Day 2 really showcased some young athletes and their abilities. Once the hoop hopefuls got a feel for the games again after Friday night’s games or early games Saturday, the ball really got moving and the shots were falling, as some teams ran away from the opponents with big wins and others fought head-to-head till the final minutes… and then some. The players are playing with great competitiveness and the following players really showed they earned top performer type recognition with their efforts.

TOP PERFORMERS
PIERCE ARENZ – 2024 – PG – WI BLIZZARD NORDGAARD
Arenz was fantastic shooting the ball for a talented Blizzard group Saturday. In the first half, the lefty guard was on point from beyond the arc, drilling four 3’s. As the game went on he also showed he has great vision as a passer, completing a number of assists to teammates and showing his all-around game and effort.

BENNETT BASICH – 2024 – G/F – CLOSED GYMS MKE
Basich played with a ton of moxy and effort throughout the contest for Closed Gyms. He was active on the defensive end, and then slicing through the paint or finding cracks in the defense on offense to slip through and score at the basket. He also showed he could knock down away from the hoop a bit as well with some nice shots. Basich finished the contest with 20 points.

MICHAEL BROEKER – 2024 – F – CHAPMAN BASKETBALL
Broeker was a bright spot in a tough game for Chapman basketball. Once they get in a rhythm more, Broeker found some spots to get good looks at the hoop and converted them, making some nice buckets and helping build some confidence for his team going forward. He finished with 11 points with a pair of three’s.

COLE CERTA – 2024 – G – IL IRISH
Certa played solid, steadying the offense and keeping his team in good sets throughout the game, and then when he got good looks at the hoop, Certa did a nice job shooting the ball. He was on point from the perimeter a few times and made some nice plays for his team.

DAMON DAVIS – 2024 – G/F – WI PHENOMS
Davis was really active throughout the game for the Phenoms to kick off the second day. He pushed the ball up the floor, he was out on the break himself and finished really well going quick and strong to the basket.

DREW DAVIS – 2024 – G – RAY ALLEN SELECT
Davis was a little cool to start the game, but really heated up as the game got going and he was able to get in a groove. Once he found the bottom of the net once, he started knocking down shots more consistently and was really a weapon from the perimeter, making the defense have to play out more, which also opened up space for his teammates going to the bucket.

TERRELL GAINES – 2024 – G – YANDERS LAW
Gaines got better and better as the game wore on early Saturday. As he found space for shots, he started cooking a bit, and hit some very timely shots for his team as they battled into overtime. Gaines was good from the outside and hit some shots going to the hoop. Gaines finished with 12 points in the game.

DJ JOHNSON – 2024 – G/F – CLOSED GYMS MKE
Johnson was just awesome all game long for Closed Gyms as he made plays up and down the court. He was pressuring the ball defensively and forcing turnovers for the opponent, he pushed the ball up for the break, he finished going to the basket, knocked down shots and created scoring opportunities often for teammates in one of the best all-around efforts of the day Saturday. He had an impressive 21 points.

ETHAN KIZER – 2023 – F – IL IRISH
Kizer is already making an impact around the post area and with his athleticism, playing often up around the rim. He caught a couple lobs for scores or dunks, he was big on the glass and converted some second chance put-backs from offensive rebounding, and hit a nice shot as well. Defensively, he was big inside and protected the rim with some nice blocks against driving opponents trying to shoot over him. He had 13 points in the win.

KON KNUEPPEL – 2024 – G/F – CLOSED GYMS MKE
Knueppel was so steady and played with good patience. He seems to see the game slow down for him and in turn makes plays at each level of the offense both for his own scoring and to open up chances for teammates to put it in the hoop. He passed the ball well, he handled the ball coming up the floor in transition and he made shots all over the place consistently.

COOPER KOCH – 2024 – F – IL IRISH
Koch made some really nice plays on both ends of the floor for his team on Saturday morning. Koch was able to make some big shots for his team and was efficient in doing so, finding or creating open opportunities and then knocking them down. He also was excellent attacking the rim and finishing at the basket to help lead his team to a victory. Koch had 18 points in the victory.

