Phillips was a catalyst for Almond-Bancroft’s offensive attack during his senior campaign.The 6’2″ guard averaged 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. He exploded for 36 points in a win over Pittsville, one of his six games with 25+ points. Compared to his junior season 16 points per game, Phillips showed noticeable growth and maturity as a scorer and leader.Known for his aggressiveness and three-level scoring, Phillips delivered in big moments all season long.

The physical and very productive big man from Almond-Bancroft led the Eagles to their first appearance in the WIAA State Tournament last March. The four-year varsity performer shared Player of the Year laurels in the Central Wisconsin South with teammate TJ Lamb. Also an accomplished football player, Phillips looks to carry the Eagles in 2024-25 with his inside presence. He is a great finisher around the basket and a premier rebounder for first-year coach Keith Dernbach. Phillips averaged 24.2 points and 11.5 rebounds while helping Almond-Bancroft to a 19-7 record. He is one of three returning starters and his physicality, scoring, rebounding and leadership will be key components as the Eagles set out to defend their conference and sectional championships.

Three-time first-team all-league selection in the Central Wisconsin East Conference and the returning Player of the Year in the seven-team circuit, Phillips is a physical inside player who scores and rebounds in the paint with the best of them. At 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, Phillips has the size to dominate and he is more than willing to use his attributes from start to finish of any game. He helped Almond-Bancroft to a 27-2 record and a spot in the WIAA Division 5 State Tournament last March by averaging 24.2 points and 11.5 rebounds. Also a strong football prospect, Phillips begins his senior season with 1,728 points.

A big man with strength and skill competing against mostly Division 5 schools is going to score and score big. Such is the case for Phillips, a 6-foot-7 power forward with good footwork and finishing ability near the basket. Also a standout football prospect as a lineman, Phillips helped Almond-Bancroft to the Division 5 State Tournament semifinals as a junior and begins his final go around with the Eagles with 1,728 points. The co-Player of the Year in the Central Wisconsin South Conference with graduated senior teammate TJ Lamb, Phillips averaged 24.2 points and scored 703 points as a junior. Opponents will opt to double team him more often this winter, especially with Lamb now graduated. But Phillips has proven his ability to score through contact and get to the foul line as he averaged nearly seven free throws per game in 2023-24.

Ayden is one of the best back-to-the-basket scorers in Wisconsin. His combination of size, footwork, and touch around the rim make him tough to stop when isolated on the block. In the game I watched, he showcased the ability to just bully his way to the basket, or utilize a variety of post moves to create angles to finish. Comfortable turning over either shoulder to finish with his right or left hand. On the defensive end if he got even a finger on a missed shot, he was going to come away with possession for his team.

Not much you can do when Ayden catches the ball on the block. He’s one of the strongest post players in Wisconsin, and he uses that strength to back defenders into deep position under the rim before going up to finish with touch. He’s more than just a paint bully though, as Ayden showed good feet at 6’7 with a number of post moves he can go to on the block to create angles to finish. Impressive touch to kiss the ball in off the glass even when contested. If a missed shot came even remotely near him, Ayden was pulling it in and securing possession with two hands.