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I got out to the Badger City Classic in Middleton last weekend to watch some games.

Most surprising kid I saw was Daniel Jackson from Madison Memorial who plays for the WI Starz 16U team. I hadnt seen this kid play since the fall and it was night and day, he took over the game vs Randolph, who has a typical solid team at the 16U level. The Starz 16u does not really have any high profile players but Daniel Jackson was a stud, and Mark Miller seemed to agree. Hard to keep track of which Randolph player was doing what, but they are a team to watch, they beat the Starz and have some good size and shooting ability as well.

At the 17U level I saw the WI Starz play the WI Force and it was a really good back and forth game. Jester Weah and Brandon Ortiz had some really good plays, and they were playing up for the Force. From the Starz Demetrius Durley looked really good and was throwing down alley oop 2 hand dunks in practice with ease at like 5'10ish. Also Jon Winston from Beloit looks strong for them. Antoine Buchanon from Middleton is a freak athlete for the Force. The Starz had a lot of size which they really did not use that well, but the bigs look underdeveloped, but across the board they will be one of the biggest teams in WI no doubt. I dont know if the Force will play Brandon and Jester up all year, but they could do some damage on a different 16U team nationally.

17s Playground has the most talent, but they've been out worked and beat by many state teams in the past. I think the Swing has the best team overall for this class

16s I think hands down is WI Playmakers, they have it all (posts,guard, stars, role players) and have been playing amazing without sharp shooter Matt Thomas (out with concussion)I can only imaging things go up for them once they are all healthy.. Playground has Bronson, Mecca, Wichman but I still take my 16s over them 9/10 times. Swing also can be very good with Fuller and Fischer playing on that squad full time.

15s-Actually can go either way between Ray Allen Select and Milwaukee Running Rebels, both are similar but different. MRR has all those hamilton boys and if they get out on the open court it's game is over, they are very long athletic and get to the cup time an time again. keep off the glass and don't allow penetration they are still very beat able. Ray Allen, is deep and have been together a long time, they like to get after you on defense get out and run, but can score in half court with the flex offense I don't think they have the most talented team, all though the rankings may show differently but they do have great chemistry, and out work a lot of teams.
But even with these two top teams, the others like PG Elite, TP Elite, Swing, DTA, Scholars, Playmakers, Blizzard-Reader they are all excellent teams I can't wait to see how well they do in the July Live period to showcase their talents

I agree playground would win 10/10. I have watched them play the last two years and without doubt playground is the better team. Didn't the playmakers go 0-3 at the NY2LA tourney a couple a weeks ago with Matt Thomas? Jdub030 sounds like a coach speaking from his heart and not his head.

I'm speaking from facts, 2 weeks ago they 16s won the St. Cloud invite going undefeated without Matt Thomas. And had each game won and should have won at NY2LA, easily the worst basketball we've played in the past 2 years, from what I've seen with this group. the 16s have excellent chemistry and can compete with anyone. and have beat playground before same with our 17s beat playground when they (playgorund) had a better team at the 15 and 16 age level. I'm not bashing the Playground Warriors they are a great team. You see them lose more games though from no discpline, and being out worked by other teams that aren't as skilled or talented. I have nothing against the 16s or 17s teams at all, and respect all the players in their program and in our state.

The starting five for playground is better than playmakers and they have more depth......They are ranked 18th in the nation by scout.com and will be higher ranked later. In little rock they beat 3 teams that were huge and more athletic because they play the game the right way. No brainer at this point warriors on top of playmakers. My friend was at st cloud tournament and said the competition there was not very good....certainly not better than little rock real deal.

I wouldn't try to compare Bronson to anyone currently playing. When it is all said and done, he may be the most highly recruited player EVER in the state of Wisconsin. What he does and the poise he has as a sophomore, I personally have never seen...and I've been following HS basketball for 30+ years.

Nothing against Matt Thomas, he is a stellar player, but a High Major D1 player? Who is he hearing from? Honestly, I haven't seen him play, but people I know say he is more of a mid-major type kid. Hope he does go big, that would be awesome for not only him, but the state.

Do you have a link for these rankings? I am just interested in looking at them. I can't find them on scout.com

Thanks

I believe Matt Thomas will end up a high major D1 player. Just because he doesn't have high major D1 offers as a sophomore doesn't mean he won't get them.

Thomas has a few big 10 looks, wac, acc, and summit offers. He's high major and stock wil continue to rise. Matt Like Jesperson, he didn' wake up as a sophomore getting his 50 D1 offers he ended with. Paul earned his with hardwork and dedication to the game, just like Matt is doing now. Although Paul 6'7 and can stroke it from miles away and all the other tools an ACC player needs. Matt 6'2 still growing has the range, athletism, handling, and TRUE SCORING ABILITY to play at a High Major D1. Hopefully Bo can keep him in state. But he's going to have easily 10-15 high major schools after him going into the signing period.

A player that could be really helping himself so far this spring on the AAU circuit is Najeal McMillian of the Playground Warriors 17U team. Had a very nice weekend in Lawrence Kansas against some great competition. I would think he has the possibility of moving up the rankings rather rapidly. Congrats to Bronson Koenig on picking up another offer as he helped lead the Playground 16U team to a second place finish in Kansas after winning the tourney in Little Rock Arkansas 2 weekends ago.

Also, at the 16/u playmakers and the 16/u playground both lost to DreamVision this past weekend in Kansas. Playmakers lost by 21, Playground lost by 20. Pretty Even....

Your right, DreamVision had multiple "bye"s and their first game was against Playground. Both teams played multiple games over the weekend. That is just an excuse. Also, if they played 1 game, that might not say who is better. Thats why NBA playoffs schedules are series. There is no way that Butler was a top 2 team in college. They got it rolling at the right time. Same can be said at this level. Would Madison Memorial beat De pere everytime? I just dont like when people throw out excuses of "Well we played a few games before hand..."

Both teams are tremendous talented. Playground has more individual talent, however, playmakers are better coached.