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Observations from the 12th annual Rick Majerus WBY Shootout

12/31/2016, 5:30pm CST
By Mark Miller

Jordan McCabe

Some observations from the 12th annual Rick Majerus Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout, held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the Buuck Fieldhouse on the campus of Concordia University in Mequon:

Five Individual Standouts

Jordan McCabe, 6-0, Jr., PG, Kaukauna
McCabe took 26 shots and scored 29 points in a loss to La Crosse Central on Wednesday, but he came back in a big way on Thursday, scoring 26 points, grabbing 9 rebounds and handing out 6 assists in a blowout victory over Whitnall. McCabe had the overflow crowd abuzz with his Harlem Globetrotters-like ball handling and passing. The West Virginia recruit made some deep triples, set up his teammates and played strong defense as the Ghosts improved to 4-2 with Minnesota-Duluth recruit Adam Smith (6-2) still sidelined with a broken foot. McCabe's ball handling, passing and shooting skills are off the charts. However, it's his swagger and ability to deliver that is most pleasing to the fans.

Terrence Lewis, 6-6, Sr., G/F, Milwaukee Riverside
Holy Cow was Lewis good for Riverside. The son of Tigers' coach Tyrone (Rock) Lewis, Terrence Lewis put his teammates on his back on Tuesday, scoring 39 points in a come-from-behind victory over Arrowhead. Riverside trailed by 16 points in the first half, but Lewis pumped in 27 second-half points to help the Tigers rally for an 84-75 victory. On Thursday playing against top-ranked Oshkosh North, Lewis kept Riverside within striking distance the entire game, scoring 43 points, including 29 in the opening half. He drilled deep three-point shots, converted from the foul line and was a beast on the offensive glass. The Iowa State recruit has excellent size, skill and length, but his best attribute might just be his relentless nature. 

Kobe King, 6-4, Sr., WG, La Crosse Central
Not only is King the top offensive rebounder in Wisconsin in 2016-17, he might be the best offensive rebounder the state has produced in the last decade. He has excellent timing, superior jumping ability and the strength and athleticism to finish over taller defenders. His offensive rebounding prowess helped La Crosse Central to a convincing 92-81 victory over defending WIAA Division 2 state champion Kaukauna as King finished with 31 points. In a 57-56 loss to Pius XI Catholic, King had 29 points, making a triple and sinking 8 of 10 foul shots. Though his perimeter shot may still need a bit of work, King's feel for the game and versatility could land him some early playing time at the University of Wisconsin next season.

J.C. Butler, 6-5, Jr., WG, The Prairie School
Butler is definitely growing, both as a player and physically. The son of NBA standout Caron Butler, J.C. Butler finished with eight dunks in two victories for The Prairie School. He had 32 points in a victory over Lourdes Academy, and then added 26 in a triumph over Kettle Moraine Lutheran. In those two games, Butler made 21 of 27 shots from the field, including 5 of 9 from three-point range. He currently owns scholarship offers from Green Bay and Milwaukee. An athletic, versatile player who can defend, rebound and score, Butler figures to pick up additional scholarship offers as he continues to mature as a player.

Tyrese Haliburton, 6-5, WG, Jr., Oshkosh North
Like Butler, Haliburton looms as one of the most watched class of 2018 prospects in Wisconsin once the spring club season rolls around. His length, athleticism and dramatically improved jump shot were all on display for the collegiate coaches in attendance at Concordia. His ability to get steals and deflections while finishing on the other end is extremely impressive. So is his unselfish nature and ability to drill three-point shots. He made all 8 of his foul shots in the Spartans' two victories, sank three triples and scored 18 points in a win over Arrowhead and 19 in the win over Milwaukee Riverside. Haliburton owns scholarship offers from a number of NCAA Division I schools, including Green Bay, Milwaukee and Northern Iowa. Look for high-major schools to get involved soon. 