KHALID CROCKERHAN – 2023 – G – ALL IN LEWIS
Crockerhan showed he has the ability to shoot fire when he gets a good look from the perimeter. He buried four treys in the first half of the late game Saturday, and also got to work attacking the basket and putting in some buckets. He finished the game with a team-high 16 points, also converting a couple free throws.

CANNON LEONARD – 2023 – F/C – IL IRISH
Leonard played solid throughout the game for the Irish, having a big impact defensively with his size and length in the paint. He altered or blocked a few shots and then went to work on the defensive glass pulling down some tough rebounds. Offensively he finished well around the blocks and basket when he got passes from teammates, going up to the hoop strong and under control.

SAM LUCAS – 2024 – F – WI BLIZZARD NORDGAARD
Lucas played really smooth for his size, and made some big plays for his team, especially early in the game to really set the tempo for his team. He attacked the rim under control and then finished with good touch at the basket. He also sank a couple shots and was otherwise very active defensively and rebounding the basketball for his team.

BRADY NICHOLSON – 2024 – SG – YANDERS LAW
Nicholson really got the ball rolling for Yanders early with his shooting prowess, which put the pressure on the opponent from the get-go. He was money from the perimeter early with a couple three-pointers and played steady throughout the game.

TYE PENCE – 2023 – G – IL IRISH
Pence was awesome for the Irish as they ran away with the game Saturday afternoon. He was looking to pressure the defense with his ability to slash to the hoop or catch on the perimeter and slice past defenders off the bounce to finish attacking the rim. He had a really nice move going baseline past defenders and then floated it nicely into the hoop with balance. Pence also dished the ball out well and assisted teammates for buckets.

ROBERT PETERS – 2023 – PF – CREAM CITY’S CHOSEN
Peters played grown in a well-fought victory for CCC in the final game Saturday night. The 6’4” post player owned the blocks on offense and finished extremely well going up to the hoop strong. He was highly efficient scoring the ball and also was really tough rebounding the basketball and using his length defensively to affect the opponent. He had a game-high 22-point effort to seal the win for his team.

ANTONIO STARKS-FEWELL – 2024 – G – YANDERS LAW
Starks-Fewell was really good with the ball in his hands throughout the game for Yanders and was a key figure in leading them to their overtime victory. He handled pressure, created opportunities for his teammates to score and was also able to open himself up for some buckets. He knocked down free throws also and made plays defensively with his athleticism and effort. The young guard had 17 points to lead his squad.

JACK SULIK – 2024 – F – RAY ALLEN SELECT
Sulik was really steady much of the game for RAS, defending the inside with his size and energy. He rebounded the basketball really well, helped teammates when opponents tried to drive, and offensively he was able to finish a number of opportunities around the basket for scores.

STEVEN TRAN – 2024 – G – IL CENTRAL ELITE
Tran showed he can really shoot the ball and that he was able to create shots for himself with his handle. He showed good patience in the offense, and found his spots on the floor where he could square up off the catch or pull up with a dribble or two to hit open looks from the perimeter. Tran poured in 6 triples and finished with an impressive 20-point effort.

DANIEL WOO – 2024 – F – RAY ALLEN SELECT
Woo played well for RAS in helping his team get to overtime Saturday with some timely buckets, and otherwise strong effort on both ends of the floor. He passed the ball well, pressured and rebounded well defensively and made a couple plays attacking the hoop for his team on offense.

GRAYSON YOUNG – 2024 – F – WI PHENOMS
Young was all over the court it seemed for his Phenoms team, making plays defensively with his length and athleticism and instincts reading passes. He got steals, turned those turnovers into fast break point opportunities and made plays going to the rim, both for himself scoring the ball and for his teammates. He was also good pulling up a bit from mid-range area and knocking down shots. Young impressed with a day-high 26 points in the runaway win.