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Observations from WBY Tournament in Prairie du Chien

06/23/2019, 3:00pm CDT
By Mark Miller

Eau Claire North, Wauzeka-Steuben, Southwestern and Burlington Catholic Central each finished with unbeaten records at the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Summer Tournament held June 21 in Prairie du Chien. 

Big Rivers Conference contender Eau Claire North received outstanding guard play from Dalton Banks, Ashton Kallstrom and Chad Kron, along with excellent production out of forward Luke Warren, in defeating Wisconsin Dells, Prairie du Chien and Bangor. 

Wauzeka-Steuben, expected to rank among the elite WIAA Division 5 teams in the state in 2019-20, rode the stellar play of Carter Lomas, Gavin Ralph and Jake Reichmann to wins over Fall Creek, Lancaster and Randolph.

Southwestern, which won a WIAA Division 5 regional crown last March, continued its progress as a program with triumphs over Augusta, De Soto and North Crawford as senior forwards Breckin Schneider and Sam Reiff performed at a high level. 

Burlington Catholic Central used its strong senior class and the stellar shooting of senior Bennett Wright to register victories over Kickapoo, Potosi and Seneca.

Following are some observations from the 12th annual event:

Pool A Standings
Ellsworth 2-1, La Crosse Central VR 2-1, Dodgeville 1-2, Richland Center 1-2. 

Pool B Standings
Eau Claire North 3-0, Wisconsin Dells 2-1, Bangor 1-2, Prairie du Chien 0-3.

Pool C Standings
Wauzeka-Steuben 3-0, Randolph 2-1, Fall Creek 1-2, Lancaster 0-3. 

Pool D Standings
Southwestern 3-0, Augusta 2-1, North Crawford 1-2, De Soto 0-3.

Poold E Standings
Burlington Catholic Central 3-0, Potosi 2-1, Seneca 1-2, Kickapoo 0-3.


Dalton Banks

Pools A-B Most Valuable Player

Dalton Banks, 6-2, Sr., PG, Eau Claire North

One of the state's elite prospects in the class of 2020, Banks is an intelligent point guard who competes with tremendous poise and outstanding leadership skills. He can score, pass, rebound and defend, and all four of those assets were on full display in Prairie du Chien. Banks, who has added some weight and physical strength to his frame, owns NCAA Division I scholarship offers from Green Bay, Milwaukee, Montana, North Dakota State, South Dakota and Southern Illinois. He enters his senior season as a three-year varsity performer who has scored 1,239 career points. As a junior, Banks averaged 23.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists as the Huskies went 14-9. Beyond the statistics, Banks is an exceptional worker and positive teammate.

Pools A-B All-Tournament Team

Mason Anderson, 6-3, G/F, Jr., Ellsworth

A wing prospect with size, a nose for the basket and terrific perimeter shooting ability, Anderson performed at a very high level in Ellsworth's three games. He torched Dodgeville for 39 points and six three-pointers before netting 25 points and three triples against Richland Center, and 25 points and three more triples against La Crosse Central Varsity Reserve. Anderson averaged 14.6 points per game as a sophomore for coach Jordan Peterson as Ellsworth went 14-8. He earned second-team all-Middle Border Conference honors and figures to be one of that league's top performers over the next two seasons. 

Noah Compan, 6-3, Soph., WF, La Crosse Central
After performing well last week at the WBY Camp in La Crosse, Compan turned in another very impressive showing in Prairie du Chien as he led his squad to a 2-1 record. He scored 51 points in the three contests, was active around the basket and competed on both ends of the court at a high level. Compan is part of the next wave of talent at La Crosse Central that includes 2022 classmates Devon Fielding (5-10) and Porter Pretasky (6-2).


Brett Hirst

Brett Hirst, 6-2, G/F, Sr., Wisconsin Dells
Some kids finish through contact every other time. Few do it every time, particularly at the high school level. Hirst is one of those guys who consistently finishes plays around the basket. He is so strong that he simply overpowers opponents on drives and cuts to the basket. A returning first-team all-league performer in the South Central Conference, Hirst scored 25 points in a very competitive game against Eau Claire North. He finished the day with 52 points in three games and provided toughness and leadership for a very good Wisconsin Dells squad.

Ashton Kallstrom, 6-0, Sr., G, Eau Claire North
Kallstrom enters his senior season as a two-year varsity performer for coach Todd Marks at Eau Claire North. He averaged 9.9 points as a junior while helping the Huskies to a 14-9 record. He also scored a career-high 17 points in a win over Menomonie as a junior. In Prairie du Chien, Kallstrom made perimeter shots and was able to complete drives to the basket. A very solid player on both ends of the court.


