Friday, August 8, 2008

Will a Tosa Team Punch a Ticket to Tosa: A Preview of Boys Sectional Eight

We wrap our previews of the boys sectionals with a look at number eight, which features Brookfield Central, Brookfield East, Shorewood, Wauwatosa East, Wauwatosa West and Whitefish Bay/Dominican.

From everything we're hearing, it will probably come down to Shorewood and Tosa East. But before we cover those two, let's look at what else is out there.

Brookfield Central will be well-stocked with senior leadership, starting with honorable mention all-conference performer Matt Sova. Other seniors include Jordan DuChateau, Joey Gignac, Abu Jacob, Ryan Anderson, Matt Zwerlein, Jake Kramer and Bryce Cornell.

Tosa West loses '08 setter Rob Spiering, but they return senior hitter Marc Pickering and should make some noise.

Besides losing BYU-bound Phil Fuchs and all-conference star Mike Masterson, we really don't know much about Brookfield East or Whitefish Bay/Dominican. (Note: We did receive the following helpful comment after this post was originally published: "Brookfield East graduated their entire starting lineup and they have a new coach this year--Tim Owen played for Middleton and made all-state in 2000. Setter Mike Beining will be their senior leader, and senior outside hitter Andrew Thompson will be the go-to guy on offense.")

Tosa East took Marquette to five in last year's semifinals and they'll return several key contributors. Look for senior Brian Cashion and junior Kyle O'Connell to make a serious contribution. And they'll eventually also have one of the state's best setters in senior Zach Liska.

Shorewood will be led by senior outside hitter, Nick Gibson, who was first-team, all-Woodland and honorable mention all-state. Gibson might just turn out to be one of the finest of the '09s. Look for senior Pat Sellars to also make a solid contribution for Shorewood. (Note: We received the following anonymous insight after this post was originally published: "Nick Yannett, sophomore, for Shorewood is also a stud at MH, played 15-1s for North Shore and he's a beast.")
Our prediction: Tosa East over Shorewood in five.

Even though our boys preview is now finished, we're not nearly through with it. Any new intelligence will be added to the posts. We're hoping to add schedule and roster links once they're available. And you'll be able to access them easily by clicking on the label "Ticket to Tosa 2008 Preview."

Good luck to all the boys teams, both those with a shot at immortality and the one that are just struggling to get some much-needed attention focused on boys volleyball at their high school. It's a great sport. Enjoy the ride.

Tomorrow: Girls Division Four, Sectional One

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Brookfield East graduated their entire starting lineup and they have a new coach this year (Tim Owen, played for Middleton and made all-state in 2000). Setter Mike Beining will be their senior leader, and senior outside hitter Andrew Thompson will be the go-to guy on offense.

Anonymous said...

Shorewood will surprise in Sectional
eight. They have a stud at OH in Nick Gibson and one of the best coaches in the state who gets the most out of his players.

VBuberalles said...

Thanks for the comments, anonymous and anonymous. Is the new coach at East related to the current Owen who plays at Middleton?

Anonymous said...

im not sure if they are related. he coached jv volleyball at greenfield last year and this will be his first varsity coaching experience though.

Anonymous said...

Nick Yannett (Sophomore) for Shorewood is also a stud at MH, played 15-1s for North Shore and he's a beast.