Due to a little illness, I will not be traveling this weekend, including on my birthday, June 6th. I would greatly appreciate your prayers as I take some time to rest, recover, and get back to full strength.
For all the athletes, parents, and coaches who have been waiting to send me information for spotlight articles, now is the perfect time. Since I will be home this weekend, I plan to spend extra time writing, highlighting talent, and giving athletes the exposure they deserve.
I am especially looking to feature more female athletes right now. If you know a standout player who deserves recognition for her hard work, success, and dedication, send her my way. I would love the opportunity to tell her story and help shine a light on what she brings to the game.
As always, my passion remains the same. I want to continue giving a platform to hardworking athletes, especially those who may not always get the attention they deserve. Whether it's basketball, football, volleyball, softball, soccer, track, or any other sport, let's keep these stories moving forward.
My DM is open. Send me your spotlight information, stats, accomplishments, and story. Let's make this weekend count.
Thank you all for the continued support, prayers, and trust. It means more than you know.
@whosupnext23@ccprospects23@bench424nmore@HankampScott@GradyMajors@Parks2ProsPod@eathoops@Uorangemen2@NXTLevelSN@SPORTSXEDITS
Great weekend for our Elevate Skills New Balance teams playing in Eau Claire at @WIPlaymakers Ball Til You Fall!
Excellent competition, great venue and lots of college coaches in the building!
@Quinn_Gerke2, 6'3" G from Tomah had himself a weekend! Playing against top level competition he shot the rock as he always does...and then some!
Defended and rebounded his position at a high level on top of great offense!
Shooter, scorer, great teammate!
It’s been a fun run covering the WI Playmakers Ball Till You Fall Showcase. The talent has been outstanding, the competition has been fierce, and catching up with familiar athletes while scouting new ones has made this weekend special. Every court has brought a different story, a different battle, and another opportunity for young athletes to show what they are made of.
The mission remains the same. Give athletes a platform. Give them a voice. Shine a light on the players who continue to grind, sacrifice, and chase their dreams. Once again, these athletes have delivered. The effort, passion, heart, and determination have been on full display from the opening tip until the final buzzer.
The facilities have been impressive, the officials have been among the best I've seen all year, and the coaches have been doing what great coaches do by teaching, pushing, and helping athletes grow. Credit to @WIPlaymakers for putting together a top-notch event that has created a tremendous atmosphere for competition and exposure.
Now one final day of battles remains. One more day to leave a lasting impression. One more day to compete. One more day to show who is ready to rise when the lights are on. So who's going to bring that 🔥 and give me something to talk about?
Join the village with me as we continue to support these athletes and tell their stories. Together we can help provide the platform, exposure, and recognition they deserve. Let's finish this showcase the right way. Let's go. 🔥🏀
Big win for @PM27P32 against @renegade_club!
69-61 battle. Big lead in the 2nd half and MW showed why they are the program they are and got all the way back in it.
@Austin_Luch with 11P and 11 boards
@GraysenBecker with 18P
@Quinn_Gerke2 with 13P
Great team win.
My third highlighted game of the WI Playmakers Ball Till You Fall Showcase delivered yet another intense battle as @WIPlaymakers North 17U E32 squared off against CV Select 17U. This one was packed with grit, momentum swings, and late-game drama as both teams fought tooth and nail until the final seconds.
The game started at a slower pace with both teams feeling each other out and making every possession a challenge. CV Select found just enough offense early to take a 14-11 lead after the opening quarter. In the second period, both teams started settling in offensively, but the Select squad gained separation behind the hot shooting of #0, who caught fire from beyond the arc and helped his team build a 32-23 advantage heading into halftime.
Playmakers came out of the break determined to make a push, but CV Select kept answering every challenge. The Select squad stayed composed, made timely plays, and carried a 41-37 lead into the fourth quarter. With the game hanging in the balance, the intensity rose another level.
The final quarter turned into a battle of toughness and determination. Playmakers slowly chipped away at the deficit and eventually fought their way into the lead behind relentless effort and key baskets. Every possession became critical as both teams traded punches down the stretch. Just when it looked like Playmakers North might close the door, CV Select delivered one final response. With Playmakers holding a 54-52 lead and time winding down, #11 came up with a huge steal and converted the tying basket with only 13 seconds remaining, sending the gym into a frenzy.
The drama was far from over. With the score tied at 54-54 and only seconds remaining, CV Select attacked the basket one final time and drew a foul with just 2 seconds left on the clock. #11 calmly stepped to the free throw line with the game hanging in the balance and made both free throws to give CV Select a thrilling 56-54 victory. It was the final twist in a game filled with heart, resilience, and clutch moments.
CV Select was led by #5 @Joaiah.Demske (IG), who finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block while battling on both ends of the floor. Teammate #0 knocked down 4 triples on his way to 12 points, helping fuel the Select offense and keeping pressure on the Playmakers throughout the afternoon. The biggest sequence belonged to #11, whose late steal, game-tying basket, and clutch free throws helped complete the comeback victory.
