With winter break here, I thought this would be the perfect time to spotlight some of the areas talented players and teams. In this early part of the season, I have gotten to see a handful of boys' basketball games and a fair amount of girls' basketball games. I have not see every team play yet but I have seen some players that have caught my eye that fit a number of different categories: standout players, X factors, and players to keep an eye on.
Some standout players I have seen are: Chris Davis Jr., Teagan Mallegni, Taylor Stremlow, Reagan Briggs, Deb Lumpkin, Mike Wilson, Alayna West, Drew Murphy, Cameron Williams, Valerie Richardson, Kearra Jones, Cam Henderson, and Demond Laongoen.
X factor players that are key to their team's success that does not always show up in the stat sheet: Bailey Parker, Maia Ellis, Tia Justice, Kamarr Bridges-Miller, and Ean Ackley.
Players to keep an eye on: Kennedi Harden, Princess Nwachukwu, Tavian Crawford, Origin Prewitt, Reece Jordan Jr., Quincy Mosely, Aubrey Smith, Caleb Liggon, Ezra Liggon, Avery Blue, Ceanna Froh, Makenzie Hawk, Timmy West, Anna Miller, Beanie Thompson, and Abbey Inda.
Surprise Teams: Sun Prairie East boys basketball team and Madison Edgewood girls basketball team.
Player spotlight: Chris Davis Jr, the hottest player in the state and has his Sun Prairie West Wolves off to a hot start with a record of 6-1 and sits on top of the Big Eight Standings. Chris is leading the state in scoring and is an elite 3 level scorer. I have watched Chris over the years and the jump he has made this year has him on track for a memorable season. Watching him operate in the pick and roll, using the snake dribble for a mid-range pull up with just enough space in-between defenders to knock it down consistently has been a thing of beauty. Chris has the ability to catch and shoot, post up, and create his own shot at the rim or wherever he wants to go. Chris does a solid job on defensive end by getting deflections and playing the passing lanes that leads to transition buckets which excites the crowd with a one or two-hand dunk. At this point of the season Chris Davis Jr. class of 2025 is having a special season and holds multiple Division 1 offers, I am looking forward to seeing his continued strong play.