Trevell Cunningham

Five Emerging Prospects

Trevell Cunningham, 5-11, Sr., PG, Arrowhead
A quick-on-quick point guard who is beginning to receive the recruiting attention he most definitely deserves, Cunningham was outstanding, despite a pair of losses for Arrowhead. He used his exceptional quickness off the dribble to get around Riverside defenders en route to scoring 31 points in a nine-point loss. Playing against multiple zone defenses in the match-up with Oshkosh North, Cunningham did a solid of running the Warhawks' offense in the half court. Cunningham, who recently picked up a NCAA Division II scholarship offer from the coaches at Lindenwood University, is one of the best unsigned lead guards in Wisconsin's class of 2017.   

Cordell Tinch, 6-2, Jr., G, Bay Port
A long, athletic and emerging backcourt performer, Tinch was highly impressive for a very good Bay Port squad in an 87-78 victory over Germantown. Tinch scored just eight points in the contest, but his ball handling, rebounding, passing and ability to get steals were all extremely impressive. Look for Tinch to start to receive recruiting attention from schools at the scholarship level in the very near future.  

Gabe Madsen, 6-4, Frosh., WG, Bloomer
Along with his twin brother, Mason, Gabe Madsen has a very promising future playing for his father and coach, Luke Madsen. Gabe is a 6-4 wing player with a smooth shooting stroke and the ability to guard and rebound. He has a good feel for the game and a quick release from the perimeter. Mason Madsen is a 6-2 guard who can facilitate an offense while also setting up teammates and hitting open jump shots. The future at Bloomer is very bright thanks in large part to the presence of Gabe and Mason Madsen in the Blackhawks' lineup.

Bilal Shabazz, 6-7, Jr., F, Pius XI Catholic
Shabazz remains a work in progress, but he is making steady progress as a player for coach Joel Claassen and the Popes. His length, rebounding and shot blocking were key ingredients in Pius XI's upset victory over La Crosse Central. Shabazz can step out and make mid-range jump shots in addition to scoring in the post. He finished with eight points while helping Pius XI improve to 8-1. 

Andres Peralta-Werns, 6-2, Jr., G, Brookfield Central
Steady, smart and skilled, Peralta-Werns fits in exceptionally well with juniors Cole Nau (6-2) and Gage Malensek (5-10) in the Lancers' talented backcourt. Peralta-Werns can score in a variety of ways, but he was especially effective from outside the three-point arc as he buried 10 triples in two games while averaging 22.5 ppg for coach Dan Wandrey and the unbeaten Lancers.


Gage Malensek

Five Class of 2019 and 2020 Prospects To Remember 

Xzavier Jones, 6-5, Soph., G/F, Martin Luther
A bouncy and versatile player with a big upside, Jones already is receiving recruiting attention from both Marquette and Wisconsin. He is quick off his feet, competes on both ends and has a developing skill set. Jones finished with 18 points and made 8 of 10 foul shots in a victory over Brookfield Academy while classmate Trequan Carrington (5-9) added 21 in the Spartans' triumph. Jones, Carrington, Ace Evans (6-0), Shaun Harrison (6-3), Darios Garrett (5-8) and the injured Jeramie King (6-5) form an outstanding sophomore class for coach Paul Wollersheim and Martin Luther. 

Gage Malensek, 5-10, Soph., PG, Brookfield Central
Wise beyond his years, Malensek already is one of the best point guards in the state, despite being just a sophomore. He has very good physical strength for such a young player and, equally important, understands how to use his strength to get into gaps and set up his teammates. Malensek is also a very good scorer as he proved with his 24-point showing in a victory over Whitefish Bay.  

Jonathan Davis, 6-1, Frosh., G, La Crosse Central
Davis scored nine points off the bench for the Red Raiders in their victory over Kaukauna, and he wasn't afraid to take a big three-point shot late in the one-point loss to Pius XI. Davis and his twin brother, Jordan (6-2), figure to move into the starting rotation for coach Todd Fergot as sophomores and are, without question, two of the top class of 2020 prospects in Wisconsin.

