Here are a few tidbits about this weekend's WBCA boys and girls all-star contests in Madison:
State tourney connections
The Division 1 South is represented by Jake Barnett of state champion Wauwatosa East, who knocked out teammate Cory Degner of Brookfield Central in the semifinals. Central in turn had knocked out Bay Port and Cole Meyer, who represents the D-1 North, in the quarterfinals. John Benkoske of the D-1 North and his Oshkosh West mates won their state opener but lost in the semis to eventual runner-up Madison Memorial. Oshkosh West had eliminated South performer Rick Bowers and Germantown in the first round.
In Division 2, New Berlin Eisenhower teammates Mike Hojnacki and Tristan Toban won the state title, knocking out South counterpart Tony Cates and Monroe in the semifinals.
The only Division 3 representative to play in Madison last March was Mike Nezworski of Eau Claire Regis, whose squad lost to Iola-Scandinavia in its opener. Nezworski is actually replacing the Thunderbirds' Mike Griffin on the North team.
Division 4 was well-represented at state. Champion Eleva-Strum’s Lance Rongstad and Jordan Peterson are South teammates, Randolph’s Bryan Johnson, whom they defeated in the semifinals. Luck’s Tyler Peterson and Suring’s Josh Regal are mates on the North after the latter won their matchup in the state semis.
Girls
The only Division 1 players to participate at state this past March were the South’s Cara Lauritzen of Brookfield Central, which reached the semifinals, and the North’s Krista Pelky of Oshkosh West, which lost the title showdown, 49-37, to Milwaukee Vincent.
In Division 2, Grafton’s Rachael Hencke is the lone state performer for the South, while Stacie Van Handel of Freedom and Tiffany Gregorich of Altoona represent the North. Freedom defeated Grafton in overtime in the semifinals and then lost to Monroe in the final after the Cheesemakers had eliminated Altoona in the opener.
Kelsey TeBeest and Britta Jensema of Oostburg downed Jadee Rooney of Markesan in the Division 3 state finale but will be teammates on the South team. The only North player to make it to state is Kelsi Knutson of Colfax, which dropped a semifinal to Markesan.
D-4 North representatives Beth Alberson and Lindsey Brost helped Flambeau win its third straight state crown, beating WBCA teammate Melissa Michalkiewicz and St. Mary’s Central in the final.
College choices
Bradley Tech guard Chris McHenry has decided to play at Howard University, an NCAA Division I school in Washington, D.C. The honorable mention Associated Press all-stater averaged 17 points per outing and represents the Division 1 South squad on Saturday.
One of his teammates this weekend, Mike Harper of Milwaukee Custer, has announced he’ll be playing at Coppin State after averaging 13 ppg. Harper will compete against McHenry because Coppin State, located in Baltimore, also is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Coaching connection
Monroe’s Pat Murphy is the only head coach, boys or girls, who led his team to state this past season. He and two Cheesemaker assistants will direct the Division 2 South boys contingent after reaching the state semifinals.