Playmakers North was led by #4 @calebrombach, who turned in a strong all-around performance with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. His energy around the basket and defensive presence were huge throughout the game. Teammate @KamdenKroll added 13 points and provided valuable offense during key stretches of the contest.
This was another showcase game that had everything basketball fans could ask for. Tough defense, clutch plays, momentum swings, and a finish that came down to the final seconds. Both teams competed with tremendous heart, but CV Select found a way to make one more play when it mattered most and walked away with a hard-fought 56-54 victory.
My second highlighted game of the WI Playmakers Ball Till You Fall Showcase was a fierce battle between @WIPlaymakers 17U and Hoop Habbits Elite. From the opening tip, this one had the feel of a heavyweight fight with neither team willing to give an inch. Every possession was contested, every rebound was fought for, and every run was answered by the other side.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth slugfest as both teams traded baskets and momentum swings. WI Playmakers managed to grab a slim 19-17 lead after one, but it was clear this game was far from settled. The intensity only grew in the second quarter as Hoop Habbits Elite found a spark behind the hot hand of #12 Ryan McPipe. He was nearly impossible to slow down, attacking from all angles and consistently finding ways to score. His strong play helped Hoop Habbits take a 42-38 lead into halftime.
WI Playmakers came out of the half with a different level of energy. They tightened up defensively, attacked the boards, and began turning stops into offense. The momentum slowly shifted as they pieced together a strong third quarter run. By the end of the period, the Playmakers had battled their way back in front and carried a 58-54 advantage into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter was all heart, toughness, and determination. Every basket seemed to be answered by another. Every stop felt critical. Down the stretch, it became a true battle of wills as both teams exchanged big shots and clutch plays. Neither side backed down, but Playmakers found just enough answers in the closing moments to protect their lead and escape with a hard-fought 71-68 victory.
Playmakers 17U was led by #13 Trevor Robert, who turned in a monster double-double with 19 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. He gobbled up boards like candy, made winning plays, and provided a steady presence throughout the game. Teammate #5 @gavin_czruxer added 14 points and 1 steal, while #11 @RanSomD_10 matched that with 13 points, adding 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in a strong all-around effort.
Hoop Habbits Elite was led by the outstanding play of #12 Ryan McPipe, who poured in 23 points and kept his team within striking distance all afternoon. Teammate #6 @Kendyn_Grant added 14 points, 1 rebound, and 1 steal, while #1 @MatiasTrpuet1 finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block.
This was the kind of game that showcased everything great about grassroots basketball. Physical play, relentless effort, momentum swings, and players stepping up when their teams needed them most. Both teams left everything on the floor, but WI Playmakers made just enough winning plays down the stretch to secure an impressive three-point victory.
My first highlighted game of the WI Playmakers Ball Till You Fall Showcase delivered exactly the type of battle you hope to see when two talented teams collide. @WIPlaymakers 17U P32 and East Metro Wave went toe to toe in a game packed with momentum swings, big plays, and a dramatic finish that kept everyone locked in until the final buzzer.
East Metro Wave came out firing early behind crisp ball movement, strong execution, and efficient shooting. They controlled the early tempo and carried a narrow 17-15 lead after the first quarter. The Playmakers never panicked, though. They stayed composed, settled into the game, and began finding answers offensively. The second quarter belonged to #2 @KKDonnelly5, who completely changed the energy of the game with aggressive playmaking and timely buckets. His strong stretch helped WI Playmakers grab a 36-31 halftime advantage.
The Playmakers continued to build momentum coming out of the break. #13 @TrentBerg434 started heating up, making his presence felt on both ends of the floor as WI Playmakers stretched the lead to 57-45 heading into the fourth quarter. At that point, it looked like they had full control, but East Metro Wave had other plans.
The final quarter turned into an absolute dogfight. East Metro Wave dug deep, tightened up defensively, and began chipping away possession by possession. Big shots, hustle plays, and relentless effort fueled the comeback. With 1:56 remaining, the Wave completed the rally and tied the game at 63-63, setting up a thrilling finish. From there, it became a back-and-forth battle with both teams trading punches. Every possession carried weight, and every stop felt massive. In the closing moments, East Metro Wave delivered a few timely baskets and clutch plays, ultimately winning a hard-fought 70-67 victory.
East Metro Wave was led by #35 @anthony_longen43 (IG), who finished with 19 points and 4 rebounds while consistently providing offense when his team needed it most. Teammate #11 @tj_redet0309 (IG) added 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block in a strong all-around effort.
WI Playmakers was paced by #2 @KKDonnelly5, who stuffed the stat sheet with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals while playing with tremendous energy throughout the game. Teammate #13 @TrentBerg434 turned in a double-double performance with 17 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, impacting the game in nearly every category despite the tough loss.
This one had everything you could ask for. Runs, counters, defensive stands, clutch shots, and a finish that came down to the final possessions. Both teams competed at a high level and put on one of the most entertaining games of the showcase.