A Pius XI star's milestone and resurgent seasons highlight Milwaukee-area boys basketball
Milwaukee-area high school boys basketball teams sought to start the New Year on a high note as they returned to action this week. Here are takeaways from area action.
Pius XI's Johnson eclipses career milestone
Pius XI senior Jaquan Johnson put up 46 points in a 80-73 win over Greenfield on Friday night, and in doing so eclipsed 2,000 points for his high school career. The Bradley University commit finished the week with 2,010 points. In his fourth year as a starter, Johnson has seen his scoring average climb from 15.7 points per game as a freshman to 34.2 as a senior. His average places him second in the state in scoring average as of Saturday morning, according to stats published to wissports.net, behind only Sun Prairie West junior Chris Davis Jr. (41.2).
Pius XI is scheduled to face another top scoring threat Thursday, as the Popes travel to Pewaukee. The Pirates' leading scorer, Nebraska commit Nick Janowski, entered Saturday with a 30.8 points per game scoring average that is sixth-best in the state.
Ball bouncing Oconomowoc's way more often in '23-24
A frustrating 2022-2023 campaign for Oconomowoc (11-14) was underscored by a record of 7-8 in games decided by fewer than 10 points. Approaching the midway point of a turnaround 9-2 start in 2023-2024, the Raccoons have shown an ability to distance themselves more often in closer games. The box scores show different players stepping up in various tight games, a sign of a team that finds a way to win regardless of who has the hot hand. Seniors Trevor Mozejewski and Lukas Hoffman put up 22 and 18 points respectively in a 63-53 win over Catholic Memorial on Dec. 8. Senior Phillip Borgman (21 points) and junior Kashton Allen (19) led a 57-56 win over Slinger on Dec. 29.
Oconomowoc entered Saturday with a 5-1 conference record good for second in the Classic 8. The Racoons last won a conference title in the 2015-2016 season. The week ahead provides an opportunity to solidify that standing, as the Raccoons host Kettle Moraine (4-1, third in Classic 8) on Tuesday and travel to Muskego (3-2, fourth) on Friday.
Lifelong Learning experiencing resurgence
The Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning improved its record to 10-2 this week with an 82-54 win Friday over St. Ambrose Academy from Madison to follow up on a 91-62 win over Milwaukee Bay View on Tuesday. The program's 10th win of the season represents the highest win total since a 13-10 finish in 2017-2018. Junior Adam Turay (20.5 points per game), senior Mohammed Turay (19.8) and senior Demontrell Morris (14.9) have led the team effort with their scoring averages.
The Wizards have won nine straight since a 1-2 start, highlighted by a stretch of wins over Milwaukee Pulaski (87-65), Milwaukee South (79-75) and Tenor/Veritas (103-62) just before Christmas. Lifelong Learning ended the week atop the Milwaukee City White Conference at 5-0, another milestone exceeding the 2017-18 season's conference win total of four.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pius star hits 2,000 points, Oconomowoc, Livelong Learning boys rising
