Random basketball thoughts...

Published on: 11/30/2011

Basketball season is a week old - Brookfield East's boys beat Franklin the night before Thanksgiving to kick off the team's I cover and I have some early - very early thoughts.

I saw the Brookfield Central - Germantown game last night and watched No. 1 Germantown roll over the eighth-ranked Lancers. Here is the scary thing - the Warhawks had parts of their game that weren't up to par.

All-star guard Zak Showalter didn't really get into the scoring column until the third quarter and 6-10 Luke Fischer scored 12 first quarter points and then spent some time on the bench with his third foul.

Every time the Lancers tried getting back into the game - they cut it to five (40-35) late in the third period on back-to-back 3's by Jason Meichtry - the Warhawks said 'Oh, time to play again."

For example, following that stretch the Warahwks opened the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run for a 52-35 lead and it was for all purposes over as the closest the Lancers got was 11 (52-41).

The Warhawks can kill you with great outside shooting or take the ball inside and jump over you. They will be fun to watch this year.

Josh Mongan, an excellent quarterback on the gridiron, is even better on the hard court. Steve Tietz, our resident Northwest and North Shore writer, said 'basketball is his day job.'

The Lancers had some pleasant surprises. Everyone knows how good PG Riley LaChance and forward Seth Mortag are, but Meichtry made a smooth transition from QB to shooter and two other players jumped out at me.

Jack Sandstrom - that is name that has been involved in Brookfield Central athletics since I was in school - came off the bench and scored 12 points on four 3-pointers. 

Sandstrom, a 6-3 senior forward, seemed to be shooting from the lobby at times. His outside shooting could really be a spark off the bench if that continues.

Sophomore Elijah Goodman, a 6-3 center, made an impressive varsity debut.

Goodman, who is built like an offensive lineman, was not afraid to mix it up underneath with the Germantown giants and he knew what to do with the ball when he got it. He and Sandstrom were two reasons the Lancers stayed in the game until the fourth period.

BROOKFIELD EAST

I haven't seen the Spartans play yet, but I couldn't be happier for coach Andy Farley. His team rallied to beat Franklin in the final minute to start the year and then took a 33-16 half-time lead and rolled over Greendale at home on Tuesday.

Farley lost two studs, inlcuding CJ Gregg, and he is relying on Brian Smith and Ryan McBride to help lead his young team and so far they haven't disappointed. Friday he runs into some guy named Tokoto and the Indians at Falls to start the GMC race.

Check out my column online about the Brookfield Central and East girls if you get a chance or in this week's BrookfieldNOW paper.

TOSA THOUGHTS
I will be at Tosa East on Friday to watch the Red Raiders open their GMC season against a good West Allis Central team. I really want to get a look at the 'new look' Raiders.

Andre Carroll. Remember that name. He is the younger brother of TE's Anthony Carroll, who moved from Tosa West to Tosa East after his freshman year. Carroll is a key to this year's young Tosa West team - and hopefully he stays there for four years.

Carroll, who scored 19 points and made the All-Tournament team, at Fort Atkinson's Thanksgiving Tourney last week, could be the most important freshman in the area this year.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @skyskibosh.

See ya