconsin prepares for bracket play, we assemble five duos on low-seeded programs that could make serious noise. Isaiah Hammond and Damion Woods – Milwaukee School…
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Continue ReadingTalented duos can be tripwires for top-seeded teams during the postseason. So, as Prep Hoops Wisconsin prepares for bracket play, we assemble five duos on low-seeded programs that could make serious noise.
Isaiah Hammond and Damion Woods – Milwaukee School of Languages:
MSL’s roster hasn’t filled out the way it should’ve, and they’re starting the postseason as a nine seed. Hammond, however, has been a bright spot all season. He’s averaging 23 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists a game as their junior leader. He’s capable of making an all-around impact with his fluid game and tendency to play bigger than he is. Certainly, the college prospect could benefit individually from a breakout postseason, but from a team perspective, he could carry his squad with a dominant game.
Woods, an underrated sophomore prospect, has been an elite second fiddle for the past two seasons. The main aspect of his game, at least for this postseason, is his shooting. He is connecting on 63.5 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc, as he’s the top pure shooter on the roster (meaning they could turn to him down the stretch when they need a bucket).
Lance Nelson and Conner Bracken – Monona Grove:
Monona Grove hasn’t found much success this season, but they should be pleased with the progression of these two prospects.
Nelson, who paces the team in scoring with 15.2 points a night, is a proven isolation scorer. The guard lacks a serious build, but he compensates for it with crafty dribble moves, quickness and elite shooting.
Although their second-leading scorer at 9.3 points a game, Bracken hasn’t been as much of an offensive force. He stands out as a body in the post, hauling in 11.5 rebounds a night and swatting 18 shots on the season.
Trelin Barnett and Darrell Tyler – Milwaukee Marshall:
This duo is the most underrated pair in Wisconsin, and it’s by a significant margin.
Barnett slightly edges out Tyler statistically. He’s the leading scorer in the Milwaukee City Conference with 21.9 points per game. He’s a drive-first player that has a knack for drawing contact (He’s shot 102 free throws this season. What makes him their best weapon is his big-game potential. He’s broken the 30 point threshold twice — both times resukting in wins for Marshall — along with five games with over 25 points.)
Tyler is similar in the fact that he’s an electric scorer, he just does it with more guard-like style. Most of 19.1 points per game come from perimeter isolation, and he can finish with tough shots from the mid-range or on deep threes.
Davis Barthen and Noah Feddersen – Menomonie:
Upsets are typically caused by red-hot shooting or suffocating interior defense. Luckily for Menomonie, these two check those boxes.
Barthen, their senior leader, is averaging 12.8 points a night through elite shooting. His range extends three to five feet beyond the arc, and he’s shooting roughly 34 percent on those attempts. A quick trigger and smooth stroke make for an aesthetically pleasing offensive game, which is only more fun to watch alongside Feddersen. The sophomore center is a budding prospect and an impactful defensive player. His lengthy 6’8” frame causes serious issues for opponents driving in the lane, and because he’s mobile and aggressive with his size, the likelihood of him becoming a dominant two-way force is very high.
Ty Melchert and Owen Stieber – Green Bay Southwest:
Southwest has totaled five wins on the season, and though a State-run is mostly off the table, this duo could at least humor the possibility of postseason success.
Melchert, a senior guard, remains one of the more electric and crafty players in the Green Bay area. He’s quick with his handles and is capable of making highlights out of almost impossible situations. He’s averaging 16.8 points per game, and aside from efficiency struggles, has been solid across the board statistically.
Stieber specializes beyond the arc, connecting on over 42 percent of his three-point shots and consistently expanding his range. Averaging around 11.8 points likely won’t create noise in the postseason, but he’s more than capable of rattling off 20 points with his perimeter potential.