Noah Glembin, 6-3, Soph., G/F, St. Thomas More
Glembin is perhaps the biggest reason why Bloomer is no longer among the unbeaten teams in the state. The sophomore wing player hit five three-point shots, including four in the second half, and scored 22 points in the Cavaliers' 68-65 victory over the Blackhawks. A physical player with good strength and the ability to rebound, Glembin's versatility allows coach John Hoch to use him both in the post and out on the perimeter, making him a tough match-up for opponents. 

Keaton Ferris, 5-9, Frosh., G, Kaukauna
Ferris appears to be the replacement for McCabe as the Ghosts' starting point guard in the fall of 2018, but for now, the extremely skilled guard comes off the bench and spots up for three-point shots. And he normally makes them. He hit five triples in the Ghosts loss to La Crosse Central, scoring a career-best 15 points in the process. 


Terrence Lewis

Five Lasting Impressions of the 12th annual Rick Majerus WBY Shootout

1) Jordan McCabe giving sell-out crowd a performance to remember. For the first time in the 12-year history of the Rick Majerus WBY Shootout, fans wanting to attend the night session on the third day had to wait for seats to open up as the event was sold out with standing room only fans in the balcony and on both endlines. Most came to watch University of Wisconsin recruit Tyler Herro (6-4) and Whitnall take on West Virginia recruit Jordan McCabe (6-0) and Kaukauna. McCabe and Kaukauna dominated the game from the opening tip until the final buzzer with McCabe playing to the crowd with his pinpoint passing skills and accurate long-range jump shots. McCabe might be the hottest ticket in the state since Mickey Crowe packed gymnasiums across Wisconsin during the 1974-75 season. He finished with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in the win over Whitnall after netting 29 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and handing out 10 assists in a loss to La Crosse Central a day earlier. Herro was held to just nine points, all in the first half, as senior Brad Vosters (6-1) did an outstanding job of keeping Herro's touches and shot attempts to a minimum.  

2) Terrence Lewis' brilliant effort. Milwaukee Riverside beat Arrowhead and lost to Oshkosh North, but the showing of Iowa State recruit Terrence Lewis in both of those contests is what fans will remember most. Simply put, Lewis was brilliant and most certainly put himself in prime position for the Mr. Basketball award in the state. He had 39 points in the win over Arrowhead and 43 more in the loss to top-ranked Oshkosh North. Lewis gave maximum effort in each contest, scoring from both downtown and off the dribble. His drive, improvement, length, athleticism and skill continue to improve and impress onlookers.

3) Dillon Livingston's game-winner at the buzzer for Beaver Dam vs. Wausau West. With a mere :01.2 left in overtime, Beaver Dam coach Tim Ladron called a timeout in a game deadlock at 61 with Wausau West. Ladron drew up a play that called for Garrett Nelson to set a screen at the free-throw line on the defender of senior Dillon Livingston. Nelson set the screen, Livingston broke to the basket and he received a perfect pass from out of bounds from older brother, Luke Livingston. Dillon Livingston caught the pass and calmly laid it off the glass and it went through the hoop as the horn sounded, giving Beaver Dam a 63-61 victory and a 9-0 record.

4) Victor Nwagbaraocha's game-winning shot in the lane, giving Pius XI Catholic a 57-56 win over La Crosse Central. Senior Victor Nwagbaraocha took an in-bounds pass from half court with 11 seconds left and his Pius XI Catholic team down 56-55 to unbeaten La Crosse Central. The talented 6-foot-4 guard drove into the lane, pivoted and put up a short jumper that swished through the hoop with just under 2 seconds left, giving the Popes the dramatic victory. It was the fourth time in the last two years Nwagbaraocha took and made a game-winner for the Popes and coach Joel Claassen. That it happened in front of a huge crowd against arguably the state's top WIAA Division 2 squad only added to the sweetness for Nwagbaraocha and the Popes.