Wes Keller

Wes Keller, 6-5, Jr., F, Richland Center
An extremely hard working post player who battled for position with his back to the basket in all three contests for Richland Center, Keller averaged 4.4 points per game as a sophomore for the Hornets and coach Brandon Ewing. In Prairie du Chien, Keller scored at a much high rate, scoring in double figures in each contest and finishing with 48 points for a 16.0 ppg average. His tenacity and willingness to play with passion for the game were evident throughout the day.


Mason Kramer

Mason Kramer, 5-10, PG, Sr., Prairie du Chien
Kramer is a player coaches will want to go to battle with on the basketball court. The returning co-Player of the Year in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference understands the game, anticipates where his teammates will be and delivers one outstanding pass after another. He can also make shots, and clutch ones at that. He finished the day with 57 points in three contests, including 27 in an overtime loss to Bangor. Kramer, who averaged 15.4 points and 4.3 assists as a junior while helping Prairie du Chien to the league title, is an outstanding ball handler and one of the better passers in the state's class of 2020.

Chad Kron, 6-0, Jr., G, Eau Claire North
You aggressively cover Eau Claire North's Dalton Banks and Ashton Kallstrom on the perimeter and then out of nowhere Chad Kron comes in create havoc. Indeed, opponents must game plan for three stellar backcourt performers when they take on the Huskies. Kron was aggressive, productive and consistent for Eau Claire North in Prairie du Chien, finishing the day with 36 points. Kron turned in a very solid season as a sophomore at North, averaging 9.5 points and 2.1 rebounds while helping the Huskies to a 14-9 record under coach Todd Marks. He also made 52 of 131 shots from three-point range for 40 percent.

Hank Reader, 6-0, Jr., G, Bangor
With senior forward Grant Manke on a visit to North Dakota State for football, Bangor relied heavily on Reader and junior guard Zane Langrehr as it competed against much larger schools in Eau Claire North, Prairie du Chien and Wisconsin Dells. Reader did not disappoint as he led the team in scoring in Prairie du Chien by averaging 14.7 points against quality competition. His physical strength and ability to score from the outside and off the dribble were impressive. As a sophomore, Reader averaged 10.5 points and 3.7 assists while helping Bangor to a 25-2 record and a spot in the WIAA Division 5 State Tournament.


Jacob Schauf

Jacob Schauf, 6-4, G/F, Sr., Richland Center
An athletic wing player with good shooting range and the ability to score in a variety of ways, Schauf led Richland Center in scoring last winter at 9.8 points per game. He finished second to Wes Keller in scoring at Prairie du Chien, completing the day with 38 points in three games. In order for the Hornets to make a move upward in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference standings, Schauf will need to take a step forward in his overall game to lead a talented group of younger players.


Carter Lomas

Pools C-D-E Most Valuable Player

Carter Lomas, 6-4, Sr., G, Wauzeka-Steuben

There was no messing around for Lomas and the Hornets, who went out and dominated three opponents. Lomas was on fire all day long, both from outside the three-point arc and off aggressive moves to the basket. He also scored off post-up moves and in transition. He finished the day 79 points (26.3 ppg) and 12 three-point baskets as Fall Creek, Lancaster and Randolph simply had no answer for the three-time first-team all-league performer in the Ridge & Valley Conference. Lomas averaged 20.8 ppg as a junior and has helped Wauzeka-Steuben to a 52-19 record over the past three seasons, including a 22-2 mark last winter. With Lomas back for his senior season in 2019-20, the Hornets appear primed to make a strong run as repeat champions in the Ridge & Valley along with a spot in the WIAA Division 5 State Tournament.


Dawsom Bowen

Pools C-D-E All-Tournament Team

Dawson Bowen, 5-10, Sr., G, Lancaster

A physically strong backcourt player who can score, rebound and pass, Bowen was at his best during the Arrows' loss to a very good Wauzeka-Steuben squad. Bowen finished the contest with 22 points and made five three-poi baskets in the contest. He averaged 15.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists as a junior at Lancaster and earned second-team all-Southwest Wisconsin Conference honors.

Nick Edge, 6-6, Sr., F, Potosi
An improving big man with a solid work ethic, Edge averaged 15.0 points per game in Potosi's three contests in Prairie du Chien. He scored around the basket off post moves, netted some hoops off of put-backs on offensive rebounds, and knocked down a few shots from outside the three-point arc. Edge is a strong post player who runs the floor and competes hard on the glass. As a junior, he earned second-team all-Six Rivers West Conference laurels after averaging 10.2 points and 7.2 rebounds for a Potosi squad that went 19-5 and won the league crown under coach Mike Uppena. Edge and seniors Ryan Kruser (5-10) and Ben Udelhofen (5-10) provide the Chieftains with a solid nucleus to build around for 2019-20.

Sam Grieger, 6-1, Soph., G, Randolph
The Rockets featured plenty of balanced scoring with Greiger, senior Peyton Moldenhauer, junior Brayden Haffele and sophomore Travis Alvin all contributing offensively as Randolph finished 2-1. Grieger was the Rockets' top scorer as he finished with 36 points in three games while also making six three-point baskets. Grieger, Moldenhauer and Haffele comprise a very talented backcourt for Randolph coach Tyler Fischer, who guided the Rockets to a 24-1 mark last winter.

Stephen Munson, 5-10, Soph., G, North Crawford
A fundamentally sound combination guard who makes good decisions on the floor, Munson was very impressive for North Crawford. He finished with 25 points in a 45-39 loss to Southwestern, recording two triples and making five of eight attempts from the foul line. Munson averaged 16.0 ppg in the Trojans' three games after averaging 11.8 ppg as a freshman for coach Chris Wettstein at North Crawford. He also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists last winter on the way to receiving honorable mention all-Ridge & Valley Conference laurels.

Luke Olson, 6-4, Jr., F, Fall Creek
Olson was a key performer off the bench for the Crickets last winter, and he figures to be a mainstay in the Fall Creek line-up for coach Rick Storlie over the next two seasons. He led Fall Creek in scoring in Prairie du Chien, averaging 16.7 points per game while also drilling four three-point baskets. Together with improving 6-foot-4 junior forward Jayden Fitch, Fall Creek's frontline play figures to be solid as the Crickets continue to battle for an upper-division finish in the Western Division of the Cloverbelt Conference.

Andrew Perkovich, 6-2, Sr., WG, Augusta
Perkovich is an aggressive offensive player who likes to hunt for his scoring opportunities. He can get into the lane and make mid-range jumpers, but he's also a very good marksman from outside the three-point arc. He finished with 60 points in three games in Prairie du Chien and knocked down 10 three-point shots for Augusta. A second-team all-Dairyland Conference performer as a junior, Perkovich averaged 15.6 ppg for the Beavers, who went 15-7 under coach Chris Schmitt.


Gavin Ralph

Gavin Ralph, 6-3, Jr., G/F, Wauzeka-Steuben
A versatile, athletic and productive wing player who loves to attack the basket, Ralph scored at a high rate for the Hornets in Prairie du Chien as he averaged 19.0 points per contest in three triumphs. Ralph is tough to contend with because of his quick first step to the hoop and his ability to make shots from the perimeter. He is relentless in getting to the basket and compliments Lomas well as both players look for each other on the court. Ralph averaged 16.2 ppg as a sophomore and figures to once again be one of the top performers in the Ridge & Valley Conference in 2019-20.

Jake Reichmann, 5-10, Sr., G, Wauzeka-Steuben
Lomas and Ralph receive most of the media attention for Wauzeka-Steuben, but Reichmann also is a very valuable performer for coach Gary Hines. He knocked down three-point shots and scored off drives to the basket in Prairie du Chien while also performing the bulk of ball-handling responsibilities. A returning second-team all-league performer, Reichmann's ability to score, defend and distribute is absolutely vital to the Hornets' success next winter. 


Breckin Schneider

Breckin Schneider, 6-4, Sr., F, Southwestern
Schneider showed off his improved perimeter jump shot to go along with his aggressiveness in taking the ball to the basket. Schneider and senior forward Sam Reiff (6-4) provided the bulk of the scoring for Southwestern, which notched wins over Augusta, De Soto and North Crawford. Schneider averaged 7.5 points and 4.0 rebounds as a junior and earned second-team all-Southwest Wisconsin Activities League honors while helping Southwestern to a 15-11 record and a WIAA Division 5 regional championship.


Bennett Wright

Bennett Wright, 5-11, Sr., PG, Burlington Catholic Central
Wright played very well at the WBY Camp at Viterbo Universsity in La Crosse last week, and he continued his stellar play for the Hilltoppers in Prairie du Chien. He has improved his physical strength and has developed into a knock-down shooter for coach Kyle Scott. Playing on a senior-dominated squad that features plenty of balanced scoring, Wright led the Hilltoppers in point production in the event while also handling the ball and finding open teammates. Wright's improvement over the past couple of seasons is a direct result of all the time he spends in the gym working on his game.

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