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Boys Hoops: Player, Team and Coach of the Week (Jan. 20-25)

01/26/2020, 1:15pm CST
By Mark Miller

Here are the Wisconsin Sports Network weekly award winners in boys' basketball for the games played Jan. 20 through January 25:

Player of the Week


Brandin Podziemski

Brandin Podziemski, 6-5, Jr., WG, St. John's Military Academy
One of the state's top collegiate prospects in the junior class, Podziemski was outstanding for the Lancers of St. John's Military Academy in Delafield during a 93-72 victory over arch-rival and Midwest Classic Conference contender Brookfield Academy. He finished the contest with 38 points, 15 rebounds, 5 steals and 5 assists as the Lancers gained a two-game lead over Brookfield Academy in the league standings. A bouncy 6-foot-5 left-handed wing prospect, Podziemski is quick around the basket and can also step outside and drill three-point shots. He made 6 of 12 attempts from outside the arc against Brookfield Academy. Earlier in the week, Podziemski finished with 31 points and 15 rebounds in a triumph over Living Word Lutheran. Podziemski is averaging 26.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.8 steals for coach Duane Mlachnik and the Lancers, who take an 11-3 record into their game Wednesday against Milwaukee Messmer.

Team of the Week


Connor Spielvogel

Sheboygan Falls Falcons
The Falcons rebounded from back-to-back losses to Appleton Xavier and Chilton two weeks ago to post impressive triumphs over Oostburg and Roncalli last week. Sheboygan Falls handed Oostburg its first loss of the season last Tuesday as the Falcons won a hard-fought 47-45 decision in the non-league game played at Sheboygan Falls. Senior wing guard Connor Spielvogel (6-3), who has committed to NCAA Division III Ripon College, scored 15 points while senior guard Jamison Nickolai (6-2) added 11. Two days later in Manitowoc, the Falcons created a two-way tie for first place in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference with a 58-50 win over the Jets. Both Roncalli and Sheboygan Falls are 6-1 in league play after the first round of competition. Once again, coach Jake Frohling got strong performances from Spielvogel and Nickolai as they finished with 11 and 13 points, respectively. On the season, Spielvogel is averaging 12.4 points and 5.4 rebounds while Nickolai is contributing 13.7 ppg and 5.2 rpg. Sheboygan Falls is 10-4 and takes on a red-hot Kiel team that has won eight games in a row in Kiel on Tuesday.

Coach of the Week

Dan Zweifel, Monona Grove
In his 24th season as the head boys' varsity basketball coach at Monona Grove, Zweifel notched his 300th career triumph on Saturday when the Silver Eagles defeated Sauk Prairie in the annual Badger Conference Challenge held at Edgewood High School. Zweifel's teams at Monona Grove have gone 300-244 since he took over the head-coaching duties from John Verhelst for the start of the 1996-97 season. Two of his squads have advanced to the WIAA Division 2 State Tournament with his 2005-06 squad losing to Seymour in the state-championship game. Zweifel's squads at Monona Grove won Badger Conference titles in 2012-13, 2017-18 and 2018-19. After five of Zwiefel's first six teams at Monona Grove finished below .500, just four squads have gone below .500 in the past 17 seasons. He has a string of winning at least 16 contests in each of the past six seasons. In addition to his stellar record as the Silver Eagles' head coach, Zweifel is known throughout the state as one of the truly genuine and nicest coaches in the profession.

For the latest and most up to date boys' basketball news and recruiting information, follow Mark on Twitter @wisbbyearbook. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Mark by clicking here.

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