June 20, 2018 at 1:07 p.m.
White closes high school career with all-star game win
White closes high school career with all-star game win
White, a Hodag senior and Michigan Tech recruit, was part of a star-studded Division 2 North team that rallied past its southern D2 counterparts 107-101 during the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Game Saturday at JustAGame Fieldhouse in Wisconsin Dells.
White, the Great Northern Conference player of the year, was the only GNC player to make the trip, but there were a few other area connections on a team that included Marshfield's Seth Anderson, Merrill's Zach Mootz and was coached by Merrill's Jake Schalow.
"Overall, it was an awesome experience, getting to go to Merrill, coach Schalow did a great job of getting the guys to get to know each other," White said. "We spent a few days in Tomahawk at the Mootz family cabin, then went down and had a really nice week."
The D2 North team was headlined by Wisconsin's 2018 Mr. Basketball and West Virginia recruit Jordan McCabe of Kaukauna, who scored 27 points in a winning effort. White said one of the highlights of the week was being able to room with the standout 6-foot point guard.
"He's a really nice guy, really fun to talk to," he said of McCabe. "Playing with him, he's not as selfish as you would think. He played pretty well with the team, a little flashy at times - not something I'm used to playing in Rhinelander - but he was fun to play with."
White more than held his own in the contest, scoring 13 points, including a couple of 3-pointers. He was one of five North team players in double digits, along with McCabe, La Crosse Logan's C.J. Siegel (23), Onalaska's Noah Skifton (15) and Mootz (11).
"Owen belongs there and it's nice to see that not only is he given the honor but that he belongs there and he excels at that level," said RHS boys' basketball coach Derek Lemmens, who watched the game as a spectator. "It was just a lot of talent. Division 2 this year - both teams just had so many talented players, and not just the Jordan McCabes and the (John) Dieners. Those kids can just flat out play."
Burlington's Nick Klug matched McCabe's 27 points and seven 3-pointers for a D2 South squad that included unanimous first-team all-state selections Grant Basile of Pewaukee and John Diener of Cedarburg.
"The level of competition is unbeatable for what I've played against," White said. "Everyone playing is either going D-III, D-II, D-I or playing football. I was guarding a 6-9 kid who's going D-I. The talent level's way up there. It's was fun to play those guys and getting out of there with a win, it was fun."
RHS alum and Wausau West head coach Nate Lemmens was on the coaching staff for the D2 South squad. Lemmens was reunited with head coach Tom Diener of Cedarburg. Lemmens was an assistant under Diener when Diener coached at Milwaukee Hamilton.
Some of the top senior boys and girls basketball players from around the state participated in the two-day showcase in the Dells. Each WIAA division had a north and south all-star team. Players and coaches for each team sought sponsors for the event, with proceeds going to the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Fund.
"The whole purpose of the all-star event is awesome, to raise money for the MACC Fund," White said. "We heard from a couple of speakers who had cancer and dealt with that at a young age. Knowing that we had an impact while having a great time up there was a great experience."
White was the fifth Hodag selected to participate in the all-star game during coach Derek Lemmens' eight-year tenure at RHS. White joined his older brother, Shane; Mitch Reinthaler and Kent Mathews in participating in the game. Brandon Reinthaler was selected two years ago, but was unable to participate due to a prior commitment.
"It's nice to see, from a coaching standpoint, that what we're doing as far as skill development, if kids commit, it works," Derek Lemmens said. "I hope that kids recognize that, too. These guys all did what we asked. They all worked hard at their game, they were coachable and it worked for them."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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