5) The Majerus MVP game plaques. The Rick Majerus Family Foundation purchased Most Valuable Player game plaques for each of the contests played at the Majerus WBY Shootout. The following were selected as game MVPs:

Day One
Luke Howard, 6-1, Jr., Martin Luther
J.C. Butler, 6-5, Jr., The Prairie School
Ryan McNeive, 6-1, Sr., St. Thomas More
Tyler Hughes, 6-2, Sr., Onalaska
Eddie Muench, 6-4, Sr., Ripon
Gage Malensek, 5-10, Soph., Brookfield Central
Jordan Nolle, 6-1, Sr., Bay Port
Terrence Lewis, 6-6, Sr., Milwaukee Riverside
Ryan Coffey, 6-5, Sr., Milwaukee Marquette
Day Two
Gabe Madsen, 6-4, Frosh., Bloomer
Aidan Clarey, 6-0, Frosh., Brookfield Academy
Troy Mikaelian, 6-1, Jr., The Prairie School
Jalen Sample, 6-4, Sr., Onalaska
Melvin Lee, 5-7, Sr., Ripon
Mo Sykes, 6-0, Jr., Wausau West
Will Chevalier, 6-8, Sr., Kimberly
Kobe King, 6-4, Sr., La Crosse Central
Shane Wissink, 5-11, Sr., Oshkosh North
Day Three
Ki-Anthony Blake, 6-3, Jr., Martin Luther
Joey Behm, 6-2, Sr., Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Garrett Nelson, 6-0, Sr., Beaver Dam
Blake Kratzer, 6-2, Sr., Wauwatosa East
Michael Pitrof, 6-3, Sr., Pius XI Catholic
Andres Peralta-Werns, 6-2, Jr., Brookfield Central
Brett Ellestad, 6-2, Sr., Oshkosh North
Jordan McCabe, 6-0, Jr., Kaukauna
Jon Bailey, 6-9, Sr., Wisconsin Lutheran

State Championship Outlook

Over the past five seasons, 18 of the 25 eventual WIAA state champions competed in December at the Rick Majerus WBY Shootout.

Last season, Stevens Point (Division 1), Kaukauna (Division 2), Dominican (Division 4) and McDonell Central (Division 5) competed at the WBY Shootout and then later won state titles.

This time around, the best bets for potentially winning a state championship at the Kohl Center in March include Oshkosh North, Milwaukee Riverside, Brookfield Central and Kimberly in Division 1; Kaukauna, Cedarburg, La Crosse Central, Beaver Dam, Whitnall and Onalaska in Division 2; Ripon, Bloomer and Dominican in Division 3; and The Prairie School in Division 4.


Matt Hickey

A few others who played well

A quick shout-out to the following players, who also played well for their respective teams at the WBY Shootout...

Quincy Anderson, 6-2, Jr., Oshkosh North
Joey Behm, 6-2, Sr., Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Jacob Bolwerk, 6-3, Jr., Living Word Lutheran
Tommy Borta, 6-7, Sr., Wausau West
Eric Carl, 6-4, Jr., Kaukauna
Aidan Clarey, 6-0, Frosh., Brookfield Academy
Kyle Clow, 6-4, Sr., Germantown
Ryan Coffey, 6-5, Sr., Milwaukee Marquette
Carlos Curtis, 6-2, Jr., Milwaukee Riverside
Payton Dachel, 6-2, Jr., Bloomer
John Diener, 6-4, Jr., Cedarburg
Alou Dillon, 6-8, Sr., Wauwatosa West
Brett Ellestad, 6-2, Sr., Oshkosh North
Philip Flory, 6-5, Sr., Oshkosh North
Greg Foster Jr., 6-5, Jr., Homestead
Noah Fredrickson, 5-11, Sr., Onalaska
Matt Hickey, 6-2, Soph., Oshkosh North
Tyler Hughes, 6-2, Sr., Onalaska
Bailey Kale, 6-0, Sr., La Crosse Central
Jason Klatt, 5-11, Sr., St. Thomas More
Blake Kratzer, 6-2, Sr., Wauwatosa East
Logan Krekling, 6-2, Jr., The Prairie School
Dylan Kurey, 6-7, Jr., Kaukauna
Melvin Lee, 5-7, Sr., Ripon
Ryan McNeive, 6-1, Sr., St. Thomas More
Troy Mikaelian, 6-1, Jr., The Prairie School
Garrett Mitman, 6-2, Sr., Homestead
Eddie Muench, 6-4, Sr., Ripon
Cole Nau, 6-2, Soph., Brookfield Central
Garrett Nelson, 6-0, Sr., Beaver Dam
Jordan Nolle, 6-2, Sr., Bay Port
Henry Noone, 6-2, Soph., Lourdes Academy
Victor Nwagaraocha, 6-2, Sr., Pius XI 
Michael Pitrof, 6-3, Sr., Pius XI
Jalen Sample, 6-4, Sr., Onalaska
Ben Seefeld, 6-4, Sr., Arrowhead
Jared Short, 6-1, Sr., Cedarburg
Mo Sykes, 6-2, Jr., Wausau West
Jakob Tordsen, 6-4, Sr., Wausau West
Danny Vanden Boom, 6-6, Sr., Kimberly
Bennett Vander Plas, 6-8, Sr., Ripon
Sam Wilke, 6-2, Jr., Beaver Dam
Brunard Williams, 6-4, Jr., Wisconsin Lutheran
Shane Wissink, 5-11, Sr., Oshkosh North
Zach Zavada, 6-5, Sr., Pius XI Catholic
Jalen Zubich, 5-10, Sr., Onalaska

A Few Final Thoughts ...

* Thanks to the Rick Majerus Family Foundation for providing Majerus WBY Shootout T-shirts to all participating players.
* Thanks to the Rick Majerus Family Foundation for the Majerus WBY Shootout Scholarship program that awarded a total of 12 $5,000 scholarships to student-athletes at participating schools.
* Thanks to the Rick Majerus Family Foundation for the Rick Majerus MVP plaques for each of the contests.
* Thanks to the athletic administration and men’s basketball program at Concordia University in Mequon for again providing outstanding facilities and hospitality for the Rick Majerus WBY Shootout. Special thanks to Concordia head coach Shawn Cassidy and assistant coach Dan Mueller for all their help.
* Thanks to the athletic department, administration, parents and basketball coaches at St. Thomas More High School for serving as the host school for the WBY Shootout. 
* Thanks to all the workers and volunteers from St. Thomas More who annually help to make the WBY Shootout one of the premier events in the state. 
* Thanks to the fans who attended the WBY Shootout and again supported the greatest game in the country – high school basketball. 
* Thanks to the players, coaches, fans and parents of all 32 participating teams. 
* Thanks to all my family members who continue to give up their time to help run the event.
* Thanks to Aurora Sports Medicine Institute for providing training services throughout the 27 games. 
* Thanks to the outstanding officials who worked the games at the WBY Shootout. The three-man crews once again did an outstanding job. 
* Thanks to our announcers -- Kent Korth and Jim Ganzer -- along with the clock operators and official scorers -- Deb Dublinski, Joe Kershasky, Dan Grusczynski, Vince Sciano, Mike Goodwin, Matt Goodwin and Bob Wanek.
* Thanks to Brian Roebke, the official photographer of the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook.
* Thanks to Sarah Hill for again designing the game program and the T-shirts for the Majerus WBY Shootout.
* Thanks to WSSP (1250-AM) and sports insider Mike McGivern for providing media support throughout the Majerus WBY Shootout.
* Next year's dates -- December 27-28-29, 2017 at Concordia. We will have additional seating.

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