Kicking off the 2018-19 high school basketball season with a bang, the 2018 Fresh Coast Classic features another loaded event with many of the state’s top teams and players in attendance. ..
Friday
9:00 a.m. – Milwaukee Madison vs. Shorewood
Milwaukee Madison will be one of the real sleepers in the City Conference this season. High-scoring forward Kyran Gaines (24.3 ppg) is one of the most unknown stars in the state. Coming off a 7-13 campaign, Shorewood will have to cope without last season’s leading scorer Deandre Anderson (23.0 ppg)
10:30 p.m. Greendale vs. Grafton
After a 12-12 season, Greendale will be in rebuild mode as they prepare for life without Vlado Zrnic (19.7 ppg). This matchup will also offer a look at a Grafton team potentially ready to take a big step after last season’s 8-15 campaign as Alex Huibregtse (15.6 ppg), Bryson Clague (9.6 ppg), Jaden Polack (11.7 ppg), and J.P. Benzschawel all return.
12:00 p.m. Milwaukee Vincent vs. New Berlin West
One of the state’s top scorers will be in action. Milwaukee Vincent 2019 guard Robert Anderson averaged 29.2 points per game as a junior. New Berlin West will be in the midst of a substantial rebuild, trying to replace their top three scorers from a season ago.
3:00 p.m. Milwaukee King vs. Arrowhead
Carter Gilmore (15.4 ppg) leads the way for Arrowhead, who should compete for a Classic Eight championship in 2018-19. Milwaukee King was 13-9 a year ago and will rely on Marcus Kartes (13.3 ppg) to take the next step and potentially move towards the top part of the City Conference.
4:30 p.m. Milwaukee Bay View vs. Mukwonago
Mukwonago surprisingly won 17 games a season ago, but will enter 2018-19 without their top three scorers from last year. Following an 11-13 season, Bay View will be rebuilding as well without Breaontae Hunt (15.9 ppg).
6:30 p.m. Homestead vs. Milwaukee Academy of Science
One of two big time matchups Friday night, Homestead takes on Milwaukee Academy of Science in battle of two teams who can play deep into March. Homestead reloads with leading scorer Ryan Waddell (17.5 ppg) among others and will want to make an early statement to North Shore foes. The three-headed monster of Amani Glosson (11.8 ppg), Darius Hannah (15.5 ppg), and Kaleim Taylor (22.2 ppg) is back for MAS, who enters 2018-19 as one of the favorites in Division 3.
8:15 p.m. Milwaukee Washington vs. Racine Park
If you like post play, it doesn’t get much better than this one. Michael Foster (18.4 ppg), the No. 2 player in Wisconsin’s 2021 class takes on Nobal Days (6.8 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 5.0 apg), the No. 1 ranked player in the 2019 class. Both teams are capable of winning a gold ball next season. Milwaukee Washington was the runner-up in Division 2, while Racine Park was one game away from playing at the Kohl Center and will also get Larry Canady (17.0 ppg) back after a 21-5 finish last season.
Saturday
10:30 a.m. – Milwaukee Marshall vs. Pius XI
Pius will have new leadership this season with Preston Maccoux and Bilal Shabazz having graduated. It won’t be a cakewalk for Marshall either, who is trying to replace their top three leading scorers from last season.
12:15 p.m. – Milwaukee Riverside vs. De Pere
Life without Carlos Curtis (East Tennessee State) won’t be easy for Riverside, who also loses double figure scorers in Montrell Jacobs and Jason Webb. De Pere will also have a number of new faces stepping forward as they try and replace their top three leading scorers.
2:00 p.m. – Milwaukee Hamilton vs. Brookfield East
The reigning Division 1 runners up likely won’t fall as far as people think. Brookfield East may be without Patrick Cartier (Hillsdale), but have reliable talent in Thomas Francken (9.8 ppg), Sam McGath (9.8 ppg), Hayden Doyle (4.2 ppg) and others. These two teams met in the regional final last season, with East taking a thrilling 49-48 victory.
6:30 p.m. – Milwaukee Golda Meir vs. West Allis Central
Golda Meir won 17 games last season, taking the Milwaukee City – Blue Conference. Mario Williams (15.0) returns for his senior season, taking the torch from Brandun Robinson. One of the bigger surprises last season, West Allis Central won 16 games and return their 1-2 punch of, Jacob Fierst (16.6 ppg) and Glenn Martin (13.4 ppg)
8:15 p.m. – Milwaukee Destiny vs. Brown Deer
Brown Deer lost Jay Gentry (29.3 ppg), but should still be a factor in Division 3. Jaylon Gentry (16.3 ppg) and Brooklyn Jagers (12.8 ppg) are both back. Destiny will have to replace Diovonte Caldwell (18.2 ppg) and suffered a blow when Carlos Ramsey opted to attend prep school for his senior season. However, Reggie Dean (13.7 ppg) is back for his senior season.
*All games play at the UW-Milwaukee Klotsche Center
