Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

By Mark Miller


Wishoops.net Editor





Head Coach: Joe La Chapell





Roster:





Eddie Gilgenbach, 6-2, WG, Class of 2008, Fond du Lac: A two-year varsity performer for coach Dick Diener at Fond du Lac ... A second-team all-conference performer in the rugged Fox Valley Association as a sophomore ... A gifted offensive player ... From Coach La Capell: "Hes a great leader and an excellent shooter. Eddie can take it to the basket very well. He is also an excellent rebounder who can handle the ball."





Preston Thompson, 6-0, WG, Class of 2008, Fond du Lac: Played on the varsity squad alongside Gilgenbach in 2005-06 ... Figures to be a key component for the Cardinals over the next two seasons ... From Coach La Capell: "Preston is one of our top defenders. He does a good job of crashing the boards. Hes one of those players who does all the little things to help you win games."





Karl Sachs, 6-1, WG, Class of 2008, Seymour: Played on the junior varsity squad at Seymour, which won the WIAA Division 2 state championship ... Part of a stellar class at Seymour that includes PC Players teammates John Nicholas and Derick Denny ... From Coach La Chapell: "Karl is a solid all-around athlete. He runs the 1,600 in track and can jump and shoot well in basketball. He is also an above-average ball handler."





Derick Denny, 6-2, WF, Class of 2008, Seymour: Saw limited action for the Seymour varsity squad in 2005-06 ... Should contend for a starting position under coach Jon Murphy in 2006-07 ... From Coach La Chapell: "Derick is a very athletic player who can dunk with either hand. He is a great defender who handles the ball well."





John Nicholas, 6-6, PF, Class of 2008, Seymour: A key reserve for a Seymour squad that defeated Monona Grove in the WIAA Division 2 state title game ... A physically strong frontline player who figures to team with Matt Hackl and Marc Leisgang on coach Jon Murphys frontline in 2006-07 ... From Coach La Chapell: "John is starting to realize his potential. He is a good offensive player who can finish with either hand. Hes also a decent rebounder."





James Gloudemans, 6-2, WG, Class of 2009, Little Chute: One of the top players in the class of 2009 in the Fox Cities ... Figures to be a key performer for coach Mickey Martin at Little Chute the next three seasons ... From Coach La Chapell: "James is a very talented freshman who is not intimidated at all playing against older players. He likes to take the ball to the basket, and he defends very well. Hes also a smart player."





Ethan Van Cuyk, 6-7, C, Class of 2008, Kaukauna: Played on the junior varsity squad at Kaukauna during the 2005-06 season ... Figures to play a backup role to Nicholas for the PC Players ... From Coach La Chapell: "Ethan can finish pretty well around the basket. He likes to face-up to the basket and then take his defender to the basket along the baseline."





Zach Alix, 5-11, WF, Class of 2008, Weyauwega-Fremont: Played on the varsity for coach Mike Flanagan at Weyauwega-Fremont, helping the Indians to a 23-1 record and a WIAA Division 3 regional championship ... Though just 5-11, plays well in the post because of physical strength and athleticism ... From Coach La Chapell: "Zach is a very good post defender. Hes kind of a Charles Barkley-type of player in that he can post-up and rebound well for a player his size."





Reed Becker, 6-2, WF, Class of 2008, Neenah: Figures to be a key player for coach Chas Pronschinske at Neenah next season ... A solid perimeter shooter ... From Coach La Chapell: "Reed is a very good athlete. He is fundamentally very sound and he has an excellent 15-foot jump shot."





Dane Weyers, 5-9, PG, Class of 2008, Little Chute: The starting point guard on a Little Chute junior varsity squad that went 19-1 ... Figures to follow in the footsteps of Kurt Schommer as the next outstanding point guard for coach Mickey Martin at Little Chute ... From Coach La Chapell: "Dane is a scrappy player who is extremely strong with the ball. He is a very coachable player who distributes the ball well. He has a nice floater he hits off of drives to the basket."





Tyler Karner, 6-3, WF, Class of 2008, Wrightstown: A varsity performer for coach Cory Haese at Wrightstown last season ... Averaged 8.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Tigers in 16 Olympian Conference games ... From Coach La Chapell: "Tyler has a nice outside shot and he defends very aggressively. Coach Haese has taught him very solid fundamentals on defense."





PC Players 16U Blue Schedule





April 14-16 -- Great Lakes Shootout, Menomonie





May 5-7 -- All-America Classic, Racine





May 12-14 -- AAU State Tournament, Milwaukee





May 19-21 -- Hugh Roberts Classic, Wisconsin Dells





June 2-4 -- Adidas Festival of Teams, Ames, Iowa





July 6-8 -- Hoosier Shootout, Indianapolis, Indiana





Website: pcplayers.us





Editor's Note: Courtside will be running previews of AAU teams at the 15U, 16U and 17U levels. Please contact Wishoops.net editor Mark Miller at wbnews@pngusa.net to arrange an interview time for your program.