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The annual Wisconsin Dells Exposure Classic gets underway at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Just A Game Fieldhouse in downtown Wisconsin Dells.

 A total of 66 teams in the 15U, 16U and 17U divisions will take part in the event, which is certified by the NCAA and open to coaches from the Divisions I, II and III levels as well as NAIA schools.

 A total of 30 teams will participate in the 17U pool, including some of the premier teams from Wisconsin.

 Following is a quick rundown on some of the top 17U teams …

 * The Wisconsin Jets may be the top 17U team in the field. The Jets won the Hugh Roberts Tournament last spring and the Mr. Basketball Dakota Showcase in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, last month.

Coach Matt Majkrzak has a talented lineup that includes sharpshooting Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau senior Tim Wagner (6-3), Laconia senior Tyler Semenas (6-3), McFarland senior Cory Frank (6-7) and Rhinelander senior Shane White (6-7), among others.  

In addition, the Jets have added Green Bay Southwest senior Aaron Moesch (6-7) for the tournament.  

* The Wisconsin Shooters White squad coached by Brett Hirsch is another top 17U squad entered in the event.

The Shooters lineup includes rugged senior Branden Williams (6-6), who will attend Milwaukee Hamilton in the fall, along with Sussex Hamilton senior Mitch Willer (6-7), Oak Creek senior Terrence Garner (6-4) and Milwaukee Lutheran senior Chris Holt (5-11), among others.

* The Randolph Boys Club squad coached by Joel Heesch is another favorite to win the 17U championship.  

The Randolph lineup includes Two Rivers senior Brett Linzmeier (6-0), Mauston senior and Wayne State recruit Joel Heesch (6-3), Randolph senior Aaron Retzlaff (6-4), Royall senior Sam Murphy (6-4) and Marshall senior Brandon Stensaas (6-4), among others.

* The Wisconsin Starz 17U team coached by James Adams has played well this summer and could also be considered among the favorites in Wisconsin Dells.

Top players on the Starz roster include Oshkosh West senior Blake Derickson (6-9), Madison La Follette senior Nygel Drury (6-4) and Madison Memorial senior Julian Walters (5-11), among others.

* The Wisconsin Blaze 17U team coached by Justin Mallett features one of Wisconsin’s more intriguing players in Pittsville senior Trail Pierce, an ever-improving 6-10 post player who recently picked up a NCAA Division II scholarship offer from St. Leo in Florida.

Other top Blaze performers include Medford senior John Keefe (6-2), Loyal senior Mason Froeba (6-1) and Wittenberg-Birnamwood senior Mitchell School (6-1), among others.

* The Wisconsin Blizzard have three teams entered in the 17U bracket and all have some  talented players.

The 17U team coached by John Mielke features Ashwaubenon senior and Northern Iowa recruit Bennett Koch (6-9), Green Bay Notre Dame senior Ben Bobinski (6-3), Brillion senior Eric Kittel (5-8) and Chilton senior Andrew Huss (6-3), among others. Koch has missed several weeks with an injury, but may play in Wisconsin Dells.

The 17U team coached by Craig Hawley features one of the state’s fastest-rising seniors in Little Chute forward Kenneth Lowe (6-7), who recently picked up a scholarship offer from New Mexico. Oshkosh West senior Andrew Boeder (6-4), Fond du Lac senior Max Schebel (6-4) and Kaukauna senior Riley Vander Wyst (5-11) are among the other top players on the Hawley squad.

The 17U team coached by Rich Kuranda features Appleton North senior Ryan Albers (6-1), Hortonville senior Jacob Bamke (6-1) and Wrightstown senior Cole Van Schyndel (6-6), among others. 

Other top 17U teams from Wisconsin include Wisconsin Swing – Gard, Wisconsin Academy and Wisconsin Wizards, along with respected high school programs at East Troy and Appleton West.

Top 16U teams from Wisconsin include Wisconsin Blaze, Wisconsin Jets, Wisconsin Blizzard – Schalow, Wisconsin Playmakers, Randolph White, Wisconsin Shooters, Wisconsin Blizzard – Kellett, Wisconsin Starz, Wisconsin Blaze 15U and Wisconsin Hoops Select.

Top 15U teams from Wisconsin include Wisconsin Blizzard – Pronschinske, Wisconsin Academy – Riley, Randolph Boys Club, Wisconsin Blizzard – Boots, Wisconsin Blizzard – Schneider, Wisconsin Shooters and Wisconsin Starz.

Games run through 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday at the Just A Game Fieldhouse and Wisconsin Dells High School.

Championship games in all divisions will be held in the new Just A Game Fieldhouse Court of Champions beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday.

Visit www.justagamefieldhouse.com for additional details, including game schedules and directions